July Reply: Answering YOUR Questions About Blogging [AMA Part 1 Of 3]

/ Ally Bean

INTRODUCTION

This is the longest blog post I’ve written for this blog.

On the one hand this goes against my established blogging ethos: keep it snappy, keep it short.  BUT on the other hand, and this is the point I’m attempting to make, I appreciate the questions that you, the Cool Kids, asked me a few weeks ago on my June AMA post.

I want to answer them truthfully so I got wordy.

ALSO, and perhaps you picked up on this, my ulterior motive for soliciting your AMA questions wasn’t to give me a way to yada-yada-yada about myself more [Lord knows I’ve done that enough over the years], it was/is so that I have a smooth way to introduce you to each other.

Yep, that’s what I’m doing here.

You see, many new bloggers have found The Spectacled Bean in the last year and I wanted to create a way in which I could politely introduce y’all to each other: old-timers meet newbies, new-timers meet oldbies.

That sort of thing.

Thus by highlighting who asked each question and adding a link to their blog I am doing that, hoping to create and extend a sense of community that is, in my experience, the backbone of personal blogging.

But wait, there’s more.

In addition, as a way of visually breaking up this long post, I’ve added a few photos of TV show characters whose attitude, I believe, is representative of what it takes to be a well-rounded successful personal blogger.

See if you agree.

YOUR QUESTION + MY ANSWERS

The following questions, occasionally edited for clarity, are listed alphabetically using the first letter of the first name of the Cool Kid who asked the question. Thanks to everyone who asked a question. My answers immediately follow each question.   

🔹 Annika Perry from Annika Perry asks: Friendships formed here are very much part of the heart of blogging. In which ways are your friendships formed here similar and/or different to those in person?

MY ANSWER: My friendships in the blogosphere are based on kindred creative spirits who like to think about life and laugh often. My friendships in real life are based more on shared experiences and living geographically close to each other.

🔹 Christie Hawkes from So what? Now what? asks: As for my questions, when you first started blogging, did you intentionally set out to build your tribe of cool kids or did it happen more organically? Besides the effort that goes into reading and responding to comments, what else surprised you about blogging?

MY ANSWER: I didn’t set out to create a tribe of Cool Kids. It happened organically over time as more readers found my blog and jumped into the comment section. And that is the my biggest surprise about blogging: people are more than willing to chat about stuff IF you give them a nonjudgmental + fun online place to do so.

🔹 Donna Connolly from RETIREMENT REFLECTIONS asks: What is your biggest pet peeve about blog comments?

MY ANSWER: My biggest pet peeve is the way in which WordPress arbitrarily tosses some comments into moderation, or worse spam, when I’ve not put someone into moderation or marked someone as spam. Some long-time commenters are always sent into moderation and I don’t know why. Flip side, some never-commented-here-before commenters are sent straight through the system without being approved by me. It’s wacky.

🔹 E.A. Wickham from bleuwater asks: My questions are when did you start blogging and why? How has your blog changed through the years?

MY ANSWER: I started blogging in 2004 because I was curious to see what blogs were about. Early on had various blogs that I now refer to as my starter blogs. As a personal blogger I’ve morphed from a diarist, jibber-jabber-ing daily, to what I think of as a weekly newspaper lifestyle columnist, talking about my life, eclectic topics of interest, and what makes people tick.

Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation: OPTIMISTIC

🔹 Eilene Lyon from Myricopia asks: How does one go about creating a meme? Bear in mind this question comes from someone who couldn’t figure out how to use Canva.

MY ANSWER: I don’t have a good answer to your question because I’ve never made a meme. I just stumble over memes online. That being said I do use Canva to make pretty images with quotes, so even though you mention that you “couldn’t figure out how to use Canva” I went there to learn about memes.

I discovered THIS seemingly straightforward how-to guide for making memes. A weak answer to your question, but it’s all I’ve got.

🔹 Endless Weekend from The Endless Weekend asks: Is it mostly spam that ends up being “commented” on older posts? Is that the reason you close comments after a few weeks? Why is it that you close comments on older (and still interesting!) posts?

MY ANSWER: It got to a point where I was overwhelmed with spam on older posts, so to save my sanity I decided to close them. BUT the reality is that many people still comment on previously closed posts. They do so in any current post’s comment section, meaning that the conversation continues– and the spammers can suck it.

🔹 Esoterica from Existential Ergonomics asks: I’m curious about your thoughts about bridging the changing *you* across a decade plus of blogging.

MY ANSWER: In the process of writing a personal blog for almost two decades I realize that I’ve evolved into a more generous mellower soul, more open-minded, more precise with my word choices, and just happy to goof off here without any particular goal in mind.

🔹 Jennifer Stone from Still Bitchy After 60 asks: So how do you manage to make all your comments so genuine?

MY ANSWER: In truth I am curious about what people have to say so my interest is genuine. However I’ll admit that when I started blogging I was awful at comments: often what I meant to say and what I said were 180º opposite.

Thus I researched how to reply to comments. I learned that comment replies should: 1) mirror the length of the comment you’re replying to; 2) focus on all aspects of what the commenter said; and 3) be chatty not stilted & pedantic.

