Blogging, Authority, and Humility
Though I am a blogger, I don't spend a lot of time blogging about blogging (I've written a whole 3 posts on the topic in two years!). That's just not the focus of my blog, and there are a bunch of fabulous blogs that cover the topic anyways. However, today I'm going to talk about blogging because I've seen two articles lately that got me thinking...and I think best when I write out my thoughts.
It just helps me to organize them.
(If you don't want to watch me organize my thoughts,you can come back tomorrow when I'll be on topic. 😉 )
My thoughts were stirred up by two internet articles I've read lately. The first one, on Copyblogger, was an article titled How to Dominate Your Niche Without Apology.
That article immediately made me think of a section in an article written by Rita Arens of BlogHer, titled How To Write With Authority.
The gist of both of these articles is that bloggers should stop apologizing and hemming and hawing, and should instead write in a bold and confident manner.
The CopyBlogger article instructs me to jettison these phrases:
Of course, this is just one person's opinion ...
I could be totally wrong about this ...
I'm not trying to pretend I'm some kind of expert but ...
And the BlogHer article says in part:
When I was a wee tot, children were taught to be humble, to not contradict our elders, to qualify what we had to say with statements like "I think" and "in my opinion" and "I feel." Writers have to unlearn these lessons -- if in this day and age they are actually still taught -- in order to write a tight paragraph.
Hmn.
Though I'm a person who is pretty darn confident about what I believe and think (you should see the debates I've had on message boards!), I'm not at all sure that this writing advice is wise.
In fact, this advice is the antithesis of what I want to be. I want to have more humility, and not less as I age.
Plus, the truth of the matter is, a lot of the stuff I blog about IS my own opinion. And I could be totally wrong about some of the things that I say. Of course I think what I'm saying is right (or I wouldn't be saying it!), but I am not infallible. To pretend otherwise would be disingenuous and I'm not interested, thankyouverymuch.
So, blogging this way seems both proud and unteachable, but I also think that it has the potential to stifle the message of my blog.
Sure, bloggers who are proud experts often attract a fairly large following, but who is following them? Is it people who've been swayed by the message of the blogger, or is the crowd simply comprised of people who already agree with the blogger?
Suppose I decided to blog about homeschooling in a expert, no-worries-about-making-enemies way. I might say that I know that homeschooling is the best way for everyone to educate, or I might point out all the faults of public school.
Or, I could go the route that I've chosen to go, where I simply say that I'm absolutely confident that homeschooling is the best choice for us, and where I talk about why I'm sold on homeschooling, and show how we homeschool.
Which of those two approaches is going to attract someone to homeschooling? The first approach will garner hearty praise from people who already are homeschooling fans, but it's likely going to drive away people who are on the fence.
Or suppose I tried to sell the frugal lifestyle this way. I could wax eloquent about the evils of eating out, or how line-drying laundry is the only responsible way to go, or how we should all be baking bread and making yogurt each week for our families.
I do occasionally go that route (I was kind of hard on Kleenex's disposable hand towels!), but most of the time, I try to keep the tone of my posts closer to "This is what I do. I love it, it works for me, and I think it's a great idea, but it may not be for you." than "This is TheBestWayToDoThings and you should totally be just like me!".
If I blogged the latter way, I think I'd end up driving people away from the frugal lifestyle, and many people would end up discouraged and disheartened (if you think you HAVE to make yogurt in order to be frugal, you'll want to give up! *). People who are already frugal yogurt-makers would love me, but that's not the point of my blog. After all, people who are already frugal experts don't really need my blog! I want to draw not-so-frugal people to my blog, not drive them away.
*you don't have to make yogurt.
I'm no expert on the topic (hee!), but I'd venture to guess that a lot of bloggers who write in an authoritative, in-your-face, expert fashion are mostly preaching to the choir. Preaching solely to the choir is fun and easy, but it doesn't accomplish much.
Me? I want to accomplish much with this blog. I want to influence, help, and encourage people, and I'm sure that I need to pursue humility and teachability if I want to accomplish that.
P.S.- Of course, there is a chance I'm wrong about all of this.
P.P.S-I just couldn't resist adding that. 😉
Personally, I LOVE the fact that you give good information in a non-judgemental way. I will tell you wholeheartedly, to keep doing what you're doing. It's perfect! And of course, MY opinin is the only one that counts 😉
I think it's really difficult to balance tone sometimes. As a CPA, I sometimes write about more technical topics but most of my blog posts are about how I save money on things. I completely agree that what you or I do won't work for everyone, so trying to push that on other people just won't work. I love the tone of your blog. I find it very informational without being pushy. That's probably why I read it everyday, while other blogs have turned me off. Keep up the great work.
