Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Monday, March 7, 2011

Why Keep Blogging?

After one has been blogging for awhile the question inevitably comes up-- Why am I doing this? With limited time one must make choices and set priorities. No, this isn't a "I'm taking a break" post, it is a "Why I blog" post.

Top  ten reasons why I blog:

10.  It's my author promotion site, a way to let potential fans readers know what books I've written and what I'm working on.

9.   I like to write in every way, shape and form, so this provides one more venue for my obsessive writing behavior.

8.   Blogger makes it so easy and fun to set up that I went from one,  two and now three separate blogs.. Really, I'm addicted. It has become my favorite way to procrastinate.

7.   For a writer who went half a century unpublished it just feels so good to write something even if it is drivel, then click a button that says "PUBLISH".

6.   My giraffe welcomes me, my followers welcome me, this is my happy place. I love to come here, just to look around if nothing else.

5.   After nearly two years of building an audience, I'm not about to quit now.

4.   I'm excited about setting up a blog tour for the release of House of Diamonds, and see if it makes a difference in sales because when my other books came out, I wasn't active on social media.

3.  It's fun and motivational to go around and see what others are working on, where everyone is in their writing journey-- to share in the joy and the misery of this amazing craft.

2.  Blogging feels comfortable to me. I've worked hard to fit it into my schedule. Quitting would be like disciplining oneself to walk an hour a day for two years and then giving it up just because. (And yes, I have done that with exercise & it makes me feel like a loser and a quitter.) 

But of course the Number One reason I must keep blogging is

YOU! My friends and fellow writers, thank you for accompanying me along this online journey. I had no idea how much people I've never met could come to mean to me. You are my writing network and support group. Thanks for being here!!

This award given to me from Michelle at Beautiful Chaos is for all of you, for being my friends along the journey.Unfortunately it will not download on my computer for some strange reason, but you can go here to see how lovely it is, and maybe you'll have better luck saving the image and passing it on :)






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57 comments:

  1. Christine DanekMarch 7, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    Very true. I'm glad you're still blogging because I love your posts and, of course, you. I like the giraffes too. :)

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  2. Colette MartinMarch 7, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    I agree ! Blogging is the simplest and fastest form of self-publishing. I'll continue to do it as long as I have something to say.

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  3. Bruce ColtinMarch 7, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    We write because we have to. I think you said that.

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  4. Jennifer ShirkMarch 7, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    I could't agree more! :)
    And congrats on your award!

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  5. Ellen BrickleyMarch 7, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    Karen, I love reading your blog (and have downloaded Uncut Diamonds) so I am very glad you're sticking around and still getting enjoyment from blogging :)

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  6. L. Diane WolfeMarch 7, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    For me, #5 is closing in on six years - and I refuse to quit either!

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  7. Anne GallagherMarch 7, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    Blogging is the best social experience I've ever had.

    Congrats Karen.

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  8. Julia HonesMarch 7, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Lovely post. I agree with you. Keep it up, Karen! It's a pleasure to read you.

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  9. Julia HonesMarch 7, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    And there IS something special about that giraffe there.

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  10. Sheila SilerMarch 7, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    Great reasons to blog. I just might steal this idea and do my own post on why I blog. I'm so glad we found each other through this venue!

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  11. Linda G.March 7, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    Good reasons, all! I'm glad you'll be sticking around. :)

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  12. MaganMarch 7, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    That's a good way to put why to keep blogging. Some days I just don't feel like keeping up with the blog and everything else, so I guess I should just print this list and keep it by my computer to keep going.

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  13. UnknownMarch 7, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    I couldn't agree more Karen. Blogging has introduced me to some wonderful people (yourself included of course)(: Thanks for writing such a great post. I enjoyed it.

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  14. Hart JohnsonMarch 7, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Ha! Great reasons! I am addicted to blogging too--to me it is therapeutic, but those relationships are the biggie, eh?

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  15. JulesMarch 7, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Amen sister and yes it should have an addictive warning label when you start :)

    Love ya back!
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  16. Melissa SarnoMarch 7, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Great list! I love blogging for a lot of these reasons too. And it's not all procrastination. I think it's a great way to develop a stronger writing voice too! :-)

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  17. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 7, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    That's my number one reason as well!

