There are times when I feel as though my blogging voice is gone, and lately this has been the case. I can tell you this doesn’t feel like a permanent condition, and I’m not planning to go anywhere soon. It just means I might find it more difficult to blog on a regular basis. Truthfully, I sometimes wonder what difference blogging makes to my writing life except to take time away from writing fiction. But no sooner do I have that thought then I remind myself of all those faithful readers out there who come by to visit, and the other bloggers I’ve come to know. Blogging shouldn’t be about accumulating a huge number of followers and racking up hundreds of comments, but engaging with those readers we do have. What that means is you’re all important to me and I appreciate your visits.
While I’m on this subject, I might just as well mention that, along with my reluctance for blogging, the same has been true for Facebook. I pop on by times, mostly to see any updated photos of Miss Charlotte, but when it comes to updating my status, I find I rarely have anything I want to say. I do try to update my page more often, but days sometimes go by before I feel the urge to post something there. Does it sound as though I’m whining? I sure hope not. As a 96 year old Grace once said, “I”m just stating facts.” BTW Grace is an amazing woman who shared a room with my mother-in-law at the nursing home.
Don’t worry though, all this doesn’t mean I’m not writing, in fact just the opposite is true. I’ve been busy every day working on my next novel, and as any of you writers know, it can be an all-consuming task. Did I say task? Well, not so true. Writing isn’t and shouldn’t be a task. Expressing our creativity should be a must for all of us.
Sometimes our writing lives seep into our everyday lives, and people start to wonder just what the heck is wrong. That faraway look we have might not be one of indifference, but our minds busy creating those imaginary worlds that feel all too true. For a writer, our characters are real people who exist in a parallel universe. If we didn’t feel this way about them we couldn’t possibly make them come alive on the page.
Hopefully, once I have the first draft of my novel completed my blogging voice will return, and just so you know that first draft feels quite close to being done. Believe me, I’ll be doing a happy dance at that point.
Do you ever feel as though you’ve lost your blogging voice? Do you have times throughout the year when you devote less time to blogging?
Laura Best 
Diane Tibert
/ February 23, 2013Yes and Yes.
I feel I’ve lost my blogging voice. I haven’t blogged regularly since November. Too many things in life have gotten in the way. Like you, I’ve wondered why I’m writing the posts, and then I think of all the wonderful discussions of past posts. I’ll return soon enough I suppose.
Usually, I do blog more between September and May. Summer is all consuming at times. With three young kids and only a few months to enjoy summer with them, I don’t worry about summer posts. If they happen…they happen.
I like that statement: Just stating the facts.
Sometimes we need to remind others (and ourselves) of this.
Lately, my philosophy has been: It is what it is.
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013It is what it is, speaks volumes as well. Sometimes we need to accept what is and get on with life. Blogging seems to have it’s ups and downs. Right now it makes sense for me to keep working at this draft and get it down and spend less time blogging. My mind has been preoccupied with this project, but I don’t want to forget all the people I’ve met. The mood to blog will return when I feel as though I have something I want to share.
Looking forward to your return to blogging, Diane. 🙂
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Sylvia Morice
/ February 23, 2013I’ve also been struggling to write regular blog posts lately. Maybe it’s our Canadian winter affecting me, although I never used to have a problem finding something to write about–winter, spring, summer or fall. But recently ideas seem to hiding from me, and I’m not happy about that at all. Like you, I think, I don’t blog to gain fortune or fame but rather to connect with interesting people that I would otherwise never get to meet, and when I don’t blog regularly I miss the interaction.
I’m working on a new book right now, too, so that is consuming much of my time and my thoughts…so I’m trying not to stress over this too much as I think that would be counter-productive.
But I promised myself that I would continue to post something new at least every two weeks…that gives me another five days to come up with a new idea or to build onto an old idea that could use expanding. Hmmm…wonder what I will write about…
Best of luck to you in your struggle, and also with writing your newest novel. 😀
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013I’m sure you’ll come up with something to blog about, Sylvia.A lot can happen in five days. Congrats on working on a new book. It’s always an exciting time.
