Hi everyone - happy Tuesday to you all. Today I'm writing a post that I'm pretty sure no one is going to want to read, but I've been wrestling with it for the past couple of weeks so...here goes.
I go through different phases with my blogging. Sometimes I have so much to say that it's a struggle to hold myself back to two posts a week. Sometimes I get a great idea and come up with one really decent post in a week and then find the tank empty - and thank heavens for Retro-Thursday/Tuesday! And sometimes - more rarely - I just struggle to come up with any time or attention for the blog at all. When that happens I know that the blog suffers and feel horribly guilty about it.
I've been going through one of those latter phases for about a fortnight now. It's been a fight to come up with interesting blog topics, but even when people on Twitter helped me out and made suggestions or asked questions, I didn't seem to be able to make anything substantial from them. Right now, just writing this, I'm grumbling and moaning as if I was back in school trying to come up with an answer for a particularly tricky exam question. It's not flowing, and I'm not having fun.
Maybe it's because I'm starting Book #3 of The Name of the Blade and there's a lot of anxiety and stress in my head. Maybe it's because things are going on with my dad at the moment - he's going into hospital for a heart operation this week - and I need to be there for him and my mum. Maybe it's just because everything's dark and cold and some instinctive part of me wants to hibernate.
In the past I've struggled through these dry periods, posting as usual, and trying not to face the fact that the quality of the blog has dropped. But this time I don't want to do that. As I've said above, it makes me feel guilty, and then that takes what little fun is left out of the process. So I've decided to try something different.
A blog hiatus. A proper one. Not a one week break from the blog while I'm on a deadline or on holiday, like I've done before, but a temporary stop in blogging activity which I think is going to carry me through Christmas and up to the New Year.
I'll still pop my head above the parapet and post if something important occurs to me to say. I'll update you if I get any exciting news. But other than that I'll be giving the blog a complete rest, and the regular posting schedule will not be followed.
I'm hoping that if I do this, by the time the 1st of January rolls around, I will have a whole cauldron full of ideas bubbling at the back of my brain, and I'll feel rested and refreshed enough to do those ideas - and my Dear Readers - justice.
So for now, I'll wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and offer my best wishes for the most wonderful New Year. Read you later, guys,
12 comments:
I hope your dad's op goes OK. We love you honey. Enjoy your break and have a good rest xx
Viv: Thanks! I still feel a bit guilty, but I think it's the right decision. *Hugs*
Merry Christmas. :}
Zoe, if this is what you want then it's the right decision! Anyway, it's YOUR blog and you shouldn't feel like you're blogging just for your readers, it's for yourself too :)
Have an awesome break / Christmas / New Year :)
Thank you, Bookseller. Thank you, Megha :)
Don't feel guilty! Take all the time you need.
Thanks, Q.
Hey Zoe, I hope all goes well with your Dad's op and that he's on the mend quickly. I think we all need to take a break from blogging sometimes and I'm sure it will do you good :o) I hope you have a good Christmas xx
This will be my 5th attempt at getting the word verification correct so please, please, please let it work this time!
I adore you, Zoë! Blogging should never be forced. Take a break! Post as irregularly as you wish. Sometimes is better than never.
I've been like this a lot myself lately. I haven't talked about it online at all, but a few months ago, a dear friend passed away (way too young, my age) and I know my blogging has suffered for a while from it. There's never a need to explain things, but my thoughts are with you and your family! *hugs*
Sarah: Thanks, chick. And thanks for persevering despite the stupid capcha thingie. I would get rid of that in a heartbeat if I could. Gah.
Bonnie: Thanks, honey, I really appreciate that. You take care too. xx
Good luck with everything! We'll miss you, but you've made the right decision, so don't feel guilty!
Isabel: Thanks, hun *Hugs*
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