Long time no blog….
Ok, I admit that I’ve allowed myself to become discouraged with the whole blog thing. Mainly, I am confused by the technology. I want to do things that I don’t understand and don’t want to take the time to figure out, and don’t know how to begin to figure out. I don’t think I’ve been doing the categories and tags right either. Secondly, I’ve been asking my self, rather seriously, “just why do I do this anyway?” I didn’t much care for some of the answers I was coming up with. This reflection then led to the question, “just why would anyone anywhere want to read what I write anyway?” I concluded that anyone anywhere probably does not want to read this stuff, for the most part, although I must say “God Bless YOU” to anyone who does. I think the stats tell the story there. So, I quit.
I find that I miss it though…the discipline of writing on a regular basis, the occasional kind comment, the reading of the wise and funny words of some folks I’ve met through this mysterious (to me) electronic medium. So, I un-quit.
May the words begin to flow as the Spirit leads.
I know what you mean, asking why you write. I’ve wondered that myself…usually my ego is big enough to answer, “Because I’m saying it, so people will be interested!” A thin answer, and entirely silly, but it gets me through.
The more substantial answer, for me, is that I really want to say something and this is the fastest way I know of saying it to as many people as possible – short of getting on top of a building with a high-power assault rifle and picking off pedestrians until some news agency agrees to publish my manifesto…
Seriously, though, I think we write because we’re made in God’s image. God spoke and all things came into being. God gave words to prophets, words that they ate like sweet honey and spoke like consuming wrath. God uttered the Word and it became flesh and that Word healed the broken world. Speaking seems to be God’s thing, and as creatures made in God’s image we can do no less. Even though our words often fall short of inspiring a creation or reconciling brokenness, the fact is that some times, some rare and beautiful times, they do. And when they do we fulfil who we are.
That, and I like seeing the stats come in an hour or two after I post. The numbers aren’t grand (especially compared to some blogs, many of which get more hits per hour than I do per year) but they represent people who’ve at least come to check out what I wrote, sometimes even to reply. That’s gotta count for something.
Comment by Aaron — July 7, 2008 @ 5:51 am
I guess you write for the sake of writing, and for readers, yes, but first for writing, and because you are a writer.
We’re all writers regardless of fame, fortune, (the lack of both) and readership (or its lack) if we’re writing. And all the writing you do that isn’t read, or highly read, is practice for future writing.
I’m glad you’re keeping at it.
E.M.
Comment by leftywritey — July 7, 2008 @ 7:29 am
I’m a reader. And I’m glad you’re back! I’ve missed you and your blog posts. I don’t tag mine or categorize them either. I just write and add pictures. Don’t let it get all technical on you.
Comment by wendy — July 7, 2008 @ 8:32 pm
I, too, don’t know what I’m doing blog-wise, so I keep it simple, and just have fun!
I also wanted to tell you, although I’m not sure how I did it myself, that when your name comes up in the comments section (in my blog, for example) your name doesn’t turn into a link — so people can’t click on it, like from my blog, for example, to see a snapshot of YOUR blog, and then go to your blog, to read.
I’m hoping one of the other commenters here knows how to explain it. In the meantime, I’ll check it out and report back. : )
Emily
Comment by leftywritey — July 8, 2008 @ 5:12 am