When I wrote this post earlier this year, it was in response to a question that I’m often asked: what should writers blog about before they are published?
Now that book one of The Mapmaker Chronicles has hit the shelves, I’m actually finding blogging more difficult than ever, mostly because I’m spending so much time thinking, dreaming and talking about The Mapmaker Chronicles. Seriously, how many times can I write blog posts about my own book?
Which leaves me with my next challenge: what to blog about now? I could (and do) blog about writing. I could (and do) blog about social media for writers. I could (and do) blog about my own book/s. But we’re all just going to get crazy/bored if that’s all I do, right?
In the earliest days of this blog, I used to talk about my boys more often. I’ve never blogged about them per se, but they were the starting point for some fantastic posts about parenting (that linked post is one of my favourite posts of all time), and writing (another everlasting favourite), and the whimsical stuff I love writing. But they’re bigger now, and I’m really aware of the footprint I leave online for them, so I tend to steer clear.
Which leaves me with Procrasti-Pup (bless him)
and my roses.
Puppies and roses. I guess, after nearly five years, there are worse things to blog about, right?
Has your blog changed? What do you blog about?
Well my car dealership shut down (great ol GM) and i took
the only task i was able to find which just pays me 260 a week prior to taxes.
Thank you for this post, it makes me realize that I am free to blog about whatever I want and somebody out there will read it 🙂 hopefully right? Lol anyways I blog about what I am passionate for…a weird combination of arts, crafts and helping people with everything I can 🙂
When I started my blog 3 years ago I had in mind it would be about health: how to live a healthier and greener life (fitness healthy cooking, weight loss tips, organic skin care). Since my blog has evolved into a wider lifestyle platform, where I share travel stories and even some design stuff while I’m renovating my home.
That’s one of the great things about blogs, the way in which they flex and lean and move about to take in whatever you need them to! Sounds great, Cyndie.
A timely post – I’ve just dusted my poor blog off after nearly two years of neglect – I finally have confidence in my voice, and I guess my blog comes under the umbrella of negotiating life and finding the funny side…that’s pretty broad right? I think my plan continues to be to figure it out as I go along 😉 x
I think that’s pretty much everyone’s plan Alyson, and ‘funny’ is always good – good luck!
Loved this. A universal puzzle for all bloggers I think. Mine certainly ebbs and flows. Though I hesitate to blog on writing (I don’t feel I have anything to say about it that hasn’t been said by those better at it than me) the subject has seeped into my posts. I also avoid politics (too depressing) though with the state of the world that too seeps in some. I probably made a mistake in making my blog eclectic instead of trying to brand myself as is commonly encouraged by the self-appointed experts. If I did that like you I’d end up talking about my books too much. So, that leaves trying to make the mundane interesting, exploring personal loss, travel writing, and monologues on what on earth can I write about. ;>) New, fresh content is a constant struggle. I loved this post.
Thanks so much Steven – personally, I love the mundane! Good writers always make the mundane seem so interesting. I think we have to write what’s in our brains at any given time and hope for the best!
I started my blog two and a half years ago to force myself to write. Yes, that’s how indolent I can be. The idea was to write food memoirs and opinion pieces about growing up Italian in Australia (while my aged mother can still remember enough to fill in the gaps). Mostly I’ve succeeded but my writing has gone off into all sorts of tangents so that I’ve now got quite a few stories that could develop into a book. I’m also a regular contributor to a new website where I write about aspects of being a carer for my mother. PS – good luck with the book Allison, I’ll be buying it for one or two Xmas stockings.
Hi Ambra, your topics sound really interesting! Good luck with the memoir if you decide to develop it – and thank you for the Christmas stocking love!
Hi Allison, I am in the process of simplifying my blog topics & trying to be more writing/books/creative focused. 2 & 1/2 years into blogging the shiny, sparkly bits have worn off and now I am trying to get back to basics. As yes, I always smile when your border collie’s face pops up in my FB feed, such a beautiful breed. (We had 2 black & white border collies growing up)
I hear you on those shiny, sparkly bits. Also on the border collies… 🙂
The evolution of a blogger is one of my favourite things. After all we are human and continually growing, shedding our skin and forming another. I love how your blog has changed over the years.
My blog has evolved into not only about writing and blogging, but my journey towards simple living and living with purpose. It’s perfect for me right now where I am in my life.
And you can blog or even just post pictures of procrasti-pup any time, he is so gorgeous!
Thanks Jodi!
Hi Alison
My blog is very new. Only 11 posts so far. It’s mainly stories from the past (growing up in the 70s, etc) contrasted with observations and stories about the present.
I’m still very much finding my feet as far as the tech and design aspects, and also still finding my voice. I only shared with family and friends a couple of weeks ago, and whilst some of their feedback has given me confidence, I’m also feeling a lot more self-conscious now.
I think i just need to find some consistency and stop worrying about what people think.
I’ve been reading your blog and facebook page for a couple of years now and I really enjoy it.
Best of luck with The Mapmaker Chronicles, too. I’ve already bought a copy for my nephew for Christmas (by coincidence his name is Quinn) and will get another copy for my own kids. It was inspiring to follow your journey writing the trilogy.
Thanks, Gael.
Sorry – Allison, not Alison.
Hello Allison,
I stay busy and I do not have a lot of time to blog. I have two poetry books out and 4 children’s books out. I try to keep up with things but, I am running into a lot of problems with publishers right now. I am trying to think about the publishers that I have had. I write and publish my children’s books with photos that I have taken. I am finding out that Children’s books are specialty books and on top of that my books are a mixed type of book because, of the photos that I have in the books. I hope that you have better luck than I do. Sandra L. Hartsell
Thank you Sandra! Good luck with your books.
I blog about reading. I figure people follow my blog because they love books, and, if they like my books, we probably have some overlapping tastes, so I do a monthly reading round-up, as well as top ten book lists of different themes. I do blog about writing – but not only about my own writing – I do Q&As with other authors to provide variety. I’ve just started a new monthly-ish segment called ‘In other news’ which has nothing to do with reading or writing and the first of those was really well-received.
All of which makes perfect sense Annabel. I’ll keep an eye out for ‘In Other News’ – sounds like my kind of post…
I love it how that your posts always seem to fill that question in my mind about my blog too. I was asking myself the same thing today. I think I’m going to talk about moving, since I’ve done it 20 times. But I’m at a loss too, and I don’t even have a book published. My question is, (and I’ve had this for a LONG time), do fiction writers Really need a blog? I have this love/hate relationship with mine and every 6 months I consider ditching it. Just wondering, if I really need to keep it or devote my time to writing that story that I keep saying I’m going to write.
Thanks for posting, enjoy following you!
Hi Cindy, I think the question of fiction writers needing or not needing a blog really comes back to the writer. I wouldn’t be without mine (even though I too sometimes have a love/hate relationship with it after five years – it’s like any longterm relationship, I think) because of the people that I’ve connected with thanks to this blog. Part of my problem is always wanting to do the right thing by my longterm readers, which is not always easy when my head is full of things I’m doing that very day (at the moment, that’s ALL about my book). But I’ll muddle along. I usually do! Good luck with your writing. A