Yesterday’s post about blogging for a bigger audience left me grateful for my existing readers and reminded me why I write in the first place. I don’t want to be one of those blogs that only writes about one thing. That’s not me, or at least not me right now. I appreciate my freedom to write about blogging, writing, teaching, travel, dogs, health, music, yoga… Life.
At a recent baby shower, the mother of the mom-to-be asked me what my blog was about. I responded, “Life.” Instantly I realized this might not be the most compelling marketing on earth, but it’s true. I write about everything and I don’t want to change this. Reading your comments and King Midget’s post about writing for a mass audience reminded me that I like what I have already, I just get lured into my fantasy of what it means to be paid to write. But, forcing it doesn’t work, I get that.
Over the past year, I have watched some blogs “take off” but also lose their charm/intimacy in no longer being able to respond to all their comments. I don’t want this unless it also means that some other part of my writing life is being fulfilled, (ie: my book is successfully published). I guess all this reflection has just made me realize it’s all trade-offs. Yes, I want to grow as a writer in my reach and experiences, but at the moment spreading myself thin trying to grow my blog won’t guarantee any of this and is not the most efficient use of my time.
Glad you could help me get that pesky need to impress strangers out of my system, (at least for today…).
Happy Sunday!
Speaking of baby showers, I’m becoming a pro. Been to three in the last month. Yesterday’s was for one of my childhood best friends. Crazy how life flies by, (see, I can’t focus on one subject…).
In other writing news, I’m reading Patrick O’Bryon’s Corridor of Dankness— so far a fantastic read and a great way to readjust my eyes to my own writing as well.
oliviaobryon 
Here’s hoping I get to read Corridor of Darkness some day, too. 😉 And that other manuscript I keep hearing about. double 🙂
I think you’re on the right track with all of this. Writing and finding an audience and all of this is a thing that requires the most difficult of skills … patience. Keep writing and it will all come.
I’m not very good at patience, but I’m working on it 😉 Hope you get to read both too… Speaking of which, I’m really looking forward to your next book release…
Patience … a virtue I don’t have. But, then, I don’t have many virtues. Odd thing though is that there are certain things where I have exhibited patience beyond what most humans could endure. In others … not so much. When I was a kid my father admonished me that I should not wish my life away. I find myself continuing to do that. Wishing for what comes next (or what I want to come next) rather than enjoying what is now. Regarding the next book release … you and me both. Cover art is the hang up at the moment. But, your comment gave me an idea. I think I’m going to have a book release party for this one. Either at a restaurant at a book store. Copies and autographs of Weed Therapy and my other books as well. I must do this. Thanks for the idea. 😉
That’s an awesome idea, I’ll be there! 😀 And, it’s easy to wish your life away. I need that reminder too.
Whatever you do … when you have kids, don’t wish your life away. One of my great parental regrets is that I kept waiting for the next stage rather than enjoying where they were at. Now, they’re about to be gone. I’d give anything to go back and wallow in those things they did back then and put up my hands to stop the inevitable “progress” of life.
Powerful advice. I can see how it happens. I do it now, wishing for when we have kids instead of enjoying the quiet, the space, the time. Time flies and kids make it the most obvious because they change so quickly… Just six weeks of summer vacation brings me a whole different set of kids than the ones who left. It’s amazing. They grow taller than I am, get moody… I can only imagine what it’s like to blink and see your own kids grow.
Yesterday, I held my oldest in my arms for the first time. It feels that way. I blinked and he’s 18 and off to college in the Fall. And, I can’t wait for him to leave. 🙂
Well that’s an upside at least 😉
In the end, I think what counts most is whether you’re happy with your blog. If you’re happy with it, keep doing what you’re doing. If not, change something.
I think that advice is perfect, thanks Jeff. 🙂