Good Morning. I know this post is late in getting up, but that's because The Monster got out of school yesterday for summer break and I got up late this morning. Well, not so late, 7:30, but that's late for me as I'm usually up at 5. But I didn't set the alarm this morning and I didn't have a post already planned. So here I am.
There's been a lot of chatter around the blogosphere about the blogs, and bloggers coming, going, leaving, comments, no comments, is blogging dead, is it cyclical, do we even care anymore....
I don't believe there are any definitive answers. As with writing, it's all subjective. What one may think about blogging, another may think about Twitter or Pinterest, or FB.
I think, and this is only my opinion, as most of us have been around for awhile, and have come far from where we started a few years ago, we've either gotten agents, small publishers, or took the plunge and self-published. And as everyone knows, once you do any of those things, your life takes on a whole different direction. I know a few weeks ago, I had a post about blogging and although I love it, it's just sucking the life out of me. I don't have time for it anymore.
I've always said the writing comes first, and that will not change. (Well, first after The Monster and my mother's constant demand to have her lawn mowed and gardens in perfect order.) I haven't been around lately because I've been working on my latest story -- Monday's post --. We'll also be moving very very soon, add to that painting and fixing the old house, and throw some vacation in the mix and well, what do you get?
Me, in a straight jacket.
Well, sort of, but no, more than likely, you just won't get me around. I have some posts pre-planned for Monday's in the next few weeks, and I still would like to celebrate my birthday before I leave, so I hope you'll just keep me on your radar for a little while longer.
Tell me -- Are you getting ready for summer? Are you taking a blog break? Is blogging dead, or just cyclical?
20 comments:
Well after my last blog post I think you know how I feel...
I feel like blogging has been on life support for a long time and a lot of people are realizing that there are more productive uses for their time--especially when they realize that for all the talking they're doing not many people are listening and they can reach more ears and eyes and hearts in faster ways (like, though many still reject it and I did for a LONG time, Twitter).
You can't go home again- and I feel like 'our' blogosphere the one we had two years ago, is already gone.
I feel like those who stay will just keep talking but haven't yet realized most folks aren't hearing anymore.
I hope you have an absolutely AMAZING summer.
xoxo
bru
I answered Bru's blog post on my own blog, so my feelings are out there on what blogging means to me. It's a personal, happy place for me, and I visit other blogs when I can. Have a great summer, Anne. :)
You're right Bru. It's all talk, and perhaps people are listening, they're just not commenting which is understandable. I mean, who has time these days? Which in turn, means we think no one cares about us anymore. And if no one cares then why bother.
And yeah, Twitter does take getting used to, but now that I have figured out its secrets, it's so much easier to use. That's probably where I'll be over the summer.
And I did not forget your post. We're still scheduled.
Michelle -- Yeah, I read it and then read Bru's. It's what we make it and want it to be, and I liked your response to it all. I think that's the way to go. A personal web-log. Good choice and I will probably emulate it when I get back. Have a great summer.
It's an interesting question. I will probably continue to blog because my hit rates are steadily increasing in a way that makes me very happy. BUT, I think what I write appeals to people who want a quick fun read, not a conversation. Some people leave comments and I love those but I think a lot of people treat it like a column in a magazine or newspaper which I'm okay with because I hope it builds my brand.
Johanna -- That's great that you have an eye on what you're doing and fab that it's working so well for you. I don't think I'll stop blogging altogether but come September I believe my focus will change once again.
I couldn't care less if blogging is out. I like it. It's my primary mode of socializing, especially with other writers.
I have almost 2,000 twitter followers, none of whom ever seem to be there when I am.
Google+ is a ghost town. Facebook is Facebook. I have no interest in Pinterest.
To each his own.
I wish you a happy, productive summer, Anne.
Interesting questions. I've asked myself them lately too, and I think I have to agree with Linda. I enjoy blogging, it's how I socialize with others, especially writers, and because my expectations for it aren't terribly high then I can simply go with the flow. Lately it's all slowed down and instead of honest posts (like yours, which is why I always visit here when you post) there's been too many blogfests and book promotions, both of which can get old fast.
It's getting colder down this way! :-)
Summer is long gone in Oz.
Who knows about blogging I'll keep going while it's still fun!
Linda -- yeah, that's why I like blogging too. I like to socialize and though I'm finding Twitter easier to navigate it's not as all emcompassing as I'd like it to be. As for the others you mention, nope,I have no interest either.
Karen -- Blogfests and book promotions do where exceedingly thin. But summer is coming and I suppose everyone wants to get them in before people leave for vacation. Like me. Thanks for stopping by.
Al -- I still can't get over it's almost winter down there. Yeah, you know, I think that's why blogging is eating away at me so much now, it's not really fun anymore. Hopefully after a nice long break, when I get back it'll be fun again. And maybe I'll have something inspiring to say instead of all this whining.
I'm publishing for the first time next week and so while a break in blogging is on the cards, it won't be yet.
I have really noticed a downturn though. I've been on blogger long enough to know it hits peaks and troughs, but this looks like absolute apathy in the community.
Myself, I don't believe blogging is anywhere near being dead. As much as I enjoyed the A to Z Challenge, the whole month of April was out of sorts because I devoted myself to visiting new bloggers and the routine with my regulars suffered. Many bloggers probably did the same, or they chose to take a vacation during April because the weren't doing the challenge. The after April, everybody was simply burnt out. I know I was.
Blogging will have its ebb and flow, but it not dead! I understand what you need to do though! Good luck!! :)
According to the research I've read, most blogs last only two years. Neil Gaiman has a staff that helps him with his.
I will miss you. AT&T cut my lines with their "improvements" and the month of May, I have been in virtual exile in two senses of the phrase!!
With my Kindle Fire I could visit sites but the teeny keyboard was not meant for my fingers!
Not being able to comment on my friends' blog cost me visitors and followers. But some recent devasting news just makes blogging and even my writing seem so unimportant now.
Good luck with that move. Enjoy your summer! Always your friend, Roland
Donna -- Congratulations on all fronts. I also remember you saying you had an R&R on one (or was it 2) of your manuscripts so best of luck with that as well. No, I'm afraid to say you won't be taking a break for quite some time.
DL -- So THAT's where you've been. Yeah, April and November seem to be the burn-out and the vacation months for some people. No blogging isnt' dead, but like you say it has its peaks and troughs, and I think I'm in a trough phase. With so much going on in real life I think a break is in order to realign my stars and get my head together for my writing life. Such as that will be as well.
Roland -- I'm so sorry for your news. That does make all the rest of this insignificant by comparison. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
I will be posting less too, but I will be around. I comment and visit as much as I can. I've learned a lot from the people I follow and the people they follow. Have a great summer.
I'm scaling back to work on my next book, and I know many took a break after the Challenge or will be for the summer. However, blogging is definitely not dead, as many of my blogger buddies are just as active as ever and I often can't even keep up with comments on my own blog. It might grow quiet but it's not dying.
I'll try to maintain a somewhat regular blogging schedule through the summer, but I'm not going to beat myself up if I take some time off. Hey, this is supposed to be fun, right?
A lot of people cutting back on blogging. Including me, and I don't post much. I play catch up on reading though, and don't always comment.
I need to get back to writing. But I find so much useful tips and info visiting other blogs. Its a quandary.
.....dhole
So what's this? You get me to start a blog, and now you're saying blogging is dead?:-) What am I going to do? Now I'm all worried. I've got involved in all this new technology, and it's already out of style. Grump, grump, grump.
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