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"Everybody has a secret world inside of them. All of the people of the world, I mean everybody. No matter how dull and boring they are on the outside, inside them they've all got unimaginable, magnificent, wonderful, stupid, amazing worlds. Not just one world. Hundreds of them. Thousands maybe" ~ Neil Gaiman (A Game of You)

5.24.2011

Contemplating (Blog) Suicide

Interesting phenomenon.  I participated in the A-Z Blog Challenge with the intention of meeting new friends and establishing a habit of regular blogging.  While I achieved my first goal, I was unprepared for the existentialist crisis that completing the challenge triggered.

I realized that blogging about writing had taken precedence over actual writing.  I was using my blog to avoid my novel.  Why?  Fear, a lack of confidence, perfectionism -- my personal bullies, I recognized them all.

But my novel was NOT happy being left on the sidelines.  My main character has a story to tell, he wants to tell it to me, he wants me to write it down.  And so I considered taking drastic action to cull all the unwanted obstacles that prevent me from focusing on my writing.

I could just delete the blog, I thought.  No one would really miss it all that much.  Would they even notice?  Maybe. 

I believe that social media is essential for marketing, but I'm so far away from publishing right now.  I could always start a new blog later, once the story is finished and polished and a third novel under way.  That would make more sense, right?

Yet I can't quite pull the trigger and give up my playground.  I like my flash fiction.  I like the support of friends.  I like learning new things.  And yes, sometimes, I like being able to take a break.

I don't think my blog will be the go-to place for consistent, brilliant writing advice.  I don't promise to write on a schedule.  I'll consider it more like a nearby vacation home, a place to kick up my feet and have fun when I need to get away for awhile.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Don't kill the blog, just let it relax for a while. I'll keep you on my reader! With the number of blogs I follow, it's the people who do post several times a week who end up losing my attention. I prefer bloggers who only post when they have something to say...

Alana said...

Agreed, at least on the not killing it bit. Let it lie dormant if you must, but keep it there. You never know when you may want to revisit old posts and thoughts and revitalize!

And ... the very best of luck with the book and finding out your main character's story!!!

Sam Pennington said...

Shelli, if it's any consolation, I've been going through the same dilemma over my own blog. I'm hanging back from making any snap decision in the meantime, but keeping it going is so time-consuming. I've fallen out of love with my novel-in-progress too though, so I'm on very shaky territory. I've no idea what to do - just keep hoping it will all become clear!

Cathryn Grant said...

Great title for this post! You made me laugh, and then made me see we're in a similar place re blog v fiction. And it shouldn't be blog V fiction. I'm also scaling back, blogging when I feel like it, which is why I started, for fun!

I agree with Jane, it's nice to see bloggers who thumb their noses at the "conventional wisdom" that you should post on a regular, multiple times a week cadence, and post when they have something they're burning to say.

Great post, excellent title, and don't let it die!

Shelli said...

Jane, thanks, I think it was the pressure of having to come up with a post that was killing the fun. I will let it rest awhile.

Alana, I agree. I'm glad I didn't react on impulse when I first thought of deleting it!

Sam -- I've been through that with all my stories. I hit a point when I just hate my novel! I find that if I push past that point, I end up more in love with the story than ever.

Cathryn, thanks! I think you've all convinced me to hang onto it. I think it will be worthwhile if I remember to have fun.

Donna K. Weaver said...

I'm glad you're not killing it. Even an occasional post until you're ready to do more is something. I like reading your posts.

Natasha said...

Ah, you wrote EXACTLY what I'm feeling - very well put! I've slowed down radically on blogging since realizing my WIP was more a WNIP (work NOT in progress).

Yeah, if it's not fun, why blog?

Thanks!

Shelli said...

Thank you, Donna!

Natasha, I'm with you -- here's to making it fun again. And good luck with your WIP. :)

Angela said...

I would definitely miss your blog. So please, please, please don't delete it. As for blogging sucking away time, it certainly does do that.

But when I stick to a more relaxed blogging schedule, I find the whole thing more manageable. Good luck on your novel.

Shelli said...

Thank you, Angela, that means a lot to me!