Good morning. I'm having trouble these last few weeks getting back into blogging. I was on hiatus from before Thanksgiving until last week. I missed a lot in the blog world by doing that, but it did get me back into what I needed to do -- spend time with The Monster and my books before the holidays.
But now the holidays are over, and I'm looking at the the next 5 months until I can take my next hiatus. (Part of my publishing goal was to only "work" while The Monster was in school, and when she was out for the summer and on vacations, so was I.) I need to get back to the blogs and come up with something snappy, some witty repartee, some fantastic mind blowing chatter.
Problem is, I've got nothing to say.
I mean, sure, I could talk about my books, but that's boring. You don't want to hear about that.
I could probably go crazy and read a couple of craft books and discuss those, but hey, you can do that on your own. You don't need me.
There's also the idea that I could just talk about The Monster but this isn't a Mommy blog, it's supposed to be a writing blog.
I don't know when the shift in my world occured. I would have to say, probably last summer when I decided to officially self-publish. But in doing that, I became someone new. I lost who I was. I'm not Piedmont Writer anymore, I'm Anne Gallagher -- Author of Regency Romances.
And don't get me wrong, I like Anne Gallagher, I'm just not sure what to do about Piedmont Writer. I liked being a writer. There was fun in that. I got to create new characters, test my wings in writing styles, and POV's, use my brain to figure out how to make good dialogue. Now that I'm an author, it's all about the next book. Traditional published authors will tell you that too. To find and keep an audience.
I hate that. I really do. There's so much damn pressure.
My aunt used to tell me, If I can't say anything nice to or about someone, don't say anything at all. I'm going to modify that concept.
If I can't find anything relevant to say, I won't say anything at all.
I hate the idea of giving up this blog. I really do. I've met so many wonderful people, made so many great friends, formed such solid bonds with other writers. I did miss you all when I was on hiatus, very much, but I've seemed to have lost my voice somewhere. And I really don't know how to get it back.
I'm going to try and only post on Monday for awhile, and see how that works out. I don't really know what else to do.
Tell me -- What do you talk about when you have nothing to say?
27 comments:
I always have something to say but most of these thoughts have nowhere else to go and that IS why I blog. I DO know that not everything I say is relevant, but who can be in every post? That's why my blog's masthead says... "One woman's slant on writing and life"...because it gives me permission to write about things unrelated to writing. Oh, good Lord! This comment sounds so pompous, doesn't it? Sorry! But seriously Anne, I love your blog posts...please don't give up yet. What would the blogosphere be without you?
As far as my blog goes, I'm never at a loss. Too much stuff. But then, I've always just talked about stuff in my posts.
You'll find your groove. As you said, you're a new person now. Embrace that!
You certainly write wonderful emails.
Well, I talk about whatever is going on--AKA I ramble. LOL
But it's been hard for me to get back to blogging too. I was really enjoying my nice long break.
PS. Read The Lady's Fate and loved it!!!
Me? I just spout some nonsense and hope it's amusing. *grin*
I do know what you mean, though. You can reach a saturation point with blogging. But the wonderful thing about blogging is that you don't have to post when you have nothing to say. It's not like you have to close your blog if you take a break.
It used to be you had to worry about people losing interest if they didn't find new content every time they visited your blog, but nowadays most of them use blog readers anyway, so they only stop by when they see there's a new post.
So I wouldn't stress it too much. Find a schedule that works for you. :)
Anne, I've been there. In fact, I'm struggling with this right now as well. I've cut way back on blogging. I've found that even so, I still post about a whole lot of nothing most of the time. Don't give up the blog, though. I would miss you!
I delve into my writing and usually something end up coming to me. I have cut back my blogging to three times a week though.
When I got nothing I go visit other blogs and start commenting and pretty soon I find all kinds of things I want to start talking about, so I come back to my blog, write a post and schedule it for the next day. I usually always write posts in advance now. I had a hard time getting back after my holiday break too. Sometimes I think I'd like to just have my website, blog once a month on that, and let go of everything else but I know I'd miss it if I did.
You know me, I fly by the seat of my pants writing and blogging. Keep the blog--post when you feel like it. No one says you have to follow a schedule...by the way, I like those pictures of where you used to live...:)
I hear you! I shifting focus on my blog, because quite frankly I'm getting tired of talking about books books books and I've found that the posts that get the most hits are those which are funny and personal. I want to go back to that! :)
Well, sometimes I write something completely useless and irrelevant. That's when I'm feeling desperate to actually hold true to my 'I blog every weekday' mantra. But sometimes I just write nothing, because I'm tired of saying stuff that means nothing. I waver. But I completely understand where you're coming from. It's okay - but I'll definitely miss you. Hopefully you think of things to say quite often. :) :) :) Will you still be doing Fridays at the Piedmont Grill?
I had trouble getting back in the blog swing after the holidays too. Actually, I became scarce leading up to them too. I had writing goals/deadlines that stole all my energy. It's understandable.
I attended a workshop once where the author said she posts informative links when she doesn't have time for fresh posts.
