CHLOGGING (Chat+Blogging)

[ShirleyKnot]

Hello All.

I keep finding myself wanting to have a general chin wag with the bloggers on here and instead of doing that I find myself barging onto threads, hi-jacking them and being generally a pain in the tubes.

So, if you want a chat about blogging, maybe some tips and helpful stuff about plug-ins, themes or maybe a chat about what your next blog could be about, or even something else then maybe we could use this thread? (I found myself getting engrossed about the sexiness of Stringer Bell on one blog thread this week - I'm so sorry )

I think it's a good idea, Shirley!

I've been blogging since January 2008, so I might have some tips, if people have questions.

I am also a digital media specialist/graphic artist by profession and I'm happy to advise for the very large fee of lots of s, virtual , and s.

Good title.

Right then.

Let's talk about the blog I'm writing then (uh, I'm having problems with this one)

I had a weekend away with some mates in a very old cottage - I did not sleep a bloody wink. Place was SPOOKSVILLE, but also beautiful and I don't want to slag it off IYKWIM? I'm having a hard time writing something humorous (am happy to be the butt of the joke) without slating the place...

Also - has anyone any clue what the "Request Feedback - Get feedback on this draft before publishing" button is all about on Wordpress?

Where is that button? I thought I saw it but now I'm not!!!

It's in "writing Helper" under every new post you make?

Tee: as per your advice on the other thread I have been trying to figure out the plugin thing for WordPress.com, but I keep coming back to this page ... it says that blogs hosted by WP can't use plugins.

Do you host your own? I know you have a domain (so do I) but that's not the same thing, right? I have a bit of a mental block in that I don't really get what it means to host your own blog; I imagine it like you have to have a server room in your house with big bits of humming hardware that you maintain yourself ... (I do know this is unlikely to be true)

Shirley, it is totally within your scope as a writer to convey the inherent conflict of loveliness & spookiness without slagging the place off. You could even just spell it out explicitly in those terms & acknowledge the challenge of conveying both elements. You could cite other examples of things/people/places that are lovely but spooky ... there must be loads of potential for illustrative/tongue-in-cheek examples of such ... I can't think of any but you can. It'll come right all of a sudden when you're not expecting it, if you let your brain go a bit quiet and focus on something else for a bit. You'll be like Daphne DuMaurier with occasional strikethrough and shouty caps

No clue re the Request Feedback but would like to know that too.

Oooh, it must be a Wordpress.org thing, I've seen it on a client's blog. Mine is Wordpress.com so I don't have it.

Can't help with that, sorry. The login for that is on my work laptop and I ain't booting that up on a Friday night!

What happens when you press the button?

Yeah, that's what it is, Dirty. I do host my own blog, well my brother hosts it for me, it's not hosted at Wordpress.

Dammit that means I'm going to have a problem with my client's blog. I thought a Wordpress.com user gave you more flexibility and that was the problem. I wonder if I can figure out Wordpress.org for them...

No, I am on .com and I have it too!

Yeah, I had it backwards. Because my brother is my host I misunderstood what was going on, as I don't pay for it, obviously! I'd tell mom if he tried to charge me!

Sorry Tee, xpost, I meant I have the feedback request button.

Oh well re plugins - no big deal (for me) although it is a shame. But annoying for you if it is going to cause work issues.

Again, it must be because I host my own blog.

Sorry, I really did get it completely backwards!!

Yeah, they aren't going to want to pay for hosting, I know those guys! shrug I'll figure something out!

Uh...

I'm going to have to leave the spooky post I think - because...SPOOKILY, I keep saving a draft and then going back to preview and finding that I've lost the changes I've made.

SCREW IT. I'm going to hit that feedback request thing......

I've clicked and you get to email it - interesting...

I've got to ask you Dirty - Does the occasional CAPS and STRIKETHROUGH get you down?

I'm wondering if my style is irritating rather than funny? I always think I'm being VASTLY AMUSING but maybe not?

heh!

Shirley, I think you are hysterical. I have not yet not laughed at any of your posts.

I am happy to collaborate with anyone who wants to send me a draft. I don't want to put my email here because of SPAM bots, but PM me and I'll be happy to send it on!

Ooh, thanks Dirty, just saw that.

No, it makes me lol without fail. Honestly. I have even tried to do it myself but I can't, it's a part of your particular style and you just have The Touch.

I'm sorry if me saying that made you feel self-conscious, I really didn't mean it that way at all. Expunge my remarks from the record (is that a word? expunge, I mean - I think it is but it looks a bit er, wrong)

"I'm going to hit that feedback request thing......"

Should we be worried she hasn't returned....

I've got WRITER'S BLOG(CK)

I think I might just save this particular story and move onto something else.

It shouldn't be so difficult. CLEARLY MORE EVIDENCE OF GHOSTS. I'm not joking that place was spooky.

Please don't think I was being "funny" I just wondered if the random CAPS and strikethroughs were irritating? I know that I get itchy sometimes when reading stuff, and was just thinking on my own writing style.

Send me via PM your email and I'll send it...It's all stilted and...uncomfortable - it ain't right

Sent Shirley

No idea with the wordpress.org vs wordpress.com thing but Shirley - you make me reach for the Tena Lady with every post. No idea how you do it, but keep doing it.

Great idea for a thread, we can do the chitchat thing here, and leave the blog post one for -- well, blog posts.