... says Beth Moore, a well-known Christian speaker, author and teacher. She said that sometimes when she's writing a bible study she wonders if anyone will read it.
This is coming from a woman who's written 15+ bible studies, spoken at conferences all over the world, and founded a biblically-based organization for women called Living Proof Ministries. But she still feels alone sometimes when she's writing and thinks, "Is or will anyone read(ing) my book?"
That's how I sometimes feel when I write these posts. Originally my purpose of blogging was to update extended family members on our family happenings. Friends also inquire on how we were doing so it was easier to add them onto the email as well. I was sending periodic updates through email but they were getting too long due to the amount of photos I was attaching.
So I ventured onto the world wide web as an easier outlet for them to view and read our family happenings. Well, little did I know that the majority of our family do not read my blog regularly. They don't even subscribe thus I'm not even sure if they are reading it at all! And you can guess my reaction when one asks, "So what have you been up to? What have the girls been doing? or how was your trip to so-and-so place?" Well.. if you read my blog you would have gotten your answer!
It's like when you call someone and you leave a message for them to call you back.. and they don't. Or if you send a letter snail mail.. and you don't get a returned letter. Or if you email or text someone and you don't get a response. Hmm.. is there really anyone out there?
But Beth Moore continues. When she hears from one reader telling her that her book made a huge difference in their life, Beth feels that writing it was well worth it! If just one reader is touched, then it's worth it.
For me, whenever I get an email telling me that someone commented, all that writing, editing, downloading pictures etc.. was worth it. I did not realize how important feedback was to a writer. Good or bad feedback, who cares, as long as it's feedback. It tells us that someone was reading! And if they comment, then they had a reaction to what you wrote; a strong enough reaction that made them type in a comment. Two-way communication is key to our self-esteem!
One blog I follow gets hundreds of comments a day. One post garnered over 1,300 comments. For ONE post!! Of course she was offering a $100 gift certificate but that's not the point. She has over 1,000 readers!! (Of course, she is a professional photographer and thus has a large following.)
The point is that all the hard work of writing, adding pictures, editing etc... and to 'feel' that no one is reading it is very disappointing and demoralizing. I guess what I'm saying is that it is that my writing is less-satisfying when there is no feedback involved.
Since I follow quite a few blogs, I know what it is like to read and run. They did not know I dropped by. Now I usually will read, respond and then run. :)
BUT I know that there are people reading this. YOU!!
I've been so pleasantly surprised when I get a comment from someone... anyone! So THANK YOU if you are a regular reader, if you have subscribed, if you have commented, or if you have personally talked to me about what you have read.
If you have asked a question in your comment, I usually will respond back in the Comment Box. So make sure you check back on that particular post in the Comment section.
OK... I will now get off my soap box and plan out my next post!
