I'd really like to know. Because there are an awful lot of us at it, and we probably all have different reasons.
I blog because:
I am writing, but don't having to worry about whether anyone likes what I've written ( although of course it's nice if they do)
I can tell myself it's work. After all, I'm a writer, and I'm writing, so that's work, right?
I am getting away from the WIP, which like all my WIPs is much better in my head than when it lands on paper. Something seems to go wrong in transit.
(Currently) my terrible injuries make concentration difficult
(Currently again) I'm awaiting my agent's verdict on the first part of the aforementioned (I love that word) WIP, and there's no point in my carrying on until I get her verdict.
I enjoy reading other people's blogs, and like to join in as well.
I am a terrible procrastinator, and blogging is a writing procrastinator's best friend (well, wine and chocolate are good, too).
Looking at this pathetic list of reaons, I feel rather ashamed. There doesn't seem to be a single good one among them. Oh dear.
Please tell me why you blog. It just might help.
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I don't know why I started, Frances, but the reason I keep going is because, like you, I enjoy reading the blogs of others and want to join in.
ReplyDeleteI feel I've come to know so many people over the past few years. I've learned such a lot about all sorts of things and I think one of the best things is when someone gets good news and shares it with the rest of us.
Despite the way I waffle on, I don't find it easy to share personal stuff and I have been overwhelmed at times by the kindness and support in Blogland.
I love reading your posts - even the ones without Titch in, but please don't tell him I said that :-) x
I couldn't agree more, Teresa.( And I shan't tell Titch!)
Delete"Even the ones without Titch" — I know what Teresa means. There really is something special about Titch's blog posts. LOL
ReplyDeleteI've been a passenger in more than one accident myself, so I know the healing process has to be waited out, and when I was injured, there was no blogosphere, so I had to content myself with reading.
I began blogging as a showcase for my WIP. Whether the fun of blogging is to blame, I don't know, but I hit that brick wall of writer's block almost immediately thereafter, then continued blogging because I had also come to know many people. I've even met several other bloggers.
I now wonder what life would be like if I didn't have so many far-flung friends. I also wonder if the writer's block will go away so I can continue work on the Unfittie book.
I hope you are well soon, Frances, and back to arguing, and even adventuring, with Titch.
K
Thanks, Kay. Improving slowly, but I'm very impatent. (Titch is in rude health!)
DeleteAS for showcasing WIPs, I'm hopless. It's another of the reasons I started blogging, but I just CAN'T sell myself!
I blog because I remember what it was like when I first started out in writing and how keen I was to find out information about my craft. I guess in my own way I am trying to return the favour and help others out. Saying that I am also enjoying interacting with other writers and learning from them. :-)
ReplyDeleteExcellent reasons, Diane!
DeleteI started my New Zealand blog as a way of keeping my UK friends up to date with what I was doing and seeing in NZ and then Eagleton Notes so that my NZ friends could learn what I was doing when back in my Hebridean half of the year. Since then I've made and met friends in my virtual world some of whom have become very good friends in my real world too. In fact I have got to a point where Blogland is as real a world to me as the physical worlds of NZ and Scotland that I inhabit.
ReplyDeleteAs many of my old friends are now scattered throughout the UK and, indeed, the world I sometimes think that the constant communication by email, SMS, Skype, Blog, Facebook and so on have made the world so small there is no longer a place to hide. Not, I hasten to add, that I want to.
I haven't met any of my blogging friends yet, GB, but would love to.
DeleteOne day...
I like blogging because it's writing, my favourite occupation, and because it's so good to know other writers. I wouldn't get the chance to meet people like all of you in real life.
ReplyDeleteI can share anything I choose to write about and can count on a warm and understanding response. I can learn all kinds of helpful things about the craft, as well as feel moved by the events in the lives of blogging friends.
I'm not a person who goes out to socialise. I'm always at home. My blogging friends have become my best friends and I love the fact that we are linked by our passion for writing.
I think the procrastination-effect that goes with blogging is useful as well. If I read and comment on blogs or write one of my own, it's a sort of prelude to getting on with the WIP, like a good warm-up.
Well said, Joanna! I like the warm-up theory. I should be piping hot by now!
DeleteI blog because when I first started writing I didn't have any friends who were writers. As I lived in a small village and worked full-time, I couldn't joined a group, not that there were any local groups to join so I was a great way to find out how to improve my skills, meet like-minded people, find out about competitions and to write something every day. Some of my fellow bloggers I feel I know as well as my everyday friends if not better. It's great and I love it.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Paul. Me too!
