tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post2824723698159805902..comments2023-10-30T00:51:36.361-11:00Comments on Diary of a Desperate Exmoor Woman: Should writers blog?Exmoorjanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-34505096941543750652012-02-17T06:02:35.346-11:002012-02-17T06:02:35.346-11:00I blog because I love it - and yes, because I love...I blog because I love it - and yes, because I love the comments. Playing with words just because I can is even more fun when it includes connecting with other people.JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-71933911973532502372012-02-17T05:48:11.771-11:002012-02-17T05:48:11.771-11:00These days I read more blogs than books - and I re...These days I read more blogs than books - and I read a humungous number of books! There are blogs I look for every time I'm online, eagerly anticipating a new post. This is one of those blogs.<br />I've had a ludicrous amount of success as a writer in the past year; sold thousands of books a month, and yet I still have four book projects laying fallow on my computer. Having achieved far more than I ever expected, I'm reluctant to push myself to get another book out; seize the moment. So many other things I want to do.<br />So, not a 'proper' writer, then? Evidently not. Yet, here's the strange thing: I still write for my blog. A random blizzard of output without form or structure and it may be it's because so few people read it I still keep it going. It's a means of expressing myself without undue expectation, perhaps.<br />Write a blog, if you want to. Why not? As a means of expression it takes some beating.Jake Bartonhttp://jakebarton.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-56993864969311525802012-02-07T08:24:02.525-11:002012-02-07T08:24:02.525-11:00Hi Jane, I'm with you all the way. It was blog...Hi Jane, I'm with you all the way. It was blogging that changed me from a wannabe to to writer.Hooray!Norma Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12403421235388770309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-54735648113865796372012-02-07T03:40:11.783-11:002012-02-07T03:40:11.783-11:00So true, Jane, especially the bit about how bloggi...So true, Jane, especially the bit about how blogging is a way of giving a bit of yourself. From my own experience, I agree and believe that people like that. They genuinely love people when they speak from the heart and are able to relate to them or when the blogger shows emotional vulnerability.<br /><br />I've always got your blogs, and your writing. <br /><br />I love blogging myself and WHEN I'm on form I blog about anything and everything - from the stuff I'm up to, to topical news and contentious issues etc etc ...<br /><br />For me it's never been a self-promotion activity, although since I started taking writing more seriously and have grasped better the world of the writer in today's climate with today's issues, I appreciate the need to keep up an on-line profile whether that's through writing a regular blog, Twitter or whatever...<br /><br />Hmm. That reminds me. Must blog, must blog, must blog soon... lol<br /><br />xxxBluestocking Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01502764742097142372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-74060711053320673462012-01-31T12:13:54.377-11:002012-01-31T12:13:54.377-11:00There are lots of reasons to write blogs though ma...There are lots of reasons to write blogs though many supposed 'proper writers'are too snooty to see them.<br /><br />I have just spent the wekend at the national writing centre Wales - with poets mostly; unpublished poets to be precise. They couldn't possibly start a blog because that would compromise the 50 copies they might sell if they ever got someone to publish their work! Meanwhile my blog had nearly 50,000 hits last year and I suspect yours had many more.<br /><br />Of all the technologies that have got people writing I doubt there is any that can beat blogs for sheer numbers of people giving it a go. Meanwhile the arts council spends hundreds of thousands on courses to encourage a few creative writing types.<br /><br />I want to see more creative and quality writing - it's what I do - but I don't see why blogs can't be just as good and crafted as other more 'serious' media - yours is; mine is too if I'm not falsely modest - so is, for example, Her On The Hill and many others I could mention. <br /><br />And finally my blog led (in part) to 'proper' book too - comes out in October and I'll be looking for promoters!The bike shedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05195882998271591934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-73400776320294911052012-01-30T11:56:47.757-11:002012-01-30T11:56:47.757-11:00Interesting topic! I feel similar to you. I have a...Interesting topic! I feel similar to you. I have a 'day job' as a journalist, and