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| Just a little confused |
Hi loyal, but most times sometimes random, fans of
my blog. I have quite the conundrum. To blog or not to blog?
I recently read a book that told me blogging is not necessary to being a successful author. I kind of have a
feeling she’s correct. I was talking to an author friend of mine (who
blogs) the other day and I mentioned that a popular author that we both know
doesn’t blog. Hmmmm. And then I read this book telling me that if blogging isn’t
productive or projecting me forward as a writer (my words not hers), then I
should stop.
Now I have to justify why I blog and if
I should continue or cease (stop crying please).
My reasons for blogging:
- I get to post my reviews with chocolate bar ratings
- Prah and Constantine Review (I love seeing what Constantine thought of the same book)
- I host awesome books, authors, and contests
- The Color of Love Blog Hop (all blog hops actually)
- I’ve met some great people through my blog
- It helps with my platform (urm, kind of)
- Blogging helps me to increase my overall writing word count (but I could do this by spending that time writing publishable novels)
- As much work as it is sometimes, I really enjoy it
I’m going to have to give it some
serious thought to see if it’s worth it for me to keep blogging.
What do you think? Does blogging help or
hinder an author’s success?
Happy New Year Everyone!
I also wonder about this question. Blogging takes up much of my time. Not my posts so to say, but visiting other blogs. Although, I love to meet new people and keep in touch with bloggers which have become wonderful online acquaintances and friends. My new thoughts are to keep my blog and post once a week. And visit other bloggers on the big blogging day which is normally on Monday.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture of you Nana, and the little boy is sweet!!!
That's a good idea. I can't actually imagine going without a blog. Visiting does take up a lot of time, but it's so much fun.
DeleteI wonder about this too, but I don't Facebook, and I'm pretty random on Twitter, so bloggin does let Google know that I'm alive.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is also where I get to be full of nonsense. But you're right, It does take time away from my word count for published writing. Sigh. So hard. Wish I could give you good advice, but I'm right there in the midst of the conundrum with you! lol!
happy new year!
Lol, Ava. It's good to know I'm not alone.
DeleteHi Nana,
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad you raised this question. As you know, I’ve been searching for ways to promote and market my books that are in line with my own desires and preferences. Lately I’ve been so stressed about the promotions that I let it suck my joy out of writing.
It’s not that I don’t like blogging—I just don’t like doing it according to the “rules,” like on a set schedule or having to watch what to say or not to say. I started two other blogs, one to get a fresh start and dedicated to writing only, and the other to devote solely to the topic of healing, primarily from abuse.
I discovered two things after setting up both blogs: 1.) I get immediate responses and ‘likes’ from the abuse blog. I think because it’s more from the heart, is relevant to a large audience, and is helpful or insightful information. 2.) I actually enjoy writing this blog, maybe because it doesn’t require research or expertise. It’s based on my experience as both an abuse survivor and a dedicated intuitive life-coach of survivors. The writing comes to me more naturally.
This blog (the one at https://htase.wordpress.com – Healing Through Awareness & Self-Expression) is more about who I am, supports my life-coaching work, and serves as a platform for my forthcoming non-fiction work about sexual abuse, and which I feel will be my opus.
So the short answer (finally!), and my opinion, is blog if you love to blog. I also don’t think it’s essential in promoting or marketing, but it’s helpful if you don’t have a website for fans to connect. I will continue to blog on both writing and healing, but only when it feels right to create a post.
I’m letting off the pressure of any expectations for my writing in 2015 and just enjoying the ride. That doesn’t mean I won’t invest my time and energy in all things related, including blogging, just that it will be on my own terms from here on out.
Happy New Year to you and your subscribers!
~Carole Avila
It's wonderful that you have a blog that you love to do, Carole. It's probably why you get so many responses. I never knew about your second blog. I'm going to have to check it out. Thanks.
DeleteP.S. I really didn't intend a shameless self-promotion of my blog...just clarifying which one I was referring to!
ReplyDeleteAs a reader/blogger I don't think for an author it's a must. However! I do think if it's something you enjoy it's beneficial. If you didn't blog would you miss the community? Would you miss sharing your thoughts? While writing a book will fulfill the need to write I know it doesn't fulfill the community aspect since it's a solitary thing and that to me would be something I'd miss and would affect my mood I think.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate authors who keep up a blog. It doesn't have to be daily but something so I know they're still out there. Updates on their process or what's going on with them or...something. It's nice to see personal stuff and opinion pieces as well since you get a better feel for the author.
I think I might have to make you my blog adviser Anna. I adore yours. To be honest I like blogging and I would miss the community aspect of it.
DeleteI've wondered about this same thing. I really lost my enthusiasm for blogging in the latter half of 2014. But I've met so many great people this way that I don't want to give it up, so I'm going to give it another go this year.
ReplyDelete