DeleteI started blogging because I aspired to be a writer and it was the sort of thing that writers did. I don't post that often because, like Teresa, I don't find it easy to share personal stuff and so I write mainly about my writing. That's not going so well at the moment so consequently I don't blog. I love reading what other people have written though.
ReplyDeleteI hope the writing gets going again soon, Colette.
DeleteI started, like Colette above, because writers are supposed to, but it's become important to me personally for a couple of unexpected reasons - I really have made friends out here in blogland, who are thoughtful, supportive and funny, which makes ME think, share and smile - all good!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I find writing a blog post is a great way to concentrate thoughts, pics and links on a particular issue/incident/topic so I can find that info quickly when I want it again. 8-)
I agree. I sometimes use my blog as a kind of dairy - I can look up when certain thigns happened, and how I felt about them at the time.
DeleteThese all seem like excellent reasons, Frances. I don't know why I blog. Except that I feel like doing it, shaping my experience. It might be putting me off other work, though, so I might stop soon. Crunch time willl come if Blogger enforces their new design. I really can't get comfortable with it, although I've tried it. So that might be the moment. But I don't really know. As I say, I don't think about why very much.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I hope you continue! :)
Jenny I so agree. When the new thingy takes over, I shall have to retire. I just can't hack it at all. WHY are they doing it? Perhaps we should have a Blog March in protest...?
DeleteBlogging means many things to many people, ain’t no doubt about that. Why do I blog? I don’t, leastways not in a conventional sense, but then I ain’t exactly conventional. I don’t claim to be a writer, either. If I paddled my feet in the river would that make me a duck? Course not, so I’m just a fella who writes.
ReplyDeleteWriting is a doorway to a world where dreamers can dream and the mind runs free. When I staked my claim in the wilderness of Blogsville, I found a home for a little flame of creativity that sometimes flickers, but never dies. It don’t matter that I come and I go, and break all the rules. All that matters is it’s there, and it’s mine.
Anyway, I was just passing through when I saw that bruise picture of yours. You got yourself a real beauty there. Hope you’re healing well.
And another thing – I hear you’ve been putting it around that you once made love standing up in a barn. I’m surprised at you, Miss Frances. You swore you wouldn’t tell. But I forgive you.
Well, I’d better be getting along. I got some bad people on my tail.
Tipping my hat to you, Miss Frances. You too, Miss Diane, and anyone else who’s known the pleasure of me. Hell, I’ll even tip my hat to those who ain’t. Keep writing, folks. Stay lucky, be happy.
A curtsey your way Mr V - I have missed you sir.
DeleteOh, THERE you are, Valance! Quietly spyingon us, and giving nothing away. I thought you'd been shot, or poisoned by that bloody soup of yours.
ReplyDeleteAs for the barn thing, I mentioned no names. Now you've blown it, damn you.
And stop chatting up other women on MY blog!
I blogged for a very short time, then gave it up because I could see how it could become so time consuming. Also, I felt I didn't really qualify, as the bloggers I follow are all so talented, and published!
ReplyDeleteMaggie, blogging has nothing to do with talent! Blog away, if you enjoy it, and we'll enjoy reading what you have to say.
DeleteMaggie I've blogged for some years now. I have no desire to be published. I have little or no writing talent. But I would not like to be without my friends in Blogland some of whom have been friends for over 5 years.
DeleteOne good reason for a writer to blog is that he or she grows thereby. Having the thing, being an opinion, a piece of wisdom, or art, published gives us something to answer for. And it is to be, in Shakespearean language. And to be damned might be good. We will continue justifying what we have written, and developing wisdom thereby. And we will be oriented towards the Son of ours, towards salvation, when being damned. And this works even if we do not have any visitors. It is the publication which is important.
ReplyDeleteAnd one sees one's way through a lot of English! :-)
ReplyDeleteBecause it makes me feel like a writer! And because I like entertaining people. And it means I have an excuse not to wash up.
ReplyDeleteRight answer, Fran!
DeleteTo communicate with other people as well as putting the thoughts in my head in a somewhat orderly form - and I need both for my mental well-being.
ReplyDeleteOnly last year, I started using my blog also as a way of keeping track of what I have been reading.
Mine is a combination of diary, travel reports, recipes, book reviews and general chit-chat as well as a few short stories I have written.
It does make a very good diary, Meike, especially if, like me, you don't keep any other kind!
DeleteI started blogging because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Now I can't stop.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Patsy. Do you think it's an addiction? Well, at least it's cheap...
Delete