There's been a lot of talk lately in the blogosphere about maintaining balance.
As my writing career progresses, I find striking a balance harder. Mornings are spent writing ('coz without that, I'm not actually a writer!), and the afternoons are filled with answering reader emails (yay!), answering questions from fellow writers (yay!), preparing presentations and workshops (yay!), and writing guest posts (yay!). All great stuff that I feel incredibly lucky to do, but also time-consuming.
When wine o'clock rolls around, I often realise I haven't spent any time blogging nor responding to comments I've received, and I'm faced with a difficult question: blogging or wine (I learned the hard way you can't do both at the same time, ha!)? I bet you can guess which one wins out. Plus, sometimes I just want to close the lid on the laptop and enjoy real life.
I used to be fanatical about blogging every day and get sharp pangs of guilt if I didn't reply to each and every comment promptly. Now, I blog three days a week and although I do try my best to get around to everyone quickly, well . . . I don't always manage it. But that's okay, because I've come to the conclusion that blogging should be fun. I love popping around and visiting the people who've become my friends; seeing what they're up to. I blog because I want to, not because I think it will help me sell a zillion trillion books.
I'm not going to ask why you blog, because I think we've all answered that question a lot! Instead, I'd love to know: have you ever experienced blog fatigue? And if so, how do you get back on track?
As my writing career progresses, I find striking a balance harder. Mornings are spent writing ('coz without that, I'm not actually a writer!), and the afternoons are filled with answering reader emails (yay!), answering questions from fellow writers (yay!), preparing presentations and workshops (yay!), and writing guest posts (yay!). All great stuff that I feel incredibly lucky to do, but also time-consuming.
When wine o'clock rolls around, I often realise I haven't spent any time blogging nor responding to comments I've received, and I'm faced with a difficult question: blogging or wine (I learned the hard way you can't do both at the same time, ha!)? I bet you can guess which one wins out. Plus, sometimes I just want to close the lid on the laptop and enjoy real life.
I used to be fanatical about blogging every day and get sharp pangs of guilt if I didn't reply to each and every comment promptly. Now, I blog three days a week and although I do try my best to get around to everyone quickly, well . . . I don't always manage it. But that's okay, because I've come to the conclusion that blogging should be fun. I love popping around and visiting the people who've become my friends; seeing what they're up to. I blog because I want to, not because I think it will help me sell a zillion trillion books.
I'm not going to ask why you blog, because I think we've all answered that question a lot! Instead, I'd love to know: have you ever experienced blog fatigue? And if so, how do you get back on track?
I am experiencing blog fatigue this week. I read most of the blogs I'm subscribed to, but I don't always comment, and I don't always reply to comments on my blog individually because it takes a LOT of time.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that just putting less pressure on myself for a few days will get me back on top of things again!
I am on a blog break at the moment. I reduced my daily posts to three times a week, to once a week. I had to do so in order to write and visit blogs. I found it was becoming a worry if I didn't manage to get around all, but now I am taking it steady and concentrating on novel writing.
ReplyDeleteIs it wine o'clock yet?
ReplyDeleteI've come to accept that blogging cannot be a high priority right now even though I love it. With a job, husband, house, and 4 kids I'm lucky if I can squeeze my writing in. I try to visit and comment on a few blogs every day, but writing posts has dwindled down to about once a week.
Ha this made me giggle because I've suffered something - I'm not sure if it's blog fatigue or not. Today though I blogged about using random blog topic generators to think up subjects for me!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your fatigue.
I so have and would put all that pressure on myself, felt the guilt. Even now I am supposed to be posting a picture of beauty every day and needed to step back. Now I am lumping days together at a time for my posts. When I feel this fatigue, I just step away for a few days or even if I just take one day off. It helps a ton! I have let go of that pressure a bit and have faith that as long as I am continuing to work hard...success will come. :-) You do an awesome job out here!
ReplyDeleteHa! Oh yes, blogging is a tricky beast. It's fun but in order to stay connected a huge amount of time is involved.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I recently went through all the blogs I followed and weeded them out, placing them in better categories. That has helped.
