Evaluation is a part of the process of growth as well as abandonment. It's a good idea to step back now and then to figure out why you're doing something and if the way you're currently doing it is still relevant. Today I consider why I still blog.
 |
| Relevant photograph. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
For now I just need to take a big breath and take it easy. Do some chores around the house or watch TV. Maybe even start reading a new book. Anything but blogging. Maybe read some of your blog posts, but not post any of my own.
Oh yeah, big deal--I'll be back on Monday, or at least on Wednesday when I post for Battle of the Bands with maybe a word in for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. And since Monday the 30th will be my birthday, maybe I just take the day off from blogging.
Why do I still blog? Because I can and because I can just do what I want. There's not really any screwing up on my blog. No one's going to fire me, though I guess in theory Blogger could shut down my blog or something, but I don't guess I ever do anything that would warrant that.
One thing that I can see as I evaluate things is that the ways I approached blogging when I first started nearly eight years ago, as well as the motivations I've had over those years, have changed to a great extent. How I blog will probably continue to change and same with what I blog. Some things will stay the same sometimes and change at other times.
But seriously, why do I still blog?
Do you ever reevaluate your blogging? Right now in your blogging life do you see blogging as a habit, a duty, a means of expression, a pleasant past time or what? What has been inspiring you of late?
I guess I still blog because I like to express myself and it offers more room to do that than the other platforms. It also feels more personal, more like a home, and it's my main way of keeping up with the friends I've met along the way. Although I can't deny that things have changed - many no longer blog. Not sure it's the best avenue for promotion, because non-writers don't really read it. I'll keep exploring other things but I'll definitely be blogging for a while yet.
ReplyDeleteNick, self-expression is one of my main reasons to blog--always has been--but, especially over the past few months, expressing my views has been contentious to many. But I think this contention is all over social media and elsewhere. We have arrived to stranger more divided times.
DeleteGood to see you here, Nick. It's been a while.
Lee
Several great points. Why do I still blog? I love it. For a while I had stopped because of school and a new job and moving. But for the most part I blog because of people like you. Although I have fallen behind with my posting and reading, I read something like this and rekindle that's desire. The ideas are still there as well as many to come. It's the community that I continue to discover because of blogging and the wonderful people. Don't stop now. Yourare a mentor of sort to newbies like myself and those who may follow after.
ReplyDeleteDarryl, thank you for that encouraging comment and for stopping by. Support and interaction from others does prod me on to keep blogging. I can't always say that my ambition to blog is still fired up like it once was, but I do love writing blog posts once I get started into them. Not going to stop yet, but I might cut back as I evaluate more of what I doing with blogging.
DeleteLee
The cat still does it because he's an addict haha but yeah, it has changed in the 6 years or so since I started. Meet some great people along the way and a lot have left. Life gets in the way, but as long as I feel it fun and not work I'll stay to play.
ReplyDeletePat, seriously I do think there is that addiction factor. I'll say I'm going to stop and then think of something and I'm right back at it. Your rhyming style can be fun and I start thinking in rhymes when I visit your site.
DeleteLee
If it's your birthday, take the day off!
ReplyDeleteI still enjoy the community and with the IWSG going strong, it's easy to keep going. Plus a never-ending release of movies and music helps.
Alex, I never run out of things to talk about, but the question for me is whether many people are still interested in many of the things I'd rather write about. I'm less mainstream than you and more willing to delve into controversy, but that hasn't made me the most popular voice in blogging. A lot of people don't like depth and discomfort in the topics they want to read or write about and I guess maybe I think about some of that stuff too much. Or maybe I'm just not reaching the right audience these days.
DeleteLee
LEE ~
ReplyDeleteAs you probably recall, I actually ceased serious blogging once for about a year and a half (with the exception of 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS', which I kept up with as a pleasant diversion from real life).
First, I closed down my old 'STUFFS' blog, which contained more of my fun side. Then some time later, when I was going through bad times in life and was rather depressed for a number of (good) reasons, I shut down my 'FERRET-FACED FASCIST FRIENDS' blog, where I posted my Spiritual and political pieces.
