I'm taking a break from writing to write this. Well from writing a novel to writing this blog post. Believe me, there's a difference. And I'm currently 4,000 words behind :\ Also, is it still 'taking a break' from writing if you're actually not writing? Clearly, NaNoWriMo crazy has reached my brain. Pray for me.
All this writing has got me thinking about what I want my little corner of internet to be. I've struggled for a while in determining that. Not necessarily because I didn't know what I wanted but because I came to realize that having it all when it comes to blogging is difficult.
Let me back up because I'm not making much sense (again, my braaiinn!). With a single lap about the blogging track, it's easy to see that it's a land full of product reviews, weekend wrap-ups, weekly confessions and favorites. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I want to make that perfectly clear before I go any further. I'm not throwing any shade on those blogs/bloggers. Some of my favorites are those blogs/bloggers: I follow multiple beauty blogs, I binge watch monthly favorite videos on YouTube, I like peaking into someone's weekend occasionally, and some of those confession posts really make me feel closer to said bloggers. Hell, I myself flood The Kari Diaries (TKD) with beauty things and book reviews! But that's not the kind of blog I want TKD to be. At least not entirely. I want to be more than lipstick swatches, picture dumps, and embarrassing confessions.
It's probably the writer in me (and I'm sure this month's writing frenzy is adding fuel to the already burning fire). I want to feel like my blog is adding something to the interwebs, to the people who care to read my entries. And even though my weekends are very important to me and posts made entirely of gifs make me incredibly happy, I want TKD to mean something more than that, something more than just my personal enjoyment. I'm not expecting to change the world, but I want to talk about real things, about real issues. I want to make people think.
So I know you're sitting there saying: Ok Kari, just do it then. Here's the weird part about blogging. Blogs like that, they don't garner much readership. And I want TKD to be a successful blog as well as a conduit for conversation. I want TKD to be equal parts light and heavy, funny and serious, beauty and the beast. But just like any other blogger, I want readers. I repeat readers, not followers. Sure, followers are nice. "Oh no, please don't follow me!", said no one ever. But readers... as an aspiring author, readers are my JAM. As a writer and an avid reader, I desperately want to interact with others over the words we write, the things we think, the purposes we ponder.
I've rambled on long enough (and my manuscript is not so gently calling my name), so I'll cut to the point. Soon, hopefully very soon but I can't make too many promises with the craziness that is NaNoWriMo, I'm going to start heading that direction. Despite fears of turning certain people off, The Kari Diaries will be a better representation of me and my thoughts, and I hope to post more regularly, on a MWF schedule, if not more. There are plenty of blogs that I think accomplish this well (The Florkens, The Grits Blog, The Happy Type, She Is Fierce) while retaining readership. I have no idea how they do it, but I'm hoping that I can do that as well. Because what good is sharing your thoughts if you have no one to share them with?
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by Stephanie Perkins! For more information on the book as well as the review date, check the "Books" tab above or the Goodreads page.
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What do you think your blogging personality is? Do you prefer to operate a more lighthearted blog or a serious one? Would you ever stop reading a blog that changes its personality?
I think it's great that you're exploring ways to make your blog feel more "you" and I think that's something that many bloggers (us included!) struggle with. Obviously, we'll be sticking with TKD and continuing to read AND follow :)
ReplyDeleteI think all bloggers go through that time wherein we explore ourselves as bloggers, and that includes the way we write, what we write about and even the way we edit/present pictures in every blog post. I'm all for finding out who we are as bloggers. It makes blogging more enjoyable and fun. :) Of course, the change may cost us some readers but I believe that the readers who can connect with what you say WILL eventually find you and stick with you.
ReplyDeleteI battle with this a lot. It's like I want to do it all but not lose my blog voice in the process. I also dont want to feel like I'm posting the same things over and over and over. It's tough. I still think I haven't figured it out and probably never will.
ReplyDeleteoh I totally forgot about the book club this month lol. I'll check that book out, or I might skip, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteI think we all struggle with this a bit - I sometimes look at my blog and want to delete it. I have very few posts that aren't confessions, favourites etc. And while, like you, I don't judge that and I enjoy other blogs who write about that, I'm dissatisfied with my own. I have no doubt you can accomplish it, you brilliant writer you!
I love this! I feel this way sometimes too. Its actually a real battle!
ReplyDeleteHey Kari! The whole blogging personality is something I've struggled with on and off for almost three years. Like you, I want to use this platform and have my voice heard. My words heard. My thoughts heard. And it's somewhat of a struggle and a little discouraging in an internet full of fun blogs that post the latest makeup trend and fashion Fridays. I think that's why I seesaw back and forth between how often I write, and the content that I write. But I think that eventually, we'll find that happy medium and are able to use our space for our words and thoughts, but also for the fun stuff too. You've got a reader in me! :)
ReplyDeletexx Jackie
I completely understand where you're coming from. I also want to be more than just the light and fluffy stuff. After thinking about what I really wanted my blog to be about, I started to weave in some deeper posts with the lighter stuff. I think the trick is finding the right balance between the two. I'm still working on that part. :)
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