Are You A Writer Who Blogs, or a Blogger Who Writes?
This is a question that I’ve been mulling over for the past month or so, ever since it came up in a discussion with a colleague.
I currently wear two hats. I blog (not only here, but also at Business and Blogging, Freelance Folder, OpinionMom, and Work From Home Momma). I write/edit (training materials, technical documents, and web content).
The two hats are really very different.
Blogging leaves me with a sense of giving something back. Writing is personal. When I write a blog post I’m sharing a piece of me. However, blogging is often a lot more work because you are never done when you are blogging. You write and publish a post, but that is not the end. You must check back and answer commentators. You must participate in social media. You will worry about statistics. All this for . . . well, usually not very much money at all.
Writing/editing leaves me with a since of accomplishment. When I finish a project and turn it in, I’m done. Writing can also be challenging since I often am assigned to write/edit on topics that stretch me. Writing also pays quite well. However, it’s not at all personal.
Until a year and half ago, the answer to this question was very clear. I didn’t blog at all - freelance writing was my entire business.
From a financial perspective, I must always place more emphasis on the writing portion of my business since it pays the bills. I’d definitely miss writing if blogging were all that I did. Recently, I’ve been wondering if I’m spending too much of my day blogging. However, I know that I’d miss blogging if I quit.
I know that both writers who are primarily writer/editors read this blog along with writers who are primarily bloggers.
Which are you, and why?
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About the Author: I am a successful freelance writer with 20 years of copy writing experience. I am available for consulting, business writing, copy writing, editing, technical writing, and web content writing. In addition, I have written an ebook, 
Robert Hruzek | May 9, 2008 | Reply
Laura, the usual tactic for responding to a tough question is to say, “Interesting question!”, then change the subject!
But you do have a toughie here. When I first started blogging, I thought of myself as “just a blogger” (hey, what did I know?). But along about March-April of last year I changed my mind.
Now, I think of myself as a writer who blogs. And although I don’t have any other writings right now except the blog, I still plan to. (I’m just getting my preliminary thoughts gathered around a book right now).
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey | May 9, 2008 | Reply
I’m of a mind that all bloggers, ultimately, have to be writers to succeed. Yep, there’s more to blogging than writing, just like there’s more to being a novelist than writing. Submitting manuscripts, writing query letters, negotiating contracts - none of these things have to do with writing a novel. But we don’t think of a novelist apart from the writing aspect, and it should be the same with the blogger.
Now, I know that this is my particular hangup, my gong to bang, but it’s because I believe it passionately. At the end of the day, the blogger is a writer, whether they self-identify that way or not.
Great post, Laura!
James Chartrand - Men with Pens | May 9, 2008 | Reply
I’m a writer first and blogger second. Being a problogger is just another aspect of my base skill, talent and leanings - writing.
Blogging is just a job that uses what you already know. If you define yourself solely as a blogger, then to me, you aren’t a writer.
Sharon Hurley Hall | May 9, 2008 | Reply
I started as a writer and have evolved into a blogger as well. Blogging is one of the many kinds of writing that I do, so I’d define myself as a writer first.
Diane | May 9, 2008 | Reply
Yikes, that is tough. At first I agreed with James - that bloggers aren’t writers if all they do is blog. However, I know several freelance writers who make their living blogging, and one day I would love to do that also. In the end though, I think being a writer and blogger are two distinctly different things, and with that said I think you can be both.
I for one am a writer first, a blogger second - evidenced by the fact I can’t seem to get my professional blog off the ground.
Matt Tuley, Laptop for Hire | May 9, 2008 | Reply
I guess it all comes down to how “writer” and “blogger” are defined. Anyone can do both. They may do it badly, and no one will care, but they can do it. That would be an internal (self-declared and recognized) definition. Do you only get to call yourself a “writer” or a “blogger” if you’re successful enough at it that it brings money and some reknown? That would be an external (someone else recognizes that you do this) definiton. In this case, being successful in each requires a different set of skills beyond the core skill of writing. (In fact, you apparently don’t need to be a good writer to be a successful blogger.)
