This is me in the blogosphere. Tired.
I've tried to think of something original and exciting to write about, and nothing is coming to mind. Maybe it's because it's all been said so many times better than I can say it, or maybe it's because I'm so engrossed in my novel rewrites that I can't focus on anything else. Rachelle Gardner's post yesterday really started to make me think: Social Networking vs. Writing
Every time I go into Reader and see 50 new blog posts I wonder if I should be writing instead. Probably. It's just . . . I'm afraid I'm missing out on something wonderful that you have to say. I've learned so much by blogging this past year. It blows my mind how much I've grown as a writer, how many friends I've made, how I've opened my mind. Social networking may be detrimental to my writing, but I firmly believe that without it I'd be way behind where I am now.
Still, my novel is calling. And that should always come first. At the same time there's some amazing blog posts I don't want to miss. Like Beth's post today about art: Art's Influence on Writing and Rachelle Gardner's follow up post: Write Another Book!
You know, I just realized that I'm writing a post about how I should be writing. Wow.
Questions For The Day: I was surprised at how few hits there were on the Helpful post. And so few shared links. It makes me wonder what bloggers are really looking for in posts. Writing help? Inspiration? Insight? Or do a lot of bloggers network to further their own blogs? I know I've done that to an extent, but I must also confess that even if I didn't have my own blog, I'd keep hanging out in the blogosphere. For now, though, I need a nap.
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48 comments:
Well, I didn't share any links because up to a week ago, I wasn't bookmarking anything. I have enough to read w/out going back to reread what I've read.
But, now I'm starting to bookmark certain posts because I think that, like favorite writing books, they'll be helpful in the future.
Honestly, I got involved in writing blogs b/c we were in a dry spell at work, and I had to kill many hours each day.
I blog for entertainment, insight, and inspiration.
I'm sure I have my share of grammatical mistakes, but I'm also sure I'm unaware of the rules I break most frequently.
And I too blog when I should be writing. Or working. Shhhh....
I think this could be my post. I feel much the same way, about it all.
Personally, I cannot write 24/7. For that matter, even writing for an hour or two per day is hard sometimes. Why? Because I have a life beyond writing.
Last night - get home from work, feed the cats, bond briefly with the dogs, oh, and my partner, start fixing dinner, eat, clean up, start revisions on Chapter 3, finish revisions, walk the dogs, do a few othter things that must get done, crap, it's almost 9, bond with the dogs some more, go to bed. Yes, that's my life most nights lately. Oh, and I'm supposed to fit excercise in there somewhere as well.
As for Blogging, I work for a great company that doesn't care if I hop onto Blogger or Facebook briefly during the day, as long as my job is done. I probably work for one of the best companies out there. So, my blogging is done in brief moments throughout the day. I normally don't get onto Blogger at night. That's my rule. The evening is spent writing . . . and living.
I'm only human, and can only do so much. Why stress about what I can't do?
So, my advice . . . write when you can, write when you want, and know that your book will get done when it gets done. This works for me . . . most days.
S
p.s. I'm like Annie, I don't bookmark the helpful blogs, I just know who the bloggers are and hop over and scroll through the archives every now and then. Maybe I'll spend a day bookmarking and I'll post the links on my blog . . . when I have time. : )
OMG it's funny how so many bloggers seem to be on the same page at the same time. I just posted yesterday that I was fresh out of ideas for blogs. It happens to all of us!
I love blogging, and would definitely still be lurking around everyone's pages, even if I didn't maintain my own. It's just so interesting to read other people's insights and struggles and then see their blooming success.
Some of my favorite blogs are the ones that get personal and reveal something about the writer (or blogger).
I write on my blog to inform people of what's going on in my family. I write in my 'book' things I want my kids to know. So really, I write for my family. I want them to know that I love them. I want them to know the things our family goes through.
But I write for other reasons than you. You write for the benefit of many - not just your family. And trying to please so many people can be exhausting! :)
??? Lady, you typically get lots of reads and responses--that's never happened to some of us and we wish it would have! If one post of yours doesn't get as much attention as others, it probably means nothing, especially because you post quite often. At my place I had written posts that fit your Helpful one's requests, but I didn't post any links here because I didn't want to promote myself.
