“Das Schlaraffenland” – Pieter Bruegel the Elder |
It’s been over five years since blogs really exploded into the public consciousness, fueled by the rising popularity of WordPress and Blogger, which vastly simplified the process of creating places on the Internet where anyone could easily share their thoughts.
And dare I say people seem to be getting tired?
Natalie Whipple and J.A. Konrath were the latest to express blog fatigue, joining countless others who have gone on temporary or permanent hiatus.
For some it’s the negativity that comes with putting yourself out there. Some people have run out of ideas. Some people have taken a look at the cost/benefit and decided it wasn’t worth it. And some just forget to post.
I’m sure it hasn’t escaped the notice of regular blog readers that the posting on this blog has grown, well, a bit more sporadic. After posting every weekday for nearly five years, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to keep up that pace.
For me it’s not about running out of ideas or the occasional negativity (though that can be a drag), it’s just a time crunch.
It’s always been a balancing act to juggle busy day jobs, writing books, and blogging, but what’s really changed for me is that I made a very conscious decision to get out more. To spend more time with friends and people and exploring and finding a better balance in my life.
So if I’m hanging out with friends Thursday night there’s no This Week in Books on Friday. If I have a busy weekend it might be until Tuesday that I get a post up. I’ve chosen to make that tradeoff
Sorry about that! I care a lot about this blog and all of the readers, and I’m not good at letting some things slide. And this blog isn’t going anywhere any time soon. I hope you’ll stick around.
What do you think? Are you seeing more blog fatigue? Have you experienced it yourself?
Vera Soroka says
I think it is very hard for writers to get noticed in the vast ocean of blogs. I can see people getting tired of it. How does one get noticed and have time to write?
Transforming Seminarian says
It's reassuring to know that it's not just me. I started my blog about six and a half years ago. Once upon a time, I looked at my blog as a way to maintain the discipline of writing. I would post on a regular schedule (I started out daily, but I think that moved to my more or less current three-days-a-week schedule inside or a year or so), and would try to make sure to post something on schedule, no matter how "dry" I felt, because I know enough that keeping up the discipline of writing is important.
Nowadays, that's shifted somewhat. I still think that the discipline is important, but the fact is that it's getting harder and harder to maintain, especially in light of some life events that have commanded my time. It used to be that some of those life events, themselves, would provide fodder for writing, but it's getting to be increasingly the case that these events involve other people–people who might not appreciate my sharing stories that aren't entirely my own.
Like you, I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet. But with so few incentives outside of myself to keep going, I can't make any promises how long that state of affairs will continue.
Jeff Adair says
Who needs to blog anymore? That's so last decade…
Maya says
Hi Nathan,
I think it's a really smart move to balance your life more. You need that social interaction to keep going. After all, you can't be a writer if you've nothing to write about!
That said, I love your blog and am really sad when your "This Week in Publishing" is not there. I agree with Mira that cutting back to M,W,F may help you out. If you want to maintain your audience though, I would try to stick to some schedule, because it's not very satisfying to come to the site, expect a post to be there based on what we're used to, and find it not there. (And I'm not an RSS type of person — it's too easy to oversubscribe.)
Good luck in figuring out what the best balance is for you!
Jacqueline Windh says
Yup, totally agree… but to me, especially, the fatigue is about reading so many blogs. The internet is so flooded with content.I don't have the time in my life to read people's blogs just because I "should" because they are my friend, or to be nice to them, or because they read mine. I would like to have the time to do that – but I don't.
So what can I expect about people reading mine? I need readers to come across me in the first place. And then deliver enough value in my content that they come back, in the midst of all of the choices out there. It is really tough… if everyone is supposed to have a blog, and also read blogs too.
And same for commenting…. too much content. I am comment number 50-something. I wonder if anyoe is even going to read it?
The way the internet is now, it really comes down to quantity and not quality. And all that quantity means that it is virtually impossible to find the stuff that is of quality.
Munk says
Blog fatigue, yes.
Books are more interesting.
