“I have been struggling lately with balancing things. Blogging vs. not blogging regularly. Working on shorter pieces vs. working on a longer project (which is on the side of the road right now...I've got the flashers on, and the sign posted in my back window that says, "Send help" but no help has arrived yet). Being open and free-flowing vs. stifling myself (like Edith Bunker).”
This post had me thinking about my writing habits and my blog. Here are things I have learned about myself and my writing.
Schedule – I need a regular writing schedule or I won’t do it. I have been blogging Monday through Friday for the past 7 years and I’m proud to say that I haven’t missed many days. I know that I’m basically lazy and if I didn’t make myself follow a schedule, my writing would fall to the side.
Reading – It is important for me to read other blogs and see what is going out in the world. I learn so much from others by reading their blogs and I’m thankful that they are willing to share their thoughts with me. Many times I want to leave a comment but then realize (such as this post) that my comments are so long they are actually great posts for my own blog. So I end up linking to the original post and sharing my thoughts here.
Love – I love writing and this blog is the perfect outlet for it. I have tried audio podcasting and video podcasting which is fun but I love writing posts for this blog. If I didn’t love it, I would not have been able to do this for seven years!
Thoughts – Writing down my opinions help me clarify my thoughts and beliefs. I am basically shy when meeting new people and even though I’m passionate about education, I don’t always voice my thoughts well openly. By writing them down, it helps me organize my thoughts and think about what I would say if I was asked in person about them.
Conversation – I love the conversation involved in blogging. Sometimes people leave comments that have me rethinking what I have written. Or sometimes agrees with me and validates my thoughts. Sometimes people challenge me and ask questions so that I need to make my ideas clearer.
Community – Since I retired after teaching 30 years in public schools, I became an adjunct professor at a local university. I was afraid that I would feel isolated from the education community and blogging enables me to stay connected.
Do you blog? What lessons have you learned? Please share.
Image: 'Why Aren't You Blogging?'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9106303@N05/4379144635
Found on flickrcc.net
1 comment:
Pat--Isn't it a wonderful community we are surrounded by, when we blog?
Seven years of blogging, with faithful posting every week...I bow down to you.
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