I had to laugh when I read Maria Schneider’s three rules of what “NOT” to do when you blog. Lately I have been breaking these rules, folks. There’s just no gettin’ around it.
Here’s her (paraphrased) rules and my boring, apologetic, complaints about them:
1. Don’t tell people up front they are going to be bored by your post.
I am assuming you’ll be bored when you read this post. I’m bored writing it. I should be in bed. I got up at 6:30am, people – after less than 6 hours of sleep… and it is nearly midnight… again. Not sure if I’m suffering from a massive case of blog block, or what? I wrote a post about that recently as well… something along the lines of “It is so hard to blog and do school in the summer”. There I go – complaining again (see #3). I don’t think I’ve ever come this close to considering taking a long break from blogging… but I have to admit that the thought has occurred to me lately that I may not recover from my funk in time to keep a weekly string of posts up. If you have read anything from Pro bloggers about blogging when you are bored – you’ll know they say NOT to do it. Content is king, cyber-friends. So WHY are you reading still? Boredom must love company like misery does. Maybe Maria is wrong about boredom-filled posts after all.
2. Don’t make excuses or stammer in your posts.
Well… umm… I … Uh… can’t help making excuses sometimes. At least, uh, lately, anyway. Making excuses is something I seem to be able to do with style. I surprise myself in the middle of them, even! I tell the entire blogosphere about how busy I am – when I know you are all just as busy. How very unfair of me. No one likes a complainer. Will you ever forgive me?
Is making excuses allowable if you’re as extra-real-busy as you say you are? Surely it counts as legit in a post written while you are in a crazed A.D.D. fit and you are causing your own busyness? And what if you can’t tell the difference between being really busy and just needing therapy?
3. Don’t announce a whine-fest.
Oops. I did that, too. Up there before #1. Yeah, told ya I was a rebel. I kind of like warnings if someone is going to complain about something, though… because then you don’t have to waste time reading the rest of the post or the blog – so it is actually a big time saver. Although you’ll probably never get this tip if you stopped reading up there before #1. Maybe she should change her #3 to say this “Don’t put anything IMPORTANT in your post AFTER announcing a complaint session”.
Now there. I feel better. I was fretting about skipping a few days again and Maria gave me something to blog about. I’m fresh out of interesting stuff, peeps. She warns us against publishing every mundane thought… but she doesn’t tell you what to do if all you HAVE is mundane thoughts.
So pray for me to get my groove back if you are still hangin’ in there reading this blog fodder. Or maybe I should hire a guest author for the rest of the summer? Maybe my groove is somewhere on that family vacation we’ll be taking in early July? I’ll be sure to look for it there. In the mean time, I promise to try and quit writing when I am bored.
And I’ll have some cheese with my whine.
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Buzz Words: Writing, Complaining, Blogging, Tips, Writers, Humor, Funny, Bored, Life, Personal, Random, Funk
JoAnn says
I completely understand the “I don’t know what to write about” thought, especially for a homeschool related blog published by a homeschool that takes the summer off. What do you talk about all summer?
Fortunately, I also talk about stuff to do in the area and since there’s lots to do in the summer, I’ll at least have that to blog about. But, in between those days…
I hope you find your way out of bordem and writer’s block soon.
Fiddledeedee (It Coulda' Been Worse) says
Oh no. I learned the hard way, NEVER pray for blog fodder. That’s when stuff starts blowing up, or is set ablaze, or projectile vomit enters the fray. I’m just sayin’. 🙂
Luke says
I think that blogging is much more about getting to know people than following proper “blog etiquette”.
So, it’s perfectly fine to stammer in posts… we, we need to be able to show ourselves as human, even if we use a preposition to end our sentences with [smile].
~Luke
Robin @ Heart of Wisdom says
hmm…this might be a boring answer but um…opps sorry for the stammer…I thought a blog was a Whine List? Maybe not???
😉
“…what if you can’t tell the difference between being really busy and just needing therapy?”
I don’t know the answer, do you?tp://
Ann says
I think we all have times when we NEED to whine and complain and sometimes out blogging friends are the only ones that will listen! Keep it up….I’ll keep reading…
Sprittibee says
Joann – 😉 I’m not really a homeschool blog. Well… sometimes I am, sometimes I’m not. I’m just me.
My tagline: “Christian wife, homeschool mom, Native Texan, Blog enthusiast… come enjoy the buzz!”
I post about a lot of freaky stuff that has nothing to do with homeschooling. My latest gardening and wildflower stint is evidence of such. Thanks for the well wishes! 🙂
DeeDee – I’m SO done with projectile vomiting, baby. Had the t-shirt, threw it away. That is totally 6 years ago. However, I’ve been having one of those really gnarly years with homeschooling – so I will watch what I hope for in the way of blog fodder. Those standardized tests are coming up. I’m shakin’ in my boots this year at slacker-elementary.
Luke – I dropped a comment at your blog, but I totally agree with you on the “getting to know your friendly blogger” thing. I love seeing people being transparent and real… even if their grammar and spelling aren’t “all that”.
Robin – You have reason to whine, sweetie. I do not. I have heard that those who need therapy don’t think they need it… and those that say they do need it really don’t. I fall in to both categories, I think. I’ll have to ask myself to make sure.
Ann – Thank Jesus for blogging friends, hu?! Especially those that drive to come and see you! So when will you be in my area next? 😉
jennifer in OR says
But if you break all the rules with humor and style, then it’s all good, right? You’re just fine.
My Boaz's Ruth says
Maybe your groove is gone because it is time to focus on something else for a while. I’d miss you terribly. But it would not be good for you to continue when you are not supposed to.
MrsD/Jacque says
Finding stuff to blog about is like the weather in Indiana… stick around for awhile,and it will change.
Honestly, so what. So you don’t feel like blogging right now. Quit trying so hard. We just want to hear about your life, your kids and your opinion. You are going to have those whether you wax eloquent or not. So, just do it.
You don’t have to come up with the latest and greatest, because, well, life will provide enough as it is. Blog some goofy pictures of yourself. Let Morgan guest blog some. I have some really cool ones, if you like! 😉
Or, hey… what about that great momma of yours? It intrigued me that she has some piano students in your area and how God has provided for her. I know it is just everyday life for you, but that is what great stories are made of!
Or you can always regale us with her “Meeting Roy Rogers” story. 🙂
Or just go on sabbatical for awhile. Just expect us all to email you and see how and what you are up to. Might as well blog it, huh?
Love you sister!
Lisa Quing says
Maria forgot to mention another “not to do” – don’t say “Wow, it’s been a long time since I posted” and then don’t post again for 6 months. lol
Truly, though, if blog entries are interesting and compelling in some way, it doesn’t matter if you whine, make excuses, or what. People won’t be bored then!
http://cornerstonehomelearning.blogspot.com/
toni says
Just keep on writing and I’ll keep on reading. 😉