Clara Oswald from Dr Who: CURIOUS

🔹 Julia Preston from Voices in My Head asks: What the heck is AMA? 🤔

MY ANSWER: Mea culpa for not explaining that AMA stands for Ask Me Anything.  It’s lingo from Reddit.

🔹 Kendra Purtell from An Audience of One [rhetorically] asks: How do you NOT respond when someone is kind enough to not only read your post, but also leave a thoughtful comment?

MY ANSWER: I don’t get it either. I consider every comment a gift and I want to say *thank you* in the only way I can which is to reply to the comment. But not everyone thinks like I/we do.

🔹 Marian Beaman from PLAIN And Fancy asks: Does your husband read your blog posts? replies in the comment section?

MY ANSWER: My husband reads my blog. When he was working in a downtown office he’d comment on my posts in the comment section, BUT now that he’s at home he comments by telling me in person what he thinks.

🔹 Marie A Bailey from 1 Write Way asks: How often do people suggest that you should “monetize” your blog since you have created such an engaging community?

MY ANSWER: Occasionally I’ll get an email from a company that wants to form a brand alliance and have me write posts about their products or services. I politely say “no.” I write this blog for snorts and giggles, to keep my brain clicking and my heart open, so to use it for profit seems ill-considered to me.

🔹 Michelle Goggins from MG Doodle Studio asks: Do you have any other blogging etiquette advice?

MY ANSWER: I’m not sure that I do. Maybe remind people to check their spelling? Or make sure your links work? Or make your blog look pretty so people enjoy seeing it? That’s what comes to mind. Is that etiquette or just common sense?

Karen Walker from Will & Grace: AMUSED

🔹 NGS from The Time for Change asks: Do people ever reference things to you from your blog from a long time ago that you’ve completely forgotten about? How has your personal view on blogging changed over the years? The role of your blog in your life? Do you have any regrets about something you’ve posted/not posted?

MY ANSWER: Yes, people occasionally remember things I wrote about that I’d forgotten I wrote about and that’s trippy. My personal view of blogging has remained consistent over the years: blogging is a great way to communicate, feel understood, learn things, and LAUGH.

As for regrets, I know I’ve written posts that sounded meaner or loopier than I meant them to be, but I don’t regret it. You learn by doing when it comes to personal blogging. It’s all about being vulnerable, figuring out what works or not, then moving forward gracefully.

🔹 Nicole MacPherson from GIRL in a BOY HOUSE asks: Is there a TYPE of blog you like the best? Are there certain blogs that you favour for certain reasons?

MY ANSWER: I don’t lean into a specific niche of blogs. What I like to read, and this is incredibly subjective, is a blog written by someone who seems to have an authentic, slightly off-the-wall, personality. As long as the person doesn’t write anything crude or vile or inflammatory, I don’t care about their topics as much as the overall vibe of the blog.

🔹 Patty Moore Wilson from WEDNESDAY’S CHILD asks: I didn’t know I could close comments after a certain time!!! So… how do I do that?

MY ANSWER: In my version of WP you go to Settings, then Discussion, then Other comment settings, to “Automatically close comments on posts older than [you fill-in the number] days”

Once you do that you have to scroll down the page and hit Save Changes and then you’re all set. You can change the number of days anytime you want so it’s not like you’ve locked into it forever.

🔹 Pete Springer from Pete Springer asks: What do you do when working with a fellow blogger who wants to do a dual or guest post but isn’t communicative about when the post might come out?

MY ANSWER: Good question but I don’t really know. The bloggers I’ve worked with have been organized and precise about when something will be published. My only thought, an obvious one, is that you could try sending an urgent email asking for the “when” but this is personal blogging, not a work setting, so I don’t think you have much leverage.

Penny from The Big Bang Theory: DETERMINED

🔹 Rae Cod from RAE COD’S WRITING asks: I have you pegged as an epic time manager, capable of keeping up with all your blog comments… how long (on average) does it take?

MY ANSWER: I’ve never timed myself when it comes to replying to comments left on this blog. I pop in and out of blogland randomly during the day so I’m not sure.

That being said, let’s say I get 100 comments and it takes me 3 minutes to reply to each one: 300 minutes = 5 hours. On the one hand that’s a lot of time but it’s not all at once and it is at my own pace, so it seems like fun.

🔹 Shelley from Quaint Revival asks: Do you have a title in mind for a blog post Before or After you write the blog post and why? What inspires your clever titles? Do you write a post all in one setting or over a period of time in between your posts? What is one lesson for newbie bloggers to learn that you wish you had known at the beginning of your blogging experience?

MY ANSWER: I rarely have a blog title in mind when I start writing blog posts, they come to me in the process of writing. I write one blog post over many days, often in dribs and drabs, as time permits and inspiration finds me.

As a newbie I wish I’d understood that LESS IS MORE. Early on I drove myself batty posting daily, often long wordy posts, because I thought I was supposed to do that. But I learned otherwise and scaled back to a  weekly-ish schedule. Readers seem to respond positively to less from me, than to more from me.

That’s the lesson. 🙄

🔹 Suzanne from LIFE OF A DOCTOR’S WIFE asks: How many people in offline-life know that you blog? And do you ever get together with people you know from blogging (and nowhere else)? And do you ever get recognized in the wild? (Difficult, I know, without photos… but I feel like it COULD happen.)

