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Thursday I was over visiting yourstrulygus at Self Medicant enjoying reading about some of his favorite authors. He had included a quote by Ernest Hemingway about F. Scott Fitzgerald. And while I found the quote interesting as to Fitzgerald, it occurred to me a lot of us who love to write and have a particular style may find we go through a similar reincarnation when we beginning blogging.
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His talent was as natural as the pattern that was made by the dust on a butterfly’s wings. At one time he understood it no more than the butterfly did and he did not know when it was brushed or marred. Later he became conscious of his damaged wings and of their construction and he learned to think and could not fly any more because the love of flight was gone and he could only remember when it had been effortless.
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Has that happened to you as you’ve observed which posts draw the most readers on your blog? Have folks left comments suggesting your style is nice, but…? In other words, have you gotten so caught up in the statistics or seeing your writing from someone else’s point of view that it took the joy and spontaneity out of writing for you and it became a “chore” instead?
I’ve sure found myself struggling with that from time to time. Playing around with the Seeker story has made me really aware of that particular writing style. Comments have left me wondering if I’m getting my message across. I find myself wanting to change things to make my opinions more palatable, but then I’d not be faithful to who I am.
I would be really curious if any of you have experienced anything similar as you’ve watched your blogs evolve. If you have, I hope you’ll share with us!
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Picture Credits:
Love of Writing — eahendryx.blogspot.com
Butterfly — www.dreamstime.com
Melinda Haynes Quote — transitionofthoughts.com
Impromptu Promptlings 
I sometimes worry that I may offend people with the subjects that crawl on out of me at times or the raw language I can use.
But I need to feel authentic in my writing and wouldn’t feel respectful by playing around at portraying myself as someone I am not.
I don’t even know what stats are, but judging by the comments, maybe best for me!
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Shannon, your writing needs to be who you are. I haven’t found anything offensive in what you write. You’re pulling your words and feelings from deep down, not for shock value. That’s the big difference. You’re right, you need to be authentic or why bother. It’s the reality that you write from that impresses me and makes me respect you so much as a writer. Don’t ever change, girlfriend, Your style is perfect for who you are.
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I rarely post anything but poetry and that form of writing slows the process. I usually take at least two days to write even a micropoem, but I have taken months to finish a work. For me writing is hard work. I rejoice after each poem is published and breathe freely for about half a day and then a knot starts to form until I start working on another one.
I have actually been pondering your question for the past few days, Lady C. I definitely revise with my audience in mind. I mostly want to connect with my readers and if I am just writing for me I fear that connection is lost. Then again I write for myself because if I don’t like it I’m not going to post it. I sense that my writing, though, comes from a collective consciousness that gives me my poems as much as me writing the poems. I need to get all this straight in my head so thank you for asking the questions. Maybe we can write a poem about it!:)
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What an interesting thought that your poems come from your collective consciousness. That seems rather different to consider, but we are, in fact, the sum total of all our knowledge. I can see how people could easily tap into that. Really something to think about. Thanks, LuAnne.
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If I truly believe that poems come through me instead of from me that takes a lot of pressure off. 🙂
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Do you have other writers among your ancestors? Just curious…
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Yes, I struggle with this.
I am feeling a little put off at the moment because I just went through a period in which I was trying to get more followers (and more interesting blogs to follow) by going to some widely read blogs that interested me, following them, and doing their sharing exercises.
I got too familiar with one of those bloggers too soon and left a comment that wasn’t well received. He started arguing with me and then told me if I wanted to comment again I should keep it “light and fun” because his blog wasn’t the place for “debate” or “intellectualizing about different views.” Then he deleted all my comments and said “feel free to unfollow if it doesn’t suit.” I took his advice and unfollowed. I basically got kicked off his blog.
I can see in retrospect where he thought I was being disagreeable, because I misjudged him and I didn’t express myself well. I made a mistake thinking that he wanted dialog and discussion (yes, discussion even of contrary views) rather than an echo chamber. But he also misjudged me and overreacted, so I think I’m well away from there.
The episode reminded me how unforgiving the internet can be, and put me back into careful, self-conscious mode when I’m writing. And careful, self-conscious mode isn’t a good place to be when you want to find and express your honest voice.
In contrast, I always feel welcome here on your blog. I get the impression that people can be themselves, make mistakes, and occasionally say awkward or dumb things and not get put down or kicked off. Thanks for creating that kind of environment here!
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Wow, Karen… That’s crappy. I would have been devasted because that was so over the top. I’ve only had one person have an issue with me. I really, really like them still. But they dropped me an email to say they didn’t believe I was who I come across as on the blog (which I’m still scratching my head about) so they were unfollowing me. I’m sorry that happened. But I reciprocated. Just like the regular world, I guess it takes all kinds. I’ve always appreciated your comments and find your blog pushes my understanding of things. I’m really glad we ran across each other. 😀
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I’m glad too! 🙂
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I’ve stopped focusing on the stats. I’ll occasionally check them out of curiosity. I am not in this to grow a huge cohort of followers, although the numbers seems to be growing of their own volition with the occasional drop off. My blog, like Jane’s and yours, is erratic. What I write is what emerges from my heart as authentic and honest as I am. Sometimes I sit down without a clue about what to post. Always, something comes up. It’s an interesting journey.
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Yes it is. And I can’t help being erratic. If you were having a phone conversation or coffee with me, it would be just TOTALLY erratic! LOL Just ask Fimnora! We talk twice a week now. LOL She’s like us. She’s erratic, too! I will be so glad when her self-imposed sabbatical is over. I miss her on here.
