I often read columns on the Poynter Institute website, among them “Chip On My Shoulder: Inspiration & practical advice from Chip Scanlan, other writing coaches & fellow journalists” Chip’s latest column is about blogging and he has enumerated seven reasons why he does it. I, too, like the freedom and diversity. And yes, it is also a great marketing device. But I think one must resist the urge to sell too much, too often, too hard, especially with respect to one’s own wares. Connecting readers to the wares of others, however, is one of the best things about blogs, at least to me as a blog reader.
The pressure to post daily (at least weekdays) can be a bit intense, and it has proven to be a double-edged sword for me. The downside is the pressure itself, which sometimes seems to freeze my brain. But the upside wins out: I am writing more, composing faster, and seeing some improvement in my own skills. Chip’s point about lower standards is also well-taken, providing you read the whole paragraph; he’s not saying that freedom = immunity.
The scariest line in his piece is this:
“Like most writers, I harbor the dream that an agent or publisher may see commercial possibilities in my work.”
If he, who I look up to and believe to be “successful” already, is hoping to be discovered, what chance is there for me? I might as well hang it up, pack it in, and move on down the line. Not that I would (hang it up, that is), I’m way too stubborn.
P.S. Chip’s blog is called The Mechanic and The Muse.