Bloggers Are Not Writers, they are Terrible Writers

{ 28 Responses }

1. Jamie Northrup says:
   Some bloggers are good writers, some writers are horrible writers... but I'm a blogger, and I write to blog, whether it's good or not, I don't care, as long as my readers like it and enjoy my website, that's all that matters. I'm blogging for two reasons, because I enjoy it and to make money, not because it's "art".
2. Tom says:
   In a way, a blogger is still a writer, and IMO, even better than one. Bloggers know how to engage their readers enough to get them to pay for something they're probably not looking to buy (in most cases). I have a deep respect for writers, but I prefer reading a blogger's post compared to a writer's article. Bloggers just know how to get through to you.
3. Saket Jajodia says:
   Hey! Hesham from few months you haven't posted about your income was waiting from many days.. Anyways might be some reason and this post I agree with some points I am very terrible in English.. Anyhow I just able to write a blog post of some what 200-500 words but I don't think I will ever able to write a full book of uncountable words.. :P hehehaha.. :D Anyways nice post..!! :)
4. Brittany Rubinstein says:
   I think that writing style is something that is taken a bit too seriously in blogging. The basic rules of grammar are important; capitalization, punctuation, spelling, if only for the sake of looking semi-professional and like you put some effort into it. But, I didn't come to your blog to read a text book, or a newspaper article. The most important thing to convey your information in a way that is easy to understand. If your message is coming across to me in a way that doesn't make me think too much, I'm happy, doesn't matter to me if it's a run on. After all, your voice is what makes you, YOU! Too many blogs sound exactly the same and sometimes, it's the writing style that makes one stand out from the rest.
5. Salah Messaoud says:
   LoL Hesham I am in the same situation. But yeah I am a blogger but I am not a writer!!
   • Hesham Zebida says:
     Yeap! Same boat :)
6. Mitz Pantic says:
   I write like I speak and people seem to like it. I am not a writer and do not want to become one! I seriously believe that it is the interesting content that you provide, along with the personal touch, that make good content on a blog. This is the essence of blogging and it is all about providing what the reader wants. Sure some people go to certain blogs and expect well written content, but most are looking for information. If you can provide the information then the visitor is usually happy with that.
7. Al Sefati says:
   btw you inspired me to write a similar post on my blog and you got a link as well :)
   • Hesham Zebida says:
     Nice :)
8. Hooker says:
   I agree and disagree. I think writing should be conversational but still follow the basic rules of grammar. Bad writing kills your credibility. Maybe it shouldn't, but it does. In the age of text languages and social media, grammar is indeed changing, but when people put up an article for others to read, it shouldn't sound like a high school dropout wrote it. If your first language is not English however, and you are writing to an English speaking audience, I would think most readers would give you a pass if they want to hear what you have to say. Keep on keeping on. Hesham.
9. julie says:
   great post, ive seen so many blogs where the bloggers do not have the skills it takes to write, they dont put the information across in a fun-loving, informative way, i really hope a lot ofpeople get to read this blog, its great!!
10. Gerard York says:
    The thing is, a lot of bloggers, do not have the skills it takes to write, you know as a professional writer. The most important role of a blogger is to transmit information in a fun-loving way. To be absolutely honest although I love posts which have superfluous English words, I prefer reading something which can be understood easily. The quality of the content in terms of information sharing is more important to me,rather than showing off the writer's grasp of the English language.
11. MA Deviah says:
    I agree, bloggers need not be great writers. But two things are essential. 1. They have to love to write. 2. They need to have a good story to tell.
