First things first – I have yet to announce the winner of my Blog Birthday animal books contest. The contest closed last Tuesday and my excuse is pure laziness. But www.random.org and I did do the draw last night and the winner is . . . Mimi from Living in France! Yay - I’m so glad another Mom of boys won! Hope your guys enjoy them Mimi!
Secondly, I feel that I’ve been cheating on my blog lately. That I’ve been giving more love and affection to Twitter and Google Reader than I’ve been giving to “The Only Girl”. And I’m starting to feel guilty about it. And also annoyed with myself.
Here’s what happens – I intend to write a blog post, so I fire up my computer. But before I start writing I figure I should check my email, then catch up on Twitter and my Reader. And by the time that all happens, at least an hour has gone by and any quiet writing time I had has long since expired or I’m too tired. So a post doesn’t get written.
But isn’t the point of having a blog to WRITE POSTS?! Yes. Of course it is. Then why am I getting sidetrack with all the other stuff?! Because the other stuff is easier? Because the other stuff doesn’t involve much thinking, only reading? Probably.
But that’s not how I intended it to be when I started out. So when my little blog celebrated it’s 1st birthday last week, I got to thinking about what I really want from it. And the answer was not “all the other stuff”. I want to connect with other people by writing and I want to enjoy doing it. Some of my writing might be good, a lot of my writing will be bad, but writing is the whole point.
So that’s what I’m going to try to concentrate a little harder on. Sure – I’ll still be on Twitter, just maybe not quite so much. Of course I’ll still be reading all your posts, I’m just not going to worry if I get a few days behind in my Reader. In fact on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (the days I’ve committed to post each week) I’m not even going to open my Reader or Twitter until I’ve written a post. Or at least I’ll try really, really hard not to.
Do you sometimes feel like you’re ”cheating” on your blog or am I the only one with no willpower? What’s your strategy for getting your posts written?
13 Responses to “I’m A Cheater”
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August 30th, 2010 at 8:47 am
I’ve been doing that a bit recently. I decided that I’m going to post every odd numbered day for a while and see how it goes. That way I can concentrate more on the posts rather than rush them and spend time commenting too.
When I’ve been away it takes me so long to catch up on my reader, I just usually catch up on my favourite blogs then mark the rest all as read! I keep folders of different topics on my reader as well as my favourites so it’s easier not to miss the important stuff.
August 30th, 2010 at 9:28 am
You’re definitely not alone in this–I feel as though I abandon my blog far too often, but it happens. There are days when I feel less than inspired and I don’t want to post just anything for the sake of having a new entry up. But I think it’s good to devote your time in front of the computer to do the writing first and foremost if the blog is still very important to you (which it sounds as though it is). I read somewhere that when your blog starts to feel like work, it’s time to take a break and I think that’s true.
Found you today via Shana’s blog and am happy I stopped in. I’m your newest follower!
August 30th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
no. my blog is more important to me than protein shakes and plums.
jk.
i really could care less. but it’s ya know it’s there just in case i need to say something.
August 30th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I’m to the point where I feel like if I miss a day, I’m a cheater. So I’m trying to step away from all that before my head explodes with stress. Maybe I should do MWF like you.
Just know that when you aren’t here, you are certainly missed!! I tend to give my blog a lot more attention that Twitter, so I don’t see you over there enough!
August 30th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
My blog has been suffering lately too.
I think it’s cuz I’m lazy….I have no excuse.
BUT, I’m so happy I won those books!
Tell me, would it be bad to give them to my youngest who will turn 5 in October as a birthday present???
August 30th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I am definitely not writing as much as I used to. I need to get on that. I keep getting half ideas though.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I’m happy to learn that Mimi won. Love her.
I think it’s a great idea to get yourself on a posting schedule.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
I totally understand. If I only have to post and not visit and comment I feel super guilty
August 31st, 2010 at 4:01 am
I had that problem so I cut back on the blogging. I used to post 3 times a week way back in the day, but it got too hard to manage, so I cut back to only posting on Sunday, when I have time (because I don’t have kids. Just sayin)
But that’s just the system that worked for me. I did want the other stuff, and I still wanted to blog, but just not as often.
August 31st, 2010 at 4:35 pm
I feel the same way. I have not been in a very good bloggy mood lately and I think it’s showing through Nothing funny happens anymore, so I dont’ want to just blog to be blogging. Although the injection in my ass today at the doctor might make for a good story.
August 31st, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Cher,I hear ya sister!I I know just what you mean. I have been also thinking what I want out of my blog. I am happy you are going to write more becase I love what you have to say!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin
September 1st, 2010 at 12:14 am
I think all of our blogs are suffering. It’s cyclical. Hopefully with the new school year we will all feel like writing soon.
YAY MEEMS! I’m so happy she won.
September 10th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I cheated on my blog once.
Unfortunately, I got so paranoid and nervous that someone would see me, it ruined all the enjoyment and I broke it off before anyone found out.
Apparently, I am now a blog slut. (I originally wrote “blug slot”. Not sure what that says about me…)