Just So You Know.. It's Up To You

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

To schedule or not to schedule, that is the question?

In following many of you on a daily basis I have noticed that you have a blogging schedule. You took the time to come up with daily titles which allow you to discuss a wide range of subject matter on a given day, thus the schedule. So I have to ask, “How is that working for you?”

My reason for asking is that I’m wondering if this is not a better format than being a totally free form thinker? Currently I just get up and write about what ever vision pops in my head, I have no agenda to subject matter. Lately I have been toying with the idea of developing a schedule and would love your input, so please advise me.

Now, in case you advice me to schedule and I’m leaving it up to you, I’d like to start with this: “Just so you know.”

Just so you know… I am not a professional writer. In fact I barely passed English but I speak fluent hillbilly, ya’ll.

Just so you know…  I do not fly. Oh, I tried it, twice. But the recovery from the amount of drugs it took for me to get on the plane was just too much.

Just so you know…  Though I live in Kentucky, I do not drink bourbon. The smell of sour mash (the beginning of all good bourbons) makes me sick to my stomach.

Just so you know…  I have come to the conclusion squirrels are not playing tag around that tree. It actually is critter violence, the furry equivalent to domestic violence.

Just so you know… I do not watch commercials. My testosterone levels are screwed up and I flip, I love channel surfing.

Just so you know…  I hate shoes! Again a hillbilly thing. Oh and dress up too. Black tie to me is a tee shirt with a black tie on it.

Just so you know… I am a rule breaker. Not one mattress or pillow in my house has the “Do not remove” tag on it. It’s okay you can remove it no tag police have come a callin’.

Just so you know… I am officially over heat! It’s been in the nineties here with 75% humidity for a month now, to hot for going out. Besides I’m having trouble distinguishing the symptoms of a heat stoke and a hot flash.

Just so you know… I do not listen to Rap music. Don’t get it, besides most it has a tribal beat. I do not need any encouragement to go tribal, thank you very much.
Lastly, Just so you know… I do not own a dress! Me wearing a dress would be like a pig wearing panty hose (Sorry could not find a picture). It is one of the four things I politely inform prospective employers, no dresses.

So there you have it, Just so you know. What do you think about scheduling and while you’re at it what about my layout and graphics? I’m thinking of losing the paint theme and becoming a little more contemporary. Come on critique me.




14 comments:

Kelly said, 

Well, I like the paint splashes, and am also a very free-thinker, and dresses, I have one or two (usually wer them on insistance from my peanut at her play tea parties) I would say be true to you, and embrace your uniqueness....but that's just me, that's how I roll...

August 10, 2010 at 10:55 AM  
RHYTHM AND RHYME said, 

Just to know I think your blogs are wonderful.

Yvonne.

August 10, 2010 at 11:40 AM  
Mary@GigglesandGuns said, 

Schedules are great for some. I tried it and couldn't stick with it. My brain doesn't go that route.
Today I learned... just seems to always come to me late Monday night so ends up being a Tuesday post-- and not every week.
Just be you! I love your posts and wish I'd been headed this way sooner. Yeah, for the archives.
Mary

August 10, 2010 at 12:25 PM  
Unknown said, 

It depends, do you feel like you could stick to a schedule? I find they help me come up with ideas and stay focused but for some, they love to blog what is affecting them at the time. I check back to see what you decide.

CD

August 10, 2010 at 4:07 PM  
Anonymoussaid, 

I don't have a schedule but usually post about four blogs a week. I'm trying to get it up to five but life has been busy.

I learn much froim my blogging buddies and Yahoo! Writers Groups who are writers and editors. Where do I begin. I;ve always said I would never be where I'm at today if it weren't for my writing friends.

Stephen Tremp

August 10, 2010 at 4:18 PM  
Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. BarrĂ© said, 

Jules, I haven't tried scheduling because I know me. It would be a huge load of extra stress. I would miss something here. Then there. Then I'd be rearranging my schedule. Then next thing you know I'd be whining, I can't do this.

And then I'd have to remind myself not to do things that stress me out. And then I'd have to tell you all that I'm canning the schedule.

See. I know me.

I admire people who can and sometimes I wish I could, but nah. I know me.

I enjoy talking about life as life happens, share interesting articles as I read them. This brings me great joy. So I try to give myself joy three to five times a week. Or more if I can.

This is a great post. Thanks for asking the question. You made me realize why I was shying away.

