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| Link for Comic http://xkcd.com/610/ |
Every so often I like to regroup my blog and assess whether the things I’m writing for my blog are working and benefiting…so, stay with this post, because a lot of this is me thinking as I write.
So, if you’ve been keeping up with my blog, you will notice that for the past few weeks I have written three different types of posts:
Mondays were my “Ask the Writing Community” posts where I asked you questions related to the writing process and posted your responses to my blog.
Wednesdays were my “Blog Hop” posts.
Fridays were my “Writer’s Toolbox” posts where I hoped to find resources that you can use to make the writing process easier.
Really I thought this was a pretty clever collection of posts. I wanted my blog to be a useful resource.
It did not take me long to get burnt out.
And then I read a post today from Men with Pens on the topic of having a “Blogging Schedule”. Or not having one…and having quality posts is a lot better than having a ton of posts just thrown together. (And then I read the comments and realized I’m not alone…hee hee hee).
And the thing is I do love getting feedback from the writing community on the writing process…it’s interesting and fun and everyone has a unique perspect that is just awesome to read. And I love doing the “blog hop” because I can see that my readers who take part do gain more readership. And my “Writer’s Toolbox” is fun too because of the interesting sites and resources I can accumulate.
So, over the weekend and for the past week, I thought. “Hey, this is working…I’m getting readers…this is good.”
Until I was preparing for a post I would have on Monday (which obviously did not get posted) and I was actually working on it over the weekend.
What????
To be honest, I have never spent my weekend on my blog. I just don’t for some reason. It’s easier for me to do it during the week. And plus, I’m trying to finish my book and write stories more regularly, and I realized I am spending way too much time and energy preparing posts I required myself to write. I thought…I have to rethink this.
I can’t say I will get rid of those three posts, but I can’t say I am sold on having a rigid blog schedule. It isn’t for me I don’t think. At least, not this much.
Quick Side Note: I am still sold on the idea of keeping my “blog hop.” But, to sort of help get the word around to make it a more successful hop…is anyone interested in being a regular “co-host” for the hop? This would require that you post the hop pretty faithfully each Wednesday and I would give details about how to post the link widget. Let me know by sending me an email (clicky that “contact me” link tab above and send me an email). I’m hoping to two or more hosts (including myself)…so let me know!
Have you ever made any “big changes” for your blog? Do you keep to a posting schedule? Has it benefited your blog? Also, any feedback you can give me on my blog would be fantastic.
Blogging to me has been a source of fun and escape. I know there are people who blog seriously, at least more seriously than I do. People who actually make money blogging which I admit would be frikkin awesome. I agree with you though, I never want my blog to be a job. Then it's not what I want it to be. An escape for me.
I've disappeared for months at a time and I can tell you it hurts. I've lost a lot of "followers" not really readers, they came right back when I returned. But in the end, I'm not so worried about followers as the people who actually come by to READ and enjoy. That's what I'm here for and why I blog.
I guess it depends on what each person wants out of the experience as to what rules or such they need to institute for themselves. Found you through Cranky Old Man and I'm actually looking forward to exploring more!
@Donna – You are definitely right. For a blog to feel like a job would completely defeat the purpose. I do make money by writing posts for someone else, but it feels different. For my own blog, I don't want to approach with the same discipline!
Thank you for reading!!
I can see what you're saying. My only set post of the week is my Monday Mishmash, which is totally open to whatever is on my mind. I like a schedule with flexibility.
@Kelly- I'm do glad to know I'm not the only one!! Wednesdays are the only days that I post now with a schedule!
Hi,
I am a new GFC follower. I found you on a blog hop and would love for you to stop by my blog and follow as well. Also check out my giveaways link if you would like to try and win a super cool 3D bike helmet for your kids. Thanks!
http://www.chunkyandmonkeymd.com
@Monica – Thanks for reading!
I love your honest style Nicole and I think your posts really are full of great tidbits of information that your other followers love too! Look at all your followers. You must be doing it right!
@Desert Rocks – Thank you for the compliment!! 🙂 I needed that with the tough week I had! 🙂
This year (2012) I decided to increase my posting from one time a week to two. I don't think I'd like to do more than that. Even with only two posts, I find it difficult to get fiction writing in. I started the blog to help with the fiction writing career, not to derail it! It also seems that the blog-o-sphere is full of posts during the week, so I try to post on days that aren't as full. I also am having to cut down on the reading/commenting part, because there are so many. I don't know what that does to my relationships w/in the blogging community, but I just don't have the time necessary to get to everyone's blog, all the time.
@Lara – That was my purpose too with my blog! When I realized how much work was being put into it I knew it wasn't worth it. I'm cutting back now too…and I haven't been as good with comments either but I'm hoping by cutting back on posts that I can respond to comments! 🙂
I recently made a change, a simple one, in that I schedule my weekly "tales' now for tuesdays. I got into a pattern of working on one weekly, and that was it — because as a writer, I revise and revise just as I do with my novels. ANd what I've always taught my students.
