When Blogging Turns Bad
There’s currently a ton of useful advice coming out of the Blagust Reborn Prep Week. Most of which is specifically aimed at those who are blogging or creating content for the first time. However, I want to touch on a subject that some may think is a little inappropriate to raise at this point in the proceedings. Especially in light of the fact that Blagust Reborn is supposed to be about nurturing and not discouraging. But I believe that there’s a lesson to be learned from the tale I’m about to tell. I think it would be wiser for new writers, podcasters and streamers to be cognisant of it now rather than stumble into it three of four years down the road. Because a percentage of those who start content creation this August will continue to do so and find some measure of success with it. Success is a relative term but irrespective of that it can come with its own set of problems.
There’s currently a ton of useful advice coming out of the Blagust Reborn Prep Week. Most of which is specifically aimed at those who are blogging or creating content for the first time. However, I want to touch on a subject that some may think is a little inappropriate to raise at this point in the proceedings. Especially in light of the fact that Blagust Reborn is supposed to be about nurturing and not discouraging. But I believe that there’s a lesson to be learned from the tale I’m about to tell. I think it would be wiser for new writers, podcasters and streamers to be cognisant of it now rather than stumble into it three of four years down the road. Because a percentage of those who start content creation this August will continue to do so and find some measure of success with it. Success is a relative term but irrespective of that it can come with its own set of problems.
I've been writing all my life. It's something I always enjoyed, especially at school. There used to be a time when I use to write particularly lurid fiction. I remember Mr Deacon, an US exchange teacher who worked at my senior school for a while, telling me to tone it down. But he also gave me a lot of encouragement and it stuck with me. Writing is like many other things in life is an ongoing process of self-improvement and refinement. And as I've gotten older, I've found great comfort in being able to express my thoughts clearly through written words. I love a well-conceived, clear and logical argument. I eschew bluster, hyperbole and showboating. The former is a thing of skill and beauty. The latter is the province of the tabloid hacks, snake-oil salesman and politicians. Such is the power of words and writing. Although my abilities confine me to the realms of blogging and the odd piece of freelance writing, expressing myself through writing is both a joy and an invaluable means of personal therapy.
I'm not one for twenty-twenty hindsight but if I knew what I know now etc. and could have my proverbial time again, I'd would've liked to have made a career of writing in some shape or form. That's not to say that I perceive myself as a frustrated writer because I'm not. I'm just saying that writing is a career path that I would have liked to have pursued. At fifty, and in light of my current circumstances, that is not an immediate option. However, writing online has provided a good alternative. Hence, I've been blogging in one way or another for over a decade. I do so mainly for myself, but I won't lie about the fact that it’s nice to have an audience. Furthermore, that audience has grown over the years. For most of that time, I have chosen to write on a daily basis so as you can imagine, a sizeable body of work has accrued as a result of that. That output has had a tangible impact upon such things as page ranking and gaining traffic. Over half of the daily traffic for Contains Moderate Peril comes from older content found via a Google search. The movie reviews are especially good for this.
However, writing regularly is challenging. It requires commitment, organisation and a degree of self-sacrifice. When I was self-employed, I was able to dedicate time to content creation that others could not accommodate within the rigours of a nine to five job and a family life. Now as carer, although I have a busy schedule, there is still time for writing, although it is not always at an optimal time. But producing content is still hard work and the risk of burnout and fatigue is a real risk. I've also written in the past about the sense of obligation a writer develops toward their audience. Rightly or wrongly I think writers sometimes misconstrue the schedule they have chosen for themselves as a yolk imposed upon them by others. It is patently not the case but when stressed it’s odd how one’s perspective can be skewed. Despite advising others to write whatever and however they wish to, I struggle to do this myself. I find myself always leaning towards lengthy posts and like to ensure that they are coherent and as well structured as they can be. Overall my persistence and output has been well received and between 2014 and 2015, Contains Moderate Peril gained sufficient traffic to have to move to an alternative hosting package that could cope with the traffic.
