Good morning friends, haters, and other loyal readers!
I have a confession. I am bored out of my skull with the political ranting and raving and nitpicking. I’ve got to take this blog to the next level, mix things up a little bit.
Since November 2003, I’ve basically done the same thing: check the headlines, pick a story, rant and rave about it, link to other bloggers blogging about it, try to get links from other bloggers blogging about it (”chasing the link”), wait for the comments, read the comments, comment on the comments…and start over again the next day.
That’s what most bloggers do, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. It’s just not the right format for me anymore. I do some of my best writing on the blog. I put most of my time and energy into it. In fact, I put so much time and energy into it, I don’t have time to do writing outside the blog.
My former boss at the former day job, a liberal, gave me very good advice at a “goodbye and good luck” lunch. Although he leans left, he really liked my writing. He didn’t agree with most of it, but he thought I was a good writer. I told him about my plans to build up the blog, and he advised me to get into the habit of submitting op-eds to print publications once a week. At the time I waved it off. My focus was the blog, the online world. Now I remember why it’s important for a writer-blogger to do non-blog writing.
I need to focus more on filling up this page than joining the next blog swarm or catching the next meme. I want to reach more people with my ideas and opinions, and the best way to do that is to be published in a wider range of print and online pubs. Instead of being one of hundreds of bloggers commenting on MSM stories and op-eds, I want bloggers to comment on my MSM stories and op-eds.
Before the blog, I used to submit op-eds to newspapers twice a month. Sometimes I hit, sometimes I missed. But the process became a habit. As the blog began to grow, I lost the habit and concentrated on writing for the blog. The audience grew. If all I wanted to be was a blogger, the goal was achieved. But I want to be a writer again. In fact, I want to be considered a writer first. Blogging is great, but I want to be influential and known outside the blogosphere.
Starting a business, learning the business, getting clients, and finding a niche have all cut into my blogging time, and there’s still so much I want to do. I like blog consulting, and this post in no way implies that I want to give it up. I get excited when businesses contact me about starting a blog. I sell the idea of blogs first, and once people are sold, the fun really begins. I’ve got a couple of “anchor” clients now, and I need more. Visit The Language Artist. 
What does “retooling” LBC mean? It means that I will blog less. I’ve been doing less blogging these days anyway. I used to post two or three times a day, sometimes more. These days if I write one decent post, it’s a major accomplishment. Of course, less frequent posting means fewer readers. Fewer readers mean lower traffic stats.
Traffic has never been the most important part of blogging for me, although in recent months I focused on it too much. I’m ready to let that go and trust the process.
Then again, political bloggers with heavy traffic tend to do a lot of outside-the-blog writing and speaking. I’ve been approached by literary agents and publishing house editors about writing a book (because of this blog!), and I’m just now at the point where I can focus on it. I’ve written a couple of very rough draft proposals, but I need to get serious. I’m such a dunce, though, dragging my feet the way I have. Some writers would give a couple of fingers to be contacted by agents and editors.
Retooling would also mean fewer rant posts and more original reporting. It could also mean a new design, although I really like the way my site looks now. I may want a more professional, sleeker look. I guess that would be difficult to achieve with those ads in the sidebars. 
Side note: I put out a call for guest bloggers a few months back, and although I still may do this, it’s moved down the to-do list. As someone who likes to control all aspects of her site, I need to put more thought into how I’d implement the guest blogging plan.
That’s all I want to say for now. Thanks for reading LBC.
Update: An anonymous reader just sent me three homeschooling books, including Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style, with a note that reads, “For your future children.”
It’s gestures like this that make blogging worthwhile. Thank you.
Another Update: Boy, can I relate to Neo-neocon’s post. Some readers can’t resist urging bloggers to blog about something. (Suggestions and links are OK).
One reader with a phony name kept e-mailing links to stories and urged me to blog about this issue or that controversy. I told him to start his own blog and cover the topics himself. (I wasn’t hostile at all. I even put a sincere smilie in the reply.) He responded with a sarcastic “great way to create balance and credibility,” as if I’m obligated to be balanced or care whether my post topics help or hurt my credibility. In whose opinion?
When such readers start paying me a salary, then I’ll blog about what they want me to blog about.
By the way, my friend Joseph Phillips has a book coming out on May 1. My turn!
Joseph and I were on a panel together last year. See Reclaiming Our Destiny and Vanguard. More photos here.
One more item before I call it a day. Bucktowndusty wants to start a blog swarm. A cardinal is instructing priests not to follow immigration law.
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Good for you La Shawn. It’s always good to check motives and understand why your doing something. When we do a little of that the produce continually remains fresh and interesting. Thanks for showing us that life is bigger than the blog.
