I often spend time thinking of a response, and never quite formulate or articulate what I want to say, or think it’s too boring of a comment or doesn’t add value, then I get distracted by the next thing, move on, and forget all about commenting at all. I was pulled away twice from even commenting on this post! But felt like I had to after your call to action lol.
LOL! I intended it as a CTA to support emerging writers, but it is lovely to see you back on my comment stack, Charlie. You know that your insightful comments in Mother of Dragons was a great boost and invitation to come out of hiding for me! Without the support on that first edition I may not have made it to E136. Thank you!
I love that you are calling this out Karena. The art of commenting is a hidden gem that not enough people take advantage of. It lifts all boats as the saying goes. The writer is empowered by the visible presence of the reader, and the comment-leaver deepens their capacity to engage thoughtfully and usefully with others. When I started commenting as a practice I had no idea how much personal benefit it would provide. Turns out you can't be generous without helping yourself too! The ROI for the time it actually takes to jump in the comment section and engage is off the chart. I hope everyone uses your post as an opportunity to practice! : )
Karena, thank you for being such a role model and calling our attention to how the algorithms work. I had no idea.
"In response, I choose to support the voices that deserve amplification. I promptly like a post and, time permitting, add a comment. Even if a topic does not align with my interests I select an example of excellent writing that caught my attention and offer a reflection to continue the conversation the writer has started with me, the reader. Engagement."
Everyone should read and implement this!
And Earth Day - wonderful calls to action. My wife and I bought several seedlings today!
Love your call to action to like and comment. I've changed as well. Before I started writing online, it never occurred to me writers would appreciate my likes and comments. I assumed they were confident in their abilities and had little regard for feedback from readers like me.
But now I know the likes and comments mean a ton, and I'm grateful when people drop them in response to my posts. I'm glad new students have you to encourage them!
Also, great tips on celebrating Earth Day, thank you! 💚
Your worthy work has justly drawn great comments, Allie. You inspire. Not just in range of topics, but also in sharing your life journey, even when it makes you vulnerable.
The time you spent engaging with my earliest pieces was one of the things I appreciated the most from you, Karena. As a budding (and struggling) writer, the comments inspired me to keep moving forward. That is the value you can create by simply engaging in someone else's work. I've been trying to do the same (still working on it), and I find that I benefit from engaging as well - I dig a little deeper into what I'm reading, allowing me to learn more.
Thank you for this thoughtful and action-provoking post Karena. “Plant a seedling: Invest in the future by nurturing new life and contributing to the planet's greenery.” I have spotted the first tiny rosette overground from my planting of seed potatoes a few weeks ago. It’s never less than thrilling and awe-inspiring each and every time.
Thank you, Kathy. Your posts also always hold so much value. I loved the way you interspersed your own photos to the poem A Prayer for the World by Rabbi Kushner. The photos made the poem come alive.
I often spend time thinking of a response, and never quite formulate or articulate what I want to say, or think it’s too boring of a comment or doesn’t add value, then I get distracted by the next thing, move on, and forget all about commenting at all. I was pulled away twice from even commenting on this post! But felt like I had to after your call to action lol.
LOL! I intended it as a CTA to support emerging writers, but it is lovely to see you back on my comment stack, Charlie. You know that your insightful comments in Mother of Dragons was a great boost and invitation to come out of hiding for me! Without the support on that first edition I may not have made it to E136. Thank you!
You are too kind, Karena! Amazing to think it's been 136 editions since we first met. Time flies.
I know! It's my fifth WoP around the sun.
I love that you are calling this out Karena. The art of commenting is a hidden gem that not enough people take advantage of. It lifts all boats as the saying goes. The writer is empowered by the visible presence of the reader, and the comment-leaver deepens their capacity to engage thoughtfully and usefully with others. When I started commenting as a practice I had no idea how much personal benefit it would provide. Turns out you can't be generous without helping yourself too! The ROI for the time it actually takes to jump in the comment section and engage is off the chart. I hope everyone uses your post as an opportunity to practice! : )
Two veterans! I should have cited you as the perfect example of someone who processes, condenses and continues the conversation, Rick.
: )
Rick, you are the hallmark for us in this practice :)
Karena, thank you for being such a role model and calling our attention to how the algorithms work. I had no idea.
"In response, I choose to support the voices that deserve amplification. I promptly like a post and, time permitting, add a comment. Even if a topic does not align with my interests I select an example of excellent writing that caught my attention and offer a reflection to continue the conversation the writer has started with me, the reader. Engagement."
Everyone should read and implement this!
And Earth Day - wonderful calls to action. My wife and I bought several seedlings today!
I look forward to photos of your garden over time! It is still too cold to plant here. But we are indoor planning.
Love your call to action to like and comment. I've changed as well. Before I started writing online, it never occurred to me writers would appreciate my likes and comments. I assumed they were confident in their abilities and had little regard for feedback from readers like me.
But now I know the likes and comments mean a ton, and I'm grateful when people drop them in response to my posts. I'm glad new students have you to encourage them!
Also, great tips on celebrating Earth Day, thank you! 💚
Your worthy work has justly drawn great comments, Allie. You inspire. Not just in range of topics, but also in sharing your life journey, even when it makes you vulnerable.
The time you spent engaging with my earliest pieces was one of the things I appreciated the most from you, Karena. As a budding (and struggling) writer, the comments inspired me to keep moving forward. That is the value you can create by simply engaging in someone else's work. I've been trying to do the same (still working on it), and I find that I benefit from engaging as well - I dig a little deeper into what I'm reading, allowing me to learn more.
That is such a great observation, Linart. When we read to continue the conversation, we connect on a deeper level.
And it is a pleasure to support writers like you who invest so much time in the research and share components of their work.
Thank you for this thoughtful and action-provoking post Karena. “Plant a seedling: Invest in the future by nurturing new life and contributing to the planet's greenery.” I have spotted the first tiny rosette overground from my planting of seed potatoes a few weeks ago. It’s never less than thrilling and awe-inspiring each and every time.
Great call to support each other with "likes" Karena. It's easy to do that on your posts which always deliver a tasty thought to chew :)
Thank you, Kathy. Your posts also always hold so much value. I loved the way you interspersed your own photos to the poem A Prayer for the World by Rabbi Kushner. The photos made the poem come alive.
https://kathykarn.com/blog/world-prayer