Real life is going great, but I am having a hard time getting back into the swing of blogging.
I’ve been reading, but the energy to write a review? Not there. And who needs a another review of a book a zillion people have already reviewed anyway?
There’s that post I’ve been writing: “Why Zadist is the heroine of Lover Awakened”. But I can’t seem to finish it, and who cares about a book people read years ago anyway?
I could do a “this and that” post, a kind which seem REALLY popular this month (and which I enjoy reading). But I get tired just thinking about it.
There are links. I’ve been reading blog posts. Other people are writing GREAT blog posts. But the energy to link to them is gone.
I just feel really estranged from the whole enterprise. Like … sort of mystified as to how I could have written so many posts, and that I couldn’t write a blog post worth reading if I tried.
I know it doesn’t matter because this is just a hobby. And it doesn’t, in the scheme of things. But I am slightly worried that if I don’t force myself to write something soon, the thought of returning to this blog, like the thought of returning to the gym after a long hiatus, will never appeal again. Hence this uninspiring post.
It’s a bit of a struggle to hit “Publish” on this, actually, for obvious reasons.
But maybe posting this but of fluff will be like a baby step to a better post?
So, here’s a question: what do you do when your get up and go has got up and went? Any advice?
Related posts:
Oh I know how you feel. There are times when writing one blog post is torture. I think taking a break is okay, but I do want you to know–if any of your feelings are stemming from no one cares b/c a million people have already read and reviewed this book–that I enjoy hearing everything from my favorite bloggers…the books are less important than the reviewer. We still want to know! xoxo Your adoring fans
Well as somebody who’s had the same issues re blogging, I say just start back when you’re ready, and not until. Blog about what you want to, rather than what you think people will be interested in. I currently have a target of 3 posts per week, that’s good enough for me right now. In other words baby steps until the blogging fever gets a grip of you again.
Well, I’m going to offend here (but please note, Jessica, my comments pertain less to you and this post than to the slew of posts and articles by bloggers that come out with annoying regularity) but my irritation with people who blog about not being about to blog is identical in quantity and quality with those who write screeds and screeds bemoaning their writer’s block.
My attitude, to paraphrase Tom Lehrer, is if you are unable to write, the least you could do is stop writing about it. Or put less nastily – the energy spent in moaning about not doing something could be better spent doing that thing or doing something else.
The crux of the issue, to me, is that if you really wanted to blog – or write a book – you’d find the time and energy because you have no trouble finding the time and energy to do other stuff. So the problem is not time and energy, it’s joy. Blogging, writing or making earwax sculptures no longer bring joy, so there is nothing but guilt to give you an incentive to do it – and guilt makes a joyless task almost unbearable.
So do something else and stop feeling guilty! Not only are you not being paid to blog, so it’s not a matter of life and death, life is too damn short to waste bemoaning what one doesn’t want to do, instead of doing what you do want to do.
The problem (not with you, I hasten to add) is that often we get bound up in our identity and position as a writer, blogger, earwax scupltor etc and we like the idea of the label more than we like the occupation. The idea drives us to make endless excuses for why we can’t just do it now, and to feel guilt that we aren’t doing it. The idea is a lie, a fraud, and makes us unhappy. So we should ditch it as the unwanted burden it is. Okay, if your household income depends on your fame, your contracts, etc then you don’t have that luxury – or not as easily. But most people aren’t in that position.
I have a former friend who I met when I wrote fanfiction. She was talented, and determined to make a career as a writer. She wanted to do a MFA at Berkeley. All she ever talked about was moving away from home, getting the MFA, the career as a writer (or perhaps an editor while she wrote.) She wrote many many posts, and we had many long email discussions about it. She moved to San Francisco, doing a shitty job for a couple of years because it was only temporary while she got herself positioned to do this MFA. She never actually became serious about the next job she took even though she was good at it, because in her head, she was going to be a writer, not a social worker.
The one thing she never did was write. The only piece she produced in six years since she moved to SF, was an ‘origified’ version of a piece of fanfiction. Instead she knitted. She played the flute. She worked hard. She socialised. And never wrote, even when she complained of being bored with nothing to do.
She is never going to be a writer. She is never going to do the MFA. Not because she doesn’t have talent, but because writing brings her no joy, and the things that do, are more enticing – always will be more enticing – than the work involved in producing a novel or a short story. Yet, if you were to meet her in twenty years, her vision of herself as someone about to be a great writer, will probably be just as firmly fixed in her mind as it was six years ago.
