After six years, I’m done. The publishing world has changed, we all know it. So has the world of blogging.
Once upon a time, as recently as 2-3 years ago, a blog was crucial for outreach, for getting to know readers and other authors. Blogging meant putting oneself out there. No more.
Readers find books and authors via other algorithms. Via Amazon and Goodreads and who knows where. There is far less interest in the individual thoughts of individual authors like me.
I’ve loved this blog. It is precious to me. I’ve loved interacting with my readers and my friends. I will miss writing posts and reading your comments. But it’s time to make a change. And change is good. I’ll have more time to write regular old books.
Regular old books… Therein lies the reason I began this blog- to get my books read. Well, you’re reading them. And I thank you.
This blog will become a website. I’ll keep my blog posts archived. You can read them anytime! I plan to include a number of features and I’ll post updates whenever I release a new book.
So ends an era. It’s been fun. You all keep in touch because I would be lost without you. Love, Julia
I’m sorry to see you go, but understand the reason. At least we’ll have more books to read. It’s been fun!
Keep me on the list to be notified of new stuff - and you can always post thing that you’re interested in on your website; but I will miss stopping by to see what you’ve been up to, and always enjoyed the posts.
Hoping the writing goes very well.
I am heartbroken………I love your emails and your blog. I have learned a lot from you and I have seen things that were not shown on the news. Earthquake damage and the effects on your town for an example. The recipes………some I have actually tried already and loved. Some I will be trying soon. I understand, but I will miss it. I will also be looking forward to your new books.
I love your blogs. They are so beautifully written. I love what you’ve shared over the years. But change is good and you should be writing more books!
You’ve shared with us a variety of adventures, Julia-recipes, Jake stories, ranch tales, slices of your wonderful life-and I thank you for sharing yourself on this blog. But when the blank page beacons, we respond. Your books await.
Please stay in touch.
Thank you, Marylin. This truly is difficult - signing off like this. I feel like Johnny Carson!
Thanks, Kat. You are a cherished friend. This is tough but I’ll still be around!
Thank you so much, Joy. I will miss you too - you keep in touch! You, and readers like you, are the reason it is so hard to give up blogging!
Thanks, Alicia. No worries - we’ll talk all the time!
Hopefully, Steph! If and when I can get my crazy act together!
Time for a brand new day.
I am not, repeat not, challenging your decision Julia.
But have you thought about re-inventing your blog into something that compliments your current direction better?
I thought I wanted to “quit” blogging too, which really is just writing on a website.
But once I quit thinking of my blog as some “special snowflake” and instead just used it to write publicly… my whole use of blogging as a tool changed. I kept at it, and have written over 1000 posts.
I only share this because of my personal experience, and the words you wrote when you constructed this post. They were similar to mine when I thought I was going to quit doing it.
Some ideas (if you’re still with me, LOL, the unexpected stranger telling you to keep going)…
1. Write “raw” on your blog, but perhaps less.
2. Drop the need for a “purpose” for your blog. Once in awhile, we use a wrench as a hammer, and that’s okay.
3. Write longer, 2500 word - plus essays on a very infrequent basis.
4. Just use your blog for keeping the writing “edge” sharp. Sometimes, having something to just “write in the morning” gets the creative juices flowing for a story you’re writing.
5. Challenge yourself with your blog, do it just because it’s that one thing you don’t quit.
. (this is one reason I didn’t quit, we need a challenge we don’t back down to)
Anyhow, I don’t know you, and this was only written because I saw your post from TPV, and I hope you won’t quit.
Of course, this comment is a grain of salt in your bigger picture … so take it only as that.
Wow. Do what you think is best. Be yourself.
Thanks, Tim. We’ll keep in touch regardless. Beep me on Twitter!
Will miss you and your writings terribly. Yet…… some how I understand.
Best wishes. Keep in touch.
If you ever have a recipe you just HAVE to share, you are always welcome to be a Guest Poster over on my blog.
Blessings, in all you do dear friend.
Thanks for the pep talk, Joseph. I really appreciate your thoughts. I do plan to keep the blog site open as a website. Who knows? If I feel blogging is becoming more relevant I’ll blog again. However, I have so little free time - my life is very busy - I’ve come to believe the time spent writing more books is more important.
Besides- who knows? May open another blog where I can talk about things entirely unrelated to my writing.
Yeah, it is, Penny. Sad though.
Great idea, Roberta. I’ll take you up on it. Just made pan forte - need a place to put that recipe!
You aren’t quitting your blog, you’re reinventing it. And turning all the work you’ve already done into the foundation for a better way to connect with others and to make your work known (and loved) in the world. I saw an excerpt from your post on Passive Voice, and when I read the full posting here, I just felt I had to write to encourage you. Restructure what you have been doing so it works better for you. I just upgraded my website to a SquareSpace site (after being on a more static Author’s Guild site builder) and love the wonderful flexibility. I had to copy my blogs by hand, but because you’re on WordPress, you can just transfer them over. Briefly looking at what you have been creating, I would say that giving yourself a breathing space on blogging (especially frequency) and focusing more on writing goals nearest and dearest to your heart, plus giving yourself time to think about what you really, really want to do is most important of all. Follow your heart first. Then, when you’re ready to take some practical steps, look at what will help you most in the long term. Building on the platform you created shouldn’t be a heartache, it should be hopeful. And remember, no matter what you choose to do, give yourself credit for what you have already accomplished. I know that the list of things to do and the even longer list of things that need to be done and we think should be done, but the list only grows to impossible lengths in the online world. Give yourself credit for what you have been doing and have accomplished. You are beautifully creative. You have so much to offer. And now is the time to make it fun again.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Candy. Yes, I am reinventing this blog. Already underway! Fun is the name of the game. It’s why we play with words.
It’s tough to make a decision like this. I was blogging on a group blog for a long and time and had no time to even set up my own author website and get my books into Kindle. Now I have that author website and I’m hunting down a professional editor and both are possible because I’ve finally made time for me. Sometimes we just have to bite the bullet.
Yes, Sharla! It’s hard, isn’t it??? Blogging is like an addiction. Very hard to kick the habit. But yes, exactly. I need time for me.
What??? I’m going to miss your blogs. I look forward to hearing about Oscar, Jake and of course you! I understand your reasons though. And if it means more books from you - YAY!
Love ya.
Thanks, Amber. I know you’ve struggled with your own time constraints.
Frankly, Julia, I’m not surprised. I don’t know how you’ve managed to do what you do, day in and day out, and still turn out so many books. As you know, I blog, but do one every two weeks or so, when I realize it’s time. Mind you, I don’t have your following, so there’s that. Obviously, you are going to be missed. Your honesty and wit are refreshing. And yes, please stay in touch. I look forward to see what develops from here. We’re always growing, aren’t we. xo
Thanks, Diana. We will keep in touch! Growth is good!