Why Writers Should Stop Blogging

February 26, 2014

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!

_____________________

a free copy of How to Pray When Prayer Seems Impossible

18 responses

Ryan

Feb 26, 2014

Ouch! Painful (but probably necessary) reading. Thanks for this and for the links you provided. Much to think about.

Reply
1. April Yamasaki
  
  Feb 26, 2014
  
  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 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Ryan
    
    Feb 26, 2014
    
    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.
    
    Reply
doradueck

Feb 26, 2014

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!

Reply
1. April Yamasaki
  
  Feb 26, 2014
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Teri

Feb 26, 2014

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!

Reply
1. April Yamasaki
  
  Feb 26, 2014
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Mary Sayler

Feb 26, 2014

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.

Reply
1. April Yamasaki
  
  Feb 26, 2014
  
  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!
  
  Reply
enthusiasticallydawn

Feb 27, 2014

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.

Reply
1. April Yamasaki
  
  Feb 27, 2014
  
  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.
  
  Reply
  1. enthusiasticallydawn
    
    Feb 27, 2014
    
    “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!
    
    Reply
On With the Words | Rumblings

Feb 27, 2014

[…] I started to get a little queasy about a millisecond after reading the headline: “Why Writers Should Stop Blogging.” That the piece was written by a respected fellow pilgrim and writer only made things worse, […]

Reply
April Yamasaki

Mar 3, 2014

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 🙂

Reply
shirleyhs

Mar 3, 2014

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.

Reply
1. April Yamasaki
  
  Mar 3, 2014
  
  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.
  
  Reply
You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. – Maya Angelou | April Yamasaki

Apr 2, 2014

[…] Five weeks ago, I posted Why Writers Should Stop Blogging, and decided to take my own advice by cutting back on blogging from three times a week to just once or twice. […]

Reply
Why Writers Should Say No to Work-In-Progress Tours (except this one) | April Yamasaki

Nov 17, 2014

[…] Writers need to be writing – so earlier this year I posted Why Writers Should Stop Blogging, and now I’m adding Why Writers Should Say No to Work-In-Progress Tours (except this one) […]

Reply

Faith and Hope with April Yamasaki

Visit my home page for an overview

I write, edit, teach, preach, and mentor in a variety of venues, platforms, and publications. The common thread? To encourage and inspire people of all ages to live with faith and hope. I’d love for you to join me!

In all the challenges, joys, and ordinary moments of daily life, God’s mercies never fail. They are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).