The Act of Blogging, or In This Case, The Lack of Blogging
The thing about blogging, and then not blogging for a while is that, when you want to come back to the blog, you feel like you need to explain why you haven’t been updating.
You see the thing is, sometimes I think I know too much. Back when I started this blog… there weren’t really any rules for blogging. You just sort of started an online diary and chronicled your adventures however–and whenever you wanted.
But now, now it’s different. There are pages and pages of the internet all about how to construct the perfect blog post, build your readership, and even the best times to blog.
I mean seriously, there are certain TIMES you should post your blog.
You see what I mean about too much? That much pressure for something I started back in ’05 with little or no plans to make it into anything. I’m always reading that you should take time to make your blog about something– find a topic and write about that.
But I don’t have a topic… I mean… unless you count me.
Can I be a topic? That’s a little narcissistic, don’t you think?
So, I started thinking about it, and I realized something… I am thinking too much. I spent a lot of 2011 thinking too much. The only times 2011 rocked? When I actually didn’t think.
So, from now on– I’m going to update what I want, when I want. I’m throwing the rules out the window. If I want to write an 8,000 word essay on my new favorite color of nail polish (how freakin’ cute is that color, btw?) then guess what? I am going for it!
If this means I lose readers, I am okay with that. If this means I gain readers? Well, then maybe I will prove all those experts wrong, eh?
Either way… I started this blog because I wanted to have a little outlet for all things me. And in 2012, I am bringing it back to the roots*.
If you want to join me, I’d love to have you. But if you don’t… I understand. It’s hard to break the rules!
*Every time I say or think the word Roots, all I can think about is my Junior History teacher, and how instead of actually teaching us anything, we just watched it OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
Since I average about one post a week I think you know I’m on board with breaking the rules. I would like to write more, but I feel like I’ve already said it all. I am hopeful that going to Blissdom will give me a fresh approach. Of course, I still won’t ever have a theme or topic and I will probably still not post regularly. It is a conference, not a brain replacement.
@nicole, oh are you going? I hear that is like the mostest funnest conference EVER! Jealous!
It’s refreshing to see a seasoned blogger shun the rules and go with her heart. I am a new blogger and am totally overwhelmed with the info on what’s right and what’s not. Where does one start? Information overload equals ignoring the rules for me.
@Andrea, I can’t even imagine getting started now! I don’t blame you for being overwhelmed! What I can say is… just write what you want. When I write what I WANT to, people comment… when I write because I feel like I have to, no one says a peep!
I have seen many bloggers saying that they are sorry for not posting for a while.
I say for that, if the readers of your blog care to follow even after 2 weeks, you dont need to say sorry, just keep posting as usual.
@Aviran Cohen, hah exactly… I’d rather read a new interesting post than a post about not posting, right?
Yes, please! I hate trying to follow all the blogging “rules”. My blog is primarily for ME; if anyone else wants to read it and have fun with me, great!
@Rachel Bateman, and see… you have a GREAT blog that I LOVE!
Hey, Jamie. I’ve been doing my blog for just 2 years now, but have put up nearly 600 posts! (And they average like 1000 words… Ugh.) At first I started off with like a post — or more! — EVERY day, now am down to like 2-3 a week because it is better for me and my schedule and less pressure to continue coming up with interesting ideas. Overall though, I do it because I still love doing it. When that stops, so will the blog.
@John Sciacca, See, I am the same way… I still LOVE blogging, I was just putting too much pressure on myself to be the PERFECT blogger. Ugh. not anymore… now I am just going to be ME! 🙂
@Jamie, Exactly. Last time I checked, I didn’t get paid for mine. (Actually, I think it has cost me like $75 in Web fees and whatnot so far.) I *still* want to be PERFECT, but just not forcing myself to put up something EVERY day. Though I’m already ahead of the curve on typing long posts about randomness and have yet apologize for being away so long… 🙂
@John Sciacca, hah! That’s just it. I mean, I sometimes get paid for posts… and sometimes I get to do REALLY cool stuff because of my blog. Like, I’ve driven a car for a month, I’ve been invited to fancy events, etc. But… they didn’t do that because I posted on a schedule. I got chosen because I was interesting!
