Why I Blog
by
C. Lee McKenzie
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I started blogging because my publisher told me to, and back then I did everything my publisher told me to do. The interesting thing that happened is this: I liked it. So why?
I learned a lot of new stuff for one thing, and that’s always a motivator for me. I had to figure out which program to set my blog up on, and then how to use it. Blogger worked for me because it didn’t have a long learning curve. I quickly learned where the undo button was, so what could go wrong?
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I quickly learned that, too. A lot could go wrong if I didn’t have content that was of value. What was valuable content anyway? I wasn’t a marketing guru. I didn’t have hot tips for writers. What was my platform? What was a platform? See? I had a lot to learn, so I kept going.
Then I discovered things like Awards and Hops and Groups. Yay! Now I was on a roll because more than the family cat was reading what I posted.
Then just as I had this blogging thing down, I burned out. Yep. Dry as a summer hill in California, and it happened overnight. I was quitting. I was burrowing into my writer’s cave and blowing off all this blogging business.
So why didn’t I? Why did I take a break and return? Here’s one reason: I missed the contact with the people I’d connected with. I missed knowing when they had new releases or rejections or a great new WIP.
Was there any other reason? I thought about that and decided that without blogging I might have continued to read within my preferred genres. I wouldn’t have sampled books that I usually passed up. Because I was curious about what writer friends had created and I wanted to support their work, I found myself reading much more widely.
And that thing about showing up to the blank page? Well, blogging taught me a lot about doing that every single day.
So why blog? I guess those are three compelling reasons for me.
- Bish Denham gets my ARC of The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow
- Beverly Stowe McClure gets my signed copy of Woven
- L.L. gets my signed copy of Shooting Kabul.
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Hats Off Corner Welcomes Stephen Tremp
Salem’s Daughters,
is supernatural thriller.
Visit Stephen at his BLOG.
Quote for the Day: “The different and the novel are sweet, but regularity and repetition are also teachers.” Poet Mary Oliver
Why do you blog? Ever think of giving up? Does Salem’s Daughters look interesting?
I've thought about quitting blogging a million times. I used to have a blog called The Life Less Ordinary, where I poured my heart into posts about living your best life. I did make some great friends through that blog, but its readership was sporadic, and it was difficult to keep spending so much time on something very few people read.
It was only when I switched my blog's focus to topics readers of my books would enjoy that I found the success I'd been looking for all along. It took a lot of trial and error.
I blog for that feeling of community. If no one is reading and offering their opinions, I get discouraged pretty fast.
I blog to remain connected to those I otherwise would never have met. Salem's Daughters looks and sounds intriguing!
And I started blogging because I joined a Yahoo! Writers group that was big on blogging.
Cheryl, thanks for the shout out! I greatly appreciate the help. And thanks everyone for your supportive comments!
I was encouraged to start blogging by a friend. It is quite scary at first, putting yourself out there but the writers blogging world is a fantastic place. I love how writers support each other through the blogging and it brings writers from all corners of the world together. So glad you decided to continue blogging - you are an inspiration to many! Congrats to Stephen.
It is scary, but in the end, rewarding, too. Thanks for the visit.
Love the cover:) And as for blogging, yep, it does teach us writers to expand our horizons:)
Hi Mark. We all need expansion on our horizons.
Ooooo…Salem's Daughters looks amazing!!! Good Luck to Stephen!!!
C.Lee, I had to to the same thing. It was in my contract to set up a blog and website. At first I was so scared to write down a word, now I love it. It does take up lots of time.
I love what you've done with your blog!
I was on a blog break all week because life became too busy and I sure missed it. I can't give it up. Yay for Stephen.
It does create a space in your routine when you don't blog.
We all blog for different reasons but many people have become like friends and when they disappear it is sad.
That's true. I appreciate when they take the time to say goodbye.
If I stopped blogging, I'd miss all the people here, too. It's a great community!
I chuckle over at your place a lot. It's like revisiting my kids younger years.
I agree 100% - it's the one social media event that I enjoy. The friends, the reading, the opportunities. So much more interesting than posting what I had for dinner. Never did find that entertaining - I'm a boring eater!
Love the cover of Stephens Book! Sounds like a bargain too!
Twitter is not my favorite SS. It doesn't have much oomph!
I'm so glad you came back. Everyone once in a while we need to allow ourselves break. Luckily yours helped you rediscover why you blogged and hopefully it is less of a chore and more enjoyment.
Stephen's book looks great and being a New Englander who went on field trips to Salem it is near and dear to my heart. Can't wait to read it.
Thanks, KAT! I do now appreciate the value of breaks. They energize. Great to see your comment.
KAT, I have the Boston area in all mt books. Not sure why as I;ve never visited there. Yet.
Wonderful to hear from Stephen. I started blogging for the same reason he mentioned. I agree that connecting with other writers and readers is what keeps me blogging. 🙂 I love that blogging has helped me branch out and read a lot of books I might not have read otherwise.
