Virtual Tombstones
What I’ve learned recently as a writer/novelist is that it’s not enough to just produce quality insight and material (That I can do in multiple languages.) But the last nine months of perpetual blogging, fictional writing, self-promotion, tweeting, and constantly thinking of new ways to get my material in front of readers, has left me with a strong appreciation for the amount of diligence and dedication required of the writer.
Almost everyday I come across blogs that offer great material with witty, silky prose, and only one problem…they haven’t been updated in about 5 years. What gives? Where do these bloggers go? They’re talented, so why haven’t they stuck around? Are they dead? Did they collectively fall into a bloggers’ trench and die slow painful deaths? Are their blogs now virtual tombstones? I imagine this while I sit in busses or subways; I wonder if there is some sort of unseen villain waiting for me at the next stop who will drag me away kicking and screaming and toss me into the trench with my fellow bloggers. It hasn’t happened yet, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t. What’s my strategy? What’s my defense? Success, whispers a timid echo from within. But where is this illusive circumstance or state of being? Is there a map? How do I get there?
Which reminds me of a hilarious comment I recently read (posted by Stewart Kirby, 9 Feb 2012): “It’s incredible to me the variety of hats a writer has to wear. Not just computer wise, either. I mean, you have to actually get a construction license, put out a bid, get the contract, build the library, then physically take people to the library, teach the people how to read, feed them, clothe them, hold your work in front of their face, plus read it aloud for them. But as a writer I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
My thoughts exactly.
I hope to steer clear of this trench. If anyone has seen it, please be so kind as to send me an email, tweet, ping, or smoke signal, so that I stay clear. And likewise when I find success I’ll be the first to post it right here.
That should be worth a few more followers, don’t you think?
