I’m finding that it’s not easy to keep up a daily blog.
Not impossible, nor even extraordinarily difficult, but not easy.
Blogging, you see, takes a certain amount of effort. It’s not just about being able to type. It’s not even only about the talent to put together a coherent or particularly compelling sentence structure. An excellent blog, in my humble estimation, is one that incorporates every possible element into one refreshing experience for the reader.
I don’t typically write my blog with my reader in mind. I log onto WordPress and go, doing little more editing than finding the perfect word or correcting unsightly typos. But I still pay close attention to how the blog looks, not just how the words sound. The sentences reflect what I’m thinking at any particular moment, but the rest of the blog is a subtle expression of mood and ambience. The “rest,” such as the typeface, the font size, the banner, the background, the placement of photographs (should this pic precede the text as a preface, or be placed at the end as a punch line?), the editing of photographs, the variety vs the focus of the blog, the layout of the page…even the margins and the spacing between paragraphs are crucial elements that the conscientious blogger must consider.
See, I told you it wasn’t easy.
There are a plethora of blogs out there that are less than mediocre, and I’m sure you’ve come across a few in your time. Essentially it shouldn’t matter, as long as the blogger is achieving the level of self-expression he or she desires. But then there are those elite blogs that are simply stunning, whether in form, content, or design, which make the rest of us bloggers blush with envy. I’ve found a few favorites that I attempt to emulate from time to time.
These are some of the blogs I hold dear in one way or another, almost like old friends, ever-changing but somehow never unfamiliar. You’ll see what I mean.
Made In Mississippi–a classy and understated artist blog. A nice change from in-your-face expressiveness.
Color Me Katie–absolutely charming. Who wouldn’t want to be like Katie? She specializes in photographic narratives and collections of uber-happy images. Everything is rainbows and smiles.
The Craft Begins–I don’t always get on board with the fashion and style content, but I love the way she (or he?) puts together images in grids and clean collages. Very effective!
zenhabits–it doesn’t get much simpler than this. Always a great read.
Backyard Bounty–I love the down-home feel to this blog, and of course the content engages me. My favorite part, though, is the background resembling the folded back pages of a magazine.
Tongue In Cheek–so visually gorgeous and exotic. Not overwhelmingly so, thanks to the simple gray background and formatting.
her three birds–a cute and funky little blog I stumbled upon the other day. I especially like the personality and intimacy this blog exudes.
As the blogger The Great Ganesha says—
“At its best, blogging is an art. And just like any work of art, be it Nabokov’s Lolita or Cartier-Bresson’s The Decisive Moment, it can be subtle and expressive at once. A good blog post can stir up anger, elation, and grief. It appeals to everyone and can incite passionate discussion. Blogs can create trends or destroy them. Like art, a blog post has its roots in the banalities of everyday existence.”
Christmas Is All Around Us 
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