blog as well. Guess which one I enjoy more (and for all the reasons you mention)? But I have other friends who are journalists who say to me "I can't believe you would write for free - how do you have time?". The answer is you make time. If it's fun, it's as much fun as sitting down to watch TV or taking a hot bath in the evening.nappy valley girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10788949037047084412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-28723276025514682672012-01-30T02:15:20.291-11:002012-01-30T02:15:20.291-11:00From a personal perspective and let's face it ...From a personal perspective and let's face it that's the only perspective that really does matter when it comes to writing, I think blogging is an excellent way of keeping it real. Like you Jane, I write about pretty much anything on the blog and love the freedom of it. Also like you I could spend all day, every day blogging and if I was paid to do so, you know I think I would do that. For professional writers blogging can help flex your writing muscles, it can help you stick to deadlines, and help you to be more observant - all good when it comes to writing books. But I think the best thing about blogging is a)I can start any sentence I like with a conjunction, b)I can write about anything even unpopular things that won't sell my books, c)I get to chat with real people and d)It keeps me real.vegemitevixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08499944412217904302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-64801257239404988902012-01-29T23:13:28.840-11:002012-01-29T23:13:28.840-11:00"Today I blogged about picking bits of Flake ..."Today I blogged about picking bits of Flake out of one's gusset"<br /><br />I'm sure he or she would be even more horrified if they knew you fed the flakes to your pet terrapins....lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-62946538494079643392012-01-29T09:11:16.213-11:002012-01-29T09:11:16.213-11:00What I love about blogging is that I don't hav...What I love about blogging is that I don't have to run a blogpost by an editor. I can write it, choose a picture and get it up online immediately (well not quite, re-sizing pictures is not my forte). It is also a place for all the bits and pieces which populate my notebooks that won't warrant an entire newspaper article but which I want to share nonetheless.<br /><br />Yes it is a bit of a time bandit - but as you rightly point out - we are writers professionally by no accident.Sally Shalamhttp://www.sallyshalamsbritain.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-83469418848511252532012-01-29T02:07:32.577-11:002012-01-29T02:07:32.577-11:00Well I blog because it's the one place I can b...Well I blog because it's the one place I can be in control. In my novels my characters carry the story, in my blogs I do. Plus, it's my way of venting all the insane ideas, so they don't creep into my actual books. Today I blogged about picking bits of Flake out of one's gusset - my editor would cut that faster than light from an actually book...Jane Loveringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393411255730345765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-30466914910252006872012-01-28T08:48:33.284-11:002012-01-28T08:48:33.284-11:00Another great post Jane. I hate the word 'shou...Another great post Jane. I hate the word 'should' I prefer to think I 'could' - it opens things up for me. I am not a writer but I do enjoy blogging. It may be self indulgent but hey what wrong with that? The thing that mitigates against it for me is that I can easily succumb to the idea that my posts aren't good enough a start to feel insecure. I am, however, determined to resist that. ;)Dump Him Lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04880635931254740896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-78742615596445778952012-01-28T04:02:00.240-11:002012-01-28T04:02:00.240-11:00The thing is; there will always be someone who obj...The thing is; there will always be someone who objects to something....lol<br /><br />Perhaps soon, we will all be only able to say exactly what the law dictates we can say and this will have be born of those who bring lawsuits to others who are simply exercising their right to freedom of speech and opinion instead of developing a little self-worth themselves.<br /><br />Could it be that here in UK we are on the brink of either totally anarchy or a dictatorship with Nazi SS style policing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-17101465074731036482012-01-28T01:51:54.024-11:002012-01-28T01:51:54.024-11:00As a journalist, I've been writing all my lif...As a journalist, I've been writing all my life. Blogging, for me at least, is very different. It's incredibly liberating. I've found my voice at last and I love it. And it's very gratifying when other people you have never met, on the other side of the world, like it too.