"Damned if you do, damned if you don't" has been running through my head for a while now ever since I received an email pointing out quite rightly so that I seem to be writing less on the blog. More specifically, volume of words is at an all time low. Then today, on KOS's blog, a commentor makes a, dare I say, slightly cynical comment about how a certain jacket from Luxirare is able to prompt lengthly paragraphs. So, now it's not just a question of length but where the length is being applied that is being scrutinised.
Firstly, to address length. I considered shutting the blog a few times in the past year because my full time job at Dazed has been taking up the bulk of my time and I'd like to devote as much time to it as possible because it's something that I'm driven by and want to succeed. I've developed email-checking-frenzies that haven't induced the best personal life. I haven't taken a wi-fi free, phone-free proper holiday since I've started. The ludicrous notion of taking on an intern for the blog actually ridiculously crossed my mind because I've been so tired (of course that thought left me… what the fuck would a blog intern do???). So, in terms of posts, it has become more instinctive for me to post in a stream of consciousness…mind babble…short and fast. Not strictly ideal, but enough to keep the blog going, a goal that I keep my teeth gnawed into, whenever I close my eyes and the remote thought of the blog shutting down flashes in my head.
Then to address length and where it's applied. Even though I am pretty good at spouting out text that waffles on and on. Sometimes, I just don't have a huge amount to say on something but feel it's worth putting out there as imagery, information, a link etc. Sometimes, I go completely hyperbolic when I've touched/worn/experienced something that I can describe at length even if nobody else will get what I'm saying because I physically can't stop my fingers from typing. Writing about what I experience in person is as important as extolling over the things I can only get web images of and pragmatically speaking, length of text does correspond to the seeing/feeling factor.
This might all be babble to those that have the sane attitude of "It's your blog, I don't really give a toss how you run it… I'll read it if I like it, I'll won't if I don't…" But given that I have OCD tendencies, things like this eat away at my brain and I can be more at ease if I just explain myself.
See? There you go… a waffle-filled post on something that has been consuming me that where my hands just went into auto-type mode.
**EDIT** Thanks to EJ and Steve for this little pick-me-up…not that I'm being hated on or anything but come on, it's a slightly rotund kid strolling along in an animated GIF…you have to at least give a wee smile when you see him!
do people really not have a better outlet for their energies than to find fault with one of the better fashion blogs around? seriously. this person should go and find a charity to join. apply their thoughts constructively.
Hey Susie don’t worry the majority of us love the way you blog although sadly not everyone is always going to love it.
It’s the same with my blog sometime I will waffle on and on with no sole purpose except to get another post out gosh the tough days of being a blogger 😉
Nicky
x
Ignore them. Your blog, your rules 😉
seriously, if people have issues with how you write YOUR blog, then they shouldn’t read it. i read every day and am always excited to find out about new things. i appreciate when you have a lot to say about something, especially when it has an effect on the way i see said thing. that said, when you don’t have a lot to say about something, you are still posting about it and informing your readers! really, if people are that offended by the way that you are handling this blog, then maybe they should start some of their own. if they are good, they’ll get read. buhhh, short rant over.
You are right, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. You will never please everyone. At the end of the day, you should be doing it because you enjoy the process, the content and the process interests you.
people will always have something negative to say.. so let them be..
I personally love it, and prefer when you write less because your images are fantastic!
My comment was spectacularly badly written, but I am sure you know what I mean!
You don’t need to justify your actions concerning your blogging style; no one pays to enjoy your content – it’s a wonderful, inspiring source of inspiration, fashion and art. And it’s free. People who complain about stuff they get for free really boggle the mind, irrespective of quality.
your blog is as perfect as ever, and we all still read it religously. honestly!
xx-LJ from SOS!
I see what you mean 🙂 I think you post quite a lot, and the quality is always great. But sometimes one need a holiday to get reinspired!
Don´t close it though please..
One of the main reasons I enjoy your blog so much is the way you update in frequent short bursts, that are never too lengthy or too wordy. In all honesty I think you’ve got the perfect balance of text and pictures, whereas other blogs either have too little or too much of either.
When I visit style bubble, I expect so see a new entry and I always do and it is rarely disappointing.
You should feel free to take some time of whenever you want it! You are in charge after all.
Susie, sounds like you need another dose of this little guy (http://www.kikareichert.com.br/inspirations/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/haters.gif).
I find people don’t read the text anyway, most just scan and ogle the imagery.
I know what you mean about feeling like you have to explain why you’re posting the way you are or aren’t, but there really should be no need. Maybe I’m not analyzing your blog in enough detail, but I just assumed that sometimes you’re more busy, tired, happy, sad, excited, worried, like we all are, and that your posting will change day to day.
