Last week I was a bit taken aback when a couple of people on Twitter told me they were surprised at a blog post I’d written. The implication was that it wasn’t the kind of post they expected me to write.
I don’t know either of these people, I don’t follow them on Twitter. I don’t really – how can I put this? – CARE about their opinions.
A few days ago a close friend – a very popular blogger – was told what she ‘should’ be tweeting about. And yesterday another friend- again, an extremely successful blogger – received a comment from a total stranger about something she’d written on her blog, basically telling her she shouldn’t have written it.
Hellooo?
Since when did the fact that you read a blog or follow someone on Twitter give you the right to tell them what to blog, or tweet? To try to censor, or edit their content?
This is my blog. I write it, I own the url and everything on it. If I want to write 30 posts about my love for Colin Farrell, or about my dislike of Hob Nobs, I will. No one – not even my closest friends – can tell me how or what to write on this space.
Because the point of a blog, surely, is that it is your personal space, and as long as you’re not breaking the law, you can do what you like with it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course, and there’s nothing wrong with debating a topic. But blogs are so personal to the blogger, that if you try to tell someone what to write you’re essentially telling the blogger how to think.
And you’re probably going to get short shrift.
Well. I do agree but looking forward to discussing this with you further on Friday. My blog is avidly read by my ex and his new wife. The challenges to not write inflammatory stuff can most certainly take away my sense of freedom of speech.
Perhaps people aren’t telling you what to blog so much as just expressing surprise at what you are blogging about. A blog being a personal space is an interesting angle as it’s on the internet for everyone to see, judge and share their opinions about. In fact, comments are encouraged. A diary is a personal space.
Hi Ali -as I said in the post, I have no problem with people engaging with the blog/commenting, but expressing surprise at what I’m blogging about is a different issue. This is a my personal space – the fact it’s public doesn’t give anyone else the right to tell me what’s on it.
To be honest this is one of the reasons it took me so long to start blogging, as I know I value the opinions of strangers far too highly! May bookmark this as a reminder to myself 😉
I had to comment as I have personally suffered this and it caused me to fall out of love with blogging, bloggers, and twitter.
I am courting again, with all 3 but it will never ever be the same.
Great post and you are right.
Liska
Good for you! Those who want to, read, those who don’t, don’t!
You tell ’em!
I posted something the other day on mine and someone commented on Pinterest they didn’t like a word I used.
I’m sorry but if I think the correct word is fat rather than overweight (to me there is a big difference between the two) then I will use whichever I feel is more appropriate in my blog post.
Say what you feel or think – that’s what blogging is all about.
I have to agree with you here – although we share our blogs in public here are OUR personal space! Leave our blogs alone!
I agree! No one should be able to tell you what to do on your own blog!
Absolutely right – your blog is personal to you and, within reason, you can write what you like.
Can’t believe you don’t like hobnobs though. Do you mean the plain ones or the chocolate ones?
Completely. I love blogging about blogging, mainly because it’s my favourite hobby, and I like to write about my hobbies. Someone once said, not too long ago, that blogging about blogging is boring and “soooo not cool” and people should simply not do it. That person needs to get a grip! No one, and I mean no one, tells me (and you) how to and what to, blog. Simple as.
CJ x
I agree with Helen about Twitter – someone else said to me recently that things you think are hilarious often just come across as crass or whatever. Plus it’s a massive melting pot of different people and hence opinions/religions/whatever. Thanks for mentioning me in this – I was gobsmacked when talking about NZ wine to be told that I SHOULD be talking about British wine. I don’t engage in bad mouthing on Twitter, but sent her a link to my recent post on English wine instead. But then again, why should I even care what she thinks? Oh, le sigh…
Twitter can be a dangerous thing. I have followed quite a few bloggers on Twitter, as well as other people I do not know but admire, and I am sure I am often guilty of feeling that I “know” someone because I follow them. It can make you more unguarded in comments, and I’m sure some of mine will have missed the mark in the past. Although I am not sure I have ever told someone they shouldn’t be blogging about something (I hope!)
Love this post – yay you for sticking up for yourself!
Totally agree!
…and loving your fab poster!
you don’t like Hob Nobs???
I am happy to say that I’ve not experienced that (yet). Still cannot understand why anyone would tell you what to write on your blog?!?