Yesterday I read a post by BubbleCow called What Should Writers Blog About? If you’ll notice, my blog title today is very similar, but it’s not a title so much as a question I ask myself every morning.
Dang. What should I blog about today?
BubbleCow has some very clear advice that boils down to write something that will add value to your readers’ lives. Undoubtedly good advice that I vaguely remember hearing in Communication101 – Rule #1: consider the reader. Who is the reader?
I recently learned this the hard way when two of my remaining three siblings rejected my memoir and refused to sign release forms. My husband, in his infinite wisdom, said, “You didn’t write it for them. If you had written it for them, you might not be happy with it.”
Anyway, I digress. I know that if you want to be a successful writer you have to treat it as a business and take it seriously. You need a plan. Bubblecow points all this out in the blog post I linked above. It’s not that I don’t want to be successful; it’s just that I want to have fun. Can I do both?
Primarily, I read the blogs I do for entertainment, enlightenment, or inspiration. Although I do scan through and occasionally read a few “How to” blogs (Kristen Lamb has a good one on social media, and Nina Badzin has helped me out a lot with Twitter), I don’t want to spend my entire day reading instructions manuals on how-to write, how-to blog, how-to market. These kinds of blogs have their place and I appreciate the fact that they’re out there, but I want to read something that makes me laugh, like the antics of The Idiot Speaketh, or Carl’s sketches on I Know I Made You Smile. I want to read something that challenges me to see the world anew like Suzicate’s hearth-warm wisdom, or Hugmamma‘s energetic and often light-hearted opinions, or Julia’s stories from the coast of Maine. I read blogs that challenge me to make conscious decisions about how I live my life, like LeRoy’s posts at the Wordsmith’s Desk or Nancy’s at Spirit Lights the Way. Sometimes I like to see beautiful scenes from another place as Robin takes me for a walk in the bogs or Rudolf allows me to see the Czech Republic through his eyes.
I read a lot of blogs and I do it for the human factor, not the business factor. Call me fickle.
From time to time I try to provide information with my posts, at times I try to allow readers to understand something that I am going through, like Alzheimer’s, in a way that may enlighten them. Sometimes I just want to take the reader someplace I’ve been with photographs.
Often there is very little of redeeming or lasting value in my posts.
I look at it as a whole body of work. I am a woman in the middle of her life, trying to help her parents, still involved with her children, trying to find meaning in sun rays and bird song. I think mid-life has a lot to offer in terms of personal challenges, contemplative thoughts, and spiritual growth.
Walk with me. Hear my cries and my songs. I was young once and will be old sooner than I realize. I invite you to walk with me here and now. That’s all. If you want.
(I am, however, open to suggestions about what I should blog about tomorrow.)
Christine M. Grote 
Thanks for the shout out. Perhaps you may try this: think of a theme. It may be family, the moon and stars, or trees. Stay with one for a while, move to a different one or interlace them. I am sure your creativity is churning this very moment as you read this. Many bloggers I follow are writing more about the insanities of life we face daily. We all relate: the cable guy, the bank teller, the checkout line. I keep a little pad to jot down a word or two to keep a list to write about. We ALL hate the DMV.
Thanks for the suggestion, Carl. I do keep a running list of blog ideas. Mostly I like to write about what I feel passionately about, or at least mildly interested in, at the moment.
I hear you!!! I am walking right there along side you!!! My blog is really not very challenging to folks most days and I do think that writing about every day life events are therapeutic for me!!! And I don’t think I really have identified a “target audience” so it isn’t like I am writing a blog that only people with an interest in one thing would subscribe to. I like to think I am well rounded and one look at my body would affirm that!!! Have enjoyed reading your offerings since I have found you! Keep it up!
Thanks for reading. I think we can blog for all kinds of reasons, and therapy is one of the top on my list. If you’re well-rounded, you are in good company with me. 🙂
I, too, am walking beside you. Thank you for the shout out of kind words. I never know what I’m going to write about either…ends up being whatever tickles my fancy. I guess my blog doesn’t really have a purpose other than connection and catharsis for me, selfish on my part maybe. It’s just something I do. I don’t have any valuable information to pass on… I do enjoy other blogs. One day when I have more time, I might focus more on one of my other project, the interest on them seems to come and go. I enjoy stopping by to see what you have to say each day so whatever you choose to write about interests me…though we all live different lives we still connect on a deeper level, a human level which writers strive to reach.
Suzi ~ What do you mean: I don’t have any valuable information to pass on…?
I disagree. 😀 Your posts allow readers to appreciate nature through your eyes. Your gorgeous analogies help readers grasp the VALUABLE life lessons that you’ve learned from wandering the hills and dales.
If your words didn’t have value, people wouldn’t rush round to read and comment on your posts.
Just sayin’ . . . 😀
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks, Nancy.
I try to post helpful things on my blog. Things that I’ve learned that I think other writers can benefit from. I also use my blog as a place to brainstorm. Sometimes going over problems with other writers helps not just you but so many others who struggle with the same things.
