UNDER THE INFLUENCE

The only problem with this blog is that it seems to be influencing what I write, rather than the other way around. I used to sit here on the porch every morning, watch the sun come up, then put pen to journal and let the words flow. It was totally stream-of-consciousness, but you would be amazed out how often something interesting or profound would float up out of the gibberish. After three years, my husband finally convinced me to transfer all that to a blog, so that I could share it with those outside my immediate circle of friends and family.

Anyone who saw how hard I fought that move, would be flabbergasted to know that I am now obsessed with this thing, and can hardly walk past the computer without leaning down to check for emails or comments on the blog, or to check the site meter to see how many hits I've had that day, and where they came from. More and more, I find myself being drawn straight to the computer first thing in the morning, and the journal is feeling somewhat neglected. When I do write in it, it's usually to chronicle where I've gone and what I've discovered that I think my "audience" might be interested in. Nothing profound is ever going to come out of that!

So, who would have thunk? This whole project that I undertook strictly as a means to showcase some of my writing, is now keeping me from writing! Never fear, I'm not about to give it up. It has opened me up to a whole new world that I never even knew existed, and I have made the most amazing connections because of it. No, I simply must find a way to balance both these things in my life. Perhaps I can have designated days for blogging about certain subjects. Maybe I can allow myself "What's New Wednesday" and "Foodie Friday" if I set aside "Thoughtful Thursdays" for forcing myself to delve a little deeper. Not too deep though - my well only goes so far. What say you, Audience?