Comments on Vanilla Garlic: Voice and Blogging

Mech Jen - Aww, why thank you! blush

2009-10-08T18:17:08.213-07:00

Mech Jen - Aww, why thank you! *blush*

As a person that struggles to write, I really appr...

2009-10-08T13:37:55.213-07:00

As a person that struggles to write, I really appreciate your advice.

On a completely unrelated note - you're adorable.

Great post! Your blog is one of my favorites and ...

2009-10-01T09:02:27.291-07:00

Great post! Your blog is one of my favorites and it is because of your voice. As a matter of fact, I often enjoy your posts that don't include cooking more than the posts that include food because when you write what is on your mind, you have the most to say.

You just made me realize a lesson for me in what I just said to you. The posts on my blog that are outside of my comfort zone (reporting on nutrition or other factoids) are the clunkiest posts I write. Hmmmm... have to think about that...

Thanks for this post! It's so true that this t...

2009-09-30T04:22:00.464-07:00

Thanks for this post! It's so true that this topic is relevant to everyone, not just beginner bloggers. I've had my blog for a couple years and I still look at what I write sometimes and think, "Who is this?" I also have a very self-critical nature, so that doesn't help. I hope I'll find a voice I'm truly comfortable with someday.

Garrett, What a lovely and insightful post. It w...

2009-09-29T20:22:41.234-07:00

Garrett,

What a lovely and insightful post.

It was a pleasure to meet you at Blogher last weekend.

Elana

I wish I'd been able to be in SF for the confe...

2009-09-28T21:37:19.071-07:00

I wish I'd been able to be in SF for the conference so thanks for posting this.

You said, "Get used to 'I'"

I think I have the opposite problem. How do you move away from starting every sentice with "I"?
It's hard to step back and I don't want it to always be about me.

As you say, people who know you personally can rec...

2009-09-28T12:32:02.189-07:00

As you say, people who know you personally can recognize you in your written words. That's why voice is so important to a blogger, it's the main thing readers have to identify you. If you gave me anonymous posts from some of my favorite bloggers, I'd be able to know who wrote which simply by the style.
I have two folders in my RSS feeds: Food Favorites and Other Food. Food Favorites have voice, they write in a way that makes them real to me. Other Food has some good pictures or recipes, but I rarely bother with the words.

I love Zinsser's book, by the way, and thanks for the Will Write For Food recommendation!

These are great tips! :)

2009-09-28T12:21:23.388-07:00

These are great tips! :)

Thank you for your thoughts. I am new to blogging ...

2009-09-28T12:16:08.159-07:00

Thank you for your thoughts. I am new to blogging and have found it awkward so far, but that is why I started: to challenge myself creatively and find a writing style that is my own. This was a good pep talk!

Great post, Garrett. Good food for thought, not j...

2009-09-27T19:16:24.258-07:00

Great post, Garrett. Good food for thought, not just for beginning bloggers.

What a great post, Garrett. I'm a rank beginn...

2009-09-27T12:15:29.369-07:00

What a great post, Garrett. I'm a rank beginner in the world of blogging, and putting myself "out there" goes against my naturally reticent personality. But I love my profession and blogging is a way to share it with others and give my desserts a life beyond the table. I'm keeping a copy of your post next to the computer for inspiration and motivation. Thanks!

Liana - I really hope to someday! :)

2009-09-25T16:17:51.439-07:00

Liana - I really hope to someday! :)

I've always enjoyed your writing and found it ...

2009-09-25T16:00:24.938-07:00

I've always enjoyed your writing and found it authentic.

For the longest time I felt like my years writing instructional and training materials in someone else's voice had taken my own voice away, but I'm slowly finding it. It's only taken 3-1/2 years of blogging.

Looking forward to meeting you tomorrow!

Fabulous and timely! For the record, you have a ...

2009-09-25T13:39:55.359-07:00

Fabulous and timely!

For the record, you have a fantastic voice. Any chance you'll put it all in hard print some day and give us a book?

Garrett, Sage advice. As for you, what terrific...

2009-09-25T11:38:02.947-07:00

Garrett,

Sage advice.

As for you, what terrific validation that your friend would know it was you if someone else read your work. That's a bingo!

Look forward to meeting you in person tomorrow. Thanks for recommending my book!

Love this Garrett - so true about writing everyday...

2009-09-25T11:27:21.417-07:00

Love this Garrett - so true about writing everyday!! Can't wait to meet you at the conference this weekend!

Barbara - Have you read the first posts on this bl...

2009-09-25T11:15:03.458-07:00

Barbara - Have you read the first posts on this blog? They're awful. Just keep at it and write to please yourself first and foremost. As for being certain or not if your friends read it, just ask them. =)

Unfortunately, my writing sucks. So blogging takes...

2009-09-25T10:55:49.704-07:00

Unfortunately, my writing sucks. So blogging takes a lot of time and effort...I was always good at math, no good at writing. I only continue because I love food and love reading other blogs. So I try to relate food experiences as best I can.
Now you, you are blunt and very honest- sometimes too honest. This probably brings in more readers and comments. You write well and I always read your posts from start to finish. What better comment can I make than that?
We all like feedback and it's really difficult to get started blogging- comments are hard to come by. There are so many of us. It takes time, a lot of reading other blogs (and commenting) and effort to make your own blog intersting to others as well as yourself.
It always amazes me that my own friends locally don't comment. I'm pretty sure they read it...but have no way to be certain.