Thanks Keith! When people write for an audience of One, "proper conventions" kinda go out the door. And that's fine if that's your purpose.

I'm interested in hearing other perspectives....thanks for yours!

I guess it depends upon whether you're trying to actually communicate or not.  If you're just looking for entertainment then shorter is better; if you're really trying to have relationships through communication then "Craig" must be translated into "Mike" and "Mike" into "Craig" and that takes words.

Personally, I would like to understand why people believe what the do and in general that takes more words because it requires context.  Also, I actually believe that what I share isn't just "Craig"; and if a given concept or idea is to be shared and understood then more is better.

But the blogs "I" read are the ones that the Lord speaks to me through and when he's doing that I'm interesting in hopefully having more than a superficial relationship with the person he is doing that through.  But I've found that he also speaks through whomever he chooses whenever he chooses.

Bottom line: it all comes back to what's in our heart. Why are we here?  To be entertained?  To entertain? To be right or to do right?  To edify and be edified?  Because we're interested in God's people and want to allow the Lord to bless people through us?  Or any number of other agendas...but there is always an agenda.  :-)  To discern it is generally a matter of time...and words.

Best regards,
Craig

Excellent thoughts Craig, just EXCELLENT!! And look at all those words you used! (lol) Seriously, I appreciate your input, you've changed my perspective!

I do slightly disagree on just one point Craig, but it's minor. You said "If you're just looking for entertainment then shorter is better". To me, real communication involves knowing what not to say just as much as knowing what to say. Discipline and discernment, my friend! Have you ever known someone who just talked your ears off, and you had to be rude just to break free? This rarely occurs in the blogosphere (it can though!), but I use it to make the point.

Stevie, as someone who does write longer blogs usually, I really value your thoughts. And when I have the time and get a chance, I really enjoy your blogs. You go deep, brother! As someone with a very focused mind, I appreciate that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and for saying essentially what I was trying to say in the above paragraph to Craig. (You may have said it better too!)

Yay! The other point of view! Thanks Caleb, I tend to agree...particularly w/this: " I rather listen to my pastor preach to me than read a sermon here." This isn't to say that all long posts read like sermons, or that I refuse to read longer posts..(I have read quite a few, but daunting length does sometimes turn me away). Good to hear from you!

And Marilyn - interesting point when you said "if it gets to technical, I tend to leave". That's why I prefer a blog with heart! The world is full of commentaries and reference books, however there is only ONE you!! Yes, "the blog has to be true to the writer" (as you so well said). You understand the heart behind the blog well, sister!

That is among the funniest comments I've ever rec'd, Carebear! And gee, maybe "dissect" is the right word for it!  (suggesting a certain preoccupation with details...)

CindyLou, like you, I'll often write, then upon reexamination, feel compelled to insert a word here and there, or even a paragraph or two....yes, they can get long that way!

"words of encouragement" ... I hear ya Ms Panda. I agree, that's incredibly important...thank you for the input!!

JR, you've been away too long. Thanks for weighing in -- and I see we are of like mind, on principle. It might be about time you contributed a blog or two as well...short and simple of course, :-)

The length of the blog isn't relevant to me. If I am going to read a blog at all, I will read it whether it is short or long. My main purpose in doing so is to learn what someone has to share about their own life's journey, interests, prayer requests, stories about their walk with God, things that blessed them, challenged them, what they are doing now...the list goes on...I am an avid blog reader too! I also like to understand the context in which one is writing and don't mind if people are sharing what other people wrote or said...it often points me to new things.

The only blogs I can say I don't really have time for are those that are politician bashing, blogs where the author quotes the MC scripture of the day and add nothing to it but want you to comment on it and blogs that have many thoughts put together in one long paragraph because I find it just too hard to read.

The longer I've been on MC, I try to seek out blogs that are not widely read or are written by people that aren't as widely known. I do this as an encouragement to wider participation in the MC family. I prefer reading blogs that are well formatted in terms of spacing, larger font bc they are easier to read, different colours and pictures for visual interest... but these are not criteria that are "cast in stone". 

Mr. Mike,

In comparison with other blogs on here...ALL of yours are pretty short, sweet, and to the point! Your thoughts are clearly expressed and the reader isn't left guessing what you were thinking! Now THAT'S a good blog! I do like shorter blogs, but I also enjoy the longer ones too! (Since I am a rambler, I fit into that catagory better) Mr. Mike...I think your blogs are AWESOME! And it's okay to go on bit more than you are used to! :)

I don't mind if they are miles long but I do like to see the paragraphs broken up a bit. You do that, Mike. It is just easier to read if they have a break with changing thoughts. Perhaps four to five lines so you have a place to pause. I read some blogs out loud so that I can process them better. I speak them so I hear it and think it at the same time.

