The Art of the Blog
Blogging (a term for “web
log” or internet journal) has become the latest internet craze, and is a great
way for any writer to showcase his or her creative talents. Creating a blog requires
little to no html expertise, and many web hosting sites offer free space to
bloggers. Your blog can be editorial in nature, be a travelogue detailing your
latest adventure, or consist of a stream-of-consciousness narrative of your
inner explorations. Blogs are the “reality TV” of digital literature, and a
well-written, engaging blog can help any writer build an audience for their
published works.
Entering the blogosphere is
quick, easy and in many cases, free. The following sites offer free space to
bloggers. Many of them also have ready-to-use templates available for those of
us who are html-challenged.
http://www.blogger.com/starthttp://www.livejournal.com/http://spaces.msn.com/http://www.tripod.com/
What makes a good blog?
First, a topic should have relevance. A blog is open to many eyes and may be
visited by hundreds of people a week. If you write passionately about your Aunt
Minnie’s cat, your blog won’t be “sticky.”
If the exploits of your Aunt Minnie’s cat can be used to illustrate a
larger idea, offer information to other cat-owners about feline health and
behavior, or reflect humorous insights into human foibles, you’ll attract a
loyal fan base.
Many writers developed a
large readership during the 2004 presidential election cycle, so timeliness is
also a factor. Opinion pieces related to major news stories are always hot, and
they create the opportunity for interactivity with your audience. Opinion blogs
open the doors to lively debates, but if you don’t handle rejection well, this
may not be the best situation for you. For all the benefits of immediacy and
interactivity the internet has brought about, digital communication has eroded
manners and propriety. Expect less-than-flattering responses to
out-of-the-mainstream opinions you may express.
Keep your blogs fresh.
Maintaining audience interest depends on new entries several times per week.
Many sites allow your readers to be notified automatically via e-mail when your
site is updated, so discipline yourself and keep your page current.
Finally, writing quality is
important. Ensure that any personal narratives emphasize events rather than
emotions. No one willingly goes to a “pity party,” but many people can relate
to disappointments and struggles. Maintain the voice appropriate to the
audience you seek. If your ultimate goal is to sell your book to the New Yorker
crowd, don’t routinely speak hip-hop in your blog. Conversely, if your writing
is geared toward teens, you may need to brush up on teen-speak in order to
connect effectively. Remember that your blog represents a sample of your writing
ability in general, and for a writer, first impressions on paper are as
important as they are for job applicants in person.
Write for fun (and if you
put advertising on your site, profit), and let your adventures in blogging
introduce your talent to a world of hungry readers.
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