tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post3349586506184875918..comments2024-03-29T03:42:04.742-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: How Important is Blogging For Unpublished Writers?Jody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-41216133234017648402012-08-16T09:30:00.850-04:002012-08-16T09:30:00.850-04:00I do think blogging can be much bigger tool for no...I do think blogging can be much bigger tool for non-fiction writers. If you blog about your expertise in an engaging way, give to your readers, and can have your blog become known as a go-to blog, then yes, I definitely think your readers are going to be willing to buy your book once it's released! :-) Wishing you all the best!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45701356011338215492012-08-16T09:15:56.294-04:002012-08-16T09:15:56.294-04:00Great post. Do you feel the same principles apply ...Great post. Do you feel the same principles apply to non-fiction writers?Monica Watkinshttp://www.becompletelyyou.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22710148845510822852012-08-12T11:47:32.253-04:002012-08-12T11:47:32.253-04:00That's a great idea to limit your blog-writing...That's a great idea to limit your blog-writing time. I try to limit my blog writing to two afternoons a week. I schedule in the two days that I write my posts and that keeps me on track. We definitely can't let our blogging overshadow our fiction-writing. :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-51701598606446573402012-08-12T11:45:18.492-04:002012-08-12T11:45:18.492-04:00I agree! Blogging is a wonderful way to practice o...I agree! Blogging is a wonderful way to practice our writing. I've grown a lot as a writer by blogging, but the skills are slightly different than those I use for my fiction-writing. Beneficial nevertheless!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-52121832584918348212012-08-12T11:21:53.444-04:002012-08-12T11:21:53.444-04:00I started blogging five years ago and love it. But...I started blogging five years ago and love it. But as a novelist and journalist I think it's essential not to spend too much time over writing a blog post. I give myself a 30-minute deadline to write a post and then get back to the day job of journalism and novels. It is a very good balance I reckon.Emma Lee-Potterhttp://housewithnoname.blogspot.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4161673680302126332012-08-12T11:20:45.062-04:002012-08-12T11:20:45.062-04:00I feel that as long as your consistent with a sche...I feel that as long as your consistent with a schedule and your writing is clear and precise there shouldn't be a reason why you couldn't blog. For me blogging is a way to practice my writing and to show consistency when I go apply for a job. I don't blog to get the job.Pam https://www.blogger.com/profile/10870648796427466451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-27355582769728940082012-08-06T20:56:56.680-04:002012-08-06T20:56:56.680-04:00I agree, Lauren! We need to keep our writing THE t...I agree, Lauren! We need to keep our writing THE top priority. I don't really know too many fiction publishers who really care all that much about fiction authors blogging. I think they realize too, that blogging isn't going to play a huge role in developing a readership. Putting out one good story after another is going to develop a readership!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-50748109098280958662012-08-06T15:56:23.909-04:002012-08-06T15:56:23.909-04:00I have had quite a number of friends ask me to fol...I have had quite a number of friends ask me to follow their blogs because some publisher or agent wants to see that they can bring in followers. It really becomes a numbers game, and it's totally ridiculous.<br /><br />Write first. Then blog. Then put your writing on your blog. :)<br /><br />Lauren<br />Lauren-ritz.blogspot.comLaurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04137538450232783883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-23089075818605551712010-10-15T12:51:25.415-04:002010-10-15T12:51:25.415-04:00Hi Jody,
I look forward to reading your post! I h...Hi Jody,<br /><br />I look forward to reading your post! I have to say that I landed here by accident (searching for blogging information) but I'm delighted to have found your site. You have many interesting posts (the down side is I'm going to spend a lot of my writing time reading them, haha) I especially enjoyed your "4 Steps to Organizing Plot Ideas". Best of luck with your book!Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-90139717428043072572010-10-13T06:51:56.109-04:002010-10-13T06:51:56.109-04:00Hi Lorena,
