I hope not. I decided to take some much-needed time this summer to spend with the wife and kids, since I've spent the past three-and-a-half years with my butt in this seat and my eyes glued to this computer screen.
My writing had pretty much taken over my life. And then I created this blog last November and discovered blogging and all the cool writer friends online. I had finished my first novel and was in the midst of several revisions, so I had more time than usual to blog and comment and do all those cool things that, in the end, eat up tons of time.
Time I used to spend writing. Or with my family. I've been trying to rectify that last one the past few weeks, and it's been greatly rewarding. But I worry that it's come at the expense of my blog friends.
I greatly value you guys, so it's been tough seeing some you go away. I've started to lose followers and that saddens me. And now I see many of my blog friends are taking time off, too.
I really hope we all reconnect this fall. Even though I plan to start back on the new book in earnest the minute the kid goes back to school, I would hate to think of going back to writing in a vacuum, without the input and friendships I've grown accustomed to over the past few months.
I read recently that the average lifespan of a blog is about six months. I really don't think I'm ready to throw in the towel yet. Are you?
So I hope you guys come back and we can get back to the give-and-take that I find so vital to my writing career. I really hope we're all just a little lazy and enjoying the nice weather and our families -- and not breaking off our friendships.
In other words, the answer to my question above is -- no. This blog is going nowhere. So, who's with me?
My writing had pretty much taken over my life. And then I created this blog last November and discovered blogging and all the cool writer friends online. I had finished my first novel and was in the midst of several revisions, so I had more time than usual to blog and comment and do all those cool things that, in the end, eat up tons of time.
Time I used to spend writing. Or with my family. I've been trying to rectify that last one the past few weeks, and it's been greatly rewarding. But I worry that it's come at the expense of my blog friends.
I greatly value you guys, so it's been tough seeing some you go away. I've started to lose followers and that saddens me. And now I see many of my blog friends are taking time off, too.
I really hope we all reconnect this fall. Even though I plan to start back on the new book in earnest the minute the kid goes back to school, I would hate to think of going back to writing in a vacuum, without the input and friendships I've grown accustomed to over the past few months.
I read recently that the average lifespan of a blog is about six months. I really don't think I'm ready to throw in the towel yet. Are you?
So I hope you guys come back and we can get back to the give-and-take that I find so vital to my writing career. I really hope we're all just a little lazy and enjoying the nice weather and our families -- and not breaking off our friendships.
In other words, the answer to my question above is -- no. This blog is going nowhere. So, who's with me?
I've had my blog since 2007. You'll find that your blog fans/friends come and go but many will loyally come back when you do. It's the same in life...some friends stick with you for the long haul and some just pass by.
ReplyDeleteI've found that your blog will last as long as you want it to. I'll be here when you come back. For now, I'm on a break from blogging but I'm always reading blogs, though I might not comment all the time.
Balance. It's a myth.
Take care,
RC
I've noticed things have slowed down, and I've been less active too.It's summer, kids are out of school, people are out of town, etc. Come fall, people will settle into the blogging routine again.
ReplyDeleteI'm still here, Terry! Write on!
ReplyDeleteok, let's try this again! i don't think your blog is dying! but i do wonder if you are losing followers because of some kind of computer issue. your blog is the only one that will NOT load on my computer easily. i can't scroll on it. it jumps and stalls and refuses to play nice. i've spent about five minutes so far just trying to get this comment to take. if other people are having the same difficulty, they might just have gotten frustrated and quit. just a thought (i like reading what you have to say, so i'm trying to help!)
ReplyDeleteI blame a sister getting married and an insane summer on my lagging blogging reading/writing-but don't worry! I'm still here. I do think things will pick up again in the fall.
ReplyDeleteSo many people are slowing down for the summer. I know I am, not commenting as much, not posting as much. I think come fall we'll get back into it. I'm working on finishing a novel as well. It's happening everywhere, but twitter and fb seem as busy as ever! Enjoy your summer!
ReplyDeleteI find it easy to keep track of blogs now that I discovered Blogger's Blog Roll gadget. It can list new posts by all of the blogs I follow, and I can uncheck those blogs that aren't holding my interest. I highly recommend the blog roll. It's how I always know what is new out there in the blogosphere.
ReplyDelete"But I worry that it's come at the expense of my blog friends."
ReplyDeleteYep. This summer I have spent MUCH more time offline with my son, my family, and my friends. And my blog traffic has dramatically decreased as a result. Especially since I haven't really been online reading/commenting as much as I used to.
However, I have to remaining confident that when I do have more time to dedicate to blogging again, my loyal/faithful readers will stick by my side.
Much like I am going to stick by your side!
RC said: "You'll find that your blog fans/friends come and go but many will loyally come back when you do. It's the same in life...some friends stick with you for the long haul and some just pass by."
I couldn't have said that any better!