After moving to a new state, I reactivated my 'FERRET-FACED FASCIST FRIENDS' blog because I felt inspired again to get some things off my chest. But it hasn't been the same since. The reader base I had built up over the years at F-FFF was gone now. I figured my old friends who said they'd loved my writing would be pleased and come flocking back to F-FFF once they discovered I had reactivated it, but that didn't happen. It looks to me as if once you quit, it's extremely difficult to recapture the interest of your readers, even those who are friends.
Now I've even recently started a NEW blog where I'm posting OLD product reviews. And this is some of the best, most entertaining writing I've ever done in my life, and even that hasn't generated a whole lot of interest.
So, it appears that once a blogger quits and loses the momentum they'd established over the years, it's a tough, tough sell trying to interest people in their writings again later should they return to blogging. Yesterday, I even had a fleeting thought of just walking away from this brand new blog I started only three weeks ago!
So, unless you're 100% positive that you will NEVER RETURN TO IT, I would caution you against ceasing to blog altogether for any extended period. Because I think it's like a career in show business -- once you walk away from it, the public will not be much interested if you ever decide to return to it again later.
~ D-FensDogG
My new blog is @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
STMcC, experimentation with different topics and styles is worth doing even if the audience is smaller and you're doing little else than stretching your limits or entertaining yourself and a faithful few. Audiences can be fickle and there are so many other things to read, to watch on TV or elsewhere, or to do that blogging can become isolating for the writers as well as the readers.
DeleteI keep trying just to do the BOTB posts but then I get other things weighing on me--like all the lying and misinformation about Trump and the politics of the world in general--and I feel driven to write about it and in the process alienate some of my audience.
Like a business, blogging sometimes requires a long time, even years, to get really established. I've done that to some extent, but I've also befuddled some readers and sent them off angry, annoyed, or with their tails between their legs. But then it no wonder--I have had a few dogs who were regular commenters in the past who got scared off. Maybe they heard "dog whistles" (such an annoying term).
Also there is that weird reciprocity factor in blogging. If you're not out there commenting on a bunch of other blogs then those bloggers aren't coming to read your stuff. I find it difficult to visit blogs and leave trite short comments so my tendency to try to leave comments with some substance, even if they are short, severely limits the number of blogs I can visit. Reciprocity takes so much time and there are other things I want to do and many that I have to do (like doing stuff around the house).
I'm not going anywhere yet, but the diversions are many and they are tempting.
Lee
To express ones views especially when it is controversial and one gets "bashed" as a result is tiring so I think it's great to take some time off to relax especially since it's your birthday soon. Enjoy reading a book and watching a movie and all the BOTB. I still love blogging because I get to create receiving inspiration from other blog posts and seeing othe creations. I love reading about what others have to say..I find it...fun.😀
ReplyDeleteBirgit, I'm not so concerned about getting "bashed" as seeing ignorance and intolerance prevail all around me. I think I become so rational in my arguments that readers might get scared off and I don't know if they avoid me because they are afraid I'm proving too many of my points to be correct or they just don't want to let go of old thinking. Or maybe a lot of readers just don't want to think too deeply. One thing about a lot of my controversy posts is that they don't lend themselves well to short trite comments like "nice post" so people just sneak away without saying anything.
DeleteThe engagement that I do get from many who do leave comments is often very good and makes the activity of blogging worthwhile. And as you say, there still is often that fun element that keeps me coming back to blogging.
Lee
It's good to step back and give yourself some space, Lee. I've had to do it and I've seen others do this lately. What inspires my blogging? I feel I have a voice from the middle that's being drowned out by the extremes. I'm in the middle, politically, and I'm a middle child so always looking for ways to bring the extremes together. I've enjoyed our back and forth because I'm a blend of left and right thinking, depending on the issue. You're a good communicator and I've enjoyed reading your viewpoints.