MY ANSWER: Anyone who pays any attention to me in real life should know that I write a personal blog, having done so for almost 20 years now. My blog has never been a secret.

I’ve never gotten together with other bloggers. If they exist in the wild around here I don’t know who they are and obviously they don’t know who I am either. Or they know I’m here and just haven’t included me. That’s a possibility too.

🔹 Wynne Leon from Surprised By Joy asks: If answering comments wasn’t what you expected when you started blogging – what did you expect? And has what it has turned out to be better, worse, or just different?

MY ANSWER: I expected personal blogging to be small and more tight-knit than it is. I thought it’d be like efficiently sending a fast email to a few friends and family, just doing it publicly so that everyone could read it in the same place, then reply underneath. What I envisioned is what FB, that arrived on the scene a few years after I started blogging, turned out to be.

For me personal blogging has been much bigger and more far-flung; it’s better than what I thought it’d be. I live in the midwest USA yet connect with people around the world via their blogs, their interests, their lifestyles. It’s all good– and endlessly compelling.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Next week I’ll be back answering more questions, this time about who I am [HERE]. Then the following week I’ll conclude this AMA Extravaganza with a post comprised of your miscellaneous questions [HERE].

In the meantime, may I suggest that you take a peek at some of the bloggers who asked questions here. Who knows, you may make some new bloggy friends.

185 thoughts on “July Reply: Answering YOUR Questions About Blogging [AMA Part 1 Of 3]”

  3. Occasionally I’ll get an email from a company that wants to form a brand alliance and have me write posts about their products or services. I politely say “no.” I write this blog for snorts and giggles, to keep my brain clicking and my heart open, so to use it for profit seems ill-considered to me. ~>> That’s using your noggin, Ms. Bean. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nancy, thanks. I started blogging for FUN and to make FRIENDS, so to suddenly start promoting things wouldn’t work for me. I appreciate the offers, but saying “no” seems sensible.

      Like

  4. Thank you for answering all these questions! So fun to see the variety of questions and your responses. I am still boggled that you are able to respond to every comment. But Leslie Knope would definitely respond to every comment, so I get it. Looking forward to exploring the blogs you’ve linked to as well as to your next post.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Suzanne, I felt the same way about how interesting it is to see the variety of questions [and wait until I get to the miscellaneous ones 😵‍💫]. I try to reply to all comments but know I occasionally miss one. Like Leslie, I do my best. This was a fun post to put together.

      Liked by 1 person

    • I agree! It’s a wonderful idea for you to do an AMA, and I thoroughly enjoyed the answers, and the way you combine the optimism of Leslie Knope, the curiosity of Clara Oswald, and the marvelous sarcasm of Karen Walker! Please don’t stop blogging!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. That’s a good answer regarding the length of a reply to a comment. Though I can generally reply at length (with hyperlinks!) when someone levels a criticism at a post, I can never seem to match a comment’s length when folks say something complimentary. I guess it’s the equivalent of being tongue-tied in public and stammering, “Thank you.”

    Liked by 1 person

    • AutumnAshbough, I totally understand about being able to defend yourself more easily than accepting compliments. I didn’t start out being comfortable with leaving comments or replying to them, but I have learned. You make enough mistakes wherein you realize you’re not coming across like you want, you figure out how to do comments better. And take the compliments in stride.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. I missed your original post, Ally, while in one of my blogging breaks. I am enjoying reading the questions and your responses in this super mega-post! 😊 You are such a generous blogger and I have connected with several bloggers through my connection with you! How cool is that?

    Liked by 2 people

  10. That was a lot of information, Ally. Thanks for answering so many questions and giving so much of your time to the rest of us out here. I do love your blog and glad that you keep at it. The blogging community is special and meeting other bloggers (cool kids) from around the world is extra special.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Mary, you’re so sweet. I was going to end this blog in the spring of 2020 but we all know what happened then, so I decided to jump into blogging like a part-time job just to have something to keep me sane during the lockdown. Turns out there are so many Cool Kids out there and I’ve been fortunate to meet them.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. This was fun! I eagerly await the next group 🙂

    I appreciate the ulterior motive with this question/answer process- the slightly sneaky way to introduce new names and blogs. After finding Stargazer the last time you embarked on this plan I wonder who, what, and where I will discover more new folks to connect with 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  12. What a fun post – and I love your blogging generosity. You are like the perfect host that knows how to introduce people to each other. And I love all your answers, but this line in response to Erin is great, ” I realize that I’ve evolved into a more generous mellower soul, more open-minded, more precise with my word choices, and just happy to goof off here without any particular goal in mind.”

    Thanks for the fun post and the shout-out, Ally!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Wynne, thanks for asking a question. This was a fun, albeit wordy, post to put together. Finding out what is of interest to other people is fascinating while also prompting me to think about how far I’ve come as a blogger– and as an adult person.

      Liked by 2 people

  13. I have a question about who you are, if it’s not too late? Since you don’t post photos of yourself or your husband, could you choose the closest two celebrities that might be your doppelgangers?

    Always interested in everything you post 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  15. I love this post, Ally! It was so generous of you to use this as a way to introduce us to each other, and I intend to visit every blog on the list. You shared a lot of wonderful blogging information as well, and I took some notes. Thank you so much! This is a cool place!!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Michelle, I’m glad you like this post. I thought it’d be a simple way to feature other bloggers, while answering their questions. Curious people are what make blogland so infinitely interesting. Glad some of my answers resonated with you.

