Homer Simpson
So this is the final full week of posts from me. Sure, I might reblog on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. I might even do a full week for special events like releases or holidays. One thing is that I’ll be sticking to writing here. That’s what the blog was initially for and I should make sure that focus takes the center stage.
It’s been filled with fun and tears, but the time has come to do the change. I’ve learned a lot these last 2 years. Some good and some bad, which is what I’ll be discussing throughout this week. At least I’m going to try. The first ‘silent’ day will end up being next Tuesday, which may end up driving me a little batty. Kind of like going cold turkey on anything. I’m hoping this doesn’t turn into a spiral into neglect where I simply don’t do a post or I find myself totally out of ideas. To be honest, I am out of ideas for Wednesday at least. I’ve talked about a lot in that arena. I’m kind of stumped on Monday too, which I’ve discussed ad nauseum.
Anyway, I’m curious to find out what other people have learned since they started blogging. What were the highs and lows of your WordPress adventure?
Legends of Windemere 
Biggest thing I have learned (after two solid years of every day blogging on my Thanksgiving blog), is that when I decided to cut back, it meant I basically quit. I rarely blog on that page because it doesn’t seem that important. I got out of the habit pretty quickly – and getting back into it is either not important or just too overwhelming. I’m going to try with the New Year to get started back on a daily basis.
But you are different, you have a schedule set up so you will still have a routine. It seemed I was either all of nothing – and nothing won out. Good luck.
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That’s something I worry about. As you said, once you walk away even for a bit, it feels harder to get back on the twitchy horse. That seems tp go for so many things. Hope you manage to return after in 2015.
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I think part of my problem was life. But also two separate blogs. If i could figure out s way to combine them, it would help.
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Maintain one is definitely hard enough and I know what you mean about life. Ever consider scheduling one blog for a few posts and have the other be spontaneous? That might be tough though depending on free time.
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Lows I haven’t had. Except for the stalkers and one or two who want to play blogging politics. Highs are the people I’ve come into contact with, the sheer volume and quality of the stuff I read from other writers, the discipline and confidence I’ve learned from writing every day and the knowledge that ideas do come if you start writing.
But the people are what does it for me. Every time.
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That’s great to hear. I have to agree that the people are what make it worthwhile.
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Not sure if it’s obvious, but I’m seriously shy. In the beginning I was terrified to comment on other blogs – even now if the blog is new to me. Blogging’s taught me that people are mostly wonderful, real, and kind, and I’ve met some friends here that I know I’ll have to the end of this funny old life. 🙂
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Well it isn’t that obvious, but I was the same way at the beginning. I had no idea if it was right to comment on the blogs of strangers, but it turned out for the best. Maybe another benefit of blogging is that it helps the shy.
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I’ve learned that I can write about whatever I darned well please. If something doesn’t work, it only has about an eight hour lifespan anyway. I’ve tried a couple of theme months. One failed, one succeeded tremendously. If you get tired of something, try something new. The bloggers who comment are my favorites, and I try to comment on many blogs to pay it back.
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Ah, theme months and weeks. Never know if they’ll work, but you have to go in for the long haul. Good point on the 8 hour lifespan.
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I’ve learned that some people stay and some are transient. I try to comment on many to let folk know there’s a real person interested in them who has read what they had to say. I appreciate that when others come by and do the same for me. I’ve learned that email is something I have to cull periodically or I’ll go nuts. I don’t do themes really, just post about whatever strikes me. It usually has something to do with whatever I’m doing….rambling around or staying in to write or read.
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I think you’ve touched on most of the other topics I have for this week. 😉 Great point on the email culling. I used to leave it alone until the evening and it was insane.
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When I started, I’d decided that the main theme was to help authors become better known.
This theme grew to encompass advice and tips from others via reblogs and professionals writing articles specifically for my blog, plus book promos and goodness knows what else 😀
To break things up a little I throw in as much humour as I can from time to time and am amazed how many others share my weird sense of humour!
Taking a break from blogging IS like having withdrawal symptoms and going from one extreme to another is easy.
Enjoy the R&R Charles – it’ll help you regain perspective and refresh you 😀
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Thanks. We’ll see what happens next Tuesday, which is my first official ‘no blog post’ day. I’ll still reblog anything I see that’s helpful to others.
You reblog a lot, so I’m curious about what you see as far as stats and responses. Do you find that many people go to the reblogged blogs after you blog about them? Or does it depend on the topic?
