The WMF Archives: Thoughts on Blog Writing from a Writer Trying to Wrap Her Brain Around the Zillions of Blogs Out There

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Thoughts on Blog Writing from a Writer Trying to Wrap Her Brain Around the Zillions of Blogs Out There

6:00 AM

By Pam Houghton

I've been slow to warm to the world of blogs. I have a hard enough time staying on top of newspapers and magazines I subscribe to.

But in the past few months I've been inundated with Google Alerts filled with all types of blogs: work-from-home blogs, working-mom blogs, stay-home-mom blogs, blogs that promote flexible work options, blogs that introduce new products and services, and writers' blogs. I've even managed to read a few entries in The Huffington Post. (That's a blog, right?)

So I'm getting a feel for what makes me want to read a blog. Blog entries that ramble, or don't have anything new to add aren't particularly enticing. It's easy to click off the screen if you aren't quickly interested in what the writer has to say.

Here are my thoughts so far.

1. I'm more likely to keep reading if the blog is fun to read, engaging and the writer doesn't take him or herself too seriously.

2. I'm also likely to stay with a blog post with a different point-of-view as long as it's not strident. When blog posts go too far to the left or right without acknowledging validity anywhere else on the spectrum, I'm outta there. I like reading opinions different from mine as long as they are intelligently and respectfully presented. On the other hand, some readers love strident blogs.

3. Quantity does not equal quality. Though not perfect, I usually dink around with my work (edit, revise, improve) before I'm satisfied with it. But some blog posts sound like first drafts. Writers may feel pressure to blog daily, proving they can write a lot, but they need to take time to think about what they're writing. And posts should be focused (unless you're a naturally rambling, charming sort of writer) so people will want to read it.

4. Conversely, if you tend to over-think, blogging forces you to commit words to the paper...er...blog without fretting over every word. Once you know you can write with less self-consciousness, and more speed, longer pieces such as essays, short stories or book chapters may become easier to write.

5. Blogs piss people off! Even the most benign posts. I'm shocked at some of the nasty comments readers leave behind. Shocked, I tell you! Is this the digital version of somebody having a bad day?

6. There are a lot of blogs.

7. Not all blogs are compelling to read. (That's kind of like #3, isn't it? Nothing like a little repetition to make your point.)

8. If I know somebody, I'll read their blog.

What draws you to a blog? Do you think the writing standard for blogs is different from other types of writing? If you blog, has it changed the way you write? Please add your comments below - we want to hear from you!

Speaking of blogs, you can subscribe to this one - just look to your left and add your e-mail to the subscription box. Thanks.

Labels: blogging, Pam Houghton, Quality or Quantity, writing style

10 comments:

Nicole said...: I love, love, love, love, love, to read blogs! Of course I read blogs that cater to the subjects that I am most interested in. I am not very hard on bloggers. Many are not professional writers, or even freelance writers. They just have something to say and they are saying it. They may have something they want to share, so they are sharing it. Many use their blogs simply as online personal journals. It fascinates me that there are so many people who love to write and they are using the web to do it. I am a reader, and an occasional freelance writer who has published articles in my own hometown. I don't blog for an audience, even though I have one. I blog because I love to write! I use the blog in addition to all of the spiral notebooks that I fill up at home, in my car, at work, and in my purse! I just love to write! I always have since I was a little girl. I love your website! There are so many helpful tips here. Keep up the good work!!!!; January 16, 2010 9:10 AM
Pam Houghton said...: Thanks for your perspective on blogs! I'm late to the blogging world so it's nice to hear what others' expectations are.; January 16, 2010 9:49 AM
Angela Atkinson said...: Great post, Pam!!; January 16, 2010 11:10 AM
Kerrie McLoughlin said...: humor helps on a blog, in my opinion. and yep, i'll read a different opinion from my own .... love to debate. i took the anonymous option off http://thekerrieshow.com last year b/c people (possibly family members) were making rude comments about me having a large family. get your own life, people!; January 16, 2010 3:47 PM
Mary @ The Writer's Block said...: I really like your analysis of what draws you and keeps you on a blog! I think it's helpful to read a perspective from an "outsider," as I continue to fine tune my blog for an audience.

I am a writer and do want my blog to be an extension of my craft. Most importantly, I want to connect with my readers. I'm either going to (1) give them something new or (2) tell them something they already know in a new way.

The mommy blog waters are especially tough to navigate, yet the overarching sentiment is that "the Internet is big enough for everyone." When I find ANOTHER coupon-clipping/money-saving/frugality mommy blog, I think, really? How many different ways can you tell an audience about the great online deal at Snapfish?

As a reader, I love humor and situations to which I can relate, encouragement, and/or learning something new. I have to have bite-size pieces. If I'm overwhelmed with five posts today, then I click off. I find the couponing sites VERY content heavy (I guess I don't like those couponing sites-LOL).

Anyway, thanks for the good information here.; January 16, 2010 8:37 PM
Pam Houghton said...: Thanks everyone for adding to the conversation on blogs! Keep 'em coming!; January 17, 2010 7:53 AM
dollchandler said...: I am fairly new to the blog world as well. There is just so much out there I have to limit what I read. I generally stick to subjects that I am actively interested in or blogs by people I know. I read more blogs than I actually "follow." The blogs I prefer are either for fun and are humorous or they provide information that can be helpful in some way. I just started a blog myself, www.thedollymama.wordpress.com. Not sure if it is what a blog is "supposed to be" but I write what I would like to read. It is a humorous and concise look at being a mom. I am just hoping to provide someone a reason to laugh at something they can probably relate to! Its all about fun for me.; January 17, 2010 2:59 PM
Pam Houghton said...: I checked out your blog - it's very good!; January 17, 2010 3:47 PM
2KoP said...: I have had my blog for two years. I specifically started it to force myself to learn more about the Internet and writing online. I like the (imagined) pressure to keep my blog current, although I do not blog every day. I also found it helpful to devise a construct for my blog to keep if from becoming nothing but a brain dump. My blog represents my writing, and I hope to keep it engaging, humorous and grammatically correct.

Any newbies out there who want to dip their toes in the blogging waters, I'm running a contest this month to win a guest post on my blog. Here's the link with the information:

2KoP Guest Post Writing Contst.; January 18, 2010 4:08 PM
Rebecca said...: I am a thinker and creative type so I'm drawn to all sorts of blogs. I learn towards controversial posts because I like the fact they challenge a person's way of thinking. As a travel writer, I love travel blogs and enjoy reading the works of other writers. A provocative travel piece makes me want to get out there and travel the world for a year or two.

People who are not aspiring to be writers will be looser with their writing. However, if you're serious about freelance writing, I would watch the grammar and punctuation on your blog.

Blogging has changed the way I write. When I first started MisticCafe.com, I wrote in the first person. I jumped to the second person and challenged myself to write in the third person. I can see the progression in my writing -- very cool!; January 18, 2010 4:11 PM