It’s been awhile since I wrote one of these and who knows when I’ll do another one. I’ve been ignoring this blog lately. Why? Just stuff. I’ve been doing a poetry workshop that’s taken a lot of my writing time, Heather and I did a couple of road trips, my brother was in the hospital, the cat was sick — you know life.
And a certain amount of lack of inspiration. I’ve been doing this blog almost 12 years with about the same kind of content, a few pictures of my woodwork, some jokes, a poem and mostly these personal essay things I do. I’m running out of topics that fit my vision of what this blog should be within my few self-imposed editorial rules. Like, I don’t post about religion or politics and other controversial or offensive subjects. My intent has always been to be light hearted with just the occasional journey into thoughtful stuff.
This blog started with my need to express my thoughts about cancer, some spiritual stuff and in time grew into what I have now.
I’m not really there any more. Now I’m retired, my health is different and I’ve become more focused on improving my craft and art of writing poetry. I’d post more of my poems except that I can’t right now.
Let me explain. The poetry workshop I just finished was attended by some really good poets and a number who have published their work. Of the twelve poems I wrote for the workshop, feedback is that three of them should be submitted for publication. I’ve heard that in other workshops I’ve attended, but this time, I’m starting to feel like my poetry is actually achieving a level that I want it to be. Maybe they’re right and I should.
That means I can’t post those poems here. In today’s lit magazine landscape, posting a poem in public, like this blog, is considered having published the poem and most poetry markets only want to see unpublished works. I don’t agree with that, but those are their rules and if you want to be in their publication you have to play by their rules. That means I can only publish poems here on this blog that have already been published or that I’m never going to publish (other than self-publish, and I’m not good at that).
There are things other than poetry that I am interested in, but I know most of my current blog followers aren’t really into that so any shift in tone or content in this blog means likely losing current readers and finding new ones. I’ve already noticed a drop in engagement on my blog with fewer likes and comments than I’ve had in the past. I think part of this drop is due to changes WordPress has been making to the platform and part is that written blogs aren’t as popular as they once were. Plus, my shift to posting less often has had an impact.
Which leaves me with the question, what to do? I could just stop writing here and move on to other things (tempting). I could start doing videos or podcasting — which I’d kind of like to do. I could start a different blog on a different platform and start over with a different focus for my content. Or I could just change the focus of this blog and start writing about my Biblical studies or my real thoughts on the last election.
But all of that are questions for another day as the timer just went off and the pizza is ready.
Andrew's View of the Week 
I get where you’re coming from Andrew. There’s nothing wrong with taking it slower, muddling along and sharing with us when you feel the urge. Especially the cat pics 😉
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I’ve been doing fewer posts here while I figure out if or what changes I might make here.
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I think you express what many of us have thought about from time to time. My choice was to start a second blog that is mostly a photo gallery of all the things that interest me. I also decided to blog more often on my first blog about more controversial topics, though I have tried to do so in a way that encourages people to try to understand it is okay to have differences of opinion. Acceptance of others, not condemnation. I think I have lost some readers as a result of it, but I have gained support from others who had been reluctant to express what they felt. Win a few, lose a few.
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I might be starting a second platform next year, not sure if it will be a blog or something else.
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I totally get it. I’ve been blogging for over 14 years and like you, there are certain topics I stay away from. Also, I too have noticed a drop in readership, likes, comments. And WordPress keeps changing things that don’t really fit with my purpose (like I’m not blogging for money or to sell a product, marketing, etc.) So, I have been wondering the same as you. Do I keep writing? For now, I guess so.
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I’ll be writing for a long time to come. The question is really about how I share that writing. This blog might not be the future, or I might make change and keep going.
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please keep writing and don’t worry too much about a drop in readership:))
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please keep writing and don’t worry too much about a drop in readership:))
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I’ve noticed a drop in blogging readership, Likes, etc. I’ve been blogging 10 years in January. Like you, I feel a bit tired, but I like the writing outlet; however, it’s not exciting anymore. The people engagement is different from the past. So, good question… where to go from here. Taking a break is good. Come back, change the blog to a new focus. Many of us thinking these things.
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I’m still no sure what direction I’ll go, but there needs to be some change.
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I agree… I mean for all of us, we need to keep growing, moving forward in some way that makes us excited and passionate every day.