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  16. I love the ulterior motive, and – gosh – I’m certain I’ve met some of favorite blogging buddies here. Thanks for answering my question! As Wynne mentioned, your answer is great! I’ve been blogging for ~13 years and think my answer would be similar. With time, the expectations fall away and it’s just about having fun and being part of a community. Love it!!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Esoterica, I’m glad my ulterior motive rings true with you. I agree that at a certain point, if you hang around the blogosphere long enough, your “expectations fall away and it’s just about having fun and being part of a community.” Yay!

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  17. Fascinating questions and answers. Having known you from nearly the beginning of your blogging, I would say that you still have the same voice, just more refined and purposeful. You seem confident in what you write and how to express yourself. Last time I made comments on every blog you listed and got a few return comments and one friendship out of the deal. I may try that again although I have less time right now than I did. Grandson #3 is on his way today, 7 weeks early.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I had no idea what to expect with this AMA post, so these questions are a glimpse into what readers are curious about. Thanks for the compliment, I feel like I have a more refined/relaxed slant to my blogging now. Maybe we all learn to communicate better as we go along?

      Grandson #3 is on his way!!! Oh that is exciting for all concerned. Hoping it goes as smoothly as can be despite the early arrival.

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  18. As per usual, it’s got your usual wit and atyle. Like you said, I think evolution as a blogger happens. Like someone else commented I love the line about a mellower you.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bernie, thanks for the compliment. A lot of my early blogging angst centered around my expectations about how I should be able to communicate better. It just took longer to find my [mellow] groove than I anticipated.

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      • For me, it took longer to find an audience. I felt like I blogged into nothing when I started in 2009. Of course it was part blog part restoration diary, so perhaps it is not as interesting for some. Although I’ve had 3 readers start in 2009 and over the course of a few days read ALL the entries! Crazy.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Someone [or someones] has/have read your entire restoration blog from the beginning? That is trippy. I don’t know what to make of that. I know what you mean about how when you started you blogged into nothingness. I remember being thrilled when I got my first comment about 4 months after I started.

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          • The one person was just starting to restore an old house and had been to see ours. Sometimes it helps to read and see what others have done so you don’t reinvent the wheel. The other was a blogger who was a project manager in real life. He follows my regular blog. The third- no idea and not a single comment. Non bloggers don’t get that we like to engage with readers and know that we are being heard. Bernie

            Liked by 1 person

            • I’m glad you found out what two of your reader were up to. You’re right, non-bloggers don’t immediately get the value of leaving comments are readily as bloggers do… so they don’t leave them. 🤷‍♀️

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              • The house restorer told me she was going to read it when she left my house. Allan (fellow blogger)let me know that some of my photos had “error issues,” which set wheels in motion and a 2 winter project of overhauling the blog. It’s our work record of the house restoration and so worth the incredible amount of time it took. And a huge excel soresd sheet!

                Liked by 1 person

                • You did a good thing to update/fix your house restoration blog. I imagine there are more people than you know who appreciate learning about what you did and how you did it. A labor of love, eh?

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  19. I too have issues with how WP arbitrarily sorts comments into Spam or Trash. There are a couple regulars whom WP always puts their comments in the trash. SMH Blogging is way more social than any social media platform. I really enjoy the global input.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Danny, I’ve not figured out why WP puts the comments where it does and have learned to doublecheck moderation/spam often. Of all the things to go wrong with a blogging platform that is one I’ll not lose sleep over. I agree about how cool it is that blogging allows you to interact with people all over the world.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. What great questions and answers. I find that I am already connected with a lot of your tribe, either from your blog or from the A to Z. I’ll have to go check out the folks I am not familiar with. Thanks for sharing your insights. Looking forward to your next AMA.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, I’ve been impressed with the variety of questions asked, given the chance. I didn’t know what to expect. The A to Z challenge is a great way for people to connect, better than any of the other prompts/challenges I’ve done come to think of it. 🤔

      Liked by 1 person

  22. I love your answer to the very first question, as I feel exactly the same way. Blogger friends have a kinship that’s different than real life friendships.

    Thanks for all your answers. I’m surprised you’ve never met any of your vast number of commenters, especially as you’ve been blogging for so long. I’ve only met one and it was really only because I discovered she and I grew up about 10-15 miles apart. I casually told her that if she ever visits her parents, to let me know. She was recently here for the first time from California in about 7 years. I felt honored that she took the time to meet up.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Bijoux, technically I’ve met one blogger, but she didn’t know who I was– and long story short, I decided to not introduce myself. In person she was less… pleasant… than online.

      I bet you’re talking about Betsy, aren’t you? I knew she came to Ohio. She asked me if I was near your area, but I wasn’t obviously. Like I said if there are bloggers around here, I don’t know of them. And that’s okay.

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  23. Thanks for answering my questions. I think it’s interesting that your philosophy behind blogging has stayed so consistent – I wonder if that’s because you were super thoughtful about it from the beginning, whereas I just jumped in without thinking anything about anything!

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    • NGS, you may be right. I thought carefully about starting a blog and how I’d find the time to do it. Plus my master’s degree is in Communications so I may have been primed to remain consistent in my approach.