I'm pretty new to this blog, but your honest, humble tone is one of the things that keeps me coming back for more. How many singles get sick of hearing the, "when are you going to settle down/get a boyfriend/get married, etc..." from their married friends? How many newlyweds are surprised to hear the "when are you planning on starting a family, buying/building a house" question from those who are a few steps ahead? It can be really frustrating! I try to remind myself that people can be happy in lots of different states: single, with a partner, in a marriage, living frugally, living extravagantly, whatever works for YOU. My point (I think there is one)? I'm not much of a baker, but I still enjoy your blog and all of your ideas/suggestions for frugal living. I'm pretty sure I would be turned off by a bossy Frugal Girl who insisted that I do everything just like her!
I really enjoy the tone of your blog. We are about to become a family of six soon and I gain inspiration from what you do and how it works for your family. I've been applying some of your ideas and trying lots of your recipes and find they are working for us too. Humility and teachability are important characteristics in life as well as blogging...more friendly and inviting. I appreciate the thought you give your blog and how warm and inviting the tone is. Thanks a lot.
I personally really enjoyed Rita's article but it sounds like what I took from it and what you took from it are slightly different messages. What I realized after reading the piece was that when a writer constantly prefaces every statement of opinion with a qualifier (This is just my opinion, I could be totally wrong about this, this is just what works for ME, etc) it can soften the statement to the point that all the read takes away from the statement is how "nice" or "respectful" the blogger is and misses the forest for the trees if you will. Of course it's your opinion, of course you may be wrong, of course it's only your own experience that you're relaying and not my own, it's your blog. That's the whole point of your blog, sharing your opinions and experiences. Some blogs I read, like this one, use qualifiers sparingly and generally only when approaching what can be considered touchy territory. Others seem to use them in front of any statement at all, concerned that their readers will feel alienated and bossed around by being "told" how they should dress whenever the author posts a photo of themselves. Those are the ones that get boring fast.
To me, what Rita was writing about was how to make the WRITING better so that it communicates as you intend it to. Because isn't that what writing is? Just because you don't preface a statement with a "This is just my opinion" qualifier does not imply that you feel your statement should be taken as that of an expert, or that you're judging your readers and bossing them around. The absence of one qualifier does not imply the presence of another. Or to put my personal takeaway in another way, If the statement cannot stand on its own WITHOUT the qualifier then the statment may need to be re-worded so that the writing as a whole is more effective.
Love this topic, and your blog is one of my favorites.
Ooh yes...I could see where constant qualifiers would be super annoying after a while. I'd probably feel like saying, "Come on! Own your opinion!" if I read a blog like that.
I think that the overall attitude of a blogger is what's important, qualifiers or not. You can be bossy or humble without a qualifier, you know? The heart of the blogger will most likely come out in whatever words they use.
I know people who preach this way (apologizing in advance for everything they say) and it drives me crazy!
Hi, I found your blog recently and enjoy the posts I've seen. About what those two bloggers say, this quote on CopyBlogger sums it up neatly: "I post on my blog in order to create a response. To attract a certain type of person." If the purpose of someone's blog is to move the reader to action - particularly, an action like buying a product - then they're essentially writing a sales pitch. Unless I already really want something, I'm less likely to buy from a salesperson who doesn't sound very confident in their product. I think that's the case even if someone's selling an idea for free. The balance seems to be between making the reader feel safe taking your advice and letting the reader know that you're a reasonable person.
By the way, we made yogurt recently in our household. Not because we thought we had to, but... 🙂
Hmm, that' s a good point. I'm not really selling anything per se, but I can see where I'd need to be a little more confident sounding if I were. And if I was selling a product I really believed in, I probably would feel comfortable being really confident.
Interesting. I think that as a blogger you are "selling" to (or persuading) people to "buy" (or buy into) your ideas. Which I think is fine! Just something to keep in mind...
Love your blog, as I've said many times. You are very talented at what you do and I very much enjoy your tone 🙂
I'm "selling" ideas, I suppose! lol I guess my selling is just more focused on "How can I best serve my readers?" than it is on, "How can I dominate my niche?". And I think companies that sell physical products will do better in the long run with the first attitude than with the second.
