tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post1496233330607304912..comments2024-03-29T00:35:40.557-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: 3 Reasons to Start Blogging Before a Book ContractJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-77607561656980412652012-04-09T15:20:44.830-04:002012-04-09T15:20:44.830-04:00Kknight,
Glad you found the post! And even better...Kknight,<br /><br />Glad you found the post! And even better that it's giving you some good ideas for your online presence! I wish you all the best as you release your books!<br /><br />JodyJody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-36868290649444041432012-04-09T12:59:08.416-04:002012-04-09T12:59:08.416-04:00Kudos to you Jody!!!
Thank you so much for this p...Kudos to you Jody!!!<br /><br />Thank you so much for this post. Even though I'm a bit behind the times (yikes!), I just found your blog post. It is something that has been plaguing me for some time: whether to build an online community before or after my book is released. I am about to release two of my ebooks, and though I have been posting blogs, I have kept a hidden presence in the writing community. You know, don't want to come off as too presumptious.... After reading your post here, and ALL the comments that have followed, I know that the sooner I get out there, the better!!Kknightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-58886110092966778742011-12-30T22:23:51.424-05:002011-12-30T22:23:51.424-05:00Hi Jody,
Thank you so much for your response. I h...Hi Jody,<br /><br />Thank you so much for your response. I have really enjoyed what I have read on your blog so far. I am anxious to learn all I can about the world of blogging, publishing, etc. I just hope I haven't waited too long to start building my online presence.<br /><br />Thanks again and I am looking forward to getting to know all I can.Lisa Gomleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84970943637066670972011-12-30T20:37:03.878-05:002011-12-30T20:37:03.878-05:00Hi Lisa,
Oh you don't sound like an idiot! You...Hi Lisa,<br />Oh you don't sound like an idiot! You asked a great question! Building community through blogging happens when you engage in conversations with other like-minded bloggers. That usually happens within the comments which means you have to visit blogs, leave comments, and really start to get to know people. It takes a lot of time and effort. I've also found that Twitter really helps continue those conversations as well. I would encourage you to read through more of my posts about building an online presence, social media, and blogging. Hope you'll find some more thoughts within those posts!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-90457627281111524592011-12-30T00:11:46.734-05:002011-12-30T00:11:46.734-05:00I have a question for whoever wants to answer. I h...I have a question for whoever wants to answer. I hope I do not sound like too much of an idiot, but how do you build a community through a blog. I have not really spent much time reading blogs, but I am just finishing the final edits on my ms and have heard I need to start a blog. Any input would be appreciated. <br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />LisaUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08117893617090502706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-27943097082461869472011-04-15T11:29:53.114-04:002011-04-15T11:29:53.114-04:00Jody, this is such a great post. I felt really go...Jody, this is such a great post. I felt really good at the writing conference I went to because I'd started a blog and was able to introduce other writers I met to my voice that way. Reason #2 is the world to me right now. Having support from other people in the business is humbling and thrilling and just spectacular. It's so important to have those relationships in life where you'll get honest feedback and encouragement at the same time. Thanks for posting. Off to Retweet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-52690950319386208892010-10-11T15:19:18.174-04:002010-10-11T15:19:18.174-04:00I have found that writing a blog entry each day he...I have found that writing a blog entry each day helps me be succinct. The number of comments I get is a good grading system.colleen walsh fonghttp://colleenwalshfong.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83037530520771217522010-10-09T11:26:41.706-04:002010-10-09T11:26:41.706-04:00dear jody,
