Although I’m not the kind of blogger who’d apologize for light posting, I feel I ought to warn people who come here every day and expect lots of fresh content.
My blog has grown so much in the past three years because of the time and energy I’ve put into it. That hasn’t left me with much of a social life. My blog has been my baby, my business, and — I hate to say it this way — my life. Although I will continue blogging, I’m at the point where I need to release this blog’s hold on my time. I wish I could be a blogging and writing Wonder Woman like Michelle Malkin (I have yet to figure out how she does it!), but I just don’t seem to have the knack.
I noticed that she and other bloggers tend to mix in short posts with longer ones, but if I can’t write a decent longish essay-type post, I figure, why bother? I blog long, and I’ve never wanted to post five or ten short posts a day like others do. I don’t know. I’m weird that way.
I want to get to a point where this blog supplements my writing rather than my writing supplementing the blog. I tend to write off-blog articles to bring people to my blog, and at this point in my life/career, that’s the wrong focus. I want to be known primarily as a writer with a blog and not a blogger who writes the occasional article.
I’ve slowly let go of my “concern†with rankings. Like many bloggers, I do watch my Site Meter and TTLB position, but much less so than I used to. I owe that to a change of direction. I suppose I’m going through a pre-midlife crisis crisis; I’ll be 40 real soon, and just as I began writing for publication when I turned 35, I need to refocus and get back on track to do what I started out to do: consistent publication.
This blog has been a pleasant and profitable side-track, but it’s time to take risks the way I used to and channel some of this blog-energy into other pursuits. In the pipeline: a book review for Christianity Today, an article for the Christian Research Journal, and a book proposal for a Christian book publisher. Book editors have pursued me, and I foolishly dragged my feet. Why? Fear of success, fear of failure, laziness…There are no guarantees the proposal will sell, but my feet-dragging days are over. God has guided another editor into my path. I think he’s trying to tell me something…
As I take the time to pursue writing assignments and engage more in life off-line, blogging will be somewhat lighter than it already is. In fact, blogging this week will be light. I’m presently in my native South Carolina and will travel to California for Thanksgiving. I have family and friends to see, clients to serve, a column to crank out, and a new diversion to enjoy. 
Once again, thank you for reading LBC.
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This is all very intriguing, Ms. Barber! Because it makes me happy to do so, I am imagining that the source of this “diversion” is some wonderful new man in your life. If my optimistic musings are correct so far, then I only hope my even-wilder ones are as well, and that he is worthy of you!
Happy Thanksgiving! Go where God leads you, and to the extent you keep on blogging, well, then, lucky us.
I’m happy for you. It’s good to take risks, at times. If you never took the risk in this blog, putting your name on the postings you write, your blog may never have been this successful. Congratulations on deciding you want to try a different direction. Just know that we’ll continue to read.
AmerPundit
LaShawn, life happens. I love your blog, but I’ll be one of the no doubt many voices encouraging you to take hold of every opportunity that comes your way, through His providence.
Be hugely blessed, sister.
I love reading your blog, but I had no idea that it has been taking time away from other stuff. Gosh, who cares what your ranking is! Blogging is very satisfying, but I could care less what my ranking is, because I do it for the love of it, which keeps the pressure off. Also, I’m pursuing other stuff intensely, and I’m not about to let my little blog get in the way of that.
It’s about writing, and if you have “real stuff” that is being offered to you, then take it! If your goal is to get consistently published, you’ll have no problem achieving that. Your blog has certainly opened up doors for you, but if it’s meant to be the means rather than the end, then keep it that way. You know how many people would love to have a book offer? I would! Also, the energy you’d be putting into this blog would be spent on promoting your book, and you already are ambitious and driven, so even if you might fail, you’ll find a way to make it work for you. Believe me, I’ve failed at different stuff, but I just keep on moving ahead because I won’t let it stop me, and things are starting to happen, which is envigorating and keeps me going.
Michelle Malkin can do all that stuff because her husband helps her, and I’m sure she’s well off enough to pay other folks to assist her with whatever she needs, in addition to people who’d love to help her out even without any pay.
PLEASE write a book!!! I like long posts.
LaShawn, write less frequently if you must, but please don’t stop blogging. I often disagree with your position on issues involving race, but I respect your position because your articles are so well researched and well written. As a result, most of your commenters provide good, well thought out comments. All of which makes reading your blog both edifying and entertaining.
p.s. Personally, I like your blog better than Michelle Malkin’s blog.
I think this a great development in your life. I will pray for increased vision and passion for the next stage of your writing career.
You know our Lord… He likes to keep things flowing.
Good for you, La Shawn. Good luck with whatever you do. It’s good to see that you are constantly evaluating your direction in life. Not enough people do that.
La Shawn, you must be standing “under the spout where the blessings come out.”
This is your blog after all so when and what you write is totally your decision. I’ll continue looking forward to your posts as steady or sporadic as they may be. Anyway, you have to post to let us know when your book comes out!
Happy Thanksgiving! Have a wonderful time with your family.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” 1 Chron. 16:34
Anne,
I have to completely disagree with you. It DOES NOT make me happy to imagine that the source of the diversion is some “wonderful” new man in La Shawn’s life.
It makes me extremely sad because I was hoping one day to meet La Shawn and BE that potential diversion.
Ah well….
Dear La Shawn,
I enjoy popping in on you every few days. I enjoy your insights. I’ll read your writing in whatever form it finds. I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Looks like I’ll be suffering “LaShawn withdrawal” for a while, but wish you well in your pursuit of fulfilling personal goals and enrichment.
You only have one life to live. Take a few risks. Life’s more fun that way!
go for it lashawn! but please keep writing this blog once a week, okay?
alright, bye bye now:)
YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND, don’t you ???
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