Friday, November 7, 2014

Just When I Thought No One Was Listening...

I wrote an article on Vladimir Nabokov's Laughter in the Dark and originally received one lone comment. Didn't think much about it but assumed it wasn't well received. Well the good folks at Criminal Element posted it on reddit where it snared 20,000 page views and, so far, garnered 155 comments. What else can I say but... Wow!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Ain't that the real pain in the ass sometimes about blogging. It is easy to feel as though no one is reading. But maybe this comment from a kindred spirit will reassure you. My blogging experience in the past fell upon deaf ears (apparently), but perhaps the future will be different. In any case, I am pleased to have stumbled upon your blog. As MacArthur muttered, "I will return."

David Cranmer said...

Pleased to meet you, P.C. Yeah, the wave of comments seem to be fickle with blogging remaining a quid pro quo forum. Fortunately I have had a lot of support in the Blogger community but when my articles appearing elsewhere its hard to gauge their popularity. But when you receive 155 comments and thoughtful visits from new bloggers like yourself that certainly bolsters ones spirit.

Charles Gramlich said...

Once it's out there, you never know who it will reach, or when it might happen.

Unknown said...

David, your "quid pro quo" comment is on target. But I think, if I understand blogging correctly, there are many visitors who never offer comments, which is some small reassurance that there really are readers out there. My prior blogging efforts (other blogs with other titles) were also prey to trolls and other unpleasant visitors. I hope to avoid those creatures this time around with my new enterprise.

Oscar Case said...

David, I was one of those page viewers that didn't comment since I hadn't read the book, but the post was fine.

David Cranmer said...

True enough, Charles. I've come to learn that but 155 comments still happily floored me.

P.C., And on my blog here I can see the page view stats but freelance articles I send out and about I have no way of accurately knowing beyond the comments. Oh, and good luck on avoiding the trolls.

Thanks, Oscar. Always appreciate my Blogger friends and their support.

A Cuban In London said...

Well done, mate! Nabokov is having a bit of a revival here in the UK on account of the letters he sent to his wife. They have just been published.

Greetings from London.

David Cranmer said...

I wasn't aware of the letters being published and just read the review in The Guardian. I will pick up a copy. I've just become a fan of his work in the last few years thanks to my nephew Kyle.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

David, that's great! I had only heard of Reddit but didn't know what it did. I recall reading your review of "Laughter in the Dark" by Vladimir Nabokov but sometimes I don't comment because I don't know what to say, especially if I have never read the author before, as in the case of Nabokov's work. I take Lincoln's quote, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt," rather seriously.

David Cranmer said...

Prashant, A wise Lincoln quote! And I have to say I get heaps of support from my friends on Blogger and I view this platform as my home base. So when I said it fell upon deaf ears I was referring to where the freelance article appeared. Now as for leaving comments I usually go in the opposite direction and leave any response (though heartfelt and thoughtful) to just say I saw what you did. Maybe that isn't the right approach.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

David, I understand, and I also often take your approach. I'm always worried that I might end up saying something silly in comments so I'm a little guarded.

David Cranmer said...

Being a little guarded is probably a good thing. I once left a comment that was taken the wrong way and the person never returned to my blog. Looking back I was too lighthearted in my comment on a topic they took a little more seriously.