On Writing and Blogging
November 5, 2009
by katdish
Don’t panic! Billy’s regularly scheduled post will be back tomorrow. This will be my first and most likely only guest post for What I Learned Today.
Truth be told, Billy is taking a much needed rest. A doctor ordered rest. Prayers are much appreciated.
Talent is a wonderful thing, but it won’t carry a quitter. And there always comes a time–if the work is sincere, if it comes from that magic place where thought, memory, and emotion all merge–when you will want to quit, when you will think that if you put your pencil down your eye will dull, your memory will lapse, and the pain will end. – Stephen King, Duma Key
Question: Are you a writer who blogs or a blogger who writes?
(Hint – If you had to ponder that question for more than a nano-second, I strongly suspect you are the latter.)
I will unabashedly say that I am a blogger who writes. I’ll even go so far to say that I can on occassion write well. But to put myself in the same category as some of you reading this post would be an insult to your talent, tenacity and the sacrifices and suffering you have endured for your craft. And I would never do that.
I like to think of myself as a romantic realist — a champion for the promotion of good writing. My heart cries “Injustice!” when I walk into the local bookstore. Because one only needs view the most prominently displayed books to understand that great writing doesn’t necessarily sell books. The size of an author’s platform sells books.
Which is why writers blog:
And twitter,
and have facebook accounts,
and engage with their readers as much as possible.
Which is not to say writers don’t enjoy blogs and social media. I assume that most do. They are a wonderful way to meet kindred spirits, be encouraged and encourage others.
So what’s the difference between a writer who blogs and a blogger who writes? Speaking from personal experience, I would say that as a blogger who writes, the social interaction is what keeps me involved. I want to write well, but (if I’m being honest) the writing doesn’t always come first.
But if you’re a writer who blogs, the writing MUST come first. The ability to write well is first and foremost a gift. But it also a disclipline. One must make a conscious decision to write consistently; to push through all the distractions that can easily become excuses for not doing what must be done. (Or you can continue to try and do everything until your doctor threatens to put you in the hospital. AHEM!)
While reading blogs and building personal and professional relationships on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are effective and even enjoyable ways to help build an author platform, they must never come before your craft. Never forget why you got into this in the first place — to tell your story.
I will take both partial credit and blame for helping Billy Coffey build his platform, and I will continue to do so until he tells me otherwise. Why do I do this? Because like I said before, I am a champion for the cause of good writing, or in the case of Billy Coffey, great writing.
Billy would tell you in his typical humble way that he’s not a writer; that he is a person who happens to write. But I think anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis knows better. And come this time next year when Snow Day is released, so will everyone else.
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26 Responses to “On Writing and Blogging”
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I’m a writer whose first novel, Snow Day, will be published by FaithWords in 2010.
But don’t let that fool you. I’m just as confused as anyone.
And that is fine with me, because the great thing about wandering around in the fog is that you never know what you might run into.
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Get well soon, Billy!
Our prayers are with you Billy!
Take the rest God is obviously trying to give you!
Blessings,
Jill
praying for you Billy…that your good health is restored…that you get the rest you need and deserve…take care
Prayers for peace, healing and a full recovery Billy!
and ps. I think you did a great job filling in for Billy, Katdish….and you are a great friend to him as well.
Ugh … hate being sick. Hope you feel better soon, Billy!
Katdish, thanks for the good reminder about needing discipline and consistency to write well.
I hope you feel better soon, Billy.
Kathy, I am really glad that you introduced me to the writing of Billy Coffey. I find his posts inspiring, and then, when he engages in conversation on twitter or on blogs, and I realize who he is in his writing is who he is in real life, I am even more inspired.
I am going to be on pin and needles waiting to be able to read that book. Oh, if only I knew someone with connections….*hint*
Praying for you Billy. Asking God to help you feel much better very soon.
Katdish, you are a beautiful soul to shine the light of others like you do. Billy, be well. I’m not feeling well today, either, so I’m commiserating over here in ND. You need all your strength for the life that awaits, so make sure you get it.
In a way, I guess I’m both. But, hey, aren’t you an *artist* who blogs?
I’m probably a blogger (or better put, goof off) that writes. I tend to goof off in written form (and all other arenas throughout the day).
Hope you get better, Bill.
“Never forget why you got into this in the first place — to tell your story.”
I heart Katdish.
Katdish–have I told you lately I love you? I do. Thanks for filling in with an incredible post that’s speaking to my writer’s heart. I need to hear it, needed to hear it bad.
Billy–please rest, friend. If you’re not a writer, I better slam on the brakes and stop what I’m doing, because I’ll NEVER do it as well as you. And I love the balm your writing is to my heart. The Lord has used it, along with His word and grace, to carry me through from one day to the next over several harsh seasons-of-life this year. You must rest, for you and your family, and for us.
Loving you both.
Tina
Praying for you Billy! Asking the Lord to give you rest. To bring Refreshing to your mind, heart, soul, and Spirit!
I love and appreciate the gift the Lord has given you in writing and speaking directly to the hearts of soooooo many! Rest Billy, and know we are all lifting you up to the Throne Room!
Love and Blessings
Praying for you Billy. Take care of you. You have been taking care of us for a long while. May the good Lord cradle you in His arms.
I’ve been a writer since forever, though I wouldn’t call myself one if I didn’t write every day. Fortunately, for my entire professional life as reporter, feature writer, and editor, I’ve had occasion to write every day. I am a writer and writing is what I do. I’m grateful for the gift I was given.
I once heard a different but related question: Are you a writer or an author? I need to look up the notebook where I copied the answer, which made sense to me at the time. Authors aren’t necessarily writers.
Your post is a good one. And I agree with L.L.: You’re an artist who blogs.
“One must make a conscious decision to write consistently; to push through all the distractions that can easily become excuses for not doing what must be done.”
Such great words. Thanks for this post, katdish.
Prayers are covering you, Billy!
I’ve found myself blurring that line on occassion. It’s when I start to feel like I don’t want to do one or the other that I see where my priority is. I’m okay when that scale tips towards writing–that’s my ultimate goal–but when it tips toward the blogging, it’s time for a much-needed time-out.
Glad Billy’s in time out. Family & Health first. We’ll still be here when he gets back.
Good thoughts, Katdish. You have a gift for picking the great ones! I add my prayers to the rest for Billy’s quick recovery.
Love, Jeanne
Lifting Billy up to our Healer! Thanks, Katdish, for filling in with flourish. I’m a writer who blogs, which is why it takes forever for me to crank one post out – too concerned about the details and mechanics. The world of writing, however, needs both writers who blog and bloggers who write. Platform is essential, and as a writer who blogs, I know I need the bloggers who write for their expertise. Many parts, one body! Write on, ya’ll!
prayers and blessings…
Get well soon Billy… um and I am so looking forward to what you are learning today while you are feeling yucky
(That makes me sound awful doesn’t it? I mean to say that I miss ya.)
Praying for Billy – REST, darnit!!
And Kat -thanks for this. As a writer who blogs, I needed this reminder.
It’s fun to see you here, Katdish.
It’s been fun watching from the sidelines as the Billy Story unfolds — and it’s been fun to see you out there on the field, too, Katdish. The Bible has a lot to say about a Body of Believers, and how each one has his/her part. Continue to do what you do, Katdish. You radiate, girl. Continue to use your gifts for Kingdom Work.
And Billy — I trust by now you’re feeling lots better. Praying for you, bro!
Billy’s not a person who happens to write, he’s a writer who happens to be a person!
As opposed to what? A bear who happens to be a writer? – katdish