Who's reading?

[dalekboy]

At Conflux I was chatting with a mate and something got brought up to which I said 'I don't know if you saw my Livejournal post on such-and-such,' and she replied, 'I read everything you write.'

It kind of surprised me, mainly because I figure people have better things to do than read my LJ. Okay, I know I have a couple of hundred readers, but still my expectation is that they'll dip in from time to time, rather than read me regularly. Sure, there are people with whom I try to make sure I read all their posts, but I don't expect others to do the same with mine.

But when I stopped to think about it, I remembered a few comments from various people. A couple of folks who, on discovering this journal, went right back to the beginning and read through the whole thing. The people who commented on how they regularly go back and check to make sure they haven't missed posts. So, even if my friend was not quite that zealous, some people would appear to be.

So, this is a question for that small group of you that go to the extra effort to read most, if not all, of what I write on here. See answering it as a way to say thanks.

Why? Why read so much of what I'm carrying on about?

I have a fair few anonymous readers, people who don't have LJ's, or at least don't use them to comment. So what draws you here? I mean for many folks, we're friends, but that doesn't require you to read every bloody thing I write! For some, we've barely or never met. So what is it that keeps you coming back? Especially for periods like the last year where, let's face it, it's been a bit of a chore at times.

I'd prefer the casual readers, the folks who only bother with it when they just happen to see a post, to not respond.

For those of you who go out of your way to keep up with my written meanderings, no matter when you end up reading this, no matter if you don't have an LJ account, I'd love know why.

All comments screened unless you clearly tell me otherwise or end the comment with a "Yes".

Comments

[meljane.livejournal.com]

Apart from you being a friend you write really interesting ,entertaining, confronting ,humorous,touching and even some posts that make me blush , the kinds of posts I wish I could write but I lack your writing talent .

On the whole I plainly like reading your entries and like quite few others do ,even like going back and reading past entries and checking that I haven't missed any and people will read or listen to anyone that spin a good story whether it be a fictional or non-fiction story .

You are a natural storyteller and you rock*hugs*

Yes

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

I only became seriously interested in lj after Swancon 2007. I'd seen you around Swancons over the years, and heard you speak as the Fan Guest of Honour last year, so I friended you to check out your journal in convenience. I stumbled into the middle of the 100 days posts and an incredibly intense period in your life, and had to do some catch up reading to get the full (or at least a bit more) context.

I continued to read because I am fascinated by the honesty and rawness of your posts; I am familiar with the people if not the individuals you write about; I like your pictures; and you're occasionally amusing. When you wrote that you're obsessed with lj comments I recognised that and was happy to feed your addiction :-)

All this has made me post in my own lj far more openly than I might have otherwise. Yes, you have Influenced Me.

I don't obsessively read every word you write, but I do tend to read almost everything on my flist, so it works out much the same. LJ is my new drug (and home page), a drip-feed of the fascinating conversations and personalities I used to only get to enjoy once per year.

You can show this comment if you like.
Yes

[linstar.livejournal.com]

Cause you're you. You're absolutely wonderful, and the stuff you write about is hugely thought provoking. I read it and think about what experiences I've had that would possibly compare... and realise there's nothing close :)

And it gives me a chance to know things baout you that I wouldn't think to ask you when I'm around you! This way, I get prompted to ask you about lots of things! :)

Lots of love and hugs always

Yes if you want to.

[kaths.livejournal.com]

How could I not? :)

It's rare to get such an insight into someone's life, and there's been some real gems amongst your posts (not that the others aren't... you know what I mean).

I'm also a bit OCD, so once I start, I have to read right through :) I occasionally skim through the TMI stuff, but it's all essentially read.

LJ is my home page too.

yes

[cassiphone.livejournal.com]

You write with a raw honesty that I find incredibly compelling. I think you're one of the most personally revealing bloggers that I've come across!

Your writing voice is funny and entertaining, even when you're sharing your miseries.

So, yeah. Keep doing what you're doing!

(yes, happy for everyone to see this)

[lilysea.livejournal.com]

I read most (though not all) of your posts

...to keep an eye on you and make sure that you are doing OK (since the tragic event of this year);

...because you have interesting things to say on a variety of subjects;

...because I admire your ability to express your opinions and your raw honesty and bravery;

...because you are funny and make me laugh out loud;

...because I admire your connection to the Australian landscape;

...because sometimes you are wise and good at dealing with people, and I feel that reading your stuff might make me wiser and better at interacting with people, especially new people.

(yes)

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

Yes, feel free to post this.

You're on my friends list, which isn't huge. I like to have the opportunity to keep in touch with people whom I rarely see, typically only at conventions.

You are indeed a most compelling read, as others have said, sensitive, emotional, passionate, humorous, raw, confronting, entertaining, creative and honest. It's very readable.

*And you use LJ cuts*. Thank you.

[mireille21.livejournal.com]

I treat LJ like a conversation, therefore if you've got something to say I'm listening. Now that doesn't mean I read *everything* people post (my friends list is fairly extensive too) but I do like to try, or at least skim and then go back for the stuff which looks most important/ interesting.

BTW, if I ever comment, uatomatically consider I don't mind it being unscreened, because most of the time I'll probably forget to say 'yes'.

[tearsxintherain.livejournal.com]

I read most, but not all.. depending on how much time I have and how many references there are to Dr Who (hehehe).

In all seriousness, I really love your rawness, honesty and writing style. You manage to convey how you're feeling with depth and beauty. And I agree with a lot of what I can only describe as 'your life philosophy'. And it helps me rethink mine a little.

I admire that you can be so honest. Your bravery in sharing helps me overcome my fears sometimes. I don't think I would ever have shared as much as I have on my LJ without it.

yes

[shrydar.livejournal.com]

I'll start with my general position, then get a little more personal ;)

To be quite frank, if someone's LJ is not sufficiently interesting for me to read every single post (though the more they post, the higher the bar), it doesn't stay on my Default View for very long. And if you're off my default view, you're not so likely to survive the next flist cull. You post a fair bit, so you must rate reasonably highly ;). I'm also a completist - I don't like doing things by halves. There are only two or three novels I've ever given up on, one movie I've almost walked out of, and I try to get to every rehearsal for a performance.

Friending policies and my own neuroses aside, your candour and self analysis tend to make all of your posts well worth my time. Always thought provoking, rarely dull, and as stephbg pointed out further up - your glastnost can be quite inspirational. You sometimes say things that I've not had the courage to speak out on myself, so in that regard reading and occasionally commenting acts to support views I've yet to make a stand on. (not that you're always right, of course ;-). Your predilection for Doctor Who is another point in your favour, as are your anonymous polls that allow me to influence others conception of what your readership consider to be normal. Reading the results of those is interesting, too.

yes.

[bugs-jenny.livejournal.com]

As many others have said here, I find your willingness to speak about the very personal details of your feelings very interesting - I'm just nosy that way ;-) I really enjoy understanding how other people think & feel, but it's often hard to get that information because people don't share it. Myself included really - even though I like hearing about other people, I'm pretty shy and don't share much about my innermost feeling!

So thankyou for sharing your life...
(yes)