That's a great question. I think th...Hi Lorena,<br />That's a great question. I think that I'll do a blog post about it very soon (maybe next week) in order to specifically offer my thoughts on the subject! Thanks for stopping by and asking!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-46344132411146954332010-10-13T00:58:36.734-04:002010-10-13T00:58:36.734-04:00Thanks for a very insightful article! A group of w...Thanks for a very insightful article! A group of writers and I have started a blog, but we’re new at this and don’t know how to generate traffic. Any suggestions?Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12278334263521407712010-10-06T23:34:02.000-04:002010-10-06T23:34:02.000-04:00I love Blogging. It's writing and getting inst...I love Blogging. It's writing and getting instant feedback - instant connection.<br /><br />Blogging sometimes interferes with my novel writing but both are 'writing' activities.<br /><br />The problem I come up against is that BECAUSE Blogging IS writing - I'm not actually taking a break from writing by writing. Then I burn out faster and can't write anything until I get a real break!Jennifer Oberthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14008884547045029128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87488085788741820462010-09-29T13:44:24.177-04:002010-09-29T13:44:24.177-04:00I was a blogger for 6 years before I wrote my book...I was a blogger for 6 years before I wrote my book. But my blog was not about my book or anything like my (BTW, as-yet unsold) book.<br /><br />I don't think starting to blog as a PR trick is a very good idea. But I am glad I happened to have a strong Internet presence and real online community of friends and colleagues before I wrote my book. I can certainly use the scaffolding I constructed accidentally as a blogger to build some PR for my book when it sells.<br /><br />I will say this for blogging: after doing it for 18 months or so I really began to be exposed to professional writing opportunities I'd have never seen or been invited to join if I wasn't blogging. I've done a lot of freelance (nonfiction) writing both paid and unpaid (mostly paid these days) because of connections I made blogging.<br /><br />I just think publishers or agents or whoever is telling novelists to blog aren't necessarily aware of exactly what blogging is. It's a separate genre of writing, not a promotional vehicle. Real bloggers and blog readers can tell the difference and aren't interested in the latter.LilySeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812905445813679050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33540609784985055082010-08-27T12:18:09.642-04:002010-08-27T12:18:09.642-04:00This is a great post!
I've been blogging for...This is a great post! <br /><br />I've been blogging for under a year. I'm neither published nor agented. <br /><br />At first, I thought I had nothing to say, nothing to offer. I was, as I said, not agented and not published, so what could I say to writers who are that they don't already know? <br /><br />As I became comfortable with Twitter and read the wealth of information and experiences out there, I realized I DO have something to offer. My perspective. The lessons I've learned along a journey other unagented and unpublished writers are also taking. <br /><br />I've logged about 30 or so blog posts now and have learned something else. The rigors of blogging are giving me an instant sense of accomplishment!Patty Blounthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11928111057602279792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4397215413989236882010-08-18T08:15:51.541-04:002010-08-18T08:15:51.541-04:00I set up my blog at the start of my first novel. I...I set up my blog at the start of my first novel. I consider my blog as part of my writing package. It's my writing group, so to speak.<br /><br />The fun of learning from others and meeting writers from around the world, would never have happened if I didn't blog.<br /><br />If I had never Twittered, I would never have found you and your valuable blog either. :)Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87404704196481739252010-08-14T22:57:20.117-04:002010-08-14T22:57:20.117-04:00When I received my publishing contract in 2008, my...When I received my publishing contract in 2008, my on-line presence consisted of an e-mail address. Only then did I set up a website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter account, etc. While that on-line stuff didn't get me a contract, it helped me make friends who would become readers when the book came out. I agree - establish a presence, but concentrate on the actual book!Sarah Sundinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08205570391669770574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-36801566734376412462010-08-14T14:16:41.841-04:002010-08-14T14:16:41.841-04:00Thank you so much for sharing. I've been think...Thank you so much for sharing. I've been thinking of starting a blog for a while, but I guess I better concentrate on my writing for now.SashaVilchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09208351083189463097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68850007172096442662010-08-14T00:56:10.156-04:002010-08-14T00:56:10.156-04:00My blogging doesn't overtake my writing- I use...My blogging doesn't overtake my writing- I use it to infuse my writing. It's a welcome break from stories when