1 Write Way

Getting Real About Writer’s Burn Out and Social Media Demands

I have been going through what Cate has so neatly described in her post: I’m burned out. In my case, my day job has become more demanding which means: (1) I have less time during the work day to sneak-peak my blog, twitter, facebook, etc. and (2) I’m more often brain-drained by the time I get home. The idea of turning on my home computer is sometimes more than I can bear. So I’m taking much of Cate’s advice here: slowing down the blog, the social media, and making my life overall more manageable and fun. For me, when what I do is no longer fun (and that applies to my day job as well as blogging), then I need to stop and seriously consider what is wrong. Life is much too short to not be enjoying every minute of it. As much as I love my blogging and twitter community, I really don’t think that, on my deathbed, I will be wishing that I had blogged more 😉

Marie A Bailey

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27 responses to “Getting Real About Writer’s Burn Out and Social Media Demands”

  3. Thanks for reblogging this! It’s really good advice. I only post 2 (maybe 3) times a week, but sometimes feel overwhelmed when every time I open the reader there are 10s of new posts added that I have to go through, like, comment on etc! Well, not have to but like to – it can get a bit much sometimes though! And I’ve just joined twitter which I don’t really understand so I’m probably being horribly rude on there as well! 🙂

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  4. Thanks for sharing this. I can really relate to this as I am feeling burned out and spending so much time interacting in the blogging world that I am neglecting my writing. I am still trying to figure out how to do both and not exhaust myself.

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    • I’m there. too: neglecting my writing. Sure I write for my blog, for The Community Storyboard. But those novels that I keep complaining are only in first draft. Really, complaining does not get them read and edited 🙂 When you find your balance, let me know!

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  5. I am reading me a book that is teaching me to so this internet presence easier. I will give her advice a try and see how it works. I will blog smarter not harder. (put myself on a schedule and make them more meaningful.) The book is Effective Promotions: The Literary Midwife, by Mary Rosenblum. Short book, very entertaining.

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    • I love the title of the book! I’m very bad about schedules. If it weren’t for John, I don’t know that I would regularly post on Mondays. I think because I have to be so organized at my day job, that I want to rebel and be unorganized when it comes to my blog. That’s probably OK since I don’t have anything to market yet. But still, I think I would be less frustrated if I were better organized.

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      • If you read her book, you will see how and why it is important to market BEFORE you actually have a book. There are so many things I didn’t know before I published. It is going to be a challenge to change genre also. I am having to think of a way to market both. The best way will be in staying with a regional theme…that is about the only way I can see…which will be fine, just a bit strange to go from human interest story crime/muder.

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    • Thanks! And I hope you’re feeling better. I know how life can get you down, but really, I’m so impressed with what you do and your wonderful creative talents. And you have a day job on top of all that!

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  8. Mac Air … yay, Marie! I’m jealous. I have an aging MacBook Pro and hope to one day replace it with a Mac Air.

    What a great thing to reblog … and timely. I’ve been feeling a bit of this myself, too, and I don’t have nearly the number of followers, nor do I likely follow as many blogs as you. I’ve been having a bit of a struggle following those blogs I really want to follow and comment on, and writing up new posts and responding to those who are nice enough to comment on my blog. Probably the biggest problem I’m having right now is neglecting my writing, like you mentioned above. Guess I have to figure out how to balance it all. You know, sometimes having a day just sucks. Sure would be a bit easier if we could all be full time writers and just spend a little of our “spare” time blogging and responding.

    Thanks for wonderful post and your thoughts, Marie. Always enjoy hearing what you have to say, whether from a post or a comment. Take a few minutes to slow down and enjoy the weekend 🙂

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    • Thanks for your comment, Dave! I’ve been seeing so many other bloggers post about this very issue. Once Cate’s post popped up, I just grabbed it 🙂 I know I still haven’t found a balance. Like you, there are so many bloggers I want to keep up with. And my writing … what’s that? I don’t know why I keep pushing it to the back … well, I know why, I hate editing 😉 Sigh. I am my own worst enemy.
      Re: the Mac Air. I’ve been wanting one for years, but am glad I waited. My iPad has been serving me very well, especially when I’m away from home, but it definitely has it’s limitations. It’s a mobile device, not a dedicated computer. I finally got the Mac Air because I was recently promoted at work. With the promotion came a pay raise (yea!) so I could afford it (although I did settle for what I could get at Best Buy as opposed to Apple.com), but also with the promotion comes more work (not so yea). So I’m celebrating as well as compensating. I hear there is talk about the Mac Air eventually having a Retina display. Even if the Retina isn’t important to you, the prices might drop with the new models. Something to think about while you wait 🙂

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  9. I’ve started feeling burnt out recently not about blogging, but about one of my freelance writing gigs. I feel as if even though I’m still interested in the beat area, I’d rather be a casual follower of it now because of other priorities and interests I’ve developed. CommuniCATE’s article – and your bit to accompany it on your own blog, Marie – may be blog-centric, but any writer in a similar situation can still relate to it.

    Take care of yourself, Marie. (It sounds like you are, but I hope it helps to hear/read it again!) Anyone who reads your blog will come back to it anytime you post here, regardless of the frequency. 🙂

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    • Sara, thank you so much for your comment! And good point that burn-out can apply to any area, not just blogging. I think I developed burn out in part because of the July NaNoWriMo camp. Working, blogging, and writing 50,000 words in a month really took a toll on my creative energy. I’m still recovering 🙂 I hope you are able to adjust your freelance writing gigs to accommodate your new priorities and interests!

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      • Thanks for your encouragement, Marie. 🙂 I think I need some time to help myself be absolutely sure of what I want to do. Not taking on any new assignments could be one way to start. We’ll see what happens.

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  10. I hit the wall several months ago with social media. Like everyone else, I have a ton of stuff to do, including writing. Doing fewer online things less frequently seems to be helping.

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