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    • Donna, thanks for the compliment and for sticking around here for so long. I appreciate that. I enjoyed writing this post. I had no idea what anyone would ask me so it was fun to see how this post unfolded before my eyes. The next two installments will be equally interesting– the Cool Kids are a nosy bunch! 🙄

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Your answers are “AWESOME” (as my Boston-ish younger friends would say). This is much fun, and I appreciate how much time you took to make such an awesome post. I also love hitting the links to all of my blogging friends (some well-known, some to know). KUDOS!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pam, I’m pleased you liked this post. It turned into something more than I envisioned when I blithely asked for some questions to answer. Blogging is fun and often takes some unexpected [positive] turns.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Hi Ally, of the blogs you have highlighted in this post, I follow only two of them, so thanks for sharing. I’ll give them a click. I enjoyed your answers to this first round, especially your reply to Surprised by Joy. Thanks for taking the time to expand the network. Cool Kids or Pen Pals, it’s all good.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, that’s the thing about personal blogging you kind of stumble over other bloggers here and there, so featuring a bunch of them here seems like a smooth way to get everyone, if not following, at least aware of each other. I can make the introductions so I have.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. I loved reading all your answers and the questions! Thank you for including my question, and I appreciate your answer. Whether to monetize comes down to intent: is the intent to make money from writing or just have fun. I know a number of writers who are intentionally trying to make $$ off their writing in large part because writing is their profession. If they are going to put hours into a newsletter or blog post or “story,” they want some compensation. I totally get that. But, since I’ve been following you, reading your posts and your replies to comments, I’m realizing that I really don’t want to write for money. At one time I did, but I’m lucky enough now that I don’t have to. I just want to have fun 🙂

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    • Marie, yep, yep, yep! You said it: “Whether to monetize comes down to intent: is the intent to make money from writing or just have fun.” I enjoy writing, it’s an avocation, and writing this blog fulfills my need. My compensation isn’t monetary, but I never thought that it would be so I’m content. If making money as a blogger is your writing goal, then go for it. Some people are successful doing that.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. I enjoy your writing and your voice. That’s what attracted me to your blog — and I think it was through a comment you left on a blog I follow. I found this interesting, especially because there were a variety of questions and lots to learn. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Susan, you’ve got me laughing at the “zone of coolth.” Well said, my dear. Thanks for reading the Q & A plus commenting. Always enjoy hearing from you.

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  30. Thanks for continuing to build your blogging community in such a positive and informative way! As a blogger who is only writing as a hobby, I love this – “I write this blog for snorts and giggles, to keep my brain clicking and my heart open, so to use it for profit seems ill-considered to me.”❤❤❤

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    • Awakening Wonders, I’m pleased we found each other out here in blogland. I only tell the truth as I see it and this blog is definitely for snorts and giggles! I cannot pretend otherwise.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. This was a pleasure to read. I’m looking forward to reading part two.
    When it comes to meeting bloggers in person, I’ve had both positive and negative experiences. Some people are just better online, if you catch my drift.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. This was fun. I very much enjoyed reading your answers. Good questions, too! I didn’t realize you’d been blogging for so long. I had an early start in blogland, too. I can’t remember how I found you — or maybe you found me — but I’m glad I (we) did. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Robin, thanks for reading along and commenting here. I knew you’d been around a long time, too. I don’t know how we met, but it seems like a good thing. 😉

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    • Ernie, thank you! You flatter me. I dreamed up the idea of connecting people via AMA questions, but had no idea how many questions I’d get. This has been a project and a half.

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  35. Great questions and answers and you’ve included links to some new-to-me blogs, so I’ll check them out (not that I need more blogs to follow…). Did I understand your answer correctly that asked if you’ve ever met other bloggers in real life? No? I find that surprising. That experience has been such an unexpected bonus in my life.

    I guess I was on my spring blogging break when these questions were asked so I missed the chance… which would have been “What kind of bean are you: lima, baked, jelly, or some other type?”

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janis, I’m pleased that there are some new bloggers for you to visit. I figure that by seeing what kind of question someone asks, you get a clue into if that person is a potential friend. And yes, ’tis true I’ve never met any bloggers in real life. There don’t seem to be any [many?] around here.

      I’ll add your question to my last July Reply post. It’s a fun one– your question, maybe the post, too.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Janis, I believe Ms Bean has forgotten about one of her quiz posts where she asked us what sort of bean we were…I don’t remember what bean I came up as, but I remember not wanting to be a lima…just sayin’…

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  36. Ally, you are definitely the hostess with the mostess and, as always, have found another way to build up the blogging community; which I love. Thanks for taking on all our nosy questions and answering them in such a thoughtful way!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Gigi, I’m happy that you like this approach to building community. Answering the questions was fun, I’d never think to ask myself many of them so they were good writing prompts. And there’s more to come… 🤓

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  37. Wow Ms Bean – what dedication to compose such a post…and part one implies more to follow. I like Gigi’s title for you, “Hostess with the mostess”…that you are!
    I must be a cool bean because many of your featured bloggers I’ve followed for years already – and the ones that are unfamiliar to me, I’m lurking around their sites, checking them out – (evil laugh!)

