September 14-18 is Book Blogger Appreciation Week. So, today, I’m all about blog introspection. Is it doing what it’s supposed to be doing? Well… since a blog is basically a journal, and a person can blather on about anything their heart desires in a journal as long as they do it with some kind of regularity, then okay, I fulfill the general rule. I blather on—I mean BLOG—about topics at least once a week if not more frequently.
To go into a little more detail, a blog is an online journal, meaning you’re posting it on the WORLD wide web, so anyone and their dog can read what you’re saying. Throwing the whole world into the mix makes you want to put a little more purpose and possibly discretion into what you say. It’s not quite “anything goes” anymore. And you’re not so much generalized as you are specific about what you’re saying. Be the goal writing, politics, business, family, cooking…whatever... you narrow a blog down to a main theme.
Goals, purpose, theme, discretion? Bluck. But I just wanted to write a simple blog, for crying out loud. I didn’t know it could be so complicated.
But, honestly, it’s only as complicated as you want to make it. Since I like to keep things simple (a college professor of mine was big on the KISS principle: Keep it Simple Stupid. It’s stuck with me ever since), I just want to make sure I give my reader base what they come looking for. So, I ask myself: who the heck is my reader base?
I’ve come up with three groups of people for that answer: 1)Other writers, 2)Other readers, and 3)Friends and family.
For fellow writers, I like to post about the trials and joys of writing and muddling our way through the publishing world, whether a person be published or unpublished. For fellow readers, I post reviews and book discussions. I also hold contests to win books and provide the occasional excerpt or update about my own stories. For friends and family, I’ll pop in every once in a while with news about what’s going on in my life. Of course, readers and writers can also listen in there to learn a little more about me and discover where I come up with some of my insane ideas.
So, to re-cap: I post at least once a week and my most specific purpose here is to blog about books and my life… or hey, “My life with books.” I suppose I accomplish the main goal. But can I do it better? Yikes, new introspection! Time to turn the tables.
All suggestions are welcome now. What are some things you guys like reading best in a blog… in anyone’s blog? Personally, I’d like to be able to announce, “Hey, I sold another book today!” more often than the one time I have. But, sigh, not happening.
I’d also like to interview more authors and learn who’s out there writing stories these days. And, oh man, I’ve become obsessed with reading Linda LaRoque’s blog for the recipes she posts. The woman can up with some yummy dishes, let me tell you. Nancy J. Parra can always make me feel like I’m visiting a different place when she describes the view outside her window. And Jackie Bannon never fails to make me laugh on her blog.
So, don’t be shy now… spill all. What do you like best about reading blogs? Why do you keep going back for more?
The best thing I like about Blogs is that it gives you more of an inside to a person than you might get otherwise. I mean, come one, we all feel a little bolder when we don't have to look at the people finding out the information we probably didn't even mean to let out! And if you already know that person, you just learn more.
ReplyDeleteThen again, it's also a great way to keep up with people you don't see all the time. And I oh so love it when I find out something about someone before people they see everyday do. Like when you found out you were preggers. Perfect!
I guess I just like seeing what's going on with others. I'm not a "busy" sahm, as in I don't do a lot of outside activities with other moms, so I like connecting with other writers online.
ReplyDeleteSome blogs make me laugh and some make me think. I love them all! LOL
I do love these answers. It sounds like networking and basically connecting with other people is what it's all about. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I love my bloggy friends who seem to ALWAYS be there for me. And I love picking up great ideas for my writing to make it the best it can be.
ReplyDeleteLike this morning when my sweet bloggy buddy Linda Kage gave me this great idea for getting out of my slump. She said to skip around in my story. Write scenes from other parts of my book. I had been thinking of some scenes on past the middle that I really want to write so that's exactly what I intend to do.
What a great blogosphere it is!! :)
And you'll have more than one. There will be lots and lots of books with your name on them. :)
Awww, thank you, Robyn. You're going to make the emotional pregnant woman cry flattered tears. But you're so right about the blogosphere. The people I've met in blogs have turned out to be some of the best writing support I have.
ReplyDeleteI like to see how everybody else lives, especially if they're in very different parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteI like to learn about writing and book promotion.
I like to make new friends, also.