Blogger or Writer?
I have a confession to make. Okay, well it’s not actually a NEW confession because I’ve stated it here at Portrait of a Writer many times.
There’s a HUGE little part of me that needs daily comments validation from you people, and I could probably delve into my dysfunctional past to tell you all the reasons why, but I won’t.
But whenever I visit the popular blogs and see their loads of comments every so often the little voice in my head whispers, “only three comments on your post, you can do better then that. Go leave a bunch of comments and maybe they’ll come over to your side.”
Then there’s the urge to keep up my blogging relationships. To stop in and comment because it’s been a while, and if I don’t they might not be my blogging friend any more. I know that no one else has felt that way, right?
Well, while driving the other day I think I’ve finally been freed of my competitive bloggingness, or at least the chains have been loosened a little.
I had a revelation amidst the backseat chatter and bickering.
I’m not really a blogger.
I’m a writer who blogs.
Taking the mundane and spinning it into a funny tale is not my forte. I usually tell it like it is without all the bells and whistles, straight up without the sugar coating found on many of the entertaining blogs.
Most of my creative energy is spewed on the pages of my novel, so when it comes time to my blog, I relax a little and let down my hair. (Yeah, I know this post is full of cliches, but that’s what I love about blogging, I can write without having to follow a bunch of rules.)
If you want plot twists and interesting characters (at least I think so) then I can do that. My blog stories may never make you laugh, but you can be sure they’ll be full of truth and honesty.
I also realized that I really don’t fit into any blogging niche. That’s why I started Writer…Interrupted. A blog/webring for writers who are interrupted in their craft by daily living. I guess I’m slowly realizing that God didn’t call me to fit in, and I may never get the comments I crave, but that’s okay. I’m where God wants me to be.
I’m a writer who blogs, not a blogger who writes and that suits me just fine!
But please leave me a comment, just in case! 
!
For more writers who blog, or bloggers who write visit the Carnival of Christian Writers.
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I think you are awesome at both!
December 25th, 2006 at 12:28 amPS
And I know how it feels to write a post and wonder if anyone will comment. It’s amazing how much those little notes in response mean to me!!
December 25th, 2006 at 12:28 amSo much truth in this post! Blogging is all about communicating, isn’t it? For me,it’s a wonderful release to be able to journal about things that mean something to me, but in no one ever read it I’d probably lose interest. Sad, huh. Like you said, it’s a direct line to other moms/friends out there…that taller than the table communication that makes our day!
Did you have a good Christmas?
December 26th, 2006 at 4:08 pmGina - This is one of the best posts I’ve read in a while! Maybe it’s because I can relate to it soooo much?
I recently had a similar revelation and I think it’s helped me a great deal. When I look back on my “writing career” would I rather have skads of comments or a published book?? Hmmm….not really a hard choice. I’d prefer to be a writer who blogs than a blogger who writes for sure.
Popularity wasn’t my goal in school and I guess it isn’t in the blogosphere either. I don’t know how to “be all things to all people”. I just know how to be “me”. If others like that…great…if not, still great lol.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like comments (nice ones anyway) but we definitely can’t hinge our self-worth or writing ability on them.
Thanks for the great post!
December 27th, 2006 at 9:52 amThis was a great post, Gina, something I’ve struggled with as well. There’s also a part of me that wants to be like the popular bloggers, and have hundreds of subscribers — and commenters.
But like you, I’m also a writer who blogs instead of a blogger who writes.
I think as mothers we have to protect our writing time — and also our dreams. Our energy should go to our families and homes first — then what we have left must go toward that calling that God has put on our hearts to write books (if we feel led that way).
Blogging is about connecting with people and building up relationships — but do you notice that writers like Liz Curtis Higgs do just fine connecting with people without a blog? Lisa Whelchel “posts” once a week and doesn’t allow comments. Does that make her any less popular? No way — we love her books (or at least I do!) And Karen Kingsbury — she writes an online journal but doesn’t allow comments. She’s too busy meeting her next deadline!
I just wanted to encourage you to keep on with your writing dreams — and being the great mom that you are!
P.S. I’m usually a lurker, guilty as charged!
December 29th, 2006 at 10:54 amThanks, everyone for the encouragement and validation. Sometimes that all you need to keep going.
Plus it’s nice to know I have friends that go through the same things!
And Heather, thanks for delurking! It’s nice to see a new face/name around here.
December 29th, 2006 at 11:20 amI think you are an awesome writer and have been encouraged by your posts many times. I don’t always leave comments - mostly because I am in such a hurry to get caught up with the little time I have for computer each day - other times because I just can’t get my thoughts into words. So don’t be discouraged by the number of comments - if you know you are in God’s will you can still walk away knowing that you have done the right thing. You may never know who you touch with your blog - but I am sure that if God leads you to write something it has purpose! You are planting seeds that may take root immediately in someone’s life or later. I’d encourage you to keep following God’s leading for your writing…seeking God first over man’s approval.
December 29th, 2006 at 4:11 pmThanks J,
I know what you say is true. I just need to listen to that inner voice, God’s voice more than man’s!
My focus on readers and comments has really taken a back seat and there’s so much peace in it! Thanks for the encouragement!
December 30th, 2006 at 1:24 amI think it’s amazing what you’ve done. This blog of yours, and the other one, too, has been an incredible tool of encouragement to so many people! Writers are not always the typical extoverts–I don’t know about you, but I find myself not saying something around friends, planning to write about it instead. It’s nice to know there are other people who live this crazy introvert-with-something-to-say life and I like what you said about no bells and whistles on the blog stuff. Sometimes it’s hard to relate to bells and whistles, but honesty grabs me every time.
Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2007 at 11:59 amoh gina! i soooo wish i didn’t relate. really - at one time i had 482 blogs in my bloglines, and i felt utterly obligated to read them all at least weekly. i further found myself trying to know everyone’s names, kids’ names/ages, and current family issues so that i could be praying appropriately. which i would. in the middle of the night when i was stressing over forgetting whats her names current stress.
i was driving myself crazy. blogging wasn’t fun anymore, despite the high traffic and comment numbers that come with such insanity.
i limited myself to 40 in the blogines, which i almost never check now. it’s so freeing!
if i start to feel anxiety and guilt i give myself a stern talking to about it and let it go.
and yeah. when i quit visiting everyone’s blogs, they quit me too, and the traffic and commetns nosedived. it bugged me, but i got over it.
(probably you imtimidate people with the whole ‘writer’ thing, yaknow. i’m afraid i’m just a blogger who is - and always will be - a wannabe writer, and that’s so pathetic sounding, huh?)
January 23rd, 2007 at 8:53 pm[…] am totally up lifted and encouraged by the comments on this post! Knowing God’s will is hard enough, but stepping out in faith to do what He has called me to […]
February 2nd, 2007 at 3:09 pm[…] reminds me of a post I wrote on whether you’re a blogger or […]
September 25th, 2007 at 3:57 amI love this post. Being relatively new blogger, I think I would overwhelmed by the number of comments left on some blogs. I don’t know teh correct blogging protocol (is there a blogging protocol?). Anyway, I’m happy that blogging provides me with a release from my so called life
January 10th, 2008 at 11:19 pmYour blog looks great! I look forward to being able to read more of your posts soon.