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Erratic is good! Go us 🙂
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It’s only natural for writers to be sensitive. If you’re a little shy in real life, which a lot of us are, and you don’t feel a bit scared when trying out something new in public, you probably aren’t pushing yourself. I love what you’re doing with the Seeker and your boldness in using tarot cards to prompt the story, never quite knowing what’s coming next, but relying on your vision to guide it through.
I started blogging to try to overcome my fear and embarrassment to write under my own name. I was convinced my writing was very plain. I remember the dithering – the second, third or twentieth thoughts before finally bringing myself to press the publish button in a rush of recklessness. My first posts suffer from an excess of worrying so now I try to write more freely and enjoy the fact that if it doesn’t come reasonably naturally, it need not come at all.
People like you and others on WordPress have helped more than you can understand, by example, by encouragement, by having the vulnerability to say ‘this is what I feel, what I fear – do you understand where I’m coming from?’
We do and we’re right behind you as you can see from the comments here.
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I DO understand where you’re coming from. I think most of us are in the same boat, actually. Girl, I never thought I’d turn into a flower person, but I gotta say reading your posts about flowers in particular has turned into a five-minute mini-vacation for me. And you’re a marvelous photographer. I hope your shyness is evaporating!!! If it does, what would you like to do then?
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I think I’ll always be a bit bold and a bit shy and I’m happy with that, now I’m older. I wish I had more courage to photograph people – you don’t have to ask flowers!
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Well why not start with folks you know who wouldn’t mind helping your creative efforts? It would give you an idea of whether that “flow” is there for people pictures like it seems to be for flowers. I hope you at least give it a shot! {{{Susan}}}.
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Surely the whole point of writing is because you enjoy it, the words flow at times, your mind produces what you want to see on paper. You should not worry about how many “followers” one has, that is not what it is all about.
I write from my heart, at times I am too honest with what I say, but I just love to write. There are days when the words take time to come, other days when I just keep jotting away.
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That’s the perfect scenario for sure, Anna. But like anything else writing can be USED for other things: to fit in, to impress, to hurt… Truthfully, I believe nothing in this life is so black and white.
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Yes words can hurt, they can hurt too much at times. Words can be used to belittle one in so many ways, I prefer to try and find a more gentle way, a romantic way, just as well we are not all the same.
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Thanks for reposting this is an awesome discussion! I think every writer has to find his or her voice, and that there are times when we lose it, for whatever reason. I think of blogging as another milestone for my writing. Whether anyone reads my work or not I still feel like I’m having a conversation, which has helped me to be direct.
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I like what you said about “having a conversation.” And you’re right. It does seem like that. I also feel like I’m just chatting with friends over a Raspberry Mocha Frappucino from Starbucks (not to be specific or anything… 😉 ).
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Well, you know I have a hard time even calling myself a writer,,,but what I do write, it comes from what I see, what I hear and what I feel…..what I’ve lived……I appreciate every like, every comment, every follow….but what it comes down to is being true to myself……I don’t check my stats,,,but I’m sure over time I’ve lost some followers, and that’s ok. I know the things I post won’t necessarily resonate with everyone…..
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It’s been fun to watch you find your voice! You’re so in the honeymoon phase it’s fun to read your stuff! It’s just free and easy. 😀
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Yep. Thinking too much can kill a thing. Like picking a flower to keep. Once its picked only the shell remains. Nice!
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“Thinking too much can kill a thing…” That speaks to a lot of things in life, not just writing. At least for me. I overthink everything…
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I have not written much on my blog, but when I have it is as true and honest to myself as I can be. The one, and only time, I tried to be an ‘author’, I felt like it came off like a pompous piece of writing and I groaned, inwardly, at every comment I received. Hope this helps a little.
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I know EXACTLY what you mean, Kelly. Makes me feel like a fraud sometimes when I write. Like I’m trying to be someone I’m not…
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There are always instances where one may write something and their feelings will change upon further thought. You have always come across very sincere and heartfelt in your posts. It has endeared you to me. I enjoy the way you tentatively pose your questions and your honest and blunt replies. And you have always had me seeking my own true answers. Don’t sell yourself short Cheryl, it is a gift to be able to get others thinking on their 😊
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Thanks hon. I was always hoping to see you back on the playground. I enjoyed your writings. I’ll have to stop back around and visit again. I know it’s been awhile. 🙂
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What a great simile from Ernest Hemingway! I reckon lots of us get hooked into the stats – Blogging U. recommends we should check out which posts have worked, and which haven’t, so we can increase our readership, which is perfect if you’re prioritising glory over your own creativity. I went through a phase of trying to write for my audience, but it drained out all the pleasure.
I think the erratic nature of my posts turns a lot of people off – they like to know what to expect from a blog, but the good friends I’ve made on WP read what I write, and that’s enough for me.
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Geez… I like being erratic! (Wait! Let me look that up to make sure I know what it means…………….) YES! I LIKE being erratic. Then I guess that’s why I like your blog so much. 😀
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LYou say the nicest – and the funniest – things 😀 😀 😀
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What can I say? I’m fundorable. 😀
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I’ve found that with my books. If I listen too much to various suggestions I used to find myself too conscious of style. There is a balance between taking on things that improve without interfering with style. I write what comes into my mind as a flow of consciousness. It is staying in tune with that inner flow that is important. When you hit that it effortlessly flows, the words slip into place and it is so satisfying. That’s what I aim for. That requires not being too conscious of the technique.
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Yeah, I think you’re right, Opher. I need to remember that. When I start thinking too much about what I write, I get very insecure about whatever it is I’ve written. Your stuff is ALL uniquely you. 😉
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