Talli, I think everyone can understand why you have less time to blog. You're posts are good quality, so I wouldn't worry about the frequency. I just want to say, though, how much fun it was to watch you go from soon-to-be author, to author, and finally, best-selling author. I mean, that's pretty darn amazing! But one can see with the kind of work ethic you have (and huge talent!), how it happened.
ReplyDeleteI've been blogging for less than a year so I am still very much in the honeymoon period! I used to blog every day in the beginning but as my blog began to fill up I didn't feel the need to and now blog around 3 times a week (more if something unexpected crops up or catches my attention). I check other people's blogs most weekdays but don't always comment. I think my approach to blogging is pretty relaxed and I like it that way as it keeps the pressure off and allows me to just have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteSeems like you're keeping busy all the time. I hope you're having a good time writing your new book.
ReplyDeleteI've been busy with my day job and the stresses that life throws at me but I hope to get back to writing soon.
Hard decisions to make, and it only gets harder, I guess. I think commenting back on everyone's comments is not necessary. Maybe once in a while, but not as a matter of course. And following and reading everyone else's blogs is nearly impossible. You have to draw lines someplace.
ReplyDeleteI find that it's a great help to take time off. I've always taken off two full months every summer, completely. I do put repeats in Scheduler, but don't blog at all. In the end, it keeps me refreshed and happy to be back after the hiatus.
ReplyDeleteI've definitely experienced blog fatigue. Sometimes I use a post I've prepared earlier. If I get fed up of my blog, I guess I'll stop. Life's too short. But at the moment, I'm enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI think, when I started blogging, I wasn't going to set myself set days to do it, (and still don't - I quite like the spontaneity) just because of the pressure of finding what to blog about. But I do try to blog at least once a week.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would say, I don't have over a 1000 followers, and the amount of comments you get, it must be very difficult to respond to them all - but I'm sure we all understand so a generic thank you would be enough and answer a few of the more interesting comments you get.
Definitely keep it as fun, interacting with your readers, friends and fellow writers. I hope to be in your position one day... Sounds like an idea job ;-)
You're very hard on yourself . Your writing is your living so it must come first and once a week is plenty I think. I'm not an author writing a book and I don't have a full time job but I couldn't blog more than once a week. I always want blogging to be fun and my secret pleasure.
ReplyDeleteYou speak the truth, sister. Blogging can be exhausting. I haven't been feeling well lately, so that makes social networking even harder. I've personally found that sticking to a minimal schedule -- only posting once a week -- has helped blogging become less time consuming, while still being able to visit my friends and post my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI got serious blog fatigue a few months ago. I found cutting back the frequency and working on some themed posts, so that one post automatically led to others, helped a lot and now I'm enjoying it again :)
ReplyDeleteHi Talli - as I don't write my blog posts are my asset base - but I was thinking of setting one or two days aside for commenting, and the rest for other blog things I want to do .. and my blogs are I hate to say it spasmodic .. but happen every 5 - 7 days ..
ReplyDeleteI'm missing the commenting interaction - fine on my own blog, but now I've a guest post on Stephen Tremp's blog - I have to keep going to check to read the comments and reply as and when ..
I really miss the interaction - ie other comments on here that I won't see unless I remember to come back to check ..
Cheers and just don't disappear into the blossom clouds, we'd rather you were on the ground occasionally and upright! Hilary
I cut back to two posts a week some time ago. But visiting around is also time consuming and I find myself doing less and less of that as well. I'm just such a slow reader and to read and comment on every blog I follow is impossible! Sigh.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read everyone's comments. No doubt blogging and its perceived demands affect each of us differently but there are also similarities.
ReplyDeleteBlogging should definitely be fun! Sometimes when I've got too much going on or have blog fatigue, I go on hiatus for a month. I always come back refreshed and excited to get back into the blogging world!
ReplyDeleteyes definitely. It helped when i dropped to 3 times a day. And gave myself permission to not have to read EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, all the time!