ReplyDeletePS. I loved AtoZ last year and did my 'Lessons Learned'. I had it made into hardcover through Blogger for my family. I don't have the energy to do it again this year but I will be following.
Thanks for all you do~ <3
https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/
MLQ, so cool that you converted that A to Z blog series into a book for the family. Some of the A to Z series that bloggers do are so creative and focused that they should be kept.
DeleteI do tend to become extremist at times and it comes across in some of the things I do at my blogs, but in my everyday life I usually appear to be in the middle like you. I think that lack of middle ground in the news media has pushed me past my tipping point. There is so much proselytizing from the left in the media and liberal extremism that it provokes anger and frustration within me rather than providing me the information I seek from watching the news. That's why I cancelled my newspaper subscription and have so much less respect for the CNN channel--they used to give me news and now it's mostly editorializing about things that go against my personal values.
Lee
Lee ..... I just remembered I did a post on the 'Joys of Blogging' and it just so happens I mentioned the Blogger book I had printed up on the AtoZ Challenge.
Deletehttps://meinthemiddlewrites.com/2016/06/02/me-in-the-middle-of-the-joy-of-blogging/
Thanks--that's a good promotion for blogging so I've shared it on FB and Twitter!
DeleteLee
I like to blog because it helps me clarify my thoughts, come into contact with ideas, and actively engage in a dialogue. I know some of my posts verge on the trivial, but this is where I am. I try sometimes to be funny, or take a lighter look at things. This, I find, heps me with the serious business of being alive. Arlee, I enjoy your blog. You got yourself a fan,
ReplyDeletePoP Tart, I find that what may seem trivial often has deeper layers that address important issues. In reality I'd prefer to write more humor and often I do, but I think a lot of people don't understand what's funny about what I'm saying. Guess I need to work on that funny business. I think about a lot of very serious things, but I don't take a lot of things all that serious.
DeleteThanks for saying you're a fan. Sometimes that's enough to keep me inspired to write.
Lee
I think a blogger has the responsibility to present content that is well written, considered, the best you can offer. Blathering on for the sake of posting seems to break a covenant with the blogging world that wants to be taken seriously, deserves respect. We all know how much time it takes to research, write, edit, find photo support, publish. No one takes time to read a lot of the great "stuff" let alone read a self indulgent rant about something or worse, offering up a bunch of words that say nothing. My considered opinion is that no one should continue to blog if they aren't approaching the opportunity as a well crafted exercise about interesting content. It is easy to spot a post that has no real purpose other than, I wrote something today. Equally easy is to move on to another blog and probably not return. Just like AtoZ Challenge....a limited opportunity to reach a reader. Try not to blow it. The Challenge is an amazing teacher of what to do and not do when considering starting and maintaining a blog. I'm forever grateful for the impact it has made on me. In the end, if the answer isn't, I love blogging, I love giving it my best, am willing to work hard at it, perhaps it is time to stop.
ReplyDeleteStepheny, I think all of the recent controversial posts I've done have been well thought out and presented in some of the best writing I could muster. I don't think I've lacked quality of presentation or relevance of content, but they are ideas that many people don't want to hear or think about no matter how well it is presented. There is an audience for gravitas, but it is often not a big audience and a lot of people don't want to make the commitment to a post of that nature. I'm the same way about similar style posts that others write, but don't interest me or grab me in any significant way.
DeleteI think you make a good point though to which I can easily relate. Some blog posts that I've read don't particularly move me other than moving me on to read something else. The beauty of reading blogs is that eventually we can find something that will make us linger a moment and actually feel compelled to respond.
I'm glad to hear about how A to Z has inspired and helped you as a writer. I think you are correct about this.
