Thoughts on Blogging Part 11
The New Year is often a time for revised plans, renewed ambitions and a desire to get back on the proverbial horse when it comes to content creation. More often than not, many of these lofty ambitions wither on the vine or fall victim to our propensity for indolence. Which is why I think it is prudent to ensure that any goals that you set for yourself are realistic and attainable. If for example, you have just started blogging, then it is wiser to focus on developing and maintaining a writing schedule, rather than trying to get a million page views in your first month. Impossible goals lead to disappointment which can then crush your optimism. Measured, targeted achievements, obtained over a credible time period may not seem so satisfying but they get the job done. Which is why I have given a great deal of thought to my own blogging goals for 2020. I am not going to alter or replace the blog template, nor am I going to embark upon too many side projects such a streaming or creating video content. Although I’d like to do such things I cannot sustain them or cope with the volume of work they will create. This year I am just going to try to create as much written content as possible and focus on expanding brand awareness.
The New Year is often a time for revised plans, renewed ambitions and a desire to get back on the proverbial horse when it comes to content creation. More often than not, many of these lofty ambitions wither on the vine or fall victim to our propensity for indolence. Which is why I think it is prudent to ensure that any goals that you set for yourself are realistic and attainable. If for example, you have just started blogging, then it is wiser to focus on developing and maintaining a writing schedule, rather than trying to get a million page views in your first month. Impossible goals lead to disappointment which can then crush your optimism. Measured, targeted achievements, obtained over a credible time period may not seem so satisfying but they get the job done. Which is why I have given a great deal of thought to my own blogging goals for 2020. I am not going to alter or replace the blog template, nor am I going to embark upon too many side projects such a streaming or creating video content. Although I’d like to do such things I cannot sustain them or cope with the volume of work they will create. This year I am just going to try to create as much written content as possible and focus on expanding brand awareness.
For years, I’ve been using Microsoft Word as my primary means of writing blog posts. It serves my needs and is a very robust piece of software, filled with bells and whistles that I seldom ever use. However, there can be some compatibility issues from time to time but these are seldom the fault of Microsoft. Contains Moderate Peril is hosted via Squarespace and they’re constantly tinkering with the “backend”. I often log in to post an article only to discover a subtle change to the UI. Until recently I could import a Word Document without any formatting issues. However, a recent change now means that additional spaces are added between paragraphs and hyperlinks are lost. No doubt Squarespace will alter this in the long term but it makes for extra work in the meantime. Hence, I have started using Google Docs to create posts. At present there are now issues when I copy and paste the content into the post editor and then there’s the added bonus of accessibility. Google Drive allows me to access my draft documents from anywhere. At present, I spend a lot of time at my parents house. Using Google resources means I can write on the fly and be more productive, despite being away from my home office.
One of the keys to finding an audience is to promote your content on social media. It’s not something that everyone is good at and it can also make you feel very self conscious. One aspect of social media is that you are shamelessly drawing attention to yourself and that’s not to everyone’s liking. But it is a necessary evil so its best approached as a job. Out of all the various social media platforms, I find that Twitter is the most efficient means to promote my writing and generating traffic. However, to gain any traction requires a sizeable following of like-minded people who share common interests. I initially gained my Twitter following between 2010 and 2013 and it was mainly down to holding regular giveaways. I offered game codes, Blu-rays and DVDs as prizes and made leaving a comment on the post and following me on Twitter, as part of the means of entry. It broadly worked. Although some people would follow and then later leave, most seem to have stuck around. I wish to increase the size of my Twitter following so am going to reinstate the giveaways and hold them monthly. As I said earlier it can feel a bit of an impersonal Quid Pro Quo but I feel it is one of the more socially acceptable means of promotion.
I am also currently experimenting with Instagram to see if I can develop a presence there. I have an existing account that I have so far used just for family related content. However, I have now purged this of photos of my Granddaughters and such like and warned existing followers that I shall be changing tack. The idea is to try and create a community of followers and to focus on movies and TV. The medium lends itself to posting a screen capture of a scene from a classic film and then throwing it open for comments. This could also be used to promote existing film reviews that I’ve written. Of course it may not work and this may not be the right use of this platform but it’s worth a try. Social media can be flexible but it can also be an online cul-de-sac. In the past I’ve experimented with Facebook and building a community there. I had a website plugin that easily facilitated posting exiting blog content direct to Facebook. But I found that instead of bringing readers to my blog, it simply developed into a separate online presence of it own. as I didn’t want to have to manage multiple communities I stopped doing this and now just use Facebook to keep in touch with friends who have emigrated.
But no matter what ideas you can come up with to increase your readership, the fact remains that the best way to grow your blog is to just keep writing and posting new articles. Google seems to bear this out, as my film reviews are frequently found via online searches and make up a substantial amount of my overall blog traffic. It is a somewhat clichéd old adage but “if you throw enough crap at the wall, some will eventually stick”. Write about what you enjoy and just stick with it. Talk to other bloggers or comparable content creators. Keep at it and you will develop a style and the standard of your material will improve. But above all, just keep writing. Find a time of day that works for you and get your thoughts down on virtual paper. Remember, each blog post doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. Three coherent paragraphs should suffice. But a degree of determination and self discipline, so that you do actually do some writing, will yield results in the long run. It’s also rewarding to set a New Year’s Resolution, or long term goal that you do actually achieve.
A Growth in Website Traffic
Bloggers are often very reluctant to talk about such things as website traffic, statistics and the general size of their audience. Firstly, it can appear like bragging or an exercise in self-aggrandising ego stroking. Secondly, they may be worried that they’ll find out that their audience is not as large as those of other writers. It’s generally one of those tricky subjects that is wrapped up in complex social etiquette. Like when you’re at a party and someone you don’t know that well asks you how much you earn a year. Exactly what is the correct response? (The correct answer is “enough to have you killed”, by the way). However, as writers we naturally want to reach an audience and connect with them. Therefore, we all tend to check on the number of pageviews and visits to our respective blogs from time to time and consider what we can do to increase our overall readership.
Bloggers are often very reluctant to talk about such things as website traffic, statistics and the general size of their audience. Firstly, it can appear like bragging or an exercise in self-aggrandising ego stroking. Secondly, they may be worried that they’ll find out that their audience is not as large as those of other writers. It’s generally one of those tricky subjects that is wrapped up in complex social etiquette. Like when you’re at a party and someone you don’t know that well asks you how much you earn a year. Exactly what is the correct response? (The correct answer is “enough to have you killed”, by the way). However, as writers we naturally want to reach an audience and connect with them. Therefore, we all tend to check on the number of pageviews and visits to our respective blogs from time to time and consider what we can do to increase our overall readership.
The Blaugust writing event certainly revitalised my enthusiasm for blogging. I wrote a post everyday during August and September. Due to real world commitments, that schedule has not been maintained through October and November but I still strive to write regularly. Subsequently, as there has been an increase in written content, there has been a reciprocal increase in overall website traffic. Pageviews and visits have grown by 10% each month which I find quite interesting. Naturally if you write more frequently, then readers who have found your material interesting will return more often. They may also share links via social media which can also create more traffic. But this alone does not account for the growth Contains Moderate Peril has experienced. I believe that it down to two other factors, both of which are out of my direct control and are mainly down to chance. The first is a third party linking to your work and referring traffic. The second is simply being in the right place at the right time and writing about a subject that is relevant or popular.
In September I wrote a post previewing the Stout-Axe Dwarf race that was coming to the MMORPG The Lord of the rings Online. The following month I wrote a similar article about the Minas Morgul expansion that was at that time on the public test server. Both posts proved popular with the LOTRO community but were further amplified by being retweeted by fans of the game and being referenced by Massively Overpowered website. Then this month I stumbled upon a technical solution for a performance problem that was affecting the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2. This is a prime example of just being fortunate with regard to timing and what people are currently searching for on Google. This post has done very well as a result. However, I should point out that 50% of all the website traffic that Contains Moderate Peril receives, is from people searching via search engines and finding my back catalogue of work. This is especially true of the film reviews. I think this sends a clear message about the importance of building up a body of work.
A desire to reach a wider audience and connect with more people is not a hedonistic ideal. Writing is far from a one-way street. As ever, growth and statistical analysis of your website traffic is all about context, common sense and having realistic expectations. Your stats are a tool and should not be the driving force of your writing. Yet they can be used to motivate and “fine tune” your writing, by assessing what your readership enjoys the most. However, with there is no fast path to success with writing. Apart from producing good content, many of the facts that emerge from an analysis of blogging can be contradictory. Here are several taken from Social Media Examiner.
The number of bloggers worldwide is expected to reach 31.7 million in 2020.
The average word count of top-ranking content on Google is between 1,140-1,285 words. So it would seem that longform writing is far from dead.
Yet, despite length of post increasing, 43% of people admit to still skimming articles.
Blog articles with images get 94% more views. People like pictures, especially if they’re relevant.
For a writer who has just started blogging about their favourite pastime or who harbours dreams to write professionally, finding an audience and getting traction can seem very daunting and an uphill struggle. I think the best advice is to simply keep writing and promoting your work. Time is your ally. Google favours sites that have endured and have a body of work. There is some truth in the old adage that “if you throw enough shit at the wall, some of it will eventually stick”.
Staying Motivated
According to the Blaugust Festival of Blogging timetable, the designated writing prompt for week number five is titled “Staying Motivated”. Because at some point, all content creators will find themselves either too tired, unwilling or simply unable to produce any new material. You may well have the time and resources to do so but lack inspiration to actually apply yourself. It’s a perennial question for anyone who writes, live streams or produces videos and podcasts. Like most problems of this nature which are dependent upon personal and subjective factors, it does not have a standard or easy answer. Staying motivated is a personal battle that you have fight by yourself, in your own way. If you find a solution that works for you there’s no guarantee that it will be applicable to others. However, there are some practical steps that can be universally taken that can contribute to staying motivated.
Motivation is a psychological concept and not an actual location
According to the Blaugust Festival of Blogging timetable, the designated writing prompt for week number five is titled “Staying Motivated”. Because at some point, all content creators will find themselves either too tired, unwilling or simply unable to produce any new material. You may well have the time and resources to do so but lack inspiration to actually apply yourself. It’s a perennial question for anyone who writes, live streams or produces videos and podcasts. Like most problems of this nature which are dependent upon personal and subjective factors, it does not have a standard or easy answer. Staying motivated is a personal battle that you have fight by yourself, in your own way. If you find a solution that works for you there’s no guarantee that it will be applicable to others. However, there are some practical steps that can be universally taken that can contribute to staying motivated.
