The Art of Confusion

Nine months ago I was unemployed. A day later I was a blogger and wrote my first blog post. And thanks to you all, I’ve started to believe in myself as a ‘Writer’ and that there may be some future for me as an ‘Author’. Random doubts still plague me. Is what I’ve written interesting and impactful? Does it make the reader laugh (or cry)? Is the grammar correct? Is the story well narrated?

So the questions are still very much there.
But now it’s not whether I can write. Or even if I write well. (Not to sound immodest but I’ve been told that I’m good. And yes, I do believe I can be better. I have come a long way since that first post. I have a long way to go yet.) But more like what all do I write?

You all know about my love for photography as well as my interest in travel writing. I’m also into writing humour and fiction, of course. You’ve been with me on that journey too.
So I’m now left wondering if I’m becoming a jack of all trades? Am I taking on too much?

The spate of my blogging has reduced drastically. From a whopping 37 posts in November, 200+ readers in January (within 3 months), to  450+ in July (took a loooong 7 months to reach that number), the visibility sure has gone down but there’s only me to blame for that because I haven’t been as active and social as I was earlier. Also, the number of posts have gone down too. I published a mere 7 posts in July. Admittedly, I was also busy with participating in Camp NaNo, which – I am thrilled to share with you – I have won a second time. (I’m happy about it even though I was working on the same novel as the one in April.)

Camp NaNo Certificate

From a target of 20k in April Camp to an output of 63k in July. And this when I thought, it won’t go beyond 30k. Woohooo!

When I had started this blog, I had simply wanted it to be a platform to showcase my writing to the world – similar to a photographer’s online portfolio. I have, of course, been successful in doing but much more than just that. I have made some amazing friends with bloggers from around the world and these relationships have now transferred to the real world.

And, while it’s true that I have blogging to thank for giving me such amazing and valued readers and transforming random bloggers-virtual friends into real-life friends, it is you who I am indebted to, for being with me on this journey.

When I had started out initially, I had meant this to be a travel blog with some random personal opinion articles (hence the name and tagline). Somewhere along the way, I discovered I could write other ‘stuff’ too and now I’m not just working on my novel but also about to get published in an anthology.

With that, my travel writing has fallen to the side. I have also been told that for a topic specific blog like travel, you need to have a dedicated one rather have a combination of topics. It didn’t seem feasible to handle two blogs. But I am confused and lost now. I obviously want to pursue my interest in travel writing too. But how do I go about it? The ‘two blogs are difficult to manage’ logic still hold true. Add to that my own writing and this novel.

Another reason for this question arising now is the cancelling of a travel writing workshop that I was to attend. I was really excited about it and had expected some great learnings and looked upon it as my initiation to travel writing.  While the workshop being cancelled is a disappointment, of course, I am also prompted to take a re-look at my choices ahead. This means either I leave my travel writing interests aside for now. Or, I dip my feet in on my own. Then it is either ‘swim or sink’. (More chances of sinking as I have no knowledge or background in travel writing despite the few articles I have penned before.) I have already sent in applications to various travel publications for editorial/writing internship programs and am yet to hear back from them. The delay in response from their side is further causing me to re-consider my decision to get into travel writing right now.

Hence, the attempt to seek your guidance. So do help me out here, dear friends. Should I take on only one thing at a time; meaning right now focus only on my novel and fiction writing? Or do I dare to dive into travel writing too? Do I start a new blog focussed only on travel?  Would you be interested in travel articles? What do I do about this blog? Do I buy a new domain for the new one? Or do I transform this to a paid one?

Or do I leave all of these questions aside completely and carry on as it is right now (meaning to keep things as they are, let the blog be as it is, focus on my fiction, and write travel only occasionally and randomly)?

Do give your valuable advice. I look forward to what you all think.