Of late, I’ve had to juggle my writing output due to changes in my life. There have been gaps on days when I’ve been busy with my parent’s care. As a result, I’ve done some long and serious thinking about my current writing habits and where the entire Contains Moderate Peril thing is going. I feel that I've created this little bespoke brand over the years and I need to figure what I should do next with it. It certainly needs some thought because at present it just isn't working out the way I want it to and at times find myself feeling frustrated my own creation. This is a ludicrous and erroneous outlook but it's a hard feeling to shake. So, I'm going to try and rethink my writing habits and long-term goals. I may also decide to focus on specifics subjects and stop some content. I may overhaul the site. I may create a completely new one if the fancy takes me. Podcasting is a tougher subject altogether, but I still have aspirations here as well. Blaugust Reborn is my chance to ponder on all these points and work out a strategy. Perhaps documenting this process may prove beneficial to myself and others.
I guess the overall point of this post is that there is scope for blogging, like any other pastime or leisure activity to grow and start filling that strange twilight zone between a hobby and a job. As I said earlier, it's important to have focus and fortitude, but you also need to listen to your feelings. Especially when they start to become negative. Do not allow yourself to lapse into a state of blogging by obligation or writing under duress. Stay focused about what it is that you want to achieve and then stick with it. If things don't work out, then change them. Every post does not have to be a Pulitzer prize winner. You are supposed to be expressing yourself rather than continuously competing with yourself. But most of all, don’t allow burnout to reach that critical mass that ends with you rage quitting and deleting your blog. I’ve been there and done that and it doesn’t solve the problem as well as you’d think. So work hard and enjoy your content creation but don’t let it get the better of you. After all, the tail does not wag the dog.
Dust Off Your Old Blog
It’s an old and all too familiar story. At some point, you thought “I know, let’s start a blog. I can write about the things that I enjoy and share my passion for river widening with others”. So you promptly went and opened up a free WordPress or Google Blogger account and jumped in feet first, without any semblance of a plan because who needs a plan, right? Then you quickly discovered that the witty epistles you hoped to write regularly were harder to produce than rocking horse droppings and finding time to write was proving hard; what with all the football on TV and the weekly meetings of the glee club. Plus, it also became apparent that something had gone horribly wrong with the internet and the CIA was obviously blocking your site content, because the army of fans you so righteously deserved had failed to manifest themselves. So you decided to pack it all in and instead try your hand at live streaming, because blogging is as good as dead (because Tobold said so) and you look really good in front of a camera (just remember to move the clothes horse out of shot first).
It’s an old and all too familiar story. At some point, you thought “I know, let’s start a blog. I can write about the things that I enjoy and share my passion for river widening with others”. So you promptly went and opened up a free WordPress or Google Blogger account and jumped in feet first, without any semblance of a plan because who needs a plan, right? Then you quickly discovered that the witty epistles you hoped to write regularly were harder to produce than rocking horse droppings and finding time to write was proving hard; what with all the football on TV and the weekly meetings of the glee club. Plus, it also became apparent that something had gone horribly wrong with the internet and the CIA was obviously blocking your site content, because the army of fans you so righteously deserved had failed to manifest themselves. So you decided to pack it all in and instead try your hand at live streaming, because blogging is as good as dead (because Tobold said so) and you look really good in front of a camera (just remember to move the clothes horse out of shot first).
Blaugust Reborn presents a perfect opportunity for lapsed bloggers to return to the fold and resume writing for the greater glory or humanity. Or at least for their own enjoyment and may be to be part of a wider community who have similar passions. As you are now older and wiser (because you are, aren’t you?) you realise that writing on a regular basis requires a degree of organisation and preparation. But the good news is that if you ensure that a few basic steps are in place, then you can embark of a blogging journey that should prove very enjoyable and rewarding. Now the following advice is mainly aimed at those who have previously blogged and have subsequently abandoned their respective sites. But the guidance here is also applicable to totally new bloggers. However, there is a lot more detailed information currently being collated over at the Blaugust Reborn Discord server that you may want to check out first if you are thinking of blogging, podcasting or creating content for the first time. I’m writing today to try and specifically coax those wayward ex-bloggers back online. Here are some ideas to consider.
