I know it's hard to tell from a blog, but if we were meeting in person, I might not look directly into your eyes. And if more than three people were in the group, I probably wouldn't talk at all.
That's how I've been as I surf the internet, too. I guess I'd be called a lurker. I love to read people's posts, but I don't have much to say in response. Too scary. What if they think I'm a total dork?
Yesterday I stumbled onto a site by MotherReader encouraging bloggers to engage with each other by posting to five blogs every day for three weeks. I have to say, a month ago, I would not have been up to the challenge. But the longer I'm at this, the easier it gets. No one has mocked me yet (that I know of!) and I've actually "met" some incredible people online.
Earlier this year, Mary Hershey gave me some advice that I've taken to heart. Surround yourself with what you want to become. Get to know the community, learn from other writers. What I've found is that writers are a very supportive group. I've been overwhelmed and beautifully surprised.
I still get nervous posting to a new person's blog, but I've also "talked" to some great people. People I would enjoy spending time with in real life.
I might even look into their eyes!
7 comments:
Having the internet is making huge cultural changes and sometimes we change, too.
I used to be shy. Still am, I guess. I prefer a lot of time alone in a nice, relatively quiet place. Don't get it as much since I got married. ;-)
Ah well. I also decided at some point to train myself to be more outgoing, to look people in the eye and ask them quesiotns about themselves. My preference is to observe. I love to sit back and observe. But now, with the changes I've made, the new habits I've acquired, I can hold my own in almost any conversation. Now I have to watch that I don't dominte it.
I had almost exactly the same problem. Why would anyone want to read one of MY silly comments? And why would anyone want to read my blog anyway?
But then I learned some of the people on the Internet are actually nice!? Where have they been hiding all this time? On the Internet, apparently. :)
Hi Sherrie! Sarah pointed me to the blog challenge you mentioned and I think it's a great idea too. I'm totally new to this and so far everybody's been very welcoming.
Thanks for visting and commenting on my blog! I'll check yours out often. : )
Sarah, I know what you mean about training yourself. I'm actually okay in an interview situation so sometimes I'll just pretend that I'm interviewing someone and somehow that makes it easier. Once I'm comfortable with people it's no problem. It's the first step that's hardest!
Thanks for your comments Carrie and Suzanne -- it's great meeting you both!
I read Mary's Shrinking Violet Promotions blog. Good advice for introverts! I think it helps to remember that other writers are reclusive. The Comment Challenge is a great idea to help us out of our shells.
I'm a little shy, too, or reserved as I like to call it, but the funny thing is that you wouldn't know it from my blog. My kids laugh at all my blogging because tit shows them a different side of mom.
Kim, I agree. This comment challenge has pushed me in a good way. I'm loving meeting so many great writers!
Sherry, my kids think it's weird that I talk to strangers when I tell them NOT to do that!
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