We do find more ways to stress ourselves out, don't we... I realise that most of the material I post has a limited readership because of its very nature, but I admit there is a tiny little flame of joy each time my words do get rated or commented on. But I don't think I could bear the confirmation that those few who rate or comment are probably also the only ones stopping by to read.

Hi...

you raise some good points. The key for me is finding balance - between not caring and caring too much - whether people are reading.

But, since I am a data hound kind of person, I'm drawn to the side of keeping track. I think it is helpful to guage what is popular and what isn't - although that doesn't drive my writing.

for the how-to: artsfish put up a nice post about this a month or so ago
Stats or your OS Post - or Is Anyone Out There?

since then, you've probably seen a lot more stat counters. you can also make it invisible, so no one else has to see and further damage our fragile OS egos

I just LEFT a writer's site that was all about page views, money made from page views (the most I ever made was $1.69), Big Old Logos indicating how many articles a person had posted, and again, MUCH MONEY was made from your page views. Bleh. It also had a Forum where people would go to congratulate themselves for being elevated to Planet 10 for all their articles. Bleh. And just like any group I've ever belonged to since elementary school, there were cliques, cat fights, flamers, trolls, and the select few who had been anointed by the Big Wigs to receive high acclaim and attention.

I like OS because it doesn't have a Forum, there ARE ratings but that's okay - mostly it's my pals saying "Nice job", tho' I do have a problem with people asking to be rated - and I get the feeling that most of the people here write because they want to, need to, must write.

When the time comes for me to feel as though I need to make some money from my writing, I'll join the ranks of the scads of people looking to make money from the writing. In the meantime, I write.

As for your fragile OS persona, I am here to bolster it by saying your work is wonderful, interesting, well written, and a great read. AND you have one of the best banners I've yet seen!

Thanks for bringing up a topic that I feel is very important!

Like I don't have enough things to worry about? No one's reading my posts! I could become even more neurotic than I already am, and that's helpful for what?

Lot's of the folks here just want to know, fibrogirl. I have not put 'em up but I will.
I think I am just curious. I dont writer fer anyone but myself. I figger if I want to rant, I will. I will write about my grocery list if I want. It is my blog.
Now i feel creepy. This makes me feel weird.