Dust off your old blog. It is very tempting for returning bloggers to think to themselves “I don’t want to continue writing on my old site for [insert tortuous reason here]. I’d much rather start a new one”. The problem with this tactic is that you’ll then agonise over a witty, pithy blog name, what platform you should use and designing a slick logo. You’ll get bogged down with potentially unnecessary logistics, rather than applying yourself to writing. Joking aside, some people can sort all the above out really quickly, but for many budding writers (and I include myself in this group), if you provide us with any opportunity to procrastinate, then will take it and revel in it. For a large percentage of returning bloggers, it best not to invest too much time into the aesthetics and administrative aspects of your blog. Remember, you may ultimately not wish to or be able to sustain a writing schedule, so don’t waste time and money on new resources. Log into your old site, give it a bit of a spring clean and then get ready for the next stage.
Have some sort of plan. I like plans. So does Hannibal Smith. Having carried the can for major projects in the past that had substantial budgets, I’m a fully paid up exponent of the belt and braces school of thought. So I always tend to have a list of potential blog post ideas on the go. Some days I read what topics are doing the rounds on the various gaming websites. Other days I’ll just riff off something a fellow blogger has posted. Now everyone is different and not everyone likes or desires that level or organisation. That’s fine. Writing from the hip can be very effective when you’re fired up. But on those slow news days when the blogosphere is quietly turning over you may find your powder dry. So it doesn’t hurt to have a few ideas on standby. If you’re tackling a weightier subject or deciding to drop a major think piece than ensure you have done sufficient research. Some folk like to start with bullet points that they then flesh out into relevant paragraphs. There are lots of options and it’s down to you to find what’s right for you. Just bear in mind that it often helps to have thought about what your going to write before you do so.
Something is better than nothing. It’s your blog, so write as much or as little as you want. More to the point, write what you feel is enough. If you can make your point or collate your thoughts in one paragraph, then fair enough. Don’t feel obliged to bulk out your posts to some nebulous preconceived size. Filler stands out a mile and there’s nothing worse than “people who give vent to their loquacity by extraneous bombastic circumlocution” to quote Monty Python and highlight my point. Microblogging is a thing and it can work well. A quick post about how a boss fight went in an MMO last night can connect just as well with readers as a detailed analysis of the fight mechanics themselves. Don’t feel obliged to try and be Harper Lee, Suetonius or Roger Hargreaves. Your blog is about you and is your presence online. It therefore follows suite that it is done in a manner which pleases you. Readers who like 2,000-word, in-depth think pieces also like screenshots and posts about cosmetic items. It should also be noted that sometimes it is the most trivial and disposable posts that you make which prove to be the most popular. After a decade plus of writing online my most read post (which is no longer available) was a review of Top Cat: The Movie.
Write when you can and because you want to. In the past I have maintained a daily writing schedule and been happy to do so. However, my personal circumstances have changed over time and I’ve finally realised that not posting to my blog every day is not a personal failing or a crime against humanity. Therefore, do not impose an unrealistic writing regime upon yourself. Pick a time which is good for you and affords you the chance to think and martial your thoughts. Do not write because you feel obliged too. This will make you feel resentful about blogging and will often result in inferior work. Yes, there is an element of self-discipline when it comes to writing and there are times when you may have to shut the door and focus on the task in hand, but it should never be an insufferable burden. If you are in a suitably motivated state of mind, and writing in a comfortable environment conducive to writing, then you’re far more likely to produce material that you’re proud of and that will chime with readers. For those who choose to join the Blaugust Reborn Discord server, you’ll find an invaluable source of support and encouragement there to keep you motivated and thus writing.
