Posted by Peg in South Carolina
I have noticed that for the past few months that the number of weaving posts on the blogs I subscribe to has been diminishing. I noticed as well that the number of returning weavers to my blog are less than half of what they had been.
At first I thought it was summer. But the drop does not seem to be reversing itself.
Then last week several bloggers (not all weavers) have written that they have decided to give up blogging, either entirely or for the immediate future. Why? Some had been blogging for a couple of years and decided they were tired, or had taught all they felt they could teach, or had too many other things they needed to do.
I’m in my third year of blogging. Is it time for me to stop? Have I said all that needs to be said? Stopping certainly would free up some time for me. Quite a bit of time, actually.
I let that roll around my head for awhile. Then I realized that I could not stop, even if my readership has dropped.
Writing this blog is where I do a lot my thinking. Or, to be more precise, writing this blog is where I continue and refine my thinking about what I am doing. Writing this blog is also where I solidify some of my skills. Writing this blog keeps me open to possibilities. Writing this blog is even where ideas come to me.
Last, but not least, I like writing this blog. Or at least it is the reason that keeps me writing even when I don’t feel like it (which is rare). Perhaps this is the most important reason to keep blogging?
I love to weave. I love to write. Both are all about process. And the writing reflects the process. And if the writing of it inspires even one weaver to engage or continue engaging in her own weaving journey, I would feel that to be of great value.
Related Post: Blog Writing
“Giving up Blogging?” was written by Margaret Carpenter for Talking about Weaving and was originally posted on September 16, 2009. ©2009 Margaret Carpenter aka Peg in South Carolina.
26 comments:
Can I just say "ditto"?
You have really captured what I have been feeling. My posts are no where near the depth of yours but writing/blogging keeps me focused and, I guess, honest.
Part of my problem has been my new found interest in spinning! but the wheel goes to my sister in a week.
Please keep blogging, Peg. I may not read thoroughly each of your posts immediately but some I come back to when I need them!
Thank you!
Well, 'to thine own self be true.' We all learn as you 'talk out loud' to yourself on this blog!
Summer in the northern hemisphere does tend to take a lot of us outdoors....so less weaving content for sure!
I've noticed that some folks have stopped blogging, but new weavers and new weaving blogs appear frequently too.
And it makes sense....each person has their own reasons for blogging - and those reasons change as people change and grow.
It's all good!
Sue
Peg, your weaving and thinking keeps me going ... even when I'm not at my looms, but spinning or knitting. "Only so many hours in the day", and many interests to pursue :)
Thank you for sharing your work with us, Amelia.
Peg, I've noticed the same thing. I use Google Reader to read blogs, and I've noticed the number of people posting has dropped dramatically on the blogs I subscribe to.
Personally, I've considered discontinuing blogging, but haven't done so. For me, I use my site to chronicle and document my progress and projects. The fact anyone would even read it, let alone comment, is an added extra. As someone who doesn't get many comments, I don't let that hinder my personal progress. I know (by my web reports) that there are MANY readers, but few comments.
Peg, I've always thought of your blogs as epitomizing what blogging is - a frequent snapshot of where one is in those shareable thoughts and preoccupations. 'Frequent' I think is the key to your blogging style, and that's welcomed by me who doesn't do this - I tend write summaries that are far to long and detailed! You always keep your blog succinct and focused on your craft. I read your blog because I know when the blog appears it is going to engage with the textile world I'm anxious to learn more about - and there's rarely anything off subject. Your continuing blog enables me to do that. I remain very grateful for this and for the fact that you archive your blogs by subject. I've still lots to catch up with . . . if you can, keep writing!
Fiber activities fall during the Summer, it will not be until after October that things start to pickup again. I like blogging, it too gets me thinking and focused. I like reading blog posts specially on process and troubleshooting. Love to find that the pros also have similar problems to the ones I encounter :)
I would just like to say please continue and ignore the trends! I am brand new to weaving, I have just discovered your blog. Reading about your creative process has been very interesting to me, and I hope you continue!
I personally read your blog frequently and for that matter alot of the other weaving blogs for knowledge and inspiration. I may not comment often, but I still visit. {hugs}
I agree with Dave - that fact that other folks are reading and leaving comments is a fantastic bonus, but for me that isn't the primary reason for blogging. In fact, having started with my weaving blog in 2007, I have since kept an entirely private blog of my masters research and now another one of my PhD research. It is a way to record my progress, my ideas, my frustrations, and completely for my own benefit. I wish I was able to blog as often about my weaving, but alas infrequent posts for me at the moment signal meagre progress! What the lifespan of my blog to date tells me is that this phase will pass, and there will be more posting in the future. In the meantime I am as avid a reader as ever.
Susan, thanks for reminded me about the "keeping me honest" bit! That's not unimportant.
Delighted Hands, "talking out loud" is basically what I'm doing. Thank you for coming up with the description.
Sue, yes, there are times for blogging and times for other things.
