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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Will Your Blog Bring You Fortune and Fame?

Last Friday's "Speak Out" by Pat Wahler called "Got Blog?" discussed this phenomenon and why writers should blog. I blog, you blog, a-they blog; she blog, he blog, a-we blog! (Are you hearing a Cyndi Lauper song in your head like I am? I hope so, or you may think I've lost it a bit.)

I also just finished the remarkably funny and insightful book, Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell. Did you know that she started her writing career with a blog and a really cool cooking project where she decided to cook every one of Julia Child's 524 recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year? Instead of just doing this insane cooking project, she blogged about it. And now she has book deals and movie deals and over 600 comments on some of her blog posts. Can you imagine?

I was thinking about her success and of course, wishing I could have some brilliant, life-changing idea to blog about, but I don't. But I can learn from her and her blogging experience, so here are some conclusions I came to:

  • You need your friends' and families' support and comments at the beginning of your blogging experience. I have a blog. I get comments every once in a while from a stranger,but not often. But no matter who it is, I love it when one of my friends or family members goes on my blog and leaves an encouraging comment. It does make me feel good--like someone is reading my work. Julie Powell did not start with getting hundreds of comments on her blog. She started with a few friends and family members offering encouragement for her Project. So, tell your loved ones about your blog, tell them to leave comments, and you should leave comments on other people's blogs and posts. It's as exciting as it used to be when you were a teenager and came running home to see your answering machine light blinking and hoping that it was that cute boy in your third hour class.
  • Your blog needs a focus, a unique slant, and sometimes new ideas. There are thousands of writers starting blogs every day, and a lot of them are about writing, about the struggles, about the characters in their books, about why they aren't writing, and so on. This is okay, but will it get you Amy Adams and Meryl Streep in the movie about your life? Probably not. I really want to some day be a Big. Children's. Author. I would also like to take my shtick around to schools to talk to kids and teachers about my Big Belief in using children's books to teach reading and writing skills. My blog should definitely have something to do with this, but hundreds of blogs review children's books. So, I tried to do something a little different by reviewing children's books AND always providing three activities that go with the book for parents, home schoolers, and educators. I have a lot of people tell me they love my site, and I have even made a few bucks from Amazon sales. But my site is a year old and not taking off like I want it to, so I plan to try something new, starting next week. Doesn't this just want to make you rush over to my blog and check it out--RIGHT NOW?? :) (Or at least make a note on your calendar to check out my blog on Monday, August 17??)

I have several more points, which I am inspired with this morning, but as all us bloggers know, bleaders (love this Julie-Powell-term for blog readers) don't like long posts, so I'll say, "To Be Continued. . ." when I blog next for The Muffin.

Until then--happy blogging!

Margo Dill

www.margodill.com

6 comments:

  1. I haven't made my fame or fortunes yet, but I did receive a book deal that came about because of my blog. Reviewing children's books led to a dialogue with and editor, which led to a chance to guest blog for the publisher, and the next thing you know, I was on the phone with the head of the publishing company. However, I have been so busy with that paticular project and several others, that I haven't had time to blog in ages.

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  2. Will my blog bring me fortune and fame? I wouldn't mind at all and I'd sure like to find a publisher for my book, but I've been told Americans don't want to read about places they wouldn't go to on vacation.

    And guess what? My book / blog is all about living and shopping and eating and having fun in strange and exotic places that apparently nobody in America cares about.

    Well, it seems from the responses to my blog posts that there are a few people out there who are interested, so I keep writing my stories and see where it will lead me. Meryl Streep can play me in the movie version ;-) I think she'd love Africa!

    Miss Footloose
    www.lifeintheexpatlane.blogspot.com

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  3. I love this post, Margo. I started blogging when I was about 6 months pregnant. It was basically an outlet for my hormoneyness. (Like that? Just made it up.) Anyway, I had NO idea what I was getting into. Mommy blogs are a whole huge world. What sets mine apart? Nothing except I'm me and my son's my son, etc., so most of my readers are friends.

    Recently, I read a post, here actually, about going on adventures in order to have something to write about. (I'm sorry, I can't remember off the top of my head who the author was.) Anyway, I needed an "adventure" I could do that didn't require me to travel since I have a one-year-old. I'd always dreamed of running a marathon, so I decided I would do it and blog about it daily. Now, I feel like I have a unique topic because training for a marathon and being a mom is a little different. I don't just go on a run. I have to get my son ready and I have to push him in the stroller. Plus, I have to arrange my running schedule around his naps. Anyway, I am LOVING my new adventure. I don't know if it'll bring me fame and fortune, but I love having something a little more specific than "being a mom" to write about.

    Looking forward to your next post, Margo!

    Kerrie
    http://momvsmarathon.blogspot.com

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  4. Thanks for your comments, guys. I plan to check out your blogs. I think blogs are just so interesting!!! :) And Kerrie, good luck with the marathon. That is quite an adventure! :)

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  5. Margot, looking forward to Part 2!

    Pat

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  6. Eek! Margo, my fingers flew and I posted before realizing that I'd added a very unnecessary "t" to your name.
    Sorry!

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