I am starting to think of myself as a former blogger. Back in the old days, I published as many as twenty-some posts per month; lately, it's been more like two or three. There are a handful of reasons behind my lack of chattiness. One major catalyst is that parenting a toddler while pastoring a church is no joke. I'm also not reading nearly as much as I did last year, for the same reasons. Then there's the Facebook phenomenon; it seems like the blogosphere has all relocated to that neighborhood. There are certain things I like a lot about Facebook, like reconnecting with people and keeping in better touch with good friends. But. There is a lot I don't like about Facebook, and one is that I ultimately prefer to read a handful of thoughtful paragraphs than two hundred pithy sentences. And reason number three? I feel like I've more or less misplaced my blogging "voice" - in part because I'm not really sure what kind of blog any day a beautiful change is anymore. Is it a ministry blog? Parenting blog? Personal reflections? Theological musings? The easy answer is yes, it's all of those things. It's whatever I want it to be. But for whatever reason, I don't have a backlog of 25 different things to blog about whenever I get the chance.
What this blog started as was simple: an outlet to write. And I do think writing as much as I've written here has been a good thing. Lately I've thought that what I need to do is keep a nonpublished journal. And yet I'm still hesitant to pull the plug here.
I do have related news: I received word yesterday that I got into Writing and the Pastoral Life with Eugene Peterson. In Collegeville, Minnesota. And that my good friend Nathan also received an invitation. In a small world twist, I actually met Nathan in Collegeville the summer before seminary, when we were both fellows with the Fund for Theological Education. My hope for the workshop is to finally begin working on a non-blogging writing project, one of those things I believe is called a "book". I have four ideas - three nonfiction, and one novel. So we'll see what comes next.
Oh fabulous! I had so wanted to apply, but the uncertain timing of the presence of a certain miss S made that not an option. It sounds like a GREAT workshop!
ReplyDeleteand in the meantime during this great blog debate, aunt marie would like this to turn into the just juliette pictures blog. thankyouverymuch.
ReplyDeleteIt's all part of the ebb and flow, but pretty please don't quit doing it because I live for reading anything you write, especially since you're way out there far away all the time, forever and evermore.
ReplyDeletecongrats!
ReplyDeletei'm jealous that you have book ideas. i have the energy, and maybe even the time, but no solid ideas.
you're a wonderful writer.. blog, book... whatever!
Don't quit. Let it be an everything blog. We like pictures, but some of us love to hear what you're thinking too. A lot. I miss it.
ReplyDeletei love this entry. it's exactly where i am. looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks...
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the blogging problem. Can I tell you a secret? When you got pregnant, I wondered if you'd keep up the furious pace of enlightening posts. Because, my blog after my son came along lost some focus and regularity. Since you had the same problem, I felt like it wasn't just me! One thing I did recently was add a subtitle to the blog that included all the things I found myself blogging about anyway. that gave me a sense of entitlement to write about the stuff I wanted to. Or, would that be a sense of ensubtitlement? Your blog is superb. It inspires and resonates.
ReplyDeleteYou were born to write: I will proofread your genius if you let me :)
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