Random Reflexions: 2nd Blog Anniversary

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This month marks the 2^nd anniversary of this blog. It's been 2 years since I started blogging - first starting with a Typepad (paid blog) and then moving on to my own domain shortly after the 1^st anniversary. This blog is now running Movabletype 3.2 - written in PERL, it is one of the heavyweights of blogging software out there.

Over the 2 years this blog has seen a lot of changes to its template, it's presentation and writing style. As I said in my 1^st anniversary post, blogging is by no means an easy thing to do but it is an immensely satisfying activity and if you haven't got a blog you should get one.

My writing style and topics have been widely changing but my purpose for this blog still remains - it is where I practice my writing and explore subjects that I find especially interesting to me. And in doing that I try to stir some kind of thought in the mind of the reader and I've had comments in agreement and in dissent.

Also over the past 2 years I've been able to define a set of rules of writing (aside from grammar and punctuation) that I follow to keep the overall style in check. So, here I will share some of these tips with you as an anniversary gift.

I always use notepad to write - the squiggly auto-spell and grammar lines distracts me (yes, they can be turned off too). Spell and grammar check in Word later if necessary
If a paragraph looks too long and boring rewrite it. If I'm talking about red apples I won't talk about green ones in the same paragraph.
If a sentence has more than 2 commas there is something very wrong with it
Logicality of a sentence at the beginning and end should hold true.
Use simple words instead of rare, complex ones. I usually make it a point not to make my writing sound as if a lawyer wrote it.
Read sentences at least twice.

And finally.

If I'm able to read what I wrote thrice without losing interest it is a good post. If not I delete it immediately. And as a general guide if you find yourself commenting on your own posts too often there is something seriously wrong with your original post.

And thank you mvblogs.org baby!.

Some stats: This blog contains 253 posts and over 1000 comments

13 Comments

Blec | November 17, 2006 12:00 AM | Reply

HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY!!

ano-fucking-nymous | November 17, 2006 2:02 AM | Reply

As it appeared on mvblogs -> by Simon on Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:00:00 MVT

How do you post THAT precise?

messymissy | November 17, 2006 4:26 AM | Reply

Congrats. It is a pleasure reading your posts. Also i find that it is very IT ish.Meaning too serious. You need to let go sometimes man.

moyameehaa | November 17, 2006 7:14 AM | Reply

happy anniversary....God! so thats how you write those good stuff eh?thanx for sharing it, and one good thing....i also use note pad.ehheh...but i never re-read it (more than once)...its more like a comment.but your way is better i guess.i will have to try em out (uhh..only if i have time :( ).thank you for the blogging. ;)

So I say
Thank you for the blogging, the posts Im reading
Thanks for all the joy theyre bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a post or a comment what are we?
So I say thank you for the blogging
For writing it here.

dreamxcape | November 17, 2006 1:42 PM | Reply

happy 2nd anniversary!

well, i guess ur writing style appeals 2 a lotta ppl. i find ur blog a very interesting read indeed.

Simon | November 17, 2006 3:45 PM | Reply

ano-fucking-nymous, you can set the time you want to publish something. Future-posting too.

Messymissy, I'll definitely try to loosen up. Thanks.

Moyameeha, nice poem man. And thanks.

Thanks everyone.

dawndew | November 17, 2006 5:45 PM | Reply

Simon, u've written some interesting articles over the period of two years, most of which were, and are, food for thought (four commas!:P). Thank you, and congratulations.

jaa | November 17, 2006 6:10 PM | Reply

Congrats man. You certainly inject enough of interesting and intelligent writing into an otherwise mostly arid Maldivian blogosphere.

alinitkin | November 17, 2006 11:36 PM | Reply

congrats for sticking with one of the more substantial blogs on mvblogsphere.

you were the one posting under the title/url of the maldivian right? i seem to think it was you.

weirdly enough, my blog seems to be older than yours.. technically.

Simon | November 17, 2006 11:57 PM | Reply

Thanks dawndew and jaa.

Alinitkin, you're right. This blog is by no means the oldest blog. Some date back to the Jurassic era. Hehe.

shanoo | November 18, 2006 7:53 PM | Reply

Happy 2nd anniversary.. I think ur blogs mighty fine and u are quite fine as well :P though i hardly ever see u

subcorpus | November 18, 2006 8:41 PM | Reply