Reflections says
I think many of us are fatigue by the world's pace, not just by blogging. And for each of us, we must find a balance that works well in our little worlds. Blogging is a great adventure and I have met many wonderful people here, including you. It's all about what works best for each in our own way that keeps this all so fresh, so inspirational for those that read us. Thanks for sharing and opening this topic for the many to be able to voice these concerns of letting others down.
Anonymous says
Agree with Maya. Like the blog, but sucks to come here and no post. Check again. No post. Check again. No post. Appreciate if there were regular days.
The Desert Rocks says
I agree that there seems to be a definite waning of blog readers who have found time to do other things–necessary things, maybe life sustaining things like jobs. Good for them and maybe bad for me. I love my readers and my blog feels like a personal, almost unadvertised connection to friends. Which reminds me maybe I should go outside and go for a bike ride!
hopshackles says
I think Blog will keep on existing, especially with the advent of iPad and convenient touch screen, netbooks that allow for easy reading – it's something else out there to read and browse through alongside magazines, newspapers, news sites, FB, e-books, etc, etc.
Quality of quantity rings true here methinks. Unless you're a pop culture blog that relies on everyday trends and fads, I think blog readers will prefer reading when you have something to say, versus 'fluff'.
(Not that fluff is bad of course. In small doses, fluff is fab!)
NB: My captcha word is "solymed" which sort of reminded me of "Soylent Green", which, again, is perhaps apt to fluff and blogs.
Polenth says
Not really. I knew if I blogged every day, I'd quickly burn out. So I aimed to post once a week with no set schedule (so if I missed a week, it wasn't a big deal). The result is I can take breaks when I need to, without it shattering any reader expectations. And I don't feel fatigued.
Some did criticise my decision to start out posting less often, but years down the road, I'm still blogging… some of them aren't or had to cut back.
Anonymous says
If you have nothing to blog about, don’t. I now only read about 5% of the blogs I used to. Most of it is just noise.
Sarah says
If I'm having a particularly busy work week, I won't blog or if I think I might skip more than one or two posts, I'll let my readers know of a temporary hiatus. Otherwise, I'm the same as you when it comes to balance. I don't want to put out posts that are half-finished or not well-written just for the sake of maintaining a schedule.
(PS: I only blog 3 times a week & sometimes can't even manage it. I am in awe that you're able to write such detailed posts everyday!)
Jesse says
I've been in full blow "blog fatigue" for a while. I really wonder if anyone is reading anyway.
reader says
Frankly, many bloggers should quit, but hang on. With many of them, what once felt fun and inventive, now just feels old. No one's that interesting 24/7 that I feel I'm missing out. Blogging takes time. Eventually real life has to take over and you've got to live instead of just blogging about it.
My exceptions: I check out your blog once a week (as in, today). Also, I read Reality Steve's comic blog on the trash TV show "The Bachelor." And I read Jay Mohr's comic blog about the show "Real Housewives of New Jersey." I don't even watch the shows, just read the blogs. That's my pop culture/ridiculous TV for the week, and then I'm over it.
Aimée Beatrice Jodoin says
I have definitely experienced this myself, but I made some changes to my blog to accommodate my schedule and abilities.
jesse says
For me, if I'm in full write or edit mode, I don't usually have much left for blogging. On the whole, the novelty seems to have worn off.
Jenny Phresh says
Yes, a lot among my writer friends–many have grown weary and feel that the blog takes away from their actual writing. It can be a big time-suck. I try to use it when I need to let off some steam or am stuck on another writing project. I can't see giving it up…not yet.
Roger Floyd says
No, I haven't had the dubious pleasure of blog fatigue. It sounds like writer's block, an excuse to not write. I never set out to blog every day. I knew from the beginning (about a year and a half ago) that I couldn't do that, not so much for lack of ideas but that I had other writing to do. I'm still going strong, and I still blog weekly (weakly?) If you don't believe me, check out my blog. On the other hand, I wonder if readers are feeling a sort of fatigue about having to read all these blogs. There are so many out there, I can't keep up. I have all I can do to write, query, revise, brainstorm ideas, etc.
Anonymous says
your question is somewhat loaded because the nature of this blog has, by the nature of it being a reflection of your life, work, ambitions, has shifted.