I never skip reading all the comments if I like the blog. Yours are keepers. love you!

I would just like to say..... have you seen the length of my most recent entry???? lol! you think yours are long??? But in my humble oppinion I tend to think that its not about lenth but quality of content...

Much Love Brother! ~ Jade 

Megan (Wolf Spirit), how lovely....a glimpse at the heart behind the blog is what I always look for, and you give it...thank you!!

Rebekah...thanks for your input sis. I see you're like me, mostly reading, occasionally writing. I'd never write, except for that agitation within, that loves the outlet.

Jade...I read. Ok, it's long, but oh so good! Here's the thing. If I am unfamiliar with the writer, I'm less likely to work my way through a super long post...sorry, just not enough time. But if I know them, I'm far more likely. Does that make sense? :-)  Love back at ya, sister!

Sometimes when I write I am like that little boy in the Family Circus cartoon that wanders all over the neighborhood getting from one place to the other when I could simply have gotten "straight to the point". But what fun is in that, lol. Such is the heart of a child.

I did a dance when I read that apureheart  because I have said that I am guilty of that very thing and some folks remember him ...think it is Billy.... going through the tire swing, over the picnic table, pet the dog, wave to the mailman, a skip over the picnic table again and find a new route to get to the goal. I have done that my whole life. I clean house that way. Once I was knee deep in rearranging my living room, had laundry going, dishwasher, soaking fine washables in a sink, stereo playing and found some overdue books...so stopped and drove them to the library.

I didn't think a thing about itbut my late husband came home and was none too happy. I seriously didn't think it was a big deal but got a lecture of the pattern I should clean, top to bottom then next room, not leaving itt till done.

God made armadillos and wild stallion horses...calla lillies and thorny cactus...so thinking variety in style is way ok. 

Mike(nlaura) you once again got us all thinking. That seems to be your assignment for which we love you. peace/out juanita

Gordon (apureheart)...magnificent words, even if many. I definitely read your heart this morning.....and can't thank you enough for it!

Juanita...isn't it intriguing fascinating enjoyable and enlightening to think together!?!? =)  .. I was afraid some might be offended that I would even suggest length as a criteria for "judging" blogs, after all, they are supposed to come from the heart, or the Spirit, and how dare we try to stifle either? (Well, they don't all, and that's the truth.) But there is so much grace around here...that even if I suggested it (well, I did), I would be quickly forgiven. :)  

Basically to summarize thus far, to cut off all writings at a certain length is a bad idea!  But short blogs do encourage at least some to read.  Thus far, I believe the Spirit has had a lot to do with most of my writings, so length hasn't been much of an issue.  As long as I continue to submit my thoughts to the Lord, length should continue to be a non-issue.  At least, that's where I'm at on this after talking with all of you! =)

Shorter is always better. Winston Churchhill was supposed to have once said, after a long speech, that he was sorry that his speech was so long, had he had more time to prepare, it would have been shorter.

I am a newspaper editor. I am always trying to make things shorter. Especially in modern culture where we are so visually oriented and have time constraints. In newspapers, study after study has shown, that very few people read beyond about five inches on any story. 

If you are not Hemingway, you probably cant make it interestng enough for people to go on anyway. It does take more effort to write shorter, but it communicates so much better.

My suggestion would be to write your post and let it set a day before editing it and posting it. Better yet, get someone else to edit it before you post it. Just to make it shorter and more effective.

James, I KNEW a newspaperman would come along and weigh in! (Well, maybe not, but newspaper articles were the EXACT example I had in mind all along for limiting a piece.)  Needless to say, or maybe I really do need to say it...I try hard not to write excessively long blogs. (Not for fun, let's define "excessively".)  And I actually do frequently let blogs sit a day after writing them, rather than write n post immediately. We are largely on the same page, newspaperman! (Although I am also inclined to agree w/the perspective of following the Spirit of God, though I doubt the Spirit would lead me to write poorly, would he???) lol

Deb, we continue to identify much w/one another.  I identify so much w/your post, I could have written it myself! Sometimes long posts make my eyes hurt, usually when I'm doing my late night blog reading. But when the Spirit's really talkin to me through a post, or someone's heart is really comin through clearly, it's much easier to read lengthy blogs. I have yet to write a single part 2... of course, that could mean a variety of things, lol.