~that rebel, Olivia

August 10, 2010 at 5:50 PM  
Arlee Bird said, 

I'm with you on your "just so you konw points". I don't wear suits and cannnot stand rap music.

Scheduling? I'm sure you've noticed mine and I have found it to be very liberating and a real facilitator for posting daily. Early on in my blogging someone suggested that a schedule helps readers develop a reading habit for your blog in that they know what to expect and they may come back regularly to read those things they expect.

Since I am a pretty free and random thinker, I try to conform my current thoughts to fit whatever my theme of the day is. My most regimented day is Sunday when I post about a Bible study, but I can get as flexible as I want with that. For the rest of the week my themes are: writing/blogging, Tossing It Out Tuesday, personal or human interest sketches, debate topics, dark or strange subjects or poetry, and on Saturday I recap and acknowlege any awards or blog mentions. Since I do it this way it makes it easier for me to plan out specific topics and if I want I can write pieces ahead of time to be scheduled for auto-post. Sometimes I've prepared up to 3 weeks worth of posts to just post automatically where I can just check comments each day.

I think scheduling works great for me. It does not restrict my writing or thinking in any way and actually makes me feel more versatile. After all, you can always still change your schedule if you feel like it--you're not really beholden to anybody but yourself.

Good luck.

Lee
Tossing It Out

August 10, 2010 at 6:28 PM  
T. Powell Coltrin said, 

Just so YOU know, I'm a hillbilly too, from MO and proud. Shoes are not my friend. I'm a free spirit, held captive by the world, but I'm doing fine.

Your blog is perfect. If you want to schedule, if it floats your boat--then do it.

You might at least schedule a "Just So you know" once a week, so we will know and for my entertainment. I'm just saying.

Teresa

August 10, 2010 at 7:59 PM  
Ginny the Sock Monkey said, 

I like your font and the idea of the paint splashes, but I do think that is is slightly difficult to find information on your side bars... to much going on. I do like the colors though, and like the subtle splashes. It's just the layout that is getting to me!

I'm a bit of a free-former, but mostly because my work schedule is in a constant state of flux. I think if I had a 9-5 job I'd be more rigid.

Nice to meet you as well, by the by!

August 10, 2010 at 8:42 PM  
Unknown said, 

The blogging world is as varied as the number of blogs and bloggers. Some blogs have a clear focus, others do not, some have a schedule, some don't. I think it depends on who you are and what you want to do with what you present to the world. If it feels right, then add a little structure If not, then keep your freeform ways of thinking.

I actually like dresses, particularly the kind with the built-in shelf bras you just slip on over your head. They are so much easier to get in and out of than pants and easier to deal with when nature calls!

August 11, 2010 at 6:27 AM  
Jules said, 

Thanks everyone for the input and compliments. Ginny the Sock Monkey you hit a home run. I am unhappy with the layout and am trying to find time to correct it.

Thanks again to all :D

August 11, 2010 at 7:00 AM  
Velvet Over Steel said, 

I agree with Olivia! I started blogging for my own therapy and in the hopes of helping others.

Since doing that I have tried to be creative and remain authentic. Which you certainly are Both!

So a schedule doesn't work for me, except to try and keep up on my Friday Half Full posting because people seem to look forward to it and it brings me UP for the weekend, no matter what my week has been like.

I know you can get a lot more followers if you 'schedule' and do many of the connected blog hops, etc. It just depends on what to accomplish with your blog.

As for me, I am all over the map at times. lol So I think I need to just post what I have on my mind and when I can. Summers aren't as productive because I love to be outside.

I hope that helps and not confussed you more. lol
Take care and many Hugs, Jules!
~Coreen

August 11, 2010 at 10:43 AM  
Cruella Collett said, 

I think this is a difficult question, because it can go both ways. We have a schedule on the Burrow blog, but I don't have one on my regular blog. On the Burrow blog I sometimes have no idea what to write for a specific topic (or how to tie what I want to write with the topic in question), but for my regular blog I sometimes have no idea what to write at all...
Perhaps you can have a tentative schedule? No biggie if you don't always follow it, but if you're at a loss for a topic to cover one day you can always write a book review because it is Book Thursday. For instance.

In general, though, I think you're doing very well as it is :)

August 11, 2010 at 3:54 PM  
Glynis Peters said, 

Just so you know...we are so much alike!

Don't be fooled by the wedding outfit photo. x2 kids wedding outfits in one year was suffocating!

September 8, 2010 at 8:37 AM  
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