Blogging and Writing
Blogging and writing -- As far as I'm concerned, that phrase is repetitive, redundant, and duplicates what are essentially two versions of the same word. And it does it twice.Blogging IS writing.
Ah, but is it fiction writing?
Well, yes.
You see, I have a saying. Well, I have many sayings, including, "To hell with anything unrefined" and "Never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump", but the one appropriate to this post is, "Everything is about writing."
Which brings me to the questions writers who are thinking about blogging ask most often:
- Wouldn't blogging take time away from my writing?
- How often should I blog?
- What would I blog about?
- Who would care about anything I have to say?
Wouldn't blogging take time away from my writing?
See above. Blogging IS writing. Think of it as a writing exercise, and let it energize you.
How often should I blog?
How often do you want to blog? Some people say once a month, some say once a week, some say three times a week, some say many times a day. I blog once a day, every day. That's what feels good to me.
What would I blog about?
What interests you? What are you up to? What is your life like, as a person and as a writer? You can focus on one thing, like Medieval Weaponry or Macrame, or you can have certain days for certain subjects. I have writers and writing on Monday, food on Wednesday, and (writing) Sample Sunday. Some Sundays, I post excerpts from my books or stories; some Sundays, I post an entire short-short story or a poem. The other days, I write about tattoos I've seen, our pets, restaurants, things that irritate me, things that give me joy, books, movies, life in my small town or out in the country. You know -- the kinds of details that enrich the fabric of fiction.
People who live in the American Midwest find everyday details of life in, say, The Netherlands, exotic. People in The Netherlands find the American Midwest exotic -- or, at least, different. The general outline of your life, work, family, may be quite ordinary, but the details are specific. Nobody experiences life exactly the way you do, and it's that unique point of view that makes each person's fiction fresh and will make each person's blog fresh. Getting in touch with the specificity of your particular life is good training for creating a specificity for your characters and your settings.
Who would care about anything I have to say?
Say something and see.
Marian Allen, Author Lady
Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes
1 comment:
I was a twice a week blogger, but now I blog once a week. With a full time day job this past year, I wasn't working on fiction nearly enough, so I'm happy with my decision. I honestly don't know if as many people read our blogs anymore, but I agree that it is a greatly beneficial writing exercise. I'm happy that you're still blogging. A lot of writers seem to be packing it in!
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