May
Burnout and Blogging: A Quandary, and A Reader Opportunity
Hello QRW readers and fans. As you may have noticed, I’ve been a little lax over the last week with my posting. Sure, I’ve got a few big deadlines that are grabbing my attention and energy. Sure, I’ve been feverishly cleaning up the new joint for our first boarder, a dear friend from out of town that’s in for the week. Sure, I’ve got a nasty cold that has now settled square in the chest, causing those deeply painful and desperately unsexy hacking coughs.
But really, those are all excuses. I’m burned out. 
As I’ve argued over the last few months, there is no limit or strictures on creativity and output. So burned out is not a really accurate term. I haven’t exhausted my supply of words and ideas like a gas pump that’s dry, or a match that’s curled and black. Rather, it’s the process of writing that’s got me down. I’m in that ugly stage where my daily work makes me cringe and I seek out anything (even cleaning toilets) to do instead.
“Burnout” isn’t unique to writing. I think we’re especially susceptible to it, along with other creative professionals, because our daily schedule has a minimum of busy work, those activities that require a minimum of thinking and creating. Plus, freelancers are vulnerable to it because of the lack of boundaries. Working can continue all day every day if we allow it, and actual unplugged vacations often take a backseat to the driving need to keep those bank accounts solvent.
But everyone’s got to get it. And I’ve got it. Blergh.
As a result, this blogging endeavor of mine is in danger of suffering. When I committed to this blog, I wanted a space where I could express myself in ways that my paying work doesn’t always allow. I wanted an area where I could entertain and stimulate with a bit of rebellious views. I wanted a little corner of the blogosphere for my very own, where I could build up a community of friends and followers with similar issues and thoughts. And holy crap: it worked.
But with my little funk of sorts, blogging doesn’t seem as enticing. And that’s a problem. I didn’t work my butt off over the last few months to let it die in the face of lethargy. I want QRW to live and thrive and grow.
So what I do? As you faithful readers will know, I tackle it like other problems and concerns. Sure, cold calling makes me run screaming into the night (or day, depending on the sun’s position), but not much else can defeat me, dammit. It’s all about perspective, and thinking about things in different ways. I’ve been brainstorming lately, coming up with ideas to improve this here blog, to hone my methods of producing it, to fix some holes, and to get it in front of more coolass readers like you.
So why does this matter to you? A few months ago, I did my blog planning in a vacuum. Now I’ve got real live readers, with needs and desires and things that make them go hmm. I’ve got ideas for ways to enhance this blog and ways to get excited about it, and now I’ve got people to run them by. Sweet!
Want to be heard? Want to direct the QRW in new directions for your edification and amusement? Want to help kick burnout in the nether regions? Here’s what you can do. I’ve got questions; you’ve got thoughts and answers. Leave them in a comment below, or email me directly at amy [at] amylillard [dot] com. It’s that simple, and that fun. In return, you’ll get content more geared towards your desires, and you’ll get some shout-outs here to boot.
Here we go:
1. What posts do you value most at QRW? What posts can you do without?
- Creative Kick (weekly bouts of inspiring writing)
- Freelance Frenzy (thoughts on freelancing conundrums, including intimidation, weight gain, screwing up, and more)
- Marketing Maven (instruction and experiences in the wacky world of marketing freelance services)
- Publishing Aspirations (tales and advice in seeking novel publication)
- Word Porn (heh heh heh)
- Rants (when the QRW lets loose, and all cower in fear)
- Writers Who Matter (semi-regular pieces on writers who kick ass)
- Lassoed Links (weekly link love)
2. The QRW is considering using weekly themes, series of topics that can be examined through a general Freelance Frenzy view, a Marketing view, and a Publishing view. Here are some suggested themes:
- Giving Up: When to Throw Up Your Hands and Quit
- Going it Alone versus Getting Support
- Why Borders Are for Suckers: International Rules for Freelancers
What topics/themes would you like to see covered, with the QRW’s unique blend of exposition and entertaining tartness?
3. What is about the QRW that keeps you coming back?
4. What design changes would be helpful to you, the readers?
- Most Popular Posts sidebar
- A summary at the beginning of each post
- Comment Luv option
- Podcasts
- Archive enhancement
- Other
5. No question here. Just a spot for you to riff. Go for it - tell me what you’re thinking. Or issue your own challenge. It’s good stuff.
In conclusion, thanks. Thanks for reading through this. Thanks for submitting your thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to read and enjoy QRW. You rock.
