Throw me a gazillion of books and I will read it as long as they are entertaining and thought provoking, my love for reading is much more superior to writing. As I said on my previous entry, I have several stumbling blocks when writing a post. For most part, I blame my writing deficiency for the lacked of compulsiveness and the intimidation that I got when I was in grade school. Apparently, overtime I learned how to write well. But of course, it’s still hard to take away the unpleasantness once you got scarred.
I grew and learned how to live with my writing insecurities. I’m not the type of person who compares myself to other people; however I’m so obnoxious in repeating the same mistake twice. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of my posts, but of course I can never take away the fact that I am my worst critic. In addition, I believe that quality is much better than quantity.
Thus last September, I challenged myself to produce at least seven posts in a month without sacrificing the quality of my writing so that I could break free with the one-post-a-week spell. October passed, and I fell short in accomplishing this task—I was shy of one post.
So now my biggest question is how I can increase the number of my posts without sacrificing the quality of my article. Because for me, it’s better not to post anything if I’m not completely satisfied with what I wrote. Definitely, I still blame my laidbackness and overcritical self for this. However, I wouldn’t say that this part of me is disadvantageous.
Overtime, my lack of compulsiveness prevented me from committing mistakes by not jumping right away into conclusions and helped me chose the right ideas which I have in mind. I always try to filter what I wanted to say because I realized that there are some things that should be left unsaid. For instance, I already stopped summarizing the plot since I’m writing about the shows which so many people are blogging as well. Plus, I know the fact that others can do a much better job in terms of recapping the show.
That being said, I dislike spoilers. As much as possible, I don’t want to directly reveal the story. But instead, I would like to expand the highlights, the not so apparent, and the overlooked ideas of the show in order to discuss something else. For me, it’s so interesting if we could unveil the underlying principles and encrypted message of the anime. However, as much as I love themes, this is something that I’m still struggling to write about.
Lastly, I like to formulate something unique and present it to the world. If I can read something entertaining which can make me think, I feel like my time is well consumed. Anime is so rich with mundane life, bizarreness, and taboos which can generate interesting views. The challenge for me is how to communicate my complex ideas distinctively and simple enough.
That’s why right now, I think I’m just going to stick with my one post a week. I’m writing to gain fulfilment but I can’t afford to forgo my anime viewing schedule and other commitments. Also, if I can’t increase the quantity without sacrificing the quality of my post, then it’s better for me to stick with what I’m doing.
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Side Note:
- Journal Four: My Top Four Stumbling Blocks on Writing a Blog Post
- Of course views about quality and quantity differ from blogger to blogger. I believe that a writer should play with his or her strengths to make blogging fun and successful.
- Blogger is a tool on how you want to be perceived in the virtual world, so every post is a reflection of oneself regardless of the topic.
- I realized that there are so many insightful anibloggers out there, it’ll be nice if I can contribute something unique.
I was about to write a post similar to this, lol.
I became sort of dissatisfied with current process and quality of work, so thinking about scaling back on the same front. Wanted to take a break all together for a three weeks or so, but that is way to long and I would be too bothered to write again. I am actually starting to get to the same process of not posting anything at all unless it meets my specifications for quality, but I guess the ideas in the drafting stage always sound better than they actually are once published.
Yes, considering quality is much better for me too since I don’t have the right writing stamina and time. I realized that quality can be measured by how satisfied you are with your article, but of course you’re also going to receive a feedback from your commenter. Of course as a writer, I’d like to leave a positive and lasting impression to anyone who stumbles upon my site. That’s why I think it’s much better if I’m going to be inclined more onto the quality and don’t really mind the quantity.
It’s better to take your time and enjoy what you’re doing, than to force yourself. I’ll still read, you know
And the harshest criticizers are ourselves. Even if we find it dull when writing, it’s fun to read afterwards! At least for others… I think :p
I definitely agreed with you. For me, if I’m not happy and satisfied with what I wrote, I don’t think anybody will be. Some of my posts are dull and I feel embarrassed whenever I read them afterwards. But, I never had any regrets publishing them.
I feel that all the time.
“Gosh, there’s no way this could be any good, why god why”
*I see the results*
“What, it was very good?”
I think most of us feel that way. ^^
The difference is you shouldn’t! Just look at the number of your followers! They mean something about what you offer. It means you are doing a great job. You shouldn’t really worry. As I see it at least, you are flooding with ideas and possess a powerful asset: a very concrete and vast set of knowledge on some areas of interest like philosophy. And since you update quite frequently then you should feel more content with yourself. (I struggle both with the ideas and the programming- mostly because when I begin studying and writing about a post it can take 1-2 days unless it’s something more ‘banal’.)
@ayame thanks for your kind words, that’s really encouraging. I really appreciate when somebody reads my post. However, I’m quite concerned with my own writing, I think I’m struggling because it also takes time before I finalized my thoughts which is why I failed to meet my target of 7 posts in a month.
