In Search of Short Form
Short form blogging.
Yes I think what I’m after is short form blogging. (Okay, I know the last post was ridiculously long, but it was different: marking the end of a two month process, and in some ways the end of a chapter much longer than that.)
This might be because I’ve swallowed way too much blogging advice, and my rebellious inner writer is demanding permission not to craft eye-catching headlines, work in keywords, link in the right places, hunt down images to rest your weary eyes and all the other paraphernalia of blogging which gets way too far in the way of simply: thinking out loud, and sharing our words.
It might be because I know I want, need, to develop this site into something different now I’ve developed a home that feels right, really right, for my more philosophical, poetical and soulful creative output; and now that I’ve done the hard work of organising the longer articles here into something (hopefully) useful for readers new and old.
I think what I’m looking for is a space
- to share some thoughts on process
- to keep working through the snares and tangles of perfectionism
- to sift and organise my thoughts
- to stay connected with all of you
and also, perhaps to enjoy the pleasure of writing in short form, unencumbered by writing “should”s and “have to”s.
Yes, I think I’m going to play with short form, and see where it takes me.
I’m just going to play with short form.
Joanna I love the idea of short post too. It is easier on both on the audience and writer, I believe.
Easier to read for the time crunched audience. And faster to write for the ever busy writer.
If either wants more, just another short article will do. over and over again.
I’m a fan of posts that take exactly the amount of space they need to say exactly what they need. I have no problem with longer posts; it can take longer for some thoughts to be developed and properly laid out. Lots of blogs give one only very short posts, and they become like telegraphs or t-shirts: lots of posts, giving rather superficial takes on things, never taking time to develop an idea in depth. I appreciate necessary variety, and am not attached to style or length.
I like to read what writers and artists have to say on their process, so I look forward to reading yours about that. It will be interesting to watch you pull out your own ideas from amidst the tangle of having swallowed too much blogging advice. Sorting and sifting out your own thoughts will be a good thing.
Perfectionism is insidious. As a recovering perfectionist myself, I consciously chose to resist trying to “manage” or “control” my blog, or my poem-writing for that matter, and just let it be what it is. Post length is all over the place, and so are the contents.
It’s remarkably liberating when you let go all those “should”s—most especially those you had at one time imposed on yourself. At one time those self-imposed rules might have served you, but if they don’t anymore they need to be scrapped.
So if what you want to do for awhile is only short posts, go for it! Just don’t turn THAT into a new “should.”
I struggle with short form. I tend to be overtly descriptive.
I am trying to say more with less. I find it tends to lend more to my words. I won’t say it’s easy.
These days everyone does seem in a bit of a rush to glance over post and move on as quickly as possible. In those instances I hope to have at least left enough of visual with my words to remain with them in however momentuous the connection. (Hugs)Indigo
@Craig_Os: certainly good for expressing ideas and thoughts Craig, though I hope we don’t get to the point we’re all so busy all we can read and write is in short bites!
@Arthur Durkee: absolutely
@Indigo: Erm, I’m not sure about overly descriptive, your writing always seems to me the perfect length and style for the places in-between that you describe so beautifully. And yes your words do linger in the eyes in the ears in the mind in the heart
From time to time, I thought of writing shorter blog posts. They are easier to read, but then a story develops from an idea and it’s impossible to shorten. Maybe what we really need is to grow the reader’s attention span.
@Barbara Toboni: or accept you’ll attract readers who want to read that kind of longer post. I’m not sure the words will want to be shortened artificially – esp not if the stories are telling you it’s impossibly so!
A splendid idea Joanna, I say go for it.
It’s difficult to shake things up when you’ve spent years building an audience. But there’s nothing to be gained in saying the same old things, so it’s important to try a different approach. Hopefully, that audience will understand and come with you (in your case, I’m sure they will!).
I get a bit tired of all the blogging advice and I too have read my fair share. Good writing that speaks to people – that’s all that matters.
So yes, viva la revolution. Or evolution. Etcetera.
@Iain Broome: thanks for the feedback Iain. As you’ll see, I ended up going with revolution after all