When I get an email from a fellow blogger, I feel like I've been "chosen". It takes that conversation to a more personal level; it's now "private" and somehow even more significant. Someone wants to talk to me!

This private conversation takes that sense of community to a deeper level. I feel like I have a more personal connection with this person.

So that's the hokey, mushy part.

I've also found that the email conversations begun on a blog can get more in depth in email. Emailers tend to share more of the details that they might not feel comfortable posting to the entire world. I learn a lot from the email conversations I've been having -- it's a privilege.

Cammy--I agree with you about how emailing can take conversations to different places than they might in comments. I notice that I tend to go back and forth--usually using email to respond to new people and if there's something I want to say to a reader outside of the public realm and using comments to respond to regular commenters and when I want to further the public conversation. Actually--I'll often do both, responding both in comments and via email. :-)

And Christine, I agree with you about not getting a response to a comment. If it's someone I know and where I comment regularly, I'll take it less personally. But if it's the first time I've commented and I don't hear back, I tend to feel ignored and, as you say, like they don't want conversation.

Thanks to both of you for sharing your thoughts.

...and it's really gratifying when I see that bloggers whom I've left comments for take the time to visit my site - and often those visits result in more comments on my own posts.

I find it really inspiring if someone emails me after I comment on their blog, it makes me feel that my work is valuable and that my thoughts and the work I do is significant.

It's also of value to me because it usually means that they visit my blog and I make connections with people that I ordinarily would not.