Life in progress

Blogging from the Grave

130 Comments

Okay, my friends, I need your opinion on something. It’s a tough one. I fully expect some of you may even unfollow me over this. Honestly, as I read this over I’m not even sure whether or not to post it. But it’s been bugging me…

My current conundrum started out innocently enough. Looking at the stats on my fiction blog, pathetic as they are compared to last year when I did an A-Z story there, I wondered if it was too late to start a new fiction piece this year. I am, however, stretched thin enough already so I thought hey, why not start now and write a chapter every two weeks to post for next year! And why not schedule them as I write them?

But A-Z 2016, I thought, is a long way off. So much could happen between now and then. What if, for example, I die between now and next April? It would mean that my posts would appear after my death! Would that be really cool for the people who received notifications that I’d posted again? Or would it be creepy? And what if I died just before I finished writing my story? Talk about a cliffhanger!!

So here’s where I need your input. Think about it. Many of us hope to blog for a good long time to come. Some, including me, can see ourselves blogging until we pop off. Each and every one of us has the ability to schedule our posts ahead of time – we can even plan to send out a loving message after we die, by re-scheduling every few month or years. Kind of like those hidden tapes they’re always finding in movies where the character says, “If you’re listening to/watching this, I’m dead.”

Would YOU want your writings to come out after you pass away? And how would you feel if someone you follow, as sad as it would be if they died whilst in the throes of their illustrious blogging career, posted an article after he or she had kicked the proverbial bucket? Because let’s face it, unless someone else has a blog’s password, there’s nothing that can prevent a scheduled post from going live, so to speak.

It’s difficult to say, isn’t it? Or is to simply too morbid to contemplate?

 

Unknown's avatar

Author: Linda G. Hill

There's a writer in here, clawing her way out.

130 thoughts on “Blogging from the Grave

  1. D.G.Kaye's avatar

    I think it would be wonderful to read words from someone we enjoyed reading after they’re gone. I don’t find it quite as eerie as calling a loved one’s who has passed, cell phone and hearing their greeting. 🙂

    Like

  2. martha0stout's avatar

    I like the sound of this and don’t find it strange at all. I have thoughts like this a lot.

    Like

  3. Tifa @blogcreatifa's avatar

    I always think about things like that, but I am quite morbid! Haha! I think I’d like to keep reading posts from someone after they passed on. I’ll probably be a blubbering mess while I read the posts, because I’m emotional like that, but I think it would be nice. But you’d have to finish the story because I need closure! Yes, it’s all about me!! 😉

    Like

  4. Chris Sterry commenting's avatar

    Reblogged this on 61chrissterry and commented:
    Good question, is there an answer?

    Like

  5. Joanne Corey's avatar

    There is a long tradition of writing or music being published posthumously. I don’t have a problem with the concept of publishing blog posts after the author has died, but it does bring up the point that people need to plan for what happens to their online works after they die. For example, if a blogger had died, I’d want to know that, rather than just seeing scheduled posts for whatever time period, not knowing that the blogger had passed away. People need to have information on their wishes, plus passwords and such, available to their executor or some other appropriate person who can carry out their wishes.

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  6. sandydunne's avatar

    Thanks Linda for a very interesting proposition which has inspired comments both humorous and moving. More public than a will-reading and perfect for those of us who just can’t help having the last word. A great idea for a story! 🙂

    Like

  7. GLFrieden's avatar

    Reblogged this on What's Rattling My Cage and commented:
    Something to ponder!!

    Like

  8. GLFrieden's avatar

    OMG! Linda I was cracking up through the whole post. I know that it was not meant to be funny (or was it?) but I have a seriously sick sense of humour!!! Yes, schedule those post to just in case!!! By the way I am going reblog!!

    Like

  9. kristin's avatar

    I had a friend who was blogging an autobiograpy. He had breathing problems and got weaker and weaker. At one point he asked if we wanted him to just do sketchy chapters so he could do more, or do full bodied chapters. Anyway, he died before he finished. I wish he had written them all earlier and they had kept posting themselves. I would have liked reading his book after he was dead.

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    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      Interesting. Because it’s really after a person passes on and you can’t ask them any more questions that it’s wonderful to have that sort of thing to read. Thanks very much for your input, Kristin. 🙂

      Like

  10. The Modern Theologian's avatar

    Many authors have unfinished manuscripts. Some get published, some never do. Those that are published, even unfinished. tend to endear themselves to their readers. I say, go for it.