    Liked by 1 person

    • Laura, well I said I’d do this and then did it. I had no idea how many questions I’d get, so this was/is a surprise to me. You are definitely a cool bean, thanks for following along here.

      Liked by 1 person

  38. I had completely forgotten about this, Ally. Though with the fantastic community you’ve built, it’s no wonder you have so many questions.

    I had to go back and see what I asked. I’m laughing at myself because I have no idea where my question came from. I’m not having blogger problems. Unlike some other forms of social media, I’ve always found blogs to be one of the most friendly and genuine places to hang out.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pete, I agree with you about how friendly and genuine bloggers are [for the most part]. The blogosphere has been good to me, so I like to figure out ways to be good back. Thus these questions as a way of introducing you to other bloggers who you might find interesting.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Wonderful format. But I have a question you can’t answer: Why does WP make it so hard to follow a blog? I have found it nearly impossible these days. I don’t want email notifications, just to have them show up in my reader feed. Sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

  40. Wishing bloggers would check spelling/proof -reading? Gulp… that’s not aimed at me, but I am feeling the guilt. There is always some kind of error in my posts and I usually find it when responding to comments or immediately after I hit send/submit. Still can’t always discipline myself to grammar check… yet I can pick a spelling error at a hundred yards. Weird….
    Regarding how to comment –
    This intrigued me – I didn’t know that there was info about how to reply to comments but I suppose there is info on almost anything out there. It just goes to show we can always learn something from the Spectacled Bean and that is your gift to your blogging community.
    My only criticism of this blog is that there are so many wonderful comments, I can never allocate the time needed to read them all. So AMA is a good way to dhowcase the best. Glad to read that you are continuing along that vein. And also glad to see some familiar names here. Thanks for your blogging presence! It ialways brings a smile.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Amanda, I’m right there with you. I woke up this morning, looked at this post, and immediately saw a spelling mistake I’d made. 🤨 I corrected it, but honestly we all make mistakes and that’s just life.

      When I started blogging I knew I was lousy at comments so I went searching for how-to info. I found useful advice that has served me well. Like you say, “there is info on almost anything out there.”

      I understand about not reading all the comments. I am thrilled that people like to chat here, but also get why if you’re commenting you won’t have the time to read everything. AND THAT’S OKAY. There will be no quizzes about who said what when or where. This ain’t school!

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Thanks so much for answering my question, Ally! I feel the same way with regards to voice and authenticity. I also have no time for meanness or constant negativity (some negativity is normal, that’s life after all! But you know what I mean, constant complaint.) I am on a blog break right now as I prepare for the move but I made an exception for you and this post! I will bookmark it to go back to check out all the blogs you’ve linked to because obviously they are good ones, if they are here 🙂 I did spy a lot of my friends here too, you have done a wonderful job of cultivating community. Okay, back to BOXES. And cleaning! See you in a few weeks! Bye!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicole, thanks for taking the time to read this. I’ll answer another of your questions in the next post, but you’re not required to comment on it considering you are moving house. Oy vey!

      I know exactly what you mean about some people are constantly complaining/whining. I choose who I pay attention to and I choose to not tune-in to people who hold onto their problems like treasures. 🙄

      Like

  42. Hi. I rely on my wife to check spelling, make sure links work, etc. But she goes beyond all of that. She carefully reads all of my pieces before I publish them. She’s my editor, and has caught all kinds of mistakes, big and small.

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    • Neil, you’ve got a good division of duties there. I am writer and editor, so as much as I try to do both well I make mistakes. BUT this is a personal blog so I figure being perfect isn’t the goal.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Great questions AND answers, Ally.
    I love that your husband reads your blog, and now comments IN person. I think that is very sweet. 🙂

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  45. And… this is one of the many reasons we love you! You bring people together in the funnest of ways, you took these questions seriously, AND were both organized and thoughtful in your responses. I love all of those things. Plus, there’s so much that us newbies can glean from your answers. I enjoyed them all, and appreciate you including my question. Oh, and yes, the memes were the perfect addition!

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    • Kendra, thank you! You flatter me. I enjoyed answering these questions, and the rest of them to come. I don’t often use prompts, so in a way these were writing prompts for me. I’m glad some of the information here is useful– or perhaps cautionary! Who’s to say? I had to add something to break up the long text of this post, so I added my 2¢ worth about blogging using those TV show characters.

      Liked by 1 person

  47. And thank you for answering my question, and I learned what to do next time. I like how you keep things simple, like Dr. Seuss said “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

    I’m looking forward to more answers, and while we’re on a roll, how’s your summer-semi-break going?

    Liked by 1 person

    • EW, my summer semi-break is getting pushed aside while I answer these questions. Thanks for asking. I didn’t think this through when I blithely decided in June to do a AMA post. Forgot how much time it’d take to answer them all. HOWEVER in August I’m going back to my lazy summer ways.

      Like

  48. Interesting post Ally – a kind of “everything you always wanted to know about Ally Bean but were afraid to ask” and great that you’ll divulge even more about yourself in the next two posts. I switched off comments after three weeks just recently as I was getting too many SPAM comments. I also get a lot of SPAM comments on my About page.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, I don’t have the comments open on my About page, never thought to do that, come to think of it. I answered all these questions about blogging which were fascinating. The questions about me are a bit more predictable, but the miscellaneous ones are a hoot. You’ll see.