I’m always pleased to find bloggers who live in my vacinity and was really pleased to find your blog. 🙂 Perhaps one day we’ll get to meet. I do sometimes get to the Moncton area. 🙂
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Sylvia Morice
/ February 24, 2013Sounds good, Laura–I’m in Sackville, NB–you’ll have to drive right by my place on your way to Moncton–we could meet at Timmies!
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013Will definitely keep this in mind. 🙂
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Lynn A. Davidson
/ February 23, 2013I can relate. I make a plan to have a more regular schedule with my blog, and then I can’t seem to keep it up. Either life happens or inspiration goes into hiding again.
I sometimes say that too, “I’m just stating facts”, when it begins to feel as if I am whining.
You will come back with a strong voice, Laura, no doubt about it. 🙂
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013I’m in awe of those bloggers who can stick to a regular schedule. I usually start with good intentions but…..
Sometimes we need to “state facts.” 🙂
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jenniferneri
/ February 23, 2013I’ve all but abandoned my blog, and for the same reasons as you I haven’t.
It’s cyclical, I suppose…..
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013You have a busy life with your three little ones and your writing, Jennifer. When you’re ready I’m sure you’ll find your blogging voice again.. 🙂
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Darlene
/ February 23, 2013I think as long as you are writing, that’s what matters. A blog, a book, a story, a letter. Just keep writing. I find blogging fun and I love the friends I have made through blogging. It actually keeps me writing. I blog and then work on a chapter. When I don’t blog, I usually don’t write. I’m funny that way. I don’t think one needs to blog regularily though. (or facebook etc.) People don’t forget you that quickly!
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013Thanks, Darlene. 🙂 You’re right, writing is what matters mosts. Were all so different and we get our inspiration from so many sources.
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Crowing Crone Joss
/ February 23, 2013I miss posting on my blog when i go through those times when life just gets too busy. The good news is the blog doesn’t go anywhere, it waits for me, as do so many faithful readers. it’s all good.
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013You’re absolutely right, Joss. The blog doesn’t go anywhere. 🙂 Thank goodness for that!
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suzicate
/ February 24, 2013I get it…my blogging voice doesn’t pop around as much anymore. I think it quiets down when we’re busy doing other things.
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013Blogging is quite challenging for me when I get busy with all those other things. I usually think winter gives me more time for blogging but, truthfully, this winter has given me more time for working on my novel and that feels more important at the moment. 🙂
Congrats on your book, Susan! I’m thrilled for you. 🙂
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C.B. Wentworth
/ February 24, 2013I’m a little bit of funk, too. I think its mostly because my creativity is focused so much on finishing my novel. However, like any form of writer’s block, I’m determined to push through. 🙂
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013That’s the best way, C.B. We do need to push ourselves by times. As much as we love writing it isn’t always fun. It can be darn hard work.
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Sue Harrison
/ February 24, 2013I definitely have blah-blogging days. I have been considering changing my Your Pet Wednesdays but don’t really have any idea about what to do instead. I do try to write my blog posts in the evening when I don’t write on my novels. I’m a morning person for fiction. It takes a very clear and alert mind – at least for me!
It sounds to me like you are doing a great job of keeping up with your most important writing. So congratulations on your progress on your novel, Laura!! Excited for you!
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Laura Best
/ February 24, 2013Thanks, Sue. Getting that first draft down always feels good. At least it means our story has a beginning, middle and ending. 🙂
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Leah Saylor-Abney
/ February 25, 2013Yep, I’m in the same boat. I’ve been off my blogging schedule since September but I don’t feel bad about it since my fiction writing hasn’t fallen off at all. Creative balance, I suppose.
