The Blog: Writing in its own Right?

Guelph blogger Sue Richards has an article about blogging in the Globe and Mail today (I don't know how long the link will work, but I've quoted the most relevent excerpts).

In keeping with my post last week about reaching one's audience, Richards describes how a computer-phobe like herself got into blogging:

As a budding writer I knew the single most important way for a writer's bud to bloom was to write; more specifically, write for an audience. Historically, a writer and her audience met if a publisher saw the need to connect the two. Writers got rejected for myriad reasons and audiences remained ignorant of the plethora of ideas available.

I figured this equation out fairly early and from a safe distance. I lived with a writer and watched him struggle with letters of rejection and edits that cut his prose to the quick. When it eventually became clear to me that I was a writer, I took on the role of publisher as well. It's true that rejection can be seen as a moral-fibre-strengthening tool. But then, so can acceptance. Throw in the fact that my views were rarely reflected in the mainstream media, I instinctively knew that unless I self-published, my moral fibre-building would get a workout and my message might not be heard. This was when I took serious notice of blogs.

Instant, uncensored access to one's audience is a great incentive for bloggers. Getting comments on my posts motivates me to keep writing, and sparks new ideas. It's in keeping with Paul Graham's credo of "always produce." There's nothing like the thought of hungry readers to keep me posting daily.

Sue goes on to describe her routine:

Today, I write three blogs on a daily basis. Each morning, I log onto my e-mail to check for my readers' comments patiently waiting for moderation. Then I look at my traffic and link statistics to see who's been by. Finally, I pick a blog, open my "Administration Dock" and start writing.

Each blog requires a slightly different voice and style. Sometimes I have a clear idea before cranking on my computer but usually, I sit with a blank page for a few minutes before my fingers start banging out my daily drone. I can whip something off in 20 minutes, or labour for a couple of hours. Either way, I average 15 posts per week.

I've been pondering whether blogging is a good use of my writing time, or whether it's just a way of avoiding my novel. Do I need to be monogamous in my devotion to fiction, or do I have room for a little blog on the side? I know one thing: I love Wrestling the Angel, and I lose track of time when I'm composing posts. I love watching how ideas and links and comments all come together in an amazing serendipity. I get a thrill knowing that people are reading and enjoying what I write. Even if it is procrastination, I've got a good thing going here.