NB is bookmarked on my browser, & I check in, but for different reasons than when I first started, not totally dissimilar to yours.
The general fading of blogs … I wonder if the nature of them (and I find myself responding not to your post – did I read the whole thing? already can't remember – but the question … hahah, and no one will read this comment) is big out of the gate interest, with a generally slowing. Some, like the millions, hold my interest, the difference being, while they may have been curated by one person, they're not the specific expression of that person.
What you offered, and continue to offer, IMO, is a curatorial value – within days, if not that day, I'll check into read the round-up. You seem to have an intuitive sense of ferreting out links that congeal around an issue, or something of the moment. Even if I've already read a lot on the topic (the LGBTQ "discrimination" bru-ha-ha which turned out to be something different than initially believed {I think}), you always give another dimension.
And, you turned me onto Sarah la Polla's blog which I spent hours going through until 3 a.m. over the weekend. Deep in her archives, I found a post about self-publishing, another about the 90's, about YA, … point being, it's the provocation to find other perspectives that is a blog's genius.
Speaking of which, why haven't you linked that NYTimes piece about your former employer, Curtis Brown, partnering with Perseus on the Argo self-pub model, and the value of an agent's curatorial function?
And good luck with finding balance .. it's so clear to anyone who ever hauled them out of a small town that you're an overachiever (<<written with affection)
Ida says
I started my website this past July in conjunction with the publication (self-publication) of my first children's novel. There is information about the book and photographs of the setting and a little information about me. Although the website has provision for a blog I haven't activated this.
Some of the comments others have made echo my thoughts. Others, more experienced and knowledgable, have written about the writing and publishing process. I am a private person so I wouldn't feel comfortable writing about my personal life. Anyway, who, besides my family and friends, cares what I am making for dinner or where I am going on my next vacation?
I have updated the website once with new photographs and plan to do this whenever something relevant arises. Of course, information about the sequel, when it nears publication will be added!
Marilyn Peake says
Glad your blog will be sticking around. And good for you that you're adding more fun time to your life! Enjoy!
Renee Collins says
I've moved to Twitter, for the most part. It's SO. MUCH. EASIER. And much more effective for networking, I've found.
I'll keep my blog around as more of a website function. An occasional post for announcements, or when I really have something on my mind, something I feel is truly worth adding to the noise online.
That said, my years of regular blogging were not a waste. I met my amazing writer friends and critique partners that way. So it was totally worth all the hassle. 🙂
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Wow, I completely missed that news!
readingkidsbooks says
I've been blogging for 5 years and yes, sometimes it can be a bit much. In the past I've had several blogs, but have concluded that the only way I can keep this up is if I do it, when I have the time, and when the fancy strikes me. I may lose some readers, but that's ok. Blogging is about being connected with the larger world, and as long as I still feel that, I'll keep posting, and reading.
D.G. Hudson says
I suspect the bloggers that are experiencing blog fatigue try to keep to a daily schedule.
The value of leaving a post up a little longer is that it is likely to be seen by more visitors than if the post has to be found on the sidebar. A few blogs that I've followed have closed shop, so I have had to update my blog links.
Perhaps these people have come to realize they need 'Self' time. I posted about that a few days ago on one of my blogs if you're interested:
https://dghudson.blogspot.com/2011/10/duty-vs-self-finding-time.html
I'll continue to follow this blog, Nathan, since you make it worthwhile. Keep it up, at your own pace.
Anonymous says
surely you jest …
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/business/media/perseus-creates-new-service-for-authors-seeking-to-self-publish.html
Jan Cline says
I have struggled with this for some time. It's just not that high on my priority list, but I try to keep at it. I know many writers who think of it as a necessary evil. There just doesnt seem to be enough time to do it all.
Good post…thank you.
Nathan Bransford says
I'm not and don't call me Shirley.
Guess that works better verbally. Thanks, anon!
Carol Riggs says
I've certainly noticed it with others' blogs. I purposely only post once a week for that very reason (time constraints, and I want to have time to WRITE!). And I still struggle sometimes to make that simple deadline.
Please don't apologize, Nathan! Just post weekly (less?) or sporadically, and have a life along with your blog. 🙂 If ALL bloggers would pare down to once or twice a week, we'd all have more time because there'd be fewer posts to read!
