Respect the Blog

I couldn't sleep tonight, so I was up clicking away and stumbled across a blog I had never visited, Don Mills Diva. I don't remember the path I took to get there, but the ultimate gateway was this colorful button. I'm such a magpie, I had to click, and then I read a story that made me so disappointed, angry, and frustrated, especially as a teacher, that I had to share it with all of you.
Kelly, aka DMD, is a "mommy blogger" but like all of us, she's more than just one thing, which includes being a trained journalist. Recently she was quoted by a reporter in The Times-online, the web version of the respected UK paper. Interestingly, this reporter never interviewed Kelly, but took all the "quotes" and information from an article about her that appeared in another publication and on her blog. No credit was given to the reporter of the first article, the blog, or Kelly herself, although she was quoted from the other sources.

Kelly wrote a post, Times On-Line Flunks Journalism 101 that began, "I don't know whether to be flattered or furious." She followed up with the inspirational Write On! Respect the Blog, sharing with her readers the results of contacting the reporter from the times, and her feelings about the disrespect often shown to the world of blog writers. Encouraging readers to speak up and validate themselves, Kelly has organized the Respect the Blog movement and has links to many wonderfully inspirational posts that made me feel proud to be a blogger. One in particular, Michelle's Blog, made me realize that I, and all of you who blog, am a real writer. She said, "We are all writing together, in a new kind of permanent library that is only in its infancy. How we choose to go forward from this point is important."

Whew! That's a lot of background into this little bit about me as a writer! As I said, I haven't considered myself a writer until about 20 minutes ago! Obviously I can write, and as a big reader I've always wanted to write a novel, but I know that I probably never will. Because the few times I've written even a short story, I haven't enjoyed myself. I can do it if I am taking a class, but I think I am much better at writing non-fiction. I began blogging because I was trapped here in the house with no one to talk to, so I thought I would write about what I was reading and crafting.When I discovered Vintage Thingies Thursday, originally at Confessions of an Apron Queen and now hosted at Colorado Lady, I found what I now know is an important interest of mine. I began writing about the vintage items in my family, how they were once used and how they are used now. I research the items, manufacturers, and sometimes find places where readers can buy similar items. I think the information in my posts is appreciated as much as the pictures, at least from the comments people leave. If you are a regular reader, you know I also write about my crafts, what I read, and sometimes little stories about my family or my health, all of which is "real" writing, although I never thought about it before. I just thought I was entertaining myself until I could go back to work!

So folks, to wrap it up, here's what I want you to take away from this reading: (Yes, that's the teacher in me writing now!)

1. Take pride in yourself as a writer. You may think you're just babbling about your life, or sharing recipes, etc. but you are creating a permanent record of your thoughts and ideas. And for me, please show that pride by running the spellcheck!
2. Credit your sources of information as much as possible. Credit ideas that give you inspiration, too!
3. Ultimately, Respect the Blog!