Because writers should be writing.
And because in many cases, blogging isn’t writing.
Instead blogging is often:
- Curating content
- Posting pictures
- Reviewing books
- Sharing tips
- Recording notes
- Testing ideas
- Connecting with people
- Learning new things
All of these are writerly things to do, for good reason, and I enjoy them all. My Friday Five have helped me keep track of great posts without making my long list of browser bookmarks even longer. I love to read and support other writers by sharing what I’m reading. I love connecting with people, and would be glad for even more comments to respond to.
But these things are not exactly writing. Curating other people’s content is not the same as creating my own. Connecting with readers about something I’ve already written is not the same as writing something fresh. And to the extent that blogging really is writing, it’s not the kind of sustained writing that I’m looking for at this point.
And so I plan to take my own advice and stop blogging quite so much in favour of writing more. Not that the three times a week I’ve been blogging is “so much” but for me and for now it seems like too much especially with full-time ministry and my bent toward slow blogging anyway.
For now, once or twice a week will be a better rhythm for me. So I plan to continue my weekly posts on Monday, with the occasional Writer Wednesday or Friday Five or other random post. I’ll continue to share these on social media as usual, or to make sure you don’t miss anything, please subscribe.
So this is it on my blog this week, and instead I can say on Twitter #amwriting. Thanks to L.L. Barkat It’s Time for (Many) Experienced Writers to Stop Blogging and Jeff Goins Why You Need to Stop Blogging & Regain Your Writing Soul. See you on Monday!
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April Yamasaki 
Ouch! Painful (but probably necessary) reading. Thanks for this and for the links you provided. Much to think about.
Yes, definitely a lot to think about, and many variations on this theme too–like why writers should stop Facebooking, stop watching Netflix, or whatever else might distract us. It’s all about making choices, like the way you’ve given up micro-blogging aka Twitter–not so painful for you as it might be for some, but rather freeing, which is what I’m going for here 🙂
Absolutely, April. There are many things that we do while we could/should be writing. It is, indeed, all about choices.
I think the links that you provided do point to a huge problem with the blogging world. The immediacy of this medium can certainly become addicting. It can be tempting to write quickly and sloppily just for the sake of getting a response. Blogging is not a medium that encourages patience, sustained reflection, editing, rewriting, etc—at least not in the way that traditional writing media did and do.
I can completely relate, April… When I started blogging, it was twice a week but I’m afraid it has fallen way, way, way back to like once or twice a month! — I think for some (like Ryan above?) blogging is definitely real writing, and I’d argue that curation is a kind of writing too (or maybe it’s like editing a magazine) but when one is doing other kinds of writing (like trying to get another novel done, for example, in my case), then something definitely has to give. –Best as you continue to refine your blogging/writing rhythm. In spite of what the pundits say about keeping ourselves “out there”, we do have the lovely human freedom of deciding what works best for us!
Thanks, Dora – I think there are different rhythms for different seasons too. Some might say I started social media “late” since I started blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc. only within the last two years, and I’ve been quite expansive (for me at least) particularly on Twitter and adding different communities/groups. But I’m needing to catch my breath a bit now and focus my energies a little differently. All the best to you as well in your rhythm of writing/blogging, whatever form that might take.
Your title drew me in. I am blogging in order to keep myself writing–to maintain the practice. I love it. But then I only post about once or twice a month. I understand your point here, but I am hopeful my blogging counts as real writing. I’m glad I discovered your blog. I will come back!
Hi Teri – thanks for stopping by–I’m glad to meet another member of the CC blogging community and look forward to exploring your blog. I’m sure your blogging counts as “real writing” and some of mine does too, but by cutting back on blogging I hope to find time for some other writing projects. I also hope to get more acquainted with my different blogging communities like CC blogs and others, and look forward to our paths crossing again.
Most of us need to write in isolation, so social networking can be a fun reminder that we’re not alone. But blogging can be addictive! and it just doesn’t offer the satisfaction I get when a poem places or a traditional publisher accepts my next book. Some members of our Christian Poets & Writers group on Facebook might not have considered other options, April, so I’ll highlight your post http://christianpoetsandwriters.blogspot.com. Thanks and blessings.
Thanks for sharing, Mary – I’m honoured to have you highlight my post. It’s great to connect with you and the Christian Poets & Writers group–how right you are that we are not alone, and I appreciate the positive support we can offer one another. Thanks!
That is something that I have also recently recognized. Especially since joining a local writer’s group with many seasoned writers. None of them Blog! We have @ 30 in the group and a number published authors. Good word! Found you on the FB page for Poets and Writers.
As much as I know I need to cut back a bit on my blogging at this point, I also know that blogging has been good for me especially in having a central place to express my thoughts and to connect with people. Writers who feel they are blogging too much might need to stop, and writers who don’t have an online presence at all might want to start. Without it, I might not have met you 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to checking out your blog.
“Writers who feel they are blogging too much might need to stop, and writers who don’t have an online presence at all might want to start.” Excellent point. Balance in all! 😉 Look forward to connecting!
Thanks, Dawn – I love your Makeover Monday (now I want a great lap desk too!) and am now following you on Twitter, so I’ll see you there 🙂
April, I’ve been amazed at your pace! I applaud your decision to reduce blogging for the sake of other writing (and for practicing your simplicity theme?). I’ve been blogging once/week for nearly five years. Can’t believe it! I sometimes think of taking a sabbatical, but I value the engagement with readers too much. Having a recent book published means that blogging has taken on a new dimension. So long as readers come to the blog and want to discuss issues related to my Mennonite memoir BLUSH, I will keep up the practice.
Thank you for sharing this evolution in your writing journey. Isn’t it wonderful that we can follow the rhythms of our own spirits? Blessings.
Shirley, last year was my first full year of blogging, so I am still quite a newbie. Early on, I was impressed by Todd Sieling’s Slow Blog Manifesto and others who recommended blogging no more than once a week, but I also read somewhere that an exception to that might be a blogger wanting to build an audience faster. I’ve experimented with blogging 1-3 times/week, and I do think blogging more frequently helped me to meet and engage people more quickly, but I’m less expansive at this point and more needing to take stock of where I am. Like you, with a new book out and enjoying the engagement with readers, I will continue blogging, but rather more freely than the Monday-Wednesday-Friday of the last while.