Meg Dowell Writes

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These Are the 12 Worst Reasons to Start a Blog

1. Revenge.

2. Because you’re bored.

3. It sounds like fun!

4. Because you probably can’t get published without one. (You can.)

5. You’re applying for a job, don’t have a blog yet, and think starting one now will impress an editor/hiring manager.

6. To “make a difference.” (You really have to be more specific than that.)

7. To get rich.

8. To start something “unique.”

9. To get famous.

10. Your friends/family/pets think you should.

11. Because a writing expert said you had to.

12. Because everyone else is doing it and that must mean you have to.

Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is a staff writer with The Cheat Sheet, a freelance editor and writer, and a 10-time NaNoWriMo winner. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food and nerdy things.

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Responses

  1. Writing your first novel-Some things you should know Avatar
    Writing your first novel-Some things you should know

    I started a blog because an agent that was reviewing my work recommended a blog to help build my platform. I guess that means I started for the wrong reason. I have to admit, I have a love/hate relationship with the blog. I have been totally committed to posting biweekly but not always into it. That means I have some really good blog posts and some not so good ones. Not good for someone trying to build a following :-(

    Reply
    1. Meg Dowell Avatar
      Meg Dowell

      It seems like most people reading this post took that number the wrong way. I meant to imply that you shouldn’t start a blog -only- because you think it’s the 1 surefire way to get published, and that if you don’t want to have a blog but still want to get published, you don’t have to start one if you aren’t going to do it passionately. This was not the best format for a more serious topic – I got lazy. I apologize. <3

      Reply
  2. E. J. Gette Avatar
    E. J. Gette

    I hope some of those reasons are a joke.

    Reply
    1. Meg Dowell Avatar
      Meg Dowell

      You must be new here. Welcome. ;)

      Reply
      1. E. J. Gette Avatar
        E. J. Gette

        Lol thanks

  3. Layla Avatar
    Layla

    I started a blog because I love reading and learning from what other people have written and thought that maybe I can do it too! :)

    Reply
    1. Layla Avatar
      Layla

      If you don’t mind me asking, what‘s your “why”?

      Reply
    2. Meg Dowell Avatar
      Meg Dowell

      I love this reason! :) I keep up with this blog because writing is hard, I’ve overcome a lot of common struggles (am still working through many) and believe my experiences and things I’ve learned along the way can help other writers accomplish their goals too. :)

      Reply
  4. Starting a Blog Isn’t the Only Way to Get Published (and an Apology) – Novelty Revisions Avatar
    Starting a Blog Isn’t the Only Way to Get Published (and an Apology) – Novelty Revisions

    […] Yesterday I wrote a post about the worst reasons to start a blog. […]

    Reply
  5. Don Massenzio Avatar
    Don Massenzio

    Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
    Check out this post from the Novelty Revisions blog with the 12 Worst Reasons to Start a Blog

    Reply
  6. Linda Lee/@LadyQuixote Avatar
    Linda Lee/@LadyQuixote

    Lol… I have a 13th reason not to start a blog.

    Several years ago, I was messing around on my computer late one night when I suddenly had a brilliant idea for the name of a new blog: I Write To Keep My Head From Exploding.

    I checked on WordPress and YAY, that wonderful unique blog name was available! So I quickly made it my own: https://iwritetokeepmyheadfromexploding.wordpress.com

    Then, for good measure, I signed up for the dot com domain, I Write To Keep My Head From Exploding, with Godaddy.

    After a good night’s sleep, I woke up the next morning and wondered what in the world was I thinking?! I quickly deleted my new WordPress blog, and contacted Godaddy’s customer service to cancel the domain. Before they would give me a refund, I had to tell them why I wanted to cancel.

    “I thought of this domain name when I was half asleep, and it’s the stupidest blog name ever,” I confessed.