ReplyDeleteI think you read my last post when I was going on about if I should continue or not. For me, it helps those at home keep in touch and see what I am doing, and personally I love the task of having a blog. I've kept myself on track by only posting about 3-4 times a week, and making little themes- that helps.
You are amazing at commenting on blogs! Thank you for when you do :) x
Yup, I have. And so I quit blogging for a while. Not that I had a huge readership, anyway, so no one was heartbroken. But then a friend encouraged me to start again, so I did. But it's strictly for fun; if I ever get tired of it again, another hiatus is in order! I think it's actually more important to let your readers know what to expect (once a week, once a day, once a month, not at all) than to stick to some arbitrary schedule.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Talli. Blogging needs to be fun. So I often take blogging breaks, which is probably why I don't have a huge following. But I have a group of writer/blogger friends who I know and care about. That's what matters. Plus, it's so important to actually live life outside of the home office...and get a little fresh air...and drink some wine.
ReplyDeleteI don't get blog fatigue... mainly because I am so flaky about posting... (=
ReplyDeleteMy blog is still very much in its fledgling stage! I must admit I really don't have time for it at the moment so just trying to slowly build up a back-catalogue of posts so that there is something there! It's nice knowing I have somewhere to post my wonderings though, when I do get around to it!
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ReplyDeleteI haven't been blogging long enough to experience real fatigue but I can see how it would be easy to get there.
ReplyDeleteFunny, my mornings are spent on social media which I can do without being fully awake. I don't hit my writing groove until after noon.
Very jealous of all you ladies who get to spend your days writing, be it books or blogs!
ReplyDeleteBy the time I get in at 6pm it can be hard to find the motivation!
I usually hit my stride around 2am... Which is annoying as I need to be up four hours later!
During my recent blog tour, I was experiencing some blogger fatigue. It wasn't because I wasn't having fun, but it was so overwhelming the amount of emails and comments and everything.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking this summer (sometime after the A to Z Challenge) to cut back from 5 days a week to 3 days. A little break could help keep away the fatigue.
How can you *not* get 'blog fatigue' -- at times it's the equivalent of shouting into a void. The only way around it is to write what please yourself, at least.
ReplyDeleteOh, I've so been there Talli girl...actually, I still get there from time to time. It's pretty hard to balance writing, revisions and promoting my shorties with the day job. And you are 100% right: We have to blog because we love to, not because we have to.
ReplyDeleteI have kind of the same philosophy. other things come first, but I enjoy blogging, so I usually manage to squeeze it in somewhere :)
ReplyDeleteWine o'clock... I love that!
ReplyDeleteOh, absolutely! I try to remind myself that everyone feels that way at one time or another, so they'll understand. Or at least, I'd hope so. :)
Great post, Talli (as always!). This is why I only blog once a week at the moment. I know I'd get more traffic if I blogged more regularly, but it takes me ages to think about and write my posts, and if I had to do it more often my other writing, never mind everything else in my life, would suffer. You can only do so much!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely suffer from "blog fatigue! In fact, after the A to Z in April, I'm taking a blog vacation for a few weeks. I think it will be good to regenerate and retool.
ReplyDeleteI've had it once or twice before in the past - at one point I took off for a full month and did not posting or commenting.
ReplyDeleteI think all of us will feel it at some point, and it's understandable. Just let us know if you're taking a break :)
The first time I experienced blog fatigue I cut back my posts from 5 days a week to 3 days, which helped a lot. I took a break last November, which was really great. After an idea month of not blogging, I got excited about it again.
ReplyDeleteI try to comment on blogs at least 3 days a week. Some weeks that doesn't happen and that's okay! Like you said, real life is way more important than the virtual life. Blogging because you enjoy it is what it's all about!
I experienced blog fatigue on 31st Dec 2011! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHence my only resolution to blog once a week!
