To Blog or not to Blog?
17 Nov
That is the question. As you all know, my recent hospitalisation has put quite a few things into perspective for me — the main thing of course being that I need to learn not to push myself too much, and to take a break every once a while. I am trying to stop juggling, and for some reason, the blog and my uni thesis are currently battling the ‘should they stay or should they go’ status in my life.
I’m actually quite in love with the idea of having a blog, especially one as cool as wordsmith lane (I am obsessed with the name). But I have come to realise that I’ve been treating it more like a job instead of a hobby, and I really don’t want to have to worry about another job when I already have three regular ones next to my name: freelance writer/faith education officer/USYD researcher. I come home buggered at the end of the day, and I don’t really want to deal with more writers stuff (because it reminds me of work) when my body and mind are craving relaxation.
At the same time, I still think wordsmith lane is a pretty good idea. There certainly was not anything like it when I first came out of uni, and despite the fact that I have been writing professionally for over three years, I still learn and benefit from the interviews I have here every Friday. I don’t want to lose its name just as much as I dont want to ‘abandon’ (because that’s what it feels like) those 100-odd readers that check in everyday because they are A) interested in my life or B) in my writing.
So I have decided to share my dilemmas with you, my audience, because only you can tell me whether or not you actually value this blog, and whether you want to still have it around. To make it easier for you, I have listed some options below, but I will also welcome any suggestions for improving my current situation. I would also like to remind you all that I am no sook (is that a real word?) or baby, but there are times when you have to learn to take a step back and take it easy, because your health is most important. So without further ado, here are my options to remedy my current situation:
- Revamp the blog: Not making it all about writing might make it easier for me to post reguarly, because I wont have to worry as much about content (I can write about my life, works in progress, thoughts, recent purchases etc, while still interviewing writers on Fridays, mentioning the releases of books, discussing any writing-industry news as it comes, and dishing out advice/skill central posts when I actually have ideas for them/when someone requests it). Then again, do you actually care about what I bought/think/am doing? This would also go hand in hand with not blogging everyday, because that adds a little too much pressure to my days. Ofcourse, I’d still try and keep the Friday interviews and Monday’s Wordsmith Weekly as regular as possible, and perhaps I would install an RSS option so new posts pop up in your email inbox as opposed to having you actually visit the site everyday.
- Ditch the blog: That’s right. Ditch it altogether because it’s not interesting/not enough people read it/I don’t blog enough to hold onto a regular audience/it’s just another thing that I have to worry about (I am good worrier).
- Recruit people to contribute to the blog when I am flailing. I tend to flail (not fail, lol) a lot. And hopefully 2010 will be better than 2009 was, but with a wedding on the horizon to add to my mix, and the financial worries that come with it, who knows how I will fare.
- Blog about my wedding when all else fails. That’s got to make for some content from me, and some reading for you, right?
- Merge my professional website (www.sarahayoub.com) with Wordsmith Lane to avoid losing the name if I select Option Number 2. At least then I will only have one website, but then again if people google Sarah Ayoub, will wordsmith lane come up? And is that stupid? I mean, what if I become an author someday, and my novel bio says visit sarah at wordsmith lane. People would think I was an idiot, or would they? At least if I decide to change my name after I am married (a debate I will blog about later) I wont have to change my website or email…
So what do you guys think? Any advice? And what do you think of the new layout? I chose it because it makes the writing look bigger…or maybe that was a figment of my imagination (I have a lot of those too)… Love to hear from you all — and hope all your writing is going well xx
I like your blog, it’s hip, spiffy, and lighthearted.
It’s also an important part of your portfolio to demonstrate to the professional world that you’re such a dedicated writer and good at conducting interviews with industry insiders. A blog is just that nice bit of polish that makes for a good outlet for writing and practice.
Even if there are lengthy stretches of no updates on your blog, I think it’s a better idea to leave it open for when you do have a new article to post. I like the combination of options 1, 3 and 4. Certain days for blogging, coupled with contributors who can add different perspectives for variation, along with updates from you about the wedding.
