The Garden Dawdler by Rory

The week’s question are — I am taking my best guess here — about blogging. My only suggestion would be to suggest indefinite articles lack specificity. Maybe mention the subject and then move on to “it”?

And so, here are the questions of the week.

Do you think it* (a blog?) helps or hinders a writer from having a big ego?

I’m guessing from the rest of the questions that “it” is “blogging.” So I believe (but I could be wrong), that you are asking whether having a blog helps or hinders a writer from having a big ego, with a more subtle implication that “a big ego” is a “bad thing.”

First, I don’t think having a strong ego is a bad thing, but big? Is big the same as strong? I don’t think you can be a writer in a public space without a strong ego. You will inevitably come in for some degree of criticism or at least disagreement. If you have a fragile ego, you will feel constantly assaulted by any response that isn’t supportive. Even neutrality can be seen as negative.

However, having a BIG ego, as in “inflated to the degree that you are a legend in your own mind” even when no one else is on the same page? They you are getting a bit Trumpish — and that is definitely not a good thing.

Over all, I think you need at least enough ego to deal with disagreements or criticism. If you can’t deal with it, don’t blog. Also don’t be a writer. I know many (maybe most) writers are over-senstive about their work. We probably are, but the price of publication it learning to deal with and accept that criticism will happen. Sometimes, you can learn from it.

Not all criticism is intended to hurt your feelings. Some is meant to call attention to something you failed to notice or is legitimate disagreement. And sometimes it’s your editor telling you to rewrite the manuscript which you really don’t want to do, but that’s the way the writing world rolls.

There’s also mean-spirited disagreement and trolls who think it’s funny to rile you up. You have to deal with those nasty people too. You can block a lot of negativity, but not everything.

You have to believe in yourself — and trust your editor.

How often do you read your blog content from an outsider’s perspective?

I try to read everything from an outsider’s viewpoint. Because I wrote professionally, I am pretty good at it, at least from the perspective of writing clear and understandable material. I also know if what I’m saying it likely to generate arguments, even occasionally anger to put those posts aside and decide to think about them for a while. Before posting them.

I view my blog as an allotment garden. How do you view yours?

It’s a way for me to express how I feel about life and other things — and show off photographs. I don’t have a single focus and never wanted one.

What’s the first book you ever remember reading way back when?

I have no idea. Not a clue.

Were you ever read to as a child, and by whom?

My mother read to me sometimes, but she also sang to me. I think I developed both a love for words and for music from that.

Where do you like to read? At home on the couch? Whilst travelling? In bed? Where?

All of the above.

What are the most significant barriers to your creativity?

Insufficient hours in the day.

Do you think blogging is essential, and if you do, why?

I don’t know. It’s important, at least to me. It was at some point essential. I know it is no longer essential and maybe, not even important.

There are many benefits to blogging; however, what are the three top downsides of blogging, in your opinion?

I always feel obliged to write or process photographs every day, no matter how I feel. Actually, that IS the only downside. Otherwise? It’s a hobby that lets me give my opinion — if I have an opinion — and I get to show off my pictures. Otherwise, they’d just sit on my hard drive getting old.

Categories: #Blogging, Anecdote, Q & A

Tags: Blogging, humor, Marilyn Armstrong, The Garden Dawdler