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| A '3', neither good nor bad. |
The origial purpose of the blog was to chart and share my progress through the my zombie project.
Well, the project has reached the stage now where I have sufficient buildings, figures and most everything else that is needed to play my games in the way I wanted to.
Of course there are always other buildings, figures or pieces of scenery that I can add, after all are we ever truly finished any wargame project ?
So what have I actually learnt from the three years of blogging about this project ?
When starting a blog I did get some a lot of good advice and help from the wonderful blogging community (especially the niche zombie one), things like always posting at a regular time (there's nothing like deadlines to motivate) and replying to all comments made. The comments I've had to my posts have always been the greatest thing to spur me on and I've always tried to make constructive comments on the other blogs I've visited. Bloggers themselves are very generous for the most part.
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The 'numbers game' of most followers, most views (hits) etc. never interested me, unlike a lot of bloggers who seem quite obsessed with these numbers.
I've also never 'pimped' my blog although I have seen it mentioned on a few forums other than the single 'zombie' forum I occasionally visit (forums are another great opportunity for the number chasers, their comments being of the single word type ("nice", "I agree" or a smiley emoticon).
Those who take great stead in their 'hits' should try looking at their post titles, this is what search engines 'see' and will give added 'hit's, (just try looking at your stats page on your blogger dashboard to see which search terms are generating hits for some wonderful examples or place the word 'boob' in your topic - even an innocent one such as "I've made a boob" will have a huge amount of hits.
A few things have happened lately that have affected me greatly enough to have me rethinking about whether or not to carry on blogging, some personal reasons and others that have irked me and that I've touched on above.
When I type my blog or leave a comment on a blog I normally do so with a smile on my face and if I haven't got anything constructive to say then I tend to say nothing.
I welcome my latest follower "Jay" from the very entertaining blog "Jay's Miniature Enterprises" , well worth a visit.
That's it then my 'downer' post number 160, three years on from the then very exciting post #1 !
Congrats from another just-over-3-years blogger!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for not reciprocating comments as often as I should - your blog is a good and entertaining read, even if Zeds aren't really my area of interest. Personally, I blame all the hours I spend painting, posting to my own blog, following other blogs and forums. I could really use 28+ hour days! :)
Please do keep the blog going, if only as something to record your gaming and stuff for yourself :)
Thanks Tansim, I for one don't expect reciprocating comments, I've maybe worded wrongly what I was saying.
DeleteI'm still unsure as to this purpose of blogging generally and this blog in particular.
That probably wasn't the right word. I meant that I don't comment on here as often as you comment on my blog.
DeleteAs to blogging, it can be whatever you want. Henry Hyde has discussed the different reasons people blog in Miniature Wargames recently.
Thanks for the clarification Tamsin, there are a great many reasons why people do/don't or can/can't comment - I don't mind any-which way !
DeleteThose that don't have a particulr interest in zeds I wouldn't expect to comment - it is quite a niche genre. Similarly I don't often comment on things I know little about or have little interest in.
I'd have liked to have read Henry Hyde's article and may well search it out.
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DeleteJoe, all I can say for myself is that I've only got spare time to visit a finite number of blogs each day and properly read their posts and leave comments (and do the same to my own blogs), and your site is always worth me spending time on as its great. I'd have thought everyone else who posts here feels the same way. This is a friendly, encouraging and motivating place to regularly visit and I especially enjoy the Batreps and mini-projects. So please keep those postings coming, and you'll soon be rolling 'Fours' ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Blax, I empathise with everyone who has lots of energy but little time to spend on their hobby, I have the exact opposite.
DeleteI have been motivated by many blogs and encouraged by many comments.
Congrats for this three years, Joe! This is a great blog! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Tito, the three years went by very quick.
