Skimming Stones | Sula's Blog | Sula1968 A South African poet, potter and mother
I am only happy with the writing of about 1 in 10 of my blog posts. This could be discouraging but remaining committed to the blog keeps me writing which is the most important factor.
I have learned 2 important lessons.
The posts first written in ink are better than those typed directly onto the computer, even if the difference is marginal. Some corrections are made on the page, more are made later when typing the post out.
They say “Dance like no one is looking”, the same holds for writing, write like no one is reading. When I write primarily with readers in mind the words often seem stilted and lack soul, call it stage fright if you will. When I write for me the flow and feeling ring more true.
I enjoy blogging for many reasons. My blog forces me to write something at least once a week. In the past, months and even years have passed without a creative written word. If I keep writing, at least I am getting my mind into a place where there is potential for growth. I also love to share which is the motivation for most reviews posted.
The most rewarding aspect of blogging is when readers post comments or choose to follow my blog. “Likes” don’t hold much water, generally other bloggers click ‘Like’ willy nilly just to lure you to their blog and that’s a bit icky.
…… “The most rewarding aspect of blogging is when readers post comments or choose to follow my blog. “Likes” don’t hold much water, generally other bloggers click ‘Like’ willy nilly just to lure you to their blog and that’s a bit icky. “…..
That’s true! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I only follow the blogs I really like to enjoy (not that many). In my case especially the ones dealing with photography and art/design plus a few about gardens…
Thank you for your comment, I love the pictures on your blog!
🙂
Don’t give up on your writing. It’s not as hard as it seems, not once it becomes a habit. You look forward to more and more chances to put words down, share with others, receive feedback. Keep going!
There’s something about writing with a pen that is very spiritual. I personally would prefer to write on a computer any day of the week–I hardly ever, ever, write with a pen, unless I’m writing a cheque. But occasionally it’ll happen, and I’ll enjoy it. I understand the desire to, but it’s just too impractical for me. Neil Gaiman has written several books with just a pen, and I don’t know how he does it. I make so many changes it’s impossible to work in long hand. Impossible. Don’t know how authors used to do it.
Anyways, kudos to you!
Thank you for reading and for your comment. I can’t imagine writing an entire novel by pen alone but see the merit in using pen and paper for a 1st draft, and delight in the feel of a pen in my hand. I do so love paper, my e-reader is wonderful but somehow doesn’t feel the same as a book in my hand.
… or ‘they’ like when they in fact do like it but just don’t have time to make a real comment 😉
That I don’t mind, I know what it’s like not to have time, what annoys me is those who click ‘like’ from the reader page without opening the post
Definitely, that’s a bit frustrating.
It is a fine line between writing for oneself and writing for readers…. A blogging friend said to me “why write to nobody?” and I think there is a lot of truth in her statement; I’ve kept a journal since I was young and if I didn’t care about readers than I would just stick to my private journal and not a blog…….
Thus, a major area of my blog is learning to fine the valley that connects my interests with the interet of the majority of my readers.
If I only wrote in the manner I like the best and the topics I care about the most; I suspect my audience would dwindle quite a bit. Thus, in blogging I am learning how to connect my interests in a way that my readers care about 🙂
Your comment is certainly food for thought. After some honest introspection I think that maybe I should amend my approach to “write like an editor is reading”. I am guilty of sometimes slapping off a post too quickly. If I were to pretend that I’m writing for an editor I would create more posts which I am happy with.
On another note, I realize more and more that we are all so similar, the impression created during my youth that I was incredibly different (to the point of being an outcast) took a long time to adjust. Particularly through writing I have found that although we have different outlooks, values and interests, we are all so similar and when we write from the heart with honestly we discover that connections are many. I find that when reading anything written with truth and honesty something rings true and connects with me.
Thank you for your thought provoking comment, I hope that my reply makes sense, my eyes are still half stuck together with sleep and brain firing on all cylinders
Really enjoyed reading this post, you should be proud of the writing in this!