      Liked by 1 person

      • It is a wonderful way for us to get more acquainted with you Ally and discover new bloggers to follow. I am looking forward to the remaining two posts. I get SPAM hits on my About page all the time … it will be interesting to see if closing comments works there as well. I only recently did that, even though it’s easier to delete SPAM now with the Bulk SPAM deletion tool.

        Liked by 1 person

  49. Great questions and great answers. I am thoroughly impressed by how many comments you get on each post too… in my almost 20 years of blogging, so many bloggers have stopped blogging and stopped coming by, so I get maybe 15 comments on a good day LOL

    BTW, I have a few long-time readers that always end up in my moderation (or sometimes spam) folder too, although I have repeatedly “approved” them. It’s the weirdest thing.
    It somewhat of a WP mystery (as is this whole deal with the RSS Feed). Make’s NO sense. There is also something glitchy about email notifications for new comments with WP. I don’t know, it seems to be so random sometimes.

    Liked by 1 person

    • San, I know what you mean about bloggy friends who you thought would be around forever then they stop blogging entirely. I miss them but understand their reasons.

      I still cannot follow you via RSS Feed which is another example of how WP can be so weird. People tell me that they don’t always get email notifications of my posts, too. We have no control over these weirdnesses which is frustrating.

      Like

    • The Travel Architect, that number is a guess, but it does take time to reply to comments. I don’t mind, truth be told. For one thing I get to comments in 5-10 minute increments between living my real life– and for a second thing I enjoy seeing what people take away from what I write. This isn’t exactly what I thought personal blogging would be but that’s okay. It’s fun.

      Liked by 1 person

  52. I really enjoyed this, Ally. Everyone of the questions were so good. In particular, I enjoyed the one from Suzanne and your response about being recognized out in the wild. That cracked me up. Thank you so much, btw, for the captions under each picture. I knew everyone but Clara Oswald from Dr Who. I think she resembles Daisy Midgeley from Coronation Street (“Wow, Ally featured Daisy from Coro! Oh, wait, she didn’t.“) – Marty

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marty, I was impressed by the questions, too. I didn’t know what to expect when I set this idea up nor did I realize answering all the questions is going to take three [!] posts. I’ve never seen Coronation Street but know of it. I don’t think it’s the same woman, but maybe a cousin.

      Liked by 1 person

  53. Pretty sure my questions are landing in that miscellaneous category!

    I’ve had longtime readers mention things I’d written about years ago and totally forgotten about, too. I sometimes think they know me better than I know me!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ditto, Mark. I feel the same way too. People remember more about me than I do. I think I’m self-aware then someone mentions something that I definitely did/said and I’m not so sure.

      Yes your question will be filed under miscellaneous… for obvious reasons. 🙄

      Liked by 1 person

  55. That was a fun read. Thinking about the early days of blogging, for me…I started my blog because several of my IRL friends had blogs, so we would all keep up with each other that way. It was fun and different than a conversation, because you can finish your thought in a blog post much more so than the (also lovely) way that conversations meander in real life. That other folks came along and discovered me, and that I went on and discovered them, was a complete surprise and joy.

    I have met a couple of blog friends in real life. The first time I was VERY nervous and thought, what if she’s totally different than her blog? But no, she was exactly how she portrayed herself to be, and though she no longer blogs, I keep in touch with her. All of my real life meetings have been positive experiences, and I would love to sit and have a cocktail with you and Nance sometime, if I’m ever in NE Ohio.

    Liked by 1 person

    • J., I’d jump at the chance to have a few drinks with you and nance. Should it ever come to pass we’d have SO much to discuss, perhaps with dash of snark?

      A few people I knew in IRL started blogs when I did, but they gave up on them for various reasons. Most interestingly one woman was in a lawsuit and anything she wrote could be used against her. That gave me pause.

      Like

  57. Hmmm. Not sure what happened, I posted a comment but I don’t see it. WordPress is getting on my nerves today! I wonder if this has happened everywhere I’ve commented?

    Liked by 1 person

    • J, this situation happens to me, too. I write a comment and it disappears. In this case your comment came through but was sent to moderation for some reason. I try to ignore all of WP’s imperfections, but some days it is difficult.

      Like

  58. OK, now I’m trying to comment through Jetpack, which I recently installed to use as a sort of reader, but it is annoying so I haven’t been using it. I’ll try to summarize my initial comment, which was about the early days of blogging for me. I started blogging because some of my IRL friends had blogs, and it was an easy and fun way to keep up with each other. When my mom started a blog, that was an added bonus, because she told stories there that I had never heard before, and others that I had heard but forgotten. I didn’t know that I would ‘meet’ so many people online, or how satisfying that aspect could be. I’ve met a couple of blog friends in real life, and have always come away feeling very happy about it, as they are all genuine people who present themselves online just as they present themselves in person.

    Liked by 1 person

    • J, I don’t like Jetpack. Will saying that get me booted from WP? We’ll see I suppose.

      I remember your mom’s blog. I liked it very much and her generous way of interacting with other bloggers. I’m so sorry she is gone, but you’re doing a great job of being her daughter an A+ blogger. I’m sure she’d approve.

