It’s Time For Change
May 23, 2008 · Print This Article
Change is the buzzword here in the United States as the 2008 Presidential campaign rolls on. Barack Obama and his supporters are forever using the word.
To borrow the phrase from the rock star Democratic candidate, “It’s time for change” for me as well. My original blog, Vigorous Writing, was a great learning experience into the world of blogging.
Previously
I wrote almost exclusively about improving your writing skills, often in long, thousand-word posts.
I used Google’s free blogging platform, Blogger, and, along the way, learned plenty of things that hopefully have made me a better blogger overall.
A New Day
Today marks the first post on my new blog, Robust Writing, and in addition to changing platforms (this runs on Wordpress), I’ve decided to change the way I blog–somewhat. As of yesterday, I had 337 readers subscribed to my original blog, so there are people who enjoyed my blogging; thus, I’m not instituting radical changes.
Just tweaks, adaptations correlating to the most haunting and profound blogging advice I’ve picked up on. I’ll be writing much shorter posts (although occasionally I’ll bang out a long one–when the topic merits it), and writing with a more, suggestive, persuasive, helpful tone rather than making commanding, God-like pronouncements. The blogosphere has enough of that.
I’ll be writing more for the blog genre–laser-like, short, to-the-point posts on some subject related to writing.
The Future?
For an idea of what I’m aiming for, check out these two blogs, which (to me) really nail the blog format, by providing useful, original information in short spaces:
and
I plan on exploring how to write clearly and profitably (in every sense of the word) on this blog in roughly 250 words or less. Anything writing related is fair game here.
Although, I admit, I’m beyond tired of blogging about blogging; I much prefer to write about writing. So, the focus here will be much more on the craft of writing than about “how to build a better blog”–helpful and sometimes necessary, but almost always boring.
Of course, I’m sure this blog will evolve as time goes on. Let’s see what we create here.
Hey Jesse,
I discovered vigorous writing 2 weeks ago and read something like 20 entries straight. While there are a lot of blogs about marketing and how to promote your blog, blogs about how to write for a blog are much rarer - yours is a pearl. Thanks for sharing all that knowledge with us. I appreciate it. Long live Robust writing!
Nice looking site. Looking forward to your future posts!
Clement,
Wow…thanks for such kind words. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my stuff.
Scott,
Thanks. Gotta give credit to the Men with Pens for the design–they did do a great job.
Similar to Clement, I discovered Vigorous Writing a few months ago, and I loved it. Your posts are always on interesting and relevant topics. You don’t just give lists of “fast tips” that are full of buzzwords and lacking in content like so many other writing blogs. Your posts really inspire me to write well. I have subscribed to your new blog, and I wish you lots of luck in your new venture!
Tyler
Tyler,
Thanks a lot. I have tried to be substantive in my posts, and I appreciate you appreciating that.
Jesse
Jesse’s last blog post..It’s Time For Change
Welcome to Wordpress. I’ve been following your blog for a few weeks now. You have an excellent blog. I’ve learned a lot from you.
I’ll update my favorites.
Magnolia’s last blog post..Rise and Shine………
Magnolia,
Thanks for the welcome, and for updating.
Jesse
Jesse’s last blog post..It’s Time For Change
Hey Jesse,
I’m back this morning re-reading your post. I’ve spent countless hours reading blogs on blogging. I agree, they are helpful, but sooner or later you’re saturated and enough’s enough.
I cannot say I’ve ever been very good at following forumulas (though I have an accounting degree, go figure). Maybe, a better way to say it is, I’ve never been very good at adhering to rules for rules sake. There has never been rule I couldn’t question or a rule I couldn’t rebel against.
It’s in my head strong nature I suppose to chart my own path, regardless of how self destructive it may be. It’s my own self destruction at least.
So it is with blogging ideas and how one should go about it. I agree that if a post is too long winded it can lose a reader. I’ve learned this, but at the same time, I question the wisdom that shorter is always better.
I think if you have something to say and people are interested in what you have to say, they will hang with you, short post or not.
It just seems to me that falling into the lock step of the wisdom that “shorter is better” is falling into lock step in general, and so you’re idea of doing something different has just blended into the banal once again.
How do trends get started in the first place? Someone dares to venture out of the crowd and go in a different direction.
Just a few thoughts this morning……..
Magnolia’s last blog post..I never promised you a rose garden………
Jesse,
I like the brand-spanking new look!!! I still love Blogger, and it will always be my favorite, but I congratulate you on making the transition.
Please don’t be Barack Obama anymore…
Magnolia,
You’re right when you say:
“I think if you have something to say and people are interested in what you have to say, they will hang with you, short post or not.”
It really boils down to whether the writer has something original, valuable, and/or interesting to share.
I think I’m considering doing shorter posts for a few reasons, perhaps chief among them that it will compel me to sharpen my ideas and message–I’m always advocating concise, get-to-the-point writing…in looking back at some of my longer posts, I realize that part of the reason they were so long was because I just kept writing whatever I wanted to say on the subject.
I could have made my arguments stronger and clearer by being briefer–limited words means you have to make your point more clearly and boldly.
However, I will write more lengthy pieces when the situation warrants it, but the key will always be:
Does every word tell, does every word really need to be in there? Every word must have a real reason for being used.
Jesse’s last blog post..It’s Time For Change
yeah, I understand what you’re saying. It also brings a light to the fundemental differences in communication between men and women. Women use approximately 2/3 more words than men in making a point.
Though there are times when my husband and I have role reversals and I’m more of a “get to the point” kind of person as well and he likes to speak on and on………..
But, not to take away from your point here. I get it and I can see where this approach would make for better writing.
In fact, I write for another website and as I edit, I find myself asking these questions…..does this word fulfill a specific purpose?
It’s excellent advice.
Again, love your blog.
Magnolia’s last blog post..Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche
Congratulations on Robust Writing. Your former blog was helpful to me as I try to become slightly less lyrical (= long-winded!) in my mostly creative nonfiction writing. I particularly appreciate your straightforward approach and the honesty that shines forth.
Thanks, Jesse, and best wishes for continued and ever-increasing success.
Elizabeth (Beth) Westmark’s last blog post..Can’t We Just Call It A Lovely Immigrant?
Elizabeth,
Thanks for the kind words. Honestly, so much of what I write is directed at myself as much as anyone else; it’s an exercise in writing better that pushes me to practice what I preach.
Glad you like the new site.
Jesse’s last blog post..Should You Really Use That Great Quote?
I love short entries that still contain the same impact as long winded entries! It’s just plain refreshing. And, I think the varied approach is the best one: more entries on the shorter side, but longer ones every now and then. In my blog, short entries are king. I think the reader often appreciates this. I know I do.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..I Survived Abercrombie & Fitch
Great new site, Jesse. I’ve updated my feed, and I’m excited about what you’ve got coming up!
Good moves, getting off Blogger and letting Harry and James work on your design, too.
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey’s last blog post..Do You Meme?
Bob,
Thanks for stopping by and updating the feed.
Yes, Blogger was cool, but WordPress gives me more capability to do the things I want to do.
Harry and James did do a great job. I’m enjoying the new site.