I'm stuck or getting bogged down. I can blog about anything I want, and it's a little breath of writing fresh air. Plus, it allows me to move a little out of genre. Yay!colbymarshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056535503422186623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83461075756771689312010-08-13T21:55:12.842-04:002010-08-13T21:55:12.842-04:00I agree with you Jody, that blogging won't get...I agree with you Jody, that blogging won't get you an agent, and if you're speding more time blogging than writing, you need to cut back. When I first started blogging, I did it partly because I felt that I needed to. But now I feel like I've developed realationships with other bloggers. Plus, I've learned so much from reading other people's blogs.Melissa Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02700191547004665402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-51805339919099455072010-08-13T20:54:29.484-04:002010-08-13T20:54:29.484-04:00Great post, like usual, Jody. I agree with every s...Great post, like usual, Jody. I agree with every single point.Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88204966607748399262010-08-13T20:54:21.085-04:002010-08-13T20:54:21.085-04:00I blog because I enjoy it and enjoy the online fre...I blog because I enjoy it and enjoy the online frendships I've made along the way. That being said, recently I have decided to write all my posts for the week at once, then publish on various days. Hope that will help me to balance a bit as I have been spending too much time on blogging vs. novel writing and want to change that dynamic.Julia M. Reffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11979214959063965164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37825607009238166432010-08-13T19:53:10.353-04:002010-08-13T19:53:10.353-04:00I enjoy blogging but found it difficult to maintai...I enjoy blogging but found it difficult to maintain a schedule or post periodically, for a while. With limited time to work on my MS I chose to focus my efforts there, and still do. But I am trying to become better at posting regularly.I've gone back and forth as to how helpful a blog can be for an unpublished author. It seems from reading different opinions that having the community before the product can be good to already have people who like & support you. I enjoy your posts and find them very helpful Thanks for your insight.Terri Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02725449450869870709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45239486448760492382010-08-13T18:40:05.794-04:002010-08-13T18:40:05.794-04:00"We have to know when to jump in and how deep..."We have to know when to jump in and how deep." Jody,there is so much wisdom and maturity in this explanation. I'm bookmarking it and planning to share it!<br /><br />I believe the importance and value of blogging is a progressive thing. I would say that no, in the <i>early</i> stage of being unpublished a blog isn't important, but part way along I think it can enhance our experience within the writing community. However, I'm also convinced social media is addictive, so we need to be as disciplined with our blogging time as we are with our commitment to writing, and find an appropriate balance. When we find ourselves <i>living</i> in our "home office" (I love that blog description) to the detriment of functioning in the rest of the house, we know we've let that balance get out of whack!Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66929226659437061872010-08-13T18:28:10.098-04:002010-08-13T18:28:10.098-04:00I didn't start blogging until after I'd so...I didn't start blogging until after I'd sold a book. Yes, it's hard to write on my books and blog, but I think blogging has taught me disciple, plus I think it helps my writing. So while keeping a blog may not attract agents and publishers, it has many benefits for this writer. I love hearing comments from my followers. And yes, it feels like by blog is my office and where I can talk around the water cooler with friends.<br /><br />You're posts are always professional and make me want to write and work harder. Thanks!Kathi Oram Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11959149321213743448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-20267531083964136372010-08-13T17:42:04.735-04:002010-08-13T17:42:04.735-04:00I was told by my publisher (of my book that's ...I was told by my publisher (of my book that's in editing) to blog. Whether it will help sell the book or not, I'm enjoying blogging! It's fun. I've met so many wonderful people. And you see, I met you.<br /><br />This is an excellent post. As a writer, one does need to prioritize. The important thing is to write the book, and to write it well. This takes a lot of time and energy. As with anything in life, one has to keep a balance between writing and blogging.<br /><a href="http://ann-jen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"><i>Ann</i></a>Ann Besthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14628616245339887301noreply@blogger.com