Okay, the thought of one of my favorite bloggers going to the wayside is disheartening. You’re part of the community of bloggers that help keep me going, but, looking at you’re archive dates, you’re at the critical hump. That’s completely normal - and with everything going on, it’s normal to start letting this languish. Normal, but so not cool.
I’ve learned that it’s hard for your readers to answer what they want to see more of, especially when the content you write is driven by your own enthusiasm. We can write the worst posts on the best themes when we’re not inspired, or write the best off-topic posts when we are. It’s one of the reasons we may not be able to help - we want to see the QRW in her full witty, ranty, smart vigor - but if she’s waning from that, anything she writes will suffer.
That said, I think weekly themes may be the way for you to go with a combination of writing less frequently. Burnout happens a lot when you feel like you have to write every day, but when you’re motivated to write about something, can get it out by preposting, and the pressure’s off, more ideas begin to flow. In short, it becomes less work and more fun. I’ve found that it actually helps with traffic and readership - the post quality tends to be higher because you’re not just trying to get the post out for the day. Your mileage may vary.
Since I’m one of your lead disciples, I will begin a motivation/harassment campaign. We like what you do, and your voice is a fresh, needed perspective in the blogosphere. As a fellow blogger that’s been at it a while - and has been through several humps actually - I encourage you to stick with it - but perhaps slow down a bit.
Sorry for the longish comment. Emails, tweets, and other shenanigans will follow.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:53 am@Charlie - You rock. So hard. I so much appreciate the time and thought you put in here. And I’m not considering abandoning this here blog. In fact, when I began to realize that what I was feeling was a bit of burnout, I decided to write this post both as a motivation and to share the feeling with my receptive readers. I felt this was probably something others shared. And you confirmed that.
Very good to know that you and others I respect have been through humps and weathered them. And I value the advice you give. And I blush at the compliments. Ah, shucks
Thanks again, Charlie.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:41 am@ Amy: Yes, I’m hijacking…
On March 7th, I asked my readers why they subscribed, and I said that, among other things, I would answer a similar request when they asked. You were the only reader that answered - I have always remembered that. Every time I have needed feedback, or a friend, you have been there.
So yeah, it was my turn to help - but it’s also an immense pleasure. I’m also glad that you feel you can turn to us (your readers) when you need a boost - blogging is a social thing, so it makes sense to share the good and the not so good with us.
Perhaps I’ve been a bit misleading - I come here everyday for the great stuff you write, but also because I’ve come to value our relationship.
I’ll stop writing before I get teary eyed and receive a Chicago-postmarked restraint order.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:46 amI agree with Charlie that taking a thematic approach to blogging might take the pressure off, enabling you to organize and plan your blogs in advance and preventing the syndrome of trying to top yourself, sort of like “I’m only as good as my last blog” kind of thing.
Maybe you should consider blogging once a week rather than five days a week. I can’t imagine the pressure to coming up with a blog topic every single day. I couldn’t do it.
As far as blogs I’d like to read: I’m always interested in your tips for and experiences in getting and keeping business. You blog about marketing, particularly your response to my questions about postcards, was very helpful to me. I also share your opinion of cold calls. I’d rather suck the equity from my house than make a cold call, which, by the way, ranks 14th on the list of communicator marketing tactics. So, it must not work too well.
I’m also interested in grammar and composition topics. So, you’re thoughts on how you approach writing a trade magazine article, for instance, how you research and organize information, what makes one article better than another — down to nitty gritty issues — like how you think a paragraph should read, would greatly interest me. Share with us what you’ve learned at UofI and the Iowa Writers Workshop and if/how that influences client work.
That’s my two cents, probably more like four. I hope you recover from your burnout to keep blogging!
May 8th, 2008 at 12:53 pmI just want QRW to keep appearing in my new posts list! I’m not picky.
I tagged you for a meme… http://rpgcentric.com/blog/?p=29
May 8th, 2008 at 3:07 pmI subscribed to you blog by email for a reason. I look forward to the updates. Your blog is on my must read list. It’s ok to have a mini burnout. I have them all the time. Just splash some water on the flames and keep on typing.
Your not a quitter. Looking forward to the next update.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:17 am@Sherree, Sandie and Mark - thanks for the thoughts and the encouragement! And I’ll be back as snarky and (hopefully) informative as ever either today or Monday. So glad to have you as readers and members of this here community.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:18 am