Hello my friends! It’s IWSG Day, the first Wednesday of the month. This is the day we post our thoughts, talk about our doubts and fears and discuss our struggles and triumphs. We are thrilled to offer words of encouragement to all our fellow writers because that’s our purpose.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the April 3rd posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia!
Each month we have an optional question so here it is:
April 3 question – How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?
I started blogging in 2007. It was a secret blog until a friend outed me, but I eventually got past being a “shy blogger” and loved it. In 2015 I left my comfortable blogging home and came here. I guess I got burnt out because I was blogging often, about writing, family, and I loved the A to Z challenge. I can say I was a faithful blogger even doing some book reviews. I also had a regular feature called Louisiana Saturday Night where I interviewed Louisiana authors. I haven’t felt that motivated here at my WordPress home. Not sure why. Maybe it feels a little too fancy. Honestly, I don’t know. I’d love to blog a couple of times a week but I just don’t feel motivated to do it. Any ideas?
I don’t know how long I’ve been on Facebook or Instagram or X (Twitter) but I consider those platforms enemy territory. Too many strangers with foul mouths and hateful dispositions. Here, on my own little plot of real estate (as some call it) I figure if you want to know my thoughts you can pop in whenever you want, but on FB or Twitter, it’s a different story. I guess I’m still pretty much a “shy blogger.”
Then again, I’m not shy in my imagination. I imagine myself hosting podcasts, interviewing all kinds of creative people. Even teaching something fun on my very own YouTube channel. Speaking at wonderful writers’ conferences. Isn’t it funny how we can live in our head? Just call me Walter Mitty, but aren’t we all to a certain extent?
Tonight my daughter asked me if I’d like to learn to quilt, and I answered that I wanted to know how to quilt, not learn. I think that might be where I am right now. I want to do a lot of things, but I don’t really want to learn how.
At this point in my life, I need to do what I already know how to do, like write—not take on new challenges.
I admit, there are things we DO have to learn on a daily basis: ever changing technology, all the different changes in social media, new iPhones as well as things that keep our publishers and editors and agents happy. That’s about all I can keep up with.
Where are you at this point in your life? What are you learning these days?
Jess, I love the concept of life-long learning. I want to learn something, anything, new every day, even if it’s a little thing. McNeese has a program where seniors (age 60+) can take one class tuition-free per semester. I am currently on my 3rd art history class and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Up next? Maybe a poetry class. Dance? There’s no end to the things we can learn. Keeps us sharp, right!
Me too, Angie. I used to preach it all the time. Now? My brain feels so full. But, I might check into that tuition free thing. Any class? Of course, I want to be exempt from any testing! 🙂
After 19 years, I’ve gone through many seasons of blogging burnout. I think once I get through my busy in-person season and only have one more DLP release later this year, I’ll feel like adding more to my blog than I do.
Diane, You were one of my followers on my old blog. I always appreciated your encouragement.
I’ve definitely burned out on blogging. I’m taking a (probably permanent) break. Writing and publishing take a lot of time, and I need to trim where I can.
I do like learning knew things too – knowing them is even better!
Jemi, writing and publishing certainly does take a lot of time. There’s so many moving parts! There are so many expectations from other people who are part of the process.
Jess, yes, any class, at least I think so, and it is tuition free but there are some small fees. And you are just like a regular student, so yes, I do take notes, study, and take the tests. I guess it doesn’t matter if you fail the class, as long as you learn something.
Mmmm, I don’t have a problem taking notes since I do that even when I’m talking on the phone. Tests. A different story. 🙁
Interesting. It may also explain whyI’ve been hesitant to learn more now. I’m content doing the things I already enjoy- most took a long time to perfect. I’m not against some new- if I see a real value to my daily enjoyment. Thanks for the thoughtful post. Happy writing!
Happy writing to you, Miffie! Thanks for popping in.
By the time I understand it, it changes. Again! The mental stress of creating new stories can exhaust me. And I’m terrified of marketing.
But I like to give myself new physical challenges; like, hiking a trail, cannonballing into glacial waters, or trying to cross-country ski. Stay strong in 2024!
Victoria, After all these years I’m just now getting a handle on Scrivener, mainly because I never took the time to try to learn it. Writing is my main passion. I’m not a hiker (maybe a neighborhood stroller) and I’m certainly not going to cannonball in glacial waters or cross-country ski — but I do play bean bag baseball and bowl. The extent of my physical challenges. 🙂 Thanks for visiting and reading and commenting!
Jessica I am some what of a walter mitty. I do imagine
myself as an adventurous person.
My life is as regular as anyone else’s.
I’m neither a writer, or one that blogs.
Learning new ideas, hobbies, and skills does interest me.
I learned just now about 60+ seniors being able to take a class per semester at McNeese. I didn’t know that.
Interesting! You and Hubby can take a class together. We’re going to check it out. Thanks for leaving a comment, David. 🙂 Oh! I disagree … you ARE a writer. You write.
I resonate so deeply with this post! I understand what you’re saying — there are so many things I’d love to try and be able to do, but the thought of investing time and effort into actually learning how to do them is just exhausting. Even the things I already know how to do can be challenging! But I think I need to adopt a learning, growing mindset — after all, it’s never too late to pick up new skills!
I wish you lived in my town. We could learn new things together and encourage each other over coffee. 🙂
I chuckled at your comment about wanting to do a lot of things but not wanting to learn how to do them, Jessica. I come from a long line of quilters, lacemakers, knitters, rugmakers, any fabric art. I was terrible at them all, too ADHD. I wanted to. do them, but gave up at the reality of actually trying to learn them. I’m at the point in my life where I’ve finally realized I can’t do everything, and I’m concentrating on a few things that I enjoy most. I never could get beyond those things I enjoyed the most, so really, I’ve just stopped being frustrated and upset because I can’t do it all. Sounds pretty dumb, doesn’t it ~ lol! I’m a Walter Mitty too, and I live in my head way too much. It sounds like you have a lot to keep up with. Good luck and happy writing!
Loved your comment, Louise. I’ve heard that ADHD strikes in old age too. This week I found myself looking at how to create Junk Journals on YouTube, then in the next fifteen minutes I was watching painting videos. I do want to do it all!
Jessica,
You hit the nail on the head for me when you mentioned there were many things you wanted to know how to do but did not want to learn! I never knew how to phrase my desire but now I do!!
Kris! Thanks for visiting my blog. Miss seeing you on Tuesday nights.
I also loved doing the April Blogging from A to Z challenge. Keep doing what motivates you and sends you in the direction you want to go with writing and your creative life.
Hi Mary, and your Play Off the Page makes me want to write a play. 🙂
I posted every day for a decade or so, then it was just like meh. I still enjoy it here and there, but yeah, not what it used to be. We have to learn new things indeed, but it sure would just be nice to know many a thing.
Pat, we’re on the same page! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.