The other day I read a blog post by another writer entitled “Author Blogging: You’re Doing it Wrong” and it got me thinking. The author shared her own thoughts about an “author platform” and how blogging isn’t the best way for a fiction writer to sell books. She claims the real benefits are networking with other writers and honing your craft. 

I think she’s right. 

I thought about this whole idea of blogging and why exactly I did jump on the bandwagon. When the-novel-whose-title-keeps-changing is finally finished, is this blog really going to help me sell it? No, probably not. Especially with only two followers. (Thanks, Mom!) 

It is time consuming. There’s time spent thinking about a blog post. Time to actually write the post. Read over it and edit it. Let it sit for a bit. Read and edit it again. Let it sit for a bit. Do it all over again. And then finally click that magical button–Publish. 

So, what’s in this for me?

Accountability – This is probably number one. Taking that leap of faith and declaring to the world that I want to make a go of this holds me accountable for putting my work where my mouth is. Talking casually with a friend about someday finishing that novel is different from posting publicly to the world, “Hey, I’m finishing up the novel I wrote a while back and I want to publish it”.

Networking – I completely agree with her about this. I love connecting with other writers and hearing their advice. We writers spend so much time alone in our own heads that it’s nice to connect with others in a similar boat if only to remind ourselves that we’re really not alone after all. There’s someone else out there who gets it.

Craft – By diving into any type of writing (novel, short stories, journal entries, blogging, etc) I am honing my craft. I am getting more experience, continuing to find my voice, and always stretching myself a bit further.  

In the end, I might not sell a lot of books because of my blog … and that’s okay (for now). This is my journey and blogging is one way of making me step out of my comfort zone. 

Time to let this sit for a bit …