My Notebook of Blog Ideas
I keep thinking I should write a blog about how hard it
is to write a blog. I know there’s some of you who think it’s a piece of cake.
Maybe you even wait until the last minute to write your blogs because it’s so
easy for you. There may even be a special blog gene that does that for you. Just
so ya know—I do NOT have that gene.
Nope. I have the worry gene when it comes to blogs. I
could never just throw some words out and say, “Here’s my blog, love or lump
it.” Perfectionistic behavior does not always work out for a person. It makes me
worry about writing the perfect blog, or the one everyone can’t wait to read.
So I spin my wheels in that rut and we all know that’s just a kind way of
saying, “I’m stuck.”
I also worry that my subject will never be up to standards
and I absolutely must have some pictures and diagrams or no one will be
interested in reading it. It can be immobilizing to worry so much about writing
the perfect blog.
Here are some things that I like when I read a blog:
I like subjects that cover writing techniques, problem
and solutions, “how-to” kind of pieces because I find them helpful in my own
writing.
I like interesting factoids and bits of history about
famous authors and about places like the old west.
I like when authors share helpful information about
things related to writing such as how important are reviews, what are
publishers of romance fiction looking for at present, how to come up with
titles that sell books, and so forth.
I don’t like really long blogs because there is just no
time to read several long blogs before I start my day. I’d rather read blogs
that divide the subject up into several shorter articles as some of my author
friends have done. I’ve written some long blogs and, naturally, I worried that
no one would finish reading them.
And I don’t like blogs that are just promotion for a book
without an interesting bit to go with it. I would rather read blogs in which I
know the author has spent some time and energy putting it together.
I think a little bit of stress encourages us to work a
little harder. At least that’s how it works for me.
Are you a worry wart about writing blogs? Do you get a
little stressed trying to come up with a good subject for your blog? What do
you like best when you read a blog? Do you have any particular pet peeve you’d
be willing to share regarding blogs?
Sarah
J. McNeal is a multi-published author of several genres
including time travel, paranormal, western and historical fiction. She is a
retired ER and Critical Care nurse who lives in North Carolina with her
four-legged children, Lily, the Golden Retriever and Liberty, the cat. Besides
her devotion to writing, she also has a great love of music and plays several
instruments including violin, bagpipes, guitar and harmonica. Her books and
short stories may be found at Prairie Rose Publications and its imprints Painted
Pony Books, and Fire Star Press. Some of her fantasy and paranormal books may
also be found at Publishing by Rebecca Vickery and Victory Tales
Press. She welcomes you to her website and social media:
Good thoughts Sarah. I wouldn't stress out about blogs if I were you. I think in the days before text messages it was a way to connect with people about your daily or weekly progress on some Topic in your life. Kind of like a mass email to those who wish to follow your blog. They weren't intended to be works of literary art.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that I like a blog post that gives valuable information about a topic. I am a firm believer in using lots of images comma when possible, which makes some posts look long.
I enjoy your posts, so try not to stress about them.
Good thoughts Sarah. I wouldn't stress out about blogs if I were you. I think in the days before text messages it was a way to connect with people about your daily or weekly progress on some Topic in your life. Kind of like a mass email to those who wish to follow your blog. They weren't intended to be works of literary art.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that I like a blog post that gives valuable information about a topic. I am a firm believer in using lots of images comma when possible, which makes some posts look long.
I enjoy your posts, so try not to stress about them.
You're very kind, Robyn. I wish I could stop the stress, but it seems it's just part of my nature to worry over certain things.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your articles, Robyn. You put a great deal of thought and research into them. I love when authors include pictures in their blogs. I didn't have any pictures about blogs, so I set up a little scenario with my notebook where I keep blog ideas and ideas for FB posts whenever something comes to mind so I don't forget them.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYour blog posts are always interesting to me, and I look forward to reading them. My preference for reading (and writing) blog articles are the shorter ones. I enjoy the multi-part blogs that expand upon a particular topic. Images are important, because they break-up the text and add that instant visual component, but too images can create a 'busy' article that loses the focus of the text. (balance in everything, I suppose) ;-)
I don't stress about my blog posts, and I tend to wait until the last minute to come up with a topic and write about it.
An observation...
For the longest time, it was a serious indiscretion to recycle a blog post or post the same blog article on more than one blog site simultaneously (or close to the same date). I'm seeing a gradual change in this, and I'm glad it's happening. A blog post doesn't have to be a "one hit wonder" so-to-speak. There are blog posts with such interesting or good information that they shouldn't languish in obscurity. There are different audiences at different blog sites and new readers come along all the time. Maybe a note at the beginning of the repeated/recycled blog post to say "You can also read this article at..." or "Originally posted on (date) at (blog site), but it's as timely now as it was then..."
Just my rambling thoughts. *grin*
Kaye
So far, I have not recycled a blog post. I guess I'm still clinging to the no-no rule about that, but since you mentioned how thought has changed on reposting, I might reconsider for several of mine.
ReplyDeleteI envy you not stressing over blogs. I want to be like that, too.
Kaye, it's always such a pleasure to here from you. Thank you for coming and commenting on my post.
I used to worry Sarah, but now, since so very few comment ( or are they ever reading the post) that I have relaxed a bit more. Of course it helps that I'm always researching various topics and have a backlog of things to share. AND I do love sharing pieces of history. *Smile* (Of course I've always been a buy the seat of your pants kind of writer! GRIN!)
ReplyDeleteI've always found your posts fun and enlightening.
Doris
Doris, I think oftentimes people check out the blogs even though they don't comment, or so I have been told.
ReplyDeleteI think I am so sensitive that some might judge my posts negatively that I twirl in craziness that they won't be considered good.
I like the way you handle it and don't get all mental the way I do. You write wonderful posts, so no worries for you.
Thank you so much for coming by and sharing your thoughts. And thank you for your kind words.
Hi Sarah:
ReplyDeleteYou have spoken my thoughts! I do "worry" (to a degree) that people may not read what I have written, esp. when I think it might be a good blog or when I've spent a lot of time on it. I'm getting much better about just sending it out there; my mantra in life I ascribe here: Let go and let God! That is, not to worry...perhaps it will speak to whoever stumbles over it, for whatever reason. I can only do my best.
Your blogs are interesting to me, Sarah, and like others, sometimes I don't take time to comment. I have had a series of deadlines this last year so I have spent less time perusing and staying online for more than just a few minutes.
Thanks for sharing :-)
Hey Gail!
ReplyDeleteI recall this phrase, "Pray or worry, you have to give up one to do the other." Apparently, I am not so good at letting go of worry, but I'm willing to work on it. I know worry doesn't move anyone forward. I suspect I concern myself too much with what others may think of me.
I truly appreciate you taking the time to come by. And thank you so much for your encouraging words.