The Bloggers With The Most To Say
I'm having writer's block about a certain topic. Re: Mormonism.
About a month ago, I decided to quit the Mormon church and blog about it along the way (since it's notoriously shady). (Here's the link if you're interested, but I'm not trying to promote it with this discussion.) I posted about my primary reasons for leaving, the letter I wrote, and the initial response from the church I received. Because the church does not want to relinquish its members, it takes a long time to "get out." At this point, I'm just waiting to be contacted and to meet with some officials.
Meanwhile, my blog was listed on Dan Savage's blog (woot!) and I got an onslaught of new readers, interested in the Mormon angle.
So, here's my dilemma: I don't know what can I write about (Mormon-related or, at least, something in that vein) that will maintain their interest until the next step of this quitting business takes place. While some have followed my other posts, I'm guessing they're not all going to be interested in the rest of my content. I don't know how exciting just sharing my former-Mormon memories would be.
Any ideas out there? Or, what would you be interested in reading about?
<~~~~~~didn't really think this one through...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alex Weisman on -
As a non-mormon living in SLC I find really interesting to hear about someone blogging about leaving the church. I have read too many blogs about people joining the church and (at risk of sounding like an insensitive jerk) I have no idea why people would want to. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for everyone and every faith, but I have never understood the draw to the LDS church.
Now, I have not read a ton of posts on your blog yet, but I am sure that if you go about blogging however you normally do, you will keep some loyal readership and maybe loose some others. Odds are though, that every time you blog about the process a lot of people will come back. So, I wouldn't really worry about readers, it is your blog, you should blog what you want. Then you will know who your core followers are and who just look for the LDS oriented posts.
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Permalink Reply by Peppers on -
Well, maybe just don't limit yourself to that topic. When I first started my blog, I would try to write things that I thought people would like to read. I also was unsure of exactly I was supposed to write about. Then I realized that is dumb because the only reason I blog is for my own personal enjoyment anyways. So I started blogging freely, with no limits, as if nobody (or anybody!) were reading it. I have now got a good feel for my blog, and it just feels right when I'm rambling on it. And I never force a topic, if it comes to me I write, if not I don't.
So, I guess just write whatever YOU are interested in! If you're interested, others will be too! =]
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Permalink Reply by Amber on -
Perhaps you should start a second blog...? Have one that deals exclusively with leaving the Mormon church and then another one that is a random collection of thoughts and stories/a place for you to vent or whatever. It's sort of hard to maintain two blogs but a lot of people do it, so clearly it's possible.
Honestly though, I think that you should write whatever it is that YOU want to write and not worry about writing for your readers. Anyway, I like your blog!
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth W - Falling From Prams on -
I think that is really interesting and am going to stop by. Most people stop by for a little while, some end up staying and others move on. I tend to find one thing I like about a blogger and become a fangirl that ends up loving everything about them. Great job!
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Permalink Reply by Erin on -
I agree that you should definitely write for YOU! As a non-Mormon, it would be interesting for me to read about the faith/church in more general terms. I did a report on the church in college (well, actually it was about one of the temples in Maryland) and it was SO hard to find any information about it.
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Permalink Reply by Angie on -
Well, while my wife and I live in Utah, we are so non-Mormon it's not even funny. We're both Wiccan, so we have to keep our religion as quiet as possible, unless we're around someone who we KNOW is Wiccan/Pagan/non-Mormon + open-minded.
Example, Jen and I got these cute skull bracelets from Gardener Village and decided to wear them to work one day. Not because of Wicca or anything, just because they were matching and kinda pirate-y. And we were working at a marina.
Our manager freaked, started telling other people we were Satanists or something - BECAUSE WE HAD ON SKULL BRACELETS!!!
Not everyone in Utah is like that. Not every Mormon is like that.
Kelli, maybe you can blog about things you've overheard from Mormons in the past? Cultures? Things like that? I dunno. When Jen first started telling me about Mormon culture, that she had learn from her friends, etc. I was honestly shocked. It's not something post people know about!!!
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Permalink Reply by MissLiv on -
What are Wiccan beliefs? I mean, I think I know that it's about sort of...not witchcraft, but I can't think of the word I want to use? I grew up Catholic, so it's obviously no suprise that the only info I've been able to gather has been from books or the likes, of ANY other religion.
I have a curiosity when it comes to things like this, I like to see what's out there and what people believe that is outside the little world I grew up in. :-)
And as for your Mormon blog Kelli, I agree that you should just blog about whatever you feel. You never know, different upbringings and experiences during life can impact on how we think about other things so what you might think is boring and that people might not be interested in, they might be! I'm going to head over to check it out now :-)
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Permalink Reply by Angie on
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The one true, sturdy, without a doubt, 100% Wiccan rule is "Harm None" or fully "Harm None, Do What Ye Will" - basically, that is saying do what you want UNLESS what you're doing is bad. For yourself, for your friends, family, enemies, animals and nature.
Also, what you do will come back to you three fold. Good or bad.
Those are two of the most important ones. There is also "Be Silent" as what goes on in a Coven (a group of Witches*) is silent. You don't share that with anyone else, think like a job who's rules/meetings/etc. are confidential.
And finally, one thing Wiccan's teach is not to preach. I have never and will never try to preach my beliefs. Wicca IS for me, but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. If someone asks me my beliefs or Wiccan beliefs, I'll gladly tell them. I may even post a little here and there on my blog, forums, etc. But it's not like... I try to get people to become Wiccan. Ya know?
*Note: Witches are men and women.
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Permalink Reply by MissLiv on
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Yeah! That is very interesting. I read this book once, a Jodi Picoult one, you may have read it? I cant remember, oh wait, Salem Falls I think it's called? I don't know if it gives an ideal understanding about Wicca since I finished the book confused.
And just to clarify....when you say witches, you don't mean, like magic? Or is it about manipulating moments? Or spirits? I have hazy memories of what I read, and it might have been an untrue account in any case.
Sorry to pry, like I said, I just have a morbid curiosity for everything I have never experienced...which means I bug people a lot because there is a lot I don't know about :-) But I'd rather hear it straight up from someone who knows than sift through questionable info I find elsewhere.
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Permalink Reply by MissLiv on
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I know I'm sounding like some ignorant peasant here, and for that I'm sorry. I've never known anything other than my backyard (not literally) but I am very open minded so that's why I ask :-)
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Permalink Reply by Angie on
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Oh no, you sound fine! ^_^
I haven't read Salem Falls, sorry. :(
When I say Witches, what I mean is... Wicca is the religion. Being a Witch is the lifestyle.
Example... Being a Wiccan, I pray to the Goddess. I wear my pentacle, etc., etc.
Being a Witch... I may grow a garden with a blessing. I may then use what grows in that garden, in a healing soup for a family member or friend with a cold. I celebrate the Sabbats. I write my spells out and make sure I have them ready in time for a ritual, etc., etc.
Does that make any sort of sense? :P
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