Amelia, thank you for sharing that my talking keeps you going in your own things. That is just what I hope for.
Dave, I'm glad you are continuing. I love following your spinning and dyeing, and I am really interested in how your weaving is beginning to develop.
Nigel, all I can say is thank you. Thank you.
Laritza, I'm hardly a pro, but thank you for think of me as one!
Lois, how delightful to find that a new weaver is enjoying all this blather I put out! Thank you for sharing this.
Deep End, hugs are always welcome!
Thank you, Cally. And I look forward to the day when you can post more frequently...on your weaving, that is!
OK, so what am I going to do if any of you who have commented stop blogging? I learn so much. Peg, Dave, Amelia, Bonnie, Leigh, Sandra ... OK I am addicted, I just counted 30 blogs. But each of you offer so much needed info and although I am not at your level yet, there is still hope that I and others will be because of you. Take that week off, or two or three but don't leave forever, I so miss the others who did. Your world of spinning and weaving is what helps me to keep my sanity intact and allows me to go to my job in that other world.
Charlotte, thank you for your comment. And the wonderful thing is that each of these blogs is unique. I'm glad we all do something to help you keep going in your weaving journey.
Hi Peg,
Just new to this conversation having been away... hope you find this comment.
Blogging has to be for 'you' primarily as when you started, who was here to read? ( okay besides family...) I find vocalizing what I'm doing, what I'd like to be doing seems to make it happen better than thinking only. Then to find an audience is attending means that you weave more... or be more productive with your time. Keeps you honest if you know what I mean.
So having said all this, you can have burn out too. Writers block and times when you simply don't want to do it. I set a goal of one post per week and I seem to average one very 5 days (until my holiday recently) I do try to keep to weaving but life intervenes and so I write about that too.
You have a deep passion for crackle and explore the depths of it well beyond my patience level! Are there other structures that you enjoy? Any weaving friends that you exchange with on a local level?
Please don't leave us in the lurch and keep on writing... I for one would miss you!
Susan
aw Peg, that would be a shame if you gave blogging away. I tend to catch up on blogs in binges- lately I have forgotten there is such a thing as blogs, then spend a few hours catching up! Anyway these things ebb and flow and I hope you keep going, we all get something from it!
Please don't give up. I keep learning from you via your posts.
Peg, every post I have written for about the last 18 months said everything I had to say, and I didn't know what I would write next, then suddenly I have an idea and the next post is written!!
I have been weaving again, at last(I got my floor loom warped after 9 months standing empty)and I have been taking photos, and actually do have about 3 posts planned, all weaving ;)
I think you know how hard it was for me to get through my period of illness, and of course it crossed my mind that I could just end my blog. It also crossed my mind that if I didn't write something every now and again my readers would all slip away, and so I had to break my rules and write personal stuff. I have kept blogging because I get excited about things and want to tell everyone!! I'd still do it, if only 2 or 3 people ever read my blog, after all, that's how I started, I'm sure there was just you and Leigh reading my blog at first. Thank you!!! You're a great blog friend.
By the way, I do read your blog more often than I comment, that's because all this crackle weaving is a bit mysterious to me. I come and read and look at your drafts or photos, and I think I'm slowly getting to understand better. I have learnt many things from your blog, and there's many things I am slowly getting to understand as I watch your work.
Susan, thank you for your thoughtful post. Yes, I do weave other structures. I wove twill towels for daughter--ck Nov.-Dec 2008 posts. I have woven handspun in a simple lace weave. I try to weave something non-crackle and relatively quick inbetween crackle projects, but don't always succeed.
No local weavers........sigh........ Actually, I no longer really mind that. I enjoy what am doing, including the blogging, which, as you reminded me, helps to keep me honest.
Taueret and Ellen, thank you for your comments.
Dorothy, I am so glad you are weaving and blogging again. And I understand the not-posting-comments bit. I do not comment nearly as frequently on other blogs as I used to. Partly it's that there are quite a few good blogs around. Partly it's that I'm often just too busy.....and not just with weaving!
Well, I don't make the blog rounds these days because we've been so busy with our new house. I haven't blogged as much about fiber stuff, so of course hits are down. But like you, my blog is first and foremost for myself, so I can relate to your way of thinking out loud.
I'm glad you'll keep the blog up though, because your writing is an excellent resource, even for those of us who don't keep up with it!
Thank you, Leigh. I know you are working hard on your new house and having fun doing it. But at some point you will be able to slow down and get back to fibery things.
I couldn't resist tossing in my 2 cents worth (although somewhat late). The response to your post must have heartening to you. It certainly inspired me. Since I have been on the road and over-busy, my posts have diminished but I am sure it is temporary. I think of my blog as "the spiral of creativity", and I know yours is the same for you. I plan to hang in there, and I know I will be able to count on you swirling around in the spiral. Thanks!
Bonnie, thank you for tossing in your 2-cents worth. Yes, you can count on me continuing to swirl in the creative spiral! And yes, I found the responses heartening and I am glad they inspired you.
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