Blogger's Folly

Before Blogger's Brain, comes Bloggers Folly, the most common cause of writers' deaths in the United States. (Third is Social Overload--same referenced post). Blogger's Folly occurs when bloggers, usually newbies, advise others on a subject with which they have little experience.

One of these incidents happened last week or so. A blogger, who appears never to have been otherwise published, expounded on something related to editing. Another editor commented that the blogger's points are invalid. I entered a comment supporting the other editor, and I added my views and a few suggestions for a more useful technique.

Apparently the blogger moderates comments. Mine has yet to show up. I know the system received it, because when I tried to enter it again, I received an error message that the same material had already been sent.

I asked yet a third writer/editor what she thought of the post, just in case my brain had been on hold when I wrote the comment. (It happens!) My experienced friend said:

What did you say? I think her recommendations are pretty terrible too, but one of the other commenters offered some good objections.

Here's the folly: not taking your lumps. It's O.K. to make a mistake. Being embarrassed and/or angry is natural. It's not acceptable to duck and run. That makes your writing junkjournalism--the worst kind. I would not be surprised to find the post or even the blog soon gone. The next person she does this to may not be so kind as not to out her.

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