It’s very sad, and very irritating watching people throw their lives away like this. So don’t.
Here endeth the lesson
I agree with the tough love that Ann is dispensing here. The axiom I always kept in mind working in a newsroom is, “There’s no such thing as trucker’s block.” You have a job to do, so do your job. I know, blogging isn’t a job (not for me, anyway, and I believe not for you), but it’s still a role you’ve assigned to yourself because there’s something you care about that’s prompted you to do it. And if it’s something you care about you might as well treat it like a job.
For me, the solution has often been to just fight through it—show up and start writing anyway, because that process will likely teach you something. It may not lead to the smartest post you’ve ever done, but commenters are generally forgiving of that. In fact, they’re crankier when you don’t post or write about not posting than if you write a post that’s a little subpar.
Ask for guest bloggers or offer to go on a blog tour yourself but the catch is you have to be supplied the topics.
Sometimes short posts do just fine as opposed to long ones. So write a couple of quickies.
Best to take a break and put your energy into something you can find enjoyment in. You’ll find your blogging mojo again.
I’ve been feeling the same way as if I’m stuck in a rut. I love blogging, but sometimes the thought of writing this thoughtout review for such and such book is exhausting. There are other reasons why I’m feeling like this different from your own.
Take a break and come back when you feel refreshed
I don’t know if it helps at all – but I was reading Anyone But You the other night, and thought “I know that Jessica wrote a post about Crusie, and I think she articulated what I’m thinking about this book, and I need to go look and see.”
Which I suppose is just my way of saying “What you say has value.”
(and this is why I don’t blog. It sounded so much better in my head.)
There have been books that have been reviewed by everyone and their mother, and I won’t feel like getting it. Then one day I’ll see a review that has me going: Ohhh, I must buy this NOW!! So don’t worry about a book being blogged enough. It hasn’t been blogged by you. Also you never know — someone could be subscribed to you who may not have any other romance blogs on their readerlist and it could be the first time they heard of this book.
As for blogging slumps… usually make myself work through it. It gets painful, but I am one of those people who has to just do it or I never will. I’ll start it. Then leave it. Make myself work on it more. Sleep on it. Work until I’m semi satisfied, then post. Sometimes I post because I’m just so sick of it I can’t take it anymore, although I TRY to post when I feel happy with it. On the other hand, sometimes things in my life happen and it takes over my mind. That’s when I say it’s ok if I don’t feel like doing this right now. I’ll work on the blog when I’m ready. It depends on what’s more important in that case.
Well, I do exactly what you do. I ramble. And you did a good job of it because I finished your ramble.
Although, really… um, I’m curious… please to finish, yes?
I know exactly how you’re feeling (no really). Um, well a few options/things I’ve done are less helpful. So… for content? I shop. I talk about things I like, things I want to share with people, what I’m passionate about, or frivolous things, anything for interaction.
Or, you know, you can take a hiatus. I really shouldn’t count how many abandoned ones there are out there… [and I'm thinking mine :X]
I know exactly what you mean! I had a 3 month break (there were a number of reasons) and now all I can concentrate on is memes (BTT, Teaser Tuesday). Yes, they are cheap and nasty, but I am keeping my hand in, so to speak. Even if it is just a few paragraphs answering the BTT question of the week, I am putting pen to paper (finger to keyboard?) and sharing a few small thoughts with my readers. I decided the New Year was the time to overcome the problem, but so far I haven’t posted anything interesting. I am working on a guide to ebooks in Australia, but I have been sitting on it for a month. I have posted to explain to my followers why I have been absent and that I do intend to kick start the blog again. Everyone is understanding, because they are mostly bloggers themselves. Blogging is hard work. It is fun, interesting, engaging, but it still takes time, effort and inspiration. Don’t push yourself, just keep yourself open to inspiration and new directions. Good luck! I hope you find a way out of the slump.
I also agree with Janicu. While there may be a lot of reviews out there, it may be yours that resounds in someone’s mind, and urges them to pick up the book in question. There is nothing wrong with reviewing books which are no longer on the new release list. I know there has been times when I was looking for a review on a book and couldn’t find a mention of it, but everyone was talking about the same big new release. There is a very real need for a review of author’s back catalogue of publications.
