Earlier this year I decided my blog wasn’t working. I didn’t like the look of it. I didn’t like the plug ins, my photo, the header, or even the font. It was supposed to be an outlet to help and connect with other struggling writers.
But it was terrible. I was done.
I knew that I wasn’t a blogger.
Then I had a realization that cut me deeply. It wasn’t that my blog wasn’t working but that I was giving it as much thought and attention as I give my hair each morning. This was not the time to throw in the towel, it was time to go to blogging school and get back to work, if I so desired.
Back in March I stopped blogging and wrote on my new novel. When I needed a break I’d read books about blogging. I watched videos of the bloggers I admired and examined their websites. I looked to the pros and tried to take what they did each week and each month into consideration.
After much deliberation I knew it was time to pick a date. I was tired of not investing in my platform and the bloggers I enjoy connecting with. I set a date of August, and started on a rebuild.
The important thing I learned from this is that a casual attempt at anything will get the result it deserves. And even if I never get to where I want to be with a project, I want to be satisfied with my effort before I close the book.
Are you unsatisfied with the results you are getting with your blog, book, or career? If so, is it time to close the book and be satisfied with your efforts, or have you not really tried at all and it’s time to dig deeper?
PART-TIME NOVEL 
I went through similar emotions about a year ago. I was blogging intermittently. My sales were not doing so well and I was struggling with finding time to write. Somehow I realised that my blog encapsulated my love of writing and the life of writing and that I really should pay it better attention.
I revamped it and started a series on fantasy art, and even now I’m still brainstorming for ideas to enhance my blog, like introducing a series on indie writers in speculative fiction. Maybe use my blog like a journal and show more honesty to my readers. They seem to appreciate that. I have now a bunch of active projects which also stimulate my personal ambience, and having my blog forms a big part of that.
So, to add to your words above, never give up or in. Take stock, realign/revamp/recharge, but keep bearing forward, keep writing, keep blogging.
Thanks for a lovely post, Bob.
I remember that! You’re part of the reason I was thinking about what to do next. I love blogging and I watched you turn casual into commitment over that time. It was/is inspiring. I love reading authentic posts, I think that’s the key to an audience. People can spell a fake from a thousand m/km away.
I don’t know about your other readers but I’d love a series from you about your thought process around that time and how you’ve turned that into momentum and other projects.
On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 3:26 AM, Part-Time Novel wrote:
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Thank you, you’re too kind. I haven’t thought of writing a post about my decision to level up, but it is not a bad idea, thank you.
I am in that phase of finishing my next book and neglecting my blog. If you could recommend one book on blogging, what would it be?
Great question. I think the best person/book would be Michael Hyatt. His book Platform, get noticed in a busy world – is fantastic if you are looking for how to put together great content. That book and he has a few videos on his website and posts about blogging that are gold.
http://michaelhyatt.com/
Also, I have a post tomorrow about creating a blog recipe (this is his idea and I am sharing my own). That should help as well.
If you find anything else, please share!
On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 8:33 AM, Part-Time Novel wrote:
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