I recently re-evaluated the writing blogs I follow.  In the process  I deep-sixed some, kept a few, and skim most.  I simply don’t have time to read numerous posts on a daily basis, particularly if they’re the blog equivalent of War and Peace.  I mean, I’m lucky if I get the dishes done on a daily basis!

A Crackly Crisp and Criteria

Trying to read and crank out quality posts every day had me fried to a crackly crisp.  Been there, done that?  If so, it’s okay to scale back.  You won’t turn into a pumpkin. Really.  Read Luke’s complete post here  (Check Part 1 for full context.  That’s okay.  I’ll wait.)

Here’s the basic criteria I used to pare my blog “read list” down to something manageable:

• Will I turn into a pumpkin if I miss a week or two of this blog’s content?
• Is the content interesting, relevant, and engaging on a regular basis?  Is it fun?
• Does the blogger reciprocate, offer guest posts, share links, retweet, etc?
• Will this blog help my writing, outreach, insight, or all of the above?
• Is the blogger genuine?  Does he or she blog from the heart?
• Does this blogger have a personal account at Hershey’s?  (Couldn’t resist.)

In case you’re wondering, here are some blogs I recommend:

– The Writing Life – Terry Whalin

– A Step in the Write Direction – Donna Clark Goodrich

– Kathy Macias

Bottom line:

Daily blog posts may be over-rated.  If you’re a writer, you know better than anyone how much time blogging can swallow away from other writing.  Prioritize accordingly.  More on that in a minute.

Okay, okay.  I admit.  At first I felt a little guilty about scaling blog posts back to a more realistic schedule.  Something that I could handle.  Not anymore.  I decided that when it comes to “building a platform” and the like, it’s okay to not be in a hurry.  Ditto avoiding cranking out noise just to fill the screen.

A Matter of Priorities

Blogging vs. working on your writing comes down to a question of priorities.  If your first passion is blogging, then get at it and go to it.  But if it’s working on your next novel, short story or creative non-fiction piece, concentrate on that first and blog when you can.

Neither you nor I will turn into a pumpkin if we’re not blogging every day.   It’s okay.  Really.

Who’s with me?

How often do you blog?  What do you look for in a blog post?  Who are your favorite bloggers?  Share in the comments section.

If you’re a writer, chances are good you’re also a blogger.  Chances are equally good that you’ve heard: 1)  If you’re a serious writer, you need a blog like peanut butter needs jelly; and 2)  Daily blog posts are the one and only way to build your audience and create a platform.

Not Anymore

I used to buy that.  Frankly, it fit like a rhino in leotards.  I thought it was me.  Not anymore.

Check out Ali Luke’s post, “How Often Should You Blog? (Hint: The Answer Might Surprise You)” by Ali Luke. She says:

“Over the past couple of years, there’s been a shift in the blogging world. More and more prominent bloggers-on-blogging are moving away from daily posting—and reassuring their readers that you don’t have to post every day in order to be successful. “

Luke continues, quoting Darren Rowse of Problogger:

“I once surveyed readers here on ProBlogger about the reasons they unsubscribed from RSS feeds, and the number one answer was ‘posting too much.’ Respondents expressed that they developed ‘burnout’ and would unsubscribe if a blog became too ‘noisy.’”

Is Daily Best?

Let’s face it.  Your life is full.  So is mine.  I’ve subscribed to several primo writing-related blogs, followed them for awhile, read every word.  Most post daily.  And I couldn’t keep up.  So I bailed.

Then there are the folks who offer a free ebook, webinar or other resource, capture your email, and turn your In Box into their personal rainstorm reminiscent of Noah.  A few showers are one thing, but a deluge?  Don’t these folks realize how busy we writers are?  I battened down the hatches and rolled up the welcome mat on those folks right quick…

Stay tuned for Part 2.