Article by Wendy McCance
It’s been such a long time since I have written anything on this blog. In fact, to be perfectly honest, 2015 was a disaster with far too few articles posted on the blog. unfortunately the trend seems to be continuing into 2016.
I have been plagued with guilt for letting my blog get so anemic. For the first few years, I posted daily and on occasion more than one article made it onto the site. Sure I could blame my lack of writing on the personal issues I faced in the last year, but, what I’ve found out is that although I was in a state of shock for quite some time as I processed a cancer diagnosis, it did me no good to let go of all of the important things I had been creating and putting in place for the past 4 years.
In the last few months, I have been getting some heartfelt notes from readers who have been following me on my blog and social media sites. I truly appreciate hearing that what I have been writing made such a strong impression on you. When I read that I have made a difference in the life of someone who read something I wrote, it means the world to me. It’s notes like that that are spurring me on to get back in the saddle and get back to creating. Thank you for all of the kind words.
So, here I am beginning the process again. One of the biggest problems I have been facing is simply trying to figure out what to write about. In the past, I could sit down with my laptop, not much of an idea of what I wanted to say and somehow, my fingers would fly across the keyboard as I wrote something I didn’t know existed in my head. I would literally read it back after as though I was hearing the words for the first time myself.
Have you ever had an experience like that? It’s a little strange, but magical and a bit powerful I must admit.
I’m sure my writing sounds pretty rusty and I can attest to the fact that I type much slower than I can remember. In the last year, I flipped interests and focused my energy into the social media management end of my business. I wasn’t as interested in writing for clients as I wanted to work on the social media.
I love the interactions that occur with potential customers. All based on what you have written and put out into the universe. It’s a rewarding feeling when the numbers grow as more people become more interested in what you are selling. It’s instant gratification.
Writing an article (on the other hand) wasn’t as exciting. There is no customer feedback and the customer is already at the website so you can’t witness how you pulled in a customer from another platform to the website.
Personally, I have to admit that the real thrill in writing has to do with what I can write for myself. Ultimately, I figured out that social media management is where I found the most personal and professional reward.
Have you had an experience like that where you are on one track with your business and find that what you had as a small feature of your company became what you focused on the most? I guess it’s the learning process and maturing of the company. I do feel more confident now knowing for certain what I am most passionate about. It has made a huge difference in the development and success of my company.
Thanks again for stopping by the blog to read what I am putting out there. I hope I can continue to inspire, amuse and create moments in my writing where you feel there is someone out there who gets it and feels similarly to you and what you are experiencing.
Wendy McCance
To contact Wendy McCance about a writing or social media assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]
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My site has been anemic, too. Just so busy with “real work” that I have neglected it. I miss creative writing, but when I sit to do a blog post, I get writer’s block.
This sounds like something a lot of people are facing with their blogs these days. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Happy for you that it’s because you are just busy with work. 🙂
Hi, Wendy. Glad to see you back again. I stopped writing my blog last year and a part of me really misses it, but I don’t feel the need to start it up again. I guess I finally wrote everything I wanted say about cats…more than once! I still love to write. I still love cats. I just don’t have any pressing need to write about them anymore. When it stopped being fun and started being a chore, I had to let it go. I think it’s for the best, but I still read many of my favorite blogs so I can stay in touch with the great community of people I’ve met online.
Starting a blog, setting it up on WordPress, learning how to do new techie things with it — it was all a great challenge and i met it. But I’m done now. 🙂
Best wishes to you, Wendy!
Hi Beverly, you know there is a whole crew of us that started our blogs around the same time. I remember getting past the 6th month and 1 year mark with these bloggers and we were all amazed that we were still going strong. To continue for several years is rather remarkable. You had a terrific blog and I’m sad to hear that you are done. I wonder if there is like a 5 year mark for the more determined blogger or something like that. Wishing you the very best. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. 🙂
Hi Wendy — I can relate to what you’re saying and where you’re at right now. I haven’t been as active in writing and posting on my site either. I don’t really have any excuses or going through the personal issues like you are.
For me, there’s been a lot of transition within and discovery. You’d think, that would be gold for writing but it hasn’t totally reached my head yet where I can process it mentally like that and put it into words.
I have a post, I’ve been working on now for more than a couple of weeks and it just hasn’t come together yet. Guess that’s what you mean about development and the learning process on what I’m passionate about.
You and I are alike, in that what we write and put out there, we want it to matter and mean something. Hopefully, for it to make a difference to someone. I enjoy your writing and thought processes. You’ve been most helpful in the marketing aspects of social media and also as a friend sharing life’s tender moments. Keep doing what you’re doing — it matters. 🙂
Thanks Pat. I see the similarities too! You really pegged it when you said you were going through a lot of transition and discovery. That’s what it’s like for me too. It’s a lot to absorb and oddly it makes me feel kind of numb. It’s somehow really hard to access my feelings and put them into words. Not something I’m used to feeling. Hope you get back to writing soon. Thanks for sharing your experience. I can truly relate and it honestly made me feel more normal about my own situation. 🙂
I’m glad you got something from that, Wendy. It’s hard to explain and I know you understand. Maybe, a lot of us are feeling the same but in different scenarios. However it is, I’ve mostly been in the “don’t push the river” mindset. 🙂