"How to..." Response

In his on-line article, "How to Write a Better Blog," the author Denis A. Mahoney gives numerous tips for improving web writing, specifically for blogs.

One similarity between Mahoney's conceptualization of writing for the web and my experience with writing for other mediums is discussing something new. "There's nothing new under the sun" is an accurate (albeit overused) phrase, but there is always a different view to take on an issue. If a certain idea has been beaten to death by other writers, I try to take a fresh and original approach to it.

One difference between his article and my experience is the style of writing. Depending on who one's audience includes, a writer needs to use phrases and styles that will attract them. Just because some "poorly crafted phrase" is used frequently on MTV doesn't mean it should be avoided if the audience is comprised of mainly MTV viewers. A writer needs to know his or her audience.

"Blogs are simply glorified diaries!" Mahoney would disagree with this statement since he is aware that blogs may have widespread audiences. Although he encourages a writer to describe personal experiences, he also explains why there are strict rules that govern how a person writes. Grammar, punctuation, clarity and other characteristics of well-written blogs do not apply to personal diaries since very few people read them.

I agree with Mahoney's idea to ammuse your readers with anecdotes. This is essential to having a blog (or other written work) that will entertain readers and keep them coming back. Boring or uninteresting writing will lose readers immediately. Also, no matter how quirky one's sense of humor is, someone out there will connect with it.

I disagree with his idea that "amateur" writing is bad for the internet. Any blog, ranging from a college professor's to a junior high drop out's, equally deserves webspace. Every writer, independent of age or ability, offers a unique and interesting viewpoint that should be shared. If you don't like it, don't read it.