Creart says
BLOG FATIgUE; (adv) symptom that appears of too much writing and little time "living". (Hit the streets more and less the keyboard in order to recharge your blogging batteries! Yay!
Roslyn Rice says
Blogging can be overwhelming and I'm blessed to share the responsibility with my twin sister.
But when you take a hiatus a loyal reader will send you an email that says, "Hey where have you been?" and you realize what a difference your organic words mean to other people.
Hang tough!
Natalie says
What about blog reader fatigue? I follow several blogs that I really enjoy but I can't keep up with reading all of them every day. So frankly, I'm okay with bloggers who post maybe 3 times a week instead of daily.
Less really can be more.
Betty Atkins Dominguez says
I write less and less on my blog, didn't know there was a name for it though. Now I'll just tell readers I have blog fatigue.
Annie says
I definitely have blog fatigue. Plenty of ideas, less time to write them. I'd rather write one good blog post a week and give myself to work on other things, rather than blog daily.
I agree with the blog reader fatigue that Lisa D mentioned, too.
Roni Loren says
I have been noticing this as well, both personally and with friends. I've been blogging for two years on writing and also started an author blog (for non-writing topics) after I got a book deal a year ago. So it's a lot. I love blogging, but now with working on deadlines and maintaining a presence on other social sites, it does become overwhelming at times.
I also definitely have blog reading fatigue. My reader now goes ignored. I pretty much only click over to posts that catch my eye on Twitter.
I'm wondering if many are going to start migrating over to places like Tumblr where you can "microblog" and not put forth a lot of time.
John Mahogany says
I just started writing a blog and I have a virtual world business. This week I went with my wife to our local lake and I just sat there and stared at the water and the sky and the birds that I really love (was a birder) and I thought to myself "what the gosh darned heck happened". I am spending my days and nights mentally wired to a computer–OMG–I'm a Borg! So the lake spoke to me with its reflections and shining examples of bluebird beauty and I knew that somewhere I had taken a wrong turn. I, like you, will continue to write but, you know, there is a really nice oxygen filled life out there to breathe full of good old vitamin D sun shininess. Hear that squeaky sound? that's me going out to the back yard to be with my family–no computers, iphone, ipads, gameboys, pa's allowed. 'nuff said.
Anonymous says
I hope you're not getting too fatigued, Nathan. You have a lot of talent and you connect with people in ways most bloggers can't. You have "it." I think people came here originally because you were an agent. But they remained because they like what you do. Don't underestimate yourself.
Kristin Laughtin says
I've definitely experienced it, even though I only post once or twice a week. I'm balancing a full-time job, grad school, and still trying to write, and my mental energy is drained enough as it is.
Where I've really noticed myself falling behind, though, is trying to follow blogs with many posts. I've had to become a lot more selective simply because I don't have the time to read, digest, and occasionally contribute a comment, and it gets worse if there are 3-4 unread posts per blog sitting in my reader. You're interesting and yours haven't been too bad, and you deserve the break and I won't mind if you decrease your frequency!
Chazz says
It's not so much fatigue as it is strategy and time crunch for me. I blogged for over a year daily about writing. Recently I started a second blog that's more for readers (reviews, new releases, backstage and behind the scenes with my publishing venture etc.,…) I scaled back on daily blogging. That much might have been overwhelming for some subscribers anyway.
Now I blog three times a week, but use Scoopit as a daily alternative. It's a quick aggregator so I'm still providing valuable content (on reading and writing fiction) but it doesn't take up near so much time as writing a blog post. Now that I'm writing full-time and publishing two books, I have much less time to write posts. However, people are sticking around, so it's working for them and for me.
Anonymous says
Judging by the amount of people reading and commenting on your blog: No, there's room for the good ones.
Natalie Aguirre says
I've noticed people blogging less too. Personally I prefer when people don't blog daily because it's too hard to keep up with. I try to be a good friend and support everyone. But sometimes it feels like a job that takes too much time. And you're right, personal interaction with friends and family is important.