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It depends on whether or not the topics appeal to visitors Charles – I’m happy to say that most people find them appealing enough to go on to the originating blog to read them completely.
Some bloggers have come back to me to report their stats lit up – which, apart from sharing the article information, is the second object of reblogging for me 😀
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Interesting. That’s really cool. Kind of like you made your blog an author hub for information and networking.
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I keep telling everyone that it’s intended as an independent (and free) Authors Platform for authors to promote themselves and their books.
Why?
It’s based on the tried and tested principle of recommendation by someone other than the authors themselves…
But has it sunk in yet?
Only with a few of the 353 authors who have been featured to date…
Most of them only visit the blog once to tweet / reblog / send to their own FB page, then that’s the last I hear from them…
😦
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I have to admit that I’ve toned down my responses and I’m never sure what to do about reblogs. I do read the interviews and I’m hoping to get back into commenting once the new year starts. I’ll be getting a lot of stuff off my back once things return to normal.
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Don’t get me wrong Charles – I certainly wasn’t getting at you – you’re one of the few who have stuck around and used the platform 😀
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No problem. I just feel like I’ve been walking away from a lot the last few weeks. Maybe even months because things really went whacky near the end of October.
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As they say in the Middle East, Sh@t happens in the desert Charles – all anyone can do is accept it, deal with it, clean it up (or bury it), then move on 😀
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Sounds like that saying would work for Las Vegas too. Then again, I watched a lot of CSI back in the day, so my opinion of that area is skewed.
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Me too 😀 😀 😀
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I hope your decision will bring you some peace, Charles. All the best to you in the New Year.
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Thanks. Have a happy new year too.
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The more I use WordPress, the better it gets. 🙂 But it is easy to put (way) too much time into blogging. Good luck with your writing.
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Thanks. Blogging really is easy to get sucked into. Requires a lot more balance than I originally thought.
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Yes, blogging takes much time! And reading blogs even more time! Don’t be too cut and dried with your posts and I know you won’t. I love the humor side you always seem to have! 😉 Looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
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Thanks. The humor will always slip out even if I’m trying to be serious. Promise. 😀
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“The little guy” was what caught my eye to begin with so I know you will sporadically keep us informed on his well-being! 😉
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I’ll try. Though his risking his well-being today by being really obnoxious. Duct tape is within reach.
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I’ve learned the value of meaningful interaction. Not blindly liking everything I see, but dedicating some time each day (i’m on the computer anyway) to finding content that matches my interests and offering my thoughts. It’s helped increase traffic to my own sites, and I’ve met some interesting people.
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It’s certainly helped me make friends and grow my own blog. I do agree with the blind likes. I try to at least read the post even if I can’t think of a comment.
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Great question Charles. I guess first and foremost is that I love to write even more than I knew when I first started. I learned that blogging truly is an interactive sport. If you don’t interact with those that visit your blog, they won’t hang around long. Lastly I learned that bloggers are part of unique family and I would say that I probably enjoy that family aspect of it as a close second to the actual writing.
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I chuckled at you mentioning ‘sport’. It really does feel that way at times. I’d say an interactive team sport too because you can’t promote a blog without a little help. 🙂
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I’ve learned how to back-up my blog and to keep a copy of my writing on a memory key and a hard copy. I’ve learned to change style around now and then. Also, have met some interesting people living ordinary lives just like me 🙂 Like you, for instance.
My intention, when I first began my blog, was to write short prose pieces/fiction. Less poetry. It took me a year and a half to settle into that intention.
Ellespeth
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Interesting that poetry wasn’t your original intention since that’s what I think of first with your blog. I definitely learned to back some stuff up.
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Learned the fun of doing a four time a week feature on top of writing three novels. Didn’t think it possible.
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You’re an Iron Man among authors. That’s a lot of work and you pulled it off.
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Can’t hold water though
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I’m a relative newbie to blogging, Charles, but I’ve learned the freedom of writing without endless revision. And it gives me a forum for my creativity that I very much appreciate. Plus I have met some wonderful fellow bloggers and learned so much from them. So overall a good experience for me so far!
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It’s definitely relaxing to write something that you don’t have to revise multiple times. Blogging certainly gives me a sense of freedom that book writing doesn’t always have.
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I’ve enjoyed making friends, getting encouragement from other writers, and giving the same. The people, I guess you could say.
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The people certainly make blogging worthwhile. 🙂
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I really enjoy the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
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Thanks.
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