F*ck yeah, Long Island Ice Tea and Mojitos bitches.
There are times when I’m just annoyed that my blog looks like such a piece of shit. Well, not a piece of shit exactly, as the set design I settled on is really quite nice and completely stolen from ghostlightning. But there was always this image for my blog that I had which would convey some sort of central ideaology about me and my writings. Especially the part about the writings since I think I can call myself one of the few many, the proud, bloggers who can actually write for shit on the blogosphere. But that’s something to do with different styles, approaches, aims etc. That was completely off-piste, apologies.
What I mean is that I wanted my blog to look the shit, something which made people want to return to it despite the crappy name (seriously, “Anime Chatter”. What the hell was I thinking? I was going to name it SWORD OF RUIN but I thought that name was pointless and irrelevant, so I instead named it something that was relevant and relatively boring. Which would you rather click on as a random search result, “SWORD OF RUIN” or “Anime Chatter? Then again, that would depend on what you’re looking for, right? Information on anime or pure badassery. Yes, this is the end of the parentheses, rejoice). But then I realised something: I have absolutely no editing skills (CSS, HTML, Photoshopping and everything in between) whatsoever.
I thought it would be relatively easy to pick up, but then I realised (these were in my days filled with more revelation) that I really couldn’t be bothered to learn all the technical shit; I wanted the H4X editing without all the learning and hardwork that went into it. Of course, having temporarily tried my hand at such things it gave me an appreciation wof how much work went into sites such as METANORN (best designs this side of the ‘sphere), OH! and Shameful Otaku Secret (all on my blogroll, can’t be bothered to link right now. Maybe that just shows how lazy I am, I guess. However, I am providing you with this deep and insightful rambling about my insecurities as a blogger, so perhaps I’m not lazy. Just self-absorbed).
I am complete fail compared to these guys (though otou-san was the one who spear-headed two of the designs. I think) who have managed to take such a basic template and make it their own. Because without thses sort of blogs creating their own stamp on their website and writings, then everything would just be COOKIE-CUTTER (and we all hate COOKIE-CUTTER EPISODIC BLOGS). I admire and respect them for all the time they dedicate to their designs, and if they don’t dedicate much time, then they can burn in hell. Me want talent, they has talent, therefore me hate them. (I’m kidding, just in case you didn’t get that from the atrocious grammar. Speaking of, I haven’t made that many mistakes as of yet in this post, or anything above normal, though I occasionally look up from the keyboard to check what I’m writing makes sense )
Anyway, that’s one thing out of the way. In case you don’t understand (not sure if I do really) I wish my blog looked as unique and badass as theirs, but it doesn’t and most likely never will. I more of a writer than a designer, and rarely does there come along a blogger that’s an epitome of the two types. Perhaps in the future I’ll migrate to an independent domain and get to work, but for now I’m content on wordpress (because it’s free, dont’cha know?) and my average headers. Though I must admit (as should you too) that the MADNESS header is quite cool. Though not as cool as kanzeon’s headers. Seriously, METANORN, bloody awesome, check it out.
A small other thing that’s bothering me is why I haven’t exploded into fame yet. This can be answered relatively easy if I think about it though: you don’t write much anymore (though in the words of the great Owen S “fast blogging is dumb blogging), what you write ain’t all that interesting, you’re on wordpress where any retard can set up a blog and call it the greatest thing since sliced bread, you aren;t pandering to specific fanboy/girl subjects, you’re just not that nice of a guy, the list goes on and on (self-deprecation ftw). Yet, I’m wondering if there’s just some sort of edge which really gets a blog noticed above others. Of course I’ve experienced a much bigger readership (if that sentence even makes sense) than around 3 or 4 months ago and I honestly have no idea how the hell that happened, but I thought from then on I’d see a slow but steady increse in the hits on my blog. I’m pretty sure I’m getting ahead of myself though and should just revel in the consistency of being above 100 hits a day when I only post 3 or 4 times a week (speaking of which, weekly highlights up tomorrow, well, looking at the time, much later today, in fact).
I normally filter out the crappy posts from the good ones (that I actually publish) so I figure that I keep the quality level consistent (except for this, good lord, this is awful). But I’m probably overthinking it. Ah, remember what I was going to talk about now. My shift from episodic to editorial is what really catapulted me from relative obscutiry. I’ve already written about this in “the Now and Then of an Anime Blogger” in the Editorial category. so rather than rehash it there, suffice to say it was a good decision on my part.