LaShawn, Congrats!! Great move because one of the secrets of success is to stick with what you know and what you are doing well at and move up.. That is what you are planning on doing.. You will go far! You are an awesome writer/blogger and your message is of great importance in moving the focus of African Americans off of Dean, and onto people like Condi. I also enjoy your comments spiritually because you are on target and not out in the left field.
Much success to you!
I am also bored out of my skull with the political ranting and raving and nitpicking. I think when we get past griping, as it used to be called, we will start making substantive changes in our government and politics. As it is we like a bunch of old women griping who no one pays attention to. Before anyone shoots me, I’m an older woman and can say that.
My website is a personal one so I didn’t put it here.
LaShawn:
It is good that you are writing about this, becuase I think that being at a crossroads with your writing will actually help aspiring writers like myself find out just what it takes to get to the next level. I think that blogging is a good first step in developing your voice, polishing your writing style, and getting feedback from readers that will be far less critical of your writing than perhaps an editor would.
I do not always agree with your viewpoints, but they are refreshing nonetheless. Most issues concerning American-Americans get swept under the rug because no one really wants to look at the hard truth in doing so. I would keep with that focus, because it could all do us a lot of good.
I think that you should think as well about writing a howto book that would teach people how to build a sustainable blog. It would be helpful to me and others that are realatively new to this area learn from someone who has been there done that and continues to do it!
Good Call, La Shawn. You need to keep it interesting for yourself first and foremost. If you enjoy what you’re writing about, the writing’s going to be better. Good luck with the new approach. I look forward to your original reporting.
Do it. Writing once a week is good practice, even if you don’t get paid to do so.
LaShawn, this guy is right up your alley. http://terrywhalin.blogspot.com/ I think you won’t be disappointed if you spend some time here.
Regards
You’ve never bored me, good luck in all you do, just don’t quit blogging entirely.
Hey, I would heartily welcome a book in my library by you, La Shawn. GO for it! We’ll miss you, of course.
but It will be great reading more of your columns and seeing more of you in the big print media. (who says blogging will get you nowhere…)
Blogging has done so much for me, and I could never give it up. I just have to spend less time doing it if I want to be published elsewhere. I’ll be a part of the blogosphere until I’m old and gray, God willing.
Thanks, buck. Terry’s blog is one of my daily reads via Bloglines.
I learned who you were, LaShawn, when I saw you on C-Span and after listening to the program. I was so impressed by what you had to say, that I googled your name and found this blog. I’ve enjoyed this blog tremendously, but I believe you have a higher calling. Go for it.
Dianne
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog.
God be with you in all your writing endeavor.
I have always enjoyed your perspective. Best wishes for whatever way God directs your life.
Sounds like a good plan, LaShawn. I think this “both/and” strategy suits anyone who can write and who already has a decent-sized audience.
Have you ever been on Hugh Hewitt’s show? He’s one of my favorite new media guys, I catch his show sometimes on the way home. (Also a huge Harry Potter fan, I might add!)
There is nothing like being a Trail Blazer.. Go for it La Shawn, if that’s what’s in your heart and what you feel is right, hammer it..
Hammer, tool analogy..
I would be willing to bet that if you start writing in a new direction and especially if YOU are successful, others will promptly follow your lead…
When such readers start paying me a salary, then I’ll blog about what they want me to blog about.
Why even then, La Shawn? After all, they would be paying for your knowledge, insight and writing skills. You do what you do very well!
I actually dislike cliches, but ‘you go girl!’
We won’t “miss you” because you will still be there. We just will not have quite as many animated discussions started by your thoughts of the day. Have quite enjoyed your site. I remember that you went to law school, did you pass the bar? Only ask you that to set you up for the bad lawyer joke of the day.
I was a “old line liberal” in the 60’s. Am not a liberal today because what passes for liberalism today is a sad parody of what it once was. Oh, and also because I grew up. Trouble is, so few are willing to stick to their guns for any school of thought that might demand action instead of words.
Abe was a lawyer in a small town in Illinois.
Could not make a go of it. Became the editor of a newspaper. Several lawyers moved in over the next year. Ole Abe said that if you were the only lawyer in a small town you’d like to starve to death. But if there were three or four of you, you’d all make a pretty good living somehow.
My first thought of an ending was “be seeing you”, but thats not quite true, is it? Be reading you, thats it. Thanks.
No, didn’t pass the bar, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll continue this blog until I can’t. –
– Admin
La Shawn, The first time I read you online was in an op ed. You’re very good at it. I think you’re taking the next logical step in your career, and I will pray for your success.
