Today's Friday Fave is a reprint of a post I did last summer. This topic has been discussed a lot lately, so I wanted to see what I had to say about blogging. And this is what I had to say:
There are two schools of thought about writers who blog.
There are those who think blogging takes away from the time writers should spend writing their books. And then there are those who think blogging stimulates the writer, so their book-writing time is more efficient and productive.
I attend the second school.
I personally feel like blogging was invented just for me. I've always wanted a forum for my musings, so a blog is a perfect outlet. According to my blog stats, I don't have an unmanageable number of people reading my opinions ("no servers were harmed in the posting of this blog"). Okay, let's just say the traffic on my blog is "trending upward". Still, I like having an outlet for ideas and thoughts that can't really be put into my manuscripts.
I can only imagine what internet archaeologists of the future will think of some of my blatherings. . .but it does not dim my enthusiasm for this particular medium of expression. It allows me to explore a variety of topics, but it also requires me to think in terms of succinctness, and clarity, and cohesion – all good things when it comes to writing books. Each post needs a hook, a good close, and it should intrigue the reader into wanting more. Sound familiar?
I will admit that blogging can be used as an avoidance tool. (For more information on how to avoid PROPERLY, and PROFESSIONALLY, see my blog post on the Hierarchy of Avoidance here.) Devoting large chunks of time writing blog posts that may never be seen by anyone besides the dust bunnies and empty Starbucks cups fighting for supremacy near your laptop – well, it can definitely give a writer a false sense of "having written".
And there's a boatload of maintenance once you finish your blog post: checking for comments, responding to comments, deleting spam, checking for comments – why aren't there any comments?, checking to make sure the blog is still working by emailing and calling everyone you know to check out your blog post and begging them to post a comment, looking at other blogs while waiting for comments to post. . .Wow, is it really 6 p.m. already?
So, yes, it can be a time sinkhole that will gobble up your entire day.
However, I have decided that semi-frequent blogging is a good thing to do. (Yes, "semi-frequent" is an oxymoronic, hedge-your-bets kind of word. But it fits so well here. And shouldn't writers get to create their own words? At least occasionally?)
Here's how I see the benefits of blogging: If you're a marathon runner, what would you choose to do? Sit at home and save your energy for the big day? Or would you run a little bit each day, to keep your running muscles in tip-top shape?
See? That's the kind of thing I'm talking about. A great analogy popped into my head when I was blogging my brain muscles. It keeps the brain cells alert, receptive to other words and ideas that can be used when working on a WIP. Blogging is a sort of writing warm-up, a way to limber up the brain.
It also tempts your brain to come out and play, and then, before it's aware of what you're doing, you've pulled the ole switcheroo, plopping your WIP on the desk, and your brain shrugs and says, "Yeah, I guess I can work on that too."
Maybe your brain doesn't respond with a shrug, like mine does. But I suspect it does have to be persuaded, and cajoled, and maybe even tricked into getting involved in the WIP. This is what makes blogging, even semi-frequently, such a great writing tool.
"It's just a blog post," I say, so my brain won't cross its arms and stomp its foot when I open a Word document. It's the writing equivalent of sneaking applesauce into a baby's cereal. They're getting what they need, and you're getting what you want.
When I blog, my brain is happy, I'm happy, and the WIP is happy. One day the blog will be happy too – when it finally gets enough comments to bring some servers crashing down.
I've also found that blogging can help with writer's block. It's fun to write about something other than my WIP sometimes. BTW, your blog is wonderful! :-)
Posted by: Liz Fichera | February 04, 2011 at 07:51 AM
Liz, thank you! I'm glad you enjoy it. That makes the blogging even more worthwhile. :)
I agree about it helping with writer's block. Sometimes our brains just need to play with something else. Or maybe it's the discipline of something else. LOL Either way, it's a good thing!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 04, 2011 at 09:11 AM
Nice post! You've made some great observations about blogging. Almost makes me want to start my own :) And you do have a great blog. I think it was you who mentioned somewhere that it's an opportunity to show your talent as a writer, not the exact words, but something to that effect, and I will say that the writing on your blog is excellent. I can tell you have talent from your blog. So, if an editor sees that...well, you can see where the pros of blogging might be pretty darned good.
Posted by: Anita Clenney | February 04, 2011 at 09:42 AM
*blushes* Aw thanks, Anita. I appreciate the kind words. (I may have to put you on retainer, so I can hear them all the time. LOL)
You're part of a group blog, which I think is a great way to go, too, especially when you have a book coming out soon. :) I can't wait for May to get here so I can read it.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 04, 2011 at 10:03 AM
I love the analogy about the marathon runner, Donna. I feel exactly the way you do. Even if you're not promoting your own writing, you're promoting your own writing!! I can tell by reading this that you have a sense of humor, and I immediately want to check out your books --when they come out, which I think is real soon!
