Wednesday, November 17, 2010

A Blog is Born

I'm back with more answers to your fabulous questions! Today let's talk blogging. :)

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Q - Jai Joshi asks: "I'd like to know what got you into blogging in the first place. We all have a story about it. What's yours?"

A - A couple of years ago, I attended the Highlights Writer's Workshop at Chautauqua, NY. There I met a wonderful group of friends, aka The Wad. You may know a few of them: Tess Hilmo, Amy Allgeyer Cook, and Sharon Mayhew all write their own amazing blogs. While the workshop itself was wonderful, I really think it was meeting these fantastic women that brought me infinitely closer to my goal of becoming a published author. One of the ways they did this was by encouraging me to start my blog.

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Q - Velva asks: "What was the point in which you said, I am seriously going to do a blog?"

A - It took many months after I got back from Chautauqua before I was ready for such a huge step. The Wad started a group blog, but we rarely updated it and it fell by the wayside. Then Tess, Amy, and Sharon started their blogs. I spent time reading their blogs and learning the ropes before I was ready to start my own. Then when I did, only a handful of good friends (or extremely supportive friends of friends - like you, Velva!) visited my blog. Not until Jackee at Winded Words happened onto my blog one day and became a follower did I begin to branch out and meet new people through blogging. And what a fantastic experience it's been!

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Q - Theresa Milstein asks: "What have you gained from blogging that you didn't have before?"

A - A sense of community, of not being alone in this writing thing. Writing is so solitary, but blogging gives me an invaluable connection to others who really "get it."


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Q - L. Diane Wolfe asks: "How often do you update your blogroll?"

A - Not nearly often enough. It's due for an update right now, as I've got some new blogs I've been meaning to add. If I had to guess, I'd say about once a month.

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Q - Clarissa Draper asks: "Do you follow a blogging schedule and memes?"

I've never done much with memes, but I do follow a Monday, Wednesday, Friday blogging schedule. However, as nothing is set in stone on my blog (as those of you who are paying attention to my color schemes can attest), I was thinking just today of switching to a Tuesday, Thursday schedule to try to free up a little more writing time and maybe finally fight my way through this latest round of revisions. At the moment, my plan is to finish out this week with a Friday post, and then switch to Tuesday, Thursday next week.

How about you guys? What have you gained from blogging? How did you get started? Do you follow a schedule?

Happy Wednesday!

27 comments:

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Funny you mention schedules, today. I'd recently thought about the Tues/Thurs thing, too. Then I thought I could mix it up--do Mon/Tues - Thurs. or something along those lines. Not sure. For now, I'm staying with m-w-f.

Jai Joshi said...

I loved reading this, Susan. And thanks for answering my question!

Jai

lotusgirl said...

I didn't realize you were friends with Tess. We've been friends for a while even to exchanging crits. She's the best. Blogging is great for making friends and making writing a social activity to certain degree. There's a great support group out in the interwebs. I've toyed with the idea of T-Th. as well for the same reason, but that's part of why I started doing the What in the world/Where in the world segment. I just throw it out there and let people guess. So it's kind of like I do 2 1/2 days of blogging not 3.

Creepy Query Girl said...

great questions! It was cool to learn more about your blogging experience!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Great Q and A, Susan! I think I'm going to go to posting two days a week when I "come back." I feel bad when I don't get to read everyone's posts....

Old Kitty said...

Aww great to know how you started to blog and why and how you keep up with it all!! Yay!!

What have I gained from blogging? Very tired fingers!! LOL! take care
x

Stina said...

I've gained so many amazing writer friends through blogging. Blogging for Dummies never mentioned that benefit. ;)

The Happy Whisk said...

Hey Susan - Good luck with your latest revisions. Very cool. I love the whole editing and rewriting and revising thing. Best of luck to you. I look forward to reading more about your journey.

Happy Writing & Revising.

Brian's Home Blog said...

It's always fun to see what causes others to start blogging. My goal in blogging was to help others and I had no idea I would end up with so many friends!

Joanne said...

I started blogging as an extension of my fiction manuscript, which shares the same theme. Not long afterward, blogging took on a life of its own! But I do keep to MWF with an occasional Saturday Door or Porch series photo :)

Anonymous said...

A few things you said in the interview was similar to waht happened with me when I chose to start blogging. the main thing that I love is meeting so many wonderful writers and learning from their blogs. As far as a schedule, I need to stick with one day but life happens and so do projects. I need to pick a day and commit to it.
Love your blog!

Kelly Polark said...

I love the sense of community of blogging. I've "met" so many wonderful people. Everyone is so supportive. I have also learned a lot on how to be a better writer.

Lola Sharp said...

I agree, I've met so many delightful writer friends through blogging. I feel very blessed.

I'm on a 'whatever' schedule...which is how I've always been. I'm down to once a week right now, because of Nano.

Happy blogoversary! :)

Tara said...

I love the sense of community around the writing blog world :)

Bossy Betty said...

I liked your answers! I, too, love the people I have met through blogging! I consider some of them very good friends!

Susan R. Mills said...

That's funny. I am also thinking of doing a Tuesday/Thursday schedule starting after next week. At least through the end of the year. With the holidays, my time will be more limited than usual.

Tracy said...

Susan, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on blogging.
I had begun a blog that is still in its infancy stage, but didn't realize the potential in it until you stated it: reaching out to other writers...however, this is a huge step since just last March, I was a 'Closet' writer so thanks again..I'll continue to read your insights if you continue to share them :)

Patti Lacy said...

This IS a great blog.
I love the name The Wad.

Keep on is my only comment.
P

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss susan! for sure im loving reading all this stuff about you. i think you could already know how i got started blogging. but i gotta tell you i didnt think i could ever get even one follower and in just a little time i got a bunch and from that i got the most neat friends. and i learned soooo much about writing thats helping me be a better writer.
...hugs from lenny

Lydia Kang said...

I follow a MWF schedule with Medical Mondays (of course), but W and F are random things related to writing.
I love learning more about your blogging life!

Jeanette Levellie said...

What fun!

I post every M, W, and F, with occasional posts on off days to announce winners of drawings, of which I host many.

I love all the wonderful folks I meet--so encouraging and helpful. Like you!

Blessed day,
Jen

TerryLynnJohnson said...

Well, that is so cool! I had no idea about The Wad! I know all of those lovely ladies through blogging and just find it amazing that everyone is connected!
I'm so enjoying this series of Q & A.

Anonymous said...

I like the "sense of community." It took a while for me to come around to social networking, but once I got my first blog up and running I was hooked and never looked back.

Talli Roland said...

How odd, I thought I commented, but I guess I didn't! How cool to learn about the origin of your blog! Question questions and answers.

About Me said...

Susan, you're spot on. For me as well, blogging has help me find a sense of community with other writers. I don't feel alone in my pursuit of telling stories.

I wish my blogging schedule was set, but I just don't have the time as of late, but hopefully next year will be better.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

great questions. I post three times a week. I used to post every day but that became too time consuming.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

And you've won an award on my blog (I keep forgetting to tell people they've won an award lol)