How and when do you read and write blogs?

When we were on holiday recently I finally had time to indulge in one of my passions – blogging. I love reading other people’s blogs and writing my own blog posts here. For two whole weeks I had around 2 hours a day of total peace and quiet to read blogs, comment on them and write my own blog posts. For most people going on holiday is a time to switch off from technology, but for me C’s 2 hour lunchtime naps gave me a block of time, in the middle of the day, when Hubs and L were at the pool and I was holed up in our bedroom.

And I LOVED it.

So I vowed to blog at least once a day/every other day on our return. So far I have managed that more or less, but it is hard. Then I see other parent blogs where there are one, two or sometimes three blog posts a day. And it got me thinking – how do they do that?

So how and when do you write your blog posts? Do you write them on a computer, sat at a desk? Or do you write them on the hoof on a phone? If so, HOW do you do it on a phone? (I’m on WordPress and an Android phone.)

At the moment my blog posts get written with my laptop balanced on my lap, sat on the sofa, with my feet up, listening to music while C naps if it’s during the day, or in the evening once both girls are in bed.

Quick photo of me writing this blog post

Quick photo of me writing this blog post

So when do you find time to write your blog posts? I read blogs from SAHMs, WAHMs and mums who work full or part time, and hats off to you all for finding time to juggle all that!

Whilst I really enjoyed writing my blog posts during our holiday, I also loved reading everyone else’s posts and actually having time to comment. But now I’m back home I’ve got a pile of blog posts to read and comment on, and I just don’t seem to find the time to do it. Is this because I only comment when on the computer? Do you manage to read and comment when on the run?

If there is a blog I like then I will subscribe to it so it lands in my email inbox, I then read these at random times of the day, whenever I can snatch 5 minutes, usually when I’m breastfeeding C. The problem with that is I can’t comment then, so I leave them in my inbox to come back and comment on later when I finally get on the computer.

So how and when do you read blog posts and comment on them? Do you read them as emails? Do you use an RSS? If so, which one? I keep hearing about Bloglovin’ – do you recommend it? And how do you use it? On the computer, as an app or both?

Screen Shot 2013-08-14 at 09.23.13

Finally do you read and comment from a phone or tablet? Or is it all done on the computer?

Sorry that this blog post is full of questions, but I really want to find a way of being more efficient when reading and writing blogs.

Thanks for sharing and for any help or recommendations you can give 🙂

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23 Responses

  1. Interested to read any tips on this as I, same as you, struggle with writing and reading as much as I’d like. I read mostly using Feedly on my iPad, which makes commenting tricky. I find WordPress app on my phone a nightmare too, esp as I like to add photos. Sorry, no great answers, just plonking myself down and waiting for others to come along and tell me how they do it 🙂

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      I’m glad I’m not alone but I’m sure someone out there has got the secret….So do you read mostly via RSS or via an email feed?

  2. Honest mum says:

    Great post. I schedule posts and write ones in advance then when folks have kids I try and write as much as possible. My blog is my business as well as my love so I try and get paid posts written for a few hours in the morning and will do some work when kids are asleep. Constant juggle really. I like Bloglovin & also read from tweets or FB/ Google + notifications. Don’t feel bad if you can’t read everything, just dip in and out. x

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Everyone seems to write in bulk and schedule so I think that must be the key. I’m now reading and commenting with Bloglovin’ on my phone and that is making it easier too.

  3. Chloe says:

    I don’t think there is a perfect blogging method yet. I wish there was! I read blogs from my phone, using the feedly app, but I find it difficult and frustrating to blog and comment from my phone. But then I never find myself with enough time to sit at the computer and blog. If I had a laptop, that would probably work best. As for finding the time, I’m finding that REALLY difficult right now. I don’t find the time without sacrificing time for something else.

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      That’s my issue – the sacrificing something else for it, and whilst I love my blog I don’t want to sacrifice cherished family time for it. I’ve now got Bloglovin’ on my phone and that seems to be making it a bit easier to read and comment on blogs. It has to be said though, if I didn’t have my laptop I don’t think I’d ever write blog posts!

  4. Nikki Thomas says:

    It is a very good question! I used to have more time when A was younger and I spent more time blogging and reading blogs but these days I really struggle. Like you I read posts that come into my inbox but I don’t have time to read blogs every day. Then there is the whole social media time too .. I don’t have the answer I guess you just do it when you can.

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      I’ve now started with Bloglovin’ on my phone and that is making the reading and commenting side easier. I can see the writing bit getting even harder as C gets older and nap times get shorter.

  5. Kara says:

    It does vary and where I used to blog in the evening before I had Sebastian its now in the morning, on his first feed of the day and on my phone.
    I rarely publish straight from my phone as I like to go back and proof read and add pictures as they don’t come up as clear from my phone.
    The other trick I use is to schedule posts. Hubby is off work Tuesdays and Wednesdays so I take every opportunity to catch as much as I can then. An hour with no children harassing you is brilliant!
    Like you I read blogs on my phone when im feeding and comment if I can. Blogger blogs I can’t comment on so I try and tweet instead. Sometimes I just run out of time!
    I subscribe to bloglovin which has an app but if I’m honest I tend to just click on posts that catch my eye on twitter or search out my faves.

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      I think scheduling seems to be key and writing in bulk when you have time. I’m not sure I’m ready to write posts on my phone yet. I’ve found it a bit easier to read and comment since getting Bloglovin’ on my phone.

