Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre and Pat Garcia.
Let's turn to this month's IWSG question, which is leading us down memory lane: How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?
I've been blogging since October 2011, so I guess that makes me some kind of veteran, I suppose? In those days, the received wisdom was that if you were a writer, you had to blog. I still think that's true, and I'd always recommend it as a good way to flex your writing muscles and establish a writing habit. Now, the overwhelming message is that a writer has to be on TikTok, Instagram, or any one of several newer contenders that seem to spring up all the time. (I've been trying BlueSky but have yet to really find a groove on there.) All of these have their merits as well as their drawbacks. But I have always been more comfortable with longer form text rather than snippets and videos. Blogging gave us endless opportunities to take part in blog hops, writing challenges, contests and get invaluable feedback from peers. It seemed like you could do a different challenge every month if you wanted. Now most of these have fallen by the wayside, leaving just the old warhorses such as our esteemed IWSG and the excellent A-Z Challenge to stand as sentinels. (Who is doing A-Z this year? I keep meaning to get back involved - maybe next time.) I'm glad these are still going because I still don't think there's another community that offers connections like blogging can. In terms of how it's changed, I think many newer authors still probably write posts as a section on their website but I'm not sure how involved they are with the community at large. It doesn't have the same importance attached. The other platforms are perhaps more reader-facing, but for the camaraderie and support of other writers (which we all need), blogging can't be beaten. I'm really glad IWSG is still here because it keeps my blog alive!
I really enjoyed last week's IWSGPit. Although I missed out on getting industry likes, I did get some brilliant responses and feedback on my pitches and made new connections, which is certainly a boost. Today I'm trying my hand at #QuestPit, which is new to me, but seems like a lot of fun. If you'd like to find out more and get involved, there are details to be found here.
How do you feel about the state of blogging today? Read more answers as always at the list here. Are you taking part in #QuestPit?
19 comments:
Glad you got some feedback from #IWSGPit.
The camaraderie is what's still so important with blogging. You can't get that elsewhere.
I am a fan of long form writing too. I just can't connect to the hiccup nature of X and the like. Call me a war horse. I'll take it as a compliment!
I'm a veteran like you. I started blogging in 2011 too. And did so for the same reason you did. I so agree with you that nothing beats blogging for connecting with a writing community. I wish more writers realized this.
This question brought up some many memories of the early days, and the connections.
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PS: My blog post have moved to https://iamhrsinclair.com/blog
Support is just as important as some writers don't get it at home or anywhere else.
Hi Nick, I am a blogging veteran like you too. I completely forgot about IWSGPit.
My blogs ARE my website. I have no books to sell. Yet! I agree with you, Nick. There is always something new that a writer "should" be on. But it's impossible to be on everything. And I agree. Connections like blogging can be so rewarding. All best to you, sir!
I hope the #IWSGPit can continue. You've mentioned reasons it should.
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/
I didn't think of that, but it's true that blogging is way more of a writer social media than anything else. I'm on Bluesky, too (@ZiziRho.bsky.social). I do way more reading and scrolling than posting, though.
I miss the old days of the platform-building campaigns and blog awards. I never could see the benefit of blogging daily for a month and hid during A-Z. LOL But I know a lot of bloggers enjoy it, so know, every April, I will be saluting you all with my glass of iced tea from my hidey hole.
Best of luck with your writing.
I appreciate blogging too, Nick. I've tried FaceBook and Instagram, but I can't get in a regular groove with them. I'm going to stick with blogging and the IWSG for as long as I can. Enjoy today!
It is much easier to connect with fellow writers on a platform that involves actual writing, like a blog, than with a few characters like X. I'm obviously doing A to Z again.
In addition to supporting long-form writing, blogging has another advantage over social media: we have much more control over our content and platform. Social media sites change their algorithms all the time, prioritizing some content over other. And they can disable your account for any reason or no reason, and poof! Goodbye platform. But that's much less likely to happen with our blogs.
That said, I'll follow you on BlueSky since I'm on there too. I haven't done much with it yet, but I'm there.
You are a veteran. And I am a warhorse too!! I still love blogging and don't plan to quit anytime soon. Good luck with all you have going on. The heck with tik tok and all of that, though I might get on Instagram (if I give in and get a smart phone) as "they" insist a writer must to promote themselves.
I hope QuestPit went well for you. I haven't heard of the A-Z Challenge. I'm going to have to check it out. Hope your writing goes well!
I really enjoyed the April Blogging from A to Z challenge, too. I met so many writers that way and found it fascinating at all the various themes they came up with. I wonder if it's still popular?
I loved blogging when I first started with all the blog hops etc that you mention - a great way to get to know other writers and have visitors to my blog and share info and feel not so alone in my writing endeavours.
As my writing increased, I had less time. Now I blog once (trying for twice) a month, which is far less than it used to be.
I will always stay with IWSG. They've been with me since 2011. though I don't post as often as I used to. Guess life always changes.
I miss blog hops and all the stuff we used to do. I made some great friends as a result and still talk to quite a few, but without those things, making new friends through blogging just doesn't happen anymore.
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