Just a few thoughts today.
--When I checked my blog stats on Sept.1, the blog had a huge spike at 0300 . . . from the Netherlands.
The blog that seemed to be the main one of interest was titled Vote for a New Blog Name. I had written it for May 12, 2010--yep, over a year ago. If anyone has a clue as to why this blog showed up on the radar from the Netherlands, please feel free to comment or email me.
Trying to figure out the vagaries of the Internet and how search engines do their thing are just plain mind-numbing! This has happened to me before with: Germany, France and Iran. No idea why.
--Blogger also has a new interface. Of course, they decide to unroll this AFTER I wrote a 10-page article with screen dumps for my friend's Author EMS website. I can always scroll through the article and screen dump the new look, but I think they are still tweaking their product.
I pulled it up and there is a HUGE amount of white on the dashboard pages. I don't like it. There's a reason why I stay with the blog colors that I have chosen. I like cool colors--blues and greens are soothing. White is harsh to my eyes. That might be because I'm typing all the time and I want a change when I scroll through my blog pages.
--I've noticed that bloggers are either WordPress fans or Blogger fans. It's like PC vs. Mac. I'm a PC and blogger, while everyone else is WRONG! Just kidding. It's just a preference. A few months ago, RWA PRO did a free online program how to set up WordPress. I'm sure there were hundreds of covertees this way. I didn't bother to even read the blogs. 1) I'm not interested in changing, 2) I learn better by doing and not taking a class to hold my hand through the process, 3) I HATE logging on to a WordPress site. It makes you jump through hoops to even comment on a blog. Shoot, 90% if the time, I don't even bother commenting because of this. One time I went to a friend's Facebook post to comment.
I'm sure there are things about Blogger that I don't take advantage of, but considering I started this blog on a whim, I'm good.
That's it for now.
Later, Peeps!
Showing posts with label blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogs. Show all posts
9/5/11
1/5/11
Losing Blog Loyalty
Over the last few months I've stopped reading numerous blogs.
In my defense, many of the blogs changed their focus--which lost my interest. I'm sorry, but as nice as it is for you to pimp your friend's books, it's low on my personal interest level. In other words, IT'S ME, NOT YOU that's causing our break-up.
Some of the blogs have run out of interesting information--repetition is the death of a story and a blog.
While other blogs, though interesting at first, lost their appeal--I guess I'm too mature for the content of nasty language and attitude.
And as much as I like CakeWrecks, just how many nasty looking cakes can one look at? I'll still check out their Sunday Sweets, but the blog isn't on my blogroll any more.
I'm not going to try to figure it out. What's the point? Blogs and blog readers are like marriages. Sometimes you grow old together, while other times you grow apart to the point of divorce.
I've known many of my friends who have joined or expanded, or changed the focus of their group blogs, grogs or glogs--whatever--and I've stopped reading the blog.
Why?
Because I have no idea when the people who I want to read will be posting their blog. If it's every other week, then forget it. Too much time has gone past and I don't care enough to keep checking back. Yes, I think there is such a thing as too big of a grog.
If it's the focus of the blog, then that's another beast. I have many friends who have sold recently, and they have friends who have sold, and so on and so forth. I know publishing houses have dropped the ball on publicity, but I don't want to read about someone's new book or read a review of a book that doesn't interest me.
I WANT TO READ ABOUT MY FRIEND'S OBSERVATIONS ABOUT LIFE AND WRITING. Period.
IMO--the optimal grog would have assigned days for up to five members--more members dilutes the purpose of the blog. Less is okay, but stick with specific days of the week designated for new blog (M-W-F or T-Th-S).
--But I've never been invited to join a grog since I don't play well with others, so it's a mute point as to my opinion on the topic.
Will my observations change the way I do this blog?
Heck, no! Because I started this blog because I wanted to blog. If I have followers--woohoo! I have to admit that it is more fun when people feel compelled to comment and we start a conversation. But if I lose followers, well, it hasn't stopped me from talking to myself before, why would that change?
My blog will have stuff that interests me. Whether it's life's observations, or candy recipes, or a short story, or my opinion of grogs, then that's what I'll post.
Oh, speaking of which, here's a new contest from Writer's Digest. They have a picture posted and you have to write a story based on the picture. Cool, huh? I entered. If it finals--woohoo! If it doesn't--then y'all will get to read my short story.
On Friday, I cover how to FOLLOW a blog so you don't have to keep checking back to a blog to see if something new is posted!