No Comments
  • pranabaxom
    Posted at 05:10h, 01 August Reply

    Listen to your head
    But follow your heart
    You have started the journey
    Will definitely find your path

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 05:59h, 01 August Reply

      Thank you so much. Appreciate that a lot. Shall surely heed that advice.

  • mitadaur
    Posted at 05:43h, 01 August Reply

    Hi Piyusha, I recently started following your blog, so I haven’t read enough in your blog to judge about your specific strength and weaknesses. But I would like to share my experience. I had a very similar situation. I started couple of tech blogs, then I wrote an Ebook (tech), then I started one more tech blog, then I found my interest in fiction writing and started a novel (Which I left at chapter 4). I was overwhelmed with my own blogs that I had started. And they were all in different areas, because writing in one stream was restricting and writing in all kinda made me the Jack of All trades as you said.

    Being in a full time job, time for writing was minimal. So I had to spend it wisely. But I wandered off, which in a way was good that I realized my true passion (fiction writing). But I wanted to finish what I started in those blogs, or at least wanted to keep it going, but that didn’t happen. So now I have a few tech blogs, 1 ebook and one short story blog that I am currently writing. I am only active in the last one. So it’s like having a lot of uncooked food or unfinished product, which showed lot of promises to people, inspired people but didn’t make the impact that it should have made.

    So, I think it is always better to stick to one, especially if you are trying to get lot of audiences or monetize the blog or something. But if you don’t have solid goals, you can end up like me having many unfinished projects and with lot of burden in your heart (filled with guilt of not being able to finish what you started) 🙂

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 08:06h, 01 August Reply

      Thank you for reading, Raja. Yes, that’s exactly what is scaring me too. I want to keep it (and myself) focused and not lose track. Lot to think about , isn’t it? Your story did give me some more clarity though. 🙂

  • Feelings and Freedom
    Posted at 07:22h, 01 August Reply

    Hey Piyusha, the way I have known you, you are are great at writing travel as well as fiction. Your fiction writing is amazing and that’s what has lead you to write the novel. I am not sure about handling two blogs or sites but yes..writing about both genres is absolutely fine. The idea is that you should enjoy writing and at the same time build a strong readership. And I am certain, that you are capable of it! All the best.

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 08:09h, 01 August Reply

      Your comment made me smile, so thank you for having that confidence in me. Means a lot. 🙂

  • Hira
    Posted at 08:47h, 01 August Reply

    Am hooked to all your posts since I started following you. I love the way you write fiction or rather all non-travel post – humor , dark , experience , story. It doesn’t remain fiction , Your words actually takes me with them. I have not read much of your travel posts , actually, to think about it since I followed you, I have read only 1-2 from your recent trip to ? north-east.
    My advice will be to write what you want. When you are travelling , write about your travel , (even when you are not , if that is what you wanna write). You have to just write , so I can read (am selfish!) You do everything right. And you are creative.

    Do what it feels right. Think about practical issues. Just don’t stop writing 🙂

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 09:24h, 01 August Reply

      You spoil me too much with praise. 😀 When I have friends like you to pull me through, all worries cease to exist. Love you. Sending you two kilos today. 🙂

  • Lisa Pomerantz
    Posted at 09:50h, 01 August Reply

    I always enjoy reading what ever it is you share with us. I believe in following your heart and your passions. Write what feels good. You will find your niche when the time is right. Until then, enjoy every word you place on a page and I have a feeling, you will do the right thing. xxoo

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 10:19h, 01 August Reply

      That’s sane advice, Lisa! Thank you so much! Also for the kind praise. 🙂

  • mimsk82
    Posted at 11:14h, 01 August Reply

    Hello!
    First of all, breath in and out slowly three times.
    To me it seems, you have different interests when it comes to writing. Why only focus on one? If you want to earn a living off your writing, then try focusing on you fiction offline and see where it takes you. As you enjoy teh online-blogging community, keep at it. Maybe you will invest less time online, but that’s the way life is – you only have so much time to work on stuff. Maybe use your Blogg for insparation? Carefree writing of what you are experiencing, rather than the more focused and diciplined writing for your ficion. Anyhow, now that you have found your voice, keep using it! 🙂
    Here’s a quote from an amazing book by an extraordinary writer – it helps me keep my insecurities in check:

