Why a Blog?

People have been asking me if I have a blog... I have been wondering why I NEED a blog... who would read it? Then the realization, a blog may not really be about what other people need, but about the writer's need to write...

We speak of the power of voice, of audience for student work. We speak of the increase in effort when the work is for an authentic audience. We speak of the powerful nature of the Internet to provide audience and discussion group. We speak of the capability of the Internet to bring people together, to provide a great no-walled think tank. I wonder if we have missed something here.

When I was a young girl, back in the days before computers, and even back when typewriters were not found in most homes, I wrote my thoughts, fears, feelings and yes, even gossip, between the pink vinyl covers of my diary. I held the power of the pen AND the power of the little gold key that locked it all away and held my writing private and close to me. And, without audience, other than myself, I wrote.

I wrote of sweet things - new puppies, schoolgirl crushes, and of deep things - the death of a much loved grandfather. I wrote of things which were important then and not even remembered now. I wrote without concern for audience. I wrote for the release of it. I wrote for the emptying of my mind prior to sleep. I wrote to explore and I wrote to remember. I wrote to test out thoughts and try out ideas. I did not write for others to read.

Oh, there were times I wrote for others. I wrote notes in a small spiral notebook which was passed between my friend Lyn and I. I wrote papers for class and I wrote letters home from camp. I wrote letters to a penpal in Finland. I knew each had an audience.

Later in life I learned more about audience. I learned to write a certain way for my Political Science professor and another way for my Psychology TA. I learned to write love letters, letters of apology and letters of sympathy. I learned to write magazine columns and to write lesson plans. I learned to use the written word to tell a story, tell a truth, forge a friendship and so much more.

But this explosion of Blogs.... what to make of this? Well, my local toy store reveals no pink vinyl diaries, might this be the reason? Actually, I think it is part of the reason. I think the search for VOICE may be part of the fuel for the frenzied growth of Blogs. I explored being angry, hurt, silly, and introspective in my pink vinyl diary. I explored the voice of the baby girl of the family round the dinner table, the voice of a sympathetic friend over the phone, I practiced the voice of the knowledgeable friend under the streetlight with my best friend and neighbor. I experimented with the voice of love in postcards and letters to my boyfriend sent while I traveled in Europe. I practiced the voice of experience and knowledge in newsletter articles.

I have had many venues to practice and share my voice and with it my thoughts feelings fears and more. Maybe what is missing for today's youth, and perhaps today's adults, is a chance to have a voice.

Perhaps the pink vinyl diaries of today are blogs. Perhaps instead of practicing and finding one's voice around the dinner table or on the phone young people today are using technology to practice, develop and determine their voice.

Food for thought.
I wonder what you think.