Monday, November 22, 2010

Melissa's Myths for Mondays

Blogging Is Nothing But a Big Time Suck


I went through a time where I thought blogging was just a big time suck. But although I spend a fair amount of time writing blogs, reading blogs, and commenting on blogs, I’ve decided that I get much more out of it than I put into it. Here are just a few of the fabulous benefits of blogging.

It’s great to connect with other writers. I’ve connected with people who are unpublished, recently agented, recently sold, preparing for debut, debuting their books, and long published. It’s great to know so many people in the writing community. I feel far less lonely.

I’ve learned a lot about what to do and what not to do in ever aspect of writing.

I’ve stayed connected with my writing everyday because of blogging. Before starting my blog I used to allow days and sometimes weeks to pass without writing or doing anything related to writing. Now I’m connected everyday, working everyday, and I’ve made more progress on my writing in the last year than I ever could have without blogging.

What about you? Do you think blogging sucks down more time than it’s worth?

9 comments:

  1. Hi Melissa,
    I agree, my writing has improved with blogging...so has my typing and speelling and my relationship with MS word (although that one is still strained). As of right now the real aspects of my life are interfering with my ability to write 1,667 words a day for NaNoWriMo. It makes me wonder whose idea it was to write 50,000 words in a month that has all your relatives showing up for dinner at the end of said month?
    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I do so enjoy blogging because like you I found that it's gotten me inspired to re-do my ms! I can't explain it really - blogging for me takes up near enough 2-3 hours A DAY!!! and so in reality should just not give me time to write but for some reason - reading all these blogs keeps me so active and ups the ante for me - and as I work better under pressure I get more writing done. Does that make sense?!?!?!!

    Yep, so far blogging is fun for me! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  3. It prevents me from editing, but I love the company!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with all of the points you made, Melissa, and I also have another point. I love how blogging keeps my mind engaged even when I'm not writing. I'll see something on TV or at the mall or at the grocery store, or in the library or on the road and I'll think: "I gotta tell my blogging buddies about that!" I compose posts in my head so that when I get to the computer I can just whip them out and get it all down.

    Blogging makes me look at the things I see in my everyday life a little differently, because I think about how I would tell my blog readers about it in a way that would entertain them. I love that.

    Jai

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kate- I'm with you, who decided November was the best month to try to write a 50,000 word novel??? Help!

    I hear ya Old Kitty, I too work better under pressure, I get more done when I have less time, so blogging actually helps me. It does I swear!

    Carole Ann- no dodging the editing! no no no.

    Jai- that's a great point. I'm always thinking about what my blog buddies will think about things.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well it does take time, true, but like you say it’s a way to connect with others doing the same thing as you. I really enjoy that.

    ReplyDelete
  7. When you spend more time blogging than you do actual writing, then it's a time suck. Everything in moderation, or so they say.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm with you, Melissa. It's a way to stay connected with friends and family. Writing is such solitary work ... it's break-time, fun-time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really enjoy blogging, particularly all the great friends I've made. So while it is time-consuming, I find it totally worth it. And it's helped my writing so much :)

    Rach

    ReplyDelete