Later, Peeps!
In my defense, many of the blogs changed their focus--which lost my interest. I'm sorry, but as nice as it is for you to pimp your friend's books, it's low on my personal interest level. In other words, IT'S ME, NOT YOU that's causing our break-up.
Some of the blogs have run out of interesting information--repetition is the death of a story and a blog.
While other blogs, though interesting at first, lost their appeal--I guess I'm too mature for the content of nasty language and attitude.
And as much as I like CakeWrecks, just how many nasty looking cakes can one look at? I'll still check out their Sunday Sweets, but the blog isn't on my blogroll any more.
I'm not going to try to figure it out. What's the point? Blogs and blog readers are like marriages. Sometimes you grow old together, while other times you grow apart to the point of divorce.
I've known many of my friends who have joined or expanded, or changed the focus of their group blogs, grogs or glogs--whatever--and I've stopped reading the blog.
Why?
Because I have no idea when the people who I want to read will be posting their blog. If it's every other week, then forget it. Too much time has gone past and I don't care enough to keep checking back. Yes, I think there is such a thing as too big of a grog.
If it's the focus of the blog, then that's another beast. I have many friends who have sold recently, and they have friends who have sold, and so on and so forth. I know publishing houses have dropped the ball on publicity, but I don't want to read about someone's new book or read a review of a book that doesn't interest me.
I WANT TO READ ABOUT MY FRIEND'S OBSERVATIONS ABOUT LIFE AND WRITING. Period.
IMO--the optimal grog would have assigned days for up to five members--more members dilutes the purpose of the blog. Less is okay, but stick with specific days of the week designated for new blog (M-W-F or T-Th-S).
--But I've never been invited to join a grog since I don't play well with others, so it's a mute point as to my opinion on the topic.
Will my observations change the way I do this blog?
Heck, no! Because I started this blog because I wanted to blog. If I have followers--woohoo! I have to admit that it is more fun when people feel compelled to comment and we start a conversation. But if I lose followers, well, it hasn't stopped me from talking to myself before, why would that change?
My blog will have stuff that interests me. Whether it's life's observations, or candy recipes, or a short story, or my opinion of grogs, then that's what I'll post.
Oh, speaking of which, here's a new contest from Writer's Digest. They have a picture posted and you have to write a story based on the picture. Cool, huh? I entered. If it finals--woohoo! If it doesn't--then y'all will get to read my short story.
On Friday, I cover how to FOLLOW a blog so you don't have to keep checking back to a blog to see if something new is posted!
Later, Peeps!
3/6/09
I won this book/ blogs
And yes, Lois did answer my email. I wasn't too late. YAY!
I read many different blogs every day, and I have to say the ones that keep me coming back provide variety. I like blogs that talk about writing in some form or another, but I HATE it when you have a group blog and someone posts a chapter of her 'novel'. I NEVER read those posts. It takes too much time that I'd rather not waste.
I also don't like blogs that are too long. Unless the topic is very interesting, I grow bored very easily and quit reading. I have to say that Editorrent, Writer Unboxed and Murderati tend to fall in this category. But there are a few posters on those loops that I will read, because they are interesting, the topic is interesting or it just hit the right note with me.
I go to CakeWrecks because it makes me laugh.
Editor Anonymous recently had numerous blogs that explained the publishing side of the biz. Kristin Nelson's blog is short and sweet, and yes, she does plug her author's books, but I like her blog and Nathan Bransford provides insight to the agency side of the biz, plus he keeps up with his query stack. I know, he's rejected me within 24 hours.
Those are a few of the blogs I visit daily. But I've won three prizes (two books and a necklace) this year for commenting on various blogs. Last year, I won two books (Karin Tabke's Master of Surrender, and one of Rocki St. Claire's Bullet Catchers)Authors tend to blog visit when they have a new release. They'll be featured in a variety of blogs and most of them will give away a copy of the book being released. This gives them exposure to blog reader that they might not have been in touch with and other potential readers.
--Just don't give away an autographed copy of the cover plate or bookmark. PLEASE! Yes, some authors think this is good enough--it isn't. Who keeps those things?? Not me. I've tossed more bookmarks and cover plates than I care to admit. The books that were given away (even the backlist books are better than cover plates!) get read and passed around.
If you have a pending release purchase some extra books and give them away on blogs. You'll get new readers and great exposure!
Write on!
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