Most of us start blogging because we know, deep down, that if we do not get our thoughts out somewhere we will say them. When it is inappropriate. The blog is akin to the diary or the journal of older generations, with some advantages. It can be shared. You can get feedback — in fact most of the fun at the best blogs is in the comments.
But keeping this up requires motivation. Despite the fact that many of us have a deep pool of snark and spite, 500 — 1000 words a day will dry it up. Besides, we move on. And we stop blogging.
The Private man has an update on the manosphere, in which he lists blogs that are pining for the fjords (as dead parrots do) and new ones. This led to a number of comments, including this one by Cail
When it comes to blogging, I’ve started several, and my problem always comes down to thinking up enough ideas to keep it going. Not that I don’t have things to say, as you can tell by my wordy comments like this one (why am I not posting this on my own blog, for instance?). But I’m not good at looking at a blank page and thinking of the one new idea that will turn into a fascinating blog post today (and I’m enough of a perfectionist that that’s where my bar usually is). Once you get established and people expect a certain quality and quantity from you, keeping it up may be daunting.
Blogging can be demanding. People think of it as just tossing off ideas in your pajamas, but consider the work involved. Say you plan to blog every weekday, and you average about 500 words per post. Then let’s say you get a fair number of comments, so you write another 500 words per post in comment replies. (That’s really not that much, by the way; I’d guess most bloggers on serious topics like Dalrock average more.) At that volume, you could churn out 3-4 novels a year! How many “real” authors not named Stephen King can maintain that kind of pace? And you’re doing your own proofreading, editing, moderation, and marketing on top of that, and doing most of this in your free time.
So it’s a lot of work. I don’t want to discount the threats and legal fears and other reasons a person might quit, but I think simple burnout is often reason enough.
Absolutely correct. Which is why blogs need rules. And these are mine.
- Have a main topic and goal. Many moons ago, this was political. It is now mainly philosophical and theological. My goal is to read the lectionary, daily, and post on it.
- It is not about you. Personal anecdotes are good, but this is not a place for after action reports on various events unless they are (a) on topic and (b) no civilians will be harmed.
- Have low standards. I blog daily. On the lectionary. Some days there is nothing brilliant to say… on those days I hope the scripture speaks for itself. This is a blog. The electronic version of fish wrapping. I try to say something good, but not perfect. I leave my obsessionality switched off: this gets my writing muscles ready for work, where getting the research proposals and papers absolutely correct matters.
- Quote. I have written too many papers and had too many people proof read what I produce to have the following delusions (a) that I can spell (b) that I understand the rules of grammar and (c) that I have a wonderful prose style. I quote people who spend more time polishing their work. But…
- Acknowledge those better than you. Which is anyone you quote because they state something better than you can.
- Practice cyber self defense. Use some form of spam filter. Keep a banhammer handy for swatting trolls. Be aware of the laws in your jurisdiction around libel, and delete libelous comments. I can get away with being a lot more free than US bloggers simply because I do not live in the US and American legal correspondence makes nice kindling. (US laws do not apply outside US borders).
Finally, this is a hobby. Hobbies make you interesting. Just make sure that you have more than one of them.
UPDATE: The blogroll has added Free Northerner, The part time musician, UK Fred and Eugene Stoner’s Trad Friend.