If you truly are just writing for yourself, then there is no requirement for any sort of schedule. It also means the question of motivation is greatly mitigated. But if you do write to interact with your audience, then a schedule is a useful thing for both parties. Therefore set a schedule that you know you can sustain. Be honest and realistic with yourself. If it’s just one post a week, so be it. At least everyone then knows where they stand. Once you’ve got a clear idea of how often you want to write (or whatever it is that you do), find the time and use it. If it helps, prepare some sort of reward such as a tasty snack, gin or ketamine that you don’t get until you’ve achieved your goal.
I find that on occasions, there are days when the writing just flows. On such days I publish a blog post and “bank” anything else I produce for another day. Film reviews tend not to be time sensitive, can be written on the fly and left to build up in my “drafts” folder. These can then be rolled out on days when my writing mojo is waning. Then there are feature columns and recurring blog posts. Articles in which you summarise what you’ve been up to. And again let us not underestimate the popularity of sharing screen captures from games and such like. If you managed to obtain that obscure armour set after grinding out a specific instance, then let people know.
“No lollygagging”
Although I do advocate schedules, I also advise taking breaks from your content creation, when you feel the need. However, if you do regularly produce content then you may want to notify your readership of your pending absence. If people know in advance that you’re taking a break, they’re more likely to return later. If you simply vanish without explanation, then your audience will evaporate over time along with any goodwill. I would also add that if like me, you tend to produce content regularly, don’t take too long a break. In my experience the longer your away, the harder it is to return.
One way to keep busy and stave off any loss in motivation is to collaborate with your fellow blogger, streamers and podcasters etc. Group writing projects can yield interesting results, especially when debating subjects that are contentious or have multiple perspectives. Podcasters and streamers can have guests on their shows or facilitate round table debates. Not only do such projects boost your motivation and strengthen community bonds, they also offer a degree of promotion for your online presence.
To date, no Lion has ever written a blog post of note
For many of the people participating in Blaugust, blogging or whatever other form of content creation you’re pursuing, is a hobby. If treat it as such, in a manner that you can sustain, it will remain so. Pushing yourself beyond what you can reasonably cope with, is the quickest way to fall out of love with the thing that you’re doing. That’s not to say you should shy away from applying yourself and sometimes maintaining a degree of discipline. But you have to find a mode of operation that is right for you. A degree of introspection and honesty is also required so you don’t bite off more than you can chew, or conversely, sell yourself short.
Finally, stay in touch with the community after Blaugust and keep a presence on the Discord server. Being around like-minded people is invaluable for staying engaged and focused. After a busy and engaging event such as Blaugust, it can feel like things grind to halt in the days and weeks afterwards. It is not unusual for many content creators to actually stop if they feel that the support network has gone. But it is still there, so it is important to keep the lines of communication open.
Celebrating Difference
The great things about Blaugust Festival of Blogging is that it’s a truly international event. For me that a big part of its appeal. Because although English may well be the universal language of all participants, it is not necessarily their first language. Hence a great deal of a writer’s native culture can bleed though into their posts. Rather than advocating a homogeneous approach to writing in which an international standard is enforced, I much prefer people writing as it naturally occurs to them, in the same way I enjoy and regional accents. In the internet age, it’s easy to think that there exists a universal, international pop culture. At a very simple level that may be true. Gaming is a major pastime all over the world. But look beyond the obvious and you’ll find that all countries have their own cultural foibles and idiosyncrasies. And that is one of the reasons I love to read other people’s blogs because I get to share in these.
Rabbits are tasty. Cats, not so much…
The great things about Blaugust Festival of Blogging is that it’s a truly international event. For me that a big part of its appeal. Because although English may well be the universal language of all participants, it is not necessarily their first language. Hence a great deal of a writer’s native culture can bleed though into their posts. Rather than advocating a homogeneous approach to writing in which an international standard is enforced, I much prefer people writing as it naturally occurs to them, in the same way I enjoy and regional accents. In the internet age, it’s easy to think that there exists a universal, international pop culture. At a very simple level that may be true. Gaming is a major pastime all over the world. But look beyond the obvious and you’ll find that all countries have their own cultural foibles and idiosyncrasies. And that is one of the reasons I love to read other people’s blogs because I get to share in these.
Back in the days when Contains Moderate Peril was relatively successful and had a wee bit of a following, it became very apparent through analysing the stats that the readership was international. As soon as that fact came to light, I decided to consider this when writing and hopefully have done so ever since. I tend to write in an informal British manner, similar to how I speak. I use a lot of phrases, colloquialisms and slang, as well as frequently making pop culture references. Why? Because this how I express myself. But I try to explain things along the way because not everything I write will be immediately accessible to international readers. So I put quotation marks around certain phrases and on occasions include links that explains them. I endeavour to do my best to clarify the foibles of UK society, its cultural habits and mindsets. Because pop culture is possibly the United States greatest export and has found its way on to most nations TV, the realities of daily life in America is far from impenetrable. I cannot say the same about German, Dutch, Kenyan or Bangladeshi culture.
Minder. A popular UK TV show from the 80s. Some of the slang may be impenetrable to international viewers. “I’ve got dodgy plates, Tel. Had’em since I was a saucepan”.
I admire anyone who has language skills. It is something we do very poorly in the UK. Less than a third of the nation is bilingual. I suppose due to English being a global language there is a sense of hubris that we shouldn’t even try. My French is very bad and my German negligible. Oddly the only language I ever seemed to get on with other than English was Latin but that’s a separate blog post. Anyone who not only learns English, which is notoriously awkward with its plethora of contradictory rules but also writes it, has achieved linguistically far more than me. I had the pleasure of working with a German engineer back in 1998 called Hendrich. He spoke textbook English but very quickly learned that it didn’t really equip him for day-to-day spoken English. He wanted to know slang and those curious turn of phrases that all countries develop. I confused him once, when we were working late and I said it was time to “knock it on the head”, which means to stop what you’re doing. “Whose head shall we knock?” he replied. Needless to say he found a means to learn informal English. He started supporting the local football team and by interacting with others quickly expanded his vocabulary.
So my advice to new bloggers who are starting out, is always keep in mind that although English may be a common language, the subtleties of your daily life are not. Don’t drive the character from your prose by slavishly writing in Standard International English (or American English). Please reference aspects of your countries culture both big and small and explain them where necessary. It brings so much more to your blog posts. In an age of growing fear regarding “difference”, we can learn a great deal about each other by reading each other’s writing. Yes, there are minor differences such as what side of the road you drive, measurement, the age at which you can do things such as vote or drink. But our overriding similarities also become abundantly clear. Also, if there’s something you’ve read that you don’t understand and you’d like an explanation then definitely ask. I will happily answer such questions about my writing, if you want clarification regarding what is a “chugger”, a “wee stooshie” or what you have to do to get totally “Leo Sayered”.
Topics, Talking Points and Ideas for Blog Posts
According to the Blaugust schedule, its “Topic Brainstorming Week”. I shall interpret this literally and see if I can come up with some hints and tips about what to write about. Because at some point, all bloggers (and potentially other content creators) will sit down in their preferred environment, crack their knuckles and then remain with their hands poised over the keyboards, waiting for inspiration to strike like a thunderbolt. And sometimes nothing comes, or more to the point none of the ideas you come up with particularly inspire you. And therein in lies the reality of blogging. Not every post is a labour of love, a literary milestone or of social significance like the Gettysburg Address (feel free to insert an alternative regionally relevant stirring speech here. I prefer Henry V Act 3, Scene 1 myself). Sometimes, you have to pick something straight forward to write about and produce three or so paragraphs of adequate material. It may not be Shakespeare but it doesn’t have to be “filler” either.
According to the Blaugust schedule, its “Topic Brainstorming Week”. I shall interpret this literally and see if I can come up with some hints and tips about what to write about. Because at some point, all bloggers (and potentially other content creators) will sit down in their preferred environment, crack their knuckles and then remain with their hands poised over the keyboards, waiting for inspiration to strike like a thunderbolt. And sometimes nothing comes, or more to the point none of the ideas you come up with particularly inspire you. And therein in lies the reality of blogging. Not every post is a labour of love, a literary milestone or of social significance like the Gettysburg Address (feel free to insert an alternative regionally relevant stirring speech here. I prefer Henry V Act 3, Scene 1 myself). Sometimes, you have to pick something straight forward to write about and produce three or so paragraphs of adequate material. It may not be Shakespeare but it doesn’t have to be “filler” either.
Reviews, virtual diaries and streams of consciousness: I don’t do brevity very well. If I write a film review that’s under five hundred words, I feel I’ve not done the subject justice. However, that’s on me and is simply a foible of my personality. Short, succinct posts can be good Therefore, brief reviews, or initial impressions or simple musings on a game, TV show, movie, book, or news item about the video game industry can make excellent blog posts. Keeping diaries about the games you’re playing, the item you’re knitting or the plant that you’re growing can also fun and straight forward. Streams of consciousness about your day can also be very engaging. Two good examples are Belghast’s daily posts and Jamie’s “What’s Occurring” You Tube channel. You’d be surprised how global readers like to get to know about you, where you live and what your life is like.
Riffing off other posts, think pieces and open debates: I make no bones about this, I regularly read the various columns, editorials and “soap box” post over at Massively Overpowered and then use them as a starting point for a blog post. Because they have exactly the same dilemma as the non-professional writer. IE coming up with interesting posts on a regular basis. So why not let them do the heavy lifting? At least they get paid. Another avenue to explore is think pieces. Is there a game mechanic that is ubiquitous, that you don’t like? Do you have an idea for an alternative? Then write about it. Why not dissect and analyse the machinations of the video games industry? When writing about what you love, you can focus or either the small or the big picture. Furthermore, when tackling a big subject, it isn’t essential to have all the answers. Throwing open a question to debate is great for comments or another blogger picking up the gauntlet and continuing the discussion.
Guides, FAQs and walkthroughs: Now these can be blogging gold, if done to the right standard. Take a website such as Dulfy’s MMO Guides. It has over time become one of the de facto MMO gaming sites, just through dogged determination in covering the things that gamers want to know about. There is great deal of information out there pertaining to games and other leisure activities that people assume is “well known”. But that is not always the case. Therefore writing the most basic of tips can be very useful to others. I recently wrote about the various libraries of data that addons in ESO are dependent on. You can update the addon but if you don’t update the reciprocal library, things still won’t work. This simple post has been well received. Therefore, never worry about sharing information or personal experiences. There’s always someone who will find it useful.
