Today is July 1. For most it's the half-way mark through the year and time to take stock of where we are in our plans and goals. Are we on target in our writing? How about that 'blessed' think called marketing? How does blogging and the time it takes fit into all that? Why blog if no one reads or comments of what you've taken the time to think, research and write about?
I'm sure others beside myself have asked themselves these questions. I rethink this every year, asking myself the same thing. So why blog?
For me the answer is a bit complex. I'll break it down into three sections. 1. Marketing 2. Research and 3. Name recognition, and that one gets a bit tricky for me.
1. Marketing:
If we write stories, be they short, flash or full length, we want people to read them. Even the non-fiction we want the information to get to those who might enjoy what we've written.
For someone like me, who writes slow, there can be a long time between the various stories I write. Added to that, I write in two historical genres: Western and Medieval. I love both equally. Added to that is the poetry I write. Facebook can only do so much, as well as emails. Plus, how do you expand your readership. To me, blogging is one of those ways.
I realize not everyone will like what I write, despite my desire that they do. At the same time, finding those readers who will like my work, is a challenge. It helps to use all the options at my disposal, and blogging is one of those for me.
2. Research:
This is probably the primary reason I blog. I want to share the research I have done with others. History and the people who made it are almost a compulsion for me. For me, telling their stories is something I want to do. I don't want them to be lost to history. The nice thing about blogs, especially with the tags, your posts are available via searches.
For almost ten years I've been researching the story of a Colorado criminal. I haven't written much, for he has been hiding the rest of his story. Since the Symposium presentation, I feel I have enough to start talking about him.
The other research that is important for me to share is the story of the early women doctors in Colorado. While 'Doc Susie' is a part of that story, it has been slanted her way for far to long. There were so many others who did as much if not more than she. If the book of their lives never gets written by me, at least I've shared enough that others can start and find out more based on the blogs I've written, and will write, about them.
The stories of the doctors and so many others need to be preserved for future generations. When you feel like you can't do something, just take a look at what those who preceded us did. It helps put things into perspective.
3. Name Recognition:
Since I write fiction under a pen name: Angela Raines, it is important that when I write blog posts I share that information. When you add my online name: Renawomyn it can get a bit tricky.
At the same time, my non-fiction work is important. I simply do not want readers of romance to pick up a book with my real name expecting a sweet story and they are reading about juvenile delinquents, early criminals or lynchings. By using pen names I hope to avoid that problem. Of course the reverse could also be true. Can you imagine buying a book only to find out it's about the trials and tribulations of early women doctors, many of who decided to remain single and focus on their careers?
In the end, whether anyone reads or comments on my blog posts, I have things I want to say. Yes, it hurts when no one seems to care, but in the long run, it is the future I write for. So, here's to the future and to the readers who just have to know what I have to share.
And on a lighter note, the book birthday for my first story is this July. It will be four years old. How time does fly.
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| Purchase Here |
Doris Gardner-McCraw -
Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History
Colorado and Women's History
Member of National League of American Pen Women,
Women Writing the West,
Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners
Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet
For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here
Photo and Poem: Click Here
Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here
Hi, Doris. I care! Thanks for putting out these blog posts. You and I share a love of history and research, and you've been kind enough to throw some of your nuggets my way on occasion. I do often ask myself not only why blog, but why write!? Then I come back to, I write and blog if only to entertain myself (I know sometimes it feels that way). But I love keeping history alive and bringing out the obscure facts to a new audience. And personally the other pay off is when I'm working on a new piece of historical fiction, to read and write about the real people in history who inspired my stories, helps breathe life into my characters, and hopefully excites possible readers. Blogging and sharing takes it all to a deeper level for me as a writer. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Patti. I usually take stock this time of year and blogging seemed to be the focus. Like you, I love history and am so happy that my research has been helpful to you.
DeleteI agree, the real helps add that something extra to a story. I do believe that is what keeps be blogging and writing, that need to share what I find interesting and exciting. I do care about what people write about and try to let them know how important their words are to me. Thank you so much for stopping by and verifying what I believed to be true. Wishing you many years of research and storytelling for those who need to hear it. Doris
Hi Doris. I'm with you on uncovering unexpected tidbits of research and wanting to share them. I've been part of the History Imagined blog for 4 years now, and it's always fun to see what my compatriots have uncovered. I also have a weekly blog of my own, and I'm in the "joyful" camp with that. Nice post. It got me thinking, which is always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteBecky, what a wonderful blog History Imagined sounds to be. It is such fun to find and share those wonderful little pieces of the past that can mean so much.
DeleteAlso, what discipline to offer that weekly blog. You GO!
