You’re setting the bar too high. If you need a reality check, read the comments on any YouTube video or Yahoo article. These people don’t spend time concerned with whether their comment is “witty” or “insightful” or “makes sense.” Seriously, you are in the top ten percent of commenters merely by paying minimal attention to basic spelling and verb/noun agreement.
You’re over-thinking it. We hear about social media and networking in terms of helping our writing/blogs/careers and start worrying about how comments figure in the process. Look, no one is getting a book deal from a comment. It's about connecting, engaging and getting out there. Relax.
You’re reading blog posts like articles. This is understandable, because they are articles, but they are also conversations. A comment isn’t crafting a letter to the editor. It’s closer to your response after listening to someone excitedly tell you about this great novel they just read. You wouldn't walk away from that, right? What would you say? Okay, now say that but in a comment.
So with that and the FAQs in mind, let's get started.
Links to material on Amazon.com contained within this post may be affiliate links for the Amazon Associates program, for which this site may receive a referral fee.
I'm in! This dovetails nicely with more than one of my resolutions this year, it's always fun, and I thank you and Lee for hosting it. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI'm in too. Keep meaning to set myself this goal! I am especially going to try and get onto new blogs.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect. I'm thankful for this Happy New year challenge.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea! I am signed up and ready to comment!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun! I'm in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this again!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I already make lots of comments, but this will give me a chance to see some new blogs, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! Thank you for hosting this. It's an excellent challenge. And fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing such great way for us (for ME) to get out of the hunkered-down-over-my-own-work mode and into the lively conversations going on all over the interwebs about our favorite subject - BOOKS!
ReplyDeleteWhoo-Hoo! We're off and commenting!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try. I've been spending less time on blogs now that I'm working, but I'm going to make time for 5 comments a day. I can do this.
ReplyDeleteAs challenges go, this is a fun one! I love kidlit blogs. : )
ReplyDeleteThis is a great challenge. As an author, I love reading what's going on in the kidlit world. However, I don't blog. I keep up with my webpage, FB, and Twitter. I would love to do the challenge, but it appears I can only do it if I have a blog?? Let me know if there's a way around that, and I'm happy to comment away! Happy 2012!
ReplyDeleteHoping this will help me stay on track. Been wanting to visit more blogs and leave comments. Thanks for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteThis is great timing, as I just set up a new blog yesterday! Last year (with my old blog, elizabethannewrites) I got in on the challenge late. This year I'm ready and raring to go!
ReplyDeleteThis was fun to do last year and I am looking forward to doing it again this year. I still read some of the blogs I commented on. Thanks for hosting it again.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! I'm looking forward to meeting some new kidlit bloggers!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I am going to have to pass it on to the Missouri SCBWI Illustrators!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea! Looking forward to reading lots of great posts and spreading the blog love.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! Happy Commenting, Everyone! :)
ReplyDeleteHere I am - participating for the first time! And I'll be in the country with access to technology for the duration of the event. Yipee!!! Already did five comments for the day and I'm on a roll.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the motivation! I needed a little kick in the pants to get started this year!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea- Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThis will be my first time doing this...I love it already!!
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I've been looking for, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I am looking forward to watching all of the blogs grow!
ReplyDeleteWhoo-hoo! Me too, I'm in!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are doing this again! It really works to get me commenting. See? ;)
ReplyDeleteWill give this a try! Its my first time and it looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! This is perfect timing for the start to 2012. See you all out in the blogosphere...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading a lot of new blogs. For the last few months I have been involved with Cybils juding and Perfect PB Wednesday. It is cool to see names from both of those worlds here.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting! I'm in!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to discover lots of wonderful new blogs while I do this!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome way to dive into the pool of kidlit blogs!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this idea. (I got here through Lee's blog). I'm looking forward to meeting new bloggers through this process.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fantastic challenge. I am always surprised by the fact that we all comment on how much we like to receive comments, but admit that commenting is the first thing to go when we get busy. I think five meaningful comments per day is a great place to start!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to meet KidLit bloggers! Enjoy the networking and learning about what others are doing.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone.
ReplyDeleteI'm in. Saw this from Miss Marple (Joanna). Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteI love to make comments but sometimes I forget! I'm up for the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI'm in! Second year in a row. I hope I can keep up.