12. marie says:
    I am not a writer. I am a blogger. But I hope to be a better than average writer eventually. Which is why I started blogging. My recent NY resolution was to create a post a day every day this year. This is day 6 and so far I've managed to make it. I often ask my self why i do it. I'm not good at at really. But I love it and as stated above, I hope it will help me become a better writer. I think if you love it and your target audience understands your point - you are successful. I personally try not to write like I talk, but I also aim to write in a casual, comfortable manner. I tend to go off on so many tangents when I talk - if I wrote like I spoke, there would be a jumbled mess. I think you make some really great points here Hesham and the fact that you are communicating in a language that isn't your first language well - I have a hard enough time with English as a native english speaker. For me to write well is HARD work. Anyway, I really don't have a point here, just wanted to say I enjoyed your perspective and points as well as reading others comments as well. Lets just all keep doing what we like to do in a way that works for us. Cheers!
13. doug_eike says:
    Without question, folks have a right to try to create a presence on the Internet. If they write and think well, they may survive. If they do not write well, but they find a way (through photos, videos, or other means) to create valuable content, then they may also survive. The problem is that the abysmal writers dilute the market and are able to lure, mostly by chance and sometimes by trick, readers whose time would be better spent reading something of value. The unfortunate result of the dilution is that good writers find it more difficult to be found on the Internet, and good readers find it more difficult to avoid wasting their time browsing through low-quality material to reach the reading experience they desire. Hopefully, Google or some other search engine will eventually be able to recognize good content and thus eliminate the bad writers entirely. Thanks for raising the issue.
14. Mitch Mitchell says:
    I'm with Holly, if you have a blog and you're the one writing the content, you're a writer. As to the contention that someone is a good or bad writer, well, I figure it's always up to the audience to determine who's a good or bad writer. For instance, one of those supposedly top books of literature is Ulysses by James Joyce, yet I think it's a piece of garbage. Who says that the elite becomes the only folks allowed to determine what's good or bad? Do you think Britney Spears worries what music critics say about her music as she's making millions? Have you ever seen any of the early reviews of Stephen King's works? Man, look where your blog is ranked based on traffic; please! If you weren't a writer, no matter what you did people wouldn't care enough to ever come back. So accept it; you're a writer.
15. Patricia says:
    Hi Hesham Interesting topic. You are right in saying writers will agree with writers lol. I love writing and I also blog. And I love well-written posts. However, if someone lets me know that their first language isn't English, I don't really bother if there are grammatical errors or even a few mispelled words. After all the Americans have been mispelling words for a long time ;-) Mr Webster has a lot to answer for with his rendition of the "English language"!!! What you offer here is so much more than a well-written post. You are one of the most generous bloggers I have had the pleasure of bumping into in the blogosphere. Tweeting out posts and commenting on our blogs. And allowing people to guest post for you. And English is a difficult language and as you rightly say ... getting to grips with the English and American cultures that is another thing altogether! As an Australian I still smile and sometimes am confused by it all. And I lived for a long time in the UK and have American friends too. Keep being you Hesham. That's what makes this blog what it is. And just remember, when you are struggling with some English word or turn of phrase, that however you express it, will be so much better than me or other English speakers would express ourselves in your first language. After all, many of us English speakers only speak one language ... and not all that well at times either ;-) Patricia Perth Australia
16. Shelley says:
    I wouldn't worry too much about not having a "hang" on English. You offer worthy content and your ability to convey your message clearly is excellent. Those little "bumps" in English aren't enough to deter your followers. This old picky grammar girl is still with you. Blogging and writing are definitely two different animals. Blogging is simply an informal style, one might say colloquial: the jeans and T-shirt of communication. Writing is more the black tie attire. Either way, they serve a purpose. Some people are geared towards one style or another, some prefer one style over another. Me? I appreciate good in both arenas. I stay jealous.
17. Mark says:
    Hesham, I hear you brother. I can't stand my own writing. In the end, however, I do feel like I get the point across for the most part. I like to think of my contribution being more in the form of "ideas" rather than simply "stuffing a page with words" (writer plug). Seriously, you're definitely a blogger and I like to think that I am too ;) Mark :)
18. Aidy says:
    Ouch! This can be a touchy subject for many writers/bloggers. I have to agree..."blogging" per se, is not writing. I understand that "writing" a blog post may differ--depending on post style and content type. Can the two be interchangeable?
