Are Bloggers Really Writers?

Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by Zahid Lilani in Blogging, Social Media

I write to express myself but I blog to inform and educate. Does that make sense? Most of us toy around the idea of being called a writer just because we have been able to write couple hundred blog posts but is that a right title?

My curiosity is related to the fact that I think bloggers never write and writers never blog. Blogging is more connected to attracting and engaging readership whereas writing has more to do with the art form and literary element. My definition of a blogger is someone whose battleground is the world wide web and a writer is one who has print media at his at disposal.

We can all name bloggers who have written books but we might have a hard time if asked to talk about writers who have become bloggers and now write about topics that would otherwise be published in a book or some other form.

Writing is a way up for most bloggers because even in today’s digital age, the feeling of having something published in tangible form can be quite a thrill. So once again, we come to the same question, are bloggers really writers?

My personal take on it is of course not, bloggers are just bloggers. Some bloggers are good writers but they are still bloggers. There is one major difference between a blogger and a writer and that is medium.

Bloggers are more technically sound then most writers. Writers tend to perfect the content but bloggers on the other hand make sure they have content at regular intervals at the expense of quality (occasionally). That happens because of the medium. A writer takes days, months and maybe years to come up with one book but someone like me will write a blog during the 30 minute lunchtime (not in this case) and be satisfied.

Even though there are video and photo bloggers, the original blogging style is the one that still dominates. Writing.

Here is the defining moment my friend, are you a blogger or a writer?

Blogger for life…

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Tags: bloggers, Blogging, writers, writing

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5 Responses to “Are Bloggers Really Writers?”

Beginner Blogger's Workshop: What do I blog about? | Sharisax Is Out There

30. Jan, 2010

[...] Spend some time with the bloggers suggested above. Zahid just wrote an article on whether or not Bloggers were Writers [...]

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Shari Weiss

30. Jan, 2010

I suspect we’re going to have to “agree to disagree” on this one, Zahid.

I am firmly in the camp spearheaded by Adam Singer: http://thefuturebuzz.com/2010/01/26/bloggers-are-writers/

. . . bloggers definitely are writers. One of Adam’s commentors said it well, when she wrote: “It’s not whether bloggers are writers or not; it’s what kind of writers they are.”

As a writer for decades — for magazines, newspapers, and a few fiction pieces — I love the fact that I have a wonderful platform on which to practice my craft AND reach a whole lot more people than I otherwise might.

To my mind, this entire controversy stems from trained journalists who are seeing their world change too fast for them to know how to evolve themselves.

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Zahid Lilani

01. Feb, 2010

It’s funny that I didn’t read Adam’s post on the 26th before publishing my post on 27th.

My main point with the whole writer/blogger controversy is that anyone can become a blogger but to become a writer it is not that easy.

Most successful bloggers are not very good writers, for e.g. Darren Rowse (problogger). Similar thing can be said about Eminem, he is popular and successful rapper but no musician or artist.

I understand that Adam makes a point that just because a writer is using a different medium doesn’t mean he/she is not a writer. That doesn’t apply to people who would otherwise never write if it were not for blogs.

I am personally no writer, the only reason I am writing is because of the medium that gives me the tools a writer needs as well as all the bells and whistles I like to play with.

I personally wouldn’t be writing if it were not for blogs.

Shari, you have successfully transitioned to this new medium because your entire career has involved around writing, for you it was just of matter of time. I would say that you are one of the few people who know how to write but are blogging because like you said,

“I love the fact that I have a wonderful platform on which to practice my craft AND reach a whole lot more people than I otherwise might.”
Zahid Lilani´s last blog ..8 Hilarious iPad Parodies That Will Crack You Up

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Tweets that mention Are Bloggers Really Writers? | ZahidLilani.com -- Topsy.com

01. Feb, 2010

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shari Weiss, Zahid Lilani. Zahid Lilani said: What do you think are bloggers really writers? Here is what I think – http://bit.ly/be7XDj [...]

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ZahidLilani

30. Jan, 2010

What do you think are bloggers really writers? Here is what I think – http://bit.ly/be7XDj

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

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