Just before Christmas I was seriously thinking of closing my blog, but that old blogger's chestnut was summarily roasted on an open fire. I realised that I was merely experiencing a malaise that can creep in when the writer's eye has wandered off the ball.
As it happens, my mental clear-out hasn't claimed too many casualties. Some minor adjustments to the priority list, and the relatively small sacrifice of my Twitter account. So, thank you to all of you who followed me, mentioned me, retweeted, etc, etc. I tried to fall in love with the concept, but failed miserably. Consequently the button served only as a reminder of my incapacity to engage meaningfully in 140 characters.
So, having shaken some conversational sand from my shoe, I continue along Blog Beach, scanning the tideline for surprises and resisting the temptation to imagine that the best things are always just a little beyond the horizon.
Searching for ideas for blog posts can be a bit like beachcombing so you just have to see what the tide has brought in and not stress too much about it. I'm still experimenting with Twitter but do find the lynch-mob attitude a bit disconcerting.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to civilization!
That's pretty much the way I've played it, these past two and a half years or so, Rog. When it starts to become a chore, it's time to find something else to do. Oddly enough, I've been sending more texts since receiving the android for Christmas, yet Twitter still remains something of a mystery. Perhaps I just don't have the thumbs for it.
ReplyDeleteI am very glad you chose not to close your blog and are still strolling along Blog Beach.
ReplyDeleteI've avoided Twitter so far...
I find it strange when people declare categorically that they are done blogging, when your blog can just sit there and be ignored at will, to be taken up again as, or if, inspiration strikes. Is there a blog professor who will give us a failing grade unless we opt out of his course?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your last paragraph. You know that you have good descriptive skills. I haven't tweeted yet, or taken up texting and I'm still telling people that I prefer phone calls to emails. Lone advocate for human contact and interaction that I am.
Teresa - Thanks. Twitter seemed worth investigating at the time, and just didn't work out for me. I've avoided, and will continue to avoid Facebook.
ReplyDeleteEnglish Rider - You're absolutely right, and I think it boils down to the fact that posts don't have to appear on a regular basis, that tips the scales for me. Some of the most enjoyable blogs only publish posts now and again.
I also prefer phone calls rather emails and texts.
I dumped my Twitter account a few weeks ago, Martin. Then I returned to my old, original Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes blog and I could not be happier!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I toyed with the idea of erasing myself from the whole shebang. "Malaise" is exactly what I believe it was. Glad you're sticking around.
Kat
I suspect this is a common condition among bloggers: the periodic feeling of hanging up the whole thing, and then the urge to make a post hits strong and you're off again. I'm going through a period of minor readjustments too. If you follow a lot of writers on twitter, you get the impression that many believe (with a religious zeal) that "building a social platform" is indispensable. But the fact is, it's impossible to make a personal connection with thousands of people, and it will take thousands of sales to make significant money (the end-goal of many of these writers). Social networking is far overblown for writers. The degree one engages in it should be directly related to the pleasure one gets out of it, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI joined both Facebook and GooglePlus, Martin, and promptly deleted them both. They did absolutely nothing but annoy me. LOL (old misery guts that I am)
ReplyDeleteI have however, kept my Twitter account active. I find it a great source of local news and information. I've got to know about a lot of local events through Twitter.
Paul
I never did Twitter. But I joined Facebook just so my blog posts would show up there. And I occasionally share or repost some editorial that has engaged me -- for some reason I feel freer to be political on FB than on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're not throwing in the towel on blogging, Martin. I'd miss you.
I know a lot of bloggers who have wanted to do the same - including me - but I wouldn't want to lose all the archives (I suppose you can save it somehow) - I use my blog as an online filing cabinet so couldn't delete it even if I wanted (unless I got incredibly organised). There is a badge you can get on the internet - Blogging Without Obligation - and it is there for people who feel guilty about not blogging regularly - haha. I am glad your blog is still here. I love twitter - mainly for the news updates (breaking news) and links that I get from writers and like minded folk but it can be a time waster.
ReplyDeleteMartin, I know how you feel. I go through periods of not wanting to blog but as a writer, I feel I need the communication with other writers and it is nice to keep in touch with writers news through their blogs.
ReplyDeleteKat - We have to try these things, don't we? Sometimes, what we're actually looking for, is right under our noses.
ReplyDeleteMark - I totally agree with you. Sadly, there appears to be a huge number of writers out 'there' who spend more time networking than writing. In the end, surely, the writer will be judged more by the quality and appeal of his or her work than anything else.
Paul - I can see how Twitter works with regard to keeping abreast of local news and events. Perhaps it's a question of sorting the wheat from the chaff. Too much information can bring about confusion.
Vicki - Sounds as though you're using Facebook wisely. And, as for throwing in the towel, that's something made all the more difficult when you're part of such a supportive community. I'll be sticking around.
Gabrielle - You know, you should be able to export your blog, and save it as an xml file. I do this regularly as a way of backing up Square Sunshine.
Brigid - As I mentioned to Vicki, I feel privileged to be a part of the blogging community. I have had so much support and encouragement from other writers, and I hope, in turn, I've been able to help other writers in some small way. Of course, blogging is a great way to practice and develop your own style, too.
Well, I’ll add my voice of encouragement to those above. I’m glad you are staying Martin. I thought we were going to lose a couple of others recently too, and that made me feel quite sad. Fortunately they have rallied and we can enjoy their posts again. I have never succumbed to Twitter or Googeplus, so I can’t mourn those. I do like the beachcombing analogies from you and Rog.
ReplyDeleteAt least you experiment, Martin. I'm a bit of a Luddite when it comes to all these fancy networks - though I do have an FB page, mainly so I can see what my daughter is up to!
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you Martin. I think the truth of the matter is that you and I are bloggers at heart. To be restricted to just a few words is like walking the Antarctic in your underwear - challenging, but ultimately pointless.
ReplyDeleteAnd long may your blog continue!
ReplyDeleteJulie xx
PS I gave up on Twitter not long after I started it!
I'm laughing at Alan's comment! I've never been tempted to Tweet, myself. (My 13-year-old daughter is constantly on Twitter.) And I'll join the others in saying I'm very, very glad you haven't dropped out of the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteAntartic in your underwear:) NO wonder I find tweeting an unhill struggle!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're still here Martin.
I blog when i feel like it, sometimes frequently, (most times not) its just nice to have a blog and as you said its a supportive community.
Hope you didnt catch a chill on twitter:)!
@Martin - Exactly.
ReplyDeleteLittle Nell - Thanks. I'm quite happy to try the likes of Twitter and Google+, but in both of these cases, my worst fears were realised. Beachcombing is much more fun.
ReplyDeletejennyfreckles - Ah, you see, you have ventured where I have not yet set a foot.
Alan - I laughed out loud at your comment. And yes, I am a blogger at heart, despite the occasional wobbles.
Julie P - Thank you.
Christine - That Alan Burnett…what's he like?
Words A Day - I agree, and having filtered out the unnecessary, the benefits of blogging are making themselves well understood.
Kat - Yes.
I'm closing both twitter and google+ accounts. Both are as exciting as counting sheep on sleepless nights. Don't give up on blogging- you would be missed!
ReplyDeleteWhen I opted out, nothing happened. But then, nothing happened when I opted in! Thanks for your encouraging words, re blogging. I do appreciate them.
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