Why is Zadist the heroine??? ^_^
This is why I don’t blog. A little micro-blogging with Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr is fine, but I can’t commit to writing an additional 1600 words a week, not when my other writing commitments take up my creative mindspace. As an author, I appreciate mightily the work that bloggers do, all the more so because I can’t do it, myself.
When I go into a blogging slump, I repost old posts, scour the web for stuff to comment on, participate in memes, post photos, or simply announce I am taking a break and go away for a while. The readership drops while I am gone, but it’s how you find out which of your readers are faithful and which ones are fair weather friends.
This exactly. When I made the switch back into academia my blog suffered for it, and it took me a little bit to realize, “I am not made of my blog, and my blog is my hobby.” I felt a responsibility to my seven readers to put up lots and lots of posts, but I don’t have a responsibility to it, or goals, and what I manage to do is what I manage to do, which is the currently sort of limp fiveish posts per month. But I feel like I’m putting out a better fiveish posts per month since I really have something to say about those books. There are plenty of books that don’t inspire blog posts from me, and enough that do. So I just wait for it and choose not to feel pressured.
(I hope you don’t feel pressured by us, your loyal readers.)
I third Ann’s comments. One of the things that keeps me reading your blog Jessica, is that there is humour and joyfulness and pleasure expressed in what and how you do your blogging and how you have built a community in the conversations that occur here. You and your blog have a unique and engaging take on things. If blogging is another chore on your list then it isn’t for you right now. RRR is something you share with us, not something that exists for us to consume. Nor do I want to spoil things by expecting you to be ‘on’ all the time. Having said that that I would like to read about ‘Zadist as heroine’ and believe there is value in reviews of old books. This is a blog that isn’t about the new, or the latest craze/best seller to me it has always been about the conversation anad the ideas.
When I feel disenchanted with blogging (whether cos of feeling I have nothing to say or whether cos I feel no one is interested or whatever it might be) I do what you’re doing – I blog about it, paradoxically. And actually, I usually get quite a lot of comments (for me)! So what does that say?
The comments always fall into two groups. Take a break. Or. You are appreciated. So, knowing that, why have I repeat-posted on it? I suppose because my blog is an outlet for a number of things, including whatever thoughts I’m having about blogging. And really, who better to understand your feeling about blogging than those who blog and frequent blogs?
Besides, now that I *know* you, I’m interested not just on your take on novels and philosophy and all that, I’m also interested in your blogging slump. I’m interested in why the usually opinionated Jessica is finding that there is nothing she feels inclined to opine on? Not to be demanding, but pretty much any direction you took about this would fascinate me. But then I’m interested in the whys and wherefores of a lot of stuff. Why do we read, write, blog? Especially when you get past the facile answers and right into the true meat of it. (Which, by the way, I haven’t quite worked out as regards my own reading, writing and blogging as yet, so good luck with that).
And you know my thoughts on reviews of old book. Je prefere.
*Laughing* True, but you clearly missed the tough “love” *ahem* I got from Ann Somerville and Mark Athitakis upthread. So let’s add a third response: “stop feeling sorry for yourself and write something dammit! or don’t, dammit. But stop whining either way!”.
Off to teach. More later! (this has been very good, by the way. Even though this post sucks, I feel almost motivated to write a real one now.)
Thanks all!
Post pictures and drawings. Post about something other than what you think you should post about. Do weird posts that make you feel like you’re getting away with something.
My New Year’s Resolution was to write every day. I haven’t managed every single day, but I write something most days. Sometimes it’s reviews, sometimes it’s professional admin work, sometimes it’s lectures, sometimes it’s even research! But it’s always something, and I was enjoyed writing book reviews again. My backlog had built up to a scary point and I found it immobilizing. So I took one of the easier books to review (shorter, more straightforward, I knew pretty much what I wanted to say) and began with that. It was hard at first but it got easier. Is that writer’s block? I have no idea. I just know that if I want to write, I have to prioritize it. I’m not one of those people for whom the need to write is like the need to breathe, unfortunately. But I enjoy it a lot when I’m in the rhythm.
So, I would think about whether it’s writing in general, or writing for the blog, which is difficult for you right now. Because the responses differ.
ETA: If it’s writing for the blog, you’ve got some great ideas here in the comments. If it’s writing in general, pull out your copy of How To Write a Lot! Or I can send you a dozen more on the subject …
Like Janicu mentioned further above…..