One thing I've noticed: you may be wearing yourself out responding to every single thing commenters say. There's really no need. If some people cannot understand only 24 hours exist in a day on earth, that's their problem. But I think maybe you think you'll seem rude if you don't respond to everyone, and that's why you're responding so much. Pick the most original/funny/thoughtful comments and/or pick ones from your best friends and respond to those only, or just make more aggregate responses thanking everyone and highlighting a few posts from different people at different times. This is just a suggestion of course--it's your blog, your call!
But you're doing very good, so don't stress :o).
Move over on that limb, Lady G, I need a nap too. My shift at my parents' taking care of Mom and she only slept from 5:30 - 7:00 am. *yawwwnnn*
PS So understand the don't-wanna-miss-anything mode. Maybe write on weekends when blog traffic and posting is slow? Being able to respond via email to post comments helps, when addresses are available. :)
I should be writing too, but there's just so much information out there and I feel like I'm missing out if I don't log in and read someone's post (and yours is one of 'em!).
I didn't post any links because I was just trying to read everyone's posts and get back to writing, haha. I can't remember if I actually accomplished that, but I was sure trying! That, and I haven't figured out how to post small links in a comment box.... Will try that sometime. :P
I write things about me and questions I have about writing on my blog - I'm fairly new at this - and I follow quite a few people's because they have interesting posts: inspirational ones, updates on the biz, a glimpse at how getting an agent has been for them, Do's and Dont's. I want to read it all!! :D
Hmm...I do search for a little bit of entertainment but mostly writing advice and friendship.
It is funny how we bloggers feel the same way at the same times. I had a post not too long ago, wondering about the whole blogging thing. Do people really just want more blog readers or are they looking for friendship or teaching? Right now I am in it for the connections and encouragement. All the "how to's" are sometimes too much information for me. I get overwhelmed with the info and it freezes me up and makes the writing journey more difficult. Your post today, it's real and honest, and I LOVE that! That is what keeps me coming back, because you express the feelings of my heart and I feel in some way connected. That connectedness with other bloggers is why I blog and wake up, like you, to 50+ blogs each and every day. Wow...I didn't mean to be so wordy! Surely there is a balance someway, somehow.
I like to read blogs just because I like to read people's opinions. :-) I'm a curious, rather nosy person. LOL But I love it when I stumble across something amusing, insightful or helpful.
I hope you're having a good nap. Blogging isn't the be all, end all.
:-)
I didn't share any links because I don't know how to html code, even though I read the help article on it, I still forgot. LOL
Oh Michelle, I'm right there with you. I thought it was just me. I can't get motivated this week. Yesterday, I spent the day cleaning up my desk and then went outside with the kids. I love blogging too, but it does take a lot of time. And I'm like you, I don't want to miss anything. And just so you know, I've learned so much from your blog this summer! Thank you for all that you share.
I enjoy your blog and not just because of "networking." I love your inspiration, kindness, and passion. I like you!
I enjoy reading people's blogs for the entertainment and camaraderie but I've also learned a lot about writing. But, like you, I've been feeling that I spend too much time blogging and not enough time writing, so I've been pulling back and trying to be more balanced. So, yeah, I get it. And much as I love the blogosphere, sometimes I need a break.
I visit blogs for all those reasons. I hope you get rejuvenated and feel peppy again.
I always love to read about writing, even if it's just a writer's struggle. I also like current events, which is what I sometimes blog about. Personal stories are nice, too. If I feel I know the writer better, I'm more likely to return to their blog.
I know how you feel. There are days when I barely have time to blog myself and don't get to read other people's blogs. I hate missing out on all the great stuff out there.
Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle
That will be my next crusade--getting naps the respect they deserve. So now you've made me sleepy......:)
I'm so new to blogging that I'm still learning, but I am making myself put hours aside for writing. Today I've accomplished a chapter rewrite. Doesn't always go that way, but I'm trying to relax into the ebb and flow.
I love reading your blog and LitLab and others. I can say blogging's been good for me and my writing. Well met, as the Faire folk say.