Luckily, (for me, maybe not my readers) I've never blogged about only relevant things. Like Em-Musing, my blog is the only place I have to talk about what's on my mind.
I hope you find your blog voice renews, if not you must do what works best for you.
It's a tough situation, isn't it? But consider this: even in this post, where you lament about "having nothing to say," look how many comments you got. No pressure from us. Say what you want when you want, and we'll still be here. (You're stuck with us, kiddo.)
honestly, i feel like I ran out of stuff to say over a year ago. i have no clue what i've been talking about, or how i've managed to keep up 2 posts a week (since fridays don't really count).
It's a mystery to me
You need to read this post by Dean Wesley Smith: http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=6190
You can choose to still be the Piedmont *Writer*. When you self-publish, the pressure is only what you put on yourself. I've tried the high-pressure route. I prefer just focusing on the writing, and letting the rest take care of itself.
The vast majority of what I blog is writing - not *about* writing, but writing itself. The other parts...well, it's my thoughts about things, and how that relates to writing. I posted about superheros last week, and smurfs this morning. I'm formulating a post about stamps for Wednesday. Just because it was something I was thinking about the past couple of days.
The trick is not to try too hard - be open to whatever comes...whether that's unconventional, or mundane. Just like fiction - you'll be surprised where following a simple thought will lead you, and your blog readers will likely be interested too. :-)
I go through spells of not knowing what to talk about on my blog. Somehow I come up with something for regular blog posts. My go-tos are food, Texas, and my dogs. On the Top Ten lists it's the 'things I didn't write this top ten list about'. Sshhh, it's a secret. Don't tell anyone :)
I'm not sure what to say except that you aren't JUST an author. You can be Piedmont Writer AND Anne Gallagher - Author, as well. In fact, nobody is just the author part of themselves. It's hard when you publish because you literally split in half. It's hard to find that balance. Really hard. I hope you find it, and I hope you keep blogging here. I'm doing a lot of things lately to cut back on the author side of things and find myself again. It has been really difficult and painful, oddly enough. We'll both get there. :)
Why can't you still be the Piedmont Writer and Anne Gallagher, author? I like both. Both have something different to say, to exchange and to describe. Post when there's something you want to tell us, regardless of the day of the week. We'll listen and offer an opinion or suggestion. You have much to offer with your writing experience. Chill out. Blogging should be fun.
I am having that exact same problem and have been for a while. I went to posting only once a week, but I still really have to dig for something to say on that one day. Just yesterday I decided to try following a set format, with headings like "what I'm reading" to help get the words flowing. The headings will change each week, but the "thought for the week" will be the bulk of the post and will always be there. I'm hoping that by just making it a response to a heading (i.e. short), I'll trick my brain into coming up with something to say. Good luck with your dilemma!
Thanks everyone for your kind words and great comments. We had an emergency with the heating system here yesterday which kept me away from the blog for most of the day -- It was 57 degrees in my house -- not fun.
I do think I have a better handle on the situation and with your suggestions I'll try and keep up with it.
And yes, Friday's at the Piedmont Grille is still around. I've just got to come up with some yummy food.
My long hiatus to deal with home stuff really helped. I couldn't even think about blogging or what to blog. Sometimes it's nice to just step away from technology and just "enjoy" life's stresses. LOL. Read some books, take some walks, do some writing exercises in a completely different genre...my point, shake things up! Bring in some other challenges and maybe that'll bring life back to your blogging experience.
i think you are wise to be honest and vulnerable about the lack of fuel in the tank. doing the self publishing thing takes energy. your stories are you. i have enjoyed what i have read, mostly your most recent. stalling is a part of the journey, metamorphosis too. some ancient wisdom says to be the wind and blow furiously, then be silent, too. i think that's a natural cycle. i'm starting to get back to poetry. i know how often that well has run dry, and i am thrilled when i find any substance in it now becuz i know it won't last forever. you will rise again, but as what? i am dying to see:)
I'm kinda having that problem too. I took a couple weeks off to get some short stories polished and submitted, and now I'm having problems getting back into posting. I enjoy visiting blogs, but writing stories seems more interesting than creating a post.
Maybe its just what happens after a while. Writers become Authors and their focus shifts for a while.
It's OK Author Anne; we'll still love you when you do hang out :)
.......dhole
I hope you do keep your blog! It is hard to get back to blogging after being away from it. I know I lost my voice along the way, but I'm trying to get it back. You'll find yours again.
Hugs. I know it can seem like blogging is one more thing to add to the pile. And sometimes inspiration can be hard to come by. I think tho, if you write from the heart, you will always find an audience.
I hope you keep on blogging, if you enjoy it . :)
Angela @ the bookshelf muse
I try to stay positive on the blog, so if I can't find anything I really want to comment on, I might slip in some travel or research related stuff. The easiest thing to do is blab about books and bookstores. Though I do try to keep the knitting on the knitting blog [g]
Man, I feel this pain. I've had the hardest time blogging this week. I just keep staring at the blank window, wondering what in the world I could say that someone else hasn't already. Or that I haven't already.
I'm still blank. :(
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