We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.
You’ve all heard the term “fast-drafting.” I want to talk to you today about slow blogging.
After reading Marcia Richards’s post the other day, The Slow Blog Manifesto, I wonder if I owe you, the readers, an apology. Click her title if you want to read her post after you finish this one.
When I first began blogging a year and a half ago, all the advice I was hearing said I should blog a minimum of three times a week. Well, I was new, and they were experts, so I took their advice, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.
Between writing blogs, working on my WIP and keeping up with Facebook and Twitter, I found that I didn’t really have time to read all the blogs I subscribed to. Some I read every time, some only once a week, and some I only skimmed to see if anything jumped off the page at me.
Since I’ve been an extremely slow reader all my life, I assumed this problem was limited to me. Surely all those who read at normal speeds had plenty of time to read all the blogs they wanted to. It never occurred to me that others might have the same problem I did finding time to read the plethora of blogs that bombard us all the time.
Until I read Marcia’s blog. Wow! You mean other people—ever normal readers—have problems finding time to read all the blogs coming at them? What a concept. Maybe this is a case where less truly is more. Practically everyone who commented on Marcia’s blog thought so.
Maybe I’ve been shooting myself in the foot by posting more words in a week than most of you have time to read. I wonder how many of my subscribers have started either skipping my posts completely or just glancing over them and then moving on. If I have caused you to have to do that, I want to apologize for it.
As soon as I read Marcia’s blog, I decided to cut back on the frequency of my own posts. Expecting you to read 2,000 to 3,000 words a week from my blogs alone is a bit much. Today will mark the end of the last week in which I post three blogs. Now, I just need to decide whether to cut back to two or only one.
What do you think of the idea that we bloggers are clogging up one another’s computers with too many words, demanding that everyone spend too much time reading what we post?
How many times a week do you post, and why?
Any advice on whether I should cut back to two a week or only one?
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For more information about David N. Walker, click the “About” tab above.
For more information about his books, click on “Books” above.
Contact him at dnwalkertx (at) gmail (dot) com or tweet him at @davidnwalkertx.
David N Walker 
Pingback: The Zen Of Slow Blogging | kristin nador writes anywhere
I’ve always been a once a week blogger from the exact reasons you stated. Blogging is a community, which means if you want your blog, you have probably have to read blogs, too. It’s unrealistic to expect people to read your blog more than once I week (in my opinion). It’s ESPECIALLY unrealistic if you’re not reading others’ blogs. (I don’t mean “you,” David. I mean all bloggers.)
Saw your post via Renee Shuls Jacobson, by the way.
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Thanks, Nina. Glad you follow Renee. She’s one of my favorite people. Hope you liked this well enough to subscribe.
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You’re a jewel, Ashley.
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David, you have jumped on a very popular bandwagon! Marcia’s post touched a nerve with a lot of bloggers and I think the advice to cut back makes very good sense. Bottom line though … do what works for you. We are all here to support each other.
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I agree, Pat, and you’re one of the one’s who’s always the most supportive. Thanks.
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I never consider the email notices on your blogs to be “clogging up” my inbox, David. But, I also don’t have time to maintain my writing schedule for both my blog and my WiP and comment on all blogs I follow.
I cut back to once a week a long time ago. It wasn’t a decision based on readers. My decision was totally self-centered. I’d say “self-controlled,” but that’s a claim I can’t make with any degree of honesty.
For me, it’s a matter of posting when I have enough fodder to create a post that mirrors what I hope my followers have come to expect from my voice. I’m not, after all, garnering immediate sales opportunities. I love the connections I’ve made via those who follow me and those I follow.
Some (like that Jenny Hansen woman) seem to seamlessly produce four fun, fact or snark-filled posts a week. I had to acknowledge I’m not one of them.
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Well, Gloria, Jenny doesn’t have anything else to do . . . except work full time, raise a toddler, be a housewife, be an author. I’ve never figured out how she can do all that, but I don’t wear a cape and have an “S” on my chest.
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3 times a week? Jeez, more like 3 times a month. It’s a fast-paced world people have things to do. Besides, true creativity should not be forced. Let it come naturally.