@Jamie, I get paid for writing, just not at the blog. The blog has definitely opened up new avenues and opportunities and exposed new readers and that’s a big part of why I do it, but I’ve made no money on it. Well, one fan DID send me this: http://johnsciacca.webs.com/apps/blog/show/11189302-tactical-bacon-always-be-prepared So, I guess I have made that much money from my blog… 🙂
@John Sciacca, dude, that’s more awesome than anything I’ve ever received.
@Jamie, I know, right?! Best…letter…EVER! Also, if you haven’t read this, some of the AWESOME experiences I’ve had from my writing career.
http://johnsciacca.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/8928857-the-experiences-ultimate-writing-motivation-pt-1-
http://johnsciacca.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/9002660-the-experiences-ultimate-writing-motivation-pt-2-
http://johnsciacca.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/8983522-the-experiences-ultimate-writing-motivation-pt-3-
http://johnsciacca.webs.com/apps/blog/show/8984135-the-experience-the-ultimate-writing-motivation-pt-4-
Some amazing times there….
I hate this mentality and it has totally invaded how I blog (for example, I clicked each of those links, and I was genuinely interested…). I think this is an awesome idea! Also, I LOVE your blog so you are obviously doing something right. 😉
@Lisa @ Adventures of 2.0 (BaffledBooks), hah! YES! When I was writing the blog post, and I went to find those links… I TOTALLY started reading the articles.
Then I was like WTF…. isn’t that EXACTLY what I am trying not to do. Methinks this habit will be harder than I thought it would be to break!
@Jamie, I read them and they all have completely conflicting information. LOL, No wonder we are all stressed and confused!
@Lisa @ Adventures of 2.0 (BaffledBooks), that’s the part I freakin’ love. I mean… it’s all just opinion, right? I think really the only thing that builds readership is being INTERESTING. 🙂
This is EXACTLY what I have decided! I loved blogging, but this past year when I decided to stick to a schedule and put “real” content up? I lost interest and my readers lost interest and I even contemplated quitting, because all my posts were “oh my goodness I haven’t posted in forever I’m so sorry” – who wants to read that? NO ONE!
I’m committing to breaking the rules with you 😀
@Rebecca T, hah! I have done that SO MUCH! Like… oh guys I am like way sorry. Also, um, I don’t have anything interesting to say… so I will just make some crap up for a few paragraphs.
Forget that… from now on I blog when I need to SAY something. No more of this blogging for the sake of blogging crap!
I have this same problem! When I started blogging it was 2001. And at some point, it become THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT, and I got too afraid to ever post. I’ve always technically had a blog sense then, but I barely ever post for that reason. I was just deciding yesterday that I needed to just let go of all that crap. So I’m right there with ya, lady!
And yeah, cute nail polish 🙂
@Faith, Hah! I am so glad I am not the only one. Here I’ve been feeling confined by all these rules… all the “THIS IS HOW YOU MUST DO YOUR BLOG OR ELSE YOU ARE NOT BLOGGING”
And you know what… we’ve been blogging since before blogging was cool. WE are the Blog Pioneers! I say that means we can do what we want!!!
Hear, hear! *nods sagely*
I’m tired of having to explain myself when I don’t post for awhile… and I realized lately that when I don’t think I have anything clever to say about writing, I don’t post… which means there’s very little of “me” on the blog, and it’s MY blog. Which is ridiculous. This changes, NOW. Nail polish posts FTW!!!
@Faith, YES! Like… why am I blogging if I don’t have anything to say. If I don’t want to blog… then why would someone want to read it?
Hey, I’m with you Jamie. I hate rules. Especially ones that don’t make sense. And I only follow the ones I like. There aren’t very many of those. And I don’t like the ones that tell me what to do. And when. And how. And how much. And how high. Really…who do they think they are? My mother?
@Lea Ann, hah EXACTLY! Down with the rules!