<br />There is so much to write about. I live in a small village and there is always some funny story or something wonderful out there to describe. It's my love letter to my local community, if that doesn't sound too pretentious. I poke fun every now and then, but mostly at myself and those who are happy for me to do so.<br />My advice would be blog if you want to but don't bother if you don't. As Eddie and the Hot Rods said: Do anything you wanna do. As long as you're not hurting anyone else, why does it matter?maddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03479893496291590397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-67700508716337083842012-01-27T22:58:48.968-11:002012-01-27T22:58:48.968-11:00Why did people draw pictures on cave walls?
Why d...Why did people draw pictures on cave walls?<br /><br />Why do people graffiti?<br /><br />Why are there carved initials on the old school desk?<br /><br />Why did Jimmy Boyle paint the walls of his cell with his own shit?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-56104265630688575662012-01-27T10:38:51.393-11:002012-01-27T10:38:51.393-11:00No. There is no should about it. As you say - do ...No. There is no should about it. As you say - do it if it floats your boat and stay well away from it if it doesn't.<br /><br />I have LOADSA Blogs. I started with a personal blog and then left it in limbo to start my funny poetry blog, serious poetry blog, photo journal blog, recipe blog etc etc<br /><br />I now keep all my plates spinning at once - some more successfully than others.<br /><br />My funny poetry blog has been shortlisted for The Funniest Blog in the UK competition - which is a nice little ego boost.<br /><br />But I don't understand why anyone would commit to a blog if they don't actively feel the urge and delight associated with blogging. It will simply go the same way as an adolescent diary otherwise.<br /><br />We all remember starting diaries and filling them in for say three days or so and then losing them down the back of the sofa or bed or somewhere and forgetting all about them while they go off to have adventures with the dust bunnies in Lost Land...Michele Brenton aka banana_the_poethttp://poetry4fun.blog.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-1521930484550865952012-01-27T10:38:21.884-11:002012-01-27T10:38:21.884-11:00I get what you're saying and agree with everyt...I get what you're saying and agree with everything, but I can also see the point of view that it's consuming. Sometimes I sit in front of the screen, taking way longer than 30 minutes to compose less than 500 words. It's insane. But that's a personal issue. Seasoned writers would probably have no problems dashing off words in a flurry. Otherwise, I think you offer great advice about writing what moves you. Getting stuck in a rut and blogging should not be synonymous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-9160205424426373382012-01-27T01:32:11.285-11:002012-01-27T01:32:11.285-11:00Interesting issue. I began blogging because a care...Interesting issue. I began blogging because a careers advisor I was interviewing for a newspaper article said I needed a website to market myself for the imminent day when newsprint is extinct. And I wondered what on earth I should put on such a website since I have no expertise in a subject that isn't already blogged about far more proficiently than I could manage. So I decided on a personal blog and soon found it addictive because, as you say, writing without a commission or a word count or an editor or a deadline, is liberating. And 10 comments on this personal effort from bloggers is somehow far more thrilling than 40 comments from online Guardian readers. I've long since abandoned the idea of a professional motivation and now blog almost as a form of non-professional self-validation.Adventures of a Middle-aged Matronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11225267175732836348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-1464480125256393002012-01-26T06:13:41.823-11:002012-01-26T06:13:41.823-11:00@Gillie - you snuck in while I was typing... :) B...@Gillie - you snuck in while I was typing... :) Blogging used to be a secret vice of mine too.. my husband used to roll his eyes and go 'Oh, right, blogging AGAIN...' So I got him to start his own and now he's the one who's addicted. :)Exmoorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-41342506485513875522012-01-26T06:12:08.221-11:002012-01-26T06:12:08.221-11:00@Sally - well, I met you through blogging - nuff s...