Screenshots, funny videos and “chummy posts”: As I mentioned earlier, not every post you write has to be “weighty”. A substantial amount of your potential readers don’t want to have to wade through 3,000 words of long form analysis. Sometimes a simple screenshot taken at the end of a major raid, or of an achievement or cosmetic item will delight your audience. People often invest their time into certain hobbies and pastimes as a way to unwind. Therefore a humorous post, or a funny screen capture can really hit the spot. I’ve mentioned before that I don’t care for the mantra “you are your own brand” but I cannot deny its truth. If you produce easy going content that’s light and entertaining, you’ll find your niche. Sometimes your readership or audience are following you because of your personality. A cheerful post may be what someone who is having a bad day is exactly looking for.
Naturally, this post has only scratched the surface of ideas for potential posts. Contrary to what some may think, there is always something to write about. Writers block is frankly an excuse and a lot of quality writers who I respect, calmly and rationally assert that is can be addressed and overcome. I’m interested to see what ideas some of the other Blaugust mentors come up with for “Topic Brainstorming Week”. But ultimately, this is something that has to be addressed by each individual blogger or content creator. You have to eventually grasp the nettle and produce something. And once done, you’ll find that writing (insert comparable activity here that is relevant to you) becomes a lot easier. That’s not to say it should become a job but producing anything creatively requires some effort and application. It’s not always a walk in the park. But the more you do the better you become.
Leave a Comment
It’s the first day of the month and the Blaugust 2019 Festival of Blogging is currently underway. So far there have been numerous posts from established bloggers, offering sound advice and encouragement to those participating in this annual event. However, I wish to focus on one specific aspect of blogging that appears to be on the wane at present. Something that can be invaluable to the new and enthusiastic blogger. And as Blaugust is no longer solely focused on writing, this is also applicable to podcasters, live streamers and You Tubers (I hate that phrase, but it appears to be an accepted collective term, so let’s roll with it). The thing I am alluding to is audience feedback or put more plainly, reader comments. Yes, the thoughts and musings of those who consume your work, left on your site, blog or channel, in the form of a few lines of text. They can be both praising or damning. Supportive, insulting or sometimes incomprehensible. But at least they indicate that someone thinks sufficient of your work to leave some sort of statement.
This looks strangely familiar…
It’s the first day of the month and the Blaugust 2019 Festival of Blogging is currently underway. So far there have been numerous posts from established bloggers, offering sound advice and encouragement to those participating in this annual event. However, I wish to focus on one specific aspect of blogging that appears to be on the wane at present. Something that can be invaluable to the new and enthusiastic blogger. And as Blaugust is no longer solely focused on writing, this is also applicable to podcasters, live streamers and You Tubers (I hate that phrase, but it appears to be an accepted collective term, so let’s roll with it). The thing I am alluding to is audience feedback or put more plainly, reader comments. Yes, the thoughts and musings of those who consume your work, left on your site, blog or channel, in the form of a few lines of text. They can be both praising or damning. Supportive, insulting or sometimes incomprehensible. But at least they indicate that someone thinks sufficient of your work to leave some sort of statement.
People write and produce online content for a multitude of different reasons. The pleasure of creating something, sharing a common interest and engaging with others are just some of the many motivations that come to mind. But at some point, the following question occurs to all content creators. “Is anyone actually reading, watching or listening to this?” or some such variation. And it’s a totally justifiable enquiry, because content creation does not exist in a vacuum. If you’re writing for example, the basic premise of such an undertaking is that its intended to be read. If you therefore write continuously, eventually you will want some feedback. Do people enjoy your work? Do they find it useful? Is it relatable? Or is it an unmitigated disaster and an affront to all sentient life? Content creation and its consumption is a bilateral process. A writer, podcaster or streamer cannot grow if they have no idea how their material is received.
Rod Serling thinks you should support writers by leaving them feedback…
Sadly, despite the internet being filled with people who have an opinion on absolutely everything, getting them to leave a simple comment on your blog is comparable to asking them to undertake one of the labours of Hercules. Admittedly, some blogging sites can be a bit picky about verification and logging in, which does discourage some people from sharing their thoughts. But I think the problem is more due to a cultural shift and the fact that people will use social media to leave feedback and make recommendations these days. I find that readers of Contains Moderate Peril prefer to discuss the various posts, leave feedback and question my parentage via Twitter. The advantage being there are no additional logon credential required and a link to an article can be referenced publicly. Engagement is immediate. I do still get comments left via the site but they are far from common place. It can be a little frustrating at times especially when statistics tell you that a post has been well received.
So in light of this situation I would like to do the following. Here is a list of new bloggers who have embarked upon the Blaugust experience. I would urge readers as a sign of solidarity and goodwill to visit these sites and leave a comment, to encourage and motivate these good people. You’d be surprised what a shot in the arm, a positive comment can be.
· Remus: ..in the mind..
· Tea: Cooler on the internet
· TheRoyalFamily: Dating Sims on the Holodeck
· Serum7six: Enjoying Overload
· everwake: Everwake’s Internet Journey
· Dan/Magimos/Magi: Indiecator
· Kaylriene: Kaylriene
· Sita Dulip: Synthetic Dulips
Preparing for Blaugust 2019
According to the schedule (which is purely for guidance and not a metaphorical gun to your head) Blaugust 2019 Festival of Blogging starts today. This is “prep week”; a golden opportunity to get all your ducks in a row. Now there’s nothing to stop you going into the event blind and winging it. For some content creators, that’s how they roll. However, for most of us, it helps if we have some kind of plan in place and have figured some stuff out in advance. For me this is important as I have a fluid day-to-day schedule and I’m also away for three days due to my son’s wedding. So I thought I’d share my approach to Blaugust, in the hope that it may be helpful to others. Like most things in life, there is no “one size fits all approach”, so you may want to temper my methods and adapt them to your own. You know your own strengths and weaknesses better than I. But the underlying point is still sound. Doing some degree of preparation for Blaugust will certainly help you.
According to the schedule (which is purely for guidance and not a metaphorical gun to your head) Blaugust 2019 Festival of Blogging starts today. This is “prep week”; a golden opportunity to get all your ducks in a row. Now there’s nothing to stop you going into the event blind and winging it. For some content creators, that’s how they roll. However, for most of us, it helps if we have some kind of plan in place and have figured some stuff out in advance. For me this is important as I have a fluid day-to-day schedule and I’m also away for three days due to my son’s wedding. So I thought I’d share my approach to Blaugust, in the hope that it may be helpful to others. Like most things in life, there is no “one size fits all approach”, so you may want to temper my methods and adapt them to your own. You know your own strengths and weaknesses better than I. But the underlying point is still sound. Doing some degree of preparation for Blaugust will certainly help you.
Strategy and planning: Blaugust is about creating content, so why not start collating ideas and brainstorming. If you have established regular columns or intend to do so, then these will be invaluable in bolstering your post count. Providing a diary of your progress in a game is useful and straight forward to write. As for ideas, create a list and write what you want to cover. Then add bullet points about what you want to convey and discuss with each idea. These can then be fleshed out into paragraphs. Impose structure via opening and closing statements and voila, you have a blog post or at least the first draft. Your list of ideas can then become the framework of your posting schedule. If you’re stuck for ideas then the schedule posted by Belghast (see above) offers writing prompts. If you favour writing about specifc things, then do so. I find movie reviews the easiest to write so will prepare some in advance. Also, if possible don’t just write on the fly. Plan when and where you write for best results
Motivation and the reality of regular writing: I strongly encourage all Blaugust participants to communicate with others on the Blaugust Discord Server. Don’t feel reticent about sharing your content there. You have to promote your work to some degree to get people to come and read it. You may well get visitors and comments due to the buzz surrounding the event. But be realistic in your expectations. The key to building an online presence is to publish content regularly. Potentially, this is the most valuable lesson that Blaugust can teach you. Every post doesn’t have to be an in-depth essay or a literary milestone. Three paragraphs is sometimes all that’s needed to make your point, convey an idea or express a sentiment. Remember it is your blog and you should do things your way and in a manner that you’re comfortable with. Don’t overreach yourself but don’t sell yourself short either. Realistically consider what you can produce and then strive to do so.
Expect the unexpected: As well as being a tagline for the TV show Terrahawks, this is also sound advice about Blaugust. No plan is bullet proof and sadly at times, shit happens. A major news story in the area that you write about may appear and you may want to digress from your schedule and get on that bandwagon. Also, one of your fellow bloggers or even yourself, may make a particularly cogent post that subsequently gets other writers riffing off it. You may then feel it prudent to follow up the discussion with another post on that subject. Plus life may derail you and prevent you from writing or at least interfere with your plan. There is even a possibility that you may discover that whatever content creation that you’re pursuing, is not for you after all. Blaugust is a learning curve and despite what you may think, it still has the potential to teach you something. Sometimes you have to do something to determine whether it’s right or not for you.
It never hurts to be organised and for many, imposing a degree of structure upon a month-long writing event, will make it far easier to navigate. Yet, there does come a point when you have to stop fine tuning your plan, which can sometimes become a diversion in itself, and just get on with writing, podcasting, streaming etc. It’s a bit like getting into the swimming pool when on holiday. The water looks inviting but you know it will strike cold. Once in experience tells us it will be fine but the main obstacle is just diving or climbing in. For many, the first Blaugust post is the equivalent of this but once it’s done you may wonder why you worried about it so much. So take the plunge, stay in touch with other participants and see where the month ahead takes you. If you get stuck then help is at hand. I won’t say “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” because that is a logical fallacy. But I will quote from The Lord of the Rings. As Gaffer Gamgee said, “It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish".
Internet Fame and Fortune
I recently read a blog post by Tobold about the subject of “internet fame” and the thorny issue of “influencers”. He referenced how at one point his blog was getting over 3,000 visits a day and he had traction within the wider gaming community. However, over time his waning interest in gaming along with the rise of other social media platforms has seen a steady decline in traffic to his blog. He notes how there’s been a shift towards Streamers and You Tubers becoming major sources of influence. He even goes so far as to suggest that creating visual content is harder than blogging. Yet I’m not so sure about the last point. Scheduling, producing and editing video content is certainly an involved process and requires a degree of skill. But mastering these techniques is not a guarantee of quality. I still believe that the written word, especially in a longform analytical fashion, requires more thought and analysis. And I would also argue that those very qualities subsequently narrow the market for its consumption.
