People think of blogging as a hobby. I love writing, but let me tell you, it is a lot of hard work. Sometimes I write words and I wonder... does anybody even hear me? Is there any point to really writing this?
Sure... I can check my stats. I can see how many "hits" I get a day. But what does that really mean? Do they stick around long enough for it to make a difference? Do they even read what I have poured out into the digital world? Or is the view nothing more than a click and a opps because that really wasn't what they were looking for?
And then there is being a good community member. It is a vital part of blogging. But what happens if one day or one week I just can't be that community member? Suddenly I see my views plummet. Then it gets me wondering. Do people just come by here to return the favor.... an "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" kind of scenario. Do they read me just because I read them or do they read my stuff because they like the way I write?
It is a complete mind-fuck!
Yup, I have those thoughts, too. And I even have had a few days where I just don't feel like it, but then I also just can't help myself. Yes, I am gemini and it is even worse for me, because I am so undecided and indecisive, too. How's that for a mind fuck, lol!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have been having a pretty tough week with the kids being so sick all week. I just can't seem to keep up and I saw my traffic plummet. I keep trying to tell myself... your traffic doesn't define you... your traffic doesn't define you... It's hard to believe! :)
DeleteI feel your pain, Stacy, trust me. I was gonna quit this week until Gina Adams threatened to break a boot off in my ass.
ReplyDeleteBut you and I blog for different reasons. You blog for the love of writing. I blog to develop a fan base so that some day, in another life in an other universe, when I get that damn book written, I'll have some brain washed, zombie types convinced it's worth the pennies and buy it to see what the hype is all about. ;)
Write for the love of it. If you want to take a hiatus, your loyal readers will be there...waiting. Why? Because we love you...every whacked and warped nano-byte of you.
I feel your pain. When I can't be present for people, my traffic dives. Blogs are like a parasite. :)
ReplyDeleteHear, hear! I worry about upcoming road trips for my Picto Project and what that will do for my stats. Dang it! LOL
ReplyDeleteI wonder the same thing, all the time. It's had work to be part of the blogging community and when I get tired and can't keep up, I see my stats go down and I have come to realize that many of my readers are maybe just doing me a favor. I go back and forth trying to decide what the right thing for me to do is...do I keep participating for the views? And wait and see who continues to show up because they care what I have to say or enjoy my writing?
ReplyDeleteAnd then sometimes I wonder if comments are a reminder to people...like "hey, I'm still here, come look at me now!" I don't think that is my motivation...
Anyway, I don't have an answer, but wanted to let you know that I think about this too and have been struggling lately to keep up with everyone. I know that I stop by your blog because I enjoy your writing...and would keep checking on you either way. :)
I feel the same way Stacy! I have these EXACT thoughts all the time...I am going away next week and may pre-schedule one or two posts, but I'll pretty much be off-line...and I'm so anxious about it, as if the blogging world and my 10 followers will forget about me!
ReplyDeleteStacy - You're feeling as I did when I became employed again. I knew I wasn't going to be able to read every post that all my friends put out, and wondered how badly it would hit my stats (Not that they're anything to brag about to begin with, lol). I've actually done better since not visiting as much. Perhaps, it's because I feel a little more fresh when I write. Or, perhaps, it's because some really do like what I write (Why ... I don't know.). Still, we wonder, question, and doubt. Isn't that what writers are supposed to do? :) Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteIt's weird you mention this because I've been feeling the same lately, especially this week which has been crazy. Twice I haven't been able to read and comment on blogs the same day and I've felt really shitty about it. I actually sit up at night stressing about it. It's so silly. Because I also want people to come to my blog to read and not just return the favour. I can tell you though that I love coming over to your blog and I read it because I want to and because I like you as a person, your viewpoints and what you write about. Must tell you that this writing a week's worth of blog posts in one day is working for me. On Monday's I get them all over and done with, then I don't have days when I don't feel like blogging and can do other things which I've been neglecting (like my novel!) I've felt stifled this week with technology as a whole. There's a lot of pressure to market, write, network, etc. Social media is irritating me too. I long for another 2 weeks doing absolutely nothing and being in nature like last year. It was bliss. I guess that's why I like my weekends because that's my time and the time of family and friends and to just switch off. Hope next week is going to be a lot better...I'm sure it will! xx
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