I’ve been posting each day during the month of November. It’s not because I’m simply bursting with information and ideas which I absolutely must share with you all. I mean sure, there’s SOME of that, but that’s not the real reason. The real reason is NaBloPoMo.
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ve made a commitment to blog every day during the month of November. I did it last year, and really enjoyed the process, so I figured, why not do it again?
I love blogging. I tried it out just for the fun of it, and wasn’t really sure what to expect. BulgingButtons is actually my second attempt at blogging. I figured it would be a nice outlet for some of my thoughts, but honestly, I didn’t think I would stick with it for long. I figured I would write a couple of boring posts that nobody would read, then pack it in due to lack of interest. After all, that’s what happened with my first blog.
I was so wrong. I haven’t lost interest, and neither has my audience. It has steadily grown, which I love. I love that there are people on every continent who have stopped by BulgingButtons, and that there are loyal readers in so many different countries. I can count on people in France, India, Greece, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, The Bahamas, Vietnam, and several other countries to stop by regularly. Not only do they stop by, they leave wonderful messages.
Of course there are lots of readers here in the USA too. I feel like many of these readers have become friends in a way. I read their blogs, if they have them, and they read mine. We reveal bits of ourselves through our writing, and we recognize commonalities. We also appreciate and respect our differences. We cheer each other on in good times and offer support in bad times. We have formed a community. What an amazing outcome.
So what’s the issue? Well, I’m wondering if posting all this content is just too much? I know I don’t read nearly as many blogs as I would like to, there just isn’t enough time in the day. When I post brand new content each and every day, I feel like a lot of what I’m sharing is being passed by, even by loyal readers. Most people have limited time to poke around any one particular blog, so they’ll read the most recent post, then move on to the rest of their life. I get it. I do it myself. But what if yesterday’s post was the one that you really needed at this moment?
Posting everyday hasn’t been difficult for me. There’s usually SOMETHING on my mind that I can write about. But I wonder if I SHOULD post everyday. Am I leaving people in the dust and fumes of my high speed blogging? Come December I’ll slow it down somewhat, but how much remains to be seen. I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. Please drop me a line and let me know if you take the time to read old posts, or just read the newest unless something really grabs your attention. Thanks for the help, and as always, thanks for reading.
BulgingButtons 
November 16, 2014 at 1:48 am
I will read the “related posts” at the end sometimes if I am interested.
The blogging everyday thing really just depends on why you’re doing it (outside of challenges, I mean). Even when I blog about nothing, it’s part of my accountability not to completely retract from interacting with people, which my depression makes me want to do. Online interactions for me are better than nothing, even if only a few people read the post.
November 16, 2014 at 9:28 am
You make an excellent point. I think as long as there’s a reason to post, then post away!
November 16, 2014 at 7:17 am
I think of it this way: I write because its fun for me. If it gets read, that’s great. If not, that’s OK, too because I still had fun with the writing itself.
Sometimes I worry that readers are thinking, “Oh, jeez, her again”, but I figure they can just skip over it if they want to! So I say keep writing; you are clearing touching a lot of people, and are feeling good about that! Why not keep it up?
And how is the NaNoWriMo coming?
November 16, 2014 at 9:29 am
Thanks for your kind words. As far as NaNoWriMo… well, let’s just say I need some MAJOR writing sessions to get caught up, but it’s not impossible. You, on the other hand, are doing awesome! It shows your progress on the buddy page. 🙂 Keep up the excellent momentum.
November 16, 2014 at 3:18 pm
I have learned the secret; just throw down crap and fix it later!
Interestingly enough, this has become my philosophy for my reluctant fifth grade writers, too. And it works!
And you’ll catch up, I’m sure.
For me, this story has been bubbling around in my head for so long that it just about jumping out on its own.
November 16, 2014 at 6:22 pm
I’m going to keep trying. Thanks for the encouragement.
November 16, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Blogging everyday has been a fun challenge for me. Will I try to keep this pace up after November? Absolutely not. I wish I could, but I’m barely getting this month done. 😀
I hear you on reading other blogs. I’ve tried to commit to reading & commenting on 7-10 posts a week. Some weeks I read a lot more than 10 and some weeks I’m lucky to read one. I have learned in my short time as a blogger that I get more inspired to write the more I read. Life just gets in the way sometimes.
I honestly don’t care how much other bloggers post just as long as most of what they write is worth reading. So you can post away.
November 16, 2014 at 1:04 pm
I like that you have sort of a goal for reading each week, and if you top it- great, if you don’t meet it- that’s okay too. I think I’ll try that approach. Thanks so much for adding to the conversation. That’s what I love most about blogging!
November 16, 2014 at 12:54 pm
My experience with blogging tells me something different. I haven’t been quite as lucky as you are. I don’t think I have loyal readers. I get random readers who like and/or commonet on one post and move on. They follow, but I don’t think they find much interest later because I never hear from them again. (All of this is with the exception of lradams, because he’s my bf).
With that as my experience, I say, you can’t post too much. Especially when you remember to tag. Because the more you blog and tag, the more people you’ll reach who will come by and read and comment before moving on again.
I always have the intention to read old posts, but I never really do. I really only read new posts :/. Sorry.
November 16, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Nothing to be sorry about. Everything changes on a day by day basis, and we can barely read what’s new, let alone something that may or may not even still be relevant.
Funny about your bf being a loyal reader. My sweetheart is my biggest cheerleader, but he doesn’t read the blog, and I’m perfectly okay with that.
Glad you added to the discussion. 🙂
November 16, 2014 at 3:54 pm
You write, I’ll read – really like your stuff. I’ll be wintering with my family in Cape Cod, probably the only person who does, and that means I will be doing some serious blog reading that will hopefully inspire me.
November 16, 2014 at 6:23 pm
It’s a deal. I’ll keep writing. Stay warm out there!