Cara, I think more important than having a blog is participating in the community. You can be super credible by taking the time to comment

and participate in other people's discussions!

I agree but sometimes wonder if it really matters.

If I have a great idea, but just bury it in the comments of someone else's blog, am I truly shaping the debate...

i think you are if you do more than just comment and never come back. conversation is a living thing, and it has to be fed

or am I just providing fuel for the other person's blog posts and not really framing and shaping discourse?

It sounds like your goal is really to shape conversation and drive ideas, not just participate

that right?

I haven't decided. But I guess I am starting to understand that that is the purpose of the blog. If I want to accomplish those things.

I know that may seem elementary, but I often wonder what people's motivations are for having a blog.

they're wide and vast. for some, it's a substitute for the old school written diary. for people like me, it's a chance to share expertise

for others they have strong ideas and thoughts about all sorts of thiings and want to start a dialouge

The main reason I haven't started one is the fear that I won't have enough time to dedicate to it and that I won't have enough to say.

I have been told that once you start, topics are easier to come by then the time to write about them.

Cara, I felt that way too. But I am making the time for it. And it's amazing how many thoughts start popping up. I keep a notepad w/me now

From what I've heard from other people, your blog changes as you become more comfortable w/doing it.

It seems that there are so many people talking about the same things. Finding your own niche must be challenging.

but remember that the people that listen to THEM and the people that listen to YOU are different still. a personal take on a popular topic

can still be really valuable

Cara what you will find is that you begin to 'notice' topics to blog about. Something will happen or you'll read something and think....

'hey, that would make a good blog post!'

I just have to think the purpose of the blog can't just be to add to the noise, it has to be about adding something unique.

of course, most people think they have something wonderful and important to add

this is one of the first times I have actually intentionally brought a conversation to Plurk because things like this die on Twitter.

Thanks to all of you for giving your input

Twitter can indeed be like shouting into the wind.