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  18. AnnMarch 7, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    Your list hits all the reasons I blog and continue to blog. This has been a wonderful journey of encouragement and confidence gaining for me. By the way you deserve this award for all the wonderful encouragement you spread across the blogsphere. Congratulations on the award and also winning one of Talli's books this morning. Bualadh bos ! (Irish for major applause)

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  19. Arlee BirdMarch 7, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    That can pretty well serve as my list as well. I wish I had blogging 40 years ago. No telling where it would have taken me--it's such a great way to communicate and just use as a forum for writing.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  20. Theresa MilsteinMarch 7, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    I like this post. And I'm with you on #7. And #1.

    Good luck with your book tour.

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  21. Pat TillettMarch 7, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Whatever the reason, I'm very glad you are here!

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  22. Elspeth FutcherMarch 7, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Honestly, I blog because it forces me to put words down five days a week. An added, unexpected bonus was finding people like you and so many others who support each other as we trek, with blistered feet, down this writing road.

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  23. EllaMarch 7, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Glad you are here and I love your list~ It is addicting and so fun. The thing that amazes me are those that don't. When you talk about blogging they look at you, like a loon. Guess who is the loon...They are missing out and don't even realize it! #5 and #3 fit me, for now ;-D

    I received your book in the mail today; I peeked, it looks great! It is suppose to be my B-day gift.

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  24. Jessica BellMarch 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    And we love you too, Karen! :o)

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  25. AngieMarch 7, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Those are all good reasons for blogging. I think I will never look at the "publish" button the same way again. =)

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  26. Talli RolandMarch 7, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Fantastic reasons, Karen - spot on! As usual!

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  27. jp@A Green RidgeMarch 7, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Glad you do this for the crowd!...:)JP

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  28. Suzie F.March 7, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    I love how your giraffe welcomes me too! So glad I met you through blogging.

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  29. Terri TiffanyMarch 7, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Ive been blogging so long that sometimes I think I have nothing more to say and then I do. But if I stopped, I would miss this wonderful support of people around me!!

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  30. KristinMarch 7, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Your right about blogging being addicting. I just started last month and now have two blogs going. LOL!

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  31. TaleiMarch 7, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Absolutely!! Couldn't agree with you more my dear! ;-)

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  32. AnonymousMarch 7, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    So many familiar faces agreeing as well. It is a pretty fab little community.

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  33. LTMMarch 7, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    I'm with you. There are times when I feel like I don't have TIME to write another post, or I don't have any idea WHAT to put in a post. And then I remember how many AMAZING connections, crit partners, friends I've made through blogging. It's all good. Lots of love~ <3

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  34. Anne R. AllenMarch 7, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    I agree with all of these. I have a few more of my own, which I've been planning to blog about myself. The biggest for me is that by blogging, I'm connecting with people of my own tribe--people that are hard to meet in the real world. It's made me less willing to fritter time with people who want to babble endlessly about Dancing with the Stars or Snooki, or whine about their ailments or paychecks, because I know I can go online and communicate with people who actually think.

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  35. UnknownMarch 7, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    I love blogging, because it helps me to understand what I think about things... and it helps me to see other perspectives... and it motivates me to write more (because it's proof people are willing to read what you write).

    And I love you blog. And am so happy you do it.

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  36. Neurotic WorkaholicMarch 7, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    I'm very glad that you're not going to stop blogging; it's because of awesome people like you that I continue to blog. If it wasn't for blogging I might never have found out about all these interesting writers who are out there.

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  37. AnonymousMarch 7, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Great reasons to continue. Your enthusiasm for blogging is evident in your posts. You usually sound upbeat and as if you are enjoying yourself in Blogland.

    By the way, I bought Uncut Diamonds on Kindle last week (not yet started reading as I'm finishing a library book first).

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  38. Golden EagleMarch 7, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Those are great reasons! And I certainly agree with you on them. :)

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  39. Karen Jones GowenMarch 7, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    I had meant to write at the bottom of the post "And why do you keep blogging?" but it somehow disappeared. No matter, nearly every comment stated the reasons why. So interesting to me because I know writers are about the busiest people in the world, trying to squeeze in every spare moment for writing yet here we are blogging.