Blogging keeps me on task. It reminds me to write every day. And I've written a lot more than I would've if I didn't have a blog.
But like you, I started creeping long before I got my own blog. So if tomorrow, my blog spontaneously cyber-combusted, I would still read everybody else's!
Michelle,
For me, the VARIETY of posts in the blog world are useful. I don't exactly know what I'm looking for, so I appreciate being surprised and caught off guard. For example, I would have never thought to post something on how to take a good picture, or what's in an agent contract, but I found both of those things incredibly useful. Some of the bloggers are funny, some are more personal, some try to give tips. I like that we're all doing slightly different things, and that makes it hard to decide when one is more useful than another.
It's the middle of July. Who feels like doing anything other than diving into a bucket of rocky road ice cream? Motivation will return when summer's over. It always does!
It seems to be effecting us all. I have been reading less blogs and have fewer readers at mine as well.
getting ready to head to winter camp here in Paraguay with our church kids.
Yes, it's winter here.
Sorry Michelle. It has been a trying time between my son and them my horse. But I'm going to check out these links.
And hey ALWAYS write, then if time permits...visit a blog or two. :)
I look for things you write about in your posts. Question answered. Even things like what you wrote today--honest stuff is the good stuff.
~ Wendy
Bloggers are all looking for something different. Don't stress it. Go finish Monarch and write when you have something to say. :o)
Enjoy your nap and come back feeling refreshed. I have to echo what Davin said - I'm usually not looking for anything specific so some posts jump out at me and mean something at that time. I'll bookmark it and then go back later and read the post again and think, why did I bookmark that? I also have a tendency to bookmark certain bloggers to revisit - not specific posts. That's why I didn't share any link - you already visit most of the same bloggers I do.
Right now, I'm burned out and so ready for a vacation. This is our last week of 3rd grade, then officially summer begins for us. I'm looking forward to more free time and writing, writing, writing. Remember, next week is unplugged week. I'm ready for it.
Maybe it's a new form of summer bug? An Internet web is bound to have a few in it! After all, it seems to be going around. (At least I've got it too.)
Don't be too hard on yourself. Have you noticed you've been writing a lot recently? Again? Once upon a time, not to long ago, in this very blog, you had intended to only write three or less posts a week. It keep creeping back up to five posts or more a week. No wonder you don't get time for novel writing!
Now before there can be any shadow of a doubt, you do know I'm talking with love and support, right? There is no criticism in the fact that you are again writing more often, even though you said you would do otherwise. I honestly don't think you are consciously doing it!
Maybe (this is speculation, now, not given fact) you are too popular. I bet you could do book tours already! ... If you had a published book.
No doubt there is a lot of good to be had in networking and socializing. To a point. I think for most people that point is when it interferes with something, anything, that is even more important to them.
From here it sounds like writing your novels, especially to where you are happy with them with the purpose of publication, is losing ground to socializing. Yeah, we can say we love our writing enough to write even if not another soul in all of the eternities read it... but I think deep down we all really do want it to be spread and acknowledged. In modern times, 90% of that is through publication.
Hate to break it to you: You can't keep up with and support everyone. That's like trying to eat everything yourself at an all-you-can-eat buffet meant to feet hundreds. Good things in that proportion will only make you sick.
Now for the good news: You aren't supposed to keep up with and support everyone. Yay!
Support a few, and let those who can support you in turn. If everyone supports a few more, there will be care, love, support, and all those good essential things for the whole world, and then some.
Draw your lines, make your priorities, whatever it takes to know who you decide you'll be and what'll you'll spend your time on. Then comes the best part: Live it and find joy doing so!
If you feel guilt, maybe take five minutes to make sure you aren't missing anyone or anything essential - let me re-emphasis that: ESSENTIAL - then get back to living happily.
I can't imagine a greater gift than knowing someone is living happily and fully.
* HUGS *
I hear you on this one! And I blog because it gives me a distraction from writing, and I like to socialize with other writers. :D But I wrote the first draft of my most recent book in 2 months, so it actually seems to be motivating me! Sorry I never posted helpful links, but I honestly haven't thought to bookmark anything. Sigh. Back to procrastinating.
