11) Do a Blog Plan. Yes, I have one. But it’s not the time to talk about that now, either!
I’m quoting myself. I said that bit above in a recent Thursday post. The reason I started thinking about a blog plan is because of how hard it’s been for me lately to find anything to say and, yes, a huge part of that is the fried brain. But an equally huge part is having to balance what I want to say publicly as an author and what’s best typed to email buddies instead of putting out for all the world to see.
That said, Barbara Samuel wrote a great “The Girls in the Basement” column for the recent NINK, the Novelists, Inc. newsletter where she talked about blogging, and came at the subject from her background in mass communication. Barbara gives five rules for successful blogging.
A blog must have a point of view. Basically, take a stand. Don’t ramble and muse. Do what you do with a strong voice and strong take.
It’s not about you. Barbara says that an author’s blog is ” (…) a contribution to the living organism of our commercial fiction world. A diary entry is not enough. Who cares, really? (…) Why would a reader care about your post?” In other words, make sure readers do!
It’s not a diary. Intimacy is okay, but there is such a thing as TMI!
It needs to be well-written. Yes, it’s a blog, but it needs to ” (…) capture something about your writing, offer something to the world.”
You must participate with your commenters. The obvious. And something I don’t do enough.
So, here is the plan. Because I seem to have so much trouble coming up with anything interesting, this will not only help you decide which days you want to visit, it will give me a guideline to follow since I obviously need some sort of structure . . . Oh, and I’ll still post the occasional random thought just because!
Me on Mondays
Mondays are going to be about anything I want to talk about. It might be things happening on the home front, or things in the writing life, or rants on any number of subjects that torque me.
Tuesdays with Alison
Tuesdays will be when you get to grill me. I’ll answer as honestly as I can, though in no way do I profess to be as knowledgeable about the industry as others who do similar Q&A sessions.
Wednesdays Are for Writing
Wednesdays I’ll talk about writing. It might be craft. It might be writing news. I might share new covers or excerpts. Just depends on what I have.
Thursday Thirteen
Thursday Thirteen is a meme to help visitors get to know the participants. Click on the links for more lists around the web.
Friday Fab Gab
Books, author interviews, movies, televisions. Friday is all about entertainment. I’ll probably start by talking about the books I’m going to be devouring the rest of the year.
Weekend Winnings
RSS feeds and services like Bloglines have taken all the fun out of letting the first person to comment win. I’ll be doing other things instead.
Now, since this is Monday and all about me, I’m doing a contest. BEYOND A SHADOW is scheduled to begin shipping on the 28th, but Bravas tend to ship early. The first five people who send me a picture of the book on a bookstore shelf in your area (tell me the store and the city/state) will receive a $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble. I’ll share the pictures on a future Wednesdays Are For Writing post!
Also, for those of you who’ve recently won books from me, I’m getting those into this week’s mail!
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Well, that’s a blog plan. Sounds great! :D
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Good luck with it Alison. I try to stick with my schedule, but it doesn’t always succeed.
Also, welcome to the unofficial Wednesdays on Writing crew! I think you’re the third member, after me and Saskia Walker.
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Oh, cool! I didn’t know there was a Wednesdays on Writing thing, but alliteratively, it makes sense, LOL!
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I don’t know that there is. I meant that we’re not the only two who realised that they alliterate.
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good luck. sounds good
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May, you just might have started a new trend with your Writing Wednesdays!
I should probably put together some kind of blog plan too. Right now, the only thing I do regularly is Friday Eyecandy in which I post a picture of the latest hotness I’ve decided to drool over.
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Ok, I’ll so be there for Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays! And probably the other days to what with my addiction to the internet and all, lol. Sounds great Alison!
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Well, it always helps to have a plan of some sort to make life more fun and I have found out that I can count on you, Alison, to have the most fun ideas. Happy Blogging!
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Nice prize. Too bad I dont have a digital camera – must get out of the dark ages.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
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Oh I will have to bring my camera to work on wednesday. Hopefully we will have it in
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I just started a blog you’re idea sounds like it would work
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BLog plan sounds great! I have a blog but when it comes to mine, its usually when I post about a book that I’ve read that I too want to have more know about it so they don’t miss it too. I never used it to talk about personal stuff except a note here or there but I’m always enjoying to chat about books. I want to do something diffent tho to try to have a book discussion with other readers. Something I’ll have to plan more about.
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My Wednesday is all about writing day is on hold for now, had too much personal stuff on in November to keep it up. Hope to start it again in the new year. Meanwhile I’ll be enjoying yours and May’s!
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Ah, maybe if I follow a blogplan more people will comment on (or should I just stick with READ) my blog. Sometimes I feel I’m just keeping an online diary. Would you take a look, give me your thoughts and please, please leave a comment so my blog doesn’t feel so lonely?