Reply to comment

Going back through my diary and reading the comments and lists that are written within, I know that I would not want my diary published. And a realization that the internet is a kind of "published" (using the term loosely) is important. I would propose that the way you write in your diary is different from the way I right in mine; as you say above "I write in my diary because I feel like my experiences, thoughts and ideas are important and meaningful" with at least some though to the idea of "sharing them." I would congratulate you for this, especially if you were writing an internet blog. Like another few users have mentioned, the blog is meant to be read, not only written (although internet writers do not often realize this). Authors want their work to be read, and any published diaries, I feel, are by authors, not diarists (if you will permit me to distinguish between these terms). Maybe I am changing my mind, but I would have to say that your comment has made me think about how important it is to know that what you are reading is meant for an audience. Everything I read is something I know is meant for an audience, and usually written by professionals who use their real names (something user teal noticed as "something worth writing for").

I remember going to see an author speak, an author who found himself at the forefront of a 'new' "New Weird" movement (it was not his label, he explained, although he does not seem to mind its use). An audience member asked him why he did not write a blog and the author replied that the thoughts and stories he told in his novels and other writings were enough-- that he did not want the internet to be populated by his every small and insignificant thought. I remember being startled by this statement. I mean, if someone as educated and thoughtful as this author felt too exposed by blogging... well! And although he is someone I would be interested in hearing from more often (through books or blogs), I deeply respect his descision and motivation.