    They promptly refunded my money. 😁

    Reply
    1. Meg Dowell Avatar
      Meg Dowell

      Hahaha I’m sure this wasn’t funny at the time but your story made me smile! This is why I always create free wordpress domains first until I’m sure it could turn into something. I’m glad you came to your senses and were able to get your money back :)

      Reply
      1. Linda Lee/@LadyQuixote Avatar
        Linda Lee/@LadyQuixote

        Yaay, I’m glad my crazy blog idea got you to smile. This morning, after reading your subsequent post with the apology for this post, I figured that you could use a chuckle. That’s why I wrote this comment about my fuzzy-headed goof. We all have our off moments/days. Although mine was probably a little more extreme than most!

      2. Meg Dowell Avatar
        Meg Dowell

        Hahaha I seriously loved that story. I was a little frazzled writing that apology but honestly when you write for long enough things like that tend to not bother you so much after the initial hit. It’s kind of like getting rejected from a job. It happens, you move on! Thank you for the laugh.

  7. Woebegone but Hopeful Avatar
    Woebegone but Hopeful

    Guilty of 11, as charged.
    Then on reaching Word Press found there was a great deal more to the Writing Life
    (A) Started to exchange ideas and learn.
    (B) Take risks with my writing.
    (C) Write just for the joy of it, because I want to.

    Reply
    1. Meg Dowell Avatar
      Meg Dowell

      I think we’ve all been there. The experts know it all, right? Sometimes they know what worked for them but not what works for everyone. I’m so glad you’re learning that it’s OK to write because you enjoy it. When there’s nothing else, I believe this is the most important thing – that you are happy writing what you want to write.

      Reply
      1. Woebegone but Hopeful Avatar
        Woebegone but Hopeful

        Oh indeed.
        Two blogs on WP and writing a series of books which will I am guessing won’t sell much because my marketing skills are poor. But I wouldn’t miss writing for the world. Once it is written and ‘out there’, it ‘belongs to the Ages’!

      2. Meg Dowell Avatar
        Meg Dowell

        Marketing is the main reason I haven’t taken self-publishing more seriously. Not my thing either – yet, anyway. The struggle is real.

      3. Woebegone but Hopeful Avatar
        Woebegone but Hopeful

        Indeed having read some very interesting and informative posts I am left with the impression that writing the book is the easy part.

      4. Meg Dowell Avatar
        Meg Dowell

        Honestly I think it all comes with its own separate challenges. Each “phase” of the process comes with potential roadblocks.

      5. Woebegone but Hopeful Avatar
        Woebegone but Hopeful

        Very true.
        And there are those sneaky dead-ends which seemed such bright and inviting ideas at the time.

  8. Sue Vincent Avatar
    Sue Vincent

    The infamous Small Dog takes issue with #10 ;)

    Reply
    1. Meg Dowell Avatar
      Meg Dowell

      Hahaha :)

      Reply
      1. Sue Vincent Avatar
        Sue Vincent

        :)

  9. Jay Avatar
    Jay

    But what if my cat told me I should start a blog to make him famous? x.x

    Nah, but for real, I’ll admit I did start my first blog because I was bored, 16 years ago. That blog is long gone, but I’ve been blogging ever since. I’d say it’s bad if it’s the only reason, but if you like writing, have some time in your hands and all that, might be worth trying it (and keeping it private for a while to see if you’ll actually stick with it).

    Reply
    1. Meg Dowell Avatar
      Meg Dowell

      Haha. I think it’s totally OK for anyone who wants to try blogging to try it. But if you really want to commit, that underlying driving force is just what’s going to keep you coming back and continue writing despite blogging’s many, many challenges.

      Reply
  10. A Tall badass feminist Avatar
    A Tall badass feminist

    I started my blog because I love to write because it clears my mind, I don’t know is this is a good reason but I enjoy it

    Reply
    1. Meg Dowell Avatar
      Meg Dowell

      It absolutely is! Keep at it! :)

      Reply

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