To blog or not to blog…

#writing#blogging#readers
Written By Heather E. Andrews

 

Blogging is dead. I’ve heard this in the wake of YouTube, podcasts, and TikTok. The platforms are changing, and perhaps there is a reason to put one’s message in the most popular format. But reading is so old-school. Ha!

I love blogs.

I love reading blogs, sharing blogs, and making comments.

For several years, I’ve wanted to start one, detailing my process as a writer, my business—Write On Studios—and the crazy things I noticed about being an editor. The English language is weird. Writing is weird. And it’s fun to talk about. Well … it’s fun for me!

But just because I want to do something, does that mean I should? What’s my motivation? I may start out thinking it’s going to be fun, but at what point does it become a burden?

Lots of blogs are designed to bring in cash. Substack anyone? To make money off short bouts of writing. And why not? Good ideas should get paid.

But not everyone wants to focus on the making money aspect or generate massive traffic bursts to their site.

Like me. I don’t want to be constantly thinking about getting people to read my work and getting sponsors. I want to write for fun. To learn new things. To expand my mind.

But blogging, though interesting, takes time. And time is a finite resource, and writers often bitch about having too little. In fact, there are lots of blogs about making time to write. There are books about the topic.

So why, if I don’t have the time, am I investing in something that doesn’t directly push me toward my goals? (But maybe it could?) I can rationalize anything, but it is possible blogging could provide exposure or garner interest in my work. Could it help me solicit clients? Foster relationships with other writers?

So, like most things, I created a pro/con list of why I should carve out time to blog. Check it:

Pro

1.     Fun! Learn about different topics. Research writing and publishing topics that interest me. Writing about it will teach me about it.

2.     Possibly create a platform to promote books and editing business?

3. Provide an outlet when needing a break from primary projects; allow for switching hats yet still creating content and learning about the craft/business.

Con 

1.     TIME SUCK. Time I could write/edit going into a blog that doesn’t directly further long-term goals.

2.     Doesn’t directly relate to my goals.

3.     Doesn’t put words in my manuscript.

4.     It could scatter my focus.

 

 

I’ve heard people say to never invest time and resources into a thing or activity that doesn’t directly contribute to the overall plan or goal. For me, blogging will certainly not directly lead to making more money or publishing more.

Yet I’m doing it.

Because writing isn’t my passion. Yes, I want to make money. Yes, I want to see my name on more books. But those aren’t my number one motivator.

If I can’t maintain my joy, what’s the point?

If you’re reading this, then you probably enjoy reading blogs. But tell me, what draws you to them? What about them do you like?

Leave a comment below and tell me your thoughts.

Heather E. Andrews

My love affair with romance novels began at I was twelve. I was at a discount bookstore in my hometown and saw Julie Garwood’s ‘The Prize’ for 30% off. The cover drew me in; it was colorful and sparkly. The story entranced me. Soon, I’d read her entire backlist. She made me feel, and I craved that.

Characters became my best friends. Alternative worlds became a reliable coping mechanism. In high school, I stayed up all night reading and skipped school the next day, hiding in my bedroom so my parents didn’t know I was truant. Don’t judge me…a little subterfuge is necessary for pursuing a passion!

In college, I fell under the spell of ‘writing is not a career, do something more reliable,’ and pursued psychology. Luckily, there’s no such thing as a wasted education (not that my student loans would agree—eeep!). Throughout this time, I kept feeding my reading obsession. I collected books like the curator of a library. I knew, in the back of my mind, I was supposed to be writing about characters finding each other and overcoming adversity.

When my father died in 2008, my priorities became clear. Life was too short. Damn the consequences (and low paycheck!). Thus started my bumbling path in the pursuit of creating stories.

My obsession with science fiction shows such as Star Trek, Stargate, and Battlestar Galactica inspired stories about space aliens and other worlds. My first novel ‘The Flare’ is about a young alien woman escaping tyranny on her home planet with the help of a sexy earthling.

An obsession with all the sexiness that is Benjamin Burnley (lead singer of Breaking Benjamins) led me to rock star romance.

On a personal note, I am married and a mother to two very naughty pugs and two very sweet guinea pigs. When I’m not reading or writing I am snuggling.

https://www.heather-e-andrews.com
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