Well, well, well! You have a perfect right to publish or not on the web or in print. You can rant, rave, excoriate or preach to the choir as you choose.
But, yours is a voice of clarity and reason. God did not give you this talent for transient reasons.
LaShawn, you need to have a heart to heart with yourself. Your blog has stirred the thinking pot in a thousand ways. Sometimes the burden of teaching and prodding is onerous, but it is one of the most important jobs a person can undertake in this life.
You have made a role model of yourself and that is a position that carries a great deal of responsibility with it.
Lady,
It is your blog.
Your decision on how/where you pursue your writing.
But,
Please don’t stop writing. Your words are needed in these troubled times.
Thanks
“Some writers would give a couple of fingers to be contacted by agents and editors.”
NO KIDDING!
Okay, now. Wait a minute. Who am I supposed to get my political rants and raves from now? Things were already getting rough with the lower number of posts trickling in, LaShawn. I’m going to have to get my political op-ed somewhere, Friend. And I’m picky. It has to be a woman and it has to be a Christian and it has to be LaShawn.
Okay, okay. I’ll settle for the first two of the three.
But you will keep posting something? On occasion?
As I’ve commented before, I’ve been reading your blog almost from its inception.
My observation is that you’re burning out. This is not a negative commentary. It’s actually a good thing, when it’s recognized.
Listen: you’re in the business (current events and news) that dictates a constant stream of negative news — is good , at least for business. This rubs contrary to your Christian principles.
I long ago suggested you enter politics. Not much difference in the negativity, but at least you get the chance to see some good from the work you do and the time you invest. You’re working too hard to not get the proper recognition.
Fear not: you’ll do well.
I think that is great La Shawn. I pray that you will find your groove in on and offline writing. I know you will succeed.
Hi La Shawn,
I had the same feelings about my blog lately. I noticed something interesting. You said, “But I want to be a writer again. In fact, I want to be considered a writer first.” I’d like to think that all bloggers are writers already. If you’ve put pen to paper or typed on a template you are a writer.
So what if I’ve never been paid. I’ve been read and quoted on other websites. I consider that being a writer. In addition I have published a monograph, again, unpaid, but am I any less a writer than a member of the press or a talking head or a columnist? No, they’re just more famous and admittedly better writers than I am.
Whatever you choose to do, enjoy it. Take all you can and live it to the full. Keep writing either way. You have a ready made audience no matter where your work appears.
Scott G
Trust in Jesus and go with your heart. My prayers are with you.
03 08 06
Go for it LaShawn! Change is an essential ingredient for self betterment. I have recently gone into my heart and started to blog more about personal experiences and PHYSICS, which is my heart. I think when we focus on what we wanna focus on, blogging is fun. Trying to post multiple times a day or keep stats up takes away from the joy of it. Best wishes with your business ventures as well.
Don’t worry about the rants, unless your looking to be the next Oprah. And if you are looking, settle down.
MQ
Best of luck with everything, La Shawn!
Blogging is both vocational and avocational for me. However, personal letters (both electronic and snail-mail) can be neglected and other forms of writing — also other reasons for writing — be lost. I’ve been a good writer and editor for years; high school and college publications, caring parents, dedicated teachers, and personal skills and inclinations all contributed.
The opportunity to comment here also provokes opportunity to share both my thoughts and yours with my own readers while I point still others to what you’ve said:
http://aardvarkalley.blogspot.com/2006/03/getting-back-to-20-20.html
However, a “Writing for the Church” workshop through Concordia Publishing House and the following opportunities to write sermons, prayers, and devotions for publication have both sharpened my writing chops and made me more attentive to many of life’s other details. Learning as an adult because I wanted to and then being given opportunity to put the skills into practice helped immensely.
The pages I need to fill involve family and congregation: I am husband, father, and pastor above all. But when writing enters the picture, I want it to be the best I have to offer.
You’ve reminded me and many others of the joy of vocation fulfilled and new or expanded vocations granted by our gracious God. The marvel is that when we approach any of our tasks with open eyes and thankful hearts, all of our skills learn and grow from the effort and from the God who blesses them.
LaShawn, I’m sure that this direction you’ve chosen to take, will be a successfull one. Thank you for being so open and honest about blogging. I often feel much the same way. I’m asking myself, Am I a blogger or a writer, and why does the line seem so blurry at times?
I’ve only recently discovered you, but you make it all appear so effortless–you get up, words flow freely from your pen, you greet your multitude of readers, and you’re done by 8 am. Thanks for sharing the reality. Bless you on this journey.
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