You’re right. I think we can all learn from the problems and solutions of each other. Thanks for being out there and trying to be helpful.
Thanks for the shout out, Christine, but I too wonder every time I sit down to write a post. Like today, I posted something I wrote in May but just wasn’t sure I would post, didn’t know if it would go over with my readers! I definitely think about what my readers will think, so I think Bubblecow is spot on — why else would I do this? I enjoy your and other blogs primarily for the human connection; I really like blogs best where writers write from their own POV, not to teach me something or put themselves out as experts — more that it’s a shared experience and a way to stay connected. I agree with SuziCate that I like to stop by each new post and see how I can connect on a deeper level. (Great post by the way!)
Thanks. We see very much eye-to-eye on this.
I’m with you, Christine. I enjoy blogging because it’s FUN to entertain and be entertained.
Blogs offer value to readers for all the reasons that you’ve mentioned ~ they make people laugh or see the world anew, they share experiences or teach us things beyond our ken, etc.
When we enjoy what we’re writing about . . . someone else will enjoy reading it because enthusiasm is contagious. I love Kristen Lamb’s posts because she puts herself into each post she writes ~ making me laugh and smile and nod along with her.
So do you. So focus on the FUN aspect as often as you want, sharing a peek at the world behind your eyes.
When we wake up each morning determined to enjoy what we do, we win. No matter what happens, we win.
Thanks for the link up! 😀
You’re welcome.
I’m really surprised you think you’re not posting anything of value. You’ve shared the struggles with your father as his mind fades, about self-publishing, and even about that darn ivy in the garden! Plus Arthur and the squirrel.
I do have some suggestions – how’s the garden doing? How is it looking now that we’re in the last half of summer? What’s Arthur been up to?
And how about advice on setting up Twitter and an RSS feed? Inquiring minds want to know.
Nancy
http://www.dogear6.com
Thanks for your suggestions, Nancy. I would get back to the ivy . . . it is resurfacing. I’m just not willing to go out in this heat and work on it. Hopefully, soon.
I enjoy walking along with you, and am so glad you join me on my walks, too. Thank you for the link love (shout out). 🙂
As for what you should blog about, I think you do a fine job of coming up with ideas.
You’re welcome. Thanks for the support.
“It’s not that I don’t want to be successful; it’s just that I want to have fun. Can I do both?”
Do both! The variety will do you good. Greens are good for your bowels and so are oats. One balances the other 🙂 To much of one and you will upset the natural balance. LOL 🙂
Well there you go – I bet you’ve never had your writing habits compared to food and bowel movements before. Joking aside, I believe variety is the spice of life!
PiP
I’m trying. And no. I’ve never had my writing habits compared to food and bowel movements, but I will have to say my writing has felt somewhat constipated at times. . .
Somebody get me a filter. . .pleeeze.
I enjoy walking with you, Christine. I want to walk through your garden, see the animals that visit your yard (and make their residence with you), hold your hand as you struggle to communicate with your dad. It’s life, and this is our way of sharing it, and getting to know one another. There is always something new to learn, a new way to see life through another’s eyes. Just keep writing, we’ll be here to read it, and hope you’ll join us on our journey from time to time.
“Often there is very little of redeeming or lasting value in my posts”….. could be the best description of my own blog that I have ever read….. 🙂 I know what you are saying. Sometimes it is hard to think of stuff to write about. When you are drawing a total and complete blank, and cannot for the life of you think of what to write, just do like I do…. Make stuff up….. 🙂 ha ha
If only. No one can make stuff up like you do.
What ever you have blogged about so far Christine I have really enjoyed reading so please just carry on and follow your train of thought and Im sure everything will fall into place..:-)
Thank you, Sue. Your unconditional support is truly appreciated.
I came over to see what you’ve been up to. You were going to blog only once a week, and I’d been thinking that’s all I can handle too, and visit others blogs as well. And so today I posted something “old” from my Blogger archives, adding a new photo at the beginning. I always wonder–I wondered as I did this–like you, am I writing posts of value? Am I focused on my readers and what might interest them? And then I read a post where the blogger was saying she liked to read personal stories. That’s my forte. That’s your forte, too!
What should we blog about? is an appropriate question. Sometimes I’m afraid that one day my idea well will dry up. But will it as long as we keep living? As long as we’re passionate about something? You’re passionate about family, and so am I–and lots of other things, too, not the least of which is writing–writing to express ourselves, to share our experiences, to connect with others.
I think you’re doing a fantastic job with this.
I know I confused some people when I reduced the amount of times I plan to blog. I was blogging every day and have decided now to take the weekends off. I still plan to blog every weekday, although I’m not going to beat myself up if I miss one here or there.
As long as we are getting out in the world, and reading and thinking and remembering, we should have plenty to write about. I don’t worry about that too much.
Life is so full of fascinating and interesting things, isn’t it?