ReplyDeleteI love this! What a great way to attract more readers, find new blogs to read, and support fellow authors!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI've just added my blog link to the rest. I'm excited about visiting other blogger sites and hopefully others will sneak a peek at mine as well! ;0)
ReplyDeleteThis will be an exciting month as I've just started a 15-day drawing challenge for my own blog. I'll try my best to keep up! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://helenajuhaszillustration.blogspot.com/
I just added my blog. I'm looking forward to visiting other blogs and learning a few things. Maybe make some new friends along the way.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I'm a big-time lurker and this challenge is going to get me out of my hidey-hole. :)
ReplyDeleteOkay! Here we go! Last year it was ALA Midwinter that totally threw me off my game, but this year I'm determined to do better! Thanks for hosting the challenge again!
ReplyDeletePerfect with my 2012 resolutions!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI do believe! Did you hear my silent shout to the universe for hints on how to become more involved in the blogosphere? Can't wait to become aquainted with more people who are in love with writing for kiddos!
ReplyDeleteAlready started trying to do a little better with commenting. This will help. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy friend Linda is here too! What a nice surprise. I am excited about being pushed to discover new blogs, to speak up, and to post more often on my own blog! You are awesome for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks to both of you for doing this again. I did it last year and it really got me reading and engaging with other children's literature people. I am super excited this year because I just launched my own blog - am hoping that many of you will visit and comment!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be challenging but I'm doing it!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! What a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI've already found several new-to-me blogs! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteBTW< I still consider Pluto a planet...and a dog. :)
ReplyDeleteI participated in and loved the first Comment Challenge but became overwhelmed with blog-reading. I gave them up, all of them, cold turkey. And got a lot more done, I might add.
ReplyDeleteBut I hate being so out of the loop, and I'd love to get back in. This seems like the right time. I'll set a blog-reading time limit.
I'm excited to check out participating bloggers. Cheers, all, and thanks, Mother Reader!
I tried last year and didn't quite keep up with my comments, but I have grander goals in mind this year. We'll see. As always, thanks for organizing!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to make a commitment to commenting, so this is perfect. Thanks to you and Lee for hosting!
ReplyDeleteGlad to be doing this again! Thanks for hosting you two!
ReplyDeleteExcited to be participating for the first time!
ReplyDeleteThanks for running this again! I've been feeling my annual blogging guilt and this always helps.
ReplyDeleteSo very glad this is up and running again this year - it's such a nice way to start the year, cementing, reconnecting and making new discoveries.
ReplyDeleteI'm in again. I love your arguments against the "reasons" I usually come up with to delete whatever comment I was about to write.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting challenge. I'm looking forward to discovering some other Kid Lit writers (from a wanna-be Children's Author.)
ReplyDeleteI have already found some blogs that are helpful. THanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteSo fun! I am looking forward to reading some new blogs, and getting back to some that I may have neglected.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a great way to visit some new sites and expand my kidlitosphere horizons.
ReplyDeleteJust followed your blog! This is a wonderful, fun idea!
ReplyDeleteI am writer, but also teach a communications class at a local college. Can't wait to see how this plays out!
ReplyDeleteYikes! 5 a day... This is definitely a wonderful community, though, and I look forward to participating and engaging more fully in it. Hope you all will consider reading and commenting on my blog as well.
ReplyDeleteHere I am! I'm a day late so I need to do 10 today -- I'm up for the challenge! I look forward to checking out some of your blogs. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I was needing a kick in the pants to get back out there. I've been so slacking in both blogging and reading the blogs I enjoy! Looking forward to finding some new ones as well.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED the part about setting the bar too high. I do that. A lot.
Looking forward to getting started, and discovering some new blogs!
ReplyDeleteWe are in. but I don't understand Mr. Linky. I subscribed blindly, should I have done something else like get a button for the Pen and Ink site? I didn't see one.
ReplyDeleteWait -- it started yesterday? I'm already behind. Well, that fits in well with the theme for this year so far...
ReplyDeleteLast year I found a bunch of fun new blogs and a shelf full of enticing books, so I'm looking forward to more of the same.
If you are visiting, be sure and click on our Pirate Alphabet link.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scELy4oxtFU&feature=youtu.be
We thiink you'll enjoy it.
Thanks for hosting this again. It was a wonderful boost last year when I had a baby blog. I'm sure my one-year-old blog will be happy with it, too!
ReplyDeleteI can tell you already I'm gonna fail on the 21 days part - didn't even sign up on time AND there are two days where it's not gonna be possible. But I betcha I can make them up!
