The title of this post might be slightly misleading as I’m merely stating what regular visitors to my blog have probably already noticed. When I started Monkey Bear Reviews almost a year ago, I didn’t have a rigid view of what I would blog about, but I figured it would mainly concern books, with a particular emphasis on romance novels. I wanted a forum in which I could discuss romance books with my reader’s hat on, leaving any discussion of my writing progress (or lack thereof) for RWA lists. With the exception of posts related to the publishing industry, the vast majority of what I’ve written here has concentrated on romance novels, either in the form of reviews, or as op-eds devoted to aspects of the romance reading experience.
Fast forward ten months and I feel the need for a change. I’ve mentioned several times that I tried very hard to have this blog reflect me as a reader, not as a writer. I’ve come to the realisation that it doesn’t matter. I don’t think my visitors care whether or not I publish the odd post about writing. As it happens, I rarely feel inclined to write about writing because, well, I’d rather write! Upon occasion, though, a topic occurs to me which relates to my writing and then I don’t blog about it as I think it won’t interest my visitors. I also hesitated to post about board games as I was sure no one would want to read it, and it turned out to be my most popular post in January.
I suspect my recent blogging ennui was due at least in part to boredom. I was getting sick of writing about the same old stuff. Potential ideas for posts occurred to me, but none of them were related to romance novels, so I didn’t write them. From now on, I’m going to blog about whatever strikes my fancy, be it board games, news articles, writing, blog design, or non-romance novels. As I still read a lot of romance, the majority of my book reviews are likely to be of that genre.
I hope the topics I choose to blog about will interest people, but, to be frank, the most important thing is that they interest me. If I’m to keep up my enthusiasm for blogging, I need to roll with my moods and blog about whatever I feel like discussing.
{ 14 comments }
I always enjoy reading all your posts Sarah, even if I don’t always leave a comment. Looking forward to read your posts on whatever you want to blog about!
Ya gotta roll with what works for you! Your blog, your topics!!
You have to have a blog that YOU enjoy
Write away!
I enjoy your variety of blog topics and like everyone before me said, blog about what interests you or rocks your world at the moment
You are one of my favorite blogs to visit, so whatever you post, I will read. Go for yours and whatever makes you happy
I think people tend to find their groove with blogging after a while both in terms of what they blog about and how often. I must be pretty slow because I feel like I’ve only just reached equanimity with this in the last few months after blogging for two and a half years. I read blogs partly for content and partly for voice. Content is what gets me reading in the first place, but if I love a blogger’s voice I will then read pretty much anything they write within reason.
Er, shouldn’t this post be titled “New LACK OF focus for Monkey Bear Reviews”?
You can kill me now, but I agree with everyone else. do what feels fun for you.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you post!
I’ll read them anyway, I like your perspective and how laid back your blog is. I definately read your blog for that, not necessarily for the Romance reviews (although that’s what brought me here, initially, I will admit). Best of luck, and I’ll be reading you!
Sounds like a plan to me!
No matter what you do, please continue to bring back the Monkey Bear himself for the occasional visit. I miss his smiling face.
Thanks to everyone for all your comments! I don’t think my blog will be radically different to what it’s always been but I like the idea of having the freedom to write about something which is not related to romance novels if I feel so inclined.
Magdalen, the original Monkey Bear is almost unrecognisable to when that photo was taken. He has a distinctly “loved” look about him now.
It’s your blog, you should write what you want to… *g*