Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gwendolyn L Gage on July 25, 2011 at 5:43pm

Hi Michael Ann!  I  started a story blog to network and build platform.  Not everyone is a storyteller or novelist, but if you are, I think that sharing stories through blogging is a great idea.  I started the blog earlier this month and have posted three chapters so far.  I will continue to post weekly.  Copywright issues.  I'm not worried about it.  I'm only writing the story to build platform and network.  It's not my prized, completed novel.  The only down side to letting your blog followers read as you write is editing...  I am an edit mainiac, and so, even though I read through the blog chapters several times before posting, I am constantly finding little things I want to change to make the story more historically accurate.  Check it out at http://gagestoryseries.blogspot.com/

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ann Riley on July 31, 2011 at 9:27pm

Thanks for replying, Gwendolyn. I am not a story teller but more of an essay writer. I totally understand about the editing. If I were going to put my essays in a blog, I would probably spend way too much time bogged down in the editing too. And now I'm thinking, gee, if I start blogging my thoughts and personal writings, I'll have to actually WRITE more often! I guess that is the point. :-) Still not sure.... I'll check out your blog!

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Permalink Reply by Cameron Page Langford on July 31, 2011 at 10:53pm

I think it's a perfectly natural desire to want to have two blogs, one more polished and one with more personal content.  You'd hardly be the first to do it.  I personally think tumblr is a great outlet for more personal blogs, though it works better for visual/media content (I have one for pretty book pictures and literary quotes, in addition to my "real" blog for young writers).  My thought is to go for it--if you have any qualms, you can always make it private, like a journal rather than a blog. 

 

The best part about personal blogging?  The pressure's off as far as subscribers, etc--it's all about you.

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Permalink Reply by Dianne Baines on August 3, 2011 at 12:12am

Hello ladies I am primarily a writer however I have discovered a new way of putting off returning to my novel- blogging. I love it! I find that I can record things that happen and probably matter only to me and my family but that I would like to rave on about anyway. My second best method of deferring serious writing is reading blogs. People are so interesting! I get out of my little farm house and go to different countries and meet people with completely different lifestyles. Anyway enough rabbiting, At the moment I have two blogs   http://anitadresden.blogspot.com/. My personal one is A Spoonful of Sugar and a Little Bit of Lace, and one that I written as a novelette called Grasshopper Farm and Friends. It is really just for fun.

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Permalink Reply by Marilyn Fried on August 20, 2011 at 6:03pm

I resisted blogging for a long time.  But I have kept a journal since 1976 (don't know why I remember the year).  My blog is my personal views on things and it is sort of a polished journal.  I am aware that others may read it so I am more careful with the writing but it is a wonderful outlet, even if no one reads it.  The most viewed posts are also the ones about difficult topics like depression, my experience with breast cancer, etc. When people tell me that I've really spoken to them, it touches me in such a direct way.

I also found that I felt a strong need to sort of introduce my life to the imagined reader as I started the blog.  So the early entries did touch on many of the hard places I've been.  Then I felt like they understood my frame of reference and I could write about anything else.  Hope that makes sense.

Marilyn

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Permalink Reply by S.L. Bartlett on August 27, 2011 at 8:00am

Hi, Michael Ann. I'm new here too, and still exploring around. I'm reluctant to ask any questions until I've checked everything out, in case i can figure it out myself. 

My thoughts about blogs are that, while the language on them can be much more informal than most other formats, it is still important to edit and make sure your grammar and spelling are up to snuff. After all, your blog is a reflection of you, and everyone wants to put their best foot forward. As a writer, it's doubly important, since it's also a marketing tool for me professionally. Pick a consistent theme, IE: family, family, cooking, etc. You mentioned you wanted a "personal" blog, so what does your personal life revolve around? What is the most important or enjoyable aspect of your personal life? You will gain more followers, especially the focused ones who share your interests or musings. People like to know what to expect from each blog they follow. 

 

Anyway, I'm off to do more exploring and try to overcome my "teckkie moronic-ness" LOL  

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Permalink Reply by Karen Dawkins on August 27, 2011 at 11:48am

My blog is both personal and professional. I use the blog pages to share snippets, word pictures, of what God lays on my heart. My goal with each post (sometimes I miss the mark) is to share a little about me, but to make sure it's something others will benefit from as well. People have limited time, so I hope that they find something they want when they are there. I ask three questions: What's the purpose of this post (sometimes it's light-hearted)? How does this post help others? Why would I want to read this if I wasn't me (puts me in the reader's position)?

I use tabs to highlight the professional information and keep in mind that the blog content presents a "picture" of me. My personal life shapes me professionally -- and the entries give people a glimpse into who I am. 

Hope that helps. (Not that I have it all figured out!)

 

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Lamb on September 1, 2011 at 10:21am

I blog about writing and the publishing industry. It started off as a chronicle of my journey to publication and beyond to marketing, promotion, reviews, etc.  I tackle a different topic each month and have guest authors.

http://allonbooks-thekingdomofallon.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Claire McAlpine on September 6, 2011 at 5:43pm

Hi Michael Ann,

What a great discussion and what a lovely, enticing baking blog you have.  'Thinking in My Head', well I guess that means you did it and its fantastic.   Its great to share those other aspects of your character and I found it really interesting and inspiring to follow those thoughts.  Well done you for sharing them and writing more.

 

I don't think its about 'who wants to read another one', its about the freedom to express and write and some things just feel like they ought to be shared and discussed with like minded people, whether they are already friends or people who are lead to you.

 

I know there must be millions of blogs out there, and perhaps because its new to me, I am a little naive - I am still enjoying discovering them one by one and for now via SheWrites, so I guess we can make that world as large or as small as we wish.

 

I have a book blog and after a few books entries I'm thinking about writing about a film and have been wondering if I should do that or not, but I often write on a theme which may include multiple books, so why not a film that inspires as well.

 

Love your name too,

Claire

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ann Riley on September 6, 2011 at 10:06pm

Claire, what a nice response, thank you! It has been a long time since I started that discussion so it caught me by surprise! But what a nice surprise it was! Yes, I am enjoying very much having a writing blog! I like your thoughts on the purpose of doing it as well.  I am seeing now that there is place for everyone who has something to say! I do tend to re-visit blogs that are similar to mine, in that the writer shares thoughts and feelings that make me think and ponder.

 

I'm glad you like my name, thank you! And thank you for writing this here. I will go visit your blog soon!

Michael ann

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Permalink Reply by Claire McAlpine on September 6, 2011 at 11:53pm

And wasn't I fortunate in that I came late to the discussion and was able to benefit from the result of it. 

I loved your post on decision making too,  I used to struggle with that one, never feeling that I had enough information, but I have definitely learned to listen more to my heart and also to choose carefully both who and how many people I discuss it with, as this often causes meandering only to have to find my way back to instinct again.

 

Looking forward to doing some baking! Thanks for visiting my blog too, its such an added bonus to receive a comment, the icing on the cake!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ann Riley on September 8, 2011 at 7:25pm

I am just now seeing some response to this discussion because, as most of you, I am so many different forums and am busy doing the social network thing. I wanted to thank everyone for contributing their thoughts here. There was valuable and thoughtful information in each response.

I am enjoying having two blogs. I am glad I started the second one. I feel a little more "pressure" to write now (for real!)  but that is good. The recipe one is growing by leaps and bounds and I'm having a different kind of experience altogether with that one. Both valuable to me. Thank you all!

MA

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