I love your wine o'clock!! That should be part of GMT!! Yay! Take care
x
Yes, definitely! That's when I have to step back and take a hiatus, especially when I need time to write or just focus on real life. Nothing wrong with delaying answering comments for a couple of days :) Especially when there's a large glass of wine waiting for your attention!!
ReplyDeleteYou know my answer! That's why I took today off and didn't do a post.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do visit blogs every day, my balance comes from the fact I only post three times a week. Those three days, I do make the full rounds. I can't expect people to visit me if I can't visit them. But the other days, I slack a bit and don't visit everyone.
Blog fatigue is understandable when you've been at it for a while. I haven't reached that point yet because I haven't been blogging all that long and I've decreased the amount of time I spend when it comes to blogging so I can keep my zest for it.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm going through it right now. I want to put my writing first and I find it really hard to keep up with all the comments that come in.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I find that when I take a break from blogging, I really miss the writers and what is going on in their lives. So, sometimes I avoid posting and just read their blogs.
I also wanted to say thank you so much for your kind comment today! As far as I know, it's not out on goodreads or amazon but I'll keep an eye out for it.
Yes. I get around it by taking a blog break. And I'm going to take another the end of April and/or first of May. I haven't decided just yet. In the fall, I may go to a twice a week blogging schedule. Still thinking about that.
ReplyDeleteI always try to comment on anyone I follow, though not always answer their comments which is rude of me I know. Blogging is time consuming and I suppose it all depends on how one feels healthwise.
ReplyDeleteI shall have this week-end off as I am visiting my youngest son in Spain but will be back Monday night/Tuesday.
Yvonne.
I hardly ever blog. One hour a day max is what I am willing to spend online... I love the internet but overall, I prefer real life!
ReplyDeleteTalli, I know how you feel! I reached the point at which I wasn't writing at all. Email, Facebook, blogging and such were taking up most of my days. I was online from 9am to 6pm every day--and after that, I had dinner, laundry, etc. By the time all of that was done, I was just too tired to write and more often than not fell asleep in front of the TV. I'm no longer able to go back and forth between writing and socializing, so I've had to cut back on my online time. It doesn't always go as planned, though....
ReplyDeleteI think you may know my answer. I've experienced blog fatigue...and a full-on blog melt down. Yet, here I am again. I think it comes with the territory and all you can do is deal with it as best you can. If that means taking a break...then so be it. You'll be better off because of it! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky if I manage two blog post in a month. Somehow my readership continues to grow and everyone's still happy.
ReplyDeleteI think you picked the best reason of them all sweet friend, blog because you want to and it's fun. Anything else feels like an obligation and we all have enough of those. (Hugs)Indigo
I only blog about once a week now. I love it, just don't have much time after actually writing on my books.
ReplyDeleteI think it's perfectly fine to take a break from blogging or to reduce the number of posts that you write, because you're already writing a lot. When you work as hard as you do, you need a break.
ReplyDeleteI used to write three blog posts a week; then it dwindled down to twice a week. Now it's more like once or twice a week, and that's pretty much all I can handle right now.
Wine O' Clock hahah I love it!! And this blog. Congrats on your success!!! I'm inspired.
ReplyDeleteTalli: Over the years, I wound down two series on my blog site because what began as fun, later degenerated into toil. My "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" and "Annual Steve McQueen Festival" required a fitting end by going out on top--as they say (and of course, we all know who 'they' are). While I'm proud of both series (since archived), I needed the break to gain my energy back! :)
ReplyDeleteI blog two or three times a week. And they're not long posts either.
ReplyDeleteWhen I reciprocate comments, I keep many tabs open and comment in bursts, 5-10 blogs at a time all throughout the day, or else I'll fall behind with comments.
I love the term "wine o'clock."
Yes, although I usually have more things I want to chat about than time to write them up (I have post topics queued up until May!). But I also have a (self imposed) deadline for writing and I've resolved that choice decisively in my head: writing wins.
ReplyDeleteAnd I need a wine o'clock!
Balance? What is this thing of which you speak?
