Stardate 20040216.1906

(Captain's log): It's long been observed that there are two kinds of bloggers, which I once referred to as editors and writers, and which others immediately pointed out could also be called linkers and thinkers. Of course, there are a lot of people who do some of both, but I've always concentrated on writing.

Linkers can keep producing material as long as there's stuff happening in the world. Indeed, for someone like Glenn Reynolds, a lot of his material comes to him via reader email. But for those who concentrate primarily on writing, it isn't that straightforward.

Nor is reader mail as helpful. "This might be a cool thing to link to" is not really quite the same as "Please write about thus-and-so". Yes, but what am I supposed to say about it? "I'd love to see your take on this." Or maybe you wouldn't, once you saw it.

The problem isn't identification of topics, it's coming up with observations and insight. If I'm writing, and if you're interested in reading, it's because I'm offering you something you can't find anywhere else, something that challenges you.

I saw an interview with Gene Reynolds (no relation?) once. At the time, he was the producer for the TV show MASH, and he mentioned that the networks wanted TV shows to be hits. Which was all well and good, but how to do it? He said that such a demand was akin to a baseball coach whispering to a batter, "Triple to left."

Recently it's gotten harder for me to come up with things to say without repeating myself. I wonder how people like Mark Steyn or James Lileks keep the material flowing? I find myself looking at the keyboard and having no ideas at all worth telling to others, nothing to say which I haven't already said. (I was also chagrined recently to run into two posts I made several months apart which were nearly identical.)

Some days recently I've filled in with lighter shorter posts, mostly out of desperation. Some days I've skipped entirely. A few days I find a voice and write, but even then it somehow feels forced. It doesn't flow; it isn't fun. It feels like work, and that's not what I want from this.

It's been a long time since I've taken a break, and I think I'm due for another one now. I think I'm going to take some time off, and see if I might be able to recharge a bit. It's probably going to be about a week, but I won't make any promises. The plan is to wait until I want to write again, until the words flow easily and the process is fun. And until I actually have something to say.

Update: I appreciate everyone's concern. I genuinely do. But I would like to request an absolute moratorium on letters suggesting topics about which to write, and suggestions for ways to resolve writer's block.

I don't need advice; I just need a rest.