DeletePlease keep up this blog. I enjoy your site and your posts greatly. Unfortunately, I do not always post a comment but I am enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris, I understand eveyone can't comment all the time and I wouldn't expect them to. I think what I was trying to get at were those folk who would comment once (in the early days of this blog) and then I'd never hear from again, probably because I didn't reciprocate (in those days I wouldn't have known how to anyway).
DeleteCongratulations on 3 years blogging.
ReplyDeleteI can only thank you for what you have done. Your comments at the start of my own blogging was a great spur to keep going, and I still look forward to your comments now. I always like the way you comment, not being afraid to go against the popular if you don't like what your seeing.
I can fully understand the reasons you have mentioned for not continuing to blog, sometimes it feels like a big pseudo-political schoolyard game that I don't understand the rules of. Fuck that, it's not why I started blogging.
If you do decide to quit, I for one will miss your weekly musings. It gives me something to look forward to on a Monday. Even if you are a miserable old bastard sometimes.
Firstly many congratulations on the milestone, well done Sir. Recently I have had some time away from my blog, difficult circumstances at work have rather dampened my spirits, but just recently I feel a little brighter and look forward to rejoining the community that has been so supportive to my hobby progress - I hope that you will feel the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael, it may well be that I'm going through a rather difficult too and finding enthusiasm for something I love is getting more difficult, each time I have a small set-back it appears more of a greater obstacle.
DeleteYou do what feels best, Joe. If your enthusiasm has died then so be it. It is not something that can be easily recaptured. What I can say is that it has been a pleasure to know you as a blogger, a zombie enthusiast and above all, a friend. I wish you well in whatever you decide for the future.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteCongrats on your third year Joe. Do what you feels needs doing it will be sad to see you stop blogging but at the end of the day its your own choice and screw what everyone else thinks!
ReplyDelete. I think the encouragement, advice and support sometimes critical feedback and general positive spirit of the blogging community is a great one. This has now in some way extended out to other forms of social media i.e facebook and other forums etc. I enjoy blogging as a form of diary and log of what i'm doing and being able to look back and see what I've achieved and if other enjoy it then even better.
I often will read posts and not comment If I feel my opinion is pointless or only echoing what 50 others before me have already said.
Thanks Brummie, I do agree with most all you say, ('cept for the part where you say "...it wil be sad... There have been a great many blogs (even in the relatively short time that I've been blogging) that have have stopped for various reason, even if unknow and there are have always been others to replace them. Sadness at their loss is soon forgotten it seems.
DeleteI'll continue doing what I'm doing, whether or not I have a blog, but I am very disillusioned with the whole blogging scene, summed up in Bob's comment above.
Congratulations, Mr. Z.
ReplyDeleteBlogging for me is like running and dodging reality bursts. Time, and the everpresent world of conformity around me, which doesn't understand nor really appreciate modeling and gaming, seem to do their utmost to hinder my progress in this ethereal mode of entertainment.
But I shall persevere to persevere in the joy of modeling. I encourage you to consider doing the same, Mr. Z. You are clever, have a creative mind, and the ability to produce a very fine product for you to enjoy; and for us to strive for.
Thanks you Jay, for such kind and thoughtful words. Reality does affect my enthusiasm for the hobby. All my previous wargaming experiences have been as a social rather than a solo player and events over the last few years haven't helped. I will still strive to get my 'problems' sorted in my own mind though.
DeleteHey Joe, Thumbs up for the amount of time that you have been blogging, thats a good effort within its self, like most have said before me, you will be a blogger that is sorely missed, always enjoyed visiting your blog and always looked forward to your comments on my own blog, do what you have to do man, hell, I took a whole year off and have recently come back, maybe a break is all you need? either way take care man, I hope you hang around.
ReplyDeleteThanks you TEx, much appreciated, it may well be that all I need is a break from the blogosphere, to recharge batteries so to speak but I'll probably try and continue on in some form or other. I don't normally consider quitting any project that I'm involved in, wargaming or otherwise.