I have to chuckle ... loved that picture ... perfect for your post, which was great!!!
I love socializing with my fellow bloggers. That's why I do it. I've had to cut down and only post once a week or so, and it's been nice to have less pressure. Sorry I didn't share any links. I've had a bad CFS spell for the last week and a half and haven't been around much. Hope you get your much deserved rest. :D
Go enjoy your nap and then come back refreshed and read all of your blogs. Muahahaha...
Ok enough evilness.
Seriously though, blogging does both help and hurt your writing. I too find I spend way too much time reading and responding to posts than I should be. Then again, sometimes a post reaches out to me and smackes me across the face and reminds me I should be writing. Rachel’s post about writing another book did that recently. I was reminded I needed to get book two done. I had set a deadline on my blog about it too.
Everything in moderation I guess. Blogging is good, just remember to take a step back every now and again and get to that WIP.
I so get your feelings! I LOVE blogging and Love reading other's blogs, yes, for the fact that other's get to know me by my comments on peoples blogs, but it's mostly for the pure socializing of it too. It's fun to network with other writers! But.... I too can't keep up with everyone's blogs. I have two or three that I view daily, maybe ten or so that I try to go to once a week, and probably about 50 that I visit once a month. My once a week blogs, though, have become more like once every two weeks lately because of my schedule.
I HAVE started to commit to blogging daily on my own blog. If I do less, then I allow myself to cheat. I can usually come up with some crazy post to make people smile or think. LOL
I blog for fun. I'll see something or think of something I find amusing or interesting, and I'll think to myself, "Hey! I should do a post about this!" Which is how I end up with posts about Twinkies, Michael Jackson breaking the internet, and the songs that play in my head when I can't sleep. I rarely (if ever) try to think up profound or deeply meaningful topics. If I tried to do that as often as you do, I'd be exhausted too.
You've got a bucketload of followers that love to read your helpful writing advice, but here's the thing: You're not obligated to post for them. You're not obligated to post at all. If you don't put up a post for a while, you're not letting your followers down.
Don't beat your brains for post topics. Forced posting is never much fun. Have a good nap, and post when you think of something you find interesting that you'd like to share.
Sometimes I think that I should just get a tattoo that says, "I should be writing" and that way I can stop constantly thinking and saying it all the time.
I am surprised you didn't get many links for helpful posts. Like many of your other commenters, I usually don't bookmark posts because I would be bookmarking everything, and then they just get lost in the crowd anyway. I was, however, looking forward to finding out what others found helpful and visiting those links. Hmmm... I suppose that is a little bit selfish of me.
I hope you got your nap.
I loved Rachelle's post on networking vs. writing. So much comes down to writing a great book. It really has to come first.
I hope you got a nap!
Well--I really only go to 2 places to answer all of my "writing" questions: 1)The Miss Snark Literary Agent link I shared- and 2)YOU!
I really do read the blog archives you have cuz I kind of..a little bit...think of u as my writer guru:)
Since you helped me with getting my novel into the straight and narrow, I just look to you for answers. Ur like the leader of my imaginary book group out in cyber space...but u don't even know it:)
I still check out a few new blogs a day now, but I also check my blogs I follow regularly on a rotating basis(like every couple of days)-tho I do read multiple posts when I go to the blogs. I've started to not comment on every post tho--it can take a long time-I bet it takes forever for you!
You're really at a point with ur blogging that you can just check a few blogs every few days, and only comment on stuff you want to be involved in a dialogue with!--You have such a high readership and I know I always tell other new bloggers who write to check out ur stuff--U probably don't need to do much self promotion at this point.
Just scan ur fav blogs every couple of days and really go in and read posts that catch ur eye! If I'm starting to do that I KNOW YOU should be doing that! Or- you'll run out of hours to write!!
:)...hope I made sense...as always :)
"This is me in the blogosphere. Tired."
