Friday, March 27, 2009

Why I don't blog more.

So I've gotten some grief for not posting in a month. I understand that. I suck. Ultimately, it takes me a hell of a long time to write up my thoughts on books - far more time than it did when I began this blog, and that is time I'm not spending reading or living. As I become a more critical reader, I become more exacting in what I expect of myself in my reviews here. I also must acknowledge that since I've gotten the new job (which happened in March '08) as a teen librarian, I've needed this outlet less. Not to mention that I blog and tweet for work and do teen stuff all day. Which, to be honest, burns my enthusiasm out a little.

This said, I am not abandoning the kidlitosphere (meaning the kid lit-centered blog world, for those of you who don't know the term). I'm just planning on staying unreliable. If I lose (or, um, have already lost) readers, well, so be it. I'll pop up when I have something to say.

I'd just rather live (away from the computer screen) than feel obligated to do something that used to be fun. I don't want blogging -or reading- to become an onerous duty - which is the way its been feeling in the last six months or so.

However, your comments are always so welcome. If I didn't receive any comments (or emails asking why I haven't posted in so long) I probably would have given up ages ago. I am continuing my role (actually, increasing a bit) with readergirlz and still plan to do the bi-yearly author interview event.

Also, if you are really wanting to hear more from me, get thyself on Twitter and follow me there. It's such a small little time committment, I find myself addicted. Probably because I can tweet from my phone.

7 comments:

Anne said...

Jackie, I totally hear you. I used to blog about books all the time, but then I found that I was getting a little burned out on it and that blogging was becoming a chore. I was still loving the books themselves, but blogging about them was leaving a bad taste (or a guilty taste in the case of the reviews I didn't get to give the time I wanted to) so I decided not to make myself meet any sort of self-imposed quota/deadline/etc.

Now I end up blogging about gardening more than anything else, and that's mostly a result of me using my blog as a place to organize my thoughts and ideas about the garden.

I still blog about books when the inspiration hits me but I'm not making myself meet any kind of standard - I gave myself permission to do whatever I feel like on the blog, so whatever mood I'm in, that's fine.

Anyway, I completely understand how you're feeling, and I say - don't cave to the pressure (even if it's flattering). You've gotta be happy and if that means the world has to meet you on Twitter/etc. instead, so be it! You still rock.

Anastasia Suen said...

If tweets could fill the blog instead of showing up on the sidebar- we'd be in business! (There's only so much time in the day!)

Little Willow said...

I'm always an email away! :)

Sarah Miller said...

As my grandma says, "Goodie for you!"

tanita✿davis said...

Simplicity is what I'm aiming for in life as well. I'm blogging less overall, even though I now have an author blog I try to update at least two or three days a week. I like what you're saying about reviewing; I think a more critical eye is a good thing.

As long as you're in my Reader, it doesn't matter WHEN you post; I'll always catch it. And though I think I have enough black holes sucking up my time, so I shan't join you on Twitter, I do like seeing you "around" on Facebook, etc., and occasionally, I'll even go old-school and EMAIL. *gasp!*

You can't get rid of me that easily.

holly cupala said...

I second Tanita: you can't get rid of me! Especially now that I know where you live. ;)

Jackie Parker said...

Thanks, everyone. You all rock the hardest of rock. ;)