Torquil says “Fame? It’s an empty purse.”
I recently read a blog post by Tobold about the subject of “internet fame” and the thorny issue of “influencers”. He referenced how at one point his blog was getting over 3,000 visits a day and he had traction within the wider gaming community. However, over time his waning interest in gaming along with the rise of other social media platforms has seen a steady decline in traffic to his blog. He notes how there’s been a shift towards Streamers and You Tubers becoming major sources of influence. He even goes so far as to suggest that creating visual content is harder than blogging. Yet I’m not so sure about the last point. Scheduling, producing and editing video content is certainly an involved process and requires a degree of skill. But mastering these techniques is not a guarantee of quality. I still believe that the written word, especially in a longform analytical fashion, requires more thought and analysis. And I would also argue that those very qualities subsequently narrow the market for its consumption.
But this post is not a debate over which medium is superior. I believe all have their virtues and their respective place. Nope this is a reflection upon the dream of “internet fame” and making money from your website. Of gaining the respect of your peers and having your writing genius recognised. Or maybe just getting some extra traffic to your blog. We all have hopes and dreams when we embark upon writing online. We also tend to be realistic about what the likely outcome may be. “Internet fame” is a fickle thing and is usually due to a perfect storm of reasons. As for making money from your blog, well I’ve never achieved that. In fact all my content creation endeavours over the years have been a money sink overall. Can blogging lead to developing a wider literary talent? That remains to be seen. If you subsequently write a successful book or are offered a paid position with a prestigious news outlet, then that may constitute as proof of ability.
Follow me. Like the song by Uncle Kracker.
For most of us, writing brings a small core group of readers who end up getting to know you through your writing. It’s quite an intimate relationship, as you eventually become your own brand. Yes, I hate that phrase but it is functionally true. For most of us, blogging, podcasting, live streaming or whatever won’t make you rich or famous. However, irrespective of your impact, it does bring you a degree of satisfaction that at least someone understands what you’re blathering on about. If you’re lucky, your readers will indulge you to a degree and support you when you stray into subjects that don’t necessarily enthral them. My longstanding podcast co-host Brian and I once did a show where we didn’t feel like talking about gaming, so we discussed bacon and eggs. It turned out to be one of our best received episodes. So if you have dreams of internet fame and fortune, I’d advise you to temper them. However, you may well find a comfortable niche and make some good friends along the way.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 8
I wasn’t expecting to write another entry in the Thoughts on Blogging series so soon, but something came up that grabbed my attention and got me thinking. A simple question that’s often asked about blogging and one that has many layers to it, as well as numerous answers. A new blogger who recently joined the Blaugust discord server asked for help “getting traffic to their blog”. An enquiry that gave me (and possibly others) pause for thought. Because we all to a degree want to attract traffic to our blogs. But I also think bloggers are too coy about this this subject. We’ll say things like “I write for myself” or “it’s not about the numbers” and although I agree with these points, building an audience is important. Let’s be honest, it can be somewhat disheartening after writing a lengthy post about a subject close to you heart, for it to fall flat and not attract any traffic. As discussed before, often it is the casual blog posts written in a hurry, that can be the most popular and the articles you’re most proud of can go unnoticed. So let us be honest. I think most bloggers want to grow an audience and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that it provides.
I wasn’t expecting to write another entry in the Thoughts on Blogging series so soon, but something came up that grabbed my attention and got me thinking. A simple question that’s often asked about blogging and one that has many layers to it, as well as numerous answers. A new blogger who recently joined the Blaugust discord server asked for help “getting traffic to their blog”. An enquiry that gave me (and possibly others) pause for thought. Because we all to a degree want to attract traffic to our blogs. But I also think bloggers are too coy about this this subject. We’ll say things like “I write for myself” or “it’s not about the numbers” and although I agree with these points, building an audience is important. Let’s be honest, it can be somewhat disheartening after writing a lengthy post about a subject close to you heart, for it to fall flat and not attract any traffic. As discussed before, often it is the casual blog posts written in a hurry, that can be the most popular and the articles you’re most proud of can go unnoticed. So let us be honest. I think most bloggers want to grow an audience and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that it provides.
So let us consider for a moment, the question of attracting traffic to your blog. First of all, what is your motivation. It’s an important question because it determines how and what you write, the kind of audience you pursue and the niche you are going to try and fill. If you are writing for pleasure, because of a sense of fandom and to contribute to a community then you’re mainly looking to connect with a specific group and be of service to them. This makes finding your audience very specific. You produce content that is relevant to the community you are part of and promote it via the platforms that community uses. If you are writing for financial gain or to achieve some sort of “internet fame”, then your content is governed far more by pursuing what is popular, affiliating yourself to the latest trends and getting “noticed”. You therefore may seek to court controversy and become involved in high profile disputes. What you wish to achieve very much determines your path. It is not unlike the differing roles of the tabloid press and broadsheet newspapers.
If therefore, you are pursuing the former of these two options and say for example wish to establish yourself of part of The Elder Scrolls Online community, then the best approach would be to produce content regularly. Ensure that your material is engaging, interesting and relevant. Maintain a schedule and stick to it. Google likes sites that do this and you will fair better in search rankings as a result. Your readers like consistency as well. Promote your work via social media, forums and other platforms. Interact with your audience, answer comments and provide your own views on the work of your peers. Riffing off other bloggers posts is always a good way of raising your profile. Discuss, debate and participate. Know when to argue a point and when not to waste your time. Do your research if your posts require factual accuracy and always link to your sources. Then do all the above continuously for several years (possibly nearer a decade) and you may gain some traction and build an audience.
And now let us consider the alternative. Regularly create content but couch it in hyperbole and click bait style of headlines. Be controversial, outspoken and outrageous. Attack those with opposing views and always make clear what you don’t like and won’t tolerate. After all, it’s a lot easier to be critical than constructive. Utilise all the rhetorical tricks of the trade; ad hominem and strawman arguments, gaslighting and “whataboutery”. Jump on any passing bandwagon regardless of whether you believe in it or not. Similarly have an opinion on anything and everything. Shit post, hangout in all the wrong places (specific subreddits, 4chan and 8chan) and always ensure that if there’s a divisive situation, you’re associated with it. Don’t deal in facts but in feelings. Ignore such concepts as the burden of proof, feel free to contradict yourself, switch sides and generally not be burdened by constricting concepts such as integrity. Make people angry then point them in the direction of the alleged “cause”. If you follow this plan, you’ll get noticed and you may gain an audience. But there’s a price to pay. You’ll have painted yourself into a corner and will forever be associated with your “persona”. Plus a lot of people will think you’re an asshole.
Obviously, I have presented two ways of building an audience and would like to make it clear that there are naturally alternatives and variations on both discussed routes. I must admit I do find it surprising that people still think that there’s a quick and easy way to “success”, be it with blogging or any of the other ways of sharing content. Live streaming, producing You Tube videos, creating podcasts and blogging have all gone through a lot of transitions over the years and I suspect the days of any of them being a quick way to get rich and famous have possibly gone. The only constant I can really think of about “audiences” is that they can be both loyal and fickle. Core readers will stick around because ultimately, they have a sense of rapport with the author. Yet if you write less often then people will naturally go elsewhere. There’s been a notable dip in this site’s traffic in the last fortnight because I haven’t been writing. As to the newbie blogger who posted the original question, I hope you find the path that right for you. I’d be interested to learn what their thoughts are on traffic if they’re still blogging in a year’s time.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 7
I decided to take a short break from blogging last week. I have a lot on at present and the only time I’ve had available to write has been in the late evening. I prefer to write in the morning as I’m more focused and motivated. Plus I haven’t really had a lot of positive things to say of late about the two primary subjects of this website. Broadly speaking there’s not a lot of going on in the video games industry that enthuses me. Similarly, the current crop of film releases have hardly distinguished themselves. At present when I do get writing ideas, they tend to be obscure niche market subjects or commentary on social issues. For example, I’m thinking of writing a post about my continuing enjoyment of the Japanese TV show Takeshi’s Castle. I’m also forming my thoughts for an article about how society’s relationship with wildlife may be “broken”. Stuff that is interesting to me but may not be ideal material for readers of Contains Moderate Peril.
I decided to take a short break from blogging last week. I have a lot on at present and the only time I’ve had available to write has been in the late evening. I prefer to write in the morning as I’m more focused and motivated. Plus I haven’t really had a lot of positive things to say of late about the two primary subjects of this website. Broadly speaking there’s not a lot of going on in the video games industry that enthuses me. Similarly, the current crop of film releases have hardly distinguished themselves. At present when I do get writing ideas, they tend to be obscure niche market subjects or commentary on social issues. For example, I’m thinking of writing a post about my continuing enjoyment of the Japanese TV show Takeshi’s Castle. I’m also forming my thoughts for an article about how society’s relationship with wildlife may be “broken”. Stuff that is interesting to me but may not be ideal material for readers of Contains Moderate Peril.
I recently wrote about how the blogging community intermittently loses long time contributors when they decide to “retire”. I have been reflecting upon this of late and wondering whether I should be doing the same. This has mainly been due to a lack of motivation on my behalf. However, as I know exactly what the causes of this problem are (they’re mainly logistical issues), I eventually settled for a short break instead. I know that as soon as I “pack in” writing, I’ll get the bug again shortly afterwards. There is only so much a person can do to organise their life, especially when there are random external factors that can throw a proverbial spanner in the works at any time of day. So I have two choices. Accept the fluidity of things and write as and when I can. Or try to stick to my current schedule, fall behind, get frustrated and eventually throw in the towel. The logical things is to adapt and embrace the former option. So that is what I shall do at for the present. The daily writing schedule has got to give.
If all goes to plan, I’m hoping to resume writing again this week. I have several film reviews outstanding that I can finish off and post. I find these a lot more straightforward and relatively easy to collate, compared to more complex “think pieces” about gaming and its associated industry. Film reviews have also proven to be a good source of traffic for Contains Moderate Peril over the years, as unlike gaming related articles, they’re not time specific. I’m also going to pursue the more niche market articles I mentioned earlier, because the alternative is simply not to write anything. I’m sure I’ll produce more material about gaming when a subject, or angle presents itself that I find interesting. However, beyond this immediate plan, it’s best not to speculate. My caring commitments are currently in a state of flux due to illness and associated medical problems. So there’s still plenty of scope for arrangements and schedules to change.
