The Blogging Blues are real and no blogger is immune.
That was one of the themes in my past post On the Blogging Blues (April 27, 2015). Although the primary focus of that post was blogging breaks, readers offered many outstanding suggestion.
I gathered the comments, organized them into topics, then paraphrased the words. Here we are – Part 2 in the series – this time focusing on the Blogging Blues and blogging breaks.
Thanks for those providing the suggestions – after all, this post would not be here without your help.
Topic: Blogging Breaks and the Blogging Blues
Life gets in the way of blogging, but sometimes one must renegotiate life to put things like blogging on the back burner.
The Blogging Blues come and go – just like other aspects of life.
Taking breaks can be a necessary part of life – real or virtual!
The host puts the pressure on themselves, thus the readers are the most understanding – just as they are when reading and supporting others.
The “too-much” factor can cause the Blogging Blues.
A blogging break seems to energize a person.
Blogging breaks are good … but bad for others because they fear not returning.
When returning from a break, somehow all the same faces are still there – and even new ones suddenly appear to say how they missed you.
If one feels blogging is becoming a drudgery, take a break.
When realizing that the blog was becoming a drudgery, a month-long break recharged my creative batteries – and I returned with renewed enthusiasm.
Visit other blogs when taking a posting breaks.
Past Topics in This Series
Blogging
Next Topic: Community
Let’s end with a song from Tracy Chapman
I really enjoy Tracy Chapman and this song. Good choice! It’s also enjoyable to read the accumulated comments. Hope you have a great week, Frank. 🙂
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Debra,
The song was a last-minute addition, so cheers to being a good choice … and I wanted something with a blues feel.
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Between my company relocating to Long Island City in Queens (this is taking all summer and my boss is spearheading stuffing a spacious six story building into a 35,000 square foot factory space) and my hunt for a needle in a haystack co-op (shopping for real estate in Manhattan is a blood sport), I have to cut back on blogging, Frank. I have simply too much going on in the Real World these days and I’m not sure when I’ll be back to posting weekly again or reading and commenting with much regularity. My priority right now are these two industrial strength Lame Adventures that are eating holes clear through my head.
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Lame,
Your situation is not only a good example of prioritizing, but also how life can get in the way of blogging. 😉 … You have a lot on your plate, so wishing you nothing but the best in these two hectic ordeals. Hang in there!!!!
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Thanks!
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Those are two big heavyweight items on your current plate. If you get a chance while riding on the subway, maybe you can compose an ending for the story on the Challenge page.
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… but only if you get the chance.
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I’m still working in Manhattan, so my commute is still the same short, super crowded trek, where I stand throughout. So, my focus is hanging onto my wallet.
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Good plan!
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I’ve been pretty busy but still am checking in, Frank. I think breaks are definitely good for re-energizing. I hope you’re well. I look forward to writing that ending for your story. It’s coming up!
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Amy,
The plan is for the story to go live this coming Sunday at 9:30 pm (Eastern US) … and I look forward to the different versions.
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Yep! And I’m back after a two month posting break!
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Pauline,
Woo hoo!!!! Thanks for being a good example … and very timely for this post.
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What a great choice of song – haven’t seen/heard it for so long! Great post too – I find myself just blogging when I feel like it now and reading others’ blogs when I feel like it; otherwise it can get a bit overwhelming. Thanks Frank.
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JM,
Oh yes … blogging can get overwhelming, so the blogger must manage it in a way that fits their situation – which is what you are doing. Well done!
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I love Tracy Chapman
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Josbons,
Welcome first-time commenter … but I know you’ve visited before … Cheers to Tracy Chapman!
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That Tracy Chapman song is a work of art. Always loved it.
Blogging breaks… yeah why not? I’ve taken my share. I find that I don’t understand blogging and that I interpret the interaction as I would any relationship – where most relationships work both ways and if they don’t, they sort of peter out. Maybe this fits into your community post coming next.
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Trent,
Cheers to you practicing the importance of blogging breaks. Great point about blogging relationships as it takes two to foster a good one.
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You ready for another cup of coffee? Me, too. I could write a post on what it means to “post or not to post” especially when one’s initial intent changes because of…one’s life journey within a year…and the surprises of metamorphosis inside and outside. However, I won’t because aFa…you’ve already hit the high points. Well done. Well done. Well done.
Ahhh…see what I mean about that coffee??? xoxRRR
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Raye!!!
Great to see your presence here. There are so many worthy aspects about blogging that can be stated … and so much is individualized because all of us started for different reasons, continued for different reasons, and encountered many trials and tribulations along the way.
This is part 2 in the series of 5, so I imagine the next one will be next week, probably mid-week. After all, the short story reprise will be up for your Sunday evening.
OK … twist my arm … fill the cup again.
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I’m spending a few minutes trying to catch up on other people’s blogs. Between our daughter’s wedding, finishing going through my page proofs, and starting my summer test writing work, I haven’t had a chance to get to many others’ posts.
Good job with compiling the blogging blues!
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Merril,
Sometimes just focusing on catch up is the fun thing to do. As a matter of fact, I like doing that! Once again, congrats to your daughter and family!
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Thanks, Frank! 🙂
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Sometimes you have to step away in order to be able to have something to say. I truly believe that. I think people forget, that some blogs, have teams. And they can post every day. When it’s just one person, you need a break to produce amazing content. And Frank, I haven’t heard Tracy Chapman in such a long time. Great musical selection.
