Becoming a Better Blogger

Writing during NaNoWriMo circa 2013

I've been thinking more about writing lately. Sometimes after a particularly tiresome and draining day at work, I daydream about what it would be like to be a blogger who writes books. My heart fills with yearning as I imagine becoming one of the Glennons or Shaunas of the world. That isn't to say that those ladies don't have their work cut out for them. Nor do I presume that they don't have days where the exhaustion of writing has them daydreaming about an alternative career path. But in my heart of hearts, I long to write. Really write. And for my writing to resonate with people.

I'm not good at self-promotion. It feels awkward and inauthentic. Like trying on a dress that looks great on your best friend, but looks clumsy and ill-fitting when you try it on for yourself. I'm not savvy when it comes to social media, and I can't take a decent photograph to save my life. So in thinking about what I actually have to offer the blogging world, the truth rings loud and clear: I have only myself and my writing to give.

And if I'm being honest, the content found on this very blog is something I wouldn't look twice at. That isn't to say I don't enjoy writing my letters to Baby Pep, or reviewing the books I've been reading this, but if I truly desire for my writing to be taken seriously, I need to step up my game.

The  one thing shared by the ladies whom I admire most- authors like Glennon, Shauna, Kelle and even the not-so-famous ladies like Amber at Mr. Thomas and Me and Katie at Hope Engaged is that every single one of their posts is intentional. For me, I might post one of those real, punch-you-in-the-gut, authentic posts once every six months, But for these ladies, the real writers, every post is written with purpose. Every post is meant to scratch below the surface and cause us to feel. 

This is what I think sets the writers apart from the lifestyle bloggers. And as much as I value this space and this forum, I want to be a writer first.

So I guess that leaves me with- where do I go from here?

If I want to become a better blogger, a better writer, I need to write what is real. And I need to write it consistently. So that's my goal- once per week, a real, honest post with a message.

Wish me luck!