So excited that Bish won your ARC of The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow. I hope she enjoys it. 🙂
~Jess
Well, actually those are my reasons, Jess. But I'll bet Stephen has similar ones. I know Bish is going to enjoy your story.
Congrats to the winners and Stephen's new book! I like your answers and I also enjoy reading what other people are creating or doing. Some make me laugh but i learn from all. I can't see giving up blogging any time soon
I hope you don't. I love your posts, especially those about the old movies.
Congrats to Stephen and the winners! I started blogging because I wanted a cool clickable link name when my short stories went live (I was hopeful after the first sale when I had no clickable link name), and then I didn't know what I was doing. I still don't think I do, but I keep going because I love the bloggers I've met.
Cool and Clickable! Love that. An congrats again on your writing book. It sounds great.
Yay to Stephen! I started blogging almost for the same reason….because agents and editors suggested that all writes start a blog. So I eventually did. And I'm glad I did because I wouldn't know all of you otherwise. 😀
Likewise, Chrys. Know you has been a pleasure and I hope we can continue share ideas and writing.
Those are great reasons to blog! The connection you mentioned is why I blog now. I started to blog because I couldn't sleep. Good reason, right?
Grats Stephen!
Glad you do blog! I enjoy my visits to your site.
I think the strain of blogging was getting to a lot of us. Writing books is work in its own right, much less the full load of an active blog. I'm relaxing a bit. I love blogging for all the reasons you mentioned. I plan to stick with it, but I will have to modify my approach.
And you've created a great new blog. I look forward to it.
Woot, woot! I'm right there with Stephen. Anytime I've gone away from blogging, I missed everyone. It's such a great community.
I liked sharing my reasons for blogging. It seems others have the same or similar reasons.
Oh I love that cat cover. It's amazing. And the best thing about blogging: meeting other bloggers/writers.
The cat is precious!
It's almost as though you cracked a hole in my skull and read my thoughts about blogging. I pretty much feel and have had the same experience with it as you have. It's pushed me beyond my 'norm', gotten me to read and write outside of my box. And I've met the most wonderful folks (you included). They keep me motivated and encouraged; I hope I do the same for them.
Congrats to Stephen. Love the kitty cover!
Well, you do a great job with your blog! I always find it interesting and entertaining.
SA, my nephew did the cover art. He's done all my books. It's great to have someone in the family talented like this.
Hi Lee, Yes, blogging is an adventure, that's for sure. Love the people I've met (like you:) but the constant pace can be tiring. I think about giving it up often. But since my publisher requires a web presence and I am still working on my regular site, I stay the course because I must. And because I think I would really miss the people. They help keep me going.
Hello to Stephen! Congrats on the release.
If we make it manageable I think it can be enjoyable over the long term. At least that's what I'm trying to do. Hope you keep blogging. I like to stop by your page.
Great post! I've definitely considered giving up my blog-there have been times when I just have nothing to post! But I, too, love the interaction there. It's a great way to reach out to others and get to know new people, and now I just find it fun (well, most of the time-sometimes I still wonder what on earth to say!).
I know what you mean. I think, "What do I have to share that's important enough for people to read?" I have to scramble sometimes.
Congrats to Stephen and thanks for reminding me to preorder his book. I thought I did that already, but it must have been while I was experiencing a change of credit card issue with my one click settings on Amazon.
I agree with all your reasons for blogging and while i didn't have a publisher tell me to start, I'd read many other people suggesting unpublished authors get busy working on their platform, even if they weren't close to finishing their book. I was lost in the beginning, but I was so fortunate to find Alex's IWSG and at the same time he and Matthew were also hosting another blogfest that promoted new bloggers or bloggers flying under the radar, bloggers with fewer than 50 or 100 followers. I can't remember what that was called but between the two I made some quick friends. I'm still in contact with many of those same writers. It's been rewarding and inspirational to follow each other through the ups and downs and it is especially nice when one of those writers releases their debut novel.
Like you, I probably wouldn't have read many books outside my preferred genre, but I did so I could support fellow authors and it opened my eyes to many new genres. I was surprised to find that I love historical mysteries, chick lit and Dystopian YA. I never would have sampled any of those genres, if not for the wonderful people I've connected with via blogging.
Thanks, Melissa. I was surprised to find books outside my usual genres that I truly enjoyed, too.
Thanks Melissa and enjoy!
I'm glad you blog!
And congrat's, Stephen!
Thanks, Theresa. I'll return the compliment.
Yeah it is about the connections and learning different things for me. Plus I get to get some of that crazy out of my head haha I can break when I want, being 8 months ahead in posts has its perks lol
8 months? Now I'm impressed.
After almost two years of 2X a week blogging, I went down to one, and that has helped with the burnout factor for me. Stephen's book — creepy! And you always come up with the best quotes.
Yvonne
We understand each other on the 2X/week issue. It was madness for me after a while. Glad you enjoy the quotes. I try to make them tie in with the posts if I can.