I work/push through it. But nobody ever likes to hear that
This can sometimes lead to uninspired posts on my part (heh, some would say my ENTIRE blog is uninspired – but hell, I’m not forcing anyone to read the damn thing at gun point so if they don’t wanna, they don’t hafta). But you know, blog posts are a lot like books. Crap is in the eye of the beholder. I might think it’s drivel, but someone out there somewhere might love it. And vice versa.
It’s all about finding a rhythm that works for you. My rhythm seems to be around 3-4 posts a week. But that’s different for everybody. For me, it’s about being consistent. Blogging for a month….and then vanishing without a word for the next 9 isn’t going to help anyone establish a rhythm. For the blogger or the blog reader. Find your rhythm and stick with it.
I also think it’s easy to fall into the trap of “everybody has already talked about this, nobody wants to hear what I think.” Horse hooey. If you want to write about it? Write about it. Blogs are, by their nature, narcissistic affairs. If it ain’t All About You….what’s the point? But I’m self-centered like that. And if writing about that book that everyone has already beat to death makes you happy? It entertains you? Chances are it will entertain others.
Go off and just have fun, till the desire to share your opinion returns. I bet it will. You’re a natural born sharer.
(And I also appreciate your willingness to review books that have been out for a long while.:))
I like reviews of books people read years ago. If I read it years ago, the posts make me think about the book in a new way and teach me more about you as a reader which helps me decide what to do about reading books you review that I haven’t read. (this the the global you not the you you). If I haven’t read the book sometimes I discover a new series. Recently the Magic series by Ilona Andrews so.
Declare a blog holiday.
Frankly I am amazed by the stamina and dedication of bloggers. I am amazed that they continue to find interesting and relevant things to say–and say it well–month after month, year after year.
It’s one thing if blogging is a job and a source of income. But to have a day job, all other obligations of family, parenthood, and modern life, and to blog consistently?
Go ahead, take off and don’t even worry.
(Or if you want, you can always read a terrible book and then rant about it.)
I want to read the post about Zsadist.
@Victoria Janssen: oh, I had a niggle I spelled his name wrong!
Ok, it’s actually kind of a mammoth post on LA. Maybe I can finish it.
You guys are the best!
Ooof, I don’t know. I’ve been having the same problem since about last summer.
I never did take a clean break because I had some reviews I was committed to put up for publishers, so instead I just felt guilty about that for like 4 months.
Then I thought I’d get a fresh start at the end of summer, but other life stuff happened.
Then I thought I’d get a fresh start at the new year, and it’s been a little better but it’s still not really like it was when I started.
I worry that if I go on a real hiatus I’ll just never come back. I hate the idea of giving it up but in truth I haven’t been all that into it lately. One thing that’s actually helping is just to spend a bit more time reading other blogs for awhile (because I stopped doing that too). And one strategy I’m considering is trying to just write some shorter posts. My articles take an extended amount of quality time alone with my brain and I feel like I just don’t have that to give lately. So I’m thinking on what I *do* have to give to the blog, if not that.
Other times when I’ve slowed down it just took a fantastic book that I couldn’t wait to say something about to bring back the mojo.
This ramble brought to you by another burned out (possibly?) blogger.
I don’t blog, but I read blogs for the sense of a community of people having an interesting conversation. If you’re getting that elsewhere, maybe blogging just isn’t satisfying a need for you anymore (though if you quit, I would miss you, and I’d probably have to give up my resistance to Twitter so I could keep listening to your conversations).
Liz, if you use a feedreader you can subscribe to people’s Twitter feeds and read their tweets that way.
Did you change the comment boxes? The names of the commenters are encroaching on the actual comments and it hurts my eyes.
Okay, so blogging slump. Clearly you need to start a flame war. Nothing better for jump-starting your interest than a good feud. Plus, it’s very entertaining for onlookers. Everyone wins.
Srsly though, I’m interested in a post about romance and feminist philosophy. I still don’t understand why you think SEP is not feminist. I don’t know why her baby epilogues bother Robin/Janet so much. Also, you recently mentioned an Eloisa James quote about feminism. I’m wondering if some of us (myself included) really just don’t understand the basic tenets.
@Jill Sorenson: I noticed that, too, Jill. I will see if I can get one of my blog helpers to help me with it. And, yeah, maybe a post on feminism would be a nice change of pace! I am not teaching it this semester so maybe it won’t feel like work.