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Thanks, April. I’m leaning toward two so I can have one miscellaneous one and one on some Christian subject each week.
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Honestly, if blogging is taking away from your writing, then I say go without. BUT, if you’re like me, blogging is a nice escape from the everyday norm and I enjoy it. Because I don’t consider it a waste of time, I stick with my 3-times a week schedule. Honestly, I don’t get upset if no one reads it… it’s not going to stop me from doing what I like to do.
Blogging is also a nice way to help promote other writers and their works. Since publishing FS, I’ve had numerous bloggers reach out and want to help… and I can’t help but want to offer the same courtesy to my friends. But, if it starts taking up too much of my time, I’ll walk away. Most of us aren’t getting paid for blogging…
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Thanks, Tiffany.
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Ah, you’ve asked the million dollar question. I say, blog as much as you feel comfortable blogging. As for reading, do what you can and don’t stress it. Some weeks I make it to all the blogs, some weeks I don’t. I’ve finally forgiven myself for not being able to read, comment, and retweet all the fabulous blogs out there. I do what I can and that’s just the way it is. Good luck with your dilemma, David!
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Thanks, Tameri. Right now, I’m thinking twice a week.
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Hi, David! I’m so glad you’re finding a comfort level for you and your readers. Thanks for mentioning my post. Commenters went to town on this topic, didn’t they? We definitely are not alone!
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You’re right, Marcia. I normally get one to three comments on a post, but this seems to have stirred a bit more interest.
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My personal rule of thumb is I don’t post unless I have something important to say. I never blog or post a blog because someone tells me I should. There’s certainly something to be said for consistency however, I feel the respect for my audience is more important. My average varies but generally is about 1 – 4 per month. I also tend to write them in batches and schedule them in reasonable time frames. Many bloggers I’ve noticed are more interested in instant gratification than providing benefits to the reader. So I say, do what’s best for your audience in general. I’m sure all of them would rather see your next book than a blog post so you might consider putting your energy into that instead. Hope it helps! Good luck no matter what you decide. Now back to work. 🙂
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Thanks, Charity. Blogging is supposed to build platform for selling books, but mediocre blogs aren’t going to impress anyone.
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For me I can only get 1 or 2 blogs a week done. Not because I don’t have something to talk about but because its hard to sit down long enough to write it. I explore other blogs all the time, however, for me to stick around and read them, the topic needs to be of interest to me, and a lot of times there aren’t many that catch my eye. For certainty others feel the same about my blog. I can’t please the whole world, yet I can entertain a select few till I get better at it.
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Thanks, Mary. The theme of these comments seems to be quality trumps quantity.
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Offhandedly, I’d say to try two days. For me, the decision based on how much time I spend blogging (and doing blog related things) and how much that cuts into my writing time. Here’s why: I have the potential to actually get paid for writing fiction. The blog, while a great way for people to get a feel for me, does not have that potential. Just my two cents. Good luck!
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Thanks, Catie. I agree with you about blog vs WIP. And I’m waiting breathlessly for your first novel.
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I’m still really new at this and I also wonder how everyone manages to blog so often and read what everyone else writes! I only post to my writing blog twice a week – Wednesdays and Sundays. Gives me some breathing room between posts, but time! Where’s the time? I don’t read everyone on my list, but I do try and visit, see if I can connect to the blogger – make conversation, at least. I need to stay dedicated and focused on my writing, too. I can’t pitch a nonexistent novel!
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Can’t sell a nonexistent novel and can’t sell a novel without a platform of readers. Did anyone tell us this business of authorship was easy?
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David, I started blogging 5 days per week because I was in class and that was the essence of my blog. Then I was flying. But now, it has began a way of life… and I DON’T Have time to read all the blogs I want to. So… it’s taken over. Now I try to keep them short. I am contemplating cutting back. My problem is I love Monday motivation, and Friday Flyer. Then there is always something coming up. Even if I wasn’t blogging… that still wouldn’t give me time to read. What is the answer?
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Thanks, Karlene. I think this is one of those things we all have to answer for ourselves. It’s not one size fits all.
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