BookEnds‘ agents Jessica Faust and Kim Lionetti blog daily. Their blog from Friday, May 2nd asked the question – Why do you blog?
I answered this way –
“I blog for a couple of reasons – getting my name out there is one, and actually it’s the reason I started blogging. But the more I do it, the more enjoyable it becomes. So reason number two for me with blogging is fun. I also like ‘talking’ to other people this way. And finally, it’s like any other workout, the more you do it, the stronger you become. I’m working my creative muscle by blogging. It’s my warmup for the day. I get feedback, which I love, and most of all, I get new words on a page. :-)”
I realize my original reason for blogging – or for wanting to learn how to blog – was to do it because everyone else seemed to be doing it. It was the ‘in’ thing. As a pre-published writer, I felt it was important to keep up and to participate – and to get my name out there for when I get “the call”.
As a writer, I’m used to my private little world. I like my space and don’t mind being called a loner. Of course, that’s not what I am. I do like people. It’s just that my characters are such fun to play with that I don’t always want to leave them behind. And so, blogging seemed to be a way to connect without having to push my writing to the side for any great length of time. And now that blogging has become such a fun (and addictive) thing to do, my characters benefit. I warm up here and then I’m primed and ready to run with the story they want me to write for them.
And so now I pose these questions to you – Why do you blog? And is your reason for blogging different now than it was when you started?
Debbie,
Your enjoyment of sharing vignettes of life shows in your blogs as does your skill with words. I blog because…I suppose because it’s the ‘thing to do’. I hope it generates a response in people that makes them want to reach for my books. Does that sound like a very self-centered reason?
Linda
I think I started blogging because everyone else was. Even then I was afraid to put my thoughts out there. Over time it got easier. I haven’t had as much time lately to blog and the few that would stop by (mine is more of a “private” blog, as you know), don’t as often now. As such, I’ve been toying with the idea of doing away with my blog altogether. I haven’t reached a definite decision yet but I am leaning that way.
Oh, but I have been enjoying your blog. It’s been nice getting to know you a little better with each post. 🙂
Debbie, blogging is the perfect way to get your name out there. Publishers want their authors to blog. It is just another good way for readers and potential readers to get to know you. An author’s personality always goes into their books.
Linda,
Thank you for your sweet words about my blog! And no, your reason doesn’t sound self-centered at all. It sounds practical and smart.
Laura,
I love your blog. Your personality shines in it. I hope you don’t give it up but if it frees you to write more fiction, well, then you know how I feel about that, yes? 😉
Kathleen,
It’s true about our personality going into our books. It’s fun to think the characters and plots are purely fictional, but I, too, believe there’s a piece of us in each of them. It might not be obvious, but to those who know us, it’s right there under the surface.
~Debbie
I actually started my blog as part of a class on Web 2.0 I took through my library job, but I kept it up as an author blog, pretty much for the same reason as most of you – to get my name out and because everyone is doing it. And like Debbie, the more I blog, the more I enjoy it. 🙂 I’ve already roughed up tomorrow’s post for My Town Monday.
In general, I think blogging is a good way for people scattered around the country and the world to get to know each other. Not a bag thing, IMO.
Linda / Lyndi
Linda,
Not a bad thing at all. I can’t tell you about all the amazing people I’ve “met” by blogging and joining discussion groups. It’s certainly a great way to get in touch and keep in touch with people I’d otherwise never know.
I truly enjoy the My Town Monday’s. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s will bring!
~Debbie
Linda and Debora, I think you have to enjoy blogging in order to have a blog worth visiting. Your blogs and the one belonging to Beth Arnell are the ones I visit regularly, and that’s because of the interesting stuff you think about/blog about.
I’m waaay behind in my blogging. Obviously 🙂 (I’m posting on this about 10 days late.)
Why do I do it? Well, partly because I’ve got things I would like to say. My own blog may be the only venue to do it in. I missed it when I was too busy to blog at all. Plus, I missed checking on my blogging pals. For example, I was glad to find out about the happy ending to the Rascally Racoon story.