    Christine & Ellen, thanks for buying Uncut Diamonds and telling me about it. I hope you like it!

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  40. Old KittyMarch 7, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    I've always loved your giraffe - it's been one fo my very first and most fabulous welcome when I first started blogging!!!! Congratulations with your award!!! Take care
    x

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  41. MimiMarch 7, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    I've been pondering the same thing in my recent post!
    With a busy life, you do ask yourself "why do I blog?", and I never realised it before but 7 is definitely one of my reasons too!
    And I enjoy reading your blog, Karen, so I'm glad you still find the time to post.

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  42. Jane Kennedy SuttonMarch 7, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    I agree with you on the number 1 reason to blog, but I really like #7 too.

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  43. SFMarch 8, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    All really good reasons, but I think the giraffe is the most compelling one! I think I need a giraffe on my blog. Or maybe at the top of my MS, to entice me back to it every day..

    Whatever the reason, I'm glad you keep blogging!

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  44. LizaMarch 8, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    Thank you for writing this. I'm struggling right now and what keeps me going is the people I know who are reading. Oh, and #7. That helps too!

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  45. IngerMarch 8, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    I agree with your number one reason. It amazes me how much I have come to care for my fellow bloggers, those that have been with me for a while. And they have been so supportive of me also. I am so glad I found your blog, you are an inspiration.--Inger

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  46. Heather WebbMarch 9, 2011 at 3:53 AM

    Definitely keep blogging, Karen. :)

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  47. AnonymousMarch 9, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    Nice list of reasons to keep blogging! :D

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  48. E. ArroyoMarch 9, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    Nice. I'm glad you're here.

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  49. Brigid O'ConnorMarch 9, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Karen, I agree. I like writing on my blog as a way to connect to other writers too.
    Also, it is a bit like having your little newspaper to publish bits and pieces. E

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  50. Hilary Melton-ButcherMarch 9, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Hi Karen .. jiminy crickets – 3 blogs?! Crumbs .. you must be writing addicted .. or have found the elixir to life – extra time?!

    Your giraffe always welcomes me .. you don’t know how I yearn for a little South Africa .. and you’re right it’s that interaction and support from all comers .. and it’s such a learning curve for me to find writers and be a part of their journey ..

    Love this & you’re doing A-Z .. that’ll suit you .. I’m surprised on your blog it’s not AAA --- ZZZ?!

    Cheers – don’t lose your giraffe please! Hilary

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  51. JaneMarch 9, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Great post I share your views about blogging,I love it! I am following your blog,you are welcome to follow mine as well. Blessings jane

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  52. JayneMarch 10, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Back in the day I had a lot of pen-pals all over the world (perhaps 50? Yup - a lot!) and in a way blogging has reminded me of that enjoyment. I also was a big diary writer and missed that way of documenting the days. Plus the support from other people is amazing, and the fact I can whoosh words towards a magic button that says 'publish' makes me feel so good!

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  53. K M KellyMarch 10, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Blogging is fun. And if people want to read my bletherings then so much the better. :-)

    There are also some really interesting blogs around.

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  54. RosieCMarch 10, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Karen, I laughed out loud at #7. How true it is!

    If you're looking for places to hit on your blog tour, let me know. I would love to host you.

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  55. Karen Jones GowenMarch 10, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Rosie, I know! #7 is where it's at for us writers! Thank you for your offer, I appreciate it so much! I am getting really excited about all this, none of which I did when my other books were released. Now I just have to finish the edits!

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  56. Jacqueline HowettMarch 10, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Hi Karen, Nice post. My very thoughts last night. Well obviously everyone is over here!

    and so somehow, I guess we are all in the same boat.

    Nice to have finally hooked up with you. I just started blogging 4 and half months ago, its addictive. But in many ways it can be a little oasis where one stops to have a drink of water.

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  57. Len LambertMarch 17, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Hi Karen, my apologies, I think I've missed a few of your posts. Thank you, too, for being a great blog buddy! :)

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