Because really, what serves customers and readers is ultimately what will serve the company well.
Kristen, I think you are right-on in your tone and the humility, and I love reading your blog. Keep it coming!
~ a happy member of The Choir
I say AMEN! to your blogging article. No man is an island, none of us stand alone.
Because you are humble and teachable I suspect that is the kind of crowd you will draw.
I never want to stop learning, and I can sometimes learn from a 4 year old. So continue your good works for your community at large.
Oh, I think I have a LONG ways to go when it comes to humility...I've definitely not arrived there yet! (and I hope it didn't sound like I thought I had). I was just trying to say that humility is my goal. 🙂
I think that between the point of qualifying everything you write with "i think" or "maybe" or "this is my opinion," and the in your face "this is how I know it to be for everyone" lies the happy medium of unapologetic confidence, which is where you state, without apology, "homeschooling works for my family." No, "I could be wrong about that". No, "it should be what you do as well", but just an unapologetic, confident statement. That is what I read in your blog, and is exactly what I get from the article.
I didn't really read the article to the extreme that you seem to. I just got the suggestion that you should own your choices and state them with bold confidence and without apology, which is, whether or not you want to admit it, what I see you doing on your blog every day. I didn't get that you should be trying to say you're never wrong or that you should try to force others to do it your way.
I have to say that I agree with the article to an extent, but again, I apparently read it in a less threatening way than you did. I do think I should be strong in my convictions and not constantly questioning what I do, particularly if you are writing for an audience because otherwise what is your credibility if even you don't think what you're doing is right?
You have credibility because you are clear about your convictions. You aren't pandering.
Are we talking about the BlogHer article or the CopyBlogger article? I agreed with most everything in Rita's article, and I think if she and I sat down and chatted, we'd come to the conclusion that we're on the same page.
I was much more put off by the tone of the CopyBlogger post...Rita's article made me go "Hmmm...", but the CopyBlogger post made me think, "I need to write about this because I really disagree!".
After pondering this more, I think I feel very comfortable owning my opinions and convictions about what I do, but unless it's something that's a matter of right or wrong (like downloading pirated songs to save money), I feel uncomfortable insisting that people do things the way that I do them.
See? Writing this post and reading the comments has helped me think more clearly about this! lol
I totally agree, I just didn't get that he was saying you should insist that people do things the way you do them. What I am saying is that I think there is a middle ground between apologizing for your decisions and insisting others do it the same way, and that's the area I felt like the article was pointing toward (the copyblogger article). And, in your own example about the homeschooling, I think your statement falls into the very medium he is directing toward. You state with confidence and without apology that you KNOW homeschooling is the right choice for your family. I didn't read one word in his article that said you should demand that yours is the only way and everyone else is wrong, just that you should own your choices and present them with confidence, which I think you do.
And when it comes to "tightness," it certainly makes sense to state your opinion rather than spend 3 sentences qualifying how you could be wrong about it.
Yes, like so many things in life, it's about balance.
Life would be SO much easier if we didn't have to worry about balance, wouldn't it? We could just go whole hog one way or the other on things instead of trying to walk this fine line.
I am reliably informed that life is easier for sociopaths. Till they get caught, that is.
I think that is part of the attraction of books/movies/TV shows (Dirty Harry, House) where the protagonist does it his way and the hell with everyone else. We know we can't really operate that way and get along in the world but every now and then it sure looks attractive. Watching a fictional character get away with it is wish fulfillment.
Thinking more...I definitely don't have a problem owning my opinions or making them known (even this blog post is an example of me owning my opinions, which is maybe a little bit contradictory! ).
Even so, though, I'm loathe to tell other people how to blog...I'm just thinking the Copyblogger endorsed blogging method wouldn't work well for ME. lol It's quite possible that other people blog this way and manage to serve and help their readers, though. My blogging tone and voice doesn't work for/appeal to everyone on the planet.
This is funny because that is exactly what I did get out of his article--you shouldn't try to appeal to everyone on the planet. You should be unapologetic in who you are instead of trying to water down your convictions to the point where anyone and everyone would accept them. I think he is suggesting you should take a stand and not be wishy-washy, which I think you do (take a stand that is)...take a stand for yourself isn't trying to force others to do it your way.
I think it's so funny how differently we took the same article! lol I'll have to go back and read it again with new eyes.