Glad my post had a beneficial effect. Thank you. Doris
Hi Doris, happy book birthday. I so agree about sharing research. It's useful to see what really catches readers imagination from the posts too. So often, it's not what you think it will be. Kudos in writing in such varied genres. The research you must do will be incredible!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book birthday wish. When I was writing this post, it dawned on me that my first story had arrived in the world in July. I just didn't realize so much time had passed. LOL
DeleteI agree the feedback about what people respond to is priceless to a writer. And you are correct, it's not always what you think.
I think one of the reasons my writing is varied is because life, stories and history are endlessly fascinating to me. Thanks for stopping by. Doris
Doris, I always love to read your posts. I don't always comment, but I most always read. LOL I love these reasons you gave--they are all true. The thing to always remember is that we don't know who might be reading our blogs. One author I know posted a blog that was read by an editor of a Texas magazine. They contacted her and asked if they could use her blog post in their magazine and paid her $500! That's a wonderful opportunity that she didn't even realize was out there. Keep on bloggin', Doris!
ReplyDeleteI read most of the posts I'm aware of also, but sometimes I'm reading during my break at work and can't always comment. I will say, the post that ended up in the magazine is pretty powerful incentive to keep posting.
DeleteI also agree, we have so much we can share and sometimes that little nugget we share can make all the difference. Thank you for the encouragement to keep on writing for all of use. Doris
Doris--You touch on many things about blogging (and writing) that many of us face. In the end, we must do it for ourselves, following our curiosity. Also, Cheryl is right in that you may never know who reads your writing (or when). If you're called to do something then there is someone out there who needs your insight and wisdom. One of the hardest things about writing is that you may never know who lol. We will so often never have any feedback. It can be hard to work in that environment but know that you're not alone. :-)
ReplyDeleteKristy, My thought was, if I have questions about blogging, others must have also. It just seemed a timely topic as many may be like me and re-evaluating their goals and progress.
DeleteI think you are correct, we do have to write for ourselves. For me, it's history, especially the Colorado Women Doctors and believe it or not, some of the unknown lawmen and lawbreakers in Colorado. We know Earp, Masterson and Holliday were in Colorado. There's even a good chance the James brothers and or cousins were here. Even at that, there were so many others that have been forgotten to history.
When I think of feedback, I hearken back to my theater days when your performances were not always commented upon. It all came down to one director telling me, 'you have great instincts and if I don't say anything, you're doing it right." I took that to heart and use the thought whenever I get down at lack of response. Thank you for the feedback. Doris
Doris, I love reading these blogs, not only for the information shared, but also for an insight into the author's mindset. I love research, but one can get so caught up in it that one loses sight of the original objective. I so agree with you about sharing information. If we don't know our history, how can we forge ahead without repeating mistakes? A lot of people won't take the time to research but if it's fed to them via a good romance or mystery, they learn by osmosis. I thought of you yesterday when I read an article in our local newspaper about Colorado hosting 86 million tourists last year, spending nearly $21 billion. Denver itself had 31.7 million visitors. That can't all just be skiers, eh? So, keep writing your stories and blogs about Colorado's fascinating history. I always enjoy your blogs and comments.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, my job is in the tourism industry and those numbers are pretty spot on. My area is a year round spot, but most do visit in the summer months. I love my adopted state's history and love sharing it. There is also some pretty good pieces of history from the area I grew up in.
DeleteI agree, we need to know from whence we came and it is more palatable when told in a story. I am thrilled that you enjoy the tidbits of history I'm able to dig up and share. It really is fun for me.
I also want to make sure that those early Colorado Women Doctors do not get lost. They are so important and special to me. Thanks for stopping by. Doris
Doris,
ReplyDeleteI related to everything you wrote in your article. *hugs* Blogging is a thankless endeavor a great deal of the time with its lace of visitor commentary, but as has been said many times in the comments here, you never know who might read what you've blogged about and what it might mean to them. I absolute love your blogs about Colorado's women doctors. I suppose the trick is to not get discouraged, and that is hard for me to remember. I'm a work-in-progress when it comes to 1) consistent blogging, 2) coming up with worthy blog topics, 3) keeping up the motivation to continue blogging when there is little to no feedback, and 4) not feel like a slacker for neglecting a story I'm working on in favor of blogging.
I think that's why I wrote about it, there are so many who wonder about the benefits. I think everyone has to find the 'sweet spot' that works for them and their schedule.
