I’m all for essay posts. Denser = better. Here’s why:

Yes, you can get tons of traffic by keeping posts light, and letting people talk. But what about the art of having something to say, that’s well-said?

Most conversations on the Internet are repetitive. I mean, most of the lighter posts are repetitive. How many posts have I just glanced through that have tips for how to make money blogging, or tips for getting an audience? How many posts have I seen that are pretty much to-do lists? With political blogs, is repeating the same stance on the same issue over and over again really going to change my mind?

Dense is good because it means you’re taking your own thought seriously, and working through the implications carefully. A serious opinion won’t bring in lots of readers, but it will bring in the readers that keep coming back. That I know from experience.

I share the similar situation of having a full time job and then a family that needs some attention after I get home. Most of my writing is done in the evening, which I guess is easier when your children are older. I also manage some time during lunch at work.

Good luck, and I look forward to more good posts from steve-olson.com!

1) I like to write in the early morning, before anyone gets up. I wake at 4:30 a.m., and this allows me to get some exercise in too before I have to wake everyone up.

2) I write in between tasks at work. My boss knows this. I still produce a lot at work, and I’m really good at what I do, so there aren’t any problems with that.

3) When I get home from work, I don’t do any writing. I spend the evening with my family. But when they all go to bed, I might do a little more, if I’m not too tired. I generally sleep about 2-3 hours less than the rest of my family, but it doesn’t usually bother me. If it does, I’ll take a short nap or wake a little later.

4) I don’t write on weekends, usually. That’s reserved for family. I do my weekend posts for my blog during the week.

5) Once in awhile, I’ll write when the kids are around. I just tune everything out. I zone. I can’t really explain it, but they have to call me several times to get my attention. I don’t like doing this very much.

6) The key, for me, is that I write very fast. I give thought to what I’m going to write during drive times, or during exercise, or I’ll take a walk, or when I’m reading other stuff. And when I write, I just crank it out. That allows me to get a lot done in a shorter amount of time. I’ve been writing professionally for 17 years, so it comes naturally for me. Plus, I love what I do - that makes it so much easier!

Thanks for the question, Steve. Sorry for the long reply. Good luck with your new posting plan!

There’s so much out there about the importance of blogging frequently and blogging daily, and in between your post and John Wesley’s, I think I’m now able to come to terms with my own blogging rhythm. (Read: feel less guilty).

You write great posts, and I’m with John (above) - my vote goes to whatever posting frequency works for you.

Belle

As John said, when I check out my stats, it’s the well thought out in depth posts that get the love and build community. They are the ones people hit over and over again and they appear in the SERP’s.

I finally surrendered to writing inspired and inspiring content. It was a scary proposition, but I think it’s working out well. I certainly feel much saner.

In Spirit,
Nneka

My vote goes with whichever posting frequency allows you to keep up this quality.

You need to make whatever changes are necessary to keep yourself blogging. Yours is among the few blogs where I look forward to new entries because I know that your bad ones are better than many bloggers’ good ones. I know I’m not alone in saying that I would miss it immensely if your blog were to go away. Maybe it’s partly because we agree on so many things, but also because you have a way of making me think even when I’ve believed I’d already thought an issue to death. So do whatever it takes to renew your blogging spirits.

I have read more than a few of your entries where I’ve said, “man, I wish I had said that.”