I'm a week into blogging and I can't believe how long it takes to read posts, to comment and write blogs. Normally, I write 20 hours each week, but since I started blogging, I haven't been back to my manuscript.
Is it me or does blogging suck up a lot of time?
It is amazing how quickly you can lose hours just doing one post. With me in grad school, working and having a family I find it harder and harder to keep up on the blog. You can forget about reading anything you actually want to read as well.
ReplyDeleteToday, in the hour or so between my radio show and teaching at my kindergarten, I intended to sit down with my netbook and work on either my screenplay or the Flying Swordsmen RPG.
ReplyDeleteEnded up spending the whole time writing a blog post and reading/commenting on others' blogs.
Yep, it's a time sink. But at least it's more stimulating than watching silly YouTube videos or whatever.
"Yep, it's a time sink. But at least it's more stimulating than watching silly YouTube videos or whatever."
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
Hello Evan, Lord Gwydion and Geek Gazette. Good morning to you all.
ReplyDeleteYeah, blogging my first week out, sure stole time. But if I don't get 20 hours of writing in each week, I get grumpy. I have a fresh clean draft of my kid's book ready, and it's time to get back to it.
I do agree though, blogging is better than YouTube.
So how many of you gamers are writers, too? Looks like I'm finding a good amount writers, cooks, artists, and photographers within the gaming world. Pretty cool.
It not surprising considering that if you are putting any effort in it it is about the same as writing a short magazine article. The most prolific blogs are putting out an equivalent of a magazine worth of articles every month.
ReplyDeleteOne way to turn it into an advantage is that I put up a lot of first draft material either for enjoyment of my reader and/or to see what type of feedback I get.
Of course this doesn't help when you are trying to write for something that wants first publishing rights. But now I am doing stuff on my own it doesn't matter.
Bologging takes time, yes, but so does any hobby worth its salt. For my part, I write most of my posts on my android. That way I can put down a line here and a paragraph there throughout the day. Come post-time I do a wash, add links and pictures, and click publish.
ReplyDeleteRemember, Whisk, you've been blogging for no more than a week. That's too short to develop new routines, not to mention that the start-up phase is usually more intense than once you get into a flow.
I'm a Historian (in training, i.e. a Grad Student). Does that count as a writer?
ReplyDeleteAlso I love the Wonder Woman pic.
ReplyDeleteMy wife is a big fan.
Hi Evan - Very cool. Are you enjoying grad school?
ReplyDeleteI got an hour of writing done today. Three more to go. Rah.
Please tell your wife, hello from me :-)
Hi Harald - yes, that's true. Now I have this new thing called a blog, to fit into my writing. It'll take some effort to balance it with my main writing commitment.
ReplyDeleteHey Rob. Thanks for the post. Much luck to you in doing your own stuff. Love your maps.
Hi Whisk
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I originally set up the blog as my 'training ground'. Now that the real work is under way I'm posting less frequently. There are a lot of good articles out there about how to manage a blog, keep it fresh and inspired . . . but that's another time sink.
PS I did a Pork Casserole today . . . from scratch. And the kids actually ate it!!
Woohoo on the pork casserole. Go you :-)
ReplyDeleteFor me, the manuscript comes first. The food and writing blog is a hobby thing to do as a break. I already write 20 hours a week, while also working outside the home - so blogging, while fun, can't become a total time sink.
First week out and all, it did.
Back to work for me ... Congrats again on the pork casserole. Very cool.
If you think that blogging takes up a lot of your time, don't for any reason start visiting TV Tropes.
ReplyDeleteHeh. Several TV shows I used to watch regularly, have now been downgraded to "blogging background noise."
ReplyDeleteIt sucks up a lot of time...especially if you bother to spell-check or work on well-crafted, logical ideas. I usually skimp on both counts to save time.
ReplyDelete; )
Thanks JB - That's an excellent tip. Expect lots of typos in my next post.
ReplyDelete:-)
It can be very time consuming, but a lot of fun. I took almost 6 weeks off because I was burned out. Now I'm posting almost every day again.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan - Glad you're not burned out and back at it. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogging :-)
Hi Whisk! Welcome. Yeah, blogging does take up a lot of time, not just in the writing, but in the coming up with ideas too. It's a nice creative outlet though, and seems like a good way to flex the old gray matter.
ReplyDeletePlus comments rock!
Hi David - Yes, comments do indeed rock. It's fun to talk with others about stuff.
ReplyDeleteI've been using the blog as a break from my other writing. This week was my second week, and thankfully, didn't eat as much time away.
Happy Writing :-)