I didn’t just wake up one morning and start blogging about Detroit. I researched and thought about it for a few years. One of my main sources of information on blogging has come from Darren Rowse of Problogger.
A few days ago Mr. Problogger issued a challenge to bloggers. I don’t usually participate in memes but I liked the 7 Link Challenge (#7links). He issued us with 7 links with specific guidelines.
So, here we go.
1. Your first post. My first post was Hello Detroit. I hope I’m keeping up my part of the bargain.
2. A post you enjoyed writing the most. I’ve enjoyed writing most of the posts here and some have pained me. Like, serious pain. The most recent post that I absolutely loved writing was And Then it Got Quiet.
3. A post which had a great discussion. The Heidelberg Project: Polka Dots Over Blight may not have the most comments but I think it provoked one of the best discussions.
4. A post on someone else’s blog that you wish you’d written. This one was tough! There are probably 100 posts about Detroit I wish I had written and another 100 that I am SO happy that I had nothing to do with. The last thing Warren needs is another parking lot full of junk written by Brian Ambrozy over at Icrontic.com gets the nod here.
5. Your most helpful post. This one was pretty easy. 40 Things to Do in Detroit Before You’re Dead.
6. A post with a title that you are proud of. Harrumph. I’m the first to admit I suck at titles and headlines. If I could outsource them I would. Street Artist Banksy Tags Detroit.
7. A Post that you wish more people had read. The Guardian Building: Detroit’s Beauty probably would have been read by more people if I could actually write a headline. This building is amazing and it always surprises and saddens me when people say they have never ventured inside of this architectural masterpiece.
This little exercise was fun and enlightening. I try to look at Detroit Moxie once every week or two with the eyes of an outsider. Over the weekend, I changed a few small elements: the background color, the font, and the font color. Those are just surface changes to make it easier to read and a bit prettier.
The 7 Link Challenge, however, forced me to look at the content I provide. I scrounged through my archives and found posts I had forgoten about. I want to consistently offer good information about Detroit in an entertaining way.
How am I doing? Do you agree with the choices I made for the challenge?