@Sally - well, I met you through blogging - nuff said! And one day I WILL come to stay... :) <br /><br />@Kelly - watch it, you're catching something off of Tyson. :)<br /><br />@Janet - oh the discipline! I'm impressed. There are some blogs I just adore..total treats. <br /><br />@Victoria -that's great news. Good luck with the book. :)<br /><br />@Thinking - yup, as I said in an earlier comment, I missed out the people bit...important. <br /><br />@Kathryn - oh dear...not always entirely sure why I blog at all. I'll try to think about it. :)<br /><br />@Emma - yes! Not to have an editor breathing down one's neck. Actually, the more I look at these comments I wonder if it's the journos who enjoy blogging the most...maybe it's not such a good thing for the natural novelists and poets? <br /><br />@Tee - Yes, EXACTLY! I find people exhausting in the flesh, so to speak...though I'd make a few honourable exceptions. :) I had a nice camera once - it got purloined. :(Exmoorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-71900270543323597622012-01-26T06:06:49.359-11:002012-01-26T06:06:49.359-11:00For me blogging is almost a secret addiction, a ha...For me blogging is almost a secret addiction, a habit I've tried to chuck but can't. I've given up several times. I tell myself I have a job to do (duh it's supposed to be writing) I don't have time to blog. I tell myself I don't want myself all over the net. Aagh how thick can I be? Reasons to blog:<br />I enjoy writing<br />I want to earn a living by writing so I darn well need the practice.<br />I want people to see what I write and they sure as heck aren't going to huddle around my laptop to read my work.<br />I write alone at home during the day, it's rather nice to "talk" to other people!<br />So after giving up in September, I'm back again. I can't stay away!Gillie1http://skybluepinkish.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-54006433013820774822012-01-26T06:03:04.976-11:002012-01-26T06:03:04.976-11:00Awww, thanks Jane! I like interacting with people,...Awww, thanks Jane! I like interacting with people, just not in person as they exhaust me. Curse of an introvert. The intersnacks allows me to converse with people without having to put too much effort or energy in. :) Also, I have so many imoportant things to do. <br /><br />I love taking photos. I am saving up for a nicer camera! :)Teehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18277378168473581160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-13440965995083328972012-01-26T04:03:37.014-11:002012-01-26T04:03:37.014-11:00A really good blog, Jane. As a journalist I blog b...A really good blog, Jane. As a journalist I blog because I love writing and because it's great to be my own editor, commissioning editor and sub. I can choose the subjects that interest me and ignore those that don't. Perfect. You make a really good point about not taking too long over it. I don't spend more than 30 mins a day blogging - the short time frame keeps the mind focused!Emma Lee-Potterhttp://housewithnoname.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-59403685378127235662012-01-26T03:03:41.147-11:002012-01-26T03:03:41.147-11:00I think you covered it in the beginning. Blog if y...I think you covered it in the beginning. Blog if you want to blog. <br /><br />I would add that if you DO blog then know why you are blogging before you start. Are you ranting? Are you informing? Are you entertaining? The foundation of your blog can help drive you to what you write and keep you going down a "somewhat" focused path. <br /><br />Side note: ANYTHING that is viewed as work will become work!Kathryn Langhttp://www.kathrynlang.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-12817202142923776572012-01-26T02:26:20.564-11:002012-01-26T02:26:20.564-11:00This is such an interesting post!I've come lat...This is such an interesting post!I've come late to the blogging party.<br /><br />I only started a blog in october, so feeling like the new girl at school but I'm absolutely loving it<br /><br />And yes I'm a journalist who writes and talks for a living! So free writing ,shameless plugging? <br /><br />I blog for me , always include a music video, and others seem to like it.It's already put me in touch with lots of lively,like minded people. <br /><br />And if something else comes along because of it, well that would be simply lovely.<br /><br />Blogging for me is a bloody big adventure.From the comfort of my own home too....Thinking of the dayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04369739724991129358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-52962325383387328592012-01-26T01:20:54.152-11:002012-01-26T01:20:54.152-11:00I agree, if you like writing, then why not write? ...I agree, if you like writing, then why not write? I love blogging and to a certain extent it has been helpful in getting my writing career off the ground. I've received quite a bit of writing work, specifically through my blog and twitter. And after almost three years of blogging, I've gained enough confidence in my abilities to start writing a book.Victoriahttp://itsasmallworldafterallfamily.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com