Mar27

Commenting on Commenting

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I can tell you right now the name of fellow slicer who gave me my first-ever comment when I was a brand-new member of the Slice of Life community last year.  Why can I remember her? It was shocking and thrilling and invigorating, all at once.  I have thought a lot about comments over the past year.  I have thought how I have appreciated each comment and have enjoyed commenting on the slices of others.  In light of all that thinking, here are my thoughts on commenting.  What idea can you add to this list?

Ten Reasons Why Commenting is Important

  1. Commenting gives bloggers something to read when they check their blogs zillions of times a day just to check for comments.  Yea!  Someone stopped by…
  2. Commenting shows the writer has an “authentic” audience, something all writers need and crave.
  3. Commenting helps writers and commenters become long-distance friends.  I have gotten comments from people in Thailand and Australia and Pennsylvania and…
  4. Commenting sends sympathy when slices speak of sadness; encouragement when slices reveal discouragement;  reassurance when slices show vulnerability; and cheers when slices are celebrations.
  5. Comments identify favorite lines or phrases. Wow!  Someone liked that part…
  6. Commenting blesses the commenter.  The blessing can be an inspiration, a new form to try out, a new idea, a chuckle, a tear, or the connection to a long-lost memory.
  7. Commenting tells the slicer that their teaching or coaching idea may be borrowed by the commenter.  What a thrill!
  8. Commenting expresses the excitement of seeing the world through the eyes, words, or perspectives of others.  Did I mention the photographs of others, too?
  9. Commenting is the laughter bubbling up from the humor in the slice.
  10. Commenting is the bridge that connects writers!

I’ll be watching for your comment today…thank you…and please share your ideas about commenting.

Filed under Slice of Life and tagged | 21 Comments

About bjdonaldson

I'm an average woman who enjoys reflecting on life, writing poetry and ponderings, and having a good laugh. DIY, baking, and cycling are fun, too. If you visited me, I'd invite you in for a cup of coffee and a little chat. I am a Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist, and former classroom and Reading Recovery teacher at an elementary school. Getting up in the morning is not hard; I still love making a difference in the lives of children and teachers.

21 responses »

  1. I’m planning a post on commenting too! Not sure if I will get to it this month, but I do think about the joys and blessings of comments quite a bit. I really liked the way you chose a Top 10 list for this. For some reason, I really love slices that are written as lists.

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  3. I remember Ruth Ayres saying that commenting fuels our writing, and I am a believer on that one! I hope you continue to write slices on Tuesdays after the challenge ends, because that is where the community builds even higher and stronger. Love your list and I would whole heartedly agree with all of them.

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    • Thank you for the encouragement to join the Tuesday Slice of Life Challenge. Last year, I was so exhausted from exercising my writing muscles, that I stopped. I hope to keep going this year. 🙂

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  5. Thanks for articulating my own thoughts on the power of feedback. As a first time slicer, I long to hear compliments on a particular word, phrase, or sentence that resonated with the reader. I especially appreciated your 4th insight, “Commenting sends sympathy when slices speak of sadness; encouragement when slices reveal discouragement; reassurance when slices show vulnerability; and cheers when slices are celebrations” The slices about loss were powerful, and the humorous ones had me in tears as well. Thanks for sharing this great list!

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  6. This is a great list, and I think that you covered all the reasons commenting is so important. My favorite line is the first, mostly because of its truth and humor. I think we’ve all been there when we are continuously checking our blogs. I have found that I also enjoy reading the comments on other slicers’ blogs. It interesting to see how others were affected by a piece. Great slice!

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  8. “Commenting is the bridge that connects writers!” I was just talking with a colleague about how to help students learn to comment effectively. I have a rather unbrideled group this year and I am afraid I do not trust a few. We are working on our writing community and many are benefitting. I am a first time slicer and I have LOVED receiving comments. Sometimes I don’t read them right away to save them for a “treat.” This post is ON POINT! Thanks.

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    • I have to admit that I am not as disciplined as you are-I usually have to click on the WordPress bell whenever I see that red dot. Teaching your students to comment effectively will be worth the effort, I think, but it sounds like it might take you some time. Welcome to the Slice of Life family!

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  9. This was such a great post. As a first time slicer, the commenting definitely kept me motivated. Like I knew that someone, somewhere, would read what I wrote. My favorite thing about the comments I’ve received is that the people commenting have pointed out a technique I used when I didn’t even know I used it. They have named my craft move. So inspiring!

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    • This Slice of Life challenge also has helped me to understand what we expect of our little writers…write everyday. It sounds so easy, but it is hard to think of a new idea everyday. I think that this is where the power of feedback comes in. Give those little writers what we crave…it will motivate them, too!! Thanks for the comment.

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