Oh btw, I’d just like to amuse my readers. I don’t think I know a lot of things simply because I just got most of my ideas from what I read,and watch. But luckily, what I wrote somehow successfully appeal to some –which is important for me.
Also, like what most of told me, why not write by making a draft first… ^^
Tried the draft method… then the draft sits in notebooks, in files in my pc etc… you get the idea *blush* I need determination and to improve prioritization skills…
“*blush*”, aww you’re so cute haha. Anyway, I always set a deadline so that I can push myself, why not try it? I hope it works for you as well.
I’m currently taking a course in essay writing, and one interesting thing I read was that in terms of writing and editing, you’re never really finished. You can always edit further, but eventually you’ll have to just accept what you’ve written down. So I suppose most people have these feelings to some degree. I know I do.
That’s interesting. Yeah, I noticed that you can edit forever but afterwards feels like there’s something needs to be revised. To be honest, after publishing my post I can’t read it until the third day. Yeah, I’m weird like that. ^^
@Yerocha Revisions are a long and never ending process. I enjoy likening it to carving a statue. You start with a block of stone, then carve into the shape of a human (your first draft). Then, you add the person’s face, make it look like they’re wearing clothes, and smooth the edges (your second draft). Then, you start adding the smaller details, like their eyes, their fingernails, maybe some creases on their clothes, and so on (your third draft). Then, you can add some texture to the skin, show some wear-and-tear on the clothes, refine their expression, etc. endlessly. An essay can always, always get better, even if you’ve got it down to just changing individual words and finding the best synonyms. Like you said, though, it’s a matter of knowing when to just let it be. It may be perfectly adequate to just leave your block of stone in the shape of a statue.
@Snippettee Me too! I like to let it settle for a little while, then I’ll go back, review it, and fix up any little grammar errors I find (though I dislike making significant changes to a published work, so I tend to avoid changing/adding sections).
As for the post in general, I’m quite a bit like you. I post things at a slow rate (one every one or two, maybe even three weeks), preferring to try to make the best post I can. As you said, though, every blogger has different styles, and I agree that they should try to focus on those styles. Nice post.
Diverting my attention to some other stuff then go back again to what I’m doing is essential with every task that I do. I really need some breather to think well.
Anyway, I’m glad you liked my post. It’s really interesting how other bloggers share the same sentiments and strengths. It kind of gives me an idea how to better myself. Thank you. ^^
Take your time! A great many have had to figure out how best to write, and no one’s an exception. For me, I usually publish a post on my whim or whenever I have the time to do so. Moreover so, I usually consider whether my intended topic is more suited for quality (thought-provoking) or quantity (some fun filler tidbits).
If it helps, you could always try working on a post bit by bit, which is what I usually do before I publish anything. There are times in which I do write impulsively though with some success, as can be seen from my Mawaru Penguindrum posts. ^_^
Fun filler tidbits… that idea sounds fun. I might try your it next time.
Btw yes, I’m thinking bit by bit too. Because usually, I need to sit down for a while and let what I watched sink in first. I also tried to write impulsively but it doesn’t really work for me because I’m still ending up with the same amount of revision compared to not writing impulsively. I really believe I can increase my quantity if I have that quality.
Anyway, thank you for the tips!
Some people prefer quantity, some prefer quality, just do what you’re comfortable with. From my own experience, I can tell you that trying to push out a set number of posts is bad for your post quality and for your daily life.
One tip that I’ve found useful is thinking about what to write in my next thought-provoking post while waiting for the train, or any other time when I’m not busy. Now I have several of them jotted down, I just need some time to actually write them. Maybe you could give that a shot too.
I think that’s what I wanted to happened, to get out of my comfort zone. I definitely cannot push out a set of post, although I’m planning to do a tidbit set of posts next month.
Btw, thank you for your tip, Nopy. Right now, second to work, I’m mostly on the road. I’ll certainly give that a shot.
Snippy, just do what you think is best. Don’t force yourself to write more if you’d prefer not to. As for me, I’m definitely more quantity-based than quality. While I like to think that I write my posts well, I keep in mind that I’m mostly in this gig for two reasons: To check out different shows so I can share my thoughts on them, and to keep my writing sharp by doing episodics on a regular basis.
For me at least, it’s a matter of asking yourself what you want out of blogging anime. And just you jotting your thoughts that happen to resonate with certain series… well, that works just fine and it shows.
If you would really like to write more, the important thing is to practice, practice, practice so you can let even your smallest thought or curiosity blossom into a full post.
Your post are really good and the quality is really there. Plus, I really like how poetic your fanboyism is.
I will definitely practice, thanks Inuchan. I’m planning to use the 12 Days of Christmas as my writing exercise, hopefully I can finish it. And surely, I will let my smallest thought blossom into a full post.