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Laura Best
/ February 25, 2013Balance is important, Leah. There are times when our fiction writing should take priority. This is were we express our creativity, something I have come to see is SO important to everyone. Some people don’t understand that it is not as simple as writing or painting, or whatever medium we choose. It is about exploring those parts of ourselves, giving voice to who we really are. I’m SO happy you’re working at your fiction, Leah, and hanging in there. It’s the mark of a *real* writer. 🙂
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Linda Cassidy Lewis
/ February 26, 2013I understand completely, Laura. Days (weeks) go by when I just can’t think of anything worth saying on my blog or FB. And like you, it’s not because there’s nothing going on in my head. It seems so many have stopped blogging altogether and commenting is off … on my blog, at least, yours seems to be doing fine. I don’t feel so compelled to blog when it seems no one cares anyway. Of course, the danger in that is that I start to feel like I’m writing my novels for just myself too, which takes me back to where I was before I started blogging. *sigh*
Anyway, I wish you a river of words to complete your first draft. 🙂
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Laura Best
/ February 27, 2013Thanks, Linda. I’m sure you’ll get back your blogging voice. This is an exciting time for you with a new book about to be released. Your readers will be very interested in hearing all about that. 🙂 Blogging does seem to have it’s highs and lows, as if some how we collectively becoe bored or at a loss of words, or else too busy with other things. Truthfully, I’d rather be busy writing fiction, but it would be nice to find that perfect balance. SO wishing you all the best with An Illusion of Trust. 🙂
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joylene
/ February 26, 2013It’s amazing how in sync we are. I couldn’t have put it better. This is EXACTLY how I feel. And I was worried that it was permanent. But I’m writing too, so maybe it’s just where we are in our lives right now? Thanks for sharing this, Laura. You’ve brought me some peace.
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Laura Best
/ February 27, 2013Joylene, I agree. And if we didn’t continue with our writing blogging wouldn’t seem to make as much sense.Or at least it wouldn’t for me. A writer needs time to write and work on their craft.
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christicorbett
/ February 26, 2013Such a timely post! Just today I asked my readers about a new direction I wanted to take my blog, because I feared my current posts were getting a bit stale and I was putting them together just for the sake of meeting a self-imposed deadline.
I’m so happy to hear others are struggling with the same issue.
Christi Corbett
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Laura Best
/ February 27, 2013Oh wow! I can relate to that word “stale” and what you said about putting together a post simply for the sake of meeting a deadline. I’m also ashamed to say I haven’t been visting many blogs lately as well as not blogging. I guess the two kind of go hand in hand Yet getting this first draft down is important so I have to stay where I am at the moment and only give a certain amount of time to blogging for the time being.
.I’ll be anxious to learn more about your upcoming book, Christi, in the months to come. I’m still VERY thrilled for you.
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pattisj
/ February 27, 2013I don’t have much to post on Facebook, either, but blogging is still a priority. If I had another project in the works, blogging might suffer because of it.
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Laura Best
/ February 27, 2013WE all do what we can, Patti, and we all have highs and lows. I expect things will change as the spring weather hits us. 🙂
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lissa
/ February 27, 2013blogging voice? I’ve never found one. I post whenever I feel like I’ve been away too long. I don’t think blogging should be a chore that you have to do but something that you just sort of do from time to time to enjoy other people’s words and to share your own.
happy writing!
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Laura Best
/ February 28, 2013You’re right, Lissa. Blogging shouldn’t be a chore. It should be something we look foreward to doing. I am so grateful for all the bloggers I’ve met, and it’s alwasy nice to exchange ideas. 🙂
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Carol Benedict
/ February 27, 2013I only posted 4 times in 2012 due to family issues that took up much of my time and energy. The frustrating thing about it, though, was that my blog’s daily visitor count didn’t drop off when I didn’t post, nor did it increase when I did post. Made me think, “What’s the point?” For 2013 I’ve set a goal of at least 1 post per week, but so far I’ve not stuck to it. Like you, I don’t feel I have something I want to blog about regularly.
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Laura Best
/ February 28, 2013I guess we need to be patient with ourselves when it comes to blogging and trust that eventually we’ll have something we feel we want to chare with others. I had hoped for two posts a week, and then I thought one, but lately haven’t done that. Once this draft is finished I hope I’ll feel more like blogging again. 🙂
I’m not sure the point of blogging should only be about the stats. I’ve missed reading your blog, and I’m sure others have too. Here’s hoping you get back in the swing of things in 2013. 🙂
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