    Like

  11. marilynmunrow's avatar

    Reblogged this on Marilyn Munrow and commented:
    Hee hee hee oh this was hilarious when i first read it. I really dont think you would mind either way if you were dead, which i hope does not happen for a long long time. Thank you so much for this, it lifted my spirits today.

    Like

  12. dynasticqueen's avatar

    I say throw caution to the wind and let the chips fall. Because there is no predicting what will happen tomorrow, you should live like there is no tomorrow and do everything you want as if life is an inexhaustible well. If we were to lose you, IMHO it would be such a blessing to have unexpected thoughts pop up out of nowhere from you after thinking I’d never hear from you again. What a gift. Face the future as if you have forever, go forth and conquer, and don’t overthink. Just my 2 cents. 🙂

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  13. D. Parker's avatar

    This is a complicated issue. I don’t know that I’d care either way, being dead and all, except if somehow I knew what was going on…
    Hmmm, as long as people were enjoying it, I guess, sure, maybe not…
    I don’t know.
    Thanks for the great post, made me think and giggle – great combo. 😉

    Like

  14. Colleen Chesebro's avatar

    I have already given our children instructions to remove my online presence in the event of my death… write a book and self publish. That way it is not creepy. LOL. I hope you don’t mind that I said that. ❤

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  15. ghostmmnc's avatar

    This is the best post ever! And those who have commented, wonderful thoughts! Guess I have a morbid sense of humor, too, because I couldn’t stop laughing (with tears). It would be so cool to leave your posthumous blogs/words for everyone to find. My thoughts on this would be way too long for here, but yes, as my online name is Ghost, I would definitely haunt you from the afterlife, on my site. Glad you’re still around now, though! 🙂

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  16. http://theenglishprofessoratlarge.com's avatar

    Every day when I read the newspaper, it contains the announcement of a couple of people my age who have died. My thoughts run more to providing the essential information my daughter will need at my demise. Since I don’t blog often, I hadn’t thought of that. I think you should just keep posting, and don’t worry about what happens after you die. You can always leave word with someone to notify bloggers. Just keep on working and posting without spending too much time thinking about dying.

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    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      Dying isn’t something I spend time thinking about – it really just crossed my mind. What was bothering me the most was the idea that it would bother people to know I’d died but still had scheduled posts.
      Living in the moment is what I strive for. I suppose scheduling posts actually throws off my balance. 😛
      Thanks for your comment. 🙂

      Like

  17. John W. Howell's avatar

    Once I’m done, I’m done. No, messages. The sad thing is I’m closer to worrying about this kind of thing than you are. I guess I woul like to know you (or your writing) are still there for us to enjoy. (who will answer your comments?)

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      No one would answer the comments if the post wasn’t planned as posthumous ahead of time. But they can be turned off on a post that’s scheduled to go live after one has passed on.
      Thanks for your comment, John. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. idiotwriter's avatar

    I have to admit here:
    I burst out laughing as I began to read this and said to my dear alter ego of empathetic charm – OH FUCK that would be so damn funny! Oh I HAVE to do that!! YES YES YES.

    And then I thought – somehow we are doing that in a manner anyway.
    I would like to hope – one day when I no longer exist in this place… that when my family miss me (lets hope hey) that they can come to take solace of some sort in the words left behind.

    I know that is not what you were on about ofcourse – but – I do think that – we make plans for when we pass on anyway dont we? We have those plans in place to keep our families secure etc (like in those tv shows)
    So why not plan our lives as if we WILL be around forever and have that ONE that goes live at the end stating – hey – this went live because I am history dudes. LOVE YA ALL – have some wine and remember me well.

    Tell you what – it actually bugs me – HOW would we know someone is still here or not. WHO is going to tell us that they are dead? THAT freaks me out.