I also checked out your excerpts, and I was right! You do write funny. Why am I not surprised??
Posted by: Liz Lipperman | February 04, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Liz, exactly -- we're always promoting our writing. :) (Which worries me when I'm having one of those days when everything I say sounds like my fingers are on the wrong keys on the keyboard. LOL)
I love to write funny. LOL It seems to always be there when I sit down to write, and I hope it will tickle somebody else's funny bones too. I'm glad you enjoyed it (and my fingers are crossed to the point of no circulation that you're right about my books coming out soon! LOL)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 04, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Excellent points! Blogging certainly is the topic of the week, isn't it? Blogging is not for everybody, but it's clearly for you, Donna, which is why your blog is so engaging.
There are many reasons to blog: to connect with other writers; to sell books; to exercise writing chops outside the WIP. But the main thing is to enjoy it. If a writer doesn't enjoy blogging, s/he shouldn't feel forced into it.
Posted by: VR Barkowski | February 04, 2011 at 11:30 AM
VR, it is funny how certain topics are in the air at the same time!
I'm glad you find my blog engaging. I do enjoy it, although there are times when it feels like there isn't anything bloggish in me. LOL So that's when I "recycle", but that's not often.
I agree with the connection aspect, too. It's nice to have that, since most days it's me and the muse Endora, and she's not always the best company. (It's okay -- she says the same about me. LOL)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 04, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Oh my goodness, Donna! I love looking at blogging as preparing for my wip. It's like you have taken the pressure off me. I have a blog that is so sadly neglected, it makes me feel guilty. I certainly don't need one more thing in my life that gives me guilt. Okay, I'm going to blog as a writing exercise and see where that takes me. If the guilt continues then the blog is history and I'm not feeling guilty for killing it! Besdies, I love killing things off.
Posted by: Tiffinie Helmer | February 04, 2011 at 02:19 PM
Tiffinie, I know what you mean about guilt -- it's like mother's milk to me. But don't feel guilty about your blog. Give it a try and see how it works for you. And if you have to kill it off, well, my lips are sealed when the blog police come by to ask me a few questions. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 04, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Such a great post. Though, I'm new to blogging, I am nodding my head to every point you made, Donna. It is like a warm up...loved the marathon analogy! LOL
Posted by: E.C. Smith | February 04, 2011 at 03:21 PM
E.C., I'm glad you liked the post. It's a little scary at first to blog--probably like most new things we try. But then it starts to feel more natural, and then we plot to take over the world. . .er, maybe that's just me!
Thanks for stopping by, and good luck with your blog (I added it to my blogroll).
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 04, 2011 at 03:31 PM
I live to blog. I think of how much I've grown by blogging and meeting other bloggers and it's just overwhelming. I have friends everywhere now.
Hey, writing is a solitary thing. Blogging is a community and we all need a community!
Posted by: Maureen | February 04, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Maureen, I agree about the community aspect. It's amazing how many people I've "met" this way. I love being able to interact with people who understand what this writing life is like. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 04, 2011 at 08:57 PM
I read this yesterday and intended to comment. But then this butterfly flitted by and...where was I again?
As you know, I'm part of a group blog and I love it. We've become a family and every once in a while we add a new member, which has turned out brilliantly every time. (And sometimes our members actually produce little members of their own, but that's a different situation entirely. LOL!)
I do enjoy blogging, but for me it needs to be a conversation. I don't see much point in putting an idea out into the universe just to have four people say, "You're right". I'm a lover of discourse and debate and a blog can be the perfect place for both.
Or the occasional odd tangent. Maybe a virtual party. No matter, there must be participation for me to enjoy a blog.
Posted by: Terri Osburn | February 05, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Darn those butterflies! LOL Of course, I would faint if I saw one right now, in the midst of winter. Sigh.
I agree about blogging being a conversation. That's one thing that makes it so enjoyable for me. There is so much information to share, and it's also fun to get to know each other and share our experiences, writing and otherwise. If we didn't do that, then blogging would be just like writing a book report or something tedious. Who wants that? LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 05, 2011 at 05:48 PM
I'm new to blogging but reading this blog and the bonds that can potentially be formed by joining a group has peaked my interest. I have developed a passion for blogging now and hope to develop my skills and abilities to the point where I can use blogging to make a difference in folks lives.
Donna you appear to have such a talent with words. I hope to follow and learn from you.
Best regards, Derek
Posted by: Derek | February 09, 2011 at 01:10 PM
Derek, thank you for the kind words. I think blogging can impact people in a lot of different ways, and it's enjoyable to be a part of that. Good luck with your blog!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | February 09, 2011 at 08:32 PM