Adam Heine says
I do occasionally get low on ideas, but I still love blogging. The community and the readership (that I can occasionally use for my own purposes) is worth it.
That said, I don't know how anybody posts 5 days a week. To me, that's both crazy and unnecessary. I fully support you backing off a bit, Nathan.
Ann Best says
As commenter #2 said, there are soooo many (I add "good") blogs out there. You just can't keep up with all of them. Just after I signed a book contract way back in December of 2009, I tried to blog at least 5 times a week. I kept this up for over a year (gasp). At my age (71) this is now too much, especially as I'm still caregiver to my disabled daughter, I still have to/want to promote my book, and I've challenged myself to get two short works self-published for Christmas. And like you, Nathan, I believe there is life out there beyond blogging: people I like to see occasionally, a movie to watch, a friend to help.
Blogging well is time-consuming and can be exhausting, and addictive. So, as blogger fatigue recently threatened, I took Anne R. Allen's advice and dropped to posting once a week. It has saved my life! I'll pick up speed a bit, but not every day, when I put out my next two stories.
By the comments, I see that this is a topic that is close to many, many bloggers' hearts!
I know I and others would miss you if you went totally MIA. But I think what you're doing is wise! Enjoy!!
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
Jan O'Hara (Tartitude) says
It's harder to find new subject matter or a fresh spin on the old, but I think it's more than that. Now that the stigma about self-publishing has dwindled, it seems many people are writing extra-book content for that paying market. It makes sense.
From the perspective of the reader, it's easier to consume, underline and store ebooks on writing than content in their inboxes. From the perspective of the writer, even at $2.99 a book, they've gained invaluable self-publishing experience and a bit of money for what they previously wrote off as free.
So I think it's a combo: blog-writing fatigue, blog-reading fatigue, and excitement about a new form of communication.
momslifeponderings says
You used to post every weekday? No wonder you're tired! (I'm a new follower.) I've gone from postng twice a week to just once…and I've only been blogging for a couple of months. It is tough to keep up with work, friends, family, life…and the blogs (those I read and the one I write.) I really enjoy yours – so keep blogging!
Gael McCarte says
The thing that depeletes my enthusiasm in a lack of response. I might get hundreds of hits, 1 or 2 likes and no comments. We write to be read and if only the headline is read what is it worth? It is a hugh sink hole. There are so many blogs, so much to choose from.
TeresaR says
Another timely post! I've been blogging for about 7 years now…never with the regularity that you've been doing your blog, of course, although at times, I've run 3-4 blogs concurrently. I'm definitely experiencing blog fatigue. Being a compulsive answerer (if someone comments on my blog, I will always answer back), I recently disabled the comments function to give myself a break.
I agree with all those who mentioned blog reading fatigue too (and about blog-saturation).
Ultimately, no one lives or dies by blogs. If a blog is as excellent as yours is, there will always be readers no matter how long of a break you take, so take as many breaks as you like!
Ada says
Yeah, I think blog fatigue is inevitable. Blogging really is a job and since it's a mostly unpaid job, you might as well balance it with the life you want to lead.
marion says
Good for you, Nathan. I'm glad you're taking more time for yourself. I can't imagine how you find the time to do everything.
As for me–definitely blog fatigued. And I'm not even that consistent. Less consistent as time goes on because of:
1. A dearth of comments. I set up the blog to accept comments from everyone, but I know of 2 specific technical reasons which I have no control over that mean that people often can't comment. And they don't know why. So then they get fatigued & frustrated because they can't interact, which is what blogging's all about.
[The reasons are disabled cookies (I'm told), and being currently logged in at an e-mail address which is not the same as your own personal blog e-mail.]
2. Self-revelation fatigue. I try to keep my blog a little personal and quirky, so it's interesting. But it's tiring putting YOURSELF out there all the time, to a faceless public.
3. Other commitments. I'm getting heavily into revision now. That has to be the focus, not the blog.
4. A catch 22 that no-one talks about. They say a successful blog is an important stepping-stone to getting published. BUT nobody–almost nobody–wants to read your blog unless you're already published and they like your book(s). Unless you're an agent/editor or very clever or very lucky.
Thanks, Nathan, for helping me figure this out!