It has been almost a year since I started publishing this blog, The Penultimate Word. As of today, this is the 319th piece that I have posted. August is a traditional time in academic settings to take a break, look at the way things are going, and re-tool for the coming year. So let this post be the beginning of that process for The Penultimate Word.
The shape, content and purpose of the blog has been massaged, re-shaped, and questioned during the past year. I took on a new visual format, joined Facebook, expanded the visibility to new venues, and broadened the content.
Trying to stick to a 500 word format has been challenging, but for the most part the posts come out pretty near that. There’s always more to say, but my goal has been to stimulate thinking, not to take responsibility for changing it.
I have been pretty faithful to the idea of presenting a word or phrase which is not totally bizarre, but which may be in use in the media or in literature. Then I comment on it. Sometimes the comment seems to drive the post, as opposed to the word. But that’s passion speaking.
So … the question is, “HOW’S IT GOING?”
I don’t receive a huge amount of comments. Lately there have been a ton of spam comments which I have eradicated prior to publication, but for the most part there may be a handful of legitimate published comments every week. That isn’t exactly overwhelming. Some of you have commented to me personally, either in person, on the phone, or in e-mails. But even when I add those in I have to admit that the number of responses is underwhelming. I have avoided analyzing this issue, preferring instead to ask the question and get unadulterated responses.
Please take a moment and give me some idea as to how you see this blog. I’m really curious, and your answers will help me in the planning for the next year.
To comment all you have to do is go to the place where you find the word comment at the end of this post. You can identify yourself or use the anonymous option. Write your comments. Then click the comment button and send it.
If you are more comfortable writing an e-mail, I’m at jed@jedword.com. That works.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be working on the next year’s edition of the blog, so your input will be helpful. Thanks.
Jed
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Alan, I’ll work on that shading issue. Thanks for pointing it out.
I discovered your blog through Mr. McIntyre’s, and have been enjoying it daily, since. I don’t generally feel compelled to comment on much, but you did ask for feedback, which I’m happy to provide!
Keep at it.
There’s a good mix of information and entertainment available at present. I use an RSS aggregator to read your posts (and a great many others on similar subjects) and to post a comment entails a little extra effort as I first need to launch my browser and go to your site.
I know this isn’t what you meant in the way of feedback, but you might consider using a better contrast for the sections of text that have been quoted. The grey text makes it unreadable to me against the dark background.
Thanks for hanging in there, even without much comment. I get your word of the day and the one from the OED, but I always read yours first; I appreciate your comment, reflection, and alternative uses of the words, but mostly I appreciate the fact that your choices are in current and in use, not words limited to college entrance exams, spelling bees, and crossword puzzle clues.