This morning I have been so bereft of blogging ideas I’ve even packed the dishwasher to avoid the computer.
I have a thousand and one ideas but all of them require some level of effort, a little bit of research, a touch of organisation, a request to interview people, preparation of photos, reading books to review.
As the clock ticks away on my limited blogging time I know I have to resort to my usual fallback – whatever the hell happens to cross my mind – drawing upon the crisis of our daily life.
Although, the family have been surprisingly NORMAL this week which sucks for the blog. I also have constraints placed on what I am allowed to blog about (oh people if only I could give you ALL the stories). I’m beginning to think that no Editor could be as fearsome as a 15 year-old and a 12 year-old determined to limit the amount of embarrassment inflicted upon their lives. Girls it’s NOT FUNNY when you delete the embarrassing bits!
My blogging mojo has fluctuated since leaving the safety net of wordpress.com where visitors wandered in via a system of topic tags. I consider whether I need to define a niche, or just keep on embracing the random. I think I would find the confines of a niche blog limiting and ultimately lose interest in it. But do readers find my blog confusing? One day it’s a photo, the next is a funny story, yet another is a topic in the news where I bleat about my thoughts on the issue, then I can chuck in a book review for good measure. Perhaps that’s just living up to the title. Shambolic Living is indeed a shambolic mix.
Working on a personal blog is great because you have total control. Working on a personal blog is crap because you have no editorial team to bounce around ideas.
So this morning I’m convening an editorial meeting.
It’s over to you guys. What would you like to see on the blog? What topics would you like me to write about? If you have to pick one part of the blog you like what is it?
I have nothing to offer for your input, just my undying gratitude and some cyber-hugs.
Definately stick with your shambolic mix of random thoughts!!! You always manage to put a smile on my face when I read your blogs…
I’m glad I leave you smiling.
may i have an extra-hot decaf mocha, please? if we must have a meeting, i like a little cup of something.
so, i love your blog as is, but i certainly understand your children’s point of view, having 2 myself. at the same time, you have a gift of seeing the humorous in daily life, which most of us do not. so keep on keeping on, i say! do what you enjoy. i also love the photos and book reviews. it’s a nice mix.
One day we are going to get coffee together in person! I’m glad you like the photos and reviews as well.
I think the quotidian is your niche. If that makes sense. This post made me laugh, even though it wasn’t “about” any particular topic and compelled me to comment. That’s all that matters is the engagement. And anything that threatens to take the joy out of your blogging should be avoided if at all possible.
And doesn’t the threat of not having a topic to write about sort of add a sense of adventure to your daily blogging? I imagine it would from reading this post. Like riding an amusement park ride or watching a horror movie. You know it’s going to be scary, but that’s why you do it!
Happy Blogging!
Sarah, you get smartest person in the room award, I had to google “quotidian” but now that I have I like that my blog is the “everyday, the commonplace, the ordinary” ’cause that’s very accurate that’s what I do focus on. I’m now going around the house saying “my niche is the quotidian”.
I would love to see you keep on doing what you have been doing.
I feel you write open,honest and from your heart.That is what keeps me coming back.I can relate to so much you have to say.
Take the pressure off yourself and enjoy whatever comes in your head.Write what you feel you would like to write about.It is nice to never know what to expect.
This is your space to do with what makes you happy.
Life is not the same everyday so why should your blog be….embrace the random we love.xx
Thank you Debbie.
One of the things I like about blogs is reading about what life is like around the world, and yours is always interesting no matter what the subject is. So I like it the way it is!
Thank you.
I agree, there’s nothing wrong with a mix. Mine is completely random. Whatever is on my mind that day. Although there’s something to be said for having a topic you’re known for … A subject you have an affinity with or inside knowledge. That’s why I started the dreaded HouseGoesHollywood, thought I might as well use my eight years experience in weekly gossip mags.
You are going to turn House Goes Hollywood into the premier entertainment site in Australia, sell millions of dollars of advertising and retire in luxury to the South of France, going “see Janine I told you people wanted to know this stuff”.
Like everyone else, I think you’ve been doing a superb job. Isn’t it our job to embarrass our children?
BTW did you ever find any graham crackers?
No I didn’t find any to buy, but I found a recipe to make them! I’ve been meaning to make some and link to the recipe, you’ve got no idea how many people find my blog by searching for “what’s the australian equivalent of graham crackers” and “smores” it’s amazing.
As a fellow non-niche blogger I completely understand your dilemma. And like you I have a million ideas but no time to actually get them up and running as they all require effort. I’m dreading the time when my kiddies start editing my blog, what on earth will I blog about then! Sorry, I’m absolutely no help to you but feel your pain 🙂