Deletethis is very sad Zabadak. Although I have only 'come out of the shadows' recently I have followed your blog for a long time now and always found it entertaining and helpful. I understand the effort involved in regularly posting as this is my third time trying to keep mine going and hopefully I will do better this time.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 3 yrs of blogging and I personally hope that you find the motivation to carry on as I enjoy your write ups and creativity in modelling.
Whatever you decide, enjoy your gaming!!
Thanks CW, blogging has been a roller-coaster of a ride and like a roller coaster in my experieces there have been more downs thans up esepcially in the last two or so months.
DeleteI really need a re-think as to the future.
I've always looked forward to your articles and regarded your blog as one of the mainstays of my reading. I'd be very sad if you gave up completely, Joe!
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I'm not sure that I understand what's in your mind? If you have a regular pool of correspondents then that's good; I wouldn't worry about whether all bloggers reciprocate comments or not. Some will, some won't and some will on occasion.
But it doesn't seem to me that this is enough to explain what's going on...
Thanks C6, as I tried to clumsily explain I'm not bothered with reciprocal commentors. What I was trying to understand was why someone would comment on a blog that they seemingly had no interest in.
DeleteOf course, I'm always pleased to find that someone takes an interest in my blog and perhaps I should have tried a little harder to explain my thoughts (which primarily were not aimed at the comments of others)
I just feel I need a rethink of where I'm going and why.
Hey Joe, I've enjoyed and benefited from your blog during its life - no coffee stirrer shall ever be safe near me again!
ReplyDeleteI'll miss it if you stop, but as you may have guessed, I to have lost the need to blog (not posted to mine since October)
It's a hobby, and I think they're supposed to be fun, so if you don't enjoy, don't do it
Thanks Colin, yep you're another blog that I enjoyed (i've actually visited your site many, many times in the last two weeks) and that has fallen into disuse.
DeleteI think you've made a good point too, in that I don't mreally feel the need to blog anymore, Bob also made a good poit as I said in my reply to him.
To Blog or not to Blog, that is the question.
ReplyDeleteThe only answer that makes sense to me is do what feel right to you. Maybe take a month or two off and see how you feel. Whatever you do I will support you be that in writing comments when I can, or just remembering the fun I have had reading your blog.
Cheer up mate whatever you decide will be the right choice. We will miss you if you go and enjoy you if you stay.
Take care.
Thank you Clint for your sagely comment.
DeleteThere is a lot to be said for being left alone whilst I make up my mid where I'm going.
Gratz to 3years of your great blog :)
ReplyDeleteI think your blog is great and i hope you will continue posting on it.
You have given my great ides on many things thru you blog.
Keep iy up mate!
Thanks HW, like you I find many ideas from the blogs of others and I dout very much that I've done anything truly original, even if I hadn't seen it before, but thanks for the sentiment.
DeleteI have found trawling through your blog a really rewarding experience, plenty of ideas for my own hobbying. I hope that all of these responses spurs you to continue on, but if not, I have certainly found the work you put in rewarding.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the effort you have put in to read mine!
Thansk for that Chris, I get a great deal of pleasure reading a lot of blogs and appreciate the effort that goes into them all, but wheb it becomes a chore rather than a pleasure it's time to have a re-think.
DeleteCongrats on the 3 year milestone. I love coming by to steal ideas, so keep them coming! If nothing else, your ideas help the creative process in others.
ReplyDeleteHey, in all seriousness, I have found your blog to be a fun read. Keep up the good work!
Thanks N667, reciprocally I believe your blog has kept me going throughout this last year. There are so few blogs around now that have stuck with a zombie theme and many well established blogs have fallen by the wayside.
DeleteCongratulations on three years! I suffer from the "not having enough hours in the day bug" as well, and normally end up catching up on my blog reading at work while in betwixt emergency calls, a lot of times not having time to comment. Also, when I comment, I try to make it substantive or constructive, not wanting to just leave as, "nice" style comment.
