Sunday, January 8, 2017

Why I've Got "Blogging Block"


Over break, I was talking writing with two of my brothers, both of whom are prolific tweeters and Facebook posters.  I follow them both, and I’m regularly chagrined by what they’re posting.  From detailed descriptions of their family happenings to vitriolic spouts about politicians new and old.  And then they get comments – some love from the same folks, lots of hate from the same folks.  It’s as if they’re putting out a point of view and waiting for the slings and arrows.  “I’m not sure I want to write in that space,” I shared.  “Doesn’t sound fun."

And so I haven’t written in that space and have had difficulty finding a social media voice – most of my tweets are re-tweets or responses in edchats, and I don’t feel confident enough to send my opinions into people’s feeds lest I get hammered by the mouth breathers (phrase taken from Stranger Things). 

This has not always been the case for me.  I’ve been writing for years – articles, policy, reports, quips – and published some stuff locally and nationally. Typically, my writing has been about the classroom, school house stories or edufield policy.  I write sometimes with an edge, but always from a defined, results-centered, point of view with evidence to back it up.  And it’s generally been well received.   

But my concern is that something in the readership’s expectations has changed.  They seem more ready to fight than to read, speak their minds rather than challenge them.  So much of public writing seems to have become about being right rather than real. 

So that’s where I’m at with this blogging thing.  I want to publish, I want feedback, and I’m hoping there’s an audience out there who wants to read, grow, build ideas rather than dismiss them.  And can help me do the same. 

6 comments:

  1. Hi Bill

    Welcome to the Edublogs Club!

    I'm more like you than your brothers. I rarely interact on Facebook. I'm a less prolific tweeter than I once was. Twitter feels different from what it was like in 2007, or maybe I've change? We used to engage more in conversations on twitter -- which feels harder nowadays.

    However I do believe that there is an audience that still wants to read, grow their community and discuss topics that interest them. Hopefully the weekly prompts will help encourage community.

    @suewaters

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  2. The observations about how others use social media tools is useful in helping shape how you'd like to use it.

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    1. Hi Alicia, good point! I hadn't thought about that aspect yet I often look at how others use social media and then use my reflections to shape how I use each.

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  3. Nice to meet you Alicia!

    I found this part of your post so powerful: "But my concern is that something in the readership’s expectations has changed. They seem more ready to fight than to read, speak their minds rather than challenge them. So much of public writing seems to have become about being right rather than real."

    SO TRUE! I am glad you are here with us and I look forward to reading more of what you have to share.

    Melanie Ruiz
    @mrsruiz2301
    www.mrsruiz.net

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  4. G'day Bill,
    Each of the different social media sites send out news in a variety of ways. If I want serious conversation then I will use my blogs; if I want to connect with family and friends while I am travelling overseas then Facebook is more useful; if I want some quick PD and ideas from other educators I will use Twitter - less so since I have retired.

    One difference with a blog is that you can moderate comments if you want - you don't have to publish that vitriolic rant if you don't want to. But sometimes it can lead to a great conversation.

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  5. Hi Bill,
    I am a bit like you as well regarding social media. I do occasionally add my point of view (and an occasional rant) when posting on Facebook. However, I generally keep FB for posting about my life with my kids and news articles or videos I found interesting. Twitter is my more 'professional' voice. And, now I am trying out blogging to try and combine the professional with the personal. I like how you can moderate the comments in a blog.

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