But for now, I’ll just continue to believe that my time will come and I’ll be on the same level as some of my favourite blogs (hah, I shall never name names!). I’ll keep pumping out meta posts and see what happens.
Well, that went nowhere. Bye, I guess.
Grand Punk Railroad 
You type looking at the keyboard? EPIC FAIL!
I’m honestly surprised I even get 100 hits a day really. My posts are pretty terrible, because I suck at writing and suck even worse at analysis. I think you just need to go around commenting and leaving trackbacks on popular blogs or whore yourself around if you want the hits to come rolling in.
Mistylook is the best kind of easy to look at template for the lazy and untalented.
When I get out of wp.com I’ll find a more complex theme, but hopefully something that gives the same ease and accessibility as Mistylook. I’ll probably outsource the talent to edit the site and make it hawt.
Sometimes, love just ain’t enough. LOL
Change your blog’s name to Sword of Ruin. If Miao can change his blog’s name, you can too.
You think your blog isn’t awesome?! That is madness!! That is blasphemy!!
Unlike you, I
have to perform Seppuku tobarely get 100k hits per day. Clearly there must be something going on that you aren’t seeing.I…well, writing isn’t my strongest suit. I often disappoint myself when I get the greatest ideas in my head and lose them when I transfer it to writing…sucks ass. Call it maximum inefficiency.
Analysis? Forget it! Put them into equations, then maybe..
Then again, there’s always what Nazarielle said when it comes to getting hits by whoring around..
When the self-doubt comes, just remember why you started in the first place. You clearly have things to say, and you can clearly write. I think having an audience is secondary to that. Of course… having one would make you feel less like an idiot rambling at the wall, I guess. I try not to worry about that too much though.
For me, the perfectionist, I have this huge tendency to turn everything I do into a job. This usually results in me having a hugely bitter love/hate relationship with just about everything, which is both stressful and frustrating. I’m trying my darndest to not turn my blogging into just another job, and as such, I’ve refrained from moving my blog to my main hosting and domain, and I’ve refrained from doing a fancy site design even though I do know all the HTML, CSS, and PHP mumble jumbo.
SO, getting off my own self-absorbed tangent here, I don’t think it’s such a bad thing to be small and relatively obscure. Being popular and well-known puts a lot of pressure on you, and then things stop being fun.
Your blog needs a different color. White just doesn’t suit you.
“Sword of Ruin” is a stupid name since it’s such a blatant attempt to be badass. Where’s your sword, and what are you ruining? It makes no sense. “Anime Chatter” might be a dull name in comparison, but it has a great advantage because people will know what your site is about before they even click the link. If you want to go with a catchy name that doesn’t contain the word “anime”, look at titles with a reference in them for inspiration, like “We Remember Love” or “GAR GAR Stegosaurus”. It might not be immediately obvious what they do, but people in the know will figure out the reference and put two and two together. It makes people feel big when they get a reference. Why do you think Lucky Star is so successful?
“A small other thing that’s bothering me is why I haven’t exploded into fame yet. ”
Really? I was under the impression you were one of the more influential bloggers on the sphere. If you want more internet e-peen, maybe you should start putting meta in your “Weekly Highlights” posts again… even if it is evil…
Well it really becomes impossible to have your blog design look too unique on wordpress.com anyway, so if you want to stick with wordpress.com it’s time to give up on looking unique. It’s impossible!
But if you really want better stuff without the effort of learning, just make someone else do it. Heck, with all of your nice (suck-up) comments about others’ designs they may just offer their talents.
As for the title of your blog, yeah…you can still change it. Especially since the url uses “omisyth” rather than Anime Chatter. I doubt changing it would have any negative effect anyway. Just people would take forever to catch on and update their blogrolls.
Exploding into fame is incredibly overrated! And now impossible because the blogosphere is officially overpopulated. Remember, the more hits you get, the more stupidity you get too. Be careful what you wish for!
Though if I think about it, the best blogs all have something unique to them. Just find something unique to do. Enjoy that obvious, but useless advice.
Wait, I second FuyuMaiden here. If you want to be unique, you have to spend money (bless capitalism). wordpress.com won’t do it.
Judging from the enthusiastic responses to keep this blog as “Anime Chatter” can we declare, to quote Excel Saga: Experiment. . . failed?
(And yes, Sword of Ruin is something I might expect an angsty teenager to come up with. I presume you’re anything but given the level of respect you’ve garnered in the sphere regarding your insights.)
