They Like Me…they Really Like Me!…maybe?

In the last week I’ve had two articles “go crazy,” Cat Training and Disaster Readiness for Pets.  Each created a spike on my daily views graph that rose far above my typical daily views.  This made me happy because I look at that graph way too much.

I have a lot of stressful crap going on in my life right now…I know, who doesn’t, and when, right?  But it’s getting to me really bad, and I use writing as an outlet and an escape.  Of course the idea of earning a little extra money doesn’t bother me but I’m not thinking about writing as a business, more of a hobby-that-can-pay.  I’ve moved past the stage of writing for only myself to read (I do think that this is a necessary stage in order to work out one’s own voice rather than being a mimicking chameleon) and I want other people to read my stuff, dagnabbit.  So, on the good days when my views are up, the graph validates me as a writer and boosts my mood.  On the other hand, on the days when my views are down, questions flood through me.  Am I writing crap?  Should I be promoting more?  Do I need better topic ideas?

Although I’m not sure, I suspect this is another phase.  As I get more experience writing for publication, I’ll be able to discern better whether I’m doing it right and whether the graph jumping around, positive or negative, is the result of my work or random internet factors.  And as I get my life together, hopefully I’ll need less external validation.