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I think many bloggers hit the same wall, but it really boils down to what is important to you. If you don’t post often, that could be a factor in losing engagement. But life has its way. I wish I could keep up with everyone whom I follow, but if they post each day, it’s really challenging because I still have a day job. 🙂 And my expectations are no more for them reading my posts. Anyway, that’s great news about your poems and I understand the rules because I’ve read them before. Good luck!
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agreed:)
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Life has its way of changing us. It might be changing how I blog.
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You touch on what I’ve believed to be true for some time now, Andrew: blogging has a shelf life and that life will likely expire in the next several years, especially as AI makes it presence felt even stronger in writing. The good news is, we can claim to have participated and gained online friends as a result. The other good news: those of us who have a passion for writing will continue to write… just likely in a different forum. There will always be poetry and there will always be books, and thank goodness for that.
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There are always new technologies out there and old ones drop away. Do wonder what the shelf life of blogging might be.
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Many bloggers are struggling with the same questions. For me, it’s about marketing , but I do need to constantly reach out to new readers. Good luck with your poetry!
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I think there will be a bunch of changes in blogging soon.
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Retired folks can do what you want, whenever you want. Right?
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I get it.
In a few weeks I’ll be coming up on 15 years of blogging and while I still enjoy it, emotionally, blogging has somewhat of a chore. The quantity and quality of my blog has dropped off significantly and that bothers me also.
The world evolves and we have to go along for the ride.
Do what you enjoy and focus on that . . . Whatever it may be that particular day.
Regards from S.C.
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It has become a bit of a chore, so I’ll have to change something.
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Good day, Andrew. I have missed your ‘thoughtful’ blogs. While I love the puns, I like when you focus on a topic and just kind of muse about it. It is like having a conversation with a friend and it is what drew me to your blog in the first place. Your woodworking, quilting and poetry (as well as your love of music) put a nice focus on the creative part of your life and I love to read about that. (Also – I love seeing your yard and garden and the shop build was cool, too)
I write on WordPress as well, as you know. When I wrote on the woodworking site, I had over 1800 blogs in just over five years with over a million reads. But the platform changed hands and no longer fit my life, and I moved here and started fresh. The numbers are nowhere near what they were on the other site, but to me, that doesn’t matter. The reason I write is to share what I learn about the many different forms of creating that I do. I share processes, new designs, techniques, and yes – even news about fellow creators. Most read via Facebook and most of my comments on my posts are there, not under the real blog. So I have no idea as to how many are really enjoying it.
But I find the best posts are the ones that just come from my heart. If I try to think what a particular audience wants, it isn’t as fulfilling to me and I don’t think as good. Like you, I never touch on politics (and also I never speak of religion). I have strong opinions on both, but that is for another place and time as far as my own agenda is concerned.
You are a very good writer and I feel like you have become a friend through your posts. Personally, I hope you keep writing post as I mentioned, but more important, write what you are passionate about. That will be most satisfying all around. 🙂
Have a great week.
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Great advice!!
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I like to write, just might need to change something to keep the energy going.
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I’d appreciate hearing about your Biblical studies! And will continue to enjoy whatever posts you have the inclination to post.
I get the dilemma of time and enthusiasm and even focus for blogging. Now that I’ve got a job again, my blogging has stopped. Keeping up with email and regularly writing a sermon is enough computer time for me.
Take care!
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I might be posting that on a different platform.
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It seems Pizza cooking time is just right for reflection The base is steady but different toppings decide subject time. So far it sounds like keeping the subject to a plain Margherita has suited you, having a preference towards keeping your cards close to your chest.But life does still happen and must have an effect on you.Surely there must be times you’d prefer to share your thoughts and sharewith us the man you really are? Are there not times you’d like a group cuddle, or perhsps to tell one of us to be a bit quietter with our opinions, or perhaps you’d prefer not to really know the people who follow you. It must have struck you that life is affecting us too.
Whatever you decide to do next, I hope it involves shsring the resl you snd your passions, thus allowing us to have a taste of a pizza topping that may be new to you., ssharing your politics and/or your religious thoughts msy be personal but itmight bring you a closeness you seem to be missing, a true connection with your friends. Allow yourself a little adventure, moving from a cook to a chef and delight us with the inner you. aoar remsin as you are, and just offermild entertainment. It will Always be your choice.
Hugs.
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I do like an adventure.
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