Sometimes I think that SEO is killing writers. Sometimes I think our need to wonder and worry about how to promote our words in a way that ensures they aren’t given short shrift is wreaking havoc on our creativity.
One of my non-patented secrets for writing is that I am 298.5 pounds of child. That curly haired boy with the green eyes and olive skin called Jack never grew up completely. He got a little bit bigger and his hair got a bit less curly but he didn’t disappear. He just became a father and learned how to tune out the child inside.
It is kind of sad. Sometimes the need to pay attention to SEO and marketing makes the child feel even more sad. Kids don’t care about trying to convince search engines to rank them first. When they write about being The Greatest Dad Blogger of them all they see themselves flying alongside Snoopy because someone has to make sure that the Evil Red Baron doesn’t take out our favorite beagle.
They are too busy building Lego fortresses and using the Force to stop the Sith. Who has time for title tags when your name is Indiana Jones and you are fighting Nazis. That bullwhip is far too cool and much more interesting than the grownup stuff.
Some of you have talked about my having had a hard run this year and I agree with you. Much of it has sucked. But some of it has been bad because of what has happened to friends and family. When I look at the unofficial list I sort of shake my head.
My grandfather died. The infant son of a friend died. Two very important people in my life lost their fathers and last week one of my friends died.
Well, the reason I keep going isn’t just because I am a father. It is because that little boy Jack, the one who made Snoopy be his wingman has dreams that help him. He never gave up or stopped believing in some of them and that hope is the flame in the night he follows. Sometimes it is dark but that flame never quite goes out and Jack never stops digging.
Truth is that if I stopped I think I might die. I don’t say that to be melodramatic but because it is such a big part of me.
Nanowrimo and Movember
Nanowrimo continues. Every day I add pieces to the puzzle but I still haven’t figured it all out. I am sort of torn on formatting, trying to work out the best way to put it together. I want to have a handle on the individual pieces but I also want to present them as part of the whole.
I am part of the mighty dad blogging team that is taking on Movember. The men are working hard to make a difference in the world of men’s health which is why I am growing one nasty mustache. Might have to take the stache and become a motorcycle cop or try to star in a remake of a bad 70’s porno. Alternatively I could pitch Hollywood on a script set on the mean streets of cleveland. Could be kind of fun to make the river burst into flames fifteen or twenty times.
More importantly I would like to invite you to support the Movember movement by making a donation.
Where does the money go?
Funds raised through the Movember US campaign go to Movember (Tax ID: 77-0714052) which is a national, not for profit organization with 501(c)(3) registration.
The net funds are committed to programs supporting prostate cancer and other male cancer initiatives run by Movember and through our men’s health partners the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG.
And that my friends is all she wrote. It is time for this old man to get some shut eye. This post was part of The Just Write Project of my favorite weekly linkups.
James, I can’t drive 55. 😉
This blog is kinda like your SPEED (the movie, not the drug) if you stop you die. Oh, and keep it above 50 will ya?
I think it’s important to keep the child within us alive Jack. Maybe that and being a Dad is what has helped you get through this difficult year. I would also hope it’s the love and support of some of your blogging friends too! 🙂 (hint, hint)
Hang in the Jack. God does’t give us more than we can handle. That I do know for sure.
Adrienne,
The support from my blogging friends has absolutely been a big part of things. It is sort of like my ace in the hole, this knowledge that there are people all over who have my back.
Yeah, I’m thinkin’ you’ll be sporting the Harry Reems look; not that I know who he was, I just heard stories.
3 bills, huh? That’s one big mass of a mean lovin’ machine.
If I grow up, that’s when I think I will start to die. Much to my wife’s chagrin, I don’t think I will be growing up anytime soon. Hopefully I can keep that child-like silliness is some of what I do.
Good luck with this project.
Got to come clean, I don’t weigh that much but ell over 200 is still accurate. Not that any of it matters.
As for growing up, well I agree with you. Got to retain some of that innocence…somehow.
Jack, you had me at Snoopy and the Red Baron. Cheers! Kaarina
That is because you are smart and have good taste.
Jack you are a fabulous writer, I can’t imagine you needing to worry about seo. and who the heck cares about seo when there’s so much going on?
i get the reasons why you’re interested though and i get how it makes it difficult to write. it does mess with creativity. my suggestion is install the all-in-one seo plugin. it’s better than no seo and will not mess with your writing. it’s more of an after thought that goes a long way. adding specific categories and tags to your posts also help with search engines.
hugs to you Jack. I think you’re a wicked writer.
Vanita you are being too kind. I wrestle with SEO because I have goals and that could help me achieve them sooner.
But I still don’t spend much time focusing on it.
BTW, I think that your new focus on your blog should turn out quite nicely.
Thanks Jack, you know, I truly do love the blogging community and I hope to be able to help my fellow bloggers as much as I can. I believe in sharing what works for me in hopes that it will work for someone else. and I’m not being too kind, you are fab!
Your job is now to raise children who never let the child within them die. Even as adults, we NEED this side of us.
I very much agree with you about that. I want my kids to retain that part of childhood, you know that little spark.
“I spent my time playing tough guy scenes.But I was living in a world of childish dreams.Someday these childish dreams must end.To become a man and grow up to dream again.”
I always thought Snoopy and Charlie Brown were my side kicks, too. Keep rockin’ it, Jack.
Springsteen never gets old nor do our pals Snoopy and Charlie Brown. One day he is going to kick that ball.
Isn’t it ALL about friends and family JB? I’m having lunch with Dave Taylor tomorrow…wanna join me?
Hey Bruce,
Depends when and where, but given the chance I am always happy to hang with you.
SEO sure ruins the fun of creative titles. I think of cute titles but then know they will end up in the trash heap that is page 11 of Google. So you have to come up with things like “10 Best Ways to Take Out the Trash” or “Justin Beiber Likes This Post”.
It’s so annoying.
My 7 year-old thinks his name is Beaver. She doesn’t appreciate it when I ask her if hangs out with Eddie Haskell.
What, no pictures of your progress?
Pix are coming along, just not today.
You are busy, you are hurting, you are writing, you are making a difference. Go you- you are fabulous! 🙂
(I’m sorry about all of the hard stuff. it does, indeed, suck.)
Thank you Galit. Making a difference is a big part of what drives me.