Direction: Google Maps Can’t Help Me!
27 November 2008
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Making choices and changes in any aspect of your life is never easy. While some decisions can be made in an instant others need to be carefully considered. Which is the best course? Which furthers our goals or creates inner harmony with our needs and desires? I’ve come to that place with Writer’s Round-About. It is time to weigh and measure the future of this blog. Google Maps can’t help me decide which road to take, but maybe you can.
Why Are You Here?
Every time we open our web browser, click a link, or search the internet, we are looking for something. When I read blogs I am usually looking for new information. I want to learn more about a topic that interests me. At Writer’s Round-About I’ve tried to share information about topics that interest me. As such, it’s grown from a blog about writing to a blog that covers several key topics and a diverse range of themes.
What brings ‘YOU’ to Writer’s Round-About? Are you here to learn about writing, editing, web design? Is your interest more specific in freelance writing, writing for the web, writing non-fiction, fiction writing, novel writing? Do you just like the atmosphere or are interested in what I’m doing? Are you here to drop your EntreCard and then move on?
Branching Out Or Breaking In
All blogs go through their individual growth stages. Even the probloggers admit that it takes years before a blog has truly found its feet and millions of blogs come and go. I have to admit that I was proud to say, “Happy Birthday” to Writer’s Round-About. The earliest post dates back to June 2007 making us nearly a year and a half old. We’ve had a good run with ups and downs but a fairly consistent posting scale on average. We survived a domain name change and two or three site redesigns.
Is it time to branch out? I could establish at least two new blogs so those of you interested in fiction writing aren’t butting heads against content about web design.
Do we go on as we are? We could continue to expand to allow for a growing range of interests and information.
It’s Your Blog You Choose
Many other blog owners might say this to me but I’m turning around to say this to you. It is the readers who really make a blog, who really own it. What do you want to see happen with Writer’s Round-About? What do you want from this blogs future? Would you be sorry to see it disappear into the abyss of the web?
At this turning point I’m filled with uncertainty and honestly feel pretty naked putting that out there. Writer’s Round-About needs direction, a path, a future. Google Maps can’t help when it comes to choosing a path on the internet or in our personal future, but maybe you can!
Where do we go from here?
I always enjoy reading your blog, but since you ask, it’s the writing advice that is most useful. I really admire how you link it with some other aspect of life and show us the metaphors. Gives us lots to think about.
Anyway, best of luck for whatever you decide.
Jean´s latest blog postWordless Wednesday - the Beach in Winter
Rebecca, I admire you for being so honest and sharing your heart with us! That’s one of the things I love about this blog. I’ve noticed that more and more, you’re sharing your heart. I’ve enjoyed your series and you’ve made me think about things I never would have considered. Like Jean, I love the metaphors you use. Your posts are helpful, inspiring, filled with advice and motivation.
Yes, I would be heartbroken to see this blog disappear! I believe that this blog is only going to grow and get better with time - because you’re the host and you’re the bestest!!!!
*smiles and hugs*
Michele
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Confession time: I’m here directly through your Plurk, just to check exactly WHAT this blog is about! Being coldly rational and objective, it’s not really for me as a regular thing as I’m neither a fiction writer nor wildly interested in web design. Sometimes I have the urge to learn web design as I get dissatisfied with what I see elsewhere, but I currently have too much on my plate to deal with it. So this hooman is mainly a casual blogger, an academic editor and writer and a social-media user who reads all kindsa stuff when I have the time- WRA fits that mold for me. Better luck with your other visitors!
Back again!
Kay’s comment made me think about the other things I’d love to see here… Tech stuff that some of us writers aren’t good at. Just little tidbits that we could learn and try out for ourselves.
*smiles*
Michele
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I third the idea about tech stuff.
I have to admit that I don’t check in as often I would like to. I make my blog rounds in the mornings at the office, where I have high-speed internet. Depending on what’s going on that day, I don’t always get to all of them.
I’m afraid I really don’t have much to offer except moral support. I’ve faced similar decisions with my blogs. When it comes down to it, I tend to let them hibernate for a while until I can get back to them.
Jen Nipps´s latest blog postNaNo No-Go
Thank you so much for the feedback! I truly appreciate the chance to get your ideas and opinions.
So far what I’ve heard is that there are two distinct areas of interest.
Writing: Is there a specific area of writing you enjoy most? Do you have a preference for writing topics as they relate to fiction or non-fiction?
