To what extent is your blog a place for your own self-expression and creativity vs. a site designed to attract readers? How do you balance that? If sticking to certain topics and types of posts meant your readership would triple, would you do it?
Well, to be honest … which is a good approach under most circumstances … my blog is for me. Whatever load of creativity the DNA genie bestowed on me goes into my blog, my Facebook page, my house, and my erratically churning thought processes.
I love it when people come to my blog and comment on what they see there. It’s lovely, it’s gratifying, it gives me warm gooshy feelings all over. I even get off on seeing how many people have been here, whether they say anything or not.
But would I write for a select audience in opposition to, or to the exclusion of, what I really believe and feel? I’d like to think I wouldn’t. Attention is a jealous mistress who gets her hooks into us when we see ourselves as immune … but I’d hate to think I’d throw away the hodge-podge of experience I’ve accumulated and become a sell-out.
Or maybe that isn’t what it’s about at all. Maybe it’s about finding and connecting with varied personality types and saying things they enjoy hearing.
If my readership tripled, I’m sure I’d be looking at what made that happen. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to keep all the plates spinning … wife, mom, Facebook maven, blogger. I swear to myself every week (don’t listen, please) to be better about keeping up with the other bloggers I follow, get right in there and rub elbows, talk about what is and what isn’t, leave thoughtful comments on their posts, build community …
But look at me. I’m over a day late with this “daily” prompt. I started it yesterday morning right after getting the message … and then the blog posts stacked up and the emails poured in and my Facebook peeps were having fun without me and my husband needed to talk, and an industry blog wanted a commitment, and the coffee was running out and I was running behind anditallgotkindacrazy and …
No, clearly my blog is for me. I need it. My immediate world needs it. There couldn’t be any cheaper therapy. I’ll stick with what I love, and people are welcome – invited – to stop by and love it or leave it.
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/daily-prompt-personal-space/
Playing for Time 
May 03, 2013 @ 07:35:09
Hmm, interesting thought. I started my blog for me, as a way to make me write regularly and also to store a few of my short stories in the ether. The fact that folks stop by and either “like” or comment (and sometimes both) is an appreciated bonus. Reading other blogs can be inspiring/humorous/thought provoking – all things which aid one’s own writing process. I think I’d find it really hard to write from an opposing view point – my writing wouldn’t sound honest – and I think also, that insincerity is detectable in others, even on the written page.
LikeLike
May 03, 2013 @ 07:50:01
I agree entirely, and I hope that’s what comes through in this little blog piece.
LikeLike