this is such good advice. learning ho...dear jody,<br /><br />this is such good advice. learning how to <br />say something as precisely as possible is<br />only one of the valuable lessons learned<br />in blogging.<br /><br />i never imagined that i would make <br />FRIENDS here. i would have scoffed at<br />that, but i have and have learned how to<br />be a better friend, too.<br /><br />thank you for the great advice.<br /><br />blessings,<br />leamyletterstoemilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17555607498974287844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34402504761889235042010-10-06T15:32:12.181-04:002010-10-06T15:32:12.181-04:00Brilliant! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your wisd...Brilliant! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your wisdom - so many excellent articles here. Yes, the writing community surely is in its best time in history - the Internet allows us to network and learn about each other right at our fingertips.<br /><br />Sounds so cliche...<br /><br />Well, I don't care! It's TRUE, dammit! And we have marvelous YOU to help us navigate these waters. Thank you, Jody!<br /><br />Alice Clearman Fusco<br />http://aliceclearman.blogspot.com/Writing Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11740792023290748621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-16666456599883505822010-10-06T15:22:16.384-04:002010-10-06T15:22:16.384-04:00What a great post! Thank you so much for taking th...What a great post! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. <br /><br />I do wish I'd started my blog earlier - already I am finding it hard to carve out the time to write a proper blog entry, and for me publication is still six months away!<br /><br />Good luck with everything!<br /><br />SJW<br /><br />http://sj-watson.blogspot.com/S J Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07346448461669119485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-47147188597533691172010-10-06T15:20:16.562-04:002010-10-06T15:20:16.562-04:00Your list speaks to my situation exactly, as I am ...Your list speaks to my situation exactly, as I am in the first steps to getting out the word of my nonfiction project. Thanks for your suggestions.Gretchen Griffithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218259974490265609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78629576608503063022010-10-06T10:04:30.838-04:002010-10-06T10:04:30.838-04:00Great post. I think it's good to have a blog a...Great post. I think it's good to have a blog and to set it up in advance of pursuing/getting a contract. I'm working on travel memoirs and recently set up my blog/site. With my book 75% finished, it seemed like the right time.<br /><br />I think it can benefit you in several ways--especially if you're utilizing all of the social networks to your advantage. For me, personally, I've learned a lot more about my target market than I would have learned without a blog/site. Most of this has come from twitter (via peers) and Facebook (via people within my target market).Lisa Ehttp://www.chickybus.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71815021611124492342010-10-06T10:02:48.772-04:002010-10-06T10:02:48.772-04:00This was a really great post, and I'm amazed b...This was a really great post, and I'm amazed by the relevancy of Item # 2 as I continue to blog and also make connections on Facebook and Twitter. <br /><br />Writing can be an isolating existence and having those all-important connections isn't just critical to our success, but our sanity!Rusty Fischerhttp://www.requestedmaterial.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84798868357064375952010-10-05T20:57:59.566-04:002010-10-05T20:57:59.566-04:00Lillian Laitman-McAnallay asked: I just started on...Lillian Laitman-McAnallay asked: I just started one myself and am trying to get friends/family to visit the site, which they do but don't seem to understand "signing up" as a follower. Any recommendations?<br /><br />My Answer: Hi Lillian!I think one of the best things we can do early on in blogging is be very generous with signing up to follow other blogs. Usually that generates a reciprocal follow back. Another thing that helped me early (in addition to liberally following other blogs) was commenting on blogs. Again, that will often generate that person coming over to your blog and meeting you. Now that isn't always the case. But as you get around more, you'll find writers that you relate to better and will grow closer to them. They'll likely become your closest followers and supporters. Hope that helps! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66499518178615315692010-10-05T20:06:43.435-04:002010-10-05T20:06:43.435-04:00I can't believe you can post 3 days a week on ...I can't believe you can post 3 days a week on a regular basis. That is discipline my friend. the only thing I'm guaranteed to be able to do 3x a week is shower and have dirty dishes in the sink.<br /><br />Many congratulations on the debut novel! Hope you can take a moment to enjoy your achievement amid the chaos.<br />smiles,suzSuzannehttp://www.twitter.com/suzDCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43634590255944538662010-10-05T18:11:30.702-04:002010-10-05T18:11:30.702-04:00I had a variation on this conversation with a frie...I had a variation on this conversation with a friend just last night. Although I agree with Kristen Lamb that a writer must blog (at least if they want to break out of the mid-list and have a career rather than just a book) I definitely agree with your statement that the time to start is before the book hits the pipeline.<br /><br />In addition to all the great points you made about the benefits of blogging early - and I agree with them all - I'd add that blogging helps a writer solidify certain aspects of tone and practice in short-form what novels require at length. Writers should practice the craft daily, and when editing, we often spend days or weeks working over old content instead of generating new. Blogging helps keep the wheels spinning and hones a skill that would otherwise sit unused, and that's as much a benefit as anything else.Susan Spannhttp://www.susanspann.