"Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, former Baron of Gorlan in the Kingdom of Araluen, looked out over his bleak, rainswept domain and, for perhaps the thousandth time, cursed."
Where is this quote from?
The answer is at the bottom of this post.
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Taking time off of blogging is scary. Here are just a few scary questions that have popped up for me this summer:
What if all my blog buddies lose interest and run away?
(Will my bloggy domain become bleak like Morgarath's?)
(Will my bloggy domain become bleak like Morgarath's?)
What if my books stop selling because I'm not a "social media presence?"
(Uh oh, will I fade into the outskirts like the villain Morgarath - forgotten and disdained?)
(Uh oh, will I fade into the outskirts like the villain Morgarath - forgotten and disdained?)
Wait . . .
I actually have answers.
I still love bloggers who take vacations, and I still buy books by authors who have little social media presence.
(And, I am not the villain. Or, at least I don't think I am. Does Morgarath know he's the villain?)
(And, I am not the villain. Or, at least I don't think I am. Does Morgarath know he's the villain?)
Maybe taking a vacation or a series of short vacations is good. Maybe I'll create better content. Maybe . . . I'll get more book projects finished. Maybe I'll have energy for that book blog tour I hope to do in October. Hint: I'm looking for tour spots tentatively between October 2nd and October 16th- anyone interested? It's for Champion's Destiny. Please, pretty please, send me an e-mail (tyreantigger@gmail.com) or write interest in such things in the comments below.
But, here's the super scary part: I won't be able to post for IWSG in August. I'm not sure I can survive without my monthly IWSG fix.
Have you ever taken significant time off from your blog? More than once? In chunks of time? Over most of the summer? If so, how did it affect you?
I really need your insights.
Finally . . . I'm excited to be a part of Realms Faire, coming in November! Sign up for events now!
But, here's the super scary part: I won't be able to post for IWSG in August. I'm not sure I can survive without my monthly IWSG fix.
Have you ever taken significant time off from your blog? More than once? In chunks of time? Over most of the summer? If so, how did it affect you?
I really need your insights.
I'll be back for guest posts with Tara Tyler on Friday, LG Keltner on the 10th, and Misha Gericke on the 22nd!!! Don't miss out on these awesome authors!!!
And, did you know that you can get an IWSG T-Shirt? Check it out here.
And, I'm donating my author proceeds from Summer Vacation Devotions to Peace Rehabilitation Center of Nepal to fight human trafficking; fun, family devotions for a fight against some of the real evil in our world.
Finally . . . I'm excited to be a part of Realms Faire, coming in November! Sign up for events now!
I'll be hosting The Hero's Dilemma this year - each day, I'll post a 100 word cliff-hanger. Contestants will enter to win prizes by finishing the story in three sentences or less. Answers in poetic form grants the contestants an extra entry!
The quote is from The Ruins of Gorlan, Ranger's Apprentice Series Book 1 by John Flanagan and it's in the villain's perspective.
BTW, the Ranger's Apprentice series is a family favorite series - everyone reads these books as soon as they get in the house - my husband (who doesn't read often), my daughters, my parents (they live next door), and me. If you like MG and YA fantasy with more of an action-adventure focus, this is a series you will love.
61 comments:
I was scared to take a break just for a week but sometimes you have to do it. You know what's best for you. And we'll all still be here when you get back!
Those are scary questions, but the one about people losing interest is the scariest!
I like taking a couple of weeks off after Christmas. I recently took off a few weeks for a hand injury. Friends always come back. I've known many authors take off entire summers. Never once have I heard them lament that they lost friends and followers. Since they do this yearly, I'm going to assume it's never affected them.
I miss pre-internet days when we weren't so dependent on being seen. Authors back then concentrated on their next book. Sadly, there's no going back now.
Yep, these scary thoughts do come frequently. We just have to handle them with a calm assurance :)
I was worried about a lot of the same things when I took a big chunk of time off in April. But everything worked out fine! :)
As a blog reader, I like when a blogger says he or she is taking a break because then I know it's not that they abandoned their blog. This way, I can look forward to their return.
