Not-a-chan! This post has been coming, as I’ve taken some thought after reading Michael’s posts and responses. Maybe it has nothing to do with AnimeBlogging, perhaps nothing to do with anime in general, actually, I’ve decided not to write about my blogging style and just let it dangle, because I’ve already written about it in my About section. I will write about something else, Reflective-style. A sort of compliment to Michael’s recent post on Advertising, which deals with what I’ll call Product-style.
This reflective style which I speak is easily achieved by bloggers because it is simply a “say what you want to say” without chains, and possibly without intent of readership or privacy, possibly. (Think about that paradox for a sec, seems like these posts are meaningless right. meaningless=AloeDream ^^ ) In fact, reflection is the number one style of posting on anime blogs anyway, so why else is it important? It just is, because reflection can be, and is often, embedded in the product-style. This can cause a sort of imaginary necessity to post for readership and comments; hell I do it, its a habit, and its a blog, but it’s not specifically required.
Most blogs do the episodic summary thing, it’s not bad, its a staple, something to thrive on. Usually, beyond the summary is actual reflection. That’s awesome, so awesome, that if and when I read an episodic post, I read the reflective portion first. I feel reflective notes have a similar effect as to how a viewer may enjoy the inner thoughts of a slice-of-life character. Yet, it’s different in a way, because those reflections may actually relate to the reader, through the series / manga / novel / poem / movie / album….
Reflection also serves the writer a good purpose, greater than what others could get out of it, imo.
So why prioritize the product over the reflection? I believe it’s for readership. This isn’t evil, it’s encouraged, because, mmm, Michael’s post on advertising analyzes it well. Good things can come from this desire for readership (ie sites with descriptions I’ve added to my blogroll, I’m sure most desired readership). Though, it shouldn’t come at the cost of happiness, relaxation, enjoyment, etc (stated by many).
One blogger, who I find does this efficiently, is Kurogane. He usually posts an image and a few lines. The ultimate pure reflective style, short and sweet. I don’t even read all of the posts, but I know what to expect. I wish I could do it more, but I’m usually swayed to the product-style, damn damn damn. ^^
Nothing is for sure in the animeblogosphere, except things like Omni hunting down raws and posting summaries as if the end were tomorrow.
Perhaps we don’t need blogs for reflection. Perhaps non-bloggers only want to reflect, but having a blog is overkill. Perhaps I should finish the site that will provide reflective space without the expansiveness of a blog and without the restriction of “media-specific”. Perhaps I should finish this post.
Ryan A
I think we all start from an illusion of obtaining some form of popularity and recognition from starting a blog. That is why most of us start by writing episode summaries, as it is *seemingly* the primary desire of those readers. People provide a product because there is a demand. Time passes, though, and we mature in our blogging - and from this we move away from what is normal. We admix thoughts, and some of us evolve to write only editorial posts … we still produce a product, but we produce it as much as for others as for ourselves, as you’ve said.
Reflection also has more uses than one, as you’ve noted.
Yes, it’s easy to think about obtaining a large base “off the bat”, but its just not feasible. Impz is the only case I can think of differently, most other popular bloggers went the long way or were the originals (and probably didn’t consider the popular aspect). Eventually, when we move to blog the way we want to blog, it works out, or at least the blogger may feel better.
I <h;3 reflections, and there is nothing wrong with product. Reflections also serve a good purpose for conjuring a solid review. Similar to the journalist’s micro-recorder which may be used to voice-note their thoughts for a new piece.
I take pride in what I do, but it requires a lot of dedication. One of the first pieces of advice I always give to people who ask me about starting a blog is that they probably don’t want to do what I do because they’ll likely burn out quickly. That being said, I like to think that one of the reasons people frequent my site is that it’s a reliable source of information.
I believe that is the truth.
Most readers of RC acknowledge that there will be accurate information on an episode, at least that’s how I feel. Thats the primary reason why Random Curiosity, Memento, and Subculture (although newer) are the best sources for episode impressions and summaries IMO; also the reason why I feel like my feeble summary attempts are uncalled for. ^_^
It amazes me how you do it, in a good way.
No shit, Omni. It requires a whole lot of dedication, and lol, I tried that with ONE series and I burnt out. Quickly.
@Ryan
I agree. ^^
I think most people start off with the wrong mindset. Like you said, a lot of bloggers start doing summaries to try drawing in viewers, but they are quickly disappointed from lack of viewership and burn out from the seemingly unrewarded work. I’m a pretty new blogger, but I’ve already seen several other blogs come and go. Blogging should be about fulfilling yourself; the reader feedback can come as a bonus. As for myself, I started out writing summaries for my own purposes, and I continue to try to keep that in mind. I actually enjoy posting on a large amount of other blogs more than my own, so I guess in my case, I want to reflect too much! xD
btw Ryan, I’ve tried to post on your blog a few time in the past but I always get errors….I guess I’ll try to post on them again if I can remember what I wanted to say. orz
@totali
About the errors, I’m thinking about taking off that comment protection because I have “phantom” comments at times, and it freaks me out. If you remember do tell, I don’t think anything is time-sensitive here, and I enjoy recalling stuff that isn’t related to my studies.
I remember how I felt, but do not remember why…
My impression. I first came across subculture much earlier in the year and realized you’re summaries were “on top of things”. They were sharp, agile, and the impressions clear+fun. Really, the consistency you have is fantastic, truly, keep it up. It’s good to know you’re in it for yourself as well.
My typical subculture browse… Oh, did that episode already air? , *checks for subs…finds no subs*, suuugooiiiii
And I very much am in that boat of commenting on other blogs, I love it. I actually spend more time reading and browsing the blogroll than I do working on my own. It’s just not as easy to comment when the material is unfamiliar at the time.
I admit I started out with that wrong mindset, and it really makes blogging more of a chore than a fun activity. So long as you feel good with what you do, find self-fulfillment, I don’t think the hits and comments matter as much anymore. But of course seeing more comments, especially insightful ones, will always be a delight
I wholeheartedly agree with you on this one. I also think that it serves as a reality-check of some sort, to also see if you’re still in touch with your inner (and true) self… and perceive things beyond that which the anime itself has to offer.
[...] of the first mentions of melative here on AloeDream, was this post, but the concept of “reflections” came somewhere about month after Maestro gave me [...]