Confession time:
In 3+ years of blogging, I have never written a dedicated discussion post.
Let that sink in a minute. In over three and a half years there has been not one single discussion post on this blog. Sure there have been countless Top Ten Tuesdays when I might have briefly chatted about that week's theme. But to come up with a topic on my own and generate a post delving into my own thoughts and feelings about a particular subject? Nope, never happened.
So that naturally leads to the question: Why?
Glad you asked. And there's a simple answer.
It's because I fear the discussion post!
And we're not talking a mild nervousness. Or a slight skittishness.
No ma'am. We're talking outright fear.
Dread.
Horror.
Alarm.
Panic.
*insert further synonyms at will*
So why this reaction to the mere thought of a discussion post? I have reasons.
So... let's discuss shall we? (yeah, I went there)
EVERY POSSIBLE TOPIC HAS ALREADY BEEN COVERED
Okay, this one is bogus on two accounts. Because one, I see bloggers discuss new and interesting topics all the time. Sam @ We Live and Breathe Books is great at this! Whether it's a broad subject or a very specific thing, she often posts interesting discussions that are unique and generate discussion in the comments.
And secondly, just because a topic has been covered doesn't mean there's nothing more to say. Or that I might not have my own perspective or opinion. Goodness knows no one I know, including me, has a shortage of opinions. :)
I HAVE NOTHING OF VALUE TO ADD/NO ONE WILL AGREE WITH MY OPINION
Alright, another lame excuse that I can easily shoot down. Thinking I might not have anything of value to add kind of goes hand in hand with the aforementioned "everything's been covered and there's nothing left to say" b.s.
And no one agreeing with my opinion? Well, for starters that's highly unlikely. It's not like I'm that controversial or extreme. And secondly, who cares if they don't? I mean, seriously - it's my blog, my opinion, and my right to throw out my little thoughts and feelings into the void. If no one agree with me... okay. *shrugs* At the end of the day does it really matter? And do I really care? (Answer: not really, no.)
I WON'T BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH ANY NEW TOPICS
Oh puhleeze. I'm rolling my eyes even as I type it. I've told myself this so many times but the fact is that I often find myself wondering if others do the same thing (like picking a bookmark based on the book), experience the same thing (wondering what fictional characters are doing when I'm not reading the book), etc. There are ideas all around, just in day to day life, so having nothing to talk about is pretty ridiculous.
So it would seem that none of my excuses reasons are all that valid. And that maybe I should get over myself and just do it. I mean, hey, I just proved that I can write a discussion post... even if it's about my fear of discussion posts. That counts, right? :)
So how about you?
Do you enjoy discussion posts? Fear them like me?
Do you struggle with topics?
Let's chat it up!