I mean, it’s not like any of us have gone out and paid $10 for a Susie Bubble magazine and have a right to complain about the content! Last time I checked, I get to check all the blogs I want for free, and that the posts are a reflection of what the blogger is thinking/feeling at that one moment. I EXPECT a little variety in length/style/content! For gods sake, you’re not a robot!
Err Ouch what a bitchy comment! I think you right shit loads, especially as you actually have a life as well. It’s a bit weird if people feel they need to read something new every hour, get a life peeps!! x
You know very well how good you are. Alive, funny, blunt (my favorite), irreplaceable. I’ll be your intern!!!
Hi Susie! It really IS your blog and you should enjoy writing posts. You shouldn’t have to force yourself to do something you don’t want to do just because “people” demand it of you. They can get lost, frankly!
But you are such an icon – please, please don’t shut down your blog! Maybe it would be easier to post just a few times a week instead; perhaps that would lessen the load? 🙂
You don’t have to justify to anyone why or how you blog! It’s your blog and clearly the commentor(s) don’t know how much work goes into with a full-time job. We continue to read because we know you have a passion for it. Keep blogging until you don’t want to anymore. It’s your pejorative!
i just went back to queen michelle’s blog to check the comment. to give the author the benefit of the doubt, the observation seems to be less a critique of the arbitrary length of your posts than what appears to be you shilling for a freebie. no one likes that sort of mindless promotion, and unfortunately we see it too often on other blogs. i don’t see the wrong in a bit of cynicism when reading what looks to be an honest endorsement, behind which may lie relentless PR plugs. it hurts to be accused of it, sure, but i wouldn’t take the attack personally when you know that it’s not true, and when the jacket speaks for itself.
what’s more, clearly the commenter didn’t think that the jacket was worth the number of words you expended on it. so just chalk it up to a difference in opinion, not a personal attack.
as for other criticism, they’re just coming from long-time readers who, as a result of their daily visits, have a fixed set of expectations in their mind. it’s hard to keep in mind that bloggers have lives beyond what they present. it’s even more difficult to understand how much work goes into a blog until you actually have one of your own. so as much as you’d like your readers to understand where you’re coming from, it may be worthwhile to consider their perspectives. i don’t think they’re (we’re) being malicious; we just sometimes unfortunately take you and other bloggers for granted.
Susie, I’ll tell you again — write about what you want and don’t let someone’s random outburst of bitchiness impact you so severely. Do your thang! (Now to see if Typepad actually lets me post this.)
Besides the fact that it is indeed your blog to run as you see fit, you do write much more about your experiences and about less-known designers than any blog (besides maybe KOS) period. Don’t let the haters get you down and please don’t ever stop writing! Even your sub-par efforts exceed the masses by a long run.
Lauren, fair point…. the commentor’s cynicism is also welcome but it’s something still for me to defend because I’d like readers to know how my thought processes gather up when writing posts… that there is rhyme and reason and that it doesn’t come out of thin air… it is unfair of me to expect every reader to understand the ins and outs…why should they if they are simply visiting fleetingly…
For longtime readers though, an explanation is owed, hence the post… it’s an apology too in a way…. like “Sorry, there IS a reason why posts are shorter and why I post the way I do…”… I’m an inquisitive person and if a blog I read suddenly changed it up, I wouldn’t mind knowing why…
I guess I felt I owed it to readers… it does feel like a lot of the time, I’m letting people down which is a weird notion considering as many of you have pointed out, it is MY blog…such is the way a blog becomes public property and as a result, I have to take that into consideration…
What WendyB said. I can definitely relate to feeling responsible/guilty about quantity, quality, subject … but the bottom line is that this is your space, so you make the rules. Write bales about what inspires you, write minimally about stuff that speaks for itself.
someone will always complain about the wrong flavor on free ice cream day. i thought the jacket suited you well…
🙂
and for the ‘length’ of your posts… they all seem the same-ish to me… i don’t know what they’re going on about.
I remember commenting a while back on a post similar to this, where someones comments got to you. Just remember that daily all sorts of opinions are drawn about you, me, the world but honestly never let anyone criticise how you live. It’s futile because you’ll never please everyone. Live your life, blog about what you want, wear what you want and let the others sit around and write long arse diatribes about it.
Now have a laugh and write as little or as much as you want.
I’ve always enjoyed your writings,and to tell you the truth you inspire me to blog!!! So please don’t stop blogging, it’s a beautiful and fun publication you have 🙂
You can’t please all the people all the time. I try and stay locked into my own wee Kingdom because I don’t want to be affected by all this pressure and competition.