I will agree with you that he does seem to have an obnoxious/arrogant tone, which I kind of skimmed past to get the meaning out of the article when I read through it. But, if that was your focus then it could color the way you read the article (I hope that makes sense).
and I don't mean to imply anything negative...I get stuck on tone a lot whereas my hubby usually tends to gloss over it and get a different message. I didn't pay much attention to his tone because I was just skimming for content.
Yeah, I think his tone rubbed me the wrong way...so know-it-all and sales-y. Bleah.
And I'm not remotely offended by your comment. I'm certainly not above being blinded by tone. lol
Personally, I LOVE your blog tone. But I do think there's a difference between the "This works for ME and therefore it's right for ME" stuff vs. phrases like "In my opinion," "I could be totally wrong about this," etc. If you're writing something, we KNOW it's your opinion--so that's the kind of phrase that just sounds redundant. That might just be the English stickler in me, though. 🙂
I do use a number of phrases like that, though, and after reading Rita's article, I saw more and more and of them in my writing! lol I'm ok with that, though.
I say, "I think" and "I suppose" a lot, which are probably unnecessary.
(by the way, I am nervous about you reading my blog now that I know you're an English stickler! My blog is very, um, conversational and it's definitely not tight writing. lol )
I'm an English person as well, and my own blog is very conversational and embarassing in terms of "tight writing" but you have to write to your audience and if your blog were too formal it wouldn't serve the same purpose. (that's what I tell myself anyway! lol)
LOL! Don't worry, I'm not picking through your blog and judging your writing...I actually really enjoy a light, conversational tone (not to the complete exclusion of other tones, of course) and your blog is one of my favorites! I don't think (see?) saying things like "I think" or "That's my opinion" are always bad, but obviously no one wants to read a piece where every sentence is prefaced with a qualifier.
Anyway, I enjoy your humility and admire it very much. 🙂
One of the things I love the most about your blog is that you write with humility. I love that all sorts of people can read your blog and not be easily offended (and that is not because you are not writing about things that people could disagree on, but because you do it so wonderfully and graciously). Your blog is a breath of fresh air and a joy to read each day. Fight the good fight, keep up the good work.
i completely agree 😉
You hit the heart of why I prefer reading blogs to magazines anymore---I don't want to be preached at! I have enough authoritative voices yelling at me from media and the like already! The great thing about bloggers is bloggers have heart. A good friend of mine sometimes refers to her blog as " the back fence," where you can talk about what's for dinner, what your kids are doing (to drive you crazy, lol) and what projects you've got going. I think the problem stems from people wanting to over-monetize everything.
I'm with you on this one. In real life, I hate to have a conversation with some one who comes across as a know-it-all. Why would I like it any better coming from a blogger? I'd much rather they preface their statements with "I believe...", "I once read that...", "I could be wrong, but..." and other similar phrases. It makes them seem more human and personable, less arrogant and aloof. I try to use similar phrasing myself. When someone "speaks with authority", my first reaction is skepticism. When they speak with humility, my first reaction is that they may have something important to say.
As a new blogger (and relatively new follower of yours), one of the things that keeps me coming back to yours is the way that you write it, and the way you present yourself, and your life, and your choices. It is very non-threatening-which I very much appreciate, as I'm just getting started in frugality! I'm on point with you here though-there are things that when presented in one manner truly fascinate and intrigue me. Yet when these same things are presented to me in an "in my face-this is how to do it, and ONLY do it this way" sort of way, I'm totally turned off. Thanks for the insight on these articles, and what's out there! And of course, thank you for being genuine and having a great blog! 🙂
I think the issue speaks to the difference between writing and blogging. If you were writing an essay or short story, it would be wise to cut out "tentatives" such as you're talking about. But since blogging involves a conversation with your readers, and a relationship, the tone is more important.
In which case, my humble opinion is that the tone of your blog is perfect for people who want to "check out" frugality, homeschooling, or anything else you talk about. It won't turn people away, and you're not being disingenous, but simply yourself. In fact, your honesty and humility are one of the things we all love about you. And again, in my humble opinion, we visit blogs for the person, not just the advice.
I could have gotten a recipe for bread from any one of a million sources on the Internet or a cookbook, but I use The Frugal Girl's recipe because it was more like having your mom or a good friend in the room there with you, encouraging you and letting you know you could do it. Thanks Kristen!
I love your blog just the way it is. I am glad to hear that you were not swayed by the blog posts you mentioned.
