Wednesday, August 6, 2014

IWSG - August 2014



Last month (and maybe the one before that - or maybe it's just how I remember it), I wrote how blogging is starting to feel obligatory instead of something I do to help me feel inspired and connected. I'm still kind of feeling this way. I need to find a way to make this blog be for my prospective readers, and I will figure out a way to do that before my next post. I challenge you to do the same.

Tonja

19 comments:

  1. When it's not fun, you don't want to do it. Make it fun for your readers and for you!

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  2. Aw,. sorry to hear that Tonya. I hope you get your motivation back.

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  3. I have periods of time when I feel like I'm just going through the motions on my blog, but there are other times when I have so much I want to say. Oddly -- or maybe not so oddly when you think about it -- when I feel discouraged in my writing, I have no motivation to blog either. When I get inspired in my WIP, suddenly the blog posts come easily, too.

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    1. Same here. The two are interchangeable. If I am going through a dry spell with my novel, it carries over into blogging and other areas of my life.

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  4. I've been feeling the same way for a while now. Taking a break from it now but I want to make changes once I return.

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  5. I know the feeling. I use my Coming Down the Mountain blog to relate to writers, and to just share my thoughts about things. I finally set up an official author website which is more for the readers of my books. I found having two sites works best for me, at least for now.

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  6. I try to make them short posts, so they're more fun. And I only post once a week or twice a month:) Helps with the burnout!

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  7. I used to feel that way. These days I blog about what I want and I keep posts short. I hope you find a way to make blogging fun for you again.

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  8. I recommend posting about a topic you have strong feelings about (be they positive or negative).

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  9. I am trying to go for shorter, lighter blog posts--- kind of like the things I write in a status update on Facebook--- when I feel discouraged about my blog.

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  10. My recent blog post is similar. So I've come up with a new blog schedule and format which starts end of this month.
    Writer In Transit

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  11. Definately make it fun! Don't beat yourself up over blog posts that don't flow easily. Good luck with your changes!

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  12. I think it's symptomatic of long-time blogging and heavy traffic. I definitely feel the need for a break.

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  13. I know how it feels to find out that something you used to love is now a burden. Don't worry, write whatever makes you feel inspired and if you need to take a break from blogging, go ahead. When you come back you'll feel energized and ready for the craziness again.

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  14. I have enough pressure trying to get that first book written. Mainly, I do what feels right, what is fun, and sometimes things that challenge me. I need that sometimes the challenge to do more or better. It is sort of like practicing. I do what I can, when I can, but I am not going to sweat it too much. There are days I can't figure out a thing to say, and sometimes don't.

    I hope you find your writing groove again, but most important have fun, enjoy, and do it because you want to, not because you have to. Best Wishes, Happy Writing.
    Juneta at Writer's Gambit

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  15. My first blog has become the site where I only post contests and giveaways - stuff readers gobble up. I developed my second blog (wordpress) more for connecting with writers/authors. Blogging is usually easy and I try to make it fun. It's the marketing my book that's getting to be a pain in the ___.

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  16. Wow, I feel the same way about my blog. I'm planning on posting more about my actual writing rather than my writing process, and maybe adding in snippets from what I've written each day. I look forward to seeing what you do.

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  17. Sometimes I feel like blogging is good, sometimes it's a chore. I've thought of having some sort of rigid blog schedule, blogging certain topics on certain days--- but that's not really me. I'm more a muddle-on-through sort of person.

    I hope you feel more energized about blogging when you come back from your blogging break.

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  18. I can relate to your post. I had to take an extended blog vacation (not b/c of that & for reasons unable to comment on just yet), but shortly before then I was beginning to feel the same way. When you write your blog post because you want to it, it is as much of a need as writing your manuscript is for an author. When it begins to feel like a chore, it is reflected in the tone and topics and every aspect of your blog. I believe that we owe it to ourselves to take breaks (not just from blogging), but from anything in life when the joy is zapped from it. When you return or when you begin writing about topics that you feel compelled to write, a renewed energy and love of the craft consumes you. It's that way for me, anyway.

    Best of luck finding your groove again. It will come back. You're a writer, so it has to. Hang in there.

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