Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Blogging was so much easier when I didn't think anyone was reading.

I'm starting to understand the pressure writers feel once they've been published.  It's one thing to write something when you think no one is going to read it, but it's whole other ball-game to write something you know a lot of people are going to read. 

While blogging is nothing like getting published, I do understand the pressure of having to take into consideration that people are going to read what you write.  When I first started blogging (on my old blog), I had just a handful of readers (if I was lucky), and while the number of readers I have now isn't huge--by any means--it's a lot more than a handful. 

I am very thankful for those of you who think what I write is worthy of reading, but I have to admit, a part of me misses the old days.  There was a sense of freedom that came with knowing the majority of my blog posts were only going to be read by ten or so people.  I wrote whatever I wanted to, without having to worry about things like offending people--not that my posts were that offensive.  I could write about whatever thoughts floated into my strange, little mind.  Most of the time, my blog served the purpose of a writing diary.  I often wrote about my writing experiences--rejections, writer's block, agent requests, revising, etc.  It probably wasn't the best reading material, but I found it to be a good emotional outlet, almost therapeutic.  Since I didn't have much of an audience, I didn't worry too much about whether or not other people were interested.

Things are different now.  As my number of blog views and followers increase, I feel more and more pressure to write for an audience.  I find myself racking my brain for topics of interest.  I want my posts to appeal to everyone, not just a few.  I also worry about offending people.  I tend to be very opinionated, but because I want to be sensitive to my readers, I try to keep in reigned in when I write my posts (sometimes I succeed in this, sometimes I don't--ha!). 

Am I alone here?  Is this just me being neurotic, or do other bloggers feel this way?  Do you feel more pressure the more popular your blog becomes?

15 comments:

  1. I completely agree! I often wonder about what I'm writing and who it'll offend/affect/whatever. I think to my pre-kids days and I was downright snarky on my blog. Then when I had kids I cleaned up a little. And then when I was seeking an agent, I cleaned up a little more. And now that I'm seeking an editor, I try to clean up even more.

    And it's not just my blog! I worry about other places too, like Goodreads. I think of authors I want to ask to blurb my novel but then I think, "What did I say about their book?" And I'm paralyzed about writing more reviews because of this.

    I think I'm just very sensitive about the whole thing!

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  2. I'm with you! I used to blog so blithely, offending only a few. Now I offend MILLIONS of people! It's very disconcerting.

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  3. Oh, my Jennies--I love you guys ;o)

    @Ms. Brown--I know what you mean about Goodreads, lol. I recently gave 3 stars (along with an explanation) to a book that many of my tweeps LOVED (they actually recommended it to me). Afterwards, I kept thinking, what if they read this? Will they stop following me? Will they think I have no taste in books? I get downright obnoxious with my paranoia, lol.

    @Ms. Phresh- You keep gaining followers, so you must be doing something right ;o) It's very difficult to write something funny and NOT offend someone, lol ;o)

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  4. I worry about it a little, BUT! I have discovered that I am completely incapable of predicting what will be loved, or hated, or completely disregarded. So I'm back to blogging for myself, and just enjoying it, for the most part. So far no real disasters have happened!

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  5. Ditto Michelle's answer! It was so good, I'll just ride on her goattails. And LOL, Phresh! No one will ever put reins on that pony. NOPE.

    Don't worry, Angela. You're doing a fantastic job. Just keep being yourself. That's what keeps us all coming back for more in the first place. :)

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  6. Phresh is right. She offends a lot of people on a daily basis.

    As for you, Miss Angela...yes. I feel that way, too, sometimes. But all you can do is be who you are--that's what attracted us to your chirpy green blog in the first place. Don't write for us--we're a bunch of misguided, goat-loving freaks. Write for YOU--we will all enjoy that!

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  7. @Michelle- That's true. There's no telling what will offend people these days.

    @Anita- You are too, too kind. :o) Oh, and you're right about Phreshy, but that's okay- we wouldn't want her any other way ;o)

    @Bethany- "misguided, goat-loving freaks" --LMAO! If I write JUST for me, ya'll might be in trouble. Trust me, you don't want to know what goes through this little, neurotic mind of mine ;-)

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  8. I know what you mean. But try not to let it hem you in too much. People are following you because they like your unique take on things, it's important not to change too much :)

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  9. I guess I should clarify--I'm always myself when I write. I don't put on a fake persona or anything like that to be more appealing (that comes naturally--J/K ;o) For me, it's a topic issue. I feel a lot of pressure to write about topics/issues that appeal to the masses. But, like they say, you can't please all the people all the time, just some of the people some of the time ;o)

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  10. I feel that you should just write what you want. Yes, it is important to remember not to be offensive, but I like being updated on how things are going for you. Even if it is sad or funny, you are able to share if you want. I feel like readers should be supportive of the blog author. It is like a journal, just a little more public. :)

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  11. It's your blog, Ang. Do whatever you want with it. Write what you feel like writing. I do understand your concerns though. It's only natural to worry about what other people may think of us. BUT! You can't worry too much since it is IMPOSSIBLE to please EVERYONE. You'll only get burnt out worrying.

    Plus, you don't have anything to really worry about. WE LOVE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. Srsly. Cross my heart & hope to die even. Like you said, you're not being fake, you're being you and that's the best thing to be.

    I've had one or two people unfollow my blog since I started. Sometimes it alarms me because I don't know if they got offended at something that I said. But then my friends always rally by my side, and I gain new friends to replace the lost ones. So in a way, it's not a big deal. As long as I know that what I write and put on my blog is my true self--no matter how quirky or silly or idiotic I may be sometimes--I know my real friends will continue to accept me for who I am. Same as with you. You're one of the sweetest persons I know. <3

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  12. Aww, thank you Cherie. I think YOU'RE one of the sweetest people I know :o) hehehe! I'm naturally a bit of a worry wart, and things that most people don't give two thoughts about tend to bring out the nervous-Nellie in me :o) Thanks for the pep talk ;o)

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  13. Angela, I ALWAYS love your posts, and I think you have no reason to be guarded, because you have a beautiful mind.

    I've found that more honest I am the more people respond, and if I'm superficial it can be smelled from miles away. Just be yourself and if people don't like it, then they shouldn't be on your blog, becasue we all like you for you!

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