DeleteAs I noted, the thing that keeps me going is sharing history and making sure present and future generations have the information. I truly do believe that someone never dies as long as someone is there to tell their story. That's the way I feel about the people in history I write about. Doris
I feel as if I'm being sent a message to get off my duff and blog more often. Earlier today a friend sent me a message saying her daughter (who lives in China with her husband who is the head master of the American School) has been writing a blog about being an American living in China. The foreign edition of Time Magazine saw it and has offered her a deal to write a book about her experience. Now you plod me along by making sense with why a writer should blog. I will also do better by commenting on the blogs I do read instead of just gathering the nuggets of research they offer. Thanks for blogging this.
ReplyDeleteAgnes, I do believe in signs, but never thought I would be one. That you found it useful makes me glad I chose to write about something that has been on my mind for some time. Like I mentioned to Kaye, we each have to find what works for us. I do so much research, I usually have plenty to write about, plus I enjoy sharing it.
DeleteThat is so exciting for your friends daughter and the book deal. I wish her well and you also. Doris
I feel much the same as you about blogging. I find myself questioning why I do it considering the lack of attendance or comments to articles I've spent so much time on.
ReplyDeleteI do think it's important to choose what blogs we write for as well.
In the years that I've been writing the western series,The Wildings, it has been good research western history and interesting factoids especially when it went along with what I was writing. I've submitted my last Wilding story and now I'm headed in another direction--changing to stories in my home state of North Carolina and thinking about going back to frontier history maybe around the French and Indian War or even earlier. So I've been struggling with what author blogs I should consider writing for. Writing blogs keeps me on my toes and encourages me to get into some serious research.
I do wonder sometimes if reader interest is still involved in blogs. Facebook seems to have taken over social media. I have my own personal blog site and I should probably use it more, but I don't know how interested people are in blogs any more. So here I am with no answers.
Sarah, I really have done a lot of soul searching on the subject of blogs. The answer I came up with, other than what I wrote about is this: I look at blogging as writing for an independent publication for those who want to read what I write.
DeleteI know not everyone is excited about the things I am, but like the idea behind "Field of Dreams", 'build it and they will come'. Personally I love the early days of this country and think your next series of stories sounds fabulous. Plus, you can build on the readers who will follow you anywhere because they like your work. I wish you well. I do believe you will find that perfect mix that will work for you. Doris
Doris, your blog articles are always interesting! I don't always comment because I often read the articles on my phone, and Neanderthal that I am, I've yet to figure out how to comment from my phone. I've heard others say the same. Plus, it's interesting that comments dropped off almost immediately when smart phones became popular.
ReplyDeleteAs for blogging on a regular basis, that would not be me. I had a very popular western blog that got between 1500 and 3000 hits per week, where I hosted one author two times per week, Tuesdays and Fridays. Tuesday was a research article and Friday was their promo day, with a link back to the research article. I daresay my guests did better than I did because my sales numbers didn't change one bit, and of the dozens of authors I hosted, only 3 ever invited me to be on their blogs. So all that work simply didn't pay off. Since I quit blogging, there's been no difference in sales.
That said, blogs really helped me in the name recognition department and that's priceless, so if I had it to do over, I'd do exactly what I did before.
Oh, and happy book birthday. <3
Jacquie, thank you for your insight. I had not thought about the smart phone angle, cause I don't have one. (I know, a bit of a Neanderthal her. LOL). Your statement does make sense. I have noticed that my hits tend to be fairly high.
DeleteDoing a blog is work, but I don't mind when I can share what's important to me in my research. And being known as that someone to go to on that subject makes that all worth while for me. If I spark interest in the Women Doctors whether in Colorado or interest someone to research the ones in their state, I feel the 'ladies' are happy.
Thank you for the book birthday wish. *Grin* Doris
Doris: Thank you for putting into words what so many of your responders state they experience as well. I set a blog schedule for myself and stick to it as religiously as daily life allows. Yesterday I posted about the upcoming national holiday. I had been on jury duty and wanted to relate my jury experience, having been struck by the process of "innocent until proven guilty." Our right to a jury trial is something not to be taken lightly. Suddenly an idea popped into my head and I absolutely had to put my trial experience into words. Having the idea come to me, rather than having to research what to write aobut, was a new experience. It gives me hope that I am making progress on this communication stuff. Now if my current WIP were moving along as well...
DeleteJudy, My thought was, if I'm dealing with these issues about blogging, then others may be also. If my words help anyone find what works for them when it comes to putting things out there, then I feel I've accomplished what I set out to do.
DeleteHaving a schedule and sticking to it helps me also. That you were inspired to write about you jury experience is fabulous.
Like you, I blogged a lot before I ended up with a published work, but I believe the blogging helped me get there. Wishing you the best and thank you for stopping by. Doris
Doris, Great post! I am learning to post more about my research and the behind the scenes for my novels. I think blogging can keep a writer sharp and tight. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete