I have still not recounted my ICLW experience. I have been on that list for the past three months, I believe. But the December 2008 experience was the most active one. Prior to December, I had a very ad hoc way of covering the list. I only got back to people who left comments on mine (I am pathetic, I know!). In December as well, I did not really aim to be an Iron Commentator. However, what I aimed at was covering the list as much as possible and more systematically than before . And the fact that I read about 52 blogs (several of them new for me) made the exercise very rewarding. I have left comments on 95 percent of the blogs. This really was serious fun.
It is easier to cover the Show and Tell participants because they are more limited and I have found that the group which is active on that list is mostly common to every week. Since S&T happens more frequently, it is easier for me to maintain continuity and a sense of direction as to what that blogger/blog normally talks about and posts. It also acquaints me with the usual style of the blogger.
I guess with three more months of ICLWing, I will become even more comfortable with the whole thing.
How do you approach ICLW?
^WiseGuy^
It is easier to cover the Show and Tell participants because they are more limited and I have found that the group which is active on that list is mostly common to every week. Since S&T happens more frequently, it is easier for me to maintain continuity and a sense of direction as to what that blogger/blog normally talks about and posts. It also acquaints me with the usual style of the blogger.
I guess with three more months of ICLWing, I will become even more comfortable with the whole thing.
How do you approach ICLW?
^WiseGuy^
After my first ICLW I posted about my systematic way of moving through the list. When I'm busier, though, that flies out the window and I mostly return comments and pick a few other blogs with appealing descriptions. Appealing = IF, no children
ReplyDeleteThe one month I was Iron Commenter, I used my system, but had to skip some because they didn't have any posts on which I wanted to comment. I'd keep checking back until a new more interesting post appeared. With some, they never had a post that inspired me to comment, so I'd go into their archives until I found something.
I almost always leave a substantive (and usually long) comment rather than the "Good luck! ICLW" comment which to me is missing the point. I also usually read some back posts instead of just the first one on the page. ICLW is my favorite time of the month, but it can be very time-consuming when I do it the way I want to!
Well, this is my first month, so I suppose I should figure out how I want to tackle it. I'm also considering trying for Iron Commenter but we'll see...
ReplyDeleteI did it only twice and really enjoyed it. I try different ones, even when I'm not particularly interested in the description. Many times I don't vibe with the style or I don't know what to say, so I move on. I write down the ones I commented on, and mark with stars the ones I want to go back after ICLW as well. I found a few of the ones on my blogroll that way.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually do ICLW. I usually comment on a fairly large percentage of the posts I read anyways and I tend to have a crazy schedule. The days I work I sometimes don't get to check blogs much.
ReplyDelete