I had blogger burnout a few years ago and took some time off. It did take some time to crank things back up again, but I found my passion once more.
I've had those same fears in the past. But honestly, the blogosphere doesn't go anywhere. you may have a few buds who will change during your break. For the most part, though, they remain.
I've never taken more than a week off from blogging and even then I visited other blogs though I didn't post on mine. Sometimes I wonder if I could just twitter and not blog at all but I would miss my blogging friends.
Susan Says
Thanks, Sarah!
Yes, it is!
Sometimes you just have to do what feels right. If taking a vacation from blogging is necessary, do it. It may take time to rebuild but you can do it.
Best wishes,
Diane IWSG #99
I take short breaks but I know being gone too long will have an affect on everything.
I can host you October 5!
Vacation is healthy for you, so if you need one, take it. You'll create better content, and your blog will be here waiting when your ready to come back. When I've taken breaks in the past, what I'll do is write a few short blog posts, and schedule them to auto-post. That way it's like I'm actually posting :-)
As for Morgarath, every one is the hero of their own story :-)
Breaks are good. Take one if you need it :)
Taking breaks is necessary. I had your same fears, but honestly, sometimes it can't be helped. A happy, contented blogger is better than an angry frustrated blogger any old day!
I haven't taken a long break from blogging, but taking time away from the internet can be rejuvenating! Enjoy your break, and I'm sure you'll get loads done. :)
I took a break recently. In fact, I'm still slowly gaining momentum to get back to normal. I admit, it takes some effort to get the traffic back to the blog, but I've been happily surprised at how many people just showed up after I said hello. It's nice to feel loved, eh?
I am taking more time off this summer because I see everyone doing it and it is a good way to get refreshed. I'm taking almost the whole month of August off. I think everyone understands if you tell them and let them know when you will be back. And then, of course, come back. So just enjoy your break.
And I can't host you, but I could shout about about your book in Follower News if you send me the info.
That's true - friends always come back! :)
Thanks, Rachna! :)
Good to know, Madline!
And I agree, it's nice to know in advance. I'll have a few guests this month and then I'll have a "see you in so many weeks" post before I'm off-line.
Good to hear, Diane! Thanks!
That's true. Thanks, SA!
I would miss my blogging friends, too. :)
I've only taken very short breaks. What worked for me when I wanted a whole month off was to set up guest posts, which it looks like you are doing. If you have any other holes to fill, let me know. I'd be happy to spell you for a post, and bet other followers would, too.
Enjoy your time off. I'm sure your followers will all still be there, your web presence will still be known, and you'll feel fresher and more relaxed when you return.
It's good to take breaks. It's no fun to try to slog through blogging if you don't have the time and/or energy. And it sounds like you'll need those for your release and tour. I hope you enjoy this time off and it's fruitful for your writing!
Enjoy your break and summer! I know we will all still be here when you return. :)
And your Realms Faire badge/event is fantastic!
Hi,
I constantly take breaks from my blogs because I am revising my first book, and I don't feel bad about it at all. I used to, but I had to work through that bad feeling and get over it. At this particulate moment, I am so into revision, that I haven't posted on my blog that I present in the A to Z Blog Challenge since the challenge was over.
I read a lot of good blogs and so I am trying to visit some of those blogs and build a relationship and finish my book.
Shalom,
Patricia
Well, as you know, I had to take a break from all media in February... an unplanned one. My sales tanked during that time. I blame not being on Twitter for it. I don't think blogging breaks have much to do with it, but then again, not blogging effects my Twitter. Shrug. But you'll be fine. And your badge turned out spectacular.
Thanks, Alex!!! :)
I think if you need time off from your blog, take a month off. It gives you time to breath. You'll find yourself wanting to read other people's blogs because you are worried you are missing out, but you don't have to comment. It's a bit freeing. I've never gotten upset about a blogger who took a blogaction. I have reached out when a blogger just disappeared....
I won't be gone super long, but at the same time I don't want to auto-post. I think that has some negative affects if I can't visit those who have visited my blog.