ReplyDeleteWhen I have blog fatigue, I don't blog. Bc what the hell? Why would I do something I don't feel like doing when I'm not paid for it and I only started it to ramble to my friends and avoid calling my parents in the first place?
Oh, that might have sounded snarky:)
You could also spend a week just posting pictures of hot guys. That would maintain your blog traffic flow. Ahem.
I admit I usually write my blog 15 - 30 minutes before posting. Often, I have no idea what I'm going to write about. Rarely do I have anything pre-posted. I just sit down and knock it out, then post or set it to post at 12:01 the following morning.
ReplyDeleteThe exception to the rule is if I'm posting on another blog. Then I get them to the person a few days before. I know, I know, as a guest blogger I should have these finished a couple weeks in advanced.
Hi Talli. I love writing my blog but have to say have definitely done less writing since I started it and I think it's a bit of a distraction (along with Twitter etc). But it's a great way of meeting other writers and learning from them too. I admire the way you balance blogging, twitter etc with writing-think a lot of self-discipline is needed!
ReplyDeleteI have never blogged every day and I like it that way. I blog 4 days a week, sometimes 5. There are some blogs I always comment on and some I mainly just read. I don't expect to get comments from everyone who stops by my blog but of course I like it when they do.
ReplyDeleteI think taking even a few days off to see things afresh helps.
I got overwhelmed Talli to the point of only maintaining one blog instead of three and even thatone I'm so bad with. I don't know how to cope yet.
ReplyDeleteI've cut back on blogging because of little Christopher and I miss it. I still post at least once a week but compared to the at least 3 times I used to, it feels like I never blog! I still try to read blogs though and comment when I can. I hope to blog more starting next month.
ReplyDeleteYes - mainly when I start feeling like I 'should' or 'ought' to be doing it. Um... why?! it's meant to be fun... and sometimes you just can't get around to everyone... I get back on track by losing the guilt and just noodling around at my own pace
ReplyDeleteLove Lxxx
Talli, blogging can be quite a handful, not to mention keeping up with writing, revising, tweeting, emailing...!
ReplyDeleteI've only blogged since 2010, and I still get excited about comments. I especially love comments that let me know I've made an impact on someone else. I still consider myself a newbie to blogging, and I try to visit at least 10-15 per week.
I only post once a week, sometimes twice. I save my blogging as a reward, for sitting my butt in the chair and working on my WIP. :)
Yeah, if I drank wine while on the computer, they'd find me the next morning, slumped over the keyboard! lol.
Even though I only post about once a week, I still get " blog fatigue" at times. I haven't even written anything this week, because our son's home for spring break, and I've also been busy with my mom. I envy you for being able to write full time, blog 3x a week, and comment as often as you do. Julie
ReplyDeleteYes. And you don't. You just accept it. I'm in the eye of it right now ... Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI used to post blogs three times a week, but now do less. I love visiting peoples blogs, but not every day.
ReplyDeleteI used to post blogs three times a week, but now do less. I love visiting peoples blogs, but not every day.
ReplyDeleteI think we have all suffered blog fatigue Talli and finding the balance is so difficult. I believe a Blog Break from time to time is a good idea which is why I do not blog if I am away from home. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've had times when I've been at low points where the writing isn't going well, and by extension, blogging suffers too.
ReplyDeleteWell, as you posted this on Wednesday, and I'm reading this on Sunday I think it's obvious I'm not organised :-)
ReplyDeleteI sometimes experience blog reading fatigue. Not that I don't want to read them, but there are just so many! That's when I walk away for a day (and spend the rest of the week catching up).
Honestly, I hate commenting when I'm number 74 or something, but I can relate! A while back I thought I could set a schedule for myself. And I got worn out. I hated it. But nowadays, I have had the energy to blog and write. Yes, it does help I'm unemployed and at the time I was working 40 hours when I was fatigued. But really, I just went with it. Right now, I not only have the energy but I have the topics to write. In a few weeks, if I'm employed (I hope), I may not have that energy. So, I'm going with it right now! I say each period of time in our life calls for different actions and you just have to listen to yourself.
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