Lee
Hi Arlee, I started way back in 2007, but my blog was shut down. I started later in 2010 on VOX, migrated to Wordpress and am self-hosting since 2012. I still blog because - hey, is that even a question? Instead there should be a question to the non-bloggers - why don't you blog? I admit I am not very regular. I mess up April A-Z Challenge every single time, and still sign up for different blogging sprees. Blogging is cathartic to me. It is a means of letting out what I want to say aloud, but don't say. My first language is not English. Most of the conversations I have in the day are in Hindi/Marathi. So I enjoy using the Queen's language by writing blog posts :)
ReplyDeleteRuchi, I've got a lot of admiration for those who blog in a language that is not their first. It's undoubtedly a good way to hone one's fluency of expression in a second language. I've always been heartened to see all of the participation from bloggers in India (and elsewhere) during April A to Z.
DeleteKeep at it! I agree that blogging can be very cathartic. That's why I've been doing the posts I've been doing of late.
Lee
Hi Lee - I just enjoy the learning process about what I write ... so I keep on 'truckin along'! Also I educate myself so much as I need to check out what I'm writing about and that leads me on to other things ...
ReplyDeleteThe A-Z is a great event ... and so many seem to love doing it ... cheers Hilary
Hilary, with your posts we all learn a lot. You have good content. A to Z does seem to have a lot of fans.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee - I forgot to wish you a very happy birthday tomorrow ... I hope you have a wonderful day despite it being a Monday.
DeleteCommunity - I forgot to mention that too ... definitely the main stay of blogging ... and it's wonderful to have met so many friends through blogging ... cheers and enjoy tomorrow! Hilary
Hilary, thank you--thanks to my wife we've been celebrating all weekend. In retirement, my days are kind of the same except for on weekdays my wife goes to work. She said she was going to take me to dinner again on Tuesday night. What a dear she is!
DeleteYes, the community makes a big difference though sometimes it's difficult for me to keep up with everyone as I try to keep up with other life stuff.
Lee
Goodness, I am constantly reevaluating. With the kids, the house, all the other crazy stuff that comes along... Anything that isn't mandatory to my sanity pretty much goes out the window. But the reality is, I do love my blogging community. That's why I blog. Not hearing from my friends around the world, that would be way too sad.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, blogging makes a nice diversion from the other stuff we are obliged to tend to in our lives.
DeleteLee
I will say but one thing- people being contentious with you over your opinions is NO reason for you to change what you are doing. Unless you get paid by the page-view, I guess. If you stop by my Tuesday post in your travels, you see it doesn't bother me. However, I can see the point- and do- of not fighting the battle every post.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that was more than one thing. I gotta learn to stop using that as a lead in.
ReplyDeleteCW, the more we blog and comment, the more we are apt to make an error now and then. I knew what you meant anyway.
DeleteI've been getting a lot of page views on my controversial posts, but I think a lot of those visitors just avoid commenting for whatever reason. Most of the negativity that I get directly seems to come from references on Facebook from people I know or other bloggers who I have followed on FB.
Lee
I've changed my blog 4 times. I felt good about each time I did it too. I do miss my very first one though. Deleted all the posts after saving them, but there was a little history now that I would like to go back into. Anyway, change is good if it is for growth. I went from a motorcycle blog to now just tales from photographing and life. Just have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I try to have fun, but I also feel the need to add my voice to rebut the nonsense others are spouting so I guess that makes be a bit contentious.
DeleteLee
As you know, I am not a blogger, so you are off the hook with reciprocity there! I don't know how many people follow your blog that are not also bloggers, but I only read the blogs of a couple of other folks... and you know them!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you can find a "sweet-spot" with blogging that meets your desires adequately, perhaps providing interesting dialogue, loyal followers, and (not sure how to do THIS one) maybe even some monetizing of the thing.
I enjoy coming around and generally agree with what you say. You always try to make yourself understood in a very civilized and gently-persuasive way.
SBB6, never was very successful at monetizing the blog, which was my primary aim going out into the world of blogging. Really, what today's post is about is that I decided to avoid the potentially highly charged post I was going to originally do and just wanted to put something on site since I said I was going to do so on my previous post. Funny how much response this silly post got though and from several folks I'd never heard from or not heard from in a long time. Usually these posts about blogging get a good response--much better than my controversial Trump series. Though I must say that those Trump posts did get some pretty decent comment action generally speaking.