The fact people email me to solve their problems or insecurities actually really annoys me at times, and I want to shake people and tell them to stop looking at what other people have or haven’t got and just get on with their own shit. Where has all the fun gone?!
woops, i meant same-ish in terms of length… are they getting shorter? what are they doing a word count?
Now who is this commenter? That is just silly. Does she/he realize that the fact that you update 2 or 3 times daily is a feat? Sometimes, readers can become too demanding.
-Meream
I love your blog Susie – babbling, shakespearian, image heavy, image lite…however it comes. Take a few days off from time to time; you’re a giver of blog gifts, not an indentured blog slave.
– love Simona
I echo what most seem to be saying here, I love the way you blog Susie! Every post whether word-heavy or picture-heavy always feels really honest and natural…you must know by now and with all your loyal readers that you have a gift for this! I hate to think of you closing the blog but obviously you must only keep it going for as long as you still enjoy it. It amazes me how often you post with your busy job as well (random question, do you ever dream about posting? When I get absorbed in things in real life I always dream about it..like when getting in to the routine of a new job). Now I’m babbling! Please continue blogging in a way which feels right for you and we’ll always read eagerly. And don’t begrudge yourself time off if you need it! When one day you have your own dream magazine, I’ll be buying it. Thanks!
I am in awe that you manage to post as much, and as often as you do! How can people complain about lack of words? They are not lacking in the least!
xx
i’ve been told off and threatened by people who i’ve told i’m shutting down my blog lol and mine is truely a waste of space, at least yours is the original and queen of blogs
Susie, like you said to me about my recent negative comments, don’t let it get to you. You are allowed to write as much or as little as you want about anything because it is your blog. But please don’t quit blogging, but maybe you could blog less? Like only 1 post every two days? I’m pretty sure we would all forgive you for taking it easy for a while.
People are always going to try to bring others down, especially someone like you who has an eye and talent for fashion as well as writing. Your blog should be a fun thing for you to do, you have no obligation to anyone.
Fuck’em.
Yes, I’m crass. I know. I’m also dead serious. I would hate for anything to make you consider shutting down the blog. I’m with Nicole; if work is too much, you should slow up on posting. We’ll forgive you (LOL). As for the negative/snarky comments that come from people who clearly missed your intent (I mean, how do you pub/PR for someone who doesn’t sell their garments???), well…I think I covered that in my opening line.
=D
you need to disregard the internet maliciousness. troll breeding is a unique symptom of the anonymous medium, and there’s no time to respond to every discrete detraction. just keep being awesome as you are. 🙂
dear susie, its really wonderful that you didnt give in to temptation to close down the blog.love your posts 🙂 ignore them!
I’ve been reading your blog for years now & really enjoy the little gobbets of fashion juice you spit out! Please don’t take notice of any critical nastiness…it’s a sad internet thing…you’ve got a life to get on with & it’s great you take time out to chat about style, but you musn’t feel under pressure. I appreciate your blog loads as I’m sure loads of others do!
I think you’re totally fab. x
I wasn’t feeling you weren’t writing much, to be honest, but thought I might chip in my two pence: one of my favourite types of posts is the category of outfit post. of course taking pictures also takes time, but if you’re not in the mood/headspace for writing I reckon that’d usually be a great substitute! thanks for all the inspiration and gorgeous things you show us so frequently; please don’t stop!
These complaints are ridiculous, I’m glad you have risen above them though.
I’d love to be your intern, though! haha.
You ARE damned if you do damned if you don’t – I got called self righteous and overly defensive by someone on Sister Wolf’s blog because I dare to, shock horror, stand up for myself, talk openly about issues and not be meek and mild enough; you get grief for being self deprecating and being too nice! You just can’t win.
I love this animation. I saw it on someone elses’ blog who was having similar issues. Chin up. You’re not alone. At the risk of sounding ridiculous, I got my own blog hata’. On the downside, he/she says pointlessly mean things, on the upside it makes me feel like my popularity star is rising.
I love that little dancing guy!
SusieB, you should be teflon by now. You are a self-made star, and a role model to a million girls(and boys.) When someone criticizes anything about you or your blog, try saying aloud “Haha, you idiot! I rule!”
Well, I did wonder how you do it. If I struggle to post every day, and that’s without even styling my own photos and without a full-time job then I’m not surprised you sometimes find it a challenge. I appreciate the keeping-in-the-loop. However, don’t be scared to say “I’m having a few days off’ every so often, I swear we’ll all still keep coming back X
That’s interesting. I was just thinking yesterday that you seem to write a crazy (and impressive) number of lengthy posts.
i love the Gif imagae haha, anyway who cares about length, i love style bubble, susie can do no wrong.
It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.