tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post3190259632181852836..comments2024-02-17T09:53:06.168+00:00Comments on Notes from the Slushpile: Blogging is Dead. Or Maybe It's Just a Little Bit Useless.Candy Gourlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-75719319634279891002012-05-31T10:26:30.771+01:002012-05-31T10:26:30.771+01:00Thanks for this, Candy. I must drop in more often ...Thanks for this, Candy. I must drop in more often - it's fascinating stuff. I blog in a bid to make people laugh at the strangeness of life and don't focus on my books much at all. Even this string - the word is a brilliant example of descriptive language incidentally, with its lovely endless wandery nature (whoops, off at a tangent as usual) - is marvellously weird when you really look at it. Here we are, sitting at our little square bits of technology whacking out odd-shaped squiggles devised thousands of years ago which SOMEHOW make communication possible. Tremendous. Peculiar. Life-affirming. Blog on, friends!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-45915864173383773912012-05-10T20:34:46.744+01:002012-05-10T20:34:46.744+01:00Good Share! Some really valuable information here....Good Share! Some really valuable information here. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Look forward to reading more of your articles. Voted up!Diet Doctorhttp://www.myweightlossclinics.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-6364831180057278132012-05-07T09:41:31.936+01:002012-05-07T09:41:31.936+01:00I suppose it's about finding your audience RA ...I suppose it's about finding your audience RA Jones. NFTSP had a ready made audience of scoobie friends when Candy began and it's grown from that as people have passed it on. We get a lot more looking than commenting though.Maureen Lynashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855138050232488108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-45052300011414699172012-05-06T07:31:11.552+01:002012-05-06T07:31:11.552+01:00As I'm still waiting for my first ever comment...As I'm still waiting for my first ever comment, I am convinced that my "in character" blog enters a wormhole whenever I press publish. I think they guys go off to the common room and have a chat on their own and no one else sees or hears. Best of luck to them, I say. So to your list of blog more, blog less, blog better, blog right can I add blog roll and blog off--cos sometimes it feels scatalogically the right thing to say now and again for those of us blogging off to no one!Rhys A Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14218495067748397931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-46060439946404295482012-04-25T17:59:01.970+01:002012-04-25T17:59:01.970+01:00I blog mainly for myself-horribly self-indulgent, ...I blog mainly for myself-horribly self-indulgent, I know. <br />For me it's a way of storing random thoughts on children's literature in a concise way. These usually arise from interesting stuff I've read for my Birkbeck MA written by much much cleverer people...<br />I consider it a sort of online diary-I'm completely thrilled when people look at it and comment, but don't mind terribly if they don't. Hopeless as far as marketing is concerned, I know.jongleusehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754014776263314905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-23652484068659974682012-04-25T13:17:46.055+01:002012-04-25T13:17:46.055+01:00I blog as some of you may know but I don't blo...I blog as some of you may know but I don't blog about me. I also don't go crazy trying to promote the blog, I just let it do its own thing. I get about 5000 hits a month but very few comments but I check the stats and feel satisfied knowing that people are reading about the authors and books I feature on the blog. So if I'm doing my bit to help spread the word around the world about debut authors and kids books, then I'm happy. <br />I've seen a review on amazon that said they only bought the book after seeing it featured on my blog and it was lovely to know that had happenened. I like seeing all the surprising places that have linked to my blog without me knowing - sometimes we may be reaching more people than we realise even if it feels like we're trying to be heard above all the noise.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16278340974826259307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-8938420697984733332012-04-25T10:21:56.414+01:002012-04-25T10:21:56.414+01:00Great blog Candy. I'm not a natural blogger, b...Great blog Candy. I'm not a natural blogger, but I do Blog, and I'm trying to build an audience and blog about something a little different. It's hard but I think ultimately its a good thing...right?Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12759992873045228788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-75770803727988236002012-04-24T14:34:35.749+01:002012-04-24T14:34:35.749+01:00No blogging after 9.30 and cut down on the wine.