DeleteLee
I think I'm done with blogging. I just no longer have anything that seems relevant to post about. I think maybe I'm just tired of it. If I do come up with a post idea I'll probably post on my website blog rather than my blogger blog. It's rather sad to see this come to the end for me, but if I've lost the passion and interest in it then why continue?
ReplyDeleteKaren JG, I agree that if the passion and interest are gone then it's best to quit at least for a while. That's not really my problem though. I am a bit weary, but I think I'm overwhelmed with things to blog about and many of those things are creating what I perceive to be a negative feeling towards me. My comments have been outstanding most of the time, but they have also been dwindling as the posts get tougher and harder hitting. I just need to step back some for a few days I guess.
DeleteLee
My blogging wanes and waves. Right now I'm in a waning state. I guess I'm just busy with other things and preoccupied with life in general. Maybe I'll pick it up again and maybe I'll have a surge of inspiration. I hope so. I'm just not feeling it right now. And I feel bad about it, really. At least I'm keeping up with Battle of the Bands, if only that...
ReplyDeleteHope you have a happy birthday.
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, my primary focus in the past couple of years has been BOTB as that is what I have the most fun with.
DeleteThanks for the birthday wish!
Lee
Hey Arlee, I for one have appreciated your recent political posts as I struggle to comprehend what is going on around me and would hope that you would continue to watch and react to what is happening. I'd be interested in knowing if any of the changes have made you think twice about the progress? being made.
ReplyDeletePersonally, one of the reasons I started my blog was to try and showcase my crafting and hopefully encourage a sale or two on my Etsy site. I know that it is possible to make money from blogs and being older, I'd much rather try to do that than have to go back out into the world and get a "real" job after being able to work from home as a transcriptionist for 16 years. Plus, internet is everywhere so if my husband and I eventually get to travel, I can take it with me. Along the way though, I found that I like to write and I enjoy trying to spread a little joy in the world, so that's why I've been continuing. I really had fun with the A2Z and meeting people like you through that has been great. Hope you have a marvelous birthday!
Janet, so far the Trump administration seems to be doing things that were promised during the campaign. What a welcome change from the typical dishonest politician. I love how their is action to support all of the talk.
DeleteI'd agree with what you say about internet enterprises. Blogging does have marketing potential for products, but still I wonder about the actual return for the work put into it. Considering the principle of reciprocity just to get views and comments, it requires a lot of effort for questionable tangible return. Regarding blogging for income I have to say "Show me the money!".
Thanks for the early birthday greeting.
Lee
An excellent question which I'm not sure how to answer - sometimes I feel in the flow, sometimes I feel completely stuck. As you know Lee my posts are psychological so that's mostly what I write about, bringing nature into the story as metaphor .. and, as one of your responders - evil poptart - said, it helps to clarify thoughts and feelings. I blog I guess when I think or feel I have something to say ...
ReplyDeleteSusan S, when I am in the zone and have good exchange going with readers the blogging can be very intellectually rewarding. Writing does help clarify thinking and discussing ideas can bring more understanding as to how other folks think. So I'd agree with what you've said here.
DeleteLee
I'm pleased you're continuing to blog, we go back many years Lee and what fun and enjoyment your great idea "The A TO Z CHALLENGE" HAVE BROUGHT OVER THE YEARS.
ReplyDeleteI thought myself about giving up blogging as the problems in my life seem to be taking over but without the "Virual Friends" here on line life would be completely empty.
Thank you for the many years of keeping in touch and of course that wonderful day for me in LA.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, the support and interchange among the virtual blogging community can indeed add a component of satisfaction to ones life. Yes, indeed, I have a several year relationship with you and other bloggers that has been rewarding in a number of ways.
DeleteLee
9 1/2 years ago, blogging brought me a sense of pleasure.
ReplyDeleteFast forward to the present: 9 1/2 years of Blogger blogging, along with 1 1/2 years of Tumblr blogging as well as pursuing the craft of writing created a ginormous conundrum for me.