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Kay,
Great comment about some blogs having teams, thus reducing the stress on individuals. Meanwhile, cheers to your appreciation of Tracy Chapman … and that’s a fine song!
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Hey Frank…I’ve got a case of the blogging block going on. Blahhhh but I’m still reading, just a little quieter. Love the song 🙂
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Audra,
Well … writer’s block is real, but that will be in the Writing part of this series. 😉 … However, I think visiting during those times can initiate unblocking the issue. 🙂 Hang in there!
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Holy crap Batman, I thought only Cowgirls got the blues.
Caesura is possible, yet still giving the appearance of being present ( I being a case in point). One just has to shake the tree every once in the while and make some stops along the way. Or am completely wrong.
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Calvin,
Good analogy about hanging on and shaking the tree. Just a thought, maybe spending a bit more time trolling around fav haunts is a way to avoid getting shaken.
I’ll be over to your latest post soon. By the way, the challenge around the story goes live this Sunday at 9:30 pm. Details on the Challenge page. Which means I’m shaking the tree to get you to participate.
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Thanks for this post – it brought back memories from 2013… The first time I ended up with a break, it filled me with anxiety. It was only later that I realized – this was an OK phase to go through. And as one of those comments say – it did end up energizing me.
Nowadays, when I need a break, I just move on to a different kind of activity for a while. Sketching / Music / Reading, etc. It’s almost like rotating breaks, if you know what I mean.
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Cafe,
Welcome first-time commenter … glad to have you. I invite to see the original post that spawned this series because I focused on different types of breaks. However, you point is so true … that is bloggers got to get over the anxiety of doing them … especially because the readers are very understanding … and so is the host when on the side of the reader elsewhere. I guess it’s tough to take one’s own advice.
Thanks for sharing your story … and hey … I see you are a writer … I invite you to join in my challenge. See it here. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/challenge-2/
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Kreegah! That’s not quite my taste as far as genres go. But I’ll take a stab all the same 🙂
Thanks!
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LOL … you can take any twist you want.
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Not sure why, but your post on this blog breaks & blues got me a-blog-rhyming & rapping.
Blog – Dog, Slog, Hog,
Prague,
Dialogue
Trod, proud
Profound
Egg …. nog
Oval egg, make me beg
Want your love
Not the bog
Or the blog fog
Of hate,
Indifference fate
Routine poutine
Too late
I’m tired
Expired,
A dead head
Yet, still wed
To my blog.
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Resa,
LOL … that’s awesome. You may want to make this into a post!
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LOL!!! Perhaps I will! ❤
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Love Love Love that song and that woman…perfect.
I continue to be in a funk. Sporadic in both writing and reading. I know why, just can’t fix it.
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Val,
Having a song at the end of this was a last-minute idea. I wanted a blues song. Once I found this one, I knew it was the one!
As stated, the Blogging Blues are real … so hang in there. Not sure if this will help, but I don’t think you’ve written one of those steamy poems in a while. … Maybe a poem about your funk. Hang in there!!!
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Written them Frank, just haven’t posted them. Sometimes they aren’t going up.
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You have your reasons, which I won’t question … but I’m glad you’re still writing them because I think you are good at that.
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More great snippets to reflect the blogging life. I’m on a bit of a break right now myself as I’m away at a conference, so it’s fitting timing. Hope Cinci weather is good for you. Here in New York, it’s a sprinkle here and a sprinkle there. 🙂
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Carrie,
The light rain here as about to more out, but it’s been a nice break. Conferences as doc or writer? If you out there with writers, remind all of them of my writer’s challenge for their own ending to my story. 😉 … Have fun (I know you will) … Learn something (I’ll know you’ll do that, too.)
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It’s a writers’ conference. 🙂
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OK … which is the most fun people .. a conference for writers or one for MDs?
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I’m an introvert, so it doesn’t matter. 😉
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LOL … good answer … OK … so I will take your pick from an observers point of view.
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More than hearing my own voice ramble, I get huge enjoyment reading other blogs. The breadth and depth of writing in the blogosphere is amazing – from the satirists, to the serious types, to the political snark to the photographers. In my early days of blogging, I followed more than thirty peers, all but one gone now.
I just know it’s a treat to pop in here.
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Redux,
Great point about the breadth and depth in blogs. Thus why I commonly refer to this place as my little corner of the world.
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Uh.. and when not being on the breaks, doing some blogwalk could be healthy 🙂
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Kutu,
Welcome first time commenter. Absolutely correct. Consider going back to the original post that sparked this one, It’s linked early. Love the term Blogwalk!
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Your blogs are wonderful. I found your site from Sarah ‘ s ReBlog. I really enjoyed reading this. I too often take breaks to stay fresh 🙂
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Himali,
Welcome first-time commenter … Staying fresh is important, so cheers to you taking breaks. The original post that sparked this was just breaks and the blues. Reader comments were outstanding, so this is the second what will probably be five posts around those comments. I’ll visit your blog hopefully in the morning … off to bed soon.
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Have a good sleep and a lovely day ahead.. that’s again for this warm welcome 🙂 🙂 look forward to read more from you 🙂
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FYI: See the Challenge page … you may be interested as it is approaching.
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Oh that’s great.. I will check it when I login from my PC. Can’t open it from the mobile app 🙂 thanks again !
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I met Tracy Chapman on a cruise….not the singer, just someone named Tracy Chapman.
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LB,
LOL … very good … and here’s a fitting reply. http://tinyurl.com/2lmyu3
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