      Like

  60. I really enjoyed reading your answers to the questions about blogging. You have a lot of wisdom and insight to share. I liked your honest and humorous style of writing. You made me laugh and think at the same time. I learned a lot from your advice and experience. I appreciate your openness and generosity in sharing your thoughts and opinions with us. I look forward to reading the next parts of your AMA series.

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  61. Keeping up with blog comments is the hardest part of blogging for me! Sometimes I can get weeks behind and then it’s a marathon to catch up, and I am NOT getting 100 comments per post, lol. I’m also always behind on reading blogs. I love the community aspect of blogging, of course, (it’s why I’m still blogging 15 years later!), and I try to give myself grace if things are a little delayed.

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    • Hear, hear, Stephany. I feel the same way. I do my best to stay on top of replying to comments and to keeping up with bloggy friends, but real life gets in the way! Can you believe it? I don’t fret when other bloggers come and go, so I’ve learned to be the same way with myself. We all do what we can.

      Like

  62. Ally, a wonderfully engaging and enthralling post! I’ve learnt so much about you, your warm, kind and friendly personality shining out.! ❤️

    Your approach to blogging should be the go-to for any newbie.

    Practically I’m flooded with spam and hadn’t realised I could turn off the comments to try and control the tsunami of it! Off to follow your helpful advice.

    Look forward to reading the next instalment – terrific questions and ensuring wonderful insightful answers. Xx

    Like

    • Annika, you flatter me. I’m pleased that these questions and answers resonated with you. I had no idea what kind of questions I’d be asked and am thrilled by how varied and in-depth they are.

      Someone years ago told me about turning off my comments after a certain length of time. I didn’t know about it either, but I bless whoever told me that almost daily. Bye, bye, spam tsunami.

      Thanks for joining in to ask a question.

      Liked by 1 person

  64. Pingback: July Reply: Answering YOUR Questions About Me [AMA Part 2 Of 3] | THE SPECTACLED BEAN

  65. I adore the answers to all the questions – nice job, Ally. My favorite actor photo – Penny! I especially like that you answered my questions (of course, right? 🤣) While I don’t have two decades under my blogging belt like you do, I agree wholeheartedly with the advice you shared in the answers. Less is More is something I continue to try and work towards. Dropping down from daily posting (which I can’t even imagine doing now) to weekly-ish has been a better fit for me too. I’m determined to read every question and answer shared in these posts as my mornings this week allow me! 😉😊

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    • Shelly, I adore Penny, too. She was determined, wise in a real life not book-learning way, and made me laugh out loud with her astute observations. I like being a weekly blogger, it seems to suit my lifestyle and lets me keep my brain clicking. Looking back I don’t know how I did daily blogging back then. Thanks for reading along here and linking to this post from yours.

      I posted part two of this series yesterday. The questions just keep on coming.

      Liked by 1 person

  66. I very much enjoyed reading the questions and responses you shared, Ally. And thanks for including mine. It says something about the atmosphere you’ve created with your blog, as well as the entertainment value of your writing, that you have created such a tribe. I will be checking out the other bloggers featured here. I am familiar with many of them, but not all, and look forward to making some new bloggy friends.

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    • Christie, thanks for asking a question. It’s been fascinating to find out what is of interest to my gentle readers– and a few kind lurkers who de-lurked to ask a question! I wanted to frame my AMA as a way for bloggers to connect, so I hope you find some new bloggers who interest you. And even if you don’t, it’s fun to see who is out there in blogland.

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  67. Sigh, I had meant to ask a question and even though I am following you wordpress decided your post wasn’t worthy enough for me to see until today when comments were closed. Gotta love the at times backwardness from the unhappiness engineers. I remember an older cool kids post and felt flattered by that, being that back in the day i was definitely an invisible kid. Sometimes feel like an invisible adult with terrible communication skills. On a bit of a manic/depressive state which is kind of making me misinterpret a lot of things as of late. Keep doing what your doing Ally. ❤️‍🩹

    Liked by 1 person

    • M, good to hear from you. I’d been wondering what you’re up to now that you’re retired [?] I think. I close comments on blog posts after three weeks to keep spam at bay.

      I understand about feeling invisible. In some ways it’s a blessing, you do what you want how you want, and no one is the wiser! Hope this reply finds you feeling better and clear about what is being said/who you are. Take care and thanks for the compliment.

      Liked by 1 person

  68. I bookmarked this one because it’s going to take me awhile to get through all the blog links, (each of which deserves my consideration for following). Good idea, that. In the meantime, boldly unrelated to the effort at hand, have you seen Kaley Cuoco’s “The Flight Attendant”? Two seasons and well worth the watch. Acting and producing! Ms. Cuoco has talent.

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    • Dave, I enjoy finding new bloggy friends and am happy to facilitate it here via the links. I was flabbergasted by the variety of questions here and on the rest of the AMA posts. Such curious folks.

      I’ve not seen The Flight Attendant and am sure I’d like it. I don’t know where it’s streamed so I’ll need to find out. Adding it to my list, thanks for the idea.

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  69. Pingback: July Reply: Answering YOUR Miscellaneous Questions + My Conclusions About Doing This Project [AMA Part 3 Of 3] | THE SPECTACLED BEAN

  70. More interesting quesitons and answers (of course that’s because I’m reading these in reverse order). I also had to close comments on older posts because of overwhelming spam.

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