Wednesday, October 3, 2012

IWSG: Writing vs. Blogging

Insecure Writers Support Group is finally here, and it feels like 2012 is flying by at warp speed, doesn't it?  Before I forget, special thanks and #shoutout to Alex for creating IWSG.  It's tremendously helpful to vent about my writing frustrations.  
For this month's IWSG, I've been struggling the last few months with balancing my life, and ultimately, it is coming down to writing vs. blogging.  I find myself overwhelmed with not only writing, but managing everything else.  Lately, my days are so packed, I ask myself, "Am I going to post today or am I going to write?"
Sadly, for my minions and blogger buddies, I've been choosing to write or edit.  

Between work, kids, home and husband, I feel like I only have a mere hour or two to write and usually at night.  During the day, I edit here and there--usually when I take breaks from work.  Most of the time, I write my posts at night.  But sometimes, I become engrossed in my WIP that I stop and say,"Oh sh**...I have to blog."  Damn. 

Does that ever happen to you?  Do you ever ask yourself if you're blogging too much and writing too little?    Or vice versus?  Is this a ridiculous question?

Mina B.

24 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

I think many people suffer from the same insecurity, but I just think ... "I can only do what I can do." I think other bloggers understand that there are only so many hours in the day! :D

Elise Fallson said...

This is a constant struggle for me too. It's hard to balance but I think writing should take the upper hand especially if your in writing mode. There is nothing wrong with cutting back on blogging to work on your ms so don't feel bad!

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Mina, I have been feeling the same way lately. And worse is producing a lackluster blog post just to fill the spot and wasting everybody's time!

So when I didn't have something to post last Friday, I just didn't. (One sweet person emailed me to find out if I was okay!)

But I think I've made up my mind to but back to twice a week for now. Balance is hard. Stubbornly sticking to a routine that doesn't work makes it harder!

Dani said...

I hate when people say what I'm about to day but - I never have problem between two. Blogging never gets in the way. If I can't blog, then I can't blog. I think "screw it". lol Is that bad?
I can't balance writing and family. I always pick family of course so I'm guessing my WIP will get finished in 2020 when the 3 yr old is 11 and old enough to make herself dinner at least once a night. hehe

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's a tough balance. I often blog far more than I write, and when I'm doing both, it's challenging. (Especially as I really don't have clones.)
If you are in the groove with writing, focus on that!

Tonja said...

Not ridiculous at all. You can't do both and everything else. I can't. An hour or two is all I have too. Just make the most of it. I try to write during that time (except today) and blog during random quiet moments.

Isis Rushdan said...

If I'm blogging more than writing, I take a hiatus from the blog. Sometimes, especially now that I have a baby, I have to prioritize and stick with it.

David P. King said...

Yep. I'm finding myself thinking that lately, too. As much as I love blogging, every minute I do it takes me away from tacking a few hundred words into an MS. There is no balance, I think. Just juggling. Sometimes you have to do what you must, hence my month-long blogging break during the summer. Now I'm shopping an MS and being a better blogger. :)

Morgan said...

This IS hard... I go through phases.. when I'm into heavy writing mode, I stay there---that's what's most important. But if I'm waiting on betas or taking a break, I'll go into full blogging mode. ;)

Allison said...

Yes, sometimes I spend time blogging when I should be writing. It is hard to find a good balance.

Allison (Geek Banter)

Ainsley Shay said...

Far from a ridiculous question. This topic hits so close to home...I struggle with this on a daily basis. And like you, I have been using my time to write/edit as well. I have a heck of a time finding the balance. And forget about commenting - that's a whole other beast. I agree with David - it's all about juggling.

Good luck finding your balance!

Tamara said...

Blogging definitely takes up a lot of time. I LOVE having a blog but, in the one short month I've had it up, I've gotten much less writing done. On the other hand, I've met a ton of other writers and everyone is SO nice and supportive. I have a little support group that I never had before. So, it's been worth it.

However, I completely agree that if you are in the groove with writing, you should stick with that and not worry about blogging right then. People understand. :) Good luck!

M Pax said...

I've taken breaks before when really crushed for time. Everyone gets it as it's something we all struggle with.

S. L. Hennessy said...

I have that problem ALL the time. And it sucks because the blogging thing is self-imposed. I don't HAVE to do it, I just want to. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

I struggle with this, but I love blogging. I do most of my writing on weekends, but then I don't get to do my favorite things.

J.L. Campbell said...

Balance as you said, has to come in at some point. What you do depends on why you do both.

For a writer with books on the boil, the writing should come first, but when I feel the pressure to blog, I try to keep the post short so I'll have more time to write.

Gwen Gardner said...

We all struggle with the balance, Mina. I'm not even writing right now, except for blog posts for my 3 blogs, lol, and blog tour posts for my book release. But I've started writing and scheduling my posts on the weekend, so I'll have the week to work on stuff. Yeah, I'll probably get burnout from working 7 days a week, but...Oh no, now I'm feeling overwhelmed! Hang in there, Mina. It will all balance out:)

Cherie Colyer said...

I'm in the same boat as you juggling the day job, writing, my blog, mail, and all the other little things that have to get done during the week. You're not alone.

Mina Lobo said...

Not to come off all cynical-like, but if a primary reason for blogging is to build an author's platform, then I feel that you should choose the writing to the blogging (if you're pressed to choose, that is). When you're in that "flow" of creativity, it seems almost a sin to break it for blogging, you know?
Mina's Resurrection Blogfest!

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