Thanks, Michelle!
So very true, Elizabeth!
Very true. Well . . . actually, I'll be around to visit with guest posts and I'll be writing and then vacationing. :)
It is! Thanks for the encouragement, Crystal!
Yes, the coming back part is good. :)
And thanks, I'll do that. :)
Thanks, Laurel - I may take you up on that. :)
Thanks, Jenni!
Thanks, Julie!!!
That sounds like a wise plan!
Thanks, M!
I'm definitely not disappearing . . . just taking some time out after mid/late July to mid/late August.
I haven't taken many breaks from blogging, but then again, I don't blog on a schedule, so I blog in drips and drabs. But blogging takes away from writing time sometimes and you can't do everything at once! Breaks are good. You need to recharge!
I don't think I've taken more than a week's break since I started my blog over a year ago. I worry about the same questions you asked. But you're right. I don't drop bloggers just because they don't post for a while, and I don't buy books based on the author's social media presence. Most of the time, I don't even know if the author has a social media presence. Enjoy your time away and recharge.
I'd be happy to host you for your blog tour. Just e-mail me at lmaclaug82@gmail.com.
And my son loves Ranger's Apprentice books. He's read them all more than once.
I took April off! Actually, the A to Z challenge stresses me out, so I decided that'd be a good time for a break, especially when I had a lot of stuff to do for my family. I don't really worry about it. I don't sell many books anyways, and I blog because it's what I want to do, not because I have to do it. Enjoy your break!
About 2 years back, I took a blog break and then found it really difficult to get back into the blogging groove. I think the break was far too long.
Maybe the trick is to blog in moderation, and not suffer blog 'burn-out syndrome', as opposed to a non-stop, hectic blogging schedule.
The only everyday blogging should be the April A-to-Z Challenge.
Just a thought.
Sometimes I think drips and drabs type blogging is best, and yes, it does take away from writing time. :)
Thanks, Lori!!
I like your attitude, Loni! I don't think I garner many book sales from my blog and I generally blog because I just enjoy it.
Thanks for your thoughts, Michelle!
I take breaks from my blog mainly when I am depressed over my writing, or when I am too sick to do much of anything. So the idea of taking a break on purpose kind of scares me. But I wouldn't worry so much about scaling back, writing shorter & easier blog posts, and not so many days in the week. So I'd still have a break, without ceasing to be a presence. Of course, I also have a 'controversial' Facebook page that has to be tended daily or the stalkers take over so I might as well do a little on the blogging front while I am online.
http://myantimatterlife.wordpress.com
They always say regularity is the key to a successful blog so it's terrifying. But just pushing through when you're burned out makes for mediocre content. It's a risk\reward thing but scary.
I'm thankful that I haven't had too many problems with stalkers/spammers.
Very true. :)
relax and enjoy your vacation, sweetie! and thanks for hosting me! how could we forget about you! It all seems so imminent to us, but in the grand scheme, it all works out, right?
i only post once a week and i still get lots of comments, probably more! i miss several bloggers who aren't posting anymore and would love to see how they're doing. the old addage is true - absence makes the heart grow fonder, so don't worry!
I have those same terrifying questions about taking a blogging break. I haven't been able to take very long ones. Then again I don't have many followers to miss me. Just a few hardcore ones. Whom I love!! :)
It's definitely scary to take a blogging break. I took two, one this time last year (during which I wrote my book basically), and one early this year. Both were long breaks - we're talking a good few months! I don't think it hurt my blog in the long run. Once I started up again it took a little time to let people know I was out there again, but I don't think people mind, and things are fully back on track now. It's important to disconnect sometimes!
I've been more of a sporadic blogger anyway but I know my devoted followers will be still there. Sickness and life gets in the way for the most part. Love the guest post idea.
Lisa@
justlittlecajunme.blogspot.com
I've never taken a blog break but if I was I would have scheduled posts and guest bloggers to fill the gap then your readers wont get bored
Popping by on the A to Z Road Trip
Debbie
www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
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