I definitely have lost my energy to keep blogging. When my alarm went off this morning, I asked myself if it mattered if I write this post. I heard a few of your voices hollering out, "Of course it matters!" I thought I should just email Alex and ask him to take me off the list.
The fact is I've been exhausted lately and have had a hard time finding the time energy to work on my current WIP.
I took some time off from blogging to work on my novel and lost most of you, which makes me question whether the time I've spent on this was worth it at all.
If I have to choose one thing to do, writing my novel or blogging, it has to be writing.
If I have to choose spending time with my kids over writing, my kids will always win.
But my kids know I need to finish my novel (this one and the others) and get it just right. They get my compulsion to do it.
Today, I will find some time to work on my WIP, but that's all I can do today.
You haven't lost me, Tonja.
ReplyDeleteFocus on your writing and stop by here when you can. It will be all right.
And maybe a nap will help?
I knew you would say that. :)
DeleteHello! I too lost a few brethren when I took a break to edit, but it is summer, and a lot of us are hearing the siren call of the great outdoors! My blogmate L.G. Smith left a fun little link to an idea generator last week. Perhaps it might inspire you--at least to silliness.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.portent.com/tools/title-maker/
Have fun!
~Just Jill
Jill, I read your post today and tried to leave a comment, but it tried to force me to create a Google+ identity, so I opted out.
DeleteI am all full of ideas - just short on time. :)
Blogging is hard work, and trying to find regular readers is even harder! Yes, take a nap, take a few days off, spend time with your kids...the blog will always be here when you get back.
ReplyDeleteAnd take a sail over to Gum Drop Island too, heh heh.
I don't know what Gum Drop Island is, but the song Hushabye Mountain from Chitty Chitty Bang is now singing in my head.
DeleteKids are just a season of your life. I love that you put them first! I think you need a blog vacation! Keep writing! I'm new to the group, so I wave hi!
ReplyDeleteMy kids span a large age range and I started late, so I think the kids will be 3 seasons. :))
DeleteOh, yeah, I've been there, Tonja. About once a month I'm ready to give up the blog so I can just write. There's no question this current novel of mine has taken twice as long to write as it should have, and I blame blogging for that. BUT social media stuff is part of the new equation for writers, if publication is the goal. I've had to learn to accept that a certain amount of time has to be devoted to being online in addition to the creative writing part. But it does come at a price, no question.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with what you said.
DeleteYou haven't lost me!!
ReplyDeleteBut we all go through times when we can't keep up with the blogging -- writing them and visiting others. I always hope that my blog followers (and the ones who count on me to visit theirs) understand that I'm doing the best I can.
We all are!
I hope so too.
DeleteI can understand this, although the issue I am having the most trouble with is reading blogs. I want to be supportive and love hopping around the blogosphere but it does take a lot of time and sometimes feels like too much. I hope you are able to find a balance but I can certainly understand that the writing has to come first.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely reading blog posts is the hardest thing. I've been scanning the list and only reading the posts with titles that pop out to me.
DeleteIt's so hard to find the balance sometimes. Heck, most of the time. Don't give up, Tonja. We all understand. Best of luck!!
ReplyDeleteElsie
Family will always come first, but with their understanding you'll find your time and the words will flow! Stick with it = we're here today, because we've been there too!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm sure you didn't lose any of us permanently! I completely understand your situation - mine is more or less the same. Hang on in there!
ReplyDeleteDoing what you can, when you can, is okay. I am sure most of us understand and as you have said, your writing and family should come first and we will always be here, happy to see you when you return. All the best with your writing.
ReplyDeleteMy post is a lot like this one. I recently had to take a break from blogging as well. Family is #1 for me, then writing and blogging, tweeting and FB is a far distant 3rd. Take a break when you need to and don't beat yourself up over it.
ReplyDeleteI think fatigue is a built-in part of the writing life. Don't stress, just write. When you can post to your blog, I bet you'll find people willing to read it.
ReplyDeleteGreat IWSG post!
Kim
(This Writer's Growing)
Thanks, Karen. :) It was nice today to take the time to check in with people.
ReplyDeleteIt's tough to find those writing hours when you have kids. I know. Spend your hours wisely.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep coming back when I see you pop up on my list. :) I don't blame you for being exhausted. Doing what we can is good enough. I think we all need to make peace with that.
ReplyDeleteWell, for what it's worth, you haven't lost me. Looks like you haven't lost the ones who are truly interested in YOU and we're just sort of hanging around 'til you come back. I do pop over when I see a blog from you. I don't always comment, but I am lurking. ;) I went through a whole period like this as well. Wanted to just drop off the blogging map and do my thing. But, you'll gain people back, better people. People who will hang around during your drought-like periods because, well, we're here for you to help and support you. I, for one, am not going anywhere. :D
ReplyDeleteI can only speak for me, but blogging is still important to me. Without blogging I feel disconnected from the supportive people I connect with through blogging and my writing, and I, suffer.
ReplyDeleteOf course writing comes first, and of course mom time comes before that, but I say that when you can post, you should. Even if it's just to say 'Hi' and be reminded that you're not alone.
Your priorities are sound! Whatever time you feel you can devote here on your blog...that's what we'll take. No more...no less. You set the pace! :)
ReplyDeleteI wish my kids got that I need to write.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, you just need to pick priorities and make everything else fall away. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteKids and writing are priority. Without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't think people have forgotten. With so many blogs to read, sometimes they just lurk around in the blogosphere, read and move on. I know that I do.
Recently, I've come across lots of similar posts, where writers pose questions about finding the balance between writing and blogging.
Best of luck Tonja.
Tonja, don't fret. Work on your WIP.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Understandable, Tonja. I hate my blog right now and am on the cusp of giving it up. I won't though, because I know I'll regret it later. If you need to break from it, break from it. WIP is massively important. Your fans and friends will be with you when you get back!
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate. Blogging does take up a lot of time which I'd much rather be using with my writing. IT does have its perks though:)
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
I'm with you on the losing my desire to blog and wanting to focus on writing, instead. It's so, so, so hard to make everything we want and need to do fit in life, isn't it????? GAH!
ReplyDeleteSorry you've lost some of your readers, but you ain't lost me! :-)
Some Dark Romantic
Sometimes you just have to step back and think about your priorities.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
I so understand where you're at right now. I'm actually thinking of taking a step back from blogging as well, so I can focus on writing --which is my biggest priority.Nutschell
ReplyDeletewww.thewritingnut.com
It's impossible to do all that we want, no matter how much we'd like to do it all. I hope your energy and drive comes back enough for you to write as you need to and spend the time you want with the kids. True blogger buddies can be satisfied with hearing from you when you can. My prayers are with you. Writer’s Mark
ReplyDelete