You can do it, Sarah!
I agree with James – my inclination would be to suggest you keep it about writing (with a personal twist), and just post less often (scheduled days to post are good) and/or get others on board to contribute. I think the blog’s a really good idea, but it’s also important that it doesn’t become too much of a burden for you.
definately not ditch it. but if it’s becoming more like a chore, include some personal, lighthearted stuff. weddings and what’s on your mind or what you last bought are interesting. at least i’m interested!
if there is a way to sort of divide it up? like wordsmith lane can have both writing and non-writing. get some writers to guest post in the writing sections if it’s just one of those weeks where its all too much to think about. use the non-writing section as a fun outlet for yourself.
and yup, definately look into rrs feeds or subscriptions or blog loving and that thing that updates your twitter for you when you update your blog? i suck at all this kinda stuff, but it would make your readers more ‘in the loop’ in not-so-regular posting times.
1 & 4. Revamp, make it more general. Tell us what you’re researching, what your faith officer job shows you about the world. I think the wonderful thing about a blog for a writer, is that it makes you write. It gives you an open canvas to engage with a readership as a writer and that’s invaluable. Don’t think of it as a job – think of it as a fun outlet that has the potential to help you grow as a wordsmith.
I hope you continue your blog! Option 1 sounds good – including more thoughts/latest purchases/random things if you’re feeling too pressured to do too many interviews or labour intensive posts is a good idea. You could also blog less and not be too harsh on yourself about sticking to a schedule or a number of posts you HAVE to do every week. Just blog whenever you have time or feel like it (we won’t mind!)! Also about the RSS feeds etc. – readers can easily use Google Reader to subscribe to your blog (which works with yours – this is how I get notified you’ve done a new post) – so don’t worry about people having to check in all the time to see you’ve updated – tell them to subscribe in Reader! Again – I hope you continue your blog as I love reading it!
Girl in Asia, you are a gem! I had no idea about this Google reader, and it makes me feel a lot better. As to everyone else, thanks for your advice. I hope you dont mind me constantly changing my themes/ideas/styles, it helps counter-act my boredom. Although I hope to settle on something ASAP! And I have taken your advice and planned a few random bits and bobs for the next few lots of postings…
Oh Sarah, you sound like you’re in such a pickle. I, for one, love the blog and hope you continue with it. I enjoy when you post tid bits about your daily life as opposed to just writing advice, as I feel that’s sometimes more what a blog is about. An idea to informalise the blog and make it fun for you again is to adopt some ideas from other blogs and mags. You mentioned in an earlier piece how you’d like to write for Vogue and that you were crushing over the new Shop Til You Drop – why not incorporate some of their aspects into your blog. I do love reading about your purchases, but if maybe if you related them more to the writing world (ie. mags and books you’re reading, have recently purchased, are pondering purchasing) it would keep your readers who are here mostly for the writing. Either way, I hope you don’t give up the blog and wish you all the best with your health, wedding, jobs etc. And if you do decide to recruit some help, my hand is up. I contribute to Girl with a Satchel and WrestlingTruth, as well as constructing my own blog which should debut in early 2010!
Don’t stop the blog, I’ve only just found it and now it’s my fave blog, I love it! There aren’t many blogs out there like yours so I say keep up the good work, even if it means posting less often.
I get excited every time I see a new post from wordsmith lane in my google reader, and I leave it till lucky last so I can take the time to read it properly and not skim it
I agree with everyone above, on all points.. please don’t ditch it! It is one of my favourite blogs to read. Take care Sarah
I enjoy your blog a lot and I feel that it fills a gap where other blogs don”t. You publish a lot of valuable information to up and coming journalists and present it in a very entertaining way. However if it is taking its toll on you then maybe you do need to cut back. Writing is supposed to be fun as opposed to a chore. How about getting other writers onboard to contribute and that way you keep the quality but lessen the workload. Ultimately the decision is yours as you have to be happy with what you are producing. Whatever you do I am sure it will be great and I will always visit.