    “Dearest Fear: Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together. I understand you’ll be joining us, because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life, and that you take your job seriously. Apparently your job is to induce complete panic whenever I’m about to do anything interesting—and, may I say, you are superb at your job. So by all means, keep doing your job, if you feel you must. But I will also be doing my job on this road trip, which is to work hard and stay focused. And Creativity will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There’s plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand this: Creativity and I are the only”
    ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 14:20h, 02 August Reply

      Hello, Thank you. Breathing…. breathing… breathing… breathing *goes off to sleep* 😛
      Wait, how many times did you say I should breathe? But seriously, I’m fine. I am not panicking (atleast not yet anyway: 😛 ), just confused. 😀 Although the panicking state isn’t a far-off posibility. 😀 😀 Elizabeth Gilbert’s word is the gospel. Shall certainly heed her advice. And yours too 🙂 Thanks so much 🙂

      • mimsk82
        Posted at 06:23h, 03 August Reply

        Confusion stems from an imbalance within you. Taking a deep breath helps focus 😉 to reconnect with your inner true self. Embrace your fear! but don’t let it make decisions for you. I learned that the hard way XD It’s a process, but whom am I telling, you’re the pro! 😉

        • Wandering Soul
          Posted at 12:23h, 03 August Reply

          Embrace your fear and don’t let it make decisions for you. That I can do without falling asleep. Pro?? I don’t know. I’m learning everyday. Thankful to have people like you who pull me through. 🙂 Hugs!

          • mimsk82
            Posted at 16:09h, 04 August

            Life is a journey, not a destination 😉

          • Wandering Soul
            Posted at 03:36h, 08 August

            Words to live by! 🙂 Thanks for commenting and visiting. 🙂 🙂

  • Bharath Upendra
    Posted at 03:50h, 02 August Reply

    I bet you can’t beat me in the ‘state of being confused’ but yeah, you can do everything simultaneously. People read based on their interest, right? Keep writing everything that you want to, people will filter the posts themselves. Or, they’ll find something new to read every day and the best thing is, they’re all connected!

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 04:11h, 02 August Reply

      We could have a competition on that. 😀
      ‘People will filter the posts and find what they like.’ Yeah, na? That’s exactly what I had told myself earlier too (when I had started writing on topics other than travel.) That’s why I made all those categories. Sounds good advice to me. 🙂 But then again, those giving the advice of having a separate blog are experienced bloggers who know what they are talking about. Sigh! There, I beat you in the competition. 🙂

      • Bharath Upendra
        Posted at 04:13h, 02 August Reply

        Well, maybe today’s your day!
        Better watch out😋

  • thorsaurus
    Posted at 05:21h, 04 August Reply

    Dearest one, your writing is strong. I have no doubt you can do both if you wish. And the two (fiction and non-fiction) can compliment each other, even spur ideas for each other. Best of luck to you.

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 03:35h, 08 August Reply

      Thank you so much! That’s encouraging. 🙂

  • parangano
    Posted at 17:10h, 26 August Reply

    I am not a full time blogger or writer but I would say stick to one. At least just a one URL where your audience can find you. You can choose to segregate your specialties by pages or projects under the same blog so you can monitor which one relates to your audience more. Once you have developed a core audience for the specific theme, then you can choose to spin them off to a separate blog altogether.
    It is easy to start a blog, it’s really hard to keep it up especially if you learn that you can try to do/write it all. You can, I have no doubt about your skill, but determining strategy to maximize your current audience is also important.

    • Wandering Soul
      Posted at 01:51h, 27 August Reply

      Thank you! That helps. And you’re so right – it’s easy to start a blog bit difficult to maintain it.

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