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    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      I’ve thought about that over the past few days. I’m thinking that maybe I’ll give my passwords to my best friend John so that he can write to let everyone know. Whoever, it’s obviously got to be someone completely trustworthy, right?
      Seems I’ve given not only myself but a lot of other people something to think about. The whole “scheduled goodbye” letter may actually catch on. 😛
      Thanks for your comment, dear lady. 🙂

      Like

  19. paulaacton's avatar

    I tend to only schedule a few days in advance unless I am going on holiday in which case I schedule ahead and can always reply to comment via the phone if I need to I guess one thing I would think about if I was going to post that far ahead is that if anything happened to me I would ensure my daughter had my passwords to actually notify my followers although I am pretty sure they would find out via my FB but also as I notice you like me pay for your domain name so you would need to make sure that it was not going to run out and delete all your work without it seeing the light of day so maybe again that is something you have to sort with the family. Personally I love having the last word and have a folder on my desk with funeral plan in it including a letter from me to be read at my funeral so I love the idea of posthumous posting 😀

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    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      Thanks for your comment, Paula. 🙂 It is nice to have the last word, isn’t it?
      I actually checked with WordPress before I wrote this post. Apparently if your domain runs out and you don’t renew it, it reverts back to a .wordpress.com account and everything stays intact. The only drawback is that every link out there with your .com (or whatever you have at the end of your domain) will click over to a broken link or the site of whomever bought it. As you probably know, all the .wordpress.com links click to your .com site though, so when leaving a link somewhere, you may want to think about keeping the .wp part attached. I think I may write a post about this…

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  20. Dan Antion's avatar

    I don’t schedule posts, unless I want something to post during the work day or very early in the morning, so it’s unlikely that I’d have an ongoing presence. I’d like to think that I’d be missed, but some of the people following me are following hundreds of bloggers and thousands on Twitter. I don’t think I’d care if I was reading something after a person had died. I mean, they publish “lost manuscripts” all the time.

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  21. IreneDesign2011's avatar

    Linda, we could all die today and have created posts for the next month to come. I would not mind to read posts from one, who planned us to read their posts, no matter they still are here.
    Who should contact WP and tell them, that we were dead? I don’t think, that this is the first the family are thinking to do after our pass away.
    Just do what you feel will be right for you 🙂

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      Thanks for your response, Irene. 🙂 You’re right – it’s not the first thing family members will think of, but then again, knowing that there’s a blog out there with your loved-one’s words attached could be a great source of comfort. That’s where I think WP differs a little from other social media.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Ruth's avatar

    I think it’s a nice idea to have your words live on after you… unless we didn’t know you were dead, of course – that would be a bit weird… 🙂

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      Yeah, I’m thinking of ways now that I can make sure my readers know if I’ve passed away. Something anyone on social media should be taking into consideration, I think. 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Ruth. 🙂

      Like

  23. Adrian B's avatar

    Wow that is a strong thought Linda. In life we are getting attached to lots of things that we are proud of and yet we lose them when we cross to the other realm. Who knows with future technology we will be able to communicate from the other side one day just to reply to comments. All the best to you.

    Like

  24. Ravyne Hawke's avatar

    Reblogged this on Burning the Root and commented:
    Interesting idea… would you schedule posts to be blogged after you are gone? I like the idea of my words living on even after I’ve left this world, but would it creep out my followers? And would they believe I was really dead? Something to ponder over.

    Like

  25. Fiona's avatar

    This is so interesting. I think that the answer is very much dependent on what one is writing about. If it’s fiction, go for it. Perhaps indicate no responses to the comments. However, if it is personal writing about events in one’s life, I think that could be, as so many people have suggested, creepy. That said, I do know that I’ve often wished to finish a conversation with someone I love who has died. Grief counsellors often tell you to have the conversation, anyway. This would be one way of doing it. I think, for what it’s worth, you should do what feels right for you!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      Thanks very much for your response, Fiona. 🙂 I agree, it does depend on what one writes about. In the case of my scheduling a fiction for a year from now, the purpose is only to do so simply because it’s written, not as a message from the grave – I hope not to die between now and then. But as you say, purposely scheduling an after-death post may actually help those grieving to get a little closure.
      Thanks again for your well thought-out comment!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Pingback: scheduling posts to your blog for after your death | alifesgayventure

  27. siriusbizinus's avatar

    I have thought about this, although in a different context. Really what matters is what you write, and it is up to everyone else to judge for themselves how it is received. Personally, I enjoy your writing. Any works of yours are welcome.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. jetgirlcos's avatar

    I think it would make me sad, but I’d want to read those posts anyway, because I would know that it would be something that you had wanted to share. I’d be sad that I couldn’t have a little conversation with you about it in the comment section, that’s all. I think this is such an excellent topic because I think it is becoming more and more relevant the more we all rely on electronic media.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      It really is relevant these days especially as those of us who are getting older but aren’t too old to be on social media become grandparents and *gasp* great grandparents.
      Thanks very much for joining in the conversation, Kelli. 🙂

      Like

  29. Saya's avatar

    I would like the posts coming later on too…because their is a reason I followed that blogger and seeing more of their writing would make me a bit sad but I wouldn’t want to avoid it…
    thats a different thought Linda…thanks for bringing it to attention..

