Half-Way to a Year: A Quick Editor’s Note
Six months ago, it was cold. So I downloaded Wordpress and started this blog. And stayed inside. Time well-spent, I’d say - though it was just the smallest spark that provided a hint of hint of fuel for all the cultural combustion that has come this way since. I just keep the lights on here most of the time: the bloggers and commenters make this place live.
Yes, newcritics is six months old now, a blogging toddler learning to walk. Are you pleased with it? I am, certainly. The range of posts has been stunning. Sure, we trend a bit toward boomer tastes in music, we look backward for film greatness in lieu of the local multiplex, and we obsess over television shows that never saw the light of the 1980s. We write about obscure cartoonists, off-Broadway minutiae, and bands that never existed. Yet, somehow it works - or does it? I’m asking seriously: How can we make this better? Should we continue? Have you learned anything? Met anyone? Read a book you otherwise wouldn’t have read, downloaded a song you otherwise would have ignored, added a strange new title to your DVD list?
Does anyone notice the changing art in the header?
In six months, we’ve had 210 posts from 35 authors, inspiring more than 1,700 (real) comments. Those are the stats that matter. I’ve had the please of meeting many of the authors in person; others are virtual relationships. Yeah, it’s been a rich six months. So what’re you looking for, kid?
Am I first? A little thrilling to be the first one commenting on newcritics’ half-birthday. Every time I check the blog I find at least two very interesting new posts. The comments can be as good as the posts, and are terrific to read.
Through the comments, I met met a hard-working and unsung poet, Jerry Prager, and because of it, I was able to meet the indefatigable M.A. Peel. All in all, I feel as if I belong to a great community.
As for the few posts I’ve contributed, they were all spontaneous responses to music, a story, a movie, and especially that one that was nothing but a personal reaction to a derogatory remark I kept hearing regarding “bad, very, very bad” writers.
I love the changing banner. But otherwise, my opinion is: don’t change a thing. Let it develop on its own.Look at the great flow it’s achieved in six short months.