Love that photo. Yes, it is tiring to blog - yet there is something that draws. Not sure what it is. Perhaps as writers we spend hours alone and this outlet gives us a connection. And then, from it we discover an new life out there. I, for one, use it to produce some writing, but I wonder if I didn't read all of this fine writing, I might get more of my own done. Perhaps.
We have similar posts and I can totally relate. Where should I be now? rewriting... not reading blogs. But I keep saying, "Oh, just one more."
Hmm the topic of social networking vs writing is very interesting. I think social networking isn't entirely bad for writers... sometimes it provides me with fantastic inspiration!
I tend not to link things or bookmark them. If it's good advice I hope that I'll remember it.
I'm not really a blogger but I do love reading blogs and leaving my comments. When I had my graduate admission essay for grad school, I still wasn't certain of what I really wanted. All I want to do is to write. Now, I am a freelance writer and at the same time a writing tutor to kids. The only thing that gets me going is my love and dedication to writing itself. If ever I will have a blog, it will be about love, relationships and letting go.
I personally enjoy reading certain individual blogs that move me, and by that I mean with motivation to emulate a particular writing style (usually poetry), or awaken my feelings of life and love. I also follow blogs I know I can learn something from, blogs that encourage and show me what mistakes to watch out for and how to step up my writing abilities.
There is some social networking to an extent. The blogs I follow I comment on, and I hope that they will in turn read my blog and leave me with their thoughts -- good, bad, or indifferent, and that is about the extent of my social networking. lol
And then again, the blogsphere enables me to connect with people I would never have had the opportunity to chat with. Where else can you correspond with people who share a comman interest of communication, with such a wide variety of people, from all over the world?
Annie: I don't bookmark anything either. I just print stuff out when it strikes me as super amazing. What I LOVE about Google Reader is that you can search all the blog posts for different key words. It's very helpful!
Rick: You know, the more rules I learn the more I think it might be better NOT to be aware of them, haha.
Janna: I'm so glad!
Scott: I often need breaks as well. In fact, I take so many that my book is taking me forever to write! But right now, with everything on my plate, it's the only way I can work right now. No worries about bookmarking. I just wanted to see if people had posts they always referred to, even without bookmarking. I know I have some that I just always think about, but I've never bookmarked.
Megan: I agree. Those are the posts I love - when the writer is willing to get personal.
Mandy: Wow, yeah, you hit it on the head. It is exhausting! I've always been a "pleaser" and to feel like I have a lot to please is daunting! I'm trying to get out of that mindset.
F.P.: I love to reply to everybody - it's part of the experience for me, so I won't be stopping that anytime soon. But thank you for your consideration! I've been thinking of going on an extended hiatus, so we'll see. I'd rather take a huge break than cut corners in the way I like things, and feel crappy about it.
Oh, the post that didn't get as much attention. I wasn't judging based on comments, but on the amount of visitors. It was way low that day. I think it's because people who see posts in their Reader do what I do - they see a bunch of links in the post, and that's the bulk of it, so they skip it if they don't have time. I totally understand. Hah. :D
Angie: Yeah, we can nap together! I'm looking forward to Unplug week next week. Actually, I'm starting early tomorrow. Join me!
Amanda: Hey, if people weren't giving me posts because they were writing, that's fantastic!
I think after I've been blogging for a few years I will probably slow down. Since we're both new, it's just fun to soak it all in!
Mariah: Same here. :)
Sherrinda: I get overwhelmed, too, as you know. I love the connectedness that you talk about. That's what keeps me coming back too. I just wish I had more hours in the day to connect more than I have been lately.
Jessica: You don't strike me as nosy! I asked others to share their posts in an email, so html wasn't needed, but that's okay. If you run across anything amazing, let me know!
Amy: Blogging does seem harder in the summer, I agree. I've noticed that a lot of people blog less when the weather is lovely!
L.T.: I like you too! I just hope we get to meet one day. Networking can really be amazing.
Sherrie: I like your new "schedule" - it's very manageable. I'm trying to slow down a lot. Let's hope we both get more writing done!
Eileen: I have a retreat planned this weekend, so the nap is extended and will be awesome! I'll be peppy again.