    Liked by 1 person

  30. KG's avatar

    With respect to normal day today posts, I am not sure if it would have the same appeal as it would have, if you were alive. We know that if we comment on your posts, you will respond back and all…(as long as someone doesn’t respond on behalf of you and really scare us 😉 ) …its more about the connection for me. But if it were about a novel or a chapter wise post for your book, then it is a different thing. Its like getting the movie Furious 7 completed without Paul Walker and still releasing it…That would be fine I guess. Does that make any sense?

    Liked by 2 people

  31. mewhoami's avatar

    I kind of like the idea about an after death post. What a neat way to say goodbye to those we leave behind. I don’t think it would creep me out getting a notification from a deceased person. However, if it’s a fellow blogger then I think that at least for a moment I may question whether or not they had truly passed away or not. I actually saw that happen on WP once. Someone faked their own death, then came back months later and started posting again. Their follows were furious.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      I’d like to think I’d be able to spot the sort of person who would do such a thing – there are some I trust more than others here, most definitely.
      Regarding your conversation with Kaine in the comments below, if I was going to deliberately write a “dead letter,” I’d probably set it to post for my birthday and renew it at Christmas, so as to keep track of the date I have to re-schedule it. Then hopefully I wouldn’t forget.
      Thanks for your comment! 🙂

      Like

  32. Judy E Martin's avatar

    I think it could be a good thing, especially for the loved ones left behind, as they will still have a connection with you, so to speak. It might also be a little strange. I have a friend on Facebook who sadly died a few years ago now. but her profile is still there. I get alerts when it is her birthday, and I do find that a bit disconcerting! Personally, I would like my blog to carry on after I pop off!

    Liked by 1 person

  33. TamrahJo's avatar

    I started to comment, until I realized, I really ought to put this long-arse message in a blog post – so here’s to you, Linda – 🙂 https://ballybin.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/response-to-blogging-from-the-grave/

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  34. Pingback: Response to “Blogging From the Grave” | The Good, Bad and Ludicrous

  35. Jorda's avatar

    I think it would be interesting. It may cause some confusion with new readers but hey, it’s not like you would have to do damage control. Maybe you should entrust someone with your WP login so they can create a signature or page explaining the posts from beyond the grave, should that happen of course.

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  36. Laura Newhampshire's avatar

    I had to laugh.
    That’s kind of the last thing I’m worried about right now. 🙂
    But, I hate to break it to you kid, that when you die your stuff will still be out there. I’ve had blogs that were defunct, I posted that “not doing this blog any more” and people are STILL discovering, commenting, etc. on them. So unless you pull everything (and even then), your worries are moot, it is happening any way.

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    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      I do think I’d want what I’ve already written to live on – and I know it will unless a family member can delete it all (with the password of course). But you’re right, after I’m gone it’s not going to matter to me one way or another. 😛

      Like

  37. John Holton's avatar

    Funny you should mention this… I was just thinking about it. If I heard that I was about to shuffle off this mortal plane, I would probably write a whole bunch of stuff and have it in the queue to be released after I died. Of course, replying to comments would be kind of difficult…

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Margret's avatar

    It will be interesting and scary…

    Like

  39. Tippy Gnu's avatar

    If you do this, Linda, could you write a post in the form of a will? And would you be sure to remember your favorite follower in that post? 🙂 🙂 Hint Hint 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  40. coldhandboyack's avatar

    That’s a pretty cool idea. My memory would let the date lapse and it would post while I’m still alive.

    Liked by 3 people

  41. Kaine Andrews's avatar

    I don’t know if I’m morbid or what, but I’m really intrigued by this idea… and part of me thinks I could make an amusing story out of it, too. XD

    Liked by 2 people

  42. TahaniNelson's avatar

    If I kept myself from doing something because “what if I die?” I’d never actually live, you know? I say do it. If you have something amazing to share, then share it, and if something happens, then at least your story is still told.

    Liked by 1 person

  43. insanitybytes22's avatar

    I think it’s a great idea. I don’t think it’s morbid at all. Besides, wouldn’t it be kind of fun to haunt some people?

