Oyez! Oyez!

The first full week of 2014 is over. It’s time to take stock, reassess, readjust, and all that other stuff. It’s time to take a long, hard look at my beloved ‘Clockwatching…’ and see just what we can do to make it a better place to hang out, for everyone who makes use of it.

Image: smallbusinessbc.ca

Writing this blog is one of my very favourite things in life, but the start of a new year is a good time to think about whether it’s become too stale and/or boring for those kind people – i.e. you – who like to drop in here from time to time. Out of all the blogs in all the world, I’m honoured that you’d wander into mine; of course, I’d also like to entice you to stay, by offering you all manner of wonders and making this online journal of mine a fun, interesting and enjoyable place to be. To that end, I would very much like to ask for the assistance of my kind, generous and wonderful readers (hi, Mum!) in order to determine the future direction of this ‘ere blog. Can you spare a few moments to give a girl a helping hand?

Mainly, I’m worried that blogging every day, as I have done (with the exception of Sundays, ‘Acts of God’, illness, and holiday periods) since August of 2012 is a bit much. Not for me – words are at the core of my being – but for you, gentle reader. For everyone who enjoys reading these little excursions into the deepest recesses of my brain every day, I’m sure there are ten who roll their eyes and say: ‘Not again. Doesn’t that woman have anything better to do?‘ when another blog-notification pings into their inbox. (Answer: Not really.)

So.

Question One: Should I continue to update ‘Clockwatching…’ on a daily basis? If yes, wonderful. If not, how often would you prefer me to post?

a) thrice weekly

b) twice weekly

c) weekly

d) never

Image: blogs.edweek.org

The second thing that keeps your intrepid correspondent awake at night – and goodness knows, I need my beauty sleep – has to do with the content of my posts. As anyone who drops in regularly here will be aware, I like to read, and I like to write. I like to (sometimes) get on soapboxes about such things as women’s issues, feminism, equality, politics (albeit rarely), environmentalism, consumerism, and a whole lot of other ‘isms’. Mostly, though, I write about the written word, my journey as an aspiring author, and the love I have for books – both reading and writing them.

Is this the kind of thing you want to read, though?

Nobody wants to write a blog which doesn’t engage its readers. Nobody wants to feel like a reader is bored, because – essentially – that means the reader is entirely within their rights to click away, toward something which interests them. I’d like to think that I’m giving my readers something worth reading, as well as something they enjoy, and would like to see more of. But if I am not, I would very much like to know.

Question Two: Are you, as a reader of ‘Clockwatching…’, happy with the blog’s content?

a) Yes

b) No

c) Artichokes?

d) Sometimes

If you have any suggestions for future topics – the only caveat being that they are suitable for a general readership, in terms of age-appropriateness – I’d certainly be interested to hear ’em. If you’ve always wanted to know my take on the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow, or why exactly God gave rock and roll to us, or why everyone keeps using the word ‘inconceivable’, now’s your chance to let me know. I’d really love to know the issues that interest the readers of this wee blog. If y’all would rather I wittered on about the nocturnal habits of the aardvark, do let me know. I’ll do my best to accommodate any reasonable request, and even some of the unreasonable ones.

I also have a certain ‘rhythm’ going in terms of the type of post I put up; every Wednesday is a Write-In, every Saturday is a book review, most Mondays are a disjointed babble because my brain isn’t quite switched on yet, certain Fridays are devoted to flash fiction, and so on – does that suit everyone? I, personally, enjoy my Book Review Saturdays, but if they make everyone else grind their teeth in frustration then – of course – I’d like to know. If you’d prefer me not to post my Wednesday Write-In stories to the blog, I’d like to know, too.

Question Three: Should I keep Wednesday Write-In and Book Review Saturday?

a) Yes to Wednesday, No to Saturday

b) No to Wednesday, Yes to Saturday

c) Yes to both

d) No to both

e) Where did I leave my dentures?

I have no idea what’s going on here.
Image: theweek.co.uk

Right.

I think that’s about all the pressing issues I have with relation to the blog. I’d like to take another opportunity to thank all those who do read and comment regularly, and who give me vital feedback – whether it’s in person, over the phone, via my personal Facebook page, or via the blog, here – on how I’m doing. I hope you won’t mind my asking for a little extra help in my effort to make this blog the best it can be.

I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas, and to diving into 2014 with no small amount of enthusiasm.

And the appropriate water safety equipment, of course.

Please feel free to comment! All feedback very, very gratefully received.