I decided to do a search for writers blogs and was pleasantly surprised that I actually found a few. When I started this site there were very few writers using blogs as a medium for self-expression or on their writing journey. Actually, I really don’t know if that’s true. What I do know is that they were very hard to find if they were out there. I did find a free resource, Blog for Writers and posted about it in 2003. Not much has changed on that site.
But apparently there have been some big changes with writers now blogging about their writing process and their lives. That excites me since I believe in this medium. So, I’ve decided to find one writers blog a month (maybe more often) and give it a critique. No, I’m not going to critique their writing, just their blogs. I haven’t yet decided what the parameters for the critique will be. I thought about critiquing their blogs design and how well it expresses who they are but that may not be a good way to approach it. The content is what will make it worth visiting or not. I’m still working it out in my mind and may just allow a trial and error approach to this little experiment.
My first writers blog critique is Boofany’s Blog
The author’s tag line reads - On writing, life and the efforts of a woman determined to be published.
The tag line peaked my interest right away. The word, determined, says a lot about who the author is as a writer and probably as a person. She doesn’t reveal her name, just refers to herself as Boofany’s Blog. This is where she might loose some credibility as a writer. Why not use your name? She has her photo up, why not claim ownership with a real-life name? I mean, writers usually want exposure, right? I understand that many people have some fear about identity theft but if you are doing business online or writing about your business, you are not as anonymous as you’d like to think you are, regardless of what name you might choose to use.
This writers blog was created in December, 2004 and averages about 2 posts a month. There hasn’t been a post made since June. That’s unfortunate since any readers she may have acquired, will loose interests. I read somewhere that in order to have a successful blog you should average 3 posts a day. I was stunned! 3 posts a day? Who has time for that? But I do think 1 post a day would be good, even though I don’t do that myself. With just one post a week you should be able to keep your readers coming back but more is always better.
The bulk of her posts are on marketing and worth the time it takes to read them. It’s too bad that she hasn’t realized that her blog could be viewed as a marketing tool for her writing. She isn’t using it to further her aspirations in becoming a published author. I’ll give it one star out of five and hope that the author will realize her blogs potential and continues to write about her writing process.
I linked through to Boofany’s Blog from this article and… her real name was there! I guess Teagan must have read this blog
oooh, “determined writer.” I need to stick that on my monitor, bathroom mirror, front door, windshield, and any other reasonably flat surface.
Maybe it will help me get over my self-inflicted stumbling block called “the query letter.”
Karen…The Determined… (I’m gonna hide!)
Ms. Karen, you are a hoot! I love your writing style and your humor.
I’m not so sure you can “get over” that self-infliction since it appears to be more determined than Ms. Karen. Maybe you should stick “I ENJOY writing Query letters” on your monitor, bathroom mirror, front door, windshield, and any other reasonable flat surface. Then take note of your mind-chatter every time you see those words … it could make for an interesting story, if nothing else.
Or, find something positive to counter every negative remark your internal judge (monkey-mind) can throw at you. Eventually you will just write the query letter because there will be no reason not to.
Good Luck! And if you decide to write about your query letter blues on your blog, let me know and I may link to it as a resource for others.
Hi! I found your blog in a google search while checking out the stats on one of my webpages and if you’re looking for writer’s blogs, I have a list of them up at www.thewriterslife.net/Writers_Blogs.html and you’re welcome to add yours if you’d like. I’m revamping the site at the moment, but that page is finished. Love your blog, btw! ;o)
Post three times a day? Yeah, right! Between work and writing and the inner workings of family life, I could never do that and besides, after dealing with the hundreds of random issues throughout my day, I am really not in a hurry to immortalize them.
I admire prodigious writers as long as there is some content to their expression. I wish I had the ability to lay down that many words in one day.
I enjoyed your post!
Hey I loved your blog..but u know u should be reviewing their content too coz thats what writing is all about
But the idea to review writers blogs is very good and useful too.
Thought your comments were interesting and very useful. Just started a writer’s blog a month ago. Haven’t picked up any traffic yet, but hope that it will grow in time. I’m very patient. In the meantime, please feel free to critique mind!
SB
I actually have two blogs, whspubs.blogspot.com for a publishing house I’m with, and abraxan.blogspot.com for my musings on writing and art (I’m also a sculptor). I love the header art on your blog! Beautifully done. I’m not terribly technical, and am busy proofing my novel’s galleys right now, but I do plan to update the Abraxan blog soon (the other one was just updated). Keep up the good work!
Another determined writer,
Lynda
Very insightful… thanks so much! I have a feeling I’m going to become one of you’re ardent readers… you have an imaginative, free writing style which I like.
Cheers,
Jo