Why Writers Should Blog

[vanessabrooks]

I stumbled across this great article on why every writer should keep a blog. (I found it courtesy of Melanie Edmonds, the author of a really griping, engaging post-apocalyptic webserial.)

I have a blog (obviously).

I also don't update it nearly often enough (also should be obvious.)

One major reason that I don't update is simply because sometimes it seems like I'm feeding into vanity. I've never been the sort to stand in a crowded room and shout, "Hey, look at me! Pay attention to me! I'm here, I'm here!" (Shh! Those college dorm days and party nights are not open for discussion.) When I blog about my writing, or some deep philosophical musing I'm having (read: babbling about nothing), I feel like I'm being very egocentric. Which, in a way, makes sense because it's my blog. But that sort of center of the world vanity just isnt' me.

The other reason I don't update is because I feel that . . . well, it's boring. As much as I might want to read the latest anecdote of my daughter's day, or report back on a silly conversation I had with my husband, why would anyone else want to read that? Essentially, isn't that what blogging is? Putting material out there for people to read? Or rather that you want and hope that people will be interested in reading, and hopefully comment on, too?

I don't often have deep reflective thoughts. If I do, it seems like too much energy to expend to get them on "paper." If I need to vent, I do it over the telephone or face-to-face with a friend and by the time I'm in front of my blog, I've run out of steam and motivation.

. . . um, I also get distracted and lose my train of thought. That being said, I'm taking my ADD blogging skills and going to get some real work done . . .

Comments

[theserubyshoes]

That article did have some good points, but some of the positives described can be gained from commenting on others' journal posts (and replying to comments made on journals) as well. I can't say I agree with the notion that every single person who identifies as a writer should publicly publish blog updates every day. I mean, obviously they can, but unless they're published writers who have settled into the role of One-way Speaking To An Audience, it does seem a bit futile to keep throwing words on the wind and hope strangers will take internet time every single day to invest in a reader/audience relationship...especially fellow writers who themselves like to write and be heard, and must use internet time to best advantage. I'm not saying DON'T BLOG EVERYDAY, but I am saying don't feel guilty that you don't. Daily blog updates aren't the only option for reaping the benefits described in the article.

Sites like dreamwidth and livejournal work well since you truly can "network" (or form online friendships with people who hold common interests or just are fun to talk to) and--going along with that idea-- you can alternate between journaling and commenting/responding. There's such a wealth of entertainment, information, and motivation available online. I'd have to say my personal views fall more in line with joining a site like dreamwidth and being interactive, rather than daily blogging. But I know my views aren't shared by everybody. My own sister (a writer) has a blog somewhere that she updates each and every day that I'm always getting grief for not religiously following and commenting on.

PS- None of those topics you described sound boring to me. I hope when you do have the time and inclination to update you include whatever strikes you as interesting, and I'm sure we'll feel the same. I love when writers' blogs mix it up between writing topics and real life anecdotes =D

[ex_pippin880]

The other reason I don't update is because I feel that . . . well, it's boring. As much as I might want to read the latest anecdote of my daughter's day, or report back on a silly conversation I had with my husband, why would anyone else want to read that?

If you write about boring things in an interesting way, they can become interesting! Why do you think poetry's still around? *grin*