That’s not my argument, it’s Andrew Sullivan’s.

When I started blogging – writing as clearly, briefly and colloquially as possible – I worried that my ability to write longer essays or books would suffer. The brain muscles associated with longer compositions, structured essays, or book-length arguments like Virtually Normal might atrophy. …But I was wrong. What it did was help me unclog some of my longer pieces and books…and make them clearer and more succinct.

I agree with Andrew on some counts; there’s no question that regular blogging creates a fluency and ease to writing that transfers to longer work.

Where I disagree with him, though, is its impact on one’s ability to write longer projects. To me, it’s just a question of time. Since I don’t blog for a living, and my time to write is limited to early in the morning (it’s 6:09 AM now), late at night, and occasional squibs during the day, I worry that blogging keeps me from tackling larger challenges.

At the same time, it’s addictive. And it clearly addresses an itch; blogging is like letting a little kid go play in the back yard to burn off some energy. It’s something that you just have to get out of your system.