I had a random acquaintance ask me the other why I bother to blog. The way she phrased it was “does anybody really want to read about your daily life? I mean, all you do is write, right? That’s kinda boring.”
Those of you who know me probably think you know how swift, cutting, and murderous my reply to her was. You would be wrong. I actually stayed silent and just stared at her. She was probably thinking, “well she can’t even come up with a creative reply, so she mustn’t be that good a writer.” In reality, I was thinking something else.
And it wasn’t 75 ways to verbally vivisect her.
Her question got me thinking: “was she right? Would anyone who doesn’t know me, and even those who do, want to read a blog about my life as a writer? Why would they?” And the fact that I think people would, well, does that make me a little narcissistic in some way?
Heady stuff.
I had to take a step back and consider the reasons why I started writing a blog to see if I could truthfully answer that question.
The moment I signed my first book contract, the marketing instructions I was sent stated that I needed to begin an online presence so I’d have a platform to inform the public ( the people I didn’t know personally) about my soon to be released book. I joined Twitter, developed a Facebook author page, and then this blog. In the beginning, it really was just a venue to promote my book. It quickly turned into something more, though. I started writing about my life as a writer, my struggles, creative ideas to break through writer’s block that I’d learned from other industry professionals. It became a place to recap conferences for writers who couldn’t attend them, a place to promote good books I’d read, and new authors I’d found whose work I wanted to share.
And through all of this, I kept getting more readers and subscribers, to the blog- the majority of whom I’ve never met!
There’s a way on WordPress you can get your daily analytics to garner info on how many people are reading your blog, clicking it through it and when ( like, what time of the day). Every day when I check those analytics I see a lot of data and it’s all good, so that means people really do want to read what I have to say, receive what I want to share, get to know the authors I’m introducing. And that makes me feel good. Really good.
So, to the fringe acquaintance, if you’re reading this ( and who am I kidding because you’re probably not!) take that!
Oh, and those 75 ways to verbally vivisect you? Yeah, I came up with 143. In less than 10 minutes…just saying. So the next time we meet…
When I’m not being narcissistic, I mean, WRITING, you can find me here: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triber// Book Me
Peggy Jaeger, Author 
It’s difficult to continuously blog and come up with interesting topics and somehow not sound like it’s all me, me, me! I do sometimes feel as if I’m giving the world entirely too much information about my life on my blog. My only steadfast rule is that I avoid politics.
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D.E. so do it! Always!
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I meant to say, so do i!!!
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For what it’s worth, I always enjoy reading your blog! I feel like I get to know you a little better, and sometimes can relate to what you’re going through and feel a little less alone in my writer’s journey!
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Awwwww, sweetie! Thank you. That made my day!!!
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When I blog, it’s not usually about myself (except when I was doing the 52-week blogging challenge last year). While I’ve lived a moderately eventful life, my day to day life is pretty boring. So I mostly write about my work.
Is blogging a form of narcissism? No more so than assuming others are so interested in the stories in our daydreams that they’re willing to pay for them.
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Ed – excellent point!!! thank you.
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First of all, phooey on your fringe acquaintance. What business is it of hers whether you blog or not? If she doesn’t want to read your blog, fine. But a lot of other people do.
Secondly, I love the graphic! Cheers!
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Jana – thanks! she’s a fringe acquaintance for a reason! heehee
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I like your blog! I’m also a blogger and it can be a challenge to come up with stuff, I agree. I tend to stray from writing into nature, animals, gardening…so not sure how that helps me market my books. I get them in there sometimes.
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Beth – I know, it’s hard to come up with topics that aren’t all buy my book related!!!! that’s why i like featuring authors and writing the other stuff too!
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Yep. 🙂
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I enjoy your blog. As a blogger too, it’s tough to come up with interesting stuff, since I have one blog about writing, the other blog just things that interest me or I feel strongly about. I don’t blog every day. Several of yours have hit home and felt like I wasn’t the only one feeling like that on this writing journey! Keep it up.
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Tena #Blessyou. I know you have more than one blog like I do. The menopause one for me is so much easier to write because it’s topical ( weight loss, hormones, etc.) This one is trying to be several things at once, sometimes. I guess I just have to remember that the people who like what I write come back again and again. thanks for the support!
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Verbal vivisection – see, you have such a way with words why wouldn’t we want to hear your thoughts? I agree with whomever said “phoey” to the fringe acquaintence (another great turn of phrase) and keep up the good work!
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Hahah. Katie, thanks. #BlessYou . This chick is a real fringe acquaintance – and I,m keeping her there! thanks for your kind words and support ( always!)
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It’s not narcissism! Readers always want to know about authors and frankly, anyone who doesn’t, doesn’t have to read. Pfft. Keep blogging!
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Jennifer – that’s true! thanks for that!
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Add my name to those who enjoy reading your blog, Peggy. When I started my blog, long before I got published, I wrote it just to write, not expecting any readers. Narcissistic? Guilty I admit!
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Cat – #Blessyou!!! We’ll be in the same narcissists club!
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Hi, Peggy. I rarely post anything about myself on my blog. My blog posts are eclectic subjects from Groundhog Day to recipes to featuring one of my books or another author’s book, etc. I think blogs are a way for us to stay in the writing zone. Even if that’s all I accomplish, I’m fine with it. Narcissistic? Ha! You should have told her to try to write one. 🙂
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Judy, Hahah. I’m not even sure she’s literate!!! Okay, that’s mean. She can read. Just not my stuff, apparently!!
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Ahh…them I guess I’m part of the ‘narcissists club’ Peggy. Some of my most loyal readers have been with me since my first blog post in 2012. They waited patiently for TWO year before my first book was published. I blogged ALL the time. I must admit I don’t blog as much as I used to, but you’ve inspired me to get back on track. It’s one of my goals for this year, along with my monthly travel blog. I’d say our club has many members. 😉
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Mary – you have loyal readers and followers because your books are fabulous!!! And I agree, our club is filled to the rafters!
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Who are we kidding?? We are all about self-promotion! And everything we have learned tells us that readers want a personal connection. So, we give them a personal connection by showing ourselves as the vulnerable, derpy, but modest people we are. That is not narcissistic. That is how you sell books. Or whatever you are selling. And this “fringer” is just jealous! 🙂
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Susabelle – thanks for that! I tend to think people who say things like she did are jealous, too.
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