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-11664573373991111982010-10-05T16:45:30.499-04:002010-10-05T16:45:30.499-04:00I love blogging! I'm thrilled I started mine t...I love blogging! I'm thrilled I started mine two years ago. I would have missed out on an amazing community of peers and expert advice from professionals had I not started my blog.Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78370588151956898602010-10-05T14:53:15.220-04:002010-10-05T14:53:15.220-04:00I embrace every word of this post, Jody. Blogging...I embrace every word of this post, Jody. Blogging has been a lifeline to me and my writing in ways I could not have imagined. I would have given up long ago - with a significantly weaker story than I have now - had it not been for the support and encouragement and resources found in our circle of bloggers.Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66644695722123292992010-10-05T13:54:08.737-04:002010-10-05T13:54:08.737-04:00Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts on blogg...Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts on blogging. I just started one myself and am trying to get friends/family to visit the site, which they do but don't seem to understand "signing up" as a follower.<br /><br />Any recommendations?Lillian Laitman-McAnallyhttp://lillian-laitman-mcanally.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91113790239662372532010-10-05T12:17:37.858-04:002010-10-05T12:17:37.858-04:00Drawback: In an attempt to become a name people re...Drawback: In an attempt to become a name people recognize, you may neglect the manuscript(s) that are sitting on the same computer. What good is you writing blog if you do nothing about your actual writing?<br /><br />Positive: I can honestly say that I've learned more about the industry, the happy surprises, and the bitter truths, from blogs. The information is honest, valuable, and endless. And the people I've met, the excitement I feel when they succeed, well...a gift from God!Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08397116071436885635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-36813001943421563632010-10-05T09:10:18.916-04:002010-10-05T09:10:18.916-04:00Excellent post. I agree with everything you said. ...Excellent post. I agree with everything you said. <br />Take care and make sure to extend grace to yourself too. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60987050873544088232010-10-05T00:22:48.562-04:002010-10-05T00:22:48.562-04:00I wish I had known about the benefits of blogging ...I wish I had known about the benefits of blogging earlier in my journey as an author. All three of your points are so valid. As they say, however, hing sight is always twenty-twenty, and 'its better late than never'.Tracy Krausshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05066853243062725525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-55601931818754442952010-10-04T23:44:14.597-04:002010-10-04T23:44:14.597-04:00You make some excellent points. I am one of those ...You make some excellent points. I am one of those who got started blogging late. It wasn't that I was waiting for the time when my book would be published, etc. It was because I was uncomfortable. I figured people really wouldn't care what I had to say or worse, what would I say. I began with the idea of promoing because I was told that is what I was supposed to do. It has gone far beyond that. Sure, if someone buys a book, great, but this has become an entirely different world for me. I love reading blogs and commenting - when I can. I want to read the books of the authors who blogs I follow - because you have all become real to me and not a place to promote.Amy DeTrempehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785965181851533070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-74948209927458378862010-10-04T23:16:10.929-04:002010-10-04T23:16:10.929-04:00A confession.
Jody you are the reason I started ...A confession. <br /><br />Jody you are the reason I started blogging. I stumbled across your blog over a year ago and loved the title reference to A Pilgrim's Progress, one of my favorite books. I said, "God I want to blog with a vision like that." <br /><br />You have been a inspiration and blessing. As I hold your book in my hands I'm in awe of how God chooses to work through His children!Tamika:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04874834971492028558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22998979501588459452010-10-04T22:06:20.129-04:002010-10-04T22:06:20.129-04:00Jody,
I started blogging as a way to develop writi...Jody,<br />I started blogging as a way to develop writing skills and, hopefully, bless others in the process. And I find I'm the one who received the blessing - having made such wonderful friends in the blogging community! <br />Your points are spot on, as usual :)<br /><br />SusanNorth Jersey Christian Writers Grouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03981039468686243008noreply@blogger.com