Tech: This is a broad topic. I’m guessing your most interested in tips that average computer users, internet users, and bloggers can use. From the meat and bones of SEO, to simple CSS techniques, elements of an effective web/blog design, etc.? Are you interested from a web perspective or would tips on how to use other computer elements be of interest also?
Now the question comes down to, would it suit better to break into two distinct blogs? Writer’s Round-About could continue to focus on only writing topics with a new blog focusing on Tech. Or do you like having the two very different topics under one roof?
Thanks again for your feedback! It means so much to me that you’re willing to really talk about what brings you here and what would keep bringing you back. If you haven’t voiced your own thoughts, please don’t be afraid, I truly would like to hear your opinion.
Rebecca Laffar-Smith´s latest blog postDirection: Google Maps Can’t Help Me!
Becca, I like the subjects covered in this blog and would be pleased to see it stay. Of course that’s purely from my own selfish point of view, but it’s very informative. I am interested in the writing aspects as well as the design stuff. I haven’t commented yet, this being my first I believe, but I’m well behind in reading blogs due to recent events but I still pop in for a read now and then.
hugs,
gcgal
Wendishness´s latest blog post6 things
I’m not so sure that you’d have to start a new blog for the tech side, Rebecca - or even the fiction aspect of writing. Even some of the top bloggers have different categories. These days, part of writing for the web or blogging does involve at minimum knowledge of basic HTML. I’m no genius on this sort of thing. Maybe it’s time to call in PROBlOGGER, Darren Rowse! LOL Now, he’d know the answer to all this.
Seriously, if your readers are happy and enjoy what you provide us, isn’t that what matters most? (Unless you’re just itching to start new blogs and maintain them.)
And, kudos to Wendishness for joining us in the comments this time! Nice to meet you!
*smiles*
Michele
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Thank you so much for commenting, gcgal! I love that you’ve stepped out of lurk mode to help me.
The truth is, Michele, I’m struggling to keep up with this blog and my biggest problem has been a need for recognition I suppose. The lack of response and growth in the past months discouraged me. I struggle to sit down and write each blog post because lets face it, who wants to put that time and effort into something people don’t want to read?
So, these comments are doing wonders for my confidence as well as helping me discover the best way to give readers and potential readers what they want. If I have readers who only come for the fiction writing aspect then posts about web design and technology might scare them off and vice versa. With feed subscribers constantly fluctuating I’ve wondered if that might be a cause.
Now, if someone could capture Darren’s attention on matters like this you’d be a God.
Rebecca Laffar-Smith´s latest blog postDirection: Google Maps Can’t Help Me!
I know what you mean, Rebecca. I’ve struggled to keep my own blog going. One reason is because I wonder how my blog is benefiting anyone when there are so many (much better) blogs on writing all across the web. My blog has been neglected because of that. I do still cherish my readers and love the community that comes together there, though.
Anyway, I see where you’re coming from…
Yeah, how could we capture the attention of Darren Rowse???
Michele´s latest blog post5 Tips for Writing a Quality Article That Will Leave Editors and Clients Salivating for More!
[...] I asked readers Why Are You Here? In my way I was attempting to get a feel for Writer’s Round-About’s audience. Writing a [...]
I’ve wondered that too, Michele.
You said: “One reason is because I wonder how my blog is benefiting anyone when there are so many (much better) blogs on writing all across the web.”
One thing I’ve thought about is if it might be better to set aside my blog and simply provide the content for those other people. We don’t need to have a blog of our own to share thoughts and ideas as we want to express them because there are so many other blogs that share similar content and would welcome guest posts.
That was one of the things I considered with Writer’s Round-About. The years worth of long-end content could be recycled as content made freely available in article directories or directly to other blogs.
In the end, after several days reflection, thinking about these comments, reviewing my blogs standing in the greater scheme of things and against other blogs in the blogosphere I’ve decided that Writer’s Round-About is actually doing very well. It mightn’t be the head of it’s collective niches but it’s also not the tail. It’s up around the shoulders.
Which is pretty good considering I don’t update every single day.
I’m still awash in the The Idea Waterfall so content isn’t the real problem. As long as my visitors are happy to keep reading I’ll keep writing. So, Writer’s Round-About goes onward and upward.
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With over nine years experience, Rebecca Laffar-Smith
knows the ins and outs of the web tech and writing worlds. She invites ‘you’
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