ReplyDeleteBottom line, I greatly enjoy reading your blog, and greatly appreciate your comments on my own!
Thanks SoF, the "nice" type comments are a bug-bear of mind, but mostly on forums, where there are always those that wish to have the biggest post count etc.
DeleteThree years of Heaven and Hell is an achievement Joe. Reading your AARs has always been Heaven for me Joe and I share them with friends who are even more of a miserable bastard than you. As a regular reader of my blog you know I've fallen off my regular posting schedule trying to get back to it has been Hell. But now not posting is like an itch I can't scratch you either feel that way or you don't. Thanks for the bit of Heaven Joe.
ReplyDeleteRob
I think I know where you are coming from Rober withthe Heaven and Hell reference, in my case it's been the latter over the last few months. Technology beats me up too at times (one of the reasons I don't use google+ or some 'atom' thing and can't post on many blogs.
DeleteI've still got the itch too btw.
That's good to hear Joe I might get another wonderful ARR out of you yet.
DeleteI'm sure I'll keep reporting aar's when I get to play (part of the problem).
DeleteHa, congratulations on the milestone - which reminds me, my blog has a birthday one of these days, too. I remember well that we started at approximately the same time and for the same reason!
ReplyDeleteI think you are being too harsh to the blogger community, however, as blogging is what you make of it.
I am in the "hobby crisis" at the moment myself (which is evident as I am late to this post as well!), but I will just put my blog on a side rail for a while, until I get inspired to dab in another project, when blogging the advancements will be useful again.
Some people like the attention, while others prefer to be in the background. I found comments superficial at first, as well, but if nobody comments you don't have the feeling that anyone is reading, so you start wondering why post. And as Bryan once said - if people take time to comment (even with a simple "great job"), it's only right to take time to thank them. This might seem useless, but I found myself wondering why comment on the blogs where my comment is simply ignored.
And this is unfortunate. Taking your blog for example (prepare for some suggar!), it is filled with ideas for anyone who would want to start a zombie campaign, but above it's full of inspiration for scratchbuilders. While I haven't built much lately, your blog is certainly a go-to place for ideas.
I don't see why you couldn't simply post less often if your project is done - reading the AARs is still interesting and surely you'll just jump on another project sooner or later.
Thanks Mattyoo, I think people were making too much of my criticism of comments, they were mainly directed at the earlier period of my blog's existence. It did seem then (and occassionally now) that folk expected a reciprocal "I'll be your follower if you'll be mine" even when I didn't know how to follow a blog if it didn't have a 'join' button ! I've have been much good at technology have I ?
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd now thought just to state that i was a bit of a "hobby crisis" - so much simpler. I have however found two very useful posts ona blog I'd never heard of and I'll be posting about those next week.
Congratulations too on reachig your 3rd year of blogging (no-one warned us that it was never ggoing to be easy did they ?
I have really liked to follow this blog. And will continue as long as you wish to do it.
ReplyDeleteGood tips on homemade stuff and good inspiration.
3 years. Really does not feel like that...
Thanks LS, I know exactly what you mean about the three years - where did it all go ?
DeleteCongrats on your 3rd Blog Birthday Joe! I hope you do carry on blogging, you would be missed if you packed it all in. But you've gotta do what's right for you in the here and now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Ray, but I do wonder why I keep going at times.
DeleteDo not leave us Sir! You're one of the two blogs I always go to, before I start aimlessly wandering the miniature enthusiast blogoshpere.
ReplyDeleteYour terrain has always inspired me! My personal favorites are your trash bags, books, mattresses and furniture. If I had never stumbled across ZombieWorld, I would have never made a bunch of couches and chairs.
Wow ! Thanks you BC, sounds like I may well have to do as instructed !
DeleteI've never thought of myself or the bits of scrap that I throw together as inspiring.
I'm still mad about you letting Bob perish.
ReplyDeleteMe too, but mainly at the player playing him
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