Why do I blog? - A response to TLS

Wow. Thats a really good question. As you probably know,  the amount of posts I have up in a month is rather low. It is significantly less than what I would like, but during school it is sometimes rather hard to keep up with both the Japanese- World and School. Thankfully, with summer coming, I will have much more time to blog.

So...I'll just start.

Goals:

Why do you blog?
I blog because I want to let my opinions be heard/read, even if only two people read this. It makes me feel happy that I am at least semi-part of a blogging community about something I really like. I am also trying to improve my writing skills, and although this may not be the best place to do it, I can try to bring what I learn in school to my blog.

What long-term goals do you hope to accomplish, if any at all?
I...don't have any long term goals anymore. I would really like to finish my HALCALI thing (that sort of went down the drain with school >_<) and there are a few non-review related posts I would like to make. I live in the moment when it comes to blogging XD. I would really just like people to consider my opinions...of course, I need to make timely posts in order for them to be considered!

If you do have goals, what will accomplishing them do for yourself?
Well, I would like to make more posts in a timely matter, yet still have them full of content. So to accomplish this, I need to concentrate more throughly when writing a review or a different kind of post.

What do you want to gain out of blogging? A creative outlet? Praise from others? Personal satisfaction? Money?
What do I gain.....? Well, my blog is certainly a creative outlet. I prefer writing stories/articles to any other form of literature (No poetry, please!!). Praise from others makes me happy and it convinces me to continue blogging. I have a sense of personal satisfaction when I am done with an entry and am sure it is full of content, not just nonsense.

Do you feel that your blog should meet a requirement for amount of entries? Do you feel any particular entry should be a certain length?
Not really...as long I am writing about something relevant and it sounds good...It should be okay. Even if its short, it should be okay.

For any particular entry, what motivates you to start and finish blog posts?
Haha, usually its "Ah!! This single came out at least a month ago! I gotta get this out!" I also feel accomplished afterwards, so theres that, too.

Do you actively consider long term goals for each individual post?
I have a list of all the blog posts I should make, but I'm not sure if that counts...

Subject Material:

What do you blog about?
I blog about mostly Hello! Project releases. I would like to review more, but frankly, I just don't have a too much time to do so. I would also like to blog about other more complex things, not just reviews, like where-momusu-is-going or whatever.

Would you be keep a blog even if it wasn’t about the subjects you tend to cover?
I probably would, simply because I love to write and this helps me fill my quota for the week/month/day.

Do you write about the material to promote it to others?
I would think so, since most of my posts are talking about a Hello! Project single or CD and telling you how bad or good it is.

Readership:

How much do you care about readership?
To a certain extent, I am very self-conscious about what I write and what other people will think of it. I want to be good enough to have my opinions and comments considered. Sometimes I write just to write.

Does it satisfy you to know people are reading, even if they don’t comment?
Yes, which is why I have a Google Analytics-thingy. XD. Its alright if you don't comment, at least you...hopefully...read it. I like comments though, so a comment every now and then is pleasing.

What effect does receiving a comment have on you?
Haha, I'm really just all "Yay!" and go and read the comment quickly, then I try to have an intelligent reply XD. It also makes me feel like people actually like my blog.

Do you write with a particular audience in mind or an unspecified general audience? Why?
Obviously my audience is more focused on the Hello! Project fans, but I think it may also be a Jpop-fan blog also. I am going to try in the future to have more Jpop reviews other than Momusu and the like. It is focused on H!P because I like H!P, and the fans are good people!

If you write for a particular audience, is it International Wota? If yes, why?
I suppose my main audience would be those at International Wota and also those who view it, since they boost my post so more people view my site XD....

Community:

If International Wota didn’t exist, would you blog?
Yes, most likely. I would probably use my blog more as an online diary for everyone to see, though. I would occasionally add in Hello! Project and other Jpop things, but it would probably be more focused on my life.

When IW covers an entry of yours, are you encouraged to blog more or less?
Of course I am, if it was good enough to be covered by Intl Wota, my blog must be okay. I am then motivated to improve it!

When IW does not cover an entry, are you encouraged to blog more or less?
If Intl Wota doesn't cover my entry, I'm not discouraged by it, I just know I have to do better at writing. International Wota is very motivational for me!

How often do you read other blogs?
A lot, but I don't often leave comments. I mostly read Paul's Blog, MorningBerryz, Yoshimi's Blog, American Wota.....

If another blog covers a topic that you wanted or wished to cover, do you still blog about that topic? Why or Why not?
Yes, since my blog is mostly a review blog, other people will review the same thing as me. It does not discourage me too much if everyone has already made a post about that particular single or album already.

How serious is your attitude towards blogging? Do you consider it just as something to do for fun?
I do it for fun, but in a serious way (haha). I really love to write...I mean really love it. English is my favorite class, I have 99%, etc. When I write, I try to sound intelligent without sounding like my opinions are the best. It is hard sometimes and I probably come off strangely. (I'm sorry!)

How often do you blog? How often would you like to blog?
I blog at least two or three times a month. I would like to blog much much more than that!

What priorities do you or have you put aside in order to blog? Why?
School, of course. I was taking an AP course, and AP exams were the last two weeks...so a few weeks ago, I was pretty much doing nothing but review over American History, but doesn't have a lot do with Japanese Culture (I cringe when people say Okinawa "Okanawa").

Do you see yourself blogging in 6 months? Why or why not?
Yes I do...but if I am not, I will only be on hiatus because of school. I love blogging.....don't take it away~! *sob*

Personal:

Would you say you blog for yourself?
It is probably mostly for myself. I want people to see my opinions and I just like to do it. Maybe people benefit from my posts...? I doubt it, though.

What is your feeling after posting an entry? Is it relative to the time and effort you put in an entry?
I usually put a four days effort into each of my posts. When I post an entry, I am very happy and relieved I was finally able to put it up!

What needs does blogging fulfill?
Blogging fulfills my need to share my opinion and just write about what I want to. I don't get a chance very often, so blogging helps me feel better about myself :D.

Do you consider yourself a writer?
No, I feel like I have lot to learn...I do not feel as though I am terrible, but...not good. I am improving!!

Do you consider yourself good at writing? Good at blogging?
I consider myself good at writing when I work on it for a long time. I'm not sure if I'm good at blogging. I think I'm too bland, but I usually don't have the time to be super-exciting :P

How much of your personal life do you share on your blog? If none, why do you leave this out?
I only occasionally add my life to my blog, and thats only if it pertains to the main subject of my blog: Jpop and Japan. I will also add random "Lo siento! Tengo mucho tarea!"  (I'm sorry! I have lots of homework), as means to apologize for my tardiness.

I hope this helps someone...and if not, at least I got to write about how I feel XD.