I think the tone of your blog is indeed one of the things that make it great. There's a big-name blogger who's also into frugality and simple living, but his tone of self-righteousness is a real turn off for me. I love hearing about how happy your choices have made you, instead of hearing about how it's the only way to do things. Your blog has encouraged me to start making bread and yogurt again. Not to mention the fact that your idea of "serving God by serving our families" has made me start cleaning the bathroom cheerfully. Why, I'm even looking into homeschooling for my son.
I've been meaning to comment for awhile to tell you that your blog has meant quite a bit to me. All of the moms I met when my son was born have gone back to work. I can't afford their Anthropologie shopping trips, their Gymboree play dates, their weekly lunches at downtown cafes. I've been reading back through your blog (I think I'm up to November '09), and it's like having a supportive friend who understands and encourages my choice to stay at home and be a full-time mom. I could never thank you enough for that.
Aww, I'm encouraged to hear that my blog has been encouraging to you! 🙂
Keep it coming just the way it is. 🙂 You have a great balance - the key to pretty much everything in life. Have a blessed week.
I have no idea what you plan to accomplish with your blog nor do I really care if you have any motive at all. All I can say is, you inspired me to make homemade strawberry freezer jam, I baked my homemade pizza on the grill last night, per your insturction and I am just getting ready to check on the homemade french bread recipe of yours. So whatever your plan is or is not, it is working for me just fine. And next week, I just may make me some homemade yogurt thankyouverymuch!
Then of course, there is always the problem that no matter how many times you qualify a statement, someone can *still* find a way to take offense to it. So, even if you carefully construct "this is just my opinion, but...." there will still be comments saying "oh, thanks for bossing me around/judging my life", haha. Some people just think the whole world revolves around them, and expressing any opinion feels like a personal attack on THEM. We all know those kind of people- we've probably all been those kind of people a time or too as well 🙂
er, "two", not "too" 🙂
I really appreciate your tone and humility. We have enough 'experts' out there and I personally don't need or want a sales pitch. I think you can express confidence while being humble and you do a wonderful job of both. Thank you for blog!
I love the tone of your blog and enjoy reading it daily. Truly inspired - especially in my preparation for motherhood {still a year or so off...}. I'd rather you stand on your convictions and share what works for your family - as you do. I don't like when people go in long circles trying to justify their lifestyles to readers or come down on people in a judgmental tone. I don't read those blogs.
Ok this is too funny! You sound like me, hmmm. Are we sisters or are we twins? (I'm 32 too) Hmmm... Gosh, I gotta love your family more and more each day! Only because I did NOT make yoghurt or line dry and you don't punsih me for it! O my GOD! I love you because you encourage to use what talent I supposedly have, to do the best! 🙂 luvya luvya luvya!!!!!! (kiss) ok ok...let me settle down....... *** I have been baking more, eating less out, searched more Thrift stores but ENJOYED life and NOT beaten myself up! YAY me! I love how you keep it real! It is more work at times but I feel rewarded! Especially when I don't have to be a cookie cutter old-fashioned grandma (no offense to the little old grandmas reading this) to please EVERYONE! I just want to be better in all things and I love all the encouragement I get on here! I'm not perfect and I try to keep a list of things to do, so I don't procastinate much of the time. 🙂 tootles! ! !
Oh sorry for the spelling! (blush)
:O
i tell everyone about your blog ( i'm your sales woman~hee!) i love the graceful way you put things. i feel like your one of my very good friends. i now make bread, yogurt, & try out alot of your recipes & (i homeschool, haha!) i really appreciate coming on everyday & looking at your new posts. thanks for the encouragement to serve my family & be a better wife, mom, teacher & baker too! God bless you! i know that he has!
I love your writing style . Stick with it. You're NOT an expert on everything, but you ARE an expert in your life and since that's what you blog about in the way you seem fit. I'll keep reading. =)
Expect a ton of hits today, someone posted a link to your blog today via- Gail vaz-oxlades blog/web site! PS I love you blog just the way it is!
Read halfway through all the comments and had to rush here immediately -- please don't change a thing in how you write this blog or start second guessing your style! How you write is a function of how YOU think and experience the world, and that is why we all keep coming back -- to hear your unique and charming take on things, as expressed in your unique style. Your humility is refreshing and inspiring -- and no one who reads you can think you are weak or namby pamby about your beliefs. Open-mindedness and a willingness to listen to the other side are so rare, and you write so well -- you make it look easy! If I wanted "tight ad-copy" with no quirks, I could find it in hundreds of places, but The Frugal Girl is unique --smart, fun, inspirational, and lots of great "pitchers." There are so few genuine voices out there -- don't let a random diatribe make you second guess your gift.
