5 Reasons to Write a Blog Instead of a Book

Have you ever thought of writing a blog? Or a book? I often have…..I even have writing a book on my ‘bucket list.’ I’ve composed some great stuff in my head while driving, or in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. Trouble is I’ve never written anything down. There are plenty of ideas rolling around in my head, but my head is always where they stay. Why am I like that?

Hello. My name is Deborah. I am a Christian and I struggle with mental illness. Specifically depression and anxiety. I am also an introvert. It has taken years for me to admit and talk openly about my struggles. It has taken even longer for me to be comfortable with sharing these struggles with other Christians.

I’m an over thinker. I will think something to death if given the chance. Before actually talking about a plan I have, I have likely been thinking about it for months. Maybe even years. I guess this is part of my anxiety. Writing is a great example of this. What if I have nothing to say? What if no one cares what I have to say? What if everyone hates what I have to say? This is what haunts me at 3:00 am.

So, how did I decide blog versus book?

1. A blog is shorter. This one may seem obvious, but I really did have to think this through. Planning out a book is hard work and time consuming. I have so many ideas I would like to write about that it has been difficult to narrow down what kind of book I want to write, or even should write. A blog seems a good place to start. A place to sort out what I have to say and what type of audience might be interested in what I have to write about.
2. A blog takes less time. I hesitate to say this because I know maintaining a blog can take time. But starting out with a blog a few times a week is easier than committing to writing a book.
3. A blog can give me constructive feedback. People who might read a blog may also be inclined to give comments. Not just writing style, but content. Am I on the right track? Is the content valuable to other people? Is anything I’m saying helpful for others? What I write is irrelevant if it isn’t helpful or valuable to others.
4. A blog gives me a voice. Maybe I have something valuable to say, maybe I don’t. But if I don’t try to get what is inside me out there, I will never know if others can relate to my struggles or learn from my experiences.
5. A blog will help me to learn from others. This is where comments come in again. I struggle every day which some such thing or another. Comments from others can offer encouragement as others share their experiences as well.

There a probably a million other reasons to start out with a blog instead of going full steam ahead with a book. I will probably think of most of those reasons around 3:00 am tonight. But for now, I’ll stick with these five.

Onward with this journey.