So I decided why not write a blog post about inspiring blog posts? And then I thought why not ask readers to share what they think makes a good blog post--then I could have topics for at least two posts if not more! (Sometimes, my own inspiration scares me!)
I've been noticing this lately, and I have a theory. I think writers really look forward to posts that help them with their craft--how-to _____________________(insert some helpful topic here like "write romance heroes everyone loves"). But writers are most likely to leave comments on a post that is more personal about the struggle of being a writer or getting published or anything that only other writers seem to understand.
But is my theory correct? That's where you come in. If you have a few minutes, leave us a comment (okay me--leave me a comment, please--I'm really not begging). Here are some questions to consider when leaving your comment:
1. Do you ever leave comments on writers' blog posts, and if so, why? Is it only to enter to win a contest or are there certain posts that inspire you to leave comments?
2. What types of posts do you like to read? How-to? Writers' experience? Personal stories? Funny? Serious? All of the above? None of the above?
3. Are there any subjects we haven't covered on The Muffin that you are interested in reading about? Sometimes when you blog a lot about "writing" and for many years like some of us have, we get stuck--what should we write about? (Okay, to my fellow bloggers, if I am the only one like this, please don't tell me.)
4. If you have your own blog, have you noticed any trends for popularity of your posts? What kind of posts are the best for you to write?
If you have a few minutes this weekend, let us know what you think--and if you have a blog, let us know what the URL is, so we can check it out!
lightbulb photo above by thomasbrightbill (http://www.flickr.com)
8 comments:
Margo--First of all, I have no advice or suggestions to give from my own experience as a blogger. In the last couple of months I've LOST followers... and if I knew why, perhaps I could turn that trend around.
As far as blogs on writing that I read, I like a blend of all the above. I enjoy hearing about the struggles that other writers grapple with, because then I know I'm not alone. I like funny posts, because my laughter allows me to take a break from the regular battering of rejection. I enjoy personal stories because then I can connect with the writer as a person.
I HAVE noticed that if I include a photo of a cute dog/puppy, I tend to get more comments. Perhaps I should post a dog picture with every post, no matter what I'm blogging about? ;)
Keep doing what you're doing. I know that writers have more followers than those that review a book or leave a comment. For every comment or review, there are hundreds of readers who simply enjoyed the post/book and left with their own take-away...
Thanks, Sioux. Good point about the photo...
Thanks, Sioux. Good point about the photo...
This is such an interesting topic. As a blogger, I LOVE comments, but seem to get very few (except when I run a contest that involves leaving a comment!). My friends tell me "it's too much trouble to comment on blogger, but commenting on FB is no problem." Because I love getting comments, I try to leave comments. But you are right; it is usually only when I feel inspired or learned something new and I want to thank the writer.
I'm so green at Blogging, it isn't even funny. Where do I click to Blog about blogging was my question! I've been thinking about being a writer for years. Even wrote three books. Send them to an editor, got the go ahead for the second draft. Guess what, I registered for college and got a degree! But don't you know, I'm still not enough to get published is what my head tells me. I fondly refer to this side of my brain as the Itty Bitty Pity Committee as you will see as I write.
I think honesty from whomever is writing no matter how it "looks" to others and that depicts growth in light of obstacles is what will make me want to blog and to come back for more.
Also, Blogs that would motivate me to connect with others and that are humorous would most likely cause me to take action with my own writing. Reading something that would cause me to take action to write daily no matter what my Itty Bitty Pity Committee tells me about it "My writing not being worth the effort to read" (in my opinion)would cause me to want to blog.
Interesting how most of us human beings think we are the only ones who think like we do which causes us to throw in the towel or never start toward any of our worthy goals.
Blogs that talk about facing our fear of failure which I know is imaginary but feels so real would cause me to blog about my own experiences and move through to action and writing anyway.
Not everything we read needs to be positive, especially since typically as human beings we tend learn from our mistakes. . . and though some of them are quite sad, they also can be pretty funny. But to read what someone did in order to break through their fears to become successful in even small goals gives me motivation to try and to get into action.
Even as I write this, my Itty Bitty Pity Committee is telling me, "Don't send this blog! It's too long, it's too weird, no one needs to read what you have to say. . .blah, blah blah. So, guess what? I'm sending it anyway cause what others think of me is none of my business! Have a super day everyone!
Hi, Margo:
Although my writing focus is middle grade, picture books, and poetry and I love gleaning new ideas that continue to push my writing forward, I have also always been an immensely introspective person, and love writing about our inner journey in a way that will leave a reader with a new and/or positive take on an aspect of the writer's life. It's a toss-up for me whether I "prefer" a good craft-related post to an internal life-related post...As someone who also consults and teaches in this area, I have found that writers are drawn to these "inner" topics online, but not necessarily at conferences, where "emotional" issues rarely appear on the schedule. Re: my own preference - as with your post today - the writer needs to grab me immediately. It takes a lot to get me to comment because I'm careful about what I put online. Thanks for always giving me something to think about - whether I respond or not!
I hear the Facebook comment also!
I hear the Facebook comment also!
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