Would I get more modelling done if I blogged less?
This question has been running around in my head for a while.
There’s no doubt about it, blogging takes time.
Each blog has two parts. Firstly the photos. Taking them, choosing which ones to use, cropping and resizing them for the web. A simple blog has one or two photos, for an exhibition or a visit to a railway there can be 20 to 30 photos to add to the post.
Then the words need to be written. For a modelling post the text is a short description of what I did. If I visit an exhibition or a railway I’ll do a bit of research to check the facts are correct. Inevitably, some editing is always required to make the text more ‘readable’.
If I used this time for modelling, would I be a more productive modeller?
After some reflection I’m not convinced I would.
The blog is a motivator for my modelling. If I haven’t blogged for a while, it encourages me to do some modelling so that I can write a blog.
Additionally, when I’ve written a blog it makes me think about what I can do next, and that leads to more modelling.
Finally, it’s fun to write a series of blogs about a small modelling project, for example making a loco or a building.
These things create a cycle of model, blog, model, blog… a sort of virtuous circle.
Yes, blogging takes time but I enjoy it and it makes me a more productive modeller. Let the cycle continue….
Image by winnifredxoxo modified under Creative Commons licence
Steve's Narrow Gauge Adventure 
I agree. Yes, I would have more time if I didn’t blog, but making content for the blog forces me to do some modelling. Sometimes it’s difficult to motivate myself, but without this self-imposed pressure, I suspect overall, a lot less would get made.
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Hi Phil, Yes blogging’s definitely a good motivator. I admire the fact that you blog everyday, that requires real dedication and motivation. I think deadlines are important too. The shutdown has made me realise one of my motivators is to say ‘I’ll finish this before I go to XYZ exhibition or that modellers meet up’. All that’s gone at the moment – I’ll have to create some deadlines of my own 🙂
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The two go hand in hand for me, I enjoy using modelling as content for the blog, and writing blog posts gives me incentive to do more modelling.
My blog is also a useful way of recording my work, which is useful as my projects seem to drag on for ages…
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Hi Paul, Totally agree. The two do go hand in hand and the blog is a great way of recording the work for future reference. I”m really enjoying your Rushby’s Deutz build by the way. I muse confess I have an unbuilt kit for one of those and so I’m picking up useful tips so you do your build. Steve
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I feel your pain. I have even more of a dilemma as I only blog about my writing, not my garden design or modelling, and struggle to find sufficiently diverse subjects to write about.
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Hi Chris, Perhaps the blogging takes second place to actually writing books. You’re definitely very productive at writing books 🙂 Or maybe you should have one blog featuring all your interests – I’d definitely read that 🙂
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Agree with all the above, blogging is a great motivator. Sometimes I’ve even got out of a modelling lull thinking I need something to blog about, with productive and enjoyable results.
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