IMHO, of course, and I could be a little bit wrong here . . .:)
I thought it was interesting that the first article's comments seemed largely to be male and the responders to Rita's seemed more overwhelmingly female. Hmmm . . .
Hi Kristen,
I'm 28, childless and live in Australia with my partner and I have been reading your blog for about the past 6 or so months and I love it. Our lifestyles are dramatically different, and to be honest some of the things you do aren't right for me but I love the humble way you share your life - especially in the Q&A.
I have adopted some of your ideas - using up leftovers is one of them. We still waste a bit of food, particularly fresh produce and I'm working on that - lettuce/spinnach leaves was one that always used to go bad in our fridge so I started growing my own (I may or may not have killed the first lot through neglect, but the second are going really well) so we can pick just enough leaves for us to use per meal. I've also started baking muffins and biscuits from scratch so we're not buying museli bars or packaged snacks for our work lunches. Last night I made fried rice for dinner because the night before we'd gotten Thai takeaway and ended up with way too much rice leftover. Loaves of bread was our other nemesis - two people just don't go through it quick enough to use it before it goes bad, so now it goes in the freezer when I get home from the supermarket and we thaw out slices as we need it.
I also desperately want a Rav4 (I don't need it, I want it) but my car still has at LEAST 3yrs left in it before it gets old enough/used enough to start needing expensive maitenance so I've started saving in advance to buy my next car with cash. I can't sew but my Mum can so when I'd ruined the hem on a pair of work pants with my heels beyond repair I made her breakfast in exchange for her turning them into a pair of three quarter pants (that I have on today in fact) whereas previously I would have just turfed them and bought a new pair. These are all ideas I've adopted from your blog that you didn't tell me I had to do but after reading your way of doing things made me evaluate my own spending and wasting and find ways that would work for us.
I think it's sooo interesting that in a culture where the very idea of objective truth is considered to be offensive that anyone would actually be trying to pawn their own subjective opinions off as objective truth by avoiding such terms as "I think..." or "My opinion is..."! Although, I strongly disagree with avoiding terms that introduce humble subjective realities, I can't help but smile at the irony in what they are suggesting.
I'd like to echo all the comments encouraging you not to change a thing. Your tone is suitably confident and conveys the humility and respect that are no doubt fundamental to who you are. That's a big part of why your readers keep coming back.
Keep up the great work! You are accomplishing much!
Kristen, I love the tone of your blog. Once I began reading it, I began making changes in my life without even realizing I was doing it! Thanks for encouraging all of us in the way you do.
I appreciate your blog tone. You are very respectful to your readers in the comment lines, and I see the Christian values in many posts. Whether I can do some of what you demonstrate (like sew, make yogurt) I totally love the fact that there are girls out there making stuff from scratch, repurposing stuff, etc. like my mom did when we were little. Rock on girl!
Kristen,
I am a huge fan of yours and have suggested your blog to others. I work outside the home and choose to educate my children in public schools. However, I find your blog inspirational and enjoyable. I take a lot of what you do and include it in our lives. I am able to do this by your writing style.
When reading your blogs, I never feel like you are preaching about your choices. Instead you are sharing them with us. And though I am not in a place to stay home or homeschool, you have so much to offer me. To that I thank you!
Kristen,
You write a beautiful blog, and not only does it inspire me to be more frugal but to be more humble and a better Christian. You'll never convert anyone with an "in your face, I'm always right" attitude. Quiet, consistent messages are the best tools out there.
Thank you.
I agree completely with you here. I write about food, and it irks me to read (actually, I don't read them because I take them off my blogroll) blogs who write as though their way of cooking is the only way that's acceptable. Even though I write most of my own recipes, I try to focus on flexibility for the user, recommending substitutions, ways to veganise or canivorise my recipes, mentioning things like, "this is what I used but you use what you have," "it took me an hour to make this because I turned the heat way down low so I could do homework, but you can make this in 15 minutes if you wanted to by doing xyz" and the like. To do otherwise, in my opinion, doesn't help anyone. It makes the people who know what they're doing happy if there's agreement (and mad if there isn't agreement) and it drives away the people who really could use a little help getting ideas on what to cook or learning methods/techniques that are flexible for a wide range of products.