Comments on: What to blog about?

By: bruce colthart

bruce colthart — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:44:52 +0000

Carol – don’t your readers want to hear your “voice” and be entertained? I’m hoping one of your reasons for blogging is to share your humor, to interest people in your book, and to keep your conversational writing skills sharp. In other words, it’s good exercise and it’s good marketing!

By: Carol Band

Carol Band — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:41:25 +0000

Blogging often feels a bit masturbatory. I mean – why should anyone care? And I guess that’s what the guideline should be. Who will care.

Of course my own lame-o blog is akin to a middle-schooler’s diary.

By: bruce colthart

bruce colthart — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:49:52 +0000

Judy; I’ve also taken a bit of “elementary” advice to heart, which I’ve seen published recently, for those new to blogging. I can’t remember where I saw it , but the logic was that to start blogging, one should first visit other blogs and comment profusely, to “warm up.” Taking that advice, I’m warming up right now. But hopefully sharing this “beginner” tactic will also stimulate others suffering from blogger’s block.

bruce coltharts last blog post..What to blog about?

By: bruce colthart

bruce colthart — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:19:37 +0000

Hmmm…I actually meant to “leave a reply” as opposed to commenting on my own blog, so I could use this cool little plug-in that formats my replies thusly.

By: bruce colthart

bruce colthart — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:13:26 +0000

Judy:

Thanks so much for the words of support (and your kind review)! I gambled that if I complained publicly, using the same terrifying medium, I might find a empathetic soul. I’m absolutely delighted by your concrete advice, which while it amounts to “keep at it,” individually addresses most of my neuroses regarding writing and baring my soul.

Thank you again for the shot of confidence and adrenaline!

bruce coltharts last blog post..What to blog about?

By: Judy Dunn

Judy Dunn — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:43:15 +0000

Ah, what a topic you have introduced. Being a new blogger myself, I’m struggling with these same issues. Do I make my blog informative (because who has time to read for just entertainment)? Do I make sage observations on the state of my business, marketing? Do I make self-involved ramblings about myself, my family, my cat? Or do I just comment on what’s going on around me, in my own voice?

I will have to say that, although I haven’t stopped by regularly (shame on me), I enjoy your posts because I sense that you are sharing the “real you,” and I’m liking your humor. (Think I may just subscribe to your blog feed. Don’t know why I never got around to it.)

I do understand that blank-piece-of-paper thing you talk about. Panic. I don’t have a topic this week. Then I’ll be surfing the net and something will strike me. An article. A piece of news. Another blogger’s post. And I’ll think, I have something to say about that. Not just in a “me too” sort of way, but in my own voice. And I’ll be off.

I would say, if time isn’t getting in the way, continue to blog. Continue through the feeling that only your best friend and your mom might be reading. Through the “I’m just talking to myself” feeling. Through the “I have nothing meaningful to say” days. Your theme will come. Heck, I’m writing a memoir right now and have had two very fine writing instructors tell me that I’ve yet to find my theme and I’ve been working on it for three years!

Thanks for this honest post, Bruce. Bob and I are hosting a biznik event next month on blogging and your post is very relevant to the issues we’ll be addressing.