I could add another half a dozen or so additional points to this list of advice for returning bloggers, but I believe the above are possibly the most essential. To summarise rekindle your old site, plan a few posts or jot down some ideas of where you want to go with your writing. Then write what you can and post whenever it is convenient. A happy and motivated blogger is in prime position to become an established and regular blogger. I should also point out that although the above advice references a gaming related blog, it is just as relevant to those writing about Etruscan pottery or the birds that gather on Mrs Coletart’s roof. The essential principles espoused here are also pertinent to podcasting, You Tubing (is that even a proper phrase? Answers on a postcard please) or any other form of online content creation really. Taking those initial steps back do not have to be as difficult and daunting as some would have you believe.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 4
Spending time in the company of others who have similar interests and passions can be an invaluable shot in the arm and a great source of motivation. For example, I recently joined a Facebook group associated with The Evolution of Horror Podcast. It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to pick over the bones of a movie such as The Wicker Man and explore its finer points. You don’t have to adjust your level of conversation for fear of boring people, or dial back your enthusiasm due to concerns of being labelled a nerd or fanboy. Finding these online havens where you feel comfortable are invaluable, regardless of whether your passion is sport, knitting, Lepidoptery or Phrenology. Remember this point. I shall be returning to it shortly.
Spending time in the company of others who have similar interests and passions can be an invaluable shot in the arm and a great source of motivation. For example, I recently joined a Facebook group associated with The Evolution of Horror Podcast. It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to pick over the bones of a movie such as The Wicker Man and explore its finer points. You don’t have to adjust your level of conversation for fear of boring people, or dial back your enthusiasm due to concerns of being labelled a nerd or fanboy. Finding these online havens where you feel comfortable are invaluable, regardless of whether your passion is sport, knitting, Lepidoptery or Phrenology. Remember this point. I shall be returning to it shortly.
Those who are familiar with my writing, will know that I’m a firm advocate of blogging, podcasting and other forms of online content creation. Such undertakings touch upon so many positive things. Learning new skills, personal improvement, sharing ideas, building communities and making friends. Content creation can also bring a degree of self-discipline, provide a means to navigate the complexities of day-to-day life, as well as help rationalise and collate one thoughts and opinions. However, despite all these advantageous aspects, sometimes just taking the first step on some new project can be a major obstacle. Similarly, it is very common for bloggers, streamers and the like to run out of momentum after an initial burst of spontaneity and motivation. I should know, as I’m really struggling with my writing schedule at present.
We’ll here’s some good news. Returning to my initial point, it appears that someone has grasped the nettle and decided to run an event to help bring together and motivate new and existing online content creators. Belghast from Tales of the Aggronaut will be running Blaugust Reborn throughout the month of August. An event that encompasses all the best aspects of the Newbie Blogger Initiative and his own Blaugust writing festival. The aims of this event are simple; to encourage people to take that first step into online content creation, nurture them, as well as share resources, pass on advice and welcome people in an existing community, thus reinvigorating it. Some veteran bloggers will be acting as mentors. Others (such as myself) will be creating bespoke material and supporting things via this blog. There’s also the obligatory Discord channel which allows participants to stay in touch and access useful links and material. Throughout the month there’ll be creative prompts and activities.
I am very pleased that an event of this kind has returned and am happy to be part of it. I’m hoping I can round up a few folks and may be record a bespoke podcast of some kind. But most of all, I’m looking forward to reading new blog posts and watching new streamers. There’s nothing more catching than enthusiasm and watching someone do something that they thought was going to be so hard, only to find out that it was actually not so bad and even fun. I also think that it is especially important in these troubling times to keep the art of writing alive. Furthermore, this forthcoming Blaugust Reborn event has broadened its scope and isn’t limiting itself to merely encouraging game related content. The skills required to create online material remain the same, irrespective of what you are a fan of. So why not take the plunge and join in with Blaugust Reborn? See you over at the Discord server.