  6. I write at a desktop computer, which I’d rather not do! I’d much prefer a laptop, so I could be a bit more sociable. I spend a lot of time in the evening and quite late into the night on my computer. I often write three or four posts at once, then don’t write posts for a few days, but spend time reading others and commenting. If I have a post in my head that’s desperate to get out, I will blog on my phone – I will do it walking along or literally hide myself away for a few minutes! I read blogs on my phone often and comment from there too – although I always reply to comments on my own blog on my computer! That’s why I usually only reply to batches rather than to individual ones.

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Wow – hats off to you for doing all that from a desktop – if I had to do that I would never blog! I wish I didn’t need so much sleep as I might get more done then. I’m now reading and commenting more from my phone which is making it easier. I think I need to bulk write posts and schedule as I often have tons ready to write but only the time to write one per writing session.

  7. Karen says:

    I try and write two evenings a week, when the kids are down, for most of my stuff. I jot down notes and ideas as I go about my day, if things come to me, and then on Thursday and Sunday nights I make that time blogging time (C goes out with his mates or catches up on work stuff) and then I schedule posts. If I have add hoc stuff I want to write I try and bribe the kids with CBeebies or an activity they like so I can write for a bit but it is quite stressful so I don’t do as often as I’d like. Working 3 days a week has made blogging harder, finding time to fit it all in. I want to get an IPad with blue tooth keyboard, that I could use on the go more, but it’s pricey so not viable right now. Having C home this past 3 weeks has been brilliant, I’ve had so much time to blog, edit photos etc. I’m sure there’s a way busy mums with brilliant blogs get it all done, I wish I had more answers!

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      The key definitely seems to be bulk writing and scheduling so I’m going to try and do that more. Bloglovin’ on my phone is making it easier to read and comment more on the hoof. How do you do it on your Kindle? Is that the Kindle Fire? I’ve got it too, is there an app?

  8. Karen says:

    I read blog posts on my phone and Kindle on the way to and from work or when I’ve got 5 mins of peace and kids are playing or busy!

  9. Hi you. I go through fits and starts of blogging lots then being very lazy. I never force it. I only write if I want to otherwise well it just isn’t fun. I blog 98% of the time from my iPad using the WordPress app, it’s super simple. I have blogged occasionally from my phone at the hospital etc but not very often. I am rubbish at commenting on other blogs. I love reading blogs but often lose patience with stupid ways of being able to comment and sometimes I think ooh I must comment later – big mistake as I never get around to it. I read other people’s blog posts as they come up on twitter, some I subscribe to and others (such as yours) I actively seek out every few days to check for new posts but I have to really love them to do that. I find that with the foodie side of my blog I only write a lot when I am in the mood to cook/eat. With the parenting side I’ve normally got something to say or moan about. Reviews/spon posts are my hardest as occasionally they don’t flow as I would like and I probably spend far longer on them than is needed.

    Hope this helps, I will say how often you blog is not important as your content is always great x

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Thanks for being so lovely about my blog 🙂 I love writing my blog posts and have tons that I still want to write I just don’t seem to find the time, as I’m not prepared to sacrifice couple/family time to write posts, so it has to fit in around the demands of everyone else 😉 I’m not sure I’m ready to write posts on my phone yet, but I am reading and commenting more using the Bloglovin’ app.

  10. I love blogging but don’t ever want it to become a chore or something that takes over life, especially as I have 2 now! I write, like most with small children, when I can but mostly at night, which isn’t always that productive! I do take the time to comment whenever I can, as I feel it’s supporting our blogging friends.

    I’m having a little break at the mo, did the same last August, but of course, always falling over potential blog subjects so have some written up already for when I come back.

    I use Bloglovin and check daily on who’s written something, but also love Twitter so try to get on at least once a day which is where I found this blog post 🙂

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      I’m with you – I love it but don’t want it to become a chore. I do get frustrated though when there are posts I really want to write and I don’t find the time to do them. I love reading and commenting on others for the support side of things, but also as I genuinely love reading other people’s blog posts. Interesting to hear how you heard about this blog post, so Twitter does seem to be a way of being found. Enjoy your August break 🙂

  11. Jaime Oliver says:

    i use bloglovin honey and its helps to have all your fave blogs in one place.

    I blog almost everyday but i have 3 late nights/early morning that i set aside blog time. so once the hubby and kids are in bed i set out to work then i schedule stuff to go live in the week. I normally can still be seen up till about 2am

    Commenting wise i tend to do that during the day when i can.

    Thanks for linking up with #PoCoLo

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      I’m loving the Bloglovin’ app on my phone which I’ve started using since posting this. I’m also realising the key is bulk writing and scheduling. Thanks for commenting 🙂

  12. Emma T says:

    I make note of ideas on my phone, then write as many as possible in spare time (sometimes in my lunch hour at work if I’ve no other things to do), but mostly at weekends. Then I just need to add photos and tidy up ready to blog a post daily. I usually have a few built up for the week, but come Mondays I do get a panic sometimes.

    I use bloglovin’ and also wordpress to subscribe to blogs, but usually I read links I get via twitter so comment then, or if I’ve done a blog hop, after adding mine, I’ll read around 8-10 other blogs then. Others I might get back to later when I’ve some time.

    But I rarely get to my rss as I have about 900 built up at a time to read. I find twitter’s much easier, but I do miss out on lots I like to regularly read.

    Mind you, my son’s just stopped having his 3 hour sunday naps…they were brilliant! From 3 hours to none isn’t helpful to my blogging requirements!

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Thanks for your tips – I’m sure that once my youngest daughter’s naps go it will be almost impossible to blog 🙁

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