Recently, Nathan Bransford asked if blogging had peaked, eliciting 138 interesting comments, many citing blogging's excessive time requirements and also competition from Facebook and Twitter. I had noticed that some of my writer colleagues have been blogging less frequently. I also had been feeling guilty about my relative blogging inactivity since announcing last November that I would be giving priority to completing my work-in-progress novel.
Nathan Bransford's post and my own progress on my novel have made me feel less guilty. My novel is now at about 70% of my goal for the first draft. I don’t think I could have accomplished that, and also taken care of Life, if I had not stepped away from blogging full time.
Having broken my discipline of posting weekly, and then hearing from Bransford et al., though, I find myself tempted to never post again. Then I realize that, despite my already demanding schedule, I still find myself drifting back to my favorite blogs. Because I enjoy them! Invariably, I have to pull myself away or I would do nothing but read blogs. I also realize that I miss posting about issues that matter to me.
Having broken my discipline of posting weekly, and then hearing from Bransford et al., though, I find myself tempted to never post again. Then I realize that, despite my already demanding schedule, I still find myself drifting back to my favorite blogs. Because I enjoy them! Invariably, I have to pull myself away or I would do nothing but read blogs. I also realize that I miss posting about issues that matter to me.
So blogging is not dead in my estimation. It has perhaps accommodated itself to the reality that we all have just twenty-four hours a day to take care of Life. I know that, as soon as I can get my novel in shape to start the publishing querying process, I will return to active blogging. I actually miss it.
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8 comments:
Let me tell you, I have no guilt about not blogging as often as I used to. Real life gets in the way and reminds us that it matters more. I love blogging and all, but I'm keeping myself to once every ten days or so, now.
I think it's great you're focusing on writing your novel because, as writers, there is a gratification in getting published - and since we're on that topic, congratulations on the publication of your two short stories! Yes, when we focus on what we do for our blogs, we can't stay focused on what we want to do for our writing writing. It's hard to stay away, sometimes, but oh well!
Nevine
Blogging is just another form of sharing. When you're writing a bigger work, and you need to break and get some fresh air, then blogging fills in that gap.
Besides, how else do you connect with others?
p.s. I just read one of your short stories in Rose and Thorn and I'm stunned by its beauty.
i don't believe its a question of either-or, 'smore like how often to blog?
i like reading blogs more than posting or commenting, and like anything else it can be time-consuming. so, what to do?
everything in moderation.
..
.ero
.
Blogging isn't dead, but I agree it does take a lot of work. Each blogger should do what works for them.
Re blogging vs Twitter and Facebook: at least I have more than 140 characters to muck about with! :-)
No, seriously, finish writing your novel and worry not about blogging for there's, as you rightly assert, a rich LIFE to be lived. ;-)
Greetings from London.
Nevine, Rosaria, Bare-eyed, Bermuda, and Cuban,
Thanks for your wonderful remarks. They are a reminder that there is another reason why blogging has been such a hit. The ability to interact with others across the globe in a meaningful way is attractive ... and seductive. And the latter might explain why walking away from full participation is unappealing. So, like other good things things life can offer, controlling one's appetite is key.
Rosaria, thanks for your kind words about my short story. To all of you, thank you for entering my blog world and staying long enough to chat.
I post 3x a week unless I am at a conference or out of town for something else, and then I may take a break.
But, it's the visiting that takes so long. I used to visit every day, then a few times a week, then I decided on "blog walk Sunday" - so every Sunday I'd visit blogs. Lately, I've not been able to even do this very well! Ungh!
But, today I decided to visit as many as I could and I've been at it HOURS! *laugh* -- lawd!
And I've loved it; had so much fun - but, it takes so much time -and time is something I little have.
Unlike Facebook where I can read something in seconds and respond in seconds.
Lawd.
I've felt guilty when people are so kind to come to my blog and I can't visit back regularly -- but I guess people understand...
If I spend too much time on blogs, I miss my deadline and my editor will NOT like that *laugh*
Kathryn, what a delight to have you stop by and comment. Your method for dealing with blogging makes so much sense. But you're right, even with boundaries established, like only doing it on Sundays, one gets pulled in and the next thing one knows, it's dinnertime! So it's a guilty pleasure I will have to manage like eating chocolate, for example: in small doses and only when not hungry!
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