Lurkers, Shy People and the Computer Challenged

As I’ve written before, Brooke has installed something really cool on this site that keeps track of statistics.  My favorite part of this is called “unique visitors” - a list of the last 20 people who have visited the site. No names or email addresses of course, just the time you’ve checked in and your flag. If it’s the U.S. flag  I can click on it and find out the town you’re in (but not the state), and if it’s a foreign flag I click and find out what country you’re in as well as the town. This is amazing!  The last list of unique visitors that I just checked included flags from Osaka, Japan and West Pymble, Australia, and London, Canada and Cold Brayfield, UK. In the U.S. vistors have visited from Wingdale, Chicago, Moraga and Montebello.

My friend Billy Mernit in a post last winter called his readers who didn't comment or check in “lurkers”.  But I think it’s about: 1. not knowing the mechanics of commenting or subscribing and 2. a kind of shyness people have about writing in public. Or maybe, as my friend Nicki says, people are just too busy to do anything but a quick read of the latest post.

But I’m curious. How did you find us?  And why? You don’t have to use your real name or email address. Just let us know how you got here and anything we can do to make the site more user friendly for you. You can e-mail us at:  StuartandCharlotte@yahoo.com

Or just click on the Comment button below. 

Comments

[mernitman]

I am Loxor from the Planet Zygon. I eat your pronouns. Please post more of them. You, you, you... yum!

[Barbara]

Thank you Loxor for your comment. It's not often that comments make me laugh outloud.

[elizabeth]

I love the postings -- am inspired by them and they keep me "in touch," reminding me to write. I would love seeing more sharing of books that people read. Maybe something like, what's on people's nightstands, etc. At least, the blogger's current reading!

[Danielle]

I believe the term "lurker" gives a negative connotation to those of us who visit a blog, chew on it awhile, and then forget where we bookmarked it when we finally determine how we want to comment:) However, thanks for the reminder that we should think of ourselves as more than a "flag" or a statistic. I love your site and really use it as a reference point, not only for my writing but also for some excellent reading referrals. You help maintain a great reading list so I don't have to wander aimlessly around the bookstore...where I may be considered a "lurker" :)

[Elizabeth Lacey]

I got to the site after looking for Barbara online. I read an article Barbara wrote on Personal Essay and loved it so much that I had to find out if she taught classes or had a website. When I found her I also learned about this site. I am the recent visitor from London Canada.
Elizabeth Lacey

[Barbara]

Elizabeth - Yes, it would be great to have people comment on the books they're reading. And I promise to not be lazy about listing what's on my own bedside table. (You may have noticed that list hasn't changed in months - )Next week I'll give a reading list. Thanks for the suggestion.

Danielle - I love my lurkers - I just want to get to know them.

Elizabeth L. - Thanks for checking in from London Canada.

[Marwan]

I was directed to this while searching for cliff notes and additional information about the book On Beauty by Zadie Smith - of which I'm currently reading and discussing with the few non-lurkers of my online reading group.

Was disappointed to see no info on what I came for but enjoyed the story about lurkers.

[Barbara]

Marwan - I'm afraid I haven't kept up with my on-line fiction list. I finished ON BEAUTY a few months ago and I'm in awe of her "effortless" talent. She just won a big award in England - The Orange Prize?

[Susan Crowell]

A lurker from Ohio (and I don't mind the moniker). I can't remember how I stumbled on your site, probably from another writing site or newsletter or column. As a reporter/editor, I'm on the fringe of 'creative' writing often espoused here, but I wish more journalists would consider themselves 'writers' and think about the craft of writing as much as the reporting. The good ones do (Tom French, etc.) and embrace the phrase "narrative journalism," which could be print and mainline broadcast's saving grace. Anyway, keep posting and I'll keep lurking.

[Barbara]

Susan - Thanks for checking in from Ohio. And good point about journalism and the craft of writing. Keep lurking.

[Shannon (Sentimental)]

Hi, I am Shannon a current going back to school almost graduated Mother. My degree will be English with concentration on Literature, with a writing and journalism minor. I actually stumbled on here in search of writing prompts for my own blog. I do so much writing for school the well often feels dry in my blog. I kind of stuck around since. I love checking out the books suggested along with your entries. They inspire me to want to write more when I often don't feel like it. I appreciate the blog and have sent many of a prof here.

[Barbara]

Shannon - thanks for the kind words about the site and for sending people to it. More lists of books soon.

[Lisa Manterfield]

I've been guilty of lurking around here since you sent me the link several months ago, but like Danielle, I'm a chewer and forgeter. Well, now I've been outed. This is a great site, with lots of good info. I'm a fan of your writing exercises and am still using those that I learned from you in the UCLA class 18 months ago. I'll be testing out the new ones, though. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Barbara]

Lisa - Lurk on! Thanks for the kind words -

[Ayesha]

i was looking for an image to post with a blog i was writing on time..and while searching on google i came across your site..i think i like it:)...am still browsing through it..

[Al Peschel]

Am in your current writng class at Wellness Community - it is most intense, inspiring and healing ... Have asked you for your website adresss and books at least 8 times ... Never followed up! ... Am resisting daily journaling so as to carefully maintain massive evasions.

Now am FINALLY reading "Courage & Craft" and did sign up here.

Will I journal daily, write triple haikus or write Kindergarden-through-Calculus math lessons? Does it matter?

Something tells me I MUST finally start DAILY - whatever! Is that "writngtime"? ...

[Syda]

I discovered you back in May, when I received the June 2007 issue of Writer's Digest and found you among their list of 101 Best Websites. Since then I have been a "lurker" who nibbles and snacks and fills up on the inspiration that you so deliciously prepare. Thank you!

[Carol]

Hi Barbara. I'm a lurker-I'll admit it. Always have been (Sounds like a twelve step program, doesn't it)?

Most of my problem is the #2 reason in your post. I'm a fairly new writer, and am VERY shy about posting anything I write. Even comments on blogs. Terrible, I know.

I'm a shy, quiet person by nature,anyway. However, I've been getting better about posting and speaking up in the past few months. I've even won a few books from comments I've left on different blogs! Woo-hoo!

Posting my work for critique is especially painful, but I finally found the courage to do so, and I'm glad I did, as it's helped tremendously with my writing (still need to work on those "ly" verbs,tho).

As for how I found this site, I honestly cannot for the life of me remember-but I thoroughly enjoy it! I believe I may have found it through a writing site link or newsletter or somehow through "feedblitz", as I get emails with links to this blog from them, and that's how I ended up posting this comment today *grin*.

I really enjoy visiting and reading your posts. I can't wait to try your writing exercises and visit the links you posted for "shy people and lurkers".

By the way, I have a tracker on both of my sites and absolutely love it! Isn't it interesting to see who visits your blog?

~Carol from Detroit, Michigan aka THE LURKER

[Marit (also known as Mater)]

Lurker, me? I didn't think I was lurking; I was just browsing and stayed a little longer than usual because of the quality of the site. :-)
I was researching Writers' sites when I came across the 101 Best Writers' Sites (or words to that effect), which in turn led me to this site. I'm finding it very interesting and will pop in every so often to see what is going on within these pages.

[heyjude]

I came across your website on Writer's Digest 101 best writing sites. I am a wannabe writer. I'm really not sure I have any talent, but it is fun. I have written a few poems and some stories for my grandchildren. Other than that, just a lot of doodling. I'm looking forward to reading some of the books on your list. Thanks.

[Maria Grace]

I will take part in your workshop here in Sedona this Saturday, and wanted to research a little who you are. That's how I found you.
I already sent this site to a writer friend who is feeling a bit daunted these days.
I have read most of the writing books on this site. Why then, is my book not finished? See you soon,
Maria

[Raya]

Hi, I find your amazement - and name-calling at people who just read your stuff strange: aren`t you guys writing to be read?
I, for one, usually read at one place and write at another - just as I eat at one place and, well, sleep at another. Does one have to be a lurker, a shy person or a person who is afraid of the computer just because of this? I don`t think so - actually this post is kind of insulting and somewhat ungrateful. Thanx for all the rest, though, it is usually good!

[Claudia]

Hello:

I want to start my own blog. Since I am an unpublished writer, therefore, I wanted to see what I'd find done by other writers in the way of blogs rather than simply building a "my space" page. I like what you have done. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of an expert to help me.

If you have any ideas for me, I would be very greatful. I can't tell how your site is hosted. In any event, nice job!

Claudia

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