Grumpy Old Bookman Will Be Missed

Michael Allen, who blogs at http://grumpyoldbookman.blogspot.com announced his semi-retirement from blogging. In an interview at Abebooks, he gave his reason for starting to blog. "For many years I have sat here reading things and thinking thoughts about those things, and feeling that I really ought to tell somebody what I was thinking (apart from my wife, that is). But of course, until blogging became possible, there was really no way to communicate one's thoughts to any significant number of people."

That about sums it up. I know I blog because it is more fun than talking to myself or having imaginary book friends. Sharing ideas is the whole point of language, after all. He does make the very good point that blogging can cut into writing time, although for me, it's only cut into journal-writing time. (Note: I hate the word journal to be used as a verb. It sounds like an activity that should result in the production of butter, or something very like it.) Anything shareable has wound up here, with the journal being reduced to personal thoughts, opinions and character assassinations. Read the rest of the interview.

Allen has also made available a book and an essay on writing, in .pdf format, on his blog. Check the sidebar for links.