Ride Off Into the Sunset
“At some point, KTR and other MMO blogs mostly drifted from being MMO blogs. Some have remained pure, I am sure, but we became online gaming blogs, gaming blogs, online culture blogs, general blogs. And we gradually trailed off”. Zubon. Kill Ten Rats. And so another MMO blogger who has been part of the community “furniture” for years, decides that they’ve said everything they can upon the subject and that it’s time to move on. It’s a familiar story, one that I totally understand and can identify with. Passion waxes and wanes, scenes change, as do people. There comes a point where you don’t feel there’s anything left else to discuss or whether anyone is actually listening, except in Zubon’s case they definitely were. It’s always a shame to see a community stalwart go, but nothing remains the same forever.
“At some point, KTR and other MMO blogs mostly drifted from being MMO blogs. Some have remained pure, I am sure, but we became online gaming blogs, gaming blogs, online culture blogs, general blogs. And we gradually trailed off”. Zubon. Kill Ten Rats. And so another MMO blogger who has been part of the community “furniture” for years, decides that they’ve said everything they can upon the subject and that it’s time to move on. It’s a familiar story, one that I totally understand and can identify with. Passion waxes and wanes, scenes change, as do people. There comes a point where you don’t feel there’s anything left else to discuss or whether anyone is actually listening, except in Zubon’s case they definitely were. It’s always a shame to see a community stalwart go, but nothing remains the same forever.
As I said to Scormey recently, “there's a list of fellow bloggers, You Tubers and members of the MMO commentariat, that I regularly check to see that they're still in business”. All of whom have been contributing to the gaming community for many a year. I consider all of them to be of great value, even though many of them are focused upon games I may not play. A sense of shared fandom helps bind this lose cabal of content creators together and feeds into a wider community. Broadly it is a measured, thoughtful and friendly enclave, something that is not so common in gaming these days. Therefore it is reassuring to see it endure and know that it is still out there doing its thing. Naturally when a long-term member “retires” is does make me wonder as to the longevity of this community.
Yet events such as The Newbie Blogger Initiative and Blaugust Reborn still attract new content creators and despite the inevitable churn, fresh blood and new perspectives continue to join the community. This influx keeps the torch burning for MMOs and other genres of games. Although I can’t see a return to the halcyon days of MMO blogging of a decade plus ago, it is pleasant and dare I even say comforting to see sixty odd active blogs in my RSS Feed. Every day I still find lengthy, interesting, passion fuelled posts to read. There are also plenty of solid You Tube channels to enjoy as well as some entertaining and consistent streamers to follow. All of which are created and maintained through the good will of fans. This remains something for which I and others are very grateful.
12 Years of Blogging
In March 2007 I had just started a new contract with Hewlett Packard working on a major office relocation for HM Land Registry. To cut a long story short there were quiet periods in-between the bouts of organised chaos and as I was desk bound, I decided to write a blog to maintain the illusion of being busy. I’ve always enjoyed writing so when the internet came along it seemed logical to use it as a platform. I created several HTML fan pages in the late nineties but when blogs started to become “a thing” I immediately jumped on that band wagon. Prior to 2007 I had created and abandoned several blogs, mainly because I couldn’t find the right subject to maintain my interest. However on this occasion, I decided to go with the old adage “write what you know” and chose to share my life long passion for movies. So I created an account with the now defunct platform of blog.co.uk, called my blog Did I Pay to See That? and have not stopped writing since.
In March 2007 I had just started a new contract with Hewlett Packard working on a major office relocation for HM Land Registry. To cut a long story short there were quiet periods in-between the bouts of organised chaos and as I was desk bound, I decided to write a blog to maintain the illusion of being busy. I’ve always enjoyed writing so when the internet came along it seemed logical to use it as a platform. I created several HTML fan pages in the late nineties but when blogs started to become “a thing” I immediately jumped on that band wagon. Prior to 2007 I had created and abandoned several blogs, mainly because I couldn’t find the right subject to maintain my interest. However on this occasion, I decided to go with the old adage “write what you know” and chose to share my life long passion for movies. So I created an account with the now defunct platform of blog.co.uk, called my blog Did I Pay to See That? and have not stopped writing since.
There are posts elsewhere on this site recounting the circumstances of how the various blogs I’ve run over the years have morphed into Contains Moderate Peril. Certainly the decision to consolidate all my writing projects in one location was the right choice and I marvel at the fact that I’m still regularly writing. But although it can be difficult at times to sit and create content, I find it far more unsettling not to do so. Writing is not only a passion for me but an indispensable form of therapy. The wider world is in a state of flux and the UK seems to be facing an existential crisis at present. Then there’s my own personal situation as I address my ageing parents caring issues. Being able to process all these complexities through the medium of writing is invaluable. I also enjoy the musings and thoughts of others, especially those bloggers that still maintain an in-depth writing style and tackle the bigger issues. I also like the sense of community. It’s still there although it has shrunk in size over time.
While reflecting upon over a decade of blogging, I have concluded that Contains Moderate Peril has certainly peaked and has already had its fifteen minutes of fame. In 2014 the blog and podcast were established in the LOTRO community and among the circle of MMO bloggers. The numbers were good, in fact the volume of website traffic was such that a more expensive hosting package was required. Something I couldn’t afford. However, I was offered sponsorship from HostOnePlus which was both welcome and a compliment. Certainly after migrating the site the statistics reflected the biggest audience I’ve ever had. But as ever, life has a habit of changing things. I was beginning to suffer from burnout and felt it was time for a break. A year later I temporarily stopped blogging and parted ways with HostOnePlus. I resumed again after a short break and relocated Contains Moderate Peril to Squarespace but the forward momentum was lost. Perhaps that was a good thing in a way, as I returned to writing for pleasure, rather than worrying about growth.
When I talk to friends and colleagues and tell them about my writing, I’m often asked if I regret sinking so much of my time into my “hobby”. The answer is always a resounding “no”. I’ve met many people through blogging and podcasting and I put great stock in such friendships. Writing has not only led to me reading more but it has also exposed me to far more diverse content. Maintaining a blog has also meant that I have learned new technical skills and improved how I communicate. And its also been a lot of fun. Riffing off other blogger’s content, exchanging ideas, even agreeing to disagree (something that so many people have forgotten how to do these days), has all been a positive experience. As to the future, I see no reason to stop writing, although there will be interruptions from time to time, brought about by the reality of my life. In the meantime its business as usual. I have three posts outstanding and I’ll get on with them, once I’m done looking at that bird on Mrs Coltart’s roof.
The Cost of Content Creation
Back in July 2017 I wrote a blog post about how monetising your content fundamentally changes the relationship you have with your audience and how that isn’t always a good thing with regard to maintaining ones creative independence. I then went on to describe how I see both my blog and podcast as personal “indulgences” and that I had no intention of using Patreon or having a virtual tip jar. This remains the case and I’m not looking to my readership for funding of any kind. However, it is spring and for me at least, that means that a lot of yearly costs associated with my content creation are up for renewal. Therefore I thought it an appropriate opportunity to discuss the subject of the cost of blogging, podcasting, streaming and other forms of content creation.
Back in July 2017 I wrote a blog post about how monetising your content fundamentally changes the relationship you have with your audience and how that isn’t always a good thing with regard to maintaining ones creative independence. I then went on to describe how I see both my blog and podcast as personal “indulgences” and that I had no intention of using Patreon or having a virtual tip jar. This remains the case and I’m not looking to my readership for funding of any kind. However, it is spring and for me at least, that means that a lot of yearly costs associated with my content creation are up for renewal. Therefore I thought it an appropriate opportunity to discuss the subject of the cost of blogging, podcasting, streaming and other forms of content creation.
Rather than use a free service such as WordPress, I host Contains Moderate Peril via Squarespace which is a subscription service. The infrastructure is robust, secure and the service has several advantages over others that don’t charge. Squarespace has its own statistical package which affords me more than an overview of my website traffic. My current subscription also allows me to host my podcast, which saves me using another service such as Libsyn. At present I choose to pay monthly, so if my circumstances quickly change (and as a carer they certainly can) I can simply cancel the service. At present, the subscription costs £11.14 per month. I also recently renewed my domain, which I do via Go Daddy. It currently costs £23.38 per year, which is about £1.95 per month.
Although there are free alternatives, I still use Microsoft Office and subscribe to Office 365. Last year I bought year’s subscription for a little over £30 from a third-party key seller. Sadly, I couldn’t find such a deal this time, so I have opted to pay £5.99 per month. This is not the most economical option, but it suits my current needs. I have always been a strong advocate of both Microsoft Word and Outlook and rely heavily on the functionality they provide. I use Word for more than just blogging, having a great deal of administrative work to do. Similarly, I manage multiple email accounts and find that Outlook is by far the best tool for this. Email for Contains Moderate Peril, along with a second domain linked to my former business, are both handled via a hosted Microsoft Exchange service costing £17.86 per month.
Overall, it costs me £36.94 to maintain a blog and produce a monthly podcast. That may not sound like a lot of money, but how you view what is and what isn’t expensive is highly subjective. As a carer on a fixed income I’ve had to think long and hard about such expenditure and I’ve briefly considered cheaper options. However, I do not like to dependent on free services and prefer to have the safety net of customer support and legal recourse that comes with paid third-party vendors. So for the present I shall continue to pay in the manner I’ve described. I’d be interested to hear from fellow bloggers and content creators regarding their expenditure or whether they manage to get by without spending anything. Is there a price limit on your hobby or have you been tempted to look to a service such a Patreon to cover costs?
The Ongoing Gaming Divide
Love him or loathe him, Gevlon has been a fixed constant in the video games blogging community for over a decade. But he has recently seen fit to hang up his spurs and is no longer going to be maintaining his blog. Fair enough, if you see no value in what you do or feel that your pastime is no longer what it used to be, then I understand moving on. Gevlon likes games that offer challenge and then enjoys trying to find the formula for success. Many gamers do this enjoying coming to grips with a competitive game, mastering the underlying systems and then excelling in their gameplay. However, that is not the only approach to video games. Sadly Gevlon has always maintained a somewhat binary view on the subject and he cannot see beyond his own interpretations of what gaming is. The world has moved on and he has not. It is ultimately immaterial whether he or other gamers care for this or not. Life is predicated upon change and it happens in every aspect of our lives. Leisure activities included.