I think I’m both. I write well enough that others hire me to do it for the, while my blog is starting to develop a readership that i hope to build on. If I had to choose one, based on my own criteria of success, I’d have to say I’m a writer who blogs, because the blog is what I do on the side.
Hm. I suspect I just put down a lot of words that don’t say a whole lot. Good thing this isn’t paid work for a client!
@Diane - Well, I like the post you’ve got up so far, if its your professional blog to which your comment links. Now to get it off the ground, just keep at it, one post at a time.
A. B. England | May 9, 2008 | Reply
Even though I’m still just starting out on the road of paid writing, I’d have to say I’m a writer who blogs. Even though I currently can’t earn my living doing either, I’m constantly writing in one form or another, and when I’m not writing, I’m thinking about what I’m going to write next.
Writing’s my passion. Blogging is more of a fun tool.
Mihaela Lica | May 9, 2008 | Reply
Well, I define bloggers a little bit differently. Anyone can blog in my opinion, and blogging can be anything from writing to posting images, videos and sound. Blogging is just a self-publishing tool after all. You use it, you are a blogger.
You can be a writer blogger, an artist blogger, a wham blogger, or whatever you choose.
Lillie Ammann | May 9, 2008 | Reply
I’m a writer and editor who blogs as a hobby. Blogging is fun - and I suspect it wouldn’t be as much fun if I took it seriously. I respect bloggers who earn money for blogging, but my passion is editing.
Yvonne Russell (Grow Your Writing Business) | May 10, 2008 | Reply
A writer who blogs. Even if I only blogged, I would still think of myself as a writer first.
As you say, there’s more to blogging than writing. But I guess there’s more to a writing business than just writing too.
Laura | May 10, 2008 | Reply
Good discussion!
I think that most, but not all, bloggers have some writing ability. But, I have seen blogs that are cartoons or photographs. So, obviously writing is not always part of the picture.
I also know many bloggers who would not be comfortable seeking writing jobs, but are just fine posting on their blogs.
On the other hand, I think that blogging has helped some to discover and grow comfortable with their “inner writer.” (See Robert’s comment above.)
Blogging professionally, of course, is a whole other set of circumstances.
Jamie Grove - How Not To Write | May 10, 2008 | Reply
This is the question I asked myself for several years as I worked on a novel and wrote blog posts.
In the end, I decided I didn’t need a to choose.
Blogging lets me explore new topics while “freeing” me to dive deeply into my fiction. I also appreciate the wonderful community of writers I’ve met online - many of whom are on this thread!
Thanks for kicking off such a great discussion, Laura!
Lisa Thompson | May 10, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been writing since I was 15, and I hope to still be doing it at 80, 85, whatever.
My writing will always come first. Originally, it was news stories, then feature articles, later came magazine interviews, news releases, Web content … you name it, I’ve written it.
Blogging is a marketing tool for me. It’s fun, because I can discuss what’s on my mind that day. But it’s like a journal and shouldn’t be used too much. It won’t pay the bills.
Thanks for the interesting reading, Laura.
JBourne | May 13, 2008 | Reply
Based on how you worded the title, couldn’t you be neither? Do you have to be a writer? No, you could just be a blogger. You could also view your blogging as writing depending on how relevant and identical to the rest of your writing.
Lindsay | May 15, 2008 | Reply
Writer first, long before I heard of blogging.
I would write even if blogs vanished (G-d forbid!). It’s how I make my living, and what I love to do.
But blogging has become an important part of my writing, so I am a blogger, too.
Steve | May 19, 2008 | Reply
Im a writer who blogs occasionally I think. The Internet has made a writer of many a person who otherwise wouldn’t have had a a chance, what a great medium.
Laura | May 22, 2008 | Reply
Hi Jamie, Lisa, JBourne, Lindsay, and Steve!
I have to admit, this is one of those “chicken or the egg” questions, as in which came first. Most bloggers write. Many writers enjoy blogging.
Still, I think it’s important to think about where your focus is.
racquel lyle | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Me, I blog about what I know and what I read, I never blog about my personal life, sometimes I do blog about my experience in something like shopping cooking etc, and I share those experience and what I learn from it.