I started off this post about to type what many bloggers write at least once in their lives,
"I know I haven't posted in a long time but... "
We generally like to say this on the start of a post, when we haven't blogged in a while. Its sort of like an explanation of sorts. A way of saying we're sorry we left our readers without anything for X amount of time, but now "we're back and at it again!"...and we "promise we wont have too many more long moments between posts!..."
Anyway, I wrote this infamous line...and then I deleted it. Then I typed it again, and deleted it again. And while I do pride myself in being a super duper fast typer, to save myself from having to type it any additional times, I just Command C'd it, prepping for a possible Command V.
It clearly never came... so instead of explaining my whereabouts, I became frustrated. Why do I... well, people in general, blog in clumps... and then leave there readers waiting for those ten words. Do we just get tired of writing, or tired of our subject? ...Do our personal lives intervene leaving us little time to blog? ...Could be it all of the above?
While speaking with my favorite aunt, former UCONN English Professor and all around knower of all things, on the topic of "What makes a good novel"...or a "blog post" even, she shared something so simple but so fitting. A novel tends to be a good read when the author has a deep love or interest in the topic he or she is writing about. ...Whether it be a personal experience or the migration of sea otters due to global warming...if the writer is completely enthralled in the topic, the outcome has a high chance of success to some market.
As I thought about this concept I realized how we as bloggers blog, because its fun. Plain and simple. We are in love with our topics and we like to talk about them, write about them, and share them with others in hopes that they will enjoy them too.
I once read an article detailing the top 10 'Blogging Don'ts" of which number one read, "Never Blog about your Cat." It was there, written in bold, and underlined none-the-less... and needless to say I was already about a year into StyleSkinny, where I created a tiny cartoon version of my lovely cat Amani, who made a monthly Wheres Waldo appearance in my header, amongst other sections. I absolutely love blogging about my cat. Had I broken the cardinal blogging rule? Such a ridiculous thought. But I was reminded again that although there may be blogging "tips", no one should listen to someones rigid set of blogging rules. We should be blogging about and in the style that bests suits us whether 100 people use the same format, or just two. We should be expressing our love for our topics in our own creative way!
If you are a writer or blogger, I challenge you today to remember why you began writing in the first place. Think about your interest and love for the subject you blog about. Know that someone is just as interested in your topic as you are and would love to read what you have to say. Remember that blogging is fun, adhere to your own rules, and you'll rarely, if ever, be forced to apologize for leaving your readers empty for so long!
xoxo-SBG
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