ReplyDeleteThanks, as ever, for the nudge! Some of my most favorite blogs I have discovered through your Comment Challenges. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks to Christy, I'm in for the first time. I learn so much from others as it challenges my reading life. I'm late, but will catch up on my comments. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Let the comments begin!
ReplyDeleteWhoops--the Learn More link under the sign up went to 2010. Guess it would not have counted.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea.Thanks Mary Jo for letting me know.Delighted to have found this site.
I think this is a real cool idea, I'm in!
ReplyDeletecount me in! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteNicole Weaver
Trilingual Children's Author
http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com
Great, I look forward to meeting some new peeps and their blogs!
ReplyDeleteNot quite sure how this works but it seems like a fine idea to me. So, I'm in. Hope to hang with all you more experienced bloggers over the next three weeks. Then I'm going snow camping....
ReplyDeleteI've signed up. :) Looking forward to connecting with people passionate about picture books...and books in general. Thanks so much for hosting...I'll visit Lee's blog and comment there also.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment challenge again! I had so much fun the first time I did this! :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, so you got my attention. I'm one of those who goes away if nothing witty comes to mind. Guess I'll work on changing that.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! Two days late, but I'll try to make up for it.
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic. I don't have a blogsite to reciprocate, but I'm happy to have all these wonderful bloggers to check out and for me to talk with. Great idea and thanks for doing this.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm joining in late, but thank you for offering this challenge. What a great way to connect with other bloggers!
ReplyDeleteI'm jumping in a few days late, but I'm here!
ReplyDeleteAnother question or two...are there certain blogs we need to follow and comment on? Also, do we just visit here (or Lee's blog) and let you know we have done x number of comments in the week/month?
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and achievable goal. Thanks for sponsoring!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Challenge! It's a great way to connect to bloggers out there. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeletewhat a great way to start off the new year :)
ReplyDeleteCommenting more was one of my blogger resolutions in 2012. I'm in!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! I'm reading but not usually posting and it's always nice to get feedback from other readers.
ReplyDeleteI've been eagerly awaiting the comments challenge! How did I miss the start of this?? I think I've been doing a great job commenting in Nov/Dec of this past year... and one of my New Year's Resolutions was to keep this up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this, you guys! Rock on, with your awesome commenting skills!
What a great idea, especially for new bloggers like me who both need comments and need to see who else is already out there. I plan on working my way through this list of people -- looking forward to meeting everyone!
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to put my website in to sign up, can anyone help me? It give me an error message.
ReplyDeleteI am getting in a little late but I am happy to be here. I look forward to meeting some new book bloggers.
ReplyDeleteStarting late, but I'm going to give this a whirl. Certainly no shortage of content on which to comment ...
ReplyDeleteThanks for organizing this...I look forward to checking out new blogs. I'm a children's illustrator and writer who blogs about illustration, ebooks, tools and tips for writers and artists, and other fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a goal to be a more active reader this year. Hoping this will encourage me to become a part of the community rather than just a read-and-run sort of gal. :0)
ReplyDeleteLOVE this idea. What a great way to connect.
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the party but excited about participating!
ReplyDeletesf
Whoops, my sign up has automatically used a Poetry Friday link - so sorry about the extra blurb. AND I' late - but I promise I'll just carry it oer (and hopefully over and over, as a good habit should!). You are so right about the bar. I love reading ALLcomments on the PT blog, so why do I still feel inadequate just syaing thank you, I enjoyed that!
ReplyDeletePS And just re-read that - talk about typos!
ReplyDeleteCommenting on every blog I read has actually been a new years resolution of mine. I'm glad I found a group to make it official. Thanks for the incentive!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm signing up late...but I'm excited! Thank you for getting this group together; I look forward to meeting some new blogs and spending some more time with old friends too. a.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm listed as #154 and #155. I was trying to add my blog name and I sent it twice. Please delete #154 Donna.
ReplyDeleteI have come late to the party but it's a wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteGuess I am late too the party too! But I will put on my party shoes and my best party hat and join the Comment Challenge.
ReplyDeleteOh dear! Oh dear! We're late, we know. But better late than never ever ever! :) We'd still love to join in.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun challenge. I'm in!
ReplyDeleteI'm in this year. Comment. Comment. Comment.
ReplyDeleteI love how you explain that reading blogs compare to having a conversation. As a new blogger, that's what I have been struggling with..to write an article or a conversation. Thanks for the link-up!
ReplyDelete