...No blogging after 9.30 and cut down on the wine. <br />Lasted.Maureen Lynashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855138050232488108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-48938504908932348072012-04-24T14:32:06.013+01:002012-04-24T14:32:06.013+01:00I had an actual blogging nightmare last night - fa...I had an actual blogging nightmare last night - fact. That someone had put up a joint blog with my name on it, but I didn't know anything about it: it mostly involved making ridiculous anagrams out of words in my book.<br /><br />Could this be some sort of sign that I'm becoming blog-obsessed? do I need help? is that actually a really good idea for a new blog?<br /><br />'Worried in Buckinghamshire'Teri Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641477543947472370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-28911042982524662672012-04-24T14:26:19.112+01:002012-04-24T14:26:19.112+01:00Slushites? oops that has a naughty word in the mid...Slushites? oops that has a naughty word in the middle :O)Teri Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641477543947472370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-14384188428575735192012-04-24T14:24:39.692+01:002012-04-24T14:24:39.692+01:00Slushies?Slushies?Maureen Lynashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855138050232488108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-3777365111439645642012-04-24T14:19:14.966+01:002012-04-24T14:19:14.966+01:00Wow, what a can of worms that opened up!
Interest...Wow, what a can of worms that opened up!<br /><br />Interestingly, my blog takes priority over my books because I have a weekly schedule and keep to it rigorously. If there are even a couple of people who look forward to my posts, then that's job done!<br /><br />The day I run out of new things to say, is the day I stop. Luckily, 162 posts in, that's yet to happen - I think in part because having a blog makes me investigate new things and examine existing ideas in a new way. For me, my blog is the space where I think about writing and publishing, hopefully in a way that makes my readers think too.<br /><br />Nick.Nick Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571077124165351007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-18963529466499371442012-04-24T14:06:51.985+01:002012-04-24T14:06:51.985+01:00Ha! I am here reading this at lunchtime because I ...Ha! I am here reading this at lunchtime because I made a conscious effort to catch up with some of the blogs i love (about 5 of them) but that I just haven't had time to read properly as I've been really swamped these past couple of weeks! So I'm living proof that blog-reading can reach crisis point - let alone blog writing. Still looking for my own niche on the front, but will be sure to trumpet loud and give non-escapable blanket coverage when I get started... or maybe not! <br /><br />Anyway, this blog is one of the few I really feel part of so always try to make time to check in. And making readers feel part of a blog is no mean feat - so well done you piles-o-slush, or slushpilers, or however you like to style yourselves!M Louise Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13165271083632185438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-78886723558164403612012-04-24T08:33:09.603+01:002012-04-24T08:33:09.603+01:00Thank you Candy, that means a lotThank you Candy, that means a lotNess Harbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07370427313780759711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-43526361103843848342012-04-23T22:14:12.495+01:002012-04-23T22:14:12.495+01:001000 subscribers! Wow! if only I could knit! Thank...1000 subscribers! Wow! if only I could knit! Thanks for your thoughts!Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-11757468541474826682012-04-23T22:13:23.630+01:002012-04-23T22:13:23.630+01:00And I love your wise ruminations, Vanessa. Keep on...And I love your wise ruminations, Vanessa. Keep on blogging.Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-20769695964770761812012-04-23T22:11:53.920+01:002012-04-23T22:11:53.920+01:00The best reason of all.The best reason of all.Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-2105917108331740752012-04-23T22:11:24.459+01:002012-04-23T22:11:24.459+01:00Agree. I think blogging helped alleviate a lot of ...Agree. I think blogging helped alleviate a lot of the pain of being unpublished. I learned a lot too - both about my subject and how to write.Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-58536950467769861952012-04-23T22:10:28.162+01:002012-04-23T22:10:28.162+01:00You blog beautifully, Kathy!You blog beautifully, Kathy!Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-43673156753264513932012-04-23T20:07:13.796+01:002012-04-23T20:07:13.796+01:00loved both your responses here. Thank you bothloved both your responses here. Thank you bothNess Harbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07370427313780759711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-13900532937016388492012-04-23T20:05:18.531+01:002012-04-23T20:05:18.531+01:00This was a really pertinent blog. There are times ...This was a really pertinent blog. There are times when I feel overwhelmed by blogs. It seems there is a new blog or two every week to follow. There is someone I know (not anyone who would read this) who is constantly pushing their books/events through their various blogs. I find it tedious because it is so 'in your face' and actual now don't even bother looking at them. I read blogs that interest me. I write blogs when I have an idea that is niggling that I want to share. But I will think seriously about what I am writing as I love your suggestion of blogging better.<br />Brilliant and insightful blog as ever Candy, thank youNess Harbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07370427313780759711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-35571438570289628262012-04-23T15:27:23.975+01:002012-04-23T15:27:23.975+01:00Very interesting. There are blogs and there are bl...Very interesting. There are blogs and there are blogs and there are blogs. Content rich is key - you want interesting, original content for your audience. If you don't have that, don't write a post. Candy, I totally agree that blogging has to come from a place of 'joy', and that you need a unique voice. I'd also add 'authenticity' to the mix. Blog readers can sniff out fakery from a ten mile radius. Don't blog because you feel you have to or you have something to push or because you want to drive Google towards your site. Readers will see all of this for what it is and stop reading. One challenge for author bloggers, I suspect, is that the act of writing is not in and of itself particularly interesting, nor does it lend itself well to regular blog posts. A book can take years to write - that's years sat at a desk in front of a computer. Not so interesting, is it? Only you can see the adventure inside your head, and you'd be foolish to share the story online. (In fact, there are many aspects of the author journey that you'd be foolish to share online. I'd say this is a big danger point for authors.) So unless you are of stellar status with a plethora of fans who want to know what you had for breakfast, a blog can become a challenge. I have two blogs - one for my children's author career, one for my sewing and knitting hobby. My author blog gets updated about once a month at most; my sewing blog goes out almost daily. My writing blog has about 12 subscribers, my sewing blog has over 1000. So it's all about: is there an audience? For some things, yes! It is evolving, it can still be loads of fun.karenhttp://www.karen-ball.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-42414385288015746822012-04-23T14:32:07.847+01:002012-04-23T14:32:07.847+01:00I have to admit I don't blog (at least not as ...I have to admit I don't blog (at least not as myself) and the main reason is I feel that I don't have a lot to add to the discussion. I'm still on a steep learning curve. I learn a lot from them but not sure I have anything as of yet to offer that is useful.<br /><br />I like the idea of team blogging, as on here. I think writers have less pressure to write something earth shattering, deep and meaningful or revelationary every week, so when they do blog then there's some real thought and time gone into it, it's about something the believe in and care about SO slushpilers, keep on blogging!Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01464534114011823493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-17313498838061346262012-04-23T14:12:18.731+01:002012-04-23T14:12:18.731+01:00I've been thinking about this too. I joined th...I've been thinking about this too. I joined the Slushpile because I didn't want to blog a lot, but I thought I should blog - probably because Candy told me to. Then I got a bit of a surprise when I discovered I love blogging. It's very different to writing for young children and I can have some fun with it. Also I love the response I get to my posts. I think if no one commented I'd stop. <br />And, you don't know who's reading your posts. I was approached by an agent after a particularly cheeky Christmas poem on the Slushpile. Also I pitched an article to the SCBWI Bulletin and had it accepted because I was able to point the editor to another Slushpile post as a sample of my style. So, I'll keep going. For the fun of it.Maureen Lynashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855138050232488108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-69101987856032178072012-04-23T13:58:25.876+01:002012-04-23T13:58:25.876+01:00Wow. This is so true. I especially love your point...Wow. This is so true. I especially love your point about blogging better. There's no point to blogging if we have nothing to say. <br /><br />I have to say, though, I love blogging as a non-published author. I don't have to chase an audience, I don't have to care about my numbers, I can just use it as my own personal, happy place.Anne M Leonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04547591113801578453noreply@blogger.com