In case you haven’t read between the lines, I’m more than willing to host you..^_^
Shit i mean 100 hits…not 1K..T_T
This is interesting. Here are some opinions from me (o don’t we love those!):
– I have many problems with my current theme and I think they can definitely be imporved. But that’d actually require me to pay for my blog so yea ^_^b…I’d like to take up Zetsubou Sensei’s wisdom and say we don’t need to go further than what we are worth.
– And also about the popularity…to quote my favourite director’s words: “I don’t like my films to commercially succeed because that’d mean artistic failure on my part”. Well, that’s how I’d like to cheer myself anyway!
I’d say you worry too much. But then again, this apparently is a drunk blogging experiement. So sober up if you have to and remember that you have quite a lot of interesting stuff and fun stuff to say, and I’d say that’s what matters. 😛
Oh and yeah I have to second what someone said somewhere else in these comments. Maybe I’m just not well read, but you seem to be one of the better writers in the ‘sphere. At least, a hell of a lot better than me, though that’s not saying much. I don’t know how often you comment on other blogs, but that gets you a surprising amount of traffic.
Re: the free WordPress.com v.s. paid WordPress hosting–Dasaku.net does have free hosting, y’know. Which is what I’ve been using. And anyone (‘anyone’ here defined as a blogger that I know to some familiar capacity) who needs a recommendation can get one from me.
Anyway, I’ve set a new goal for 2009–a post a month. Maybe a post a fortnight if I’m feeling ambitious about it. Take it easy, and you’ll have those hits rolling in in no time. It’s about quality, not quantity!
The first rule of meta is that you do not talk about meta. The second rule of meta is that you do not meta about meta.I’d suggest timing your blog re-branding (a pun worked well for me) with a move to a proper host for maximum effect. If I had to update my blogroll due to your moving, I’d find it a lot easier to update your blog name, too.
3 or 4 times a week though, Christ. Keep it up, everything’s eventual. Including silly stuff like hits/day. Subscriber numbers are where its at, but you’d have to be on FeedBurner (yet another incentive to move to self-hosting, free or otherwise) for that.
You want fame? I thought you were already famous…reaching for the heaven you are.
And like owen said, it’s quality over quantity. You may have over 100 Hits per day, but the comment count makes up for it. I have 700~800 views per day…and I rarely get comments…that’s because I don’t write quality post like you do… >_>
Also, Anime Chatter >>>> Sword of Ruin
Anime Chatter sounds like a radio show, a show I tune in every time there’s new content. 😉
First of all, thank you so much ^__^.
To really admit it, I suck (so much) at writing and I don’t have enough time to write something up (noticed I haven’t do any editorials since the start of the universe? XD)
That’s why I only
hypnotizelure readers by visual basis like banners, etc. So I definitely agree with you, without my banners, I’m an absolute junk T_T. I also agree with Fuyu, Serg and everyone. I always prefer comments than hits. I think your blog is definitely a healthy one because it gets people discussing.But if you would really like to experiment more on the look of your blog and escape from the evil crutches of wordpress.com,
OMG accept the hosting invitation by 7!!!100 hits a day? I didn’t realize such a number was possible. Seeing as the popularity of my posts are inversely proportional to the amount of effort I put in, I really don’t know what to think anymore.
I’m not making any sense am I? I haven’t even been drinking this morning.
@nazarielle
Sorry I don’t have as much touch-typing h4x as most -_-
And I do comment on blogs a lot, though not much as of let. And trackbacks are what the Weekly Highlights are for.
@ghostlightning
DON’T EVER THINK THAT, YOUR CHARGING HEART OF PASSION IS ALWAYS ENOUGH \m/
@Baka-Raptor
Changed, but to something more referential. I think it works.
@7
Don’t take it too seriously, lol. Was kind of tipsy 😛
Also, need moar post ideas. And more incentive to actually write them.
@Kiri
I’m not sure if I’d have the will to be uncomprimising in terms of what I did with my blog if I were to eventually PIERCE THE HEAVENS WITH MY DRILL. I’ll just keep writing and see what happens I guess.
I actually work well within the restraints of wordpress (in terms of all the HTML and stuff). It means I focus more on what I say rather than what the blog looks like. If blogging ever becomes work I think I’ll take a break. Then again, that might be happening already, with the Weekly Highlights, which are tiring but I like doing.
@animekritik
Probably not, but the template of the theme is great. Not sure how (or if) I can change the colour.
@Sorrow-kun
Changed, to something which combines my love of Snow Patrol and Gurren Lagann. PRAISE THE REFERENTIAL GOODNESS.
