There is a tide in the affairs of, well, everything. Shakespeare knew it; the writer of Ecclesiastes knew it. (What would he write now? "A time to tweet and a time to stay silent?") And now I know it. To run a good blog takes time, energy, and creativity. God only knows how the post-a-day bloggers do it!!
These days, I'm pretty much running on empty--at least with ideas on what to blog about. It doesn't help that I am spending every waking moment driving my son to theater rehearsals, reading 145 middle grade novels, and trying to finish the first draft of my WIP. The middle grade novels get reviewed on Middle Grade Mafioso, other ideas get lined up for Project Mayhem, and The Year of Writing Dangerously thrashes/faffs about looking for direction.
This may be how it's supposed to be at this stage of my writing life. I have no "I have an agent" stories to make a hullabaloo about; no tales to tell of the road to publication. And other writers do a much better job writing about the craft of writing (Janice Hardy, anyone?)
So I'm pulling up the drawbridge for a while, hoping that if I don't HAVE TO write something, inspiration will arrive. I'll still be a Mafioso--so pop on over there if you miss me.
Have you ever felt your blogging well run dry? What did you do: walk away or retool?
I can so relate to how driving your kid to their theater or sports practice really drains the creative energy. I haven't written anything but blog posts since the major driving started mid August.
ReplyDeleteI haven't run dry because I mostly interview authors and only blog once a week. I don't know how people keep up with the 3-5 day blogging or two blogs like you. Maybe at some point you could combine them and Monday be the middle grade reviews.
I'd love to know someday how you started reviewing for Cybils.
So far still going at it day in and day out, it does take work, but when you are a rhyming nut it can be a little easier..haha
ReplyDeleteI'm a journalist. If my muse disappears the paper is just white sheets. I just sit down and type. But I guess not everyone can do it.
ReplyDeleteAt least we don't have to fear your using the Ernest Hemingway method - imbibing into oblivion.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.salon.com/2011/06/05/hemingway_excerpt/
Just take a vacation, a week, two, whatever works. Then, return when you want to, when you can't wait to share.
ReplyDeleteLife is more important than blogging. I don't think it's something you need to do when you don't feel like it, unless someone's paying you. If you decide you want to come back, most of us will still be here.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Myrna. Blogging is important, but I wouldn't go crazy over it. I frequently skip a few weeks, and no one seems to notice.
ReplyDeleteI'll be here when you return
ReplyDelete...take a break.....recharge
I can definitely relate to the blog floundering in the time stakes, and also in the idea stakes. And I've only been blogging for a few months.
ReplyDeleteLately, I've been lucky that something seems to spark off an idea for a post, although my posts are rather random. Maybe while you're not thinking what to write on the blog, ideas will spring into your mind too.
I'm sure you know how I feel about this. Why must we feel guilty?
ReplyDeleteSocial media can take over your life if you let it. I had to back off as well.
ReplyDelete