I imagine it’s relatively likely that a discussion of feminism could lead to a flame war. My twig (to add to the pile of combustible elements) is the suggestion that definitions of feminism which focus on women’s freedom to make choices can end up making the term “feminism” pretty meaningless. Not all choices made by women are feminist choices: women can choose to exploit other women, they can make choices which constrict other women’s choices etc. I like bell hooks’ definition:
——–
hooks, bell. Feminism is for Everybody. Cambridge, MA: South End P., 2000.
Make no mistake, I offer no words of wisdom on this subject. *gasp* In fact, I’m someone you don’t want to emulate because I’ve went four months without blogging and I didn’t miss it not one bit. Although, Super Wendy’s lecture on “consistency” makes me feel guilty for about a second. I read and blog for me now since it’s only me over there and that’s fine. *cries*
I started my blog on a whim and I really only do it to please me (although I am ridiculously pleased when I get comments
). I started doing reviews and they were inevitably long and took me hours to produce. Then I decided to challenge myself to at least put up something each month. So, I started an “(insert month here) reads” post. This is a challenge because it “forces” me to get of my butt and post and I always enjoy it once I get started (which I think is a key) and it forces me to condense my thoughts about a particular book instead of raving on and on. An extra aspect to it is now I’m saying something about every book I read or listen to – so I can’t choose only the good ones and it is a personal challenge to me to be honest about how I feel about a book without being rude (I’m afraid I don’t do snarky humour that well – at least online). If I get inspired or find time I might put up a post in between with a full review of a book but I’m not confident enough in my blogging “voice” to put up opinion pieces and other randomness yet. But that’s just me.
As to RRR, I like reading reviews of books I’ve read even if it was ages ago – I’m always interested in knowing what others thought about something I liked/didn’t – so, I too, would be interested in reading your Zsadist post. Also, I think Jill Sorenson had a good idea too! *grin*
I have been a composition teacher since 1974 (yes, I am that old). My advice to anyone who is blocked: lower your standards.
Some of us want to read only those reviews that address books published back in the day.
I have no advice. Only that I missed you while you were gone.
I figure, it’s your blog, so if you want to blog that you don’t wanna blog, it’s fair game.
Sounds like you’re stuck in the doldrums. My favorite definition of doldrums: A part of the ocean near the equator, abounding in calms, squalls, and light, baffling winds, which sometimes prevent all progress for weeks; — so called by sailors; the state of boredom, malaise, apathy or lack of interest; a state of listlessness ennui, or tedium
Happens to everyone, not just bloggers. Unless it’s food and exercise related, I’m not big on giving advice, except to say…it will be okay. Do what you want for as long as you want. Blogging/reviewing will happen when it happens.
Using Twitter has lessened my desire to blog. I also get intimidated because a lot of the stuff in my head is about kids/cats/food/dailylife and I know a lot of people mock those types of posts.
But if you aren’t enjoying blogging, don’t do it! You could probably fulfill your need for online interaction, if you have that need, by commenting on other people’s blogs. Or you could share photochopped pictures you took on your “blog vacation” and let us guess what you’re REALLY up to *heh*
It’s the tail end of January. Everyone has gone to ground. It’s a seasonal thing. People start stirring and poking about as the snow drops make thier appearance.
definitely missed your blog while you were on hiatus, but here’s a quote my previous boss gave me (framed) which helps me ride out ruts and such:
finish each day and be done with it. you have done what you could. some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. tomorrow is a new day. you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. – emerson
(love that, b/c I’m always all the time encumbered by my old nonsense… and here’s permission to let it go.)
Also: I really love reading about books when a reader is reading (or re-reading) them, instead of feeling pushed by a publishing schedule. Particularly enjoy the time-capsule qualities of reading Old Skool romance.
Some time ago, I came to believe it’s not writing blog posts that can kill the motivation, it’s the afterwards. You know, responding to comments. It’s great to receive and read comments, but it carries a price tag. We come to learn it’s rude not to respond, especially if we make a habit of responding. This is the case for me, anyway, when I was wondering why I don’t write reviews and articles these days.
I also – I must admit – get anxious where writing is concerned. When I don’t have an editor, I can get so worked up (over how bad my writing is) that I put off posting those posts/reviews. It’s fine when I make responses, but posts/reviews? I need a paper bag to breathe.
Anyway, I’m thinking the best solution is chuck in a note at end of a post to say that you’d not respond to comments this time round. I’m quite certain regulars will understand. At least I hope so.