19. Holly Jahangiri says:
    Your sensitivities are still showing, Hesham. Why do you let it get to you - then continue to protest the point? Why not enroll in a writing class? How long has it been since we last had this discussion? Two years? Look, I haven't read these links and comments - the whole argument is older than blogging and somewhat younger than the time some human decided to apply a chisel to a rock and do more than bang away at it. And the argument has infinite sides - not just two. Here's my take on it: If you want to be read, and you want your writing (your blog) to be enjoyed, and read more than once by the same people, then you need to constantly work at improving your writing skills, if only to smooth out the little mechanical bumps that stand between your pen and your readers' quick, enjoyable understanding of whatever it is you've posted. Write like you talk, by all means. I see nothing wrong with - in fact, a lot that's RIGHT with - all writers being storytellers, including writers of non-fiction. People enjoy stories, and it's one of the ways they learn. Why else would we be subjected to endless "story problems" in Math class, instead of us number-challenged people simply being mercifully culled from the herd the minute our eyes glazed over? So long as a BLOG is about "content" (what a soulless way to describe written information!) and not about all the crap glugging up your sidebar and begging to be clicked and paid for - so long as "content" is what brings readers to your site and gives you any hope that they may click and pay for things - then it's important for bloggers to be writers. Or videographers. Or radio talk show personalities, if they're podcasting. Maybe it helps to develop a versatile skill set involving all three. But so long as the meat and potatoes is the written word, your abilities as a writer are what will differentiate your blog from the other 30 million out there. Even "playing to the crowd" involves writing skill, when you're online, now doesn't it?
20. tushar says:
    as easy as that. We people have a tendency to assume things. When I tell others that I am a blogger and runs my own blog, they, by themselves assume that I am a writer. And I admit I used to think the same a year back but now I know, writers and bloggers are far apart.
    • Holly Jahangiri says:
      I disagree. All bloggers (unless all their "content" is paid for) are writers. Some are just really BAD writers.
21. David says:
    Writing is part of blogging, but not the only part. If you give good, useful information, nobody cares if you'll win a Pulizter prize. Don't worry about it. :-)
22. Dean Saliba says:
    When I saw the title of this blog I just knew it would produce a great bit of debating. I get paid to blog so I guess I'm a writer, but I'm a terrible one. :P
23. Al Sefati says:
    what a great post! I have often refereed to bloggers just as bloggers not writers or journalists. That' what makes blogging fun. Its part of an online social media you say what you want to say and your friends and followers read it and express their feedback. Blogging was never intended to be a real life journalism and if others try to do that, they will take the fun out of it.
24. julie says:
    great post, am really happy to find someone who thinks that there`s a huge difference between being a blogger and being a writer too, i have numerous arguements with my friends about this
25. Brian Hawkins says:
    That's pretty cool Hesham, we both have been thinking about the same issue for a while. In fact, I read that same piece by Taylor Lindstrom on MenWithPens, I even left a comment. Just a couple of weeks before that I was reading an article by Mitchell Allen of Morpho Designs on I'm Just Sharing and that's when it hit me, "I'm fooling myself thinking I have any writting talent". Sure, I can blog just fine and get my point across but that's not what I consider talent. I have a new found appreciation for true writers. I have since subscribed to Mitchell Allen and enjoy reading others with similar talent. I can only hope by reading their work, I'll improve a little myself. One thing for sure, reading great expression is a fantastic motivator. The one big take-a-way I got from Mitch was the need for a story. It helps if we can tell a story in our message. That's a pretty tall order when it comes to blogging the way we do but it's something to strive for. By the way Hesham, I think you do a great job and I don't think everyone has to blog in English. Truth be told, we Americans are terrible at English even though it's our native language. I admire people that can speak and write in two or more languages. I read a lot of blogs by people from various backgrounds and cultures and that's one of the best things about the internet. If everyone sounded like Billy across the street there'd be little point in going online. lol