Writing Wednesdays: Blogosphere — the Narcissist’s Playland?
Recently, I thought of a great idea for my next writing post. I decided to write about the irony of the writing life: how, though we writers are generally contemplative creatures who require plenty of “percolating time” in order to do our jobs well, and how we tend to not feel entirely comfortable in the limelight, we are also required, by the nature of the writing business, to continually throw ourselves and our work out to the world.
The irony continues when we follow through with what those on the marketing end of the business advise by getting involved in social networking and other avenues for connection and promotion that can help keep our work in circulation, and then are accused of being self-absorbed. It’s a difficult balance to strike, and I’ll bet few writers out of there have not struggled with it at one point or another.
Lucky for me, Inkhorn Blue blogger Rosslyn, whose blog I discovered just this week, wrote about this very thing the other day. I could write my own, fresh post, but like they say, if it ain’t broke… That’s right. Because Rosslyn so eloquently stated so many of the pieces I’d hoped to bring out in my post, I decided to step aside and give her the mic. I hope you’ll consider jumping over to her post, Everybody Point to the Narcissist. After reading it, I’d love for you to come back and share your thoughts:
Do bloggers need to take a course in humility? Or is this just the nature of the beast at work? How do readers who are not writers feel about this subject? How do writers who are also readers feel about it?
Oh, good thoughts to let stew today! I’ve struggled with this whole aspect of being in the spotlight and I think that is part of the reason I still long to jump back into the closet at times. (That and my fear of failure–just got my rewrites and am having major self-doubts!)
However, I’ve come to the conclusion that if we remain genuine, people will hopefully know that it’s not just about promoting ourselves. I agree with what Rosilyn said about blogging being a way to really develop deeper bonds. But surprisingly I’ve made new friends on Twitter and Facebook too. We can use those sights also, to show genuine interest in others and not make them just about us.
Oh, Roxane, I love your blog. 🙂 But this is not a good day to ask me about the Christian blogosphere. I just came from a discussion thread that revealed some startling truths about how writers view not only themselves, but others.
So, for the sake of my emotional health and balance, and to avoid narcissism, I will climb into my little cave tonight with my Bible and long for the time when we won’t see darkly, but face to face. The darkness seems particularly heavy tonight, and narcissism looms around every corner. I think I’ll dust out my own before I say more. *sigh*
Thanks again for the link, Roxane. It’s fun when blogging worlds collide. 🙂
Most bloggers I have found and enjoy are wonderful human beings, with many faults and just a great desire to communicate. I understand that most of the writers must have a web presence and a following..as long as they keep it low key..why not?? If they keep it real, I will keep reading..just my non writer reader thoughts:)
Connie, I would count you among the writer bloggers. BTW, I agree with you. This has been a surprisingly wonderful world to enter, and I will never forget how you led me by the hand as I took one step into it. 🙂