Occasionally a new author will write me with a question or problem and I’ll answer it here so we can all learn.
Dear Dan,
I went to a writers’ conference last weekend (which was kind of intimidating) but I learned a lot about writing technique and learned some things about myself. I’m not a good self-promoter. I’m kind of quiet, actually; but one thing they recommended was a blog and/or website. I never had a good impression of blogs because I never thought people would be interested in things like, “I got up and made myself coffee.”
Sincerely,
Blogless Beginner
.
Dear Blogless,
Not a good self promoter? A little on the quiet side?
Sounds like you’re an author all right!
Let me tell you a secret. MOST people aren’t good self-promoters. There are very few Donald Trumps in the world – he wrote a few books, you know.
(We recently discussed building an author platform HERE, HERE, and HERE)
The folks at the conference who recommended you have a blog or website probably believe a blog is a good platform from which to build a fan base – and they may be right – but you don’t have to do one. If blogging is a chore, it’ll read like a chore, and nobody will want to read it, a lose-lose.
But some blogs are fun to read. Like this one!
My blog has started to become a good one in the last year or so, after I figured out what I was doing. It’s supposed to be helpful and lots of people think it is. I also like to promote other authors and so far that’s worked pretty good for them, too. So anything I can do to help, let me know.
(You know what would be good for you to do? But boring? I mean BORING? Go to my archives and see the progression of what I blogged about 3 years ago and what I blog about now. Which posts got comments and which didn’t. Talk about an education! There’s 2 years saved right there!)
There are a lot of ways to do a blog, almost none of them wrong, but you’d never know that from reading people’s complaints about how nobody reads their blog.
And you’re right, nobody wants to read about boring stuff, but think about it: some construction worker somewhere doesn’t want to read about writing and how to do better dialog. But somewhere else, a bunch of nurses would love to share their funny nursing stories – and a bunch of nurses might like reading that, as well as a bunch of other people. (There’s more but this is a start.)
What interests you will be interesting to others, trust me. It’s a chicken-egg thing, but if you blog with enthusiasm about what interests you, people will find it, enjoy it, and tell friends.
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Got a QUESTION? ASK IT! Hit the Contact Me button and I’ll see what I can do. (I have lots of smart friends.)
Dan Alatorre is the author of several bestsellers and the hilarious upcoming novel “Poggibonsi: an italian misadventure.” Click HERE to check out his other works.
Self-promotion is the WORST thing about being an author. And, for the record – your blog is very helpful indeed, Dan.
It’s difficult for most writer-types. (And thanks for the kind words.)
Reblogged this on The GUNDERSTONE review.
Thanks! I hope your readers enjoy it!
I started a blog because I thought I should have one. I soon discovered I love blogging. It’s a great way to practice writing, share ideas and I’ve found people out there a supportive of the trial and error period. Thanks for the article today.
I’d say that probably describes me. If I go a few days without posting a blog I get the shakes. Thanks for the kind words.
I started on WordPress years ago. What a great way to get your feet wet! It’s free and you can build some awesome connections. I moved to a self hosted site (weebly.com) and build an author’s website. Very cool to see how it’s developing. Twitter is, remarkably, key to its success. So, listen to Dan. Blog what you enjoy! The rest will happen when you’re ready.
Cheers!
Sue
Sue, we should talk. I need some education on what flies in a YA story.
Absolutely. Happy to do so. What’s best for you? Email?
Email or Facebook chat, whichever you prefer. You can use the Contact Me button to get things started, then we can trade contact information. Thanks!
Sent you a friend request on Facebook.
Brilliant advice like always, Dan!
PS: I’m running a two sentence story challenge over at my blog. Wanna join? ^_^
Thank you. You’re too kind.
Of course I’ll help out with a two sentence challenge. Even I have time for two sentences.
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
Thanks for sharing this with your readers, Kim!
I always tell writers to write about whatever lights them up. If they find it interesting, someone else will too!
Passion. Readers will feel it leaping from the page.
You Rock!
I try! You sure help!
🙂