@FuyuMaiden
‘Tis not useless advice at all. I can be thankful for the fact I don’t have to deal with rabid fangirls, at least :P.
As I’ve said, changed to something I’m much happier with. Now all must update their blogrolls, how troublesome!
@zzeroparticle
You honour me by saying I have garnered respect. Especially since I’ve done post like Six Ways To Make Anime and Meta Is Evil etc. At least with this post, I’ve proved I’m not completely insane. By blogging drunk. Yep.
@7
I think I’ll stick with wordpress, at least until I get settled in at uni in a few months (wherever I go). It’ll be a nice way to restart posting and such.
@gaguri
Dammit, I had it all wrong! Lower amount of comments = better posts!
@TheBigN
Of course I must take that advice from the two-year sage.
@nazarielle
Thanks for the complimentary words. I don’t know how I write well since the last time I finished a book was well over a year ago (maybe even two -_-).
@Owen S
Thanks for the offer (I’m assuming that was an offer) but I think I’ll stay here for a moment and up sticks some other time.
I do have many a post have finished in my Drafts. I do have the ability to slowblog, only multiple things at one time that I release randomnly. Forgive if I make no sense, I feel awful at the moment.
@53RG10
Someday, one of us will be able to equalise the number of hits and comments. One day ;_;
@kanzeon
You’re welcome.
Not everyone needs to do editiorials, if we didn’t have any sort of variation the blogosphere would just be boring.
Must get skillz to trap readers!
@Emperor J
Making perfect sense. I would give the usual spiel about try hard and you’ll eventually succeed, but I (as I said) have no idea how I got to this point. Just keep posting about absolutely horrible anime and something’ll happen.
Hey, I just found your blog, and I think it’s just fine. I’ll take good writing content over a flashy & shiny theme any day.
I find using wordpress.com really convenient to use considering my work and personal lifestyle, and if you think your theme is plain (I’m using connections, can’t get much plainer than that). But, I do wish that there were more widgets available for wordpress.com.
Someday, like you, I think that I might switch to private hosting solution, money’s not the problem, it’s having the time to make sure everything is running smoothly, or maybe I’m just kind of lazy.
I think I was lucky to stumble onto wordpress as a host, god forbid I’d become a member of the “Blogger” family (their commenting process is awful). Meh, I’m lazy too, just look how long it took me to give you a reply ;).
@omisyth
I was just about to say that my 2 most popular points come from accidentally theorizing Peak Anime and inflicting incredible amounts of pain on my eyes. Perhaps it is just better to have absolutely idea what you are doing over actually having a plan…which for me involves traveling over to the meta darkside this week.
I’ve taken to planning out my posts with little random notes I think up every now and again. Makes sense and is helpful for me.
Wait, so were you actually drunk when you did this? I drunk blogged once. It was kind of epically embarrassing when I looked at it the next day, but I was impressed with my ability to select a good picture for the pistr.
I actually didn’;t really read this post… I started to, but I’m currently intoxicated, so I didn’t finoish it up. Good lord, vodka takes a long time to work through one’s bodily system! I will re-read this (maybe) when I’m more sober. Or actually sovet. The second one, ok?
Try watching Dragonaut drunk. That’s [pretty fucking hilarious. I highly recommend it. Hakushaku to Yousei drunk? Not so much, because it sort of requires that ou actually know what’s going on, where Dragnaut is so freaking fucked up already that it doesn’t matter if you, too, are fucked up.
HA typos lol. The only way you could get me to rewatch Dragonaut would be off my face, and then I’d probably just be saying “JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN” all the time, thanks to this:
http://www.mistakesofyouth.com/index2.php?id=moy_comics/124/index
The shift from episodic to editorial is what helped me too, though I doubt either of us have really hit that “explosive” moment where the hits and comments really start skyrocketing. I guess a lot has to do with quality – is someone else doing what you’re doing, except better? – but ultimately, I think it just takes time for people to discover new sites. With enough writing and communicating, other people will start mentioning you as well, and before long your readership will increase. That applies to anyone, I believe, and I’ve been noticing it with myself.
Also, good thing you finally changed your blog’s name. Anime Chatter was pretty stupid 😛
shit… after reading this, you make me want to change my crappy blog name too.
@ETERNAL
It’s a slow journey that starts with a single step.
Also, “stupid” ;_;?
@biankita
You have an awesome blog name, but it doesn’t fit you specifically. Needs more BAKING.