Thursday 31 October 2013

Blog Challenge - finished!

Well, I've done it. Finished the month, having missed only the day I was in hospital with my son. I consider that, near-as-dammit, 'challenge completed'.

Thirty posts in thirty-one days.

This time round, it's been exhausting! I'm not sure whether it's because the first challenge I did was in the holidays, so I had more time to write? This month, I've been so busy with stories and preparing Granny Rainbow for publication, the challenge became a chore rather than a joy.

Don't get me wrong - it has been fantastic to be a part of the facebook community and I've logged onto blogs I never would've found otherwise, meeting some really lovely bloggers on the way! I hope to keep visiting some of those which really tickled my fancy...

But the amount of creative energy it has drained is enormous, in spite of the fact that - I'll admit - I cheated a bit by posting flash fiction I'd written over the past year or so. In reality, I've probably only written 15 new posts during the month.

It's also made me question why I'm blogging.

I know that: a) I like writing b) I'm slowly putting myself 'out there' as an author without (I hope) beating everyone over the head and screaming 'Lookit! I write stories! Read them! Buy them!' and c) I'm sharing what goes on in my life and my writing. (Look here if you do want to buy books with my stories in though!)

For me, blogging's not a business. I want it to be, primarily, a shared conversation between me and you - like a quick chat over coffee, a chance to catch up.

As of tomorrow, it's back to just 2/3 posts a week so I can get back to writing my stories, but don't worry - I'll let you know what's happening.

I'm still looking forward to our next chat, but for now... catch you later!

Katherine x



6 comments:

  1. I found it exhausting too. I just assumed they're all like that! Well done for seeing it through. I feel a sense of achievement for having managed it. Good luck with the books!

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    1. Thanks, Andrea - I'm glad I wasn't the only one who found it tough! I'll be thinking carefully about whether to take part in the next one, in January...

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  2. Congratulations! I love your writing! Stay in touch :)

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    1. Will definitely do so, Kama - looking forward to seeing which book you write next!

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  3. I started the challenge at the beginning of the year--Jan 1st with every intention of blogging each day for the year. Funnily enough, the only days I have missed were during this month, when my computer went on strike. That'll teach me to dust too vigorously. I caused her veins to jolt. Yes, blogging is great practice with writing.

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    1. Wow - a whole year's worth! Well done, Francene!

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