Same thing happened to me with FB. My agent made me set up an acct, but then I discovered I really liked it. (What's better than laughing at LOLCats?!) Blogging is pretty time-consuming, but I get to know people a lot better than on FB or Twitter. Congrats to Steve on his new cover!
The tools are very different. I agree. I find that now I've been at this for a while, I kind of know what to post where. Well, "kind of" is the operative and non-grammatical way to put it.
Congrats to Stephen! Been seeing his book all over the blogosphere lately, and it sounds great.
I don't think I ever consciously thought of quitting blogging, but my depression has kept me away so much that it's almost happened by accident a few times. I'd miss all the connections here, for sure, if I ever allowed that to happen! And oh, that's such a good point about it helping us read more widely. I've definitely tried out more books than I probably would've had I not been part of the blogging community!
I know you deal with depression and it's amazing to me you can manage that and do your cartoons as well as blog.
Excellent blog Lee. I started blogging some years after my two berevements. I got together much of the poetry I had written . I love blogging as one via the Internet "Meet" many friends. Also I love the A to Z Challenge and ISWG.
Good luck to Stephen with his book, I am sure it will be a huge success.
Yvonne.
I do believe people find connections here that help. Glad you have a place for your poetry.
Due to going back to teaching, I don't have as much time to blog anymore. I miss communicating with my blog buddies like you!
Congrats to Stephen!!!
Hey! Kelly. Miss you tons.
Thanks Kelly. Long time no see.
Congrats Stephen… my blogging has slowed down massively. Figured once I get on top of a few more manuscripts, I'll have to tackle it head on:)
It's those manuscripts that are so time consuming. :0
Congrats to Stephen. He was on my blog last week.
I've burned out on blogging from time to time, but it's rare. I enjoy it and can usually come up with posts.
Well, you do a lot, Patricia. So if you do need a break, totally understandable.
It's easy to burn out on blogging every now and then. It's important to focus on what you love and take breaks when/if you can.
Indeed.
I've learned SO much via blogging and I've met the best people! I wouldn't undo that for anything 🙂
Makes it all worthwhile!
Congrats to Stephen. I continue to like blogging, I just do it a bit less often, like every week or even two instead of twice a week. That way, I keep it fresh and keep from burning out.
Yes. Once a week is enough for me. I was blogging three times a week. No wonder I sank!
I got burned out on blogging probably 4 years after I started. I took a couple of extended vacations, but I eventually kept coming back. I had to make all new friends too, since many of my blogging buddies also quit around that time.
Yes, I've notice so many of my "old" buds are no longer here.
Stephen looks so good with the glasses in that first photo :PP
Stephen will love your comment.
Dez, I thought it was time I accessorized.
Great interview, Stephen. I've learned to read different types of books too, after learning what some of my online friends have written, and I'm enjoying them.
Congratulations on your latest novel. It sounds like a good one.
Errrr. Sorry, that was me, Beverly. Guess I didn't make it clear that I was writing about why I blog. Must fix that.
Mmm, maybe I read it cross eyed. I have new glasses. 🙂 I think I have it now.
I couldn't have said it any better.
Interesting points. I never thought about it that way.
Do you blog for a special reason?
Congrats to Stephen on his book.
I have burned out a bit on blogging too and found a break this summer helped. But I still like it to help authors promote their books and to connect with all my friends on blogs. Loved your comment on my blog today.
I guess we all burn out on things we do regularly over a period of time. Yay for vacations. I thought the author you hosted today had the perfect name, only backwards. 🙂
After 10 years of blogging, I've gone through several platforms. My main one is stable now, but it still shifts with seasons and my mood.
I still haven't landed on the one I'm really happy with. Maybe, like you, I just get bored and my attitude shifts, so I want something to reflect that.
Love Stephen's cover!
Congratulations!
I started my blog as a place to vent. My husband sure appreciated it.
Great post!
Heather
That's a great reason!
Congrats to Stephen. This books sounds intriguing. Congrats also to the winners. I started blogging because author Cleo Coyle encouraged me to as a place to share my reviews. I've loved it ever since and missed everyone terrible when I was offline for a couple of months recently.
Glad Cleo encouraged you. And I understand the need for breaks.
Hi Lee - congratulations to Stephen on his Salem's Daughters … and how lucky are those winners.
As many of us know we meet new friends, we find new thoughts on life, we reflect, we learn new things … and it's a place to market some excellent books form Bloggers that are given a chance to shine.
Cheers and good luck to one and all - Hilary
I agree. Without hosting blogs, a lot of writers wouldn't have the exposure they have. Loved your post about the restoration today. So interesting.
Yay for Stephen! And congrats to the winners. I've blogged for a long time, and there have been moments I wanted to give it up. Mainly because it takes a lot of time. I have realized I just need to schedule my time more efficiently. Which I'm still working on! 🙂 Have a good week.
That scheduling thing is huge for me. I think I have it together, and then whammo!
Congratulations to Stephen and the winners!
I blog for the exact same reasons. It's the connections that matter most to me.
I think that's the case for a lot of bloggers.