    Like

  44. Random Dude's avatar

    I personally don’t schedule my posts. I just save my pre written posts as drafts and manually publish them myself.

    I have actually thought of using the schedule function before but like you, I have also contemplated such possibility.

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      I usually don’t schedule anything for more than a day or two in advance – mostly when I want something to publish but I’m not sure if I’ll make to the computer on time.
      I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s thought of this. Thanks for mentioning that. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  45. Michael's avatar

    In October 2013 a blogger I followed disappeared. For months afterwards I would go to her blog to see if there was any word about her. Me and every one else left messages of love and support but to the best of my knowledge no one knows what happened to her. I found that very sad but I know it can happen.
    I think Linda you write what you want now, satisfy that need, what happens in our future we have little control over and if you were posting a story that ended before the final chapter then so be it, we all speculate about what might happen.
    I understand the bit about posts appearing after your demise but if you have done it that way my issue would be posting comments to get no reply.

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      Comments without reply – I think that’s where the creepiness creeps in a bit. I’ve heard about bloggers who have died – this is one of the reasons I can think of that anyone would want to leave a scheduled post just for that purpose – in case they didn’t come back. It’s a bit of a sticky subject, to me anyway. Thanks for sharing your experience, Michael.

      Like

      • Michael's avatar

        Linda, how would you possibly schedule such a thing.
        If your time is up its up.
        We remember the you we knew.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Linda G. Hill's avatar

          Not that I’m going to, but I could write it right now and schedule it for a year from now… and wouldn’t that still be the me you know?
          I do see what you’re saying though. And I’m happy to think you’d remember me. 🙂

          Like

        • Kaine Andrews's avatar

          Well, if I wanted to leave a “dead letter,” so to speak, I’d write the post, schedule it for, say, a year from today. Then, as that date actually loomed, go in and change the date to a year from that day. And so on. Finally the day comes that I don’t update, and *poof*. But that’s if it was me. And now I’m tempted to do it.

          Liked by 1 person

          • Michael's avatar

            So if that was your intention what do you think the post might say and if you updated it every year would you therefore edit what you wrote the year before….its a bit a time capsule in a way isn’t it…..

            Liked by 2 people

            • Kaine Andrews's avatar

              I probably wouldn’t update it, unless I somehow knew in advance what was going to claim me (long illness or something, f’rex.) As to what it’d say, probably a great deal of smartassery regarding the fact that I’m “speaking” to my audience from beyond the grave, because I’m an irreverent and unapologetic individual. I’ll have to think on it some more.

              Liked by 1 person

              • Michael's avatar

                Yes well I think its an interesting idea. For me I would see myself editing the whole thing on a yearly if not six monthly basis as I reflected on what I had written……as we age we look back on what we write and ask ourselves did I really mean to say that, or I wish I had said that better, that’s what I would do at any rate. It’s an interesting discussion to have.
                Maybe a task for other bloggers, what would you want to say if you had the chance to write a blog post that appeared after you had died??

                Liked by 1 person

          • mewhoami's avatar

            Kaine I love this idea, but a thought hit me while reading your comment. What if you were on vacation during the scheduled time and forgot to reschedule it? Imagine the shock of bloggers to find out you’re dead, only to realize later that you were actually just on vacation.

            Liked by 1 person

  46. cordeliasmom2012's avatar

    I always schedule my posts ahead of time, and sometimes they actually post when I want them to (unless I accidentally hit Publish instead of Save, like I did just a few minutes ago). I suppose if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, the rest of my April posts will still publish and no one will be the wiser.

    Liked by 1 person

  47. joey's avatar

    I think the only issue is like with other social media. Your continued presence — people don’t always realize you’re dead. Thus, people continue to comment etc.
    I think it would be alright regarding your loyal readers, but it might be too weird for newbies. But then, you’ll be dead, do you even care?
    I don’t suppose I’ll care when I’m dead — I hope I’m busy in the afterlife 🙂

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      I would actually hope that people who know me in person would attempt to let someone know who could inform most of the people online… But no, I guess I wouldn’t care after the fact anyway.
      And yeah, there’d better be an awesome party waiting for me in the afterlife. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  48. chaotic-princess's avatar

    I think it would startle me at first, I mean if I knew you were no longer among the living, but as soon as my ever forgetful brain bucket remembered that anyone can write a ton of posts then have them self post 1 by 1 over time or on a schedule , then I’d think it would be kind of an awesome sweet gift left by you to all your friends 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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