I've always told writing students they should be clear about their audience. Some writing is done for the author so there are no rules about grammar or content or anything else. When writing is done to inform, persuade or amuse other people, their needs must be taken into consideration and there may be lots of rules. Some are explicit; some are simply understood by effective communicators.

A blog is a hybrid. I understand that I'm writing this mostly for my own benefit. Indeed, I see real advantages in creatin a searchable journal. On the other hand, these words will appear in a public space. And I will start telling people what I am doing. Am I inviting them to join me as friends? As readers? As voyeurs? As critics? As fellow citizens of this online world because, of course, anyone who isn't online isn't going to see any of this?

I don't know and maybe it doesn't matter.

I'm acting as though I'm a pioneer on this frontier even though there are millions of bloggers who probably thought very similar thoughts when they got started. Still, this is, as they say, new to me. Already I'm aware of how it's shaping my experience. I now hold up each event, each thought, each interaction and ask--is this blogworthy?

I have to admit that I've resisted blogging. My entire professional life has been predicated on the idea that I don't let other people read first drafts. I write, edit, rewrite, edit some more, let it sit for a day or two, send it to an editor who makes comments that lead me into yet another round of rewriting. The assumption is that a piece is ready for readers only after all of that has been done.

This has obviously become an antiquated way of doing things. With apologies to Descarte, I write, therefore I blog. What will come of it? I do not know. And, to be honest, that's part of the appeal.