I feel as if I communicate better through writing than i do through verbal communication...it has always come naturally to me...
it's funny to read about how you would invent stories as a youngster because I would do the same thing... My first writings were a silly little poem that didn't rhyme very well, and a story about a boy with a magic hat...lol...

I also wrote a whole bunch of song lyrics as a teenager and college student...i've had a few things published locally and received some writing awards during my school days....needless to say, I love writing....I only wish I had more time and effort to do it on a regular basis...I think I need to push myself to do it more.

I enjoy writing as well. I didn't come to JU to hone my skills, but for a change of what I was writing. I am a singer/songwriter who performs regularly, performing my own material. I am in no way a star or a name, but I do enjoy performing. I have written for a number of music publications over the years, as well as a social commentary magazine called Argus. But mostly, I am writing lyrics, which I enjoy immensely.

When I first heard about blogging, I was intrigued. I started looking at a few different sites and ended up at Blogger.com. While I thought the site looked nice, etc., I wasn't really happy with it. I wanted more interaction. Then a friend recommended JoeUser.com. And here I am.

I agree that receiving responses is a bit of an ego boost. More importantly, for me anyway, I like the idea that I am living on one side of the world and the bulk of JUsers are on the other, in different time zones but the differences between us, in a lot of respects, are very minimal. JU gives me a chance to explore those differences. Like you, I blog therefore I am...

Seems as if all three of us have walked the same path here

For fear of being original, I won't be.

Seriously though I am much the same. I have enjoyed writing for a long time. I always read voraciously when I was growing up (and still do to this day). And so I started writing. But what I found to be the most frustrating was not getting an real feedback. Sure, I could have family and friends read and critique, but few ate up the pages as hungrily as I did, and so the comments were along the lines of "Cool", or "I like it".

I started a blog a couple of years ago on blogspot (I can't even remember why other than I wanted to write). But the silence was deafening. I eventually wandered over here (through a few convoluted steps involving Brad's eventual domination of the world) and suddenly I had an audience. And here I have remained.

Ahhh Brad's World domination plot....I see...

The silence can be deafening and disheartening in the blog world. I too have been on other sites and heard nothing back. Sometimes i think the blog world is a tad bit cliquey. You have groups that only comment on posts from others in their little circle. Unlike JU that is. Part of my reason for making this my home is that for the most part you hear from all sides of the issue. And, on the creative edge, people are more willing to give honest feedback about your ramblings. JU is unique in the blog world because of this. That and there's plenty of folks willing to give you a first class a** kicking when you need it.

*strokes Brian's ego*
"good kitty"

I write because I must. Whether it is to creatively express concepts, delve into the connective tissue that is humanity, or purge myself of loneliness, I constantly learn when actively writing. I use it to expound and clarify issues and ideas, to allow myself the isolation of the writer. To grieve and to come to terms with tragedy, to declare love. I’ve found most blogs are like casting fragments of poetry on a fast moving stream, never knowing who will see you yet hoping that someone does. We all need to be seen.
I miss you B.
Love, B