End result: turning my Blogger blog as a feed for my Tumblr blog; continuing with my Tumblr blog and getting reacquainted with my writing.
Point #1: Finally ran out of general purpose stuff to blog about.
Point #2: Blogging on Tumblr was much easier to maintain since a common theme (writing) tied all the various tangents together and since Tumblr doesn't have things like draft or auto-save, I have to writ my posts off the blog before posting, which in turn creates a serialized story, so to speak.
Point #3: I really needed to get back to writing, mostly because I really loathe spending more one year on a writing project (presently sitting at to 1 1/2 years on my current project), and stressing about my blogging was taking it's toll.
If anything, I will probably produce one original Blogger post a month for the IWSG. Beyond that, each weekly Blogger post will feature a link to my weekly Tumblr post, with maybe a very short snippet about my life.
And yes, my stress leavel has gone down considerably, since it only takes me two minutes to compose a Blogger post.
GB, when blogging becomes more of a sense of duty or obligation then it's too much like trudging off every day to a job that doesn't provide fulfillment or joy--all the worse when there's no paycheck to put in the bank.
DeleteJust using the blog as a place where writing might be showcased for those who might read or just to have a place to hone ones craft is maybe a step or two above just writing and saving it on the computer. I get what you're saying about the writing for some future project that might reap benefit and just hacking off a post to put something up at ones site. That's what I did with this current post and look at the response so far. I think it's good return for fifteen minutes of rapid output with little effort involved (two minutes? I can't type that fast!).
Lee
I haven't been keeping up much with my blog of late, mostly cause my husband doesn't like me putting a lot of personal stuff out there so I can't really vent or talk about the stressors in my life. He's right...never know who is reading it and looking for ammo to use against us. Thanks for not doing the Trump posts. I just cannot read them. I don't like what he's doing so far at all. He's really taking aim at women & women's reproductive rights and sees nothing wrong with that oil pipeline through Standing Rock. Putting a gag order on the EPA and so forth? No. Just no. Old rich republican white men in his cabinet. They don't give a crap about health care and now a lot of people are going to die b/c of the gutting of the ACA w/o putting something in place. No preexisting conditions? Guess me & my husband are just out of luck. Sickening.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, sometimes it's a good idea to read about things we don't particularly like just to understand them better. There are some rational responses to those things you mention and for people just to draw lines and throw words or objects at each other is not productive. That's why I'm writing the Trump posts: To maybe open some dialog in the forum of my own tiny world to hopefully change some minds (maybe even including my own if that is what is needed).
DeleteBeing what I guess you would deem "an old white guy" I kind of resent the animus shown toward those of my kind. I think you are being sexist, racially insensitive, and exhibiting age discrimination and I find that somewhat hurtful (gosh, I sound like some of the folks on the left when I say that and I kind of enjoy the absurdity of saying it as an illustration of all of the absurd rhetoric coming from that side of the fence).
As to putting out personal stuff I guess there are some things that one should be careful about writing about. I usually don't think too much about it, but I try not to say things that might compromise my privacy or that of anyone I know.
Lee
My blog is for self expression, being an escape as well as a virtual scribbling board. Generally, a fan of blogging. Also a great fan of the A-Z Challenge.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your birthday in advance.
Nilanjana, ultimately I think self-expression is the most important aspect of blogging. It's kind of like talking to others. We can communicate our ideas through writing or we could just sit there and never express ourselves. To me that latter choice is not very fulfilling.
DeleteLee
I'm in the process of changing my blog's focus--away from hosting guests and toward fun posts and mini-reviews for the books I read and like. I'm also reducing my time on social media because it's a jungle out there.
ReplyDeletePatricia, social media is indeed a jungle--one that needs to be weeded and better cultivated. If we don't change things up now and then it becomes easy to get stuck in a rut and lose freshness.
DeleteLee
I started blogging six years ago because I couldn't sleep. My brain kept mulling over my books and I decided to just plop it all down in a newly created Blogger blog. Now it seems like I can't get enough sleep. :) My life has been too hectic to do much online. I keep hoping things will slow down and I can blog more.