Lynette: It's hard to miss out on stuff, I agree. And yes, the more I get to know the blog writer, the more likely it is that I'll return. That's why I end up visiting most of the blogs of the writers that comment here all the time.
Tricia: Yeah, I'm still tired, too! But I've been getting a bit of writing done amidst all my other responsibilities. Life just gets so hectic!
Icy Roses: That's a great way to look at it! I must agree that blogging does keep me on task to a point.
Davin: I agree that the variety is awesome. It is one of the reasons I follow so many blogs!
Jill: I HAVE been eating a lot of ice cream lately... and my thighs show it. But who the heck cares? I love summer. I really should take like a 4 week Unplug break!
Rita: You always sound so busy. But yours is one of my favorite blogs, so I hope you never stop altogether!
Robyn: You make it sound so easy... a blog or two. Haha! Okay, I'll try. I hope your son is doing all right.
Wendy: Thanks! I've learned so much from blogs lately that I totally understand why people didn't share a lot. There's SO much out there to learn. I learn from yours, that's for sure. You always do such a great job of including your readers.
Liana: But I usually always have something to say, that's the problem. Lately, though, I'm running low. So that's a good thing!
Robin: I hope you enjoy your break! I agree that I'm often not looking for specific information. I love it when I come across a blog post and think, "Wow, I really really needed to read that today!"
Alicia: I have been blogging less, no matter what it may look like over here...
But yes, I am trying to eat too much at the buffet, and it's not going to get me anywhere but angry with my reflection! Thank you so much for your thoughts, Alicia. You always brighten my day, truly. And you always help me see the other side of things I was ignoring before. Thank you!
Bonnie: I'm similar to you in that I just love to socialize. In real life, it's harder for me. I think that's why I like blogging so much because it's easier for me to socialize and feel important, haha. Certainly addicting. Wow! 2 months. I am impressed!
Kelly: Thanks! I love that picture, too. It's sweetly satisfying.
Dani: Not problem about not sharing! I figured everybody had a good reason. I'm just nosy, haha.
Quixotic: Oh, you are evil! Yeah, my blog posts are piling up. I'm trying hard not to dig in. I saw your goals on your post. I think that's awesome!
Krista: Yeah, I do have to remember that my own blog is the most important. Then, if I have time, I can get to others blogs. Such a great reminder!
Becca: GREAT advice! And so true. Actually, people might like it if I DID post less. Quality over quantity, in my opinion.
Kate: Oh, you're far from selfish. I was the selfish wanting everybody to do the legwork for me in the first place! That idea about the tattoo is BRILLIANT. If I got a tattoo, that is what I'd get! With a quill next to it.
PJ: Yeah, it was a great post. It's one I will always refer back to. She has a great one up today, too. A guest post that you shouldn't miss: So You Want To Buy A Ferrari
Rena: Yep, and planning on more.
Penny: Great points you've got there! I do have a great following, and I love love love all of them! Especially those who comment. Taking the time to comment is a huge deal. I sure hope you don't rely on only me for advice! At least check out those other links. ;)
Midlife: I do think that it is because we feel alone when we write, so this connection in the blogosphere is addicting!
Sonia: Just one more... yep! That's how four hours go by without me writing, haha.
Time: I agree. I do get a lot of inspiration from blogging. I've learned so much I could fill a whole book! Or three or four...
Martin: Yep, that's usually what happens with me. If it's great advice, I think about it a lot. Like my fractals post today on Lit Lab. I read David King's post on that clear back in May. And I've been thinking about it ever since!
Nakabunot: Thank you for visiting! I agree that the only thing that gets me going is my love and dedication to writing itself. It's certainly a gift!
Suz: Oh, well put! There really is no other place like this, is there? The amount of time we spend interacting in such a slow, but steady manner is wonderful. And with people from everywhere! For such a long period of time and about specific things. It’s unique and a great experience.
Unplugged week gets an extra bonus start tomorrow? Good for you!! Hope you have fun replenishing your supply of smiles. ;->
Alicia: Thanks! It was great. I'm not heading off for Unplug Week... officially. Just had to dive in after my quick break. Although a post with pictures might be in order. I'm such a cheater!
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