6 Reasons Why I Put Put Off Blogging (and why you shouldn't)

I didn't think I had anything to write about, because I wasn't some big, successful NYT bestseller yet. But the truth is...we begin at the beginning. I realized that I could write about my experiences and trials learning to write, getting published, and getting my book noticed. We can all appreciate stories about how others initially marketed their books whether you were selling books at the lunch table like me or passing them off on people as birthday gifts (which isn't actually a bad idea by the way)

 I didn't think anyone would read it.

Ever heard that expression, "If you build it, they will come."? Well, it's pretty much true. But you can't just build it. You have to build it and make it interesting. If you're one of those people who is like I was and you're saying to myself, "No one will read my writing" you need to change your line of thinking. For every person in the world who has something to say, there is someone waiting to hear it. Believe me. It's true. You're not boring. Being a writer isn't boring. It's a wonderful journey and guess what! We all share your pain! You're trials and tribulations? Your fellow authors who will end up reading your blog have probably been there and we can probably relate. This leads me to...

I have nothing to share.

If you're a write (and I'm assuming you are one) then I think it's safe to also assume that you've written something. If you've written something then you can share excerpts of it on your blog. You can share a first chapter of your published blog or illustrations from an upcoming book. If you're not published you can share bits and pieces of your writing, potentially get feedback, and maybe even gather a following. How cool would that be? Very cool! If you read blogs (which you should if you're thinking about starting one) then you probably have (or will end up having) a favourite blogger. I have a few. It's always fun to read their posts because you enjoy their writing style and in some ways you might even feel like you know the person. 

Blogging is passé. (Okay, I didn't think this one, but I've heard it)

Blogging is by far, not passé, and not only is not passé, it's a great way to reach out to people you might never touch otherwise. Many others are doing it. Some give out writing advice. Some review books by other authors. Some talk about the trials and tribulations of the author's life. Some are a mixed-bag. A blog is different than a website. It reaches out to people in ways a website can't. It's interactive. Commenting on posts and hearing replies from the author really bring the two worlds together. If they want to know something about your book? They can ask you. If you are not sure what direction to go next? Ask your readers.

I have no experience in the writing world. If you have ever written anything then you have some experience in the writing world. The "writing world" is not limited to NYT best-sellers like Stephen King or Janet Evanovich. They are simply part of the writing world. That little kid writing stories and illustrating them on notebook paper? She's a writer too, and she also has experiences to share. Nobody is more or less a writer because they are or aren't published or because of the way they published. We're all in the same boat and I think most of us have the same goal. Our own private island and jets? Um, well, those would be nice, but the one I'm talking about is the goal to get our stories read.

I'm not writing a non-fiction book.

When I was first searching the web for advice to new authors and came to the inevitable part about starting a blog (this piece of advice is in almost every article for new authors there is, I think) they always suggest writing on your topic of knowledge. If you've written a science book then blog about science-y thing or if you've written a book on architecture you could talk about building things. But I didn't write a science book or an architecture manual. I wrote a few children's books. What I didn't realize at the time was that I wasn't limited to talking about the subjects of my books (though that's a great idea), but I could also talk about my life and experiences as an author. I could tell people about myself in my own voice. And it was a wonderful realization.

Did you put off blogging? If so, why? What advice do you have for writers who want to start a blog but are putting it off?