That is my ONLY scheduled event! Otherwise, I do some hops, and might post here and there some short little thing, about my other crafts etc. But the main draw to my blog finally seems to be my tales, so that I keep as my focus. Anyhoo, would like to do your hop! :))
@Sandra – I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one! Overscheduling definitely isn't for me anymore! (And welcome to the hop!) 🙂
I started blogging some years ago, just as a way to keep me writing. I have had a blog on about five or six different blog hosting sites over the years beginning around 2002. I've had my wordpress blog since 2007 and I use it just to "talk" to people and make friends. I live a lone and don't know anyone in town. All of my interaction with humans is online. So my blog works for that. I've actually made quite a few friends, many of whom I've met in person when they've come to town so it works for me.
I used to have a set topic each day but haven't done that for a couple of years, although I am looking to getting back to that as a means to keep me blogging on a more regular basis.
@CorinaJoyc – Yah I have definitely used my blog for writing too. I keep trying to remember that writing is my priority!
To be honest, Nicole, a schedule is something I expect to find on the television. When I'm browsing the internet, it's because I'm tired of what's on TV! 🙂
I rather enjoy the randomness of the blog posts that I run into by following the links at sites which I visit on a regular basis, like Writer's Digest, AbsoluteWrite.com and CritiqueCircle.com.
Sometimes the post might not suit me to comment and sometimes they do. But, that's where I go to find links to posts that I know I will enjoy because they are written by people who love to write!
It doesn't matter what you write, your passion when you write is all that counts.
@Diane – Thank you for that!! You are definitely right…schedules are for tv!! 🙂 I love the randomness of blog posts too…and how many of us are really that predictable when checking out blogs? Im not!
I don't have a schedule because it always seem when I try to have one, something else supersedes it, and then causes me great stress.
So I've decided to write when I can and everything else will fall into place.
We all have lots of interests so we have to follow our hearts and do what we can when it comes to blogging.
@Susan – yes! That is exactly what happened to me! Right when I have a schedule set, something always gets in the way. Why is that?
I like your blog a lot – it's appealing and interesting.
With respect to blogging / scheduling – yeah, super hard to get it done as planned (just what I blogged about too last week). I think a schedule is great as it sets clear expectations both for the writer and the reader, but obviously it works only if you have enough time to devote to it. Nothing wrong with going with the flow (and it does reduce stress too).
@E.D. – Yah I like the idea of scheduling posts but it never works like that! 🙂 at least not for me!
After I came back from my hiatus in August I made a lot of changes, mostly about stuff I wouldn't do any more.
I've never blogged on a schedule (except for WRiTE CLUB, which is different) and never will! 🙂
@DL – Yay! Three cheers for not scheduling!! 🙂
I really need a blogging schedule!!! I'm a new follower from the Tuesday hop. Feel free to follow back at http://www.dandygiveaway.com 🙂
@Tara – I know the feeling!! But then I realize I hate it!
I love blogging and I love writing and the time I spend blogging has helped my writing, but I let way too many other things in life distract me from doing regular blogging. I do try to keep a schedule, but about once a month, it gets out of wack and getting back onto the schedule is hard as all get out.
Writing outside of blogging is the same. Most of my writing is done when I have the least amount of distractions (i think this is the case for most writers).
BTW, I like your new blog design. Very clean and open.
@Marty – Thank you for the compliment on my design!! I finally feel settled with it!
I'm the same way that blogging has helped my writing, but I can overdo it sometimes which can stress me out to the point of taking away my writing.
I usually stick to a schedule of updating once weekly (with my kids it just can't be more than that and still find time to write), and I want my blog to be meaninful. However, I don't stick to one subject only. I do try to stick to a theme about either the power of words or some kind of wise advice. With that in mind, I wait during the week for some spark of inspiration to lead me to what I would like to blog about. Sometimes I pick up things from the news or from something I have read. Sometimes it just hits me. I try to mix it up a bit to keep things interesting, and I do try to promote other writers along the way whenever the opportunity presents itself. So, I'm not strict on subject or on time, except that I do try to be consistent by post new things on Thursday evenings, but occasionally I might do it earlier depending on my schedule.
Nicole, I always like your blogs because you do bring something new and fresh as well as useful. By the way, I love the cartoon above!
Lena I love your approach and your approach in choosing topics! It's a great way of always having a variety! 🙂
Thank you for the Compliment on my blog! I needed it!!
Hi there! Just found your blog via Book Blogs and am a new follower!
I'm still new, but like the idea of scheduled posts. 3 a week may be a bit much for me personally, but I do a Friday post each week, as kind of a summing up of my week.
My blog is pretty new and is only now just beginning to find its voice and its feet. It is necessary, I think, to take a step back and re-evaluate what your original intention for the blog was … I often lose sight of that and feel the need to reel it back in.
Keep it up and cannot wait to read more!!
http://unpublishedworksofme.blogspot.com