ReplyDeleteLoni, maybe blogging is conducive to getting more sleep. Your experience sounds a bit like my own sans having any books. Now I'm blogging less and sleeping more it seems.
DeleteLee
I blog to remind myself to write. I may never be published or make money. But I have not given up. Getting older, I recognize the value of the hobby.
ReplyDeleteAs far as writing politics, you may consider a blog devoted only to politics. I don't mind reading political viewpoints. I'm just so burned out. I used to enjoy the different items on Facebook but it is still politics and more politics with a side of sneering putdown from both sides.
I'm taking a vacation from Facebook. It was a waste of my time. I'll continue blogging and looking forward to A to Z this year. I'm also avoiding politics. I'll spend Sunday morning reading news and catching up. My mental health will be better and so would most everyone else to do the same. We can talk until we are blue in the face but lawmakers will do as they wish.
Ann, I hear you about Facebook--I pop over for family stuff, but rarely do I linger for long. I don't think of my posts so much political and attempts to clear the air of lies and negative rhetoric. I'm attempting to break down things that get said and provide a reasoned analysis. I'm not sure a lot of people like to think that deeply and many would just rather complain and look for the dark clouds rather than the silver linings.
DeleteLee
Happy Birthday in advance, Lee.
ReplyDeleteI blog because I feel the need to post up stuff once in a while, to ask people from the publishing world for their expertise and just connect with others.
All the best with your blogging journey and the upcoming AZ.
Damyanti, thank you for the well wishes in all regards. Your reasons for blogging are all valid for your purposes. Likewise the craft bloggers, the entertainment bloggers, and the whatever else bloggers. It would be a dull repetitious medium if everyone always blogged about the same stuff.
DeleteLee
I mainly blog to express myself. I also like to keep my blog going to connect with other writers and learn from them. Blogging isn't always a habit for me, but I enjoy those moments when I can get back into it.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I've yet to entirely slip out of the blogging scene, but I've been tempted to at times and at other times I've cut back to a great extent. Too much to express I guess.
DeleteLee
Sorry to get here so late. Everybody needs a break now and then and I hope you enjoy yours Lee. Also, Happy Birthday in advance! ☺ It can be exhausting having to constantly defend a point of view. I admire your courage in that regard and sticking to your guns. Blogging has lost its allure for me at the moment. I'm dealing with some health issues and just feeling a general malaise. Lack of sunshine doesn't help. Raining, grey and miserable, here. I started blogging for fun and to write memoirs. Hope to find that joy again, soon. Have a lovely weekend. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, let me clarify that I don't have to defend any point of view, but I became so annoyed with all the lying, crying, and crucifying that I had to say something about it all. I like being informed with basic facts so I can make my own decisions and yet the media seems intent on brainwashing us with their constant editorializing which as been having a very negative effect on a lot of people. I'm just trying to offer some different points of view based on what I have learned through the facts I've filtered from the opinions and using my own sense of rationale.
DeleteI'm looking forward to things warming up where I am. I'm no longer used to the colder weather.
Lee
Happy almost Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI do ask myself why I still blog and when that question pops into my head I know it's time to take a break for a week or two because it tells me it's becoming more of an obligation than something I do for fun or a way to help people. I usually take a break for a month in the summer and again during the holidays. Blogging is my way of (hopefully) helping others and if it feels like work, than I know I need to step away for a bit so it'll be fun again.
Elsie, these birthdays have coming too fast anymore. I wish I could slow down time a bit. If it weren't for my Battle of the Bands posts, I might be tempted to break for a month sometime. I guess I still could, but it might be hard for me to actually do that. Even after I wrote this post my mind started flooding with more ideas about which to write.
DeleteLee
Hi Arlee!
ReplyDeleteDo you know you're the reason I ever got into blogging? True, I don't use it for marketing, and with the exception of IWSG; which I very much appreciate, I simply enjoy the company and the enrichment of the incredibly interesting (like yours) and highly amusing blogs I follow.
