“They Shoot Poets – Don’t They?” - turns two in blog years this month. That’s 10 in muse years and about several hundred posts later. I guess that the fact that I lasted this long means that I must be doing something right or am just too dense to realize that I’m dead in the water. My money is on the second alternative.
What have I learned in the last two years? Well it’s been a bumpy ride and I wanted to throw in the towel a couple of times. This was compounded (in the past year) by my wife’s health problems, my dad’s passing, some legal hassles pertaining to our family business & my own health issues. This period also saw me mired in the longest drought of my short career. You can stop clapping now - I’m outta the slump in a big way!
The experience, however, has not completely lived up to my own expectations. There are some things that I might have done differently. I.E.:
1- This is not (admittedly) a “Thinking-Person’s” blog. The tenor of my blog has veered away from its initial intent. My original premise was to make it less frivolous & more focused on poetics and the poets & poems which give me pause. Whereas, I am no MFA graduate, I have been told that I am adept at critique and literary commentary. Therefore, in keeping with the spirit with which the blog was conceived (and what in essence got me here) – I will attempt to get off my laurels (mainly because I have perceived that I have none to sit on) and post more literary commentary and reviews. (Send me your work if you want to humor me.)
2 - Except for the NaPoWriMo experience this past month – this blog has taken me away from my creative writing instead of contributing to it. I don’t quite understand the mechanics of this just yet – but somehow this is true. Instead of stimulating my creative drive it somehow derails my poetic impetus (believe me that can hurt). Reading and critiquing poetry are what got the old creative juices going in the past.
3 – I have become too caught up with the popularity of this blog. Somehow along the way this blog has become its own entity. It constantly hungers to be fed more and more outlandish posts. Instead of allowing me to receive pats on the back it has become more of a monkey on my back. You see I’m even referring to it in the third person – already!
4 – Ergo, the blog needs to undergo changes and this might well start with cosmetic surgery. I might change its proverbial skin so that I might feel better in my own.
Turn on, tune in or drop out!
16 comments:
Happy Blog Birthday. I found my blog to be a big distraction / a great tool for procrastination at some point and stopped posting so much. I'm glad you plan on sticking around!
Unfortunately, I'm a procrastinator by nature - blogging doesn't help the situation much. I'm sticking around - but I'll be shaking things up a little. Thanks for your supportive words. Much appreciated.
I can certainly relate to these mixed feelings. You put them well. Keeping up a worthy blog consumes a lot of energy. What I get out of it is the joy immediate publication & feedback (certainly the opposite of what one gets when one sends to the journals), contact with "the world" (a world, at least), + a means to formulate ideas. My own blog has helped me hone my writing skills. But it also seems to feed not so much the artist in me, as the escape artist!
... joy *of* immediate publication and feedback. Some writing skills!
Re: But it also seems to feed not so much the artist in me, as the escape artist!
Same here! It's made me a regular Houdini when it comes to the task of sitting down and editing work that I have written - not to mention writing down what's currently on my creative mind.
Nick, I'm also glad you are sticking around. Even when I don't comment, I usually check your blog daily. Do what you have to do to keep it fresh, but don't get too caught up on the content too much. My blog is electic as hell and I wouldn't have it any other way. I always enjoy coming here and reading your posts, poems, other people's poems and seeing the art you've selected.
Collin, glad that you enjoy my blog. Thanks. ... But I know by looking at the visitor's log & Referer Org List that there are some well known bloggers that read my blog but almost never comment. I would like very much for these poets to comment here. Perhaps changing my blog around a bit might not do it, but it's worth a shot. Your support has always been and continues to be much appreciated.
Nick, I can't tell you how many "lurkers" I have on my blog -- including well known ones -- who have never commented on my blog. I don't worry about them. You gotta please you, too. :)
Still, it's an odd feeling knowing that people frequently visit your blog but don't bother to comment. (I've posted, albeit infrequently, on the majority of blogs that I visit.) But I know what you mean - thanks. :-)
Stay with whatever works for you, Nick. I like the new look, by the way.
Not much to add here except emphatic head nodding.
Thanks, Sam. I think that I will be posting more of what suits me best.
Robert,
It all depends on which way you're nodding. ;-)
Nick:
I am nodding up and down.
I find I love blogging, but want to spend more time writing (i.e., poetry) this summer.
I sure like and value your blog, and am very happy to be part of the poet-blogger community.
Greg, I hear you. Your blog has quickly become a staple 'round these parts. But I sure understand that taking time away from it will give you more time to write poetry. Glad someone else is nodding in the same direction.
Happy Birthday--I enjoy reading your writing too.
I've picked my own brain about blogging. I think it's addicting. Maybe because I write so much by necessity for my business, I do the blog thing because it's something I can do with no one else's blessing or criticism.
I have lots of lurkers. I wonder if it doesn't help to piss people off when you blog. They seem to comment more then!
best, Kay Day
Kay,
You may be right "pissing people off" might just get them to post more. ;-) Thanks for dropping by.
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