Go to I WRITE, THEREFORE I AM
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- Go to How to get ******** to stop skimming your posts & really read 'em!
Julia--- I'll keep this short: Excellent!
posted by
Jazwolf
on September 29, 2006 at 8:53 AM
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J, yeah, you know those ADD people!!
I wouldn't know anything about that. hehe Ya know, I have actually always appreciated your posts due being of the perfect length. I can acutally keep my concentration long enough to read them! 
posted by
SpitFire70
on September 29, 2006 at 12:29 AM
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posted by
lovelyladymonk
on September 28, 2006 at 8:02 PM
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Julia
Oh you are so right and this is something I am so no good at:-) I always say it too many times and too many ways. Have to plead guilty and say i'm sorry
posted by
MysticGmekeepr
on September 28, 2006 at 5:17 PM
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short is good, I agree...I try to edit my "quotes" when I use them
and edit the "weird" stories when it's possible..My own writings? Unless it's a short story (some to come as we get closer to Christmas, if I can get them typed up), I hope I'm holding the reader's interest.
...if not, it's better than Nyquil
posted by
Rumor
on September 28, 2006 at 4:44 PM
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Right!
That was short wasn't it?
posted by
Whacky
on September 28, 2006 at 4:41 PM
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I've said this to many new bloggers...
Some listen and shorten their posts...and some just dont get read.
posted by
Passionflower
on September 28, 2006 at 4:30 PM
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Depends on Time and Focus
I consider the purpose also. Many who write long posts are compiling for a novel or other purpose. If I find that I do not have the time, I do not read long posts.
posted by
Dr_JPT
on September 28, 2006 at 4:18 PM
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So very true, however ....
I was just recently asked to add 60-80 words to a column because of the layout. But usually, I'm with you. The shorter the better.
posted by
fwmystic
on September 28, 2006 at 2:45 PM
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Yes!
And look how many comments you've got! I haven't got time to read them all! (Only joking, I entirely agree with what you say.)
posted by
Antonionioni
on September 28, 2006 at 2:34 PM
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Your blogs are always interesting(and not too long!)....
...I always find mistakes in mine when I check them. I am not much good at typing in a hurry. Even after correcting I often go back to read it and find something else I have missed.
posted by
nonconformist
on September 28, 2006 at 1:15 PM
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Julia
Well, what do I say. I think Mrs Tanga and I are notorious lengthy bloggers. Especially Mrs Tanga's latest. I like to get something told and do not wish that people have to wait a day longer to read the end of the story. I will read any post, regardless of length, that interests me. I hope you do not mind reading my lengthy posts
posted by
Tanga
on September 28, 2006 at 1:04 PM
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I think you're right
When we find ourself skimming the author has actually lost our attention (which could very well be a shame). I like short, sweet, and too the point. I know that even some of my longer pieces of poetry might put someone to sleep so even in that gendre I try to retain the reader's attention but getting to the point.
posted by
Troosha
on September 28, 2006 at 12:01 PM
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I agree with you!
Shorter is better, in the long run. Otherwise, I do what I did in college: I read the first sentence for the main point of the paragraph, then move on.
posted by
Kasthu
on September 28, 2006 at 11:43 AM
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Julia.
When I start skimming, I've lost interest in the post, but that never has anything to do with the overall length. If the subject matter and writing are good, with the proper cadence and flow, long posts aren't long at all.
posted by
Talion
on September 28, 2006 at 11:18 AM
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Well said.
posted by
Schatz
on September 28, 2006 at 10:59 AM
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I used to get upset with myself for being an "under writer" rather than an
overwriter...well, I finally found a place where that works out best (BLOGIT!), though at times I have gotten carried away!
posted by
Ariala
on September 28, 2006 at 10:45 AM
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Shorter is definitely better. My wife's only five foot and a quarter.
I'll do long posts when I'm in the mood. And if I'm reading one, then I'll often set up a Ctrl + N notes window to type in my thoughts as I go through a piece paragraph by paragraph. But I won't skim it. I either read it and enjoy it or disappear and come back when I'm in the reflective relaxed mood required. There's no value to reader or writer if you skim, then blurt. A blurt is also very easily spotted by the writer. If I do click and disappear, then sometimes I'll forget or just fail to come back. That's a pitfall too.
On Blogit, though, I agree, it's always been true - longer posts get less readers. It's also true of newspaper articles and books.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on September 28, 2006 at 10:43 AM
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Very well said Julia...
...and it's always a goal of mine to shut up earlier in my posts..I'm still trying! ;)
posted by
ginnieb
on September 28, 2006 at 10:42 AM
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Well said, Julia. You've got a point about length. This is a very good post.
posted by
MaggieMae
on September 28, 2006 at 10:26 AM
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hahaha that explains my ability to raise my ranking
when I wish... I know how to "write short." Heck, sometimes I just post pictures...
posted by
FactorFiction
on September 28, 2006 at 10:15 AM
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posted by
MasonGarrett
on September 28, 2006 at 10:11 AM
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posted by
MasonGarrett
on September 28, 2006 at 10:10 AM
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Julia
I think your right about short attention span for readers. I have found that posts that go over 900 words are hard to keep my attention. Some are really good about getting the point across without all the details while others put in all details. Although it is nice to know as much as you can regarding the post sometimes too much detail will kill it. It does for me anyway. I don't have time anymore to sit and read really long posts...wish I did.
posted by
Offy
on September 28, 2006 at 10:10 AM
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