Blogging about Blogging

When I began seriously pursuing publishing a novel, after being out of the publishing world for awhile, I immediately noticed some pretty big changes. Most revolved around social media and technological shifts in marketing. It wasn't just about writing a good book, although that of course is the primary step to everything else. It was also about web sites and Facebook and Twitter and blogging. It was a daunting, and sometimes confusing, world. Where should I invest my time and energy? Do I need a website? What about my author page on Facebook? How many people need to "like" it? But one of the biggest question for me was, should I blog?

Everybody blogs now, right? My vet blogs, my insurance agent blogs, and even the president of my home owner society blogs (now that's a fascinating read, believe me). Blogging is a popular way for authors to build a following. It also seems a natural fit for writers. But, after doing this for a couple of years, there are some things that I've learned about blogging.

Things I don't like about blogging

It's another deadline. Most Sunday afternoons I spend writing the blog for Monday morning. Most Sunday mornings I spend feeling guilty because I haven't yet wrote the blog for Monday. Deadlines are just part of the writing life, but the procrastinator in me never finds them pleasant.

It's time consuming. I have a full time job with a hectic schedule, so finding time to write, and think about what I want to write, is challenging. Sometimes blogging takes me out of my mindset for writing on my WIP and focuses me on a completely different topic.

You can't edit blog posts to perfection. A published piece of writing, especially a book, goes through many, many, MANY edits. There is time and multiple opportunities to catch commas and misspellings. A blog post is often a first draft piece of writing, and it often goes out to the world with mistakes still intact. That's sometimes a very stressful process for me. I have to hit "post" before I think it's ready.

Things I love about blogging

You can't edit blog posts to perfection. Yes, I know this is a repeat. I love the fact blogging makes me let go of my inner critic in a way that, even if it is scary, is completely freeing, too. It's a writing exercise that I need every single week.

You have an immediate connection (and receive immediate feedback) from readers. I'm just at the point in the publication process where ARCs of SKINNY are going out for review (yes, that's why my nails are chewed off to the nubs). With blogging, however, you don't have to wait. The audience is immediate.

You get way more back than you give. Remember that time commitment and deadline I mentioned earlier? It's all worth it. The community of readers and writers developed by a blog can be more supportive than ever imagined. There is a sense we're all rooting for each other (and we are). I've never met many of the readers who regularly comment here, but when I do (and I certainly hope I do) I feel like I already know them.

Writing is a solitary endeavor. I think sharing a blog makes it a little less lonely. So if you blog, we'd love to hear from you this week. Share a link to your own blog in the comments. Tell us why you do it. We'd love to hear your thoughts on blogging.




P.S. And now a random sunset picture from my trip to Florida last week.


Ahhhh.... breathe....



and blog :)