I most certainly do NOT find you in any way contentious and I'm quite sure you'd be sorely missed if you quit blogging, so don't. Okay?
I'll be back more regularly as soon as (day job) issues settle down. Have a wonderful birthday, Lee! Tell us about your movie-binge ;-)
Diedre, no plans to quit blogging anytime soon. Especially when I get encouraging comments like yours!
DeleteSo far haven't really been watching movies, but just stuff that my DVR has recorded and that I need to get rid of in order to clear up more space to record more stuff--an endless cycle.
Lee
I started down the list of why people blog...then your response:
ReplyDelete"Being what I guess you would deem "an old white guy" I kind of resent the animus shown toward those of my kind. I think you are being sexist, racially insensitive, and exhibiting age discrimination and I find that somewhat hurtful (gosh, I sound like some of the folks on the left when I say that and I kind of enjoy the absurdity of saying it as an illustration of all of the absurd rhetoric coming from that side of the fence)."
This is the biggest problem I see in this whole thing...I, also, am feeling quite discriminated against and badgered lately by those who are quick to say they oppose bullying and prejudice. It is kind of crazy scary to be in their presence...
I am looking forward to your next installment. You know you can't not do it.
I blog because I like writing and it gives me a platform and often some inspiration. I have recently reconsidered whether I would continue. I may for myself, but just not reach out as much to the old crowd. It hurts too much right now, so it isn't worth the stress. Maybe find a new crowd.
PS My old white guy husband has enjoyed your posts immensely. He doesn't seem a bad guy...very understanding, thinks I'm smart and should do whatever I would like to do, etc., not prejudiced, likes people in general as long as they are well-intentioned, gives thought before he speaks and speaks to the point, generous to a fault...could be a better dancer... I don't like to hear people assuming he is anything else just because they don't know him.
DeleteHe'd like to read more. There's so much out there that is depressing and angry. Your articles are an oasis.
Donna, gosh, it's sure nice to get a comment like this. It does get tiresome to hear all the negativity directed towards those who believe as I do. I'm not particularly effusive about those on the other side of the fence than where I am, but I do try to be nice to everyone. I'm sure a lot of us could be a lot meaner and more insulting if we chose to, but I think our sense of trying to be reasonable is what keeps us on higher standing that those who always want to play in the mud.
DeleteThe writing and expression is a good reason for any of us to blog. We just have to rise above the negativity.
Lee
I think for me the reason for blogging is "all of the above." Having once begun, I'm a little afraid to stop. I get a certain amount of validation from it, and maybe a bit of publicity for my books and it creates a bit of structure, too.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, "all of the above" is probably accurate for most of us depending on circumstance and the mood we're in. As far as publicity, every little bit helps.
DeleteLee
Happy Early Birthday. I can feel the approach of my own wrapping up my blog. I wish you happy relaxing. :-)
ReplyDeleteRoland, sometimes blogging can be a great drain when it conflicts with the other things in life that we want to do or we must do. Maybe cutting back to one post per week, or every two weeks, or even just once a month can help. As I relax I keep on working on future blog posts and thinking on new ideas. Then again, I suppose we'll have plenty of time for "relaxation" after we die.
DeleteLee
Happy early birthday!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I run drier on potential blogging topics than others. I'm glad I still have a lot of my old Angelfire posts saved, so I can edit them down and publish them when I can't think of anything original to blog about. Since I've rather fallen out of my longtime habit of regular journalling, blogging has largely taken its place. I also like knowing I've helped people researching some of the topics I've written about, even if they don't get a lot of comments or initial views. I actually plan to publish such posts when I know most of my regular readers are on a blogging break, typically December-January and during the summer. A lot of people have read my Decameron posts, for example, years after I published them.
Carrie-Anne, you seem to keep a lot of content on your site. I guess in reality, when a blog post gets read isn't as meaningful as that it does eventually get read. I like it when a post gets a comment long after it has gone up on the site though it is most fulfilling to get a lot of comments when the conversation is current.
DeleteLee