More on writer’s blogs…
Some are about the business of writing. Others are about marketing books. Some are actually about writing. Still others are inspirational with posts written by cheerleaders.
I don’t know how to classify mine. A bit of all of the above is offered here. Book and movie reviews. Free fiction. Author interviews. Posts on reading, writing, and the publishing business. Guest posts are allowed—I’ve had none, maybe because I don’t pay for them? I give my time willingly to run what amounts to a little online newspaper that’s called a writer’s blog. Time I have; money I don’t.
This weekly presence of mine on the worldwide web started over ten years ago with a lot of op-ed articles about current events. I made a 2018 New Year’s resolution to stop spending time on those because they usually needed a lot of research, so everything now has something to do with writing. This blog isn’t unique, but it covers a lot of ground.
Every author should have a blog. Even if authors stick to how-to articles about writing, publishing, and marketing, their blogs add to their brand. And, because every writer is unique, most of their blogs are also unique too. Moreover, they all add to communications between readers and writers if comments are allowed, giving meaning to “Join the Conversation!”
And that’s a sticking point. To make a comment, the wannabe commentator has to hurdle several barriers. The “I am not a robot” tests are ubiquitous and often hard for the visually impaired, and often made more difficult many times because there are tiny pics where you’re supposed to look for something but its description is off the page! Other websites require a login or subscription to a newsletter. I often resist these encumbrances, although I’ve had to subscribe to several unwanted newsletters as a result of this practice.
The reason for the barriers is obvious, of course: spam! There are many types, the worst being for sex toys, ED drugs, and porn. That’s why there are often two barriers for commentators, the “I am not a robot” test and a confirmation via email response from the wannabe commentator. (This also often occurs when one actually wants to subscribe to a newsletter.)
Because I use WordPress in this blog, only patience is required to comment: I have to approve your first comment! After I do so, you become a trusted commentator, but be advised I can zap you if you betray that trust. And be advised that I’m smart enough to figure out, often by the email address, whether the commentator should be trusted. I’m definitely not a robot, and key words a spammer often uses to get by the bots are like red flags waved at a bull in my case.
Authors should add new content to their blogs, at least an article per week. The articles don’t have to be long; use the “more” button (if you have one) for longer articles. Once an author gets the hang of it, it’s easy to come up with something to say once per week. Authors should consider writing blog articles just another writing experience they can enjoy. In other words, it’s not a chore. Best of all, it gives their readers more perspectives beyond the books, a peek into this writing life.
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Comments are always welcome!
Goin’ the Extra Mile: “My husband Mario sometimes thinks I have a death wish. As I sprawled on the hood of a Honda Accord, left-hand fingers hooked into the windshield gutter and hanging on for dear life, I decided he has a point.” The U.S. made the MECHs, Russia stole them, and now China wants them…and will kidnap Mary Jo Melendez and her family to get them! If you have blood pressure problems, this mystery/thriller novel could be dangerous. Available on Amazon and Smashwords and all the latter’s retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc). “I was captivated by the end of the first chapter and I couldn’t stop reading.”—Valerie Padrnos in hr Amazon review.
Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!