Love him or loathe him, Gevlon has been a fixed constant in the video games blogging community for over a decade. But he has recently seen fit to hang up his spurs and is no longer going to be maintaining his blog. Fair enough, if you see no value in what you do or feel that your pastime is no longer what it used to be, then I understand moving on. Gevlon likes games that offer challenge and then enjoys trying to find the formula for success. Many gamers do this enjoying coming to grips with a competitive game, mastering the underlying systems and then excelling in their gameplay. However, that is not the only approach to video games. Sadly Gevlon has always maintained a somewhat binary view on the subject and he cannot see beyond his own interpretations of what gaming is. The world has moved on and he has not. It is ultimately immaterial whether he or other gamers care for this or not. Life is predicated upon change and it happens in every aspect of our lives. Leisure activities included.
The evolution of video games from the seventies to the present day is a tale of a niche, hardcore pastime slowly becoming more widely popular. The arrival of online gameplay offered social interaction and a new approach to competitive gameplay. Yet increasing popularity has attracted money and this has often made gaming about adapting to what is popular and sells, thus moving away from previously established conventions. Plus there are multiple generations of gamers who have had differing experiences determined by what time they adopted this leisure activity. The first generation of MMO players have had their perspective shaped by the likes of Ultima Online. Those playing The Elder Scrolls Online today are being shaped by a very different game environment and set of rules. Plus so many gaming terms, labels and definitions have changed. The net result is that the term gamer is a very broad church and doesn’t really indicate anything more than a penchant for playing games. The same way that being a reader doesn’t say anything about what you read or enjoying music indicates the subtleties of your personal taste.
It is very hard to try and quantify gaming and break it down into clearly delineated groups and parts. One of the major handicaps of writing about this pastime is that you often have to speak in broad generalisations and prefix your points with caveats and contextualisation. For example, the overall point of this post is to highlight that there is a gaming divide. There are those who play as a test of skill, for competitive reasons and personal achievement. You can argue that these are similar motives to those who play sports. Then there are those who game more as a social and recreational activity, who feel that it is “the journey and not the destination”, so to speak. Yet both these two points are far too definitive and don’t hold up to close scrutiny. Gaming is not a Venn Diagram made up of just two intersecting circles but potentially hundreds. However, from a business point of view, such a diversity and complexity of player needs and preferences, makes it hard to create a product that satisfies the majority.
Overall, I believe there is an established gaming divide, although it is currently framed in very broad and not entirely accurate terms. This matter is further compounded by the current culture of “pigeonholing” and the general partisan nature of culture and politics that exist at the moment. I don’t have a lot of sympathy for video games publishers as they are pretty much in the same category of bankers and estate agents. All are group that compound and exploit the problems associated with their field of work, rather than address them. But I do understand the frustration that game developers must constantly encounter. There is never an overall consensus and every point regarding a game system or mechanic is frequently hotly contested. Plus because developers don’t hold the purse strings, they are often compelled to pursue what is popular, or proven to sell, over innovation and following their own creative leads. It seems that the commercial success of gaming is actively contributing to the gaming divide.
Returning to the matter of the disgruntled games blogger who is unable or unwilling to change and adapt to the new reality of the video games market, I think it highlights the folly of untempered fandom and any other social, political or cultural dogma. Change is a reality in our daily lives, and we seems as a society to cope with it fairly well (although that is now becoming debatable). Yet I suppose everyone has, or potentially has, a blind spot for something or other, and when they encounter it, make it the hill they’re prepared to die on. I guess it all comes down to a choice. There are several big budget games scheduled for release this year, that fall outside of my personal tastes. However, I do not see this as a problem, the same way I don’t resent all the products in my local supermarket that I don’t care for. There are still games that I like in existence and being developed. But I have never understood the mindset that dislikes what others enjoy, as if that is the sole reason why their needs are seemingly neglected. But again this is something that is becoming more prevalent both in gaming and wider culture. The net result of this outlook further exasperates the divisions in gaming, making the matter a cyclical problem.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 6
As January comes to an end, I am pleased that I have so far managed to maintain a daily writing schedule. I hope that I can continue in this vein throughout February. As ever the actual process of sitting and writing has proven a somewhat mixed bag so far this year. Some days the word simply spill out of me and a blog post potentially writes itself. On others, composing just three coherent paragraphs is like pulling teeth and much time is spent procrastinating and getting side tracked. But a mixture of self-discipline and a degree of pride have helped oil the creative wheels and kept the content flowing. Whether any of it is any good is for others to decided. However, it was nice to find one of my posts quoted in an article over at Massively Overpowered. It means that at least someone is reading my work and pondering upon the points therein. Writing is after all a means of communication and sharing ideas so it is rewarding to know that you’re not just yelling into the wind all the time.
As January comes to an end, I am pleased that I have so far managed to maintain a daily writing schedule. I hope that I can continue in this vein throughout February. As ever the actual process of sitting and writing has proven a somewhat mixed bag so far this year. Some days the word simply spill out of me and a blog post potentially writes itself. On others, composing just three coherent paragraphs is like pulling teeth and much time is spent procrastinating and getting side tracked. But a mixture of self-discipline and a degree of pride have helped oil the creative wheels and kept the content flowing. Whether any of it is any good is for others to decided. However, it was nice to find one of my posts quoted in an article over at Massively Overpowered. It means that at least someone is reading my work and pondering upon the points therein. Writing is after all a means of communication and sharing ideas so it is rewarding to know that you’re not just yelling into the wind all the time.
I like to write about a broad spectrum of subjects, but naturally I self-edit my posts and so some content remains unpublished. I try not to do too much politics or social issues although I’m not averse to expressing an opinion. But sometimes you have to refrain from “indulging” yourself and focus on the meat and potatoes of your writing. For me that is still movies and video games. I have no problem with constructive criticism and analysis of the things I enjoy, but I am cognisant of not perpetuating a continuously negative narrative. Hence, I endeavour to be as even handed as one can be, despite being human and therefore having personal bias. Frankly it’s just lazy writing to sit in the balcony and barrack the stage continuously. Yet as a culture, in recent years we’ve become far more focused on what we don’t like, what we’re against and what we think is beyond the pale. Actually expressing positive sentiments or extolling the virtues of something you enjoy is bizarrely frowned upon in some quarters or seen as sappy.
Moving forward into 2019, I have several ideas regarding developing further recurring themed posts. At present I use Thoughts on Blogging and Diary of a Podcaster as means to provide commentary on both mediums as well as update readers about my own endeavours in these areas. I also use the Classic Themes posts as a vehicle to explore my love of film, TV and video game music. After some thinking I’m considering writing regularly about various common tropes and archetypes that occur in movies. I also had an idea about a similar game related series of articles, where I could focus on mainstays of the industry and how certain mechanics become established. I’ve also reflected upon my need to write more about books, graphic novels, obscure TV shows from my childhood and a wealth of other topics. But all such ideas have to be realistically tempered by the time I have available and my desire to pursue other interests. All things considered, I should be able to sustain my writing schedule for the next month. But ideas for content is only half the equation. The other is motivation. That is a far more nebulous commodity. However, one positive thing to consider is that February is a shorter month than others.
A Year in Blogging
I did not manage to maintain my writing schedule this year and have not posted everyday as I would’ve liked. I have produced over two hundred and seventy posts but still feel I could have done more. Blaugust was a welcome burst of enthusiasm that I managed to sustain for September and October, but I lost momentum in the run up to Christmas. At least I know what the root cause is which puts me a step nearer to resolving it. Having written several posts in the past about “writers block” and the other perennial excuse of not having anything to write about, I seem to have squarely fallen into both those traps. At present I find that motivating myself is the key problem. If I haven’t started writing something by midday, then it more than often gets left for the day. If I intend to escape this malaise, then I shall have to establish a far stricter writing schedule for 2019 and endeavour to do my writing first thing in the morning, when I am most focused.
I did not manage to maintain my writing schedule this year and have not posted everyday as I would’ve liked. I have produced over two hundred and seventy posts but still feel I could have done more. Blaugust was a welcome burst of enthusiasm that I managed to sustain for September and October, but I lost momentum in the run up to Christmas. At least I know what the root cause is which puts me a step nearer to resolving it. Having written several posts in the past about “writers block” and the other perennial excuse of not having anything to write about, I seem to have squarely fallen into both those traps. At present I find that motivating myself is the key problem. If I haven’t started writing something by midday, then it more than often gets left for the day. If I intend to escape this malaise, then I shall have to establish a far stricter writing schedule for 2019 and endeavour to do my writing first thing in the morning, when I am most focused.
However, despite the reduction in output, I have enjoyed writing this year. I feel that my style and content continues to improve. The Blaugust writing event was a great way to discover several new blogs and it is heartening to see many of the participants are still producing regular posts. However, the ongoing decline of long-form writing is still evident online. Many still see Twitch TV and You Tube as the easiest means to establish an online presence and gain an audience. This is especially true with respect to gaming and its associated fandom. There are good streamers out there that frequently produce quality output, but it seems to become increasingly harder to find them among all the competing white noise. I still maintain that the written word is a subtler and more flexible medium for self-expression and discourse so I’ll continue to advocate for it. Perhaps further planned writing events in 2019 that encourage and nurture potential bloggers, would be beneficial.
It has also been pleasing to see a growth in website traffic over the last twelve months. Contains Moderate Peril seems to be increasing it reach globally as the stats show that a third of the traffic now comes from outside of Europe and the US. Google also brings a lot of readers to the site. The film reviews are a major contributor to this, as they are not as transient as some of the gaming posts. 2018 has once again shown that referrals via social media are not as important as one would surmise, unless you have hundreds of thousands of followers. My tweets promoting new posts do attract some traffic but not as much as a link from a fellow blogger or mainstream website such as Massively Overpowered. The statistical analysis also shows that due to the international nature of its audience, Contains Moderate Peril sees the most traffic between 11:00 PM and 3:00 AM GMT.
The posts that received the most views this year are once again a rather eclectic mix. My thoughts on a proposed Silmarillion movie adaptation that I wrote back in May 2017 proved the most popular. Similarly, my short return to The Elder Scrolls Online led to two posts that have gained substantial traction. Alik’r Desert Dolmen Farming and Levelling and Gear Progression in ESO were the second and third most read posts. The fourth article which continues to garner a regular amount of traffic is a review for a fan edit of the iconic George Romero movie, Dawn of the Dead. As this version is a reconstruction of the original work print it is a subject of interest among movie fans. And the fifth most read blog post of 2018 were my initial thoughts on Update 23 for LOTRO, which I wrote when it became available on the Bullroarer Test Server. In fact, posts about The Lord of the Rings Online tend to gain traction, especially in recent months as the MMORPG has enjoyed a renaissance among both old and new players.
I’d like to thank all those who have continued to support Contains Moderate Peril over the last twelve months by reading posts and linking to my work. As a writer it is rewarding to know that one’s content is enjoyed and well received. 2018 was certainly the year that I made peace with “the death of website comments”. It seems to be something that people no longer feel disposed towards. Feedback usually comes directly from the links I post on social media, so I guess it’s not so much a loss of reader input, but merely a change in the means of providing it. I shall naturally continue to write as often as I can in 2019 and will more than likely motivate myself to ensure that January is at least well represented. I shall also continue my “Thoughts on Blogging” series of posts and continue to encourage others to do so. I also look forward to reading my fellow bloggers content over the year ahead. May they all be prolific.
The Proust Questionnaire Part 2
At the beginning of November, I started to answer the various questions set out in The Proust Questionnaire, mainly because at some level I do like the occasional insight that “internet questions” can provide. Although most of my answers are frequently tinged with a degree of levity and at times even scorn, every now and then the right question can provoke a sincere response. So here are my measured replies to the remaining interrogative enquiries, for your consideration and edification. If you do not agree with them or find yourself at odds with my mindset, please address any complaints care of the late Marcel Proust (10th July 1871 - 18th November 1922).
At the beginning of November, I started to answer the various questions set out in The Proust Questionnaire, mainly because at some level I do like the occasional insight that “internet questions” can provide. Although most of my answers are frequently tinged with a degree of levity and at times even scorn, every now and then the right question can provoke a sincere response. So here are my measured replies to the remaining interrogative enquiries, for your consideration and edification. If you do not agree with them or find yourself at odds with my mindset, please address any complaints care of the late Marcel Proust (10th July 1871 - 18th November 1922).
18). If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? This is an odd question because if implies that changing one thing about yourself is impossible and can only be discussed in the abstract. This is of course nonsense. We can change ourselves physically via exercise, or surgery, make up or even by bathing regularly. As for making emotional, philosophical or psychological change to oneself, there are equally just as many options. I have always embraced the concept of continuous self-improvement. My life is a work in progress.
19). What do you consider your greatest achievement? I raised a son who now has a family of his own. He’s a thoroughly decent human being. Far more so than I. I helped contribute to this.
20). If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? If I was a seventies comedian from the North of England, I’d probably say “a woman’s bicycle saddle”. But I’m not, so I’ll go with an incurable plague virus.
21). Where would you most like to live? Robertsbridge in East Sussex. Or Horsham in West Sussex.
22). What is your most treasured possession? Walter.
23). What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? I assume this question is supposed to be drawn from your own experience. If so, the most emotionally challenging period of my life and when I was “the most miserable” would be when I got divorced and the accompanying emotional trauma that comes with such a situation.
24). What is your favourite occupation? Interesting. Does this question mean occupation as in job or in the sense of an activity or pursuit? Either way, for me it’s writing. I’m content whenever I am sitting at my desk, typing away on my PC, expressing my thoughts. I like the clarity that writing can bring as well as constructing a measured and logical argument. I also like the banter that can be found on Twitter (if you follow the right people).
25). What is your most marked characteristic? I suspect it may be my sense of humour and my somewhat sardonic manner. The world is a very odd, incongruous and at times illogical place. The current intellectual blackout that is spreading throughout western democracies, scares the hell out of me along with the general decline of politics. Therefore, I use humour and an irreverent attitude as a coping mechanism and prism through which to view life, without being directly broken by its crushing futility and inherent unfairness. I consider humour to be an important human characteristic, as long as one has the ability to focus that humour at oneself, as well as the rest of the world. Beware those individuals who lack any sense of mirth. I believe it betrays more about their nature.
26). What do you most value in your friends? The fact that they know me and yet still stick around.
27). Who are your favourite writers? JRR Tolkien, MR James, Charles Dickens, Ray Bradbury, Agatha Christie, Arthur C Clarke, Saki, HP Lovecraft, Roger Hargreaves, Richard Dawkins, Shirley Jackson, Nigel Kneale, Alan Moore, Arthur Conan-Doyle, HG Wells, Isaac Asimov, William Hope Hodgson, Rod Serling, Marcus Aurelius and many more.
28). Who is your hero of fiction? The Hungry Caterpillar. Also, Mr Tickle and Sam Gamgee.
29). Which historical figure do you most identify with? Robin Hood. I had to wear a stylised Robin Hood outfit in a school play when I was very young. The experience left me traumatised. I bet the real Robin Hood’s outfits were made by his mum.
30). Who are your heroes in real life? Everyday people that do “good” things without the benefit of media scrutiny or praise.
31). What are your favourite names? Xavier, Telemachus, St John (pronounced Sinjun) and Throatwobblermangrove.
32). What is it that you most dislike? A lack of critical thinking. Emotive beliefs and the politics of “feelings”. And people with poor personal hygiene. Wash your clothes and bathe regularly.
33). What is your greatest regret? Leaving my finger prints at the crime scene.
34). How would you like to die? What a stupid question. In my sleep of course and not being torn to pieces by a pack of rabid animals or having my nuts bitten of by a Laplander.
35). What is your motto? Pecuniam vertemus which translates as “Take the money and run”.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 5
This week, a rather high profile sub-reddit associated with the Star Trek Online community, changed its status to “private” as a means of protesting against the state of the game and the way developers Cryptic are handling things. That matter was surprisingly resolved within 24 hours after an olive branch was extended from the STO community manager on reddit. However, it is not the protest itself nor the state of the game that I wish to focus upon, but the importance of /r/stobuilds as a shared community resource. A lot of STO players enjoy optimising their builds and tweaking their loadout and this site it the place to go to share such information. There is also a group of hardcore players that dig deep into the games data and comprehensively crunch number and generate useful information. Hence if a resource such as this was taken offline for longer period of time, it would have a tangible impact upon players and the wider community.
This week, a rather high profile sub-reddit associated with the Star Trek Online community, changed its status to “private” as a means of protesting against the state of the game and the way developers Cryptic are handling things. That matter was surprisingly resolved within 24 hours after an olive branch was extended from the STO community manager on reddit. However, it is not the protest itself nor the state of the game that I wish to focus upon, but the importance of /r/stobuilds as a shared community resource. A lot of STO players enjoy optimising their builds and tweaking their loadout and this site it the place to go to share such information. There is also a group of hardcore players that dig deep into the games data and comprehensively crunch number and generate useful information. Hence if a resource such as this was taken offline for longer period of time, it would have a tangible impact upon players and the wider community.
Now not every fansite, blog or player run resource are of a comparable size and significance, but I would cogently argue that they all contribute to their respective communities in essentially the same manner. They’re sharing information, enthusiasm and support for the things that they love and are entertaining and communicating with others. A fellow blogger who wrote a popular MMO fansite, once told me that they considered their writing as a public service in a way. I do not think the remark was a reflection of their vanity. It simply showed that they enjoyed participating in a wider community and sharing what they knew. However, they also remarked that once you find yourself in a position where your work becomes important to the wider community, you can become a “prisoner of your own success”. This then raises the spectre of “obligation” over writing for pleasure. If you’re creating guides for an MMO or data mining the latest patch, then you can end up in this position.
I have a plethora of websites and blogs, bookmarked in my web browser. Most are run by fans and despite the fact they are amateur publications, many are of an extremely high standard. In fact, they often put the professionals to shame. Such blogs are often done by sole individuals, busy couples or over stretched collectives who are passionate about their subject. A lot of people benefit from the hard work that they put in. The recent LOTRO renaissance has highlighted for me just how many great fan-based resources still exist, but it has also reminded me of how many blogs and podcast have retired of “faded” over the years. The absence of some are still sorely missed. Expressing yourself through written words is more labour intensive than producing content for other platforms. It is less ephemeral due to the thought and consideration that good writing takes. In some respects, the bloggers surrounding certain games are a microcosm of the of the wider community.
There’s been a lot of talk of late regarding preserving video games history. It is indeed an interesting proposition because it is in historical terms such a relatively recent phenomenon. However, if you wish to preserve games per se, as we currently do with other art forms such as movies, music and books, then surely preserving their associated impact on popular culture is equally as important? Fifty years from now when it can be safely assumed that World of Warcraft should have run its course, having access to the myriad of websites and fan resources that evolved around the MMO will be key to understanding the popularity of the game itself. Surely, such a concept logically extends to blogging around any aspect of popular culture? Naturally not every site or blog is destined to be of paramount historical importance, but all contribute in their own unique way to bigger community picture. Consider that next time you write, and it may help motivate you. Or it may do the opposite.
Searching Content on Contains Moderate Peril
If you are a WordPress user, there are a multitude of plugins that you can apply to your blog to tweak and customise it. The only downside of this is that every time WordPress upgrade their software, all your plugins subsequently need to be updated. Many plugins are written by third parties and therefore you do not have guaranteed long-term support. Plugins can also be exploited, which is why I ultimately decided to stop using WordPress for my website. I made the transition to Squarespace for my hosting needs in August 2015 and have never looked back since then. However, I have been using the same template for three years now and I was pondering recently whether it was time to change it. Yet a change of this kind is bound to have knock-on effects and could potentially end up creating more problems than it solves. So rather than go off half cocked, I decided to do some research to see if I could improve the functionality of my blog.
If you are a WordPress user, there are a multitude of plugins that you can apply to your blog to tweak and customise it. The only downside of this is that every time WordPress upgrade their software, all your plugins subsequently need to be updated. Many plugins are written by third parties and therefore you do not have guaranteed long-term support. Plugins can also be exploited, which is why I ultimately decided to stop using WordPress for my website. I made the transition to Squarespace for my hosting needs in August 2015 and have never looked back since then. However, I have been using the same template for three years now and I was pondering recently whether it was time to change it. Yet a change of this kind is bound to have knock-on effects and could potentially end up creating more problems than it solves. So rather than go off half cocked, I decided to do some research to see if I could improve the functionality of my blog.
After taking an in-depth look at my blog stats, both via Squarespace and Google Analytics, it’s clear that a third of readers are using their phones to access Contains Moderate Peril. Fortunately, the template I’m currently using is mobile friendly and I’m pleased with its performance. For PC users the blog is functional, despite lacking is certain interactive elements such as sidebars, blog rolls and social media links. All posts are clear and easy to read. As I think that content is by far the most important aspect of any blog, as long as it is accessible and easy to navigate then the current template is doings its job. I also consider it important to provide readers with links to similar material to that which they are already reading. Hence, all articles have a list related posts at the bottom of the body of text. This is invaluable for building an audience and exposing readers to more of your work. I find it most rewarding when I look at my blog stats and see that someone has read an article about LOTRO and then perused further content of a similar theme.
However, there is one limitation to these “summary blocks” as Squarespace calls them. They only display a maximum of 28 links to previously posted content. Subsequently as more content is added to Contains Moderate Peril, older material is gradually excluded from the “summary blocks”. Yet there is an obvious and convenient workaround. All posts are indexed by categories displayed at the page footer. If you click on any category it will then list all other posts associated with it. Hence clicking on “movies” will list all posts in that category. The site shows twenty posts at a time and readers can then access the next twenty by clicking on “older”, again at the bottom of the page. You can search by author in the same fashion. There is also a calendar on the Post Archive page (which you can access via the top menu) which lists all posts for the month. The month can be adjusted, and so readers can comprehensively see all posts that have been published since Contains Moderate Peril migrated to Squarespace. There is also a search facility for the entire site, again found on the top menu.
Ultimately, all the changes I have made to the website template are to the backend. Minor changes to SEO, key words and indexing will hopefully improve performance and allow readers to find further material if they so wish. It will be interesting to see if this post has an impact upon traffic and the way the site is used. As I’ve said in such events as The Newbie Blogger Initiative and Blaugust, writers or bloggers shouldn’t be driven by purely stats and website traffic. But if you are publicly publishing your work it is logical to make it as accessible to you readers as possible and to ensure they can search it effectively. Promotion of content via social media is one way of doing this but having an online presence that is easy and intuitive to use is also essential. Not all posts are time specific and there may be occasions when you specifically want your audience to find older content that is still pertinent. Therefore, if you aren’t already using a “related posts” or a post archive facility on your blog then you are doing yourself and more importantly your readers a disservice.
The Proust Questionnaire Part 1
The Proust Questionnaire was popularized by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering the questions, an individual provides an insight into his or her true nature. Whether that is true is debatable, but I do find the internets fondness for Q&A sessions, curiously fascinating. And as this very questionnaire has been recently resurrected by Vanity Fair magazine and has also been utilised on the Ricky Gervais is Deadly Sirius podcast, I though I’d jump on the same bandwagon, as I’m behind in my writing and this is an easy post. As there are thirty-five questions, I thought I’d tackle them over two days. So, without further ado, here are my considered and measured thought on the first seventeen.
The Proust Questionnaire was popularized by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering the questions, an individual provides an insight into his or her true nature. Whether that is true is debatable, but I do find the internets fondness for Q&A sessions, curiously fascinating. And as this very questionnaire has been recently resurrected by Vanity Fair magazine and has also been utilised on the Ricky Gervais is Deadly Sirius podcast, I though I’d jump on the same bandwagon, as I’m behind in my writing and this is an easy post. As there are thirty-five questions, I thought I’d tackle them over two days. So, without further ado, here are my considered and measured thought on the first seventeen.
1). What is your idea of perfect happiness? I find that I am at my happiest when I am in a tranquil environment. Noise, crowds and any place or activity that has the potential to generate anger of bellicose behaviour are the bane of modern-day life. Give me a quiet, calming location, that is warm and pleasant, and I quickly feel relaxed and thereby better disposed to others. Populate such a place with those who I care about and whose company I enjoy, and it becomes even better. Adding Gin, Pimm’s or a quality red wine doesn’t do any harm either.
2). What is your greatest fear? Putting aside pain which I think is a red herring when tackling this question, for me my greatest fear is losing the capacity to think, reason and martial my thoughts. Senility, Alzheimer's disease and generally any form of mental decay terrify me. These are cruel conditions both for those who suffer from them and their families. To be afflicted in such a way and to slip into a mental decline, only to have occasional moment of lucidity, sends my blood cold.
3). What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? If I make someone a promise, then I’ll keep it. If I take onboard a project that involves others, I will do my part because I have an obligation that I need to honour. Yet, I don’t always maintain this standard if the only person involved is myself. I’ll let things slide if I’m the only one affected.
4). What is the trait you most deplore in others? I’m tempted to say existing in the first place, but that is a little misanthropic. So, on reflection I’ll go with wilful ignorance. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing something. I am poor at languages and there are lots of gaps in my academic knowledge. But if something comes to my attention that I don’t know about, I’ll research it. We live in an age where it has never been so easy to look something up. Yet so many people choose not to. And others even appear to revel in their ignorance. Thinking means having to read, analyse, consider and then make a decision. All things that many do not want to do at present. Every day is a chance at self-improvement, why choose to do the opposite?
5). Which living person do you most admire? This is a tough question. It’s hard to single out just one man or woman, because there are many who worthy of praise. So here are a few just off the top of my head in no order of preference. Ennio Morricone, because his music profoundly moves me, and he bring beauty into a dark world. Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, not so much because of his politics, but mainly because of his dedication. He fights for what is just possibly at the expense of his own happiness. I couldn’t do that. The world needs people like this. I may even go so far as also citing Queen Elizabeth II. I’m not a major royalist but I think she is a unique individual. One that really has spent her life serving the nation. The wealth is a merely a trapping. She is about duty to the country. And man, she has had to put up with some appalling visiting heads of state over the years, on top of a never-ending succession of utterly shite Prime Ministers.
6). What is your greatest extravagance? A signed picture of Peter Cushing. Cost a fortune. But it’s the Cushmeister. Say no more.
7). What is your current state of mind? Relaxed. I have arranged to take a brief 36-hour respite from my caring duties. I have tinkered with my PC today, eaten far too many Pork Loins and am now on the Guinness. The world is nicely on the other side of the front door and I’m listening to Anthony Newley. A cold caller phoned earlier by I told them to fuck right off. Take pleasure in the simple things, I say.
8). What do you consider the most overrated virtue? I believe this refers to the twelve virtues attributed to Aristotle, rather than those found in the MMO The Lord of the Rings Online. All of those classical virtues were fairly sound, so I don’t feel the need to pick on one. Using a more contemporary yardstick, being humble is considered a virtuous thing to be. Sadly, it often manifests itself in the form of the humble brag, which is quite the opposite. Plus, virtues are a poison chalice these days. Make a principled stand and you’ll be accused of virtue signalling, which is a pejoratives term.
9). On what occasion do you lie? I like any other human being living in western civilisation, skirt around the truth, make factually incorrect statements and lie by omission on a daily basis. You cannot have a society that runs smoothly if everyone was 100% truthful all the time. Emotions and the truth are a bit like oil and water. So, lying has become a fundamental part of human interaction, although it is governed by a lot of rules. For example, it is okay to lie to children. “There is a Santa Claus”. “Oh, that’s a lovely picture”. And my personal favourite, “you can be anything you want to be”. As an adult we also lie as a social nicety. “No, of course you don’t look like a sack of shit tied up in the middle with a dead tape worm” etc. But there are lines in the societal sand. Lying in grown-up situations around issues of relationships, arson, murder and cannibalism are definite non-starters.
10). What do you most dislike about your appearance? At the age of nearly fifty-one I am beginning to lose that bloom of youth and my saturnine good looks are slowly fading. Plus, I’m not too keen on my eyes. It’s not the colour that concerns me but that old adage about the eyes being the windows of the soul. The realities of the modern world and the fact that life is mostly a bleak and futile experience, akin to picking at a scab, is reflected in my brown eyes. This frequently causes people to recoil and pets to defecate in flowerbeds. It’s not a good look for family photos either.
11). Which living person do you most despise? I don’t think it is healthy or wise to be consumed with abject hate for a person or thing. You can righteously disdain an individual or a course of action, but it helps if you maintain a sense of proportion. That said, there is no shortage of odious lickspittles and shit chiselling fuck monkeys in our world today. They are usually self obsessed, thin skinned, ignorant and devoid of empathy. It’s hard not to want to stove in their skull with a tent mallet. If you asked me this question when I was nine, I would have said Colin Robertson, without missing a beat, as he broke my eagle eye Action Man on purpose. The git.
12). What is the quality you most like in a man? A well developed and nuanced sense of humour. I like raconteurs and people who view the absurdities of the world through the prism of wit. I find that humour helps me no end, especially in my duties as a carer to two elderly people. If I didn’t laugh at what I encounter every day, I weep uncontrollably. I also like people who don’t try and dodge buying a round of drinks when it’s their turn.
13). What is the quality you most like in a woman? Why should this be any different to the quality I most like in men? Unless we’re going down the road of sexual qualities, to which I say keep your nose out of my peccadilloes (not to be confused with hands of my Armadillo). I guess this is just a legacy question from an age when the cultural divide between the sexes was more pronounced and entrenched.
14). Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “Nebulous”, on “mature reflection” and “go piss up a rope, fuck stick”. I am also obsessed with obscure pop culture references, usually taken from my most formative years. Therefore, I’ll frequently drivel on about stuff from seventies and eighties TV, music and movies. For example, I often plagiarise a line from a classic Derek and Clive sketch, regarding “a bird on Mrs Coltart’s roof”.
15). What or who is the greatest love of your life? Mrs P, obviously. If we’re talking about “love” in so far as a passion for an activity, then it is writing and maybe podcasting. There was a about a three-year period when Contains Moderate Peril got a little traction and writing every day was a joy and recording the weekly podcast with Brian and guests was an absolute hoot. Good times.
16). When and where were you happiest? This question implies that I have some how peaked in the happiness stakes and that it’s now just a slow and painful decline into misery and despair, while listening to Lacrimosa by Zbigniew Preisner really loudly. Fuck this question. I live in the moment and there has been happiness throughout my life, as there will be in the years to come. That said, my granddaughters really make me happy as they are so young, loving and unspoilt by life.
17). Which talent would you most like to have? I’d like to be able to play the Baliset like Gurney Halleck.
To be continued.