Is the joy of writing really a thing?
Growing up writing felt more like a necessary chore more so than a joyful activity.
Being one who always strived to get not just a passing grade but an A in any class, I struggled with stringing together perfectly paired words that impressed my teacher and met the demands of the writing assignment given.
Now I have always had a love for words. I could stay lost in books or bookstores for hours (I just realize it has been a long time since perused the shelves of an actual bookstore.) Oh, how Amazon has ruined me. But I digress.
Somehow I always valued the words of other more than my own.
So imagine my surprise when I felt the gentle nudge to start a blog. A blog…a place to write and grapple with all the questions swirling in my head.
And I courageously or more aptly said naively placed my toes in the waters of blog land over six years ago. There for a while, it was a place I felt free. Free to express what was deep inside me.
Yet with every new adventure I set out on, I go searching for knowledge. Knowledge on how to do it the proverbial “right” way. And the more I learned, the deeper the blogging ocean became. There’s vast information, training, courses, books-all aimed at showing one the right way.
The “right” way is filled with tips like:
- choose your niche
- build a list
- design beautiful graphics
- plan your content
- create a product
- write 1000 words
- promote on social media
All good advice and worthy activities in and of themselves.
But the perfectionist in me can easily find myself overwhelmed in trying to do all the things. And to do all the things well.
Far too long I have been an all or nothing kind of girl. Either I’m all in, or I’m out. But in blogging/writing perhaps it’s okay to be in-between. I used to wonder what caused my favorite blogger to go MIA.
And now, I have gone MIA more than I care to mention. Sometimes the silence was due to busyness, other times due to writer’s block, and other times it was simply discouragement.
While I will not pretend to know each person’s why I can’t help but think perhaps they too got lost in the vast ocean of blogging should do’s and the current pushed them to only sitting on the sidelines.
Daniela Uslan says
My words have stopped feeling like a lifeline and started feeling like handcuffs.
It’s hard to be honest when you want people to like you.
It’s hard to be vulnerable when you’re already wondering how many times your post is going to be shared.
It’s hard to keep writing when you’ve stripped away all of the beauty and the mystery of writing.
It’s my hope to unshackle my voice and creativity. I write to discover not because I have found.
Great post, Wanda. As a writer myself, I can say that sometimes, it does get very tedious and seems like a burden, even when you’re working on a project you’re very excited about. Writing is work! To keep a blog current and engage readers requires lots of new content and it’s hard when you feel you have nothing to say. I’ve certainly neglected mine for ages at a time. I’ve often felt I had nothing to offer readers, especially when I spent so much time talking about writing but nobody could read any of it. (Although I have a short story e-book for sale now; I’m trying to raise money for hurricane relief.)
Your last line really speaks to me. I’ve been studying meditation and Buddhism and finding more in the journey. Of course, results would be nice too! But that won’t happen unless I focus on the process right now and stop getting attached to possible results (or lack thereof). It’s only when we stop writing that the discovery ends.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I said it before but it’s still very true. I’m in awe of authors and all it takes to birth books and set them free in the world. Congrats on your e-book! Yes, I totally understand about being too focused on the end result rather than enjoying all the process of giving ourselves to something brings. Appreciate your encouraging words.
How fitting your words are for me today. Sometimes I feel I can’t share until I have all the answers. I love your insight–“I write to discover not because I have found.” I often am more surprised by what I write than my readers are. Great post, Wanda.
So true Pam. I have often sat down with intention of writing on a particular subject only to have it morph into something totally different.
I agree. Writing is so much work! But I knew when I started my blog I wasn’t aiming to be popular, or a popular author etc. I’ve ever followed the rules of blogging. But I can honestly say I love the little community I’ve built. I hope to see you writing more again soon. I miss it!
Ahh thank you, Barbie. You were one of the first “big” bloggers I remember coming across and I was so honored when you took the time to visit my blog. I think it’s freeing when we can settle into our own way of doing things but it sure does not make the writing come easier.
Blessings:
I have been blogging for years and I dare say that like anything else in life it has its ebbs and flows.
I have seen some of that great advice you mentioned on blogging, some i have taken, others I’ve elected to not use, like choosing a theme. I find the idea restricting to sculpt one expression down to one particular thing. My preference is simply to speak on the complexities encountered in life as we live, love and laugh.
Yes, it does have its ebbs and flows and it’s important for each of us to follow the path that fits us. Always good to see you here, Rhapsody.