I haven't posted much during the past year or so. Lately, my posts have been primarily about painting. Now that my latest and, probably my last, painting course has ended, I've been thinking about my blog and whether I still have anything to say about anything. It seems that I've gone dry.
This doesn't mean I haven't been writing. I've been writing right along. I'm well into a new novel I started in January, putting much more time into it during the past month or so since my painting class ended. So, writing is still an important part of my life. Painting will now take its (for me) rightful place behind writing. Painting has been a wonderful trip. I've learned a great deal, and enjoyed it a lot, but truth be told, writing is my passion. How painting will fit into my life in the future remains to be seen.
The question now is what direction will my blog take. Will I just post whatever occurs to me, much as I've done since my blog's inception? Will I resume interacting more with other blogs the way I used to do? I still read most of the blogs I follow even if I haven't been making comments lately. I've noticed that a lot of people I follow haven't been posting much at all on their blogs lately.
I'm not sure what the state of blogging is for writers these days. Some are still very active, but others seemed to have in effect closed shop. Maybe our expectations were unrealistic when we began blogging in this new era of social media. If blogging doesn't accomplish what we want it to, then maybe closing shop is the best thing to do. Perhaps other activities, such as Facebook and Twitter, are better.
So this is where I am in my blogging mind: I'm not sure where I'm headed.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the state of blogging. What are you finding the most rewarding thing to do in social media?
12 comments:
Hi Richard. Yes, you've noticed that most bloggers have pulled back to posting at the most once a week because of the time drain. I still find blogging the most satisfying of the social media, but of course facebook and twitter is where many of the writer/bloggers have 'disappeared' to as it is more effective to sell books once you're published.
Don't sweat too much over what you blog about. If you're writing, there must be regular things you've accomplished and learnt. I for one love reading about writer's journeys. It's a rough road and you never know, what you say may well inspire someone. More than a good enough reason to blog occasionally.
Hope you hang around.
Denise :-)
Thank you, Denise. You put in good perspective.
I don't blog as much as I used to, either, and I spend more time on FaceBook. But I still love blogging and reading other blogs. I like the friends I've met, and I often get good tips from some of the posts I read. (I've missed your posts, but am glad you are involved in writing again.) As for your painting journey, you probably will find that it has enriched your writing.
I don't think you should close shop, just pare back to what's comfortable for you, and write about anything you like. Blogging should be enjoyable, not a burden.
Thanks, Elizabeth,
I agree.
I very much enjoyed your painting posts. They were very inspiring.
The wave of those jumping ship or cutting back is also something I noticed. Going to new sites doesn't always mean forging new friendships either, anymore... I see less games inviting us to meet others and more serious posts about the craft or publishing. This is good, too. These posts can be helpful to many for many years to come. Times change.
The beautiful thing about bloggers is that we have so much in common, and this struggle to continue or cut back or force the words, is something we all know. Whatever you decide, I concluded, there is no right or wrong way, simply our way. Have fun.
Exciting to hear about your new project! Can't wait. Best of luck!!!
Hi Richard, I understand the dilemma. I also feel that the blogging world is not as exciting as it used to be and for a while now I've felt like I had to censor myself because of certain readers (friends in real life who I felt uneasy about reading my blog). I ended up changing my blog address and noticed hardly anyone reads me anymore and blog writers I liked have also either stopped writing or disappeared altogether. It's saddening, but I think it's ok to take a break once in a while and come back to it later.
Thanks Tanya and Olia, your comments help me to see the bigger picture.
I think like everything else, blogging has an ebb and flow. I've gotten bound up in self-imposed expectations and disappointments, but I miss my blog when I don't write. I've made so many friends in this world, I can't imagine not being here in some form. However, we grow and change, so it makes sense our blogs will, too. I hope you'll keep writing here.
Thank you, Deb. I hope to keep adding to the blog. Hopefully, I just need to re-energize, something I'm trying to do. And I'm so glad to hear from you. Yours is one of the better blogs around for your type of writing.
I agree with Denise. It's still my favorite. Many have pulled back and some have quit. I think it's all a matter of adjusting. As an author, I do things differently than I did even two years ago. But it's still the best way to communicate with the world. And with friends.
Thanks, Alex. I agree with you.
I see you haven't written in a while, I hope all is well. After a while, I come back to your post on this again and ask myself those same questions.
I've felt that stopping blogging is like losing my voice. Blogging is a great outlet for expression.
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