Monday, March 15, 2010

The Perks of Blogging

"The heart and soul of blogging is the individual and/or the group of individuals opining on the fly and responding post-haste to one and all." - Michael Conniff

Last week I posted advice from famous authors. Much to my delight fellow bloggers left equally good, if not better advice, in their comments. So this week I am publishing the suggestions, let’s say…from newly famous or soon-to-be famous authors and illustrators.

Elisabeth at Sixth in Line:
The best advice I ever heard about was to do with 'bum glue' and the need to keep yourself at your desk.

Joanne at Whole Latte Life:
Some of the best writing advice I've received is regarding blogging. Before I set out with my blog, I was advised to give it a specific theme, or focus, which would help in writing blog posts. I borrowed a general theme from the fiction manuscript I was writing, and I'd have to say that's worked out well for me.

Elizabeth at Mystery Writing is Murder:
"Write every day" is a tip I received and try to live by.

Darcia Helle at A Word Please :
A piece of advice I like is to let the creative juices flow and just write. Don't stop to conjure up the right phrase or word, particularly with fiction writing, because it breaks the creative flow. Deal with those things in your first editing phase.

Karen Walker at Following the Whispers:
The best advice I've received about writing is to let it come from the heart, not the head.

Elspeth Antonelli at It’s a Mystery:
The best advice I ever got was to remember you can't get it perfect the first time through.

Galen Kindley at Imagineering Fiction:
My best advice was, "Don't fall in love with what you've written." It was offered in the context of don't be afraid to aggressively edit "great stuff" out.

Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs:
Coffee. That's it. Gotta have great gourmet coffee with cream.

Rayna M. Iyer at Coffee Rings Everywhere:
My favourite advice is the one I have culled from all your collective wisdom - keep writing.

Journaling Woman:
"Write even when you don't feel like it. Otherwise one would never write."

Jan Morrison at Crazy Jane:
Show up every day. Sit down and write. After awhile read what you've written and have at it. Repeat.

Patricia Stoltey:
The best writing advice I ever received? "Never give up."

Theresa Milstein at Substitute Teacher’s Saga:
For those who struggle with show and not tell, I pulled this from Francine Prose's, Reading Like a Writer:

“…a form of bad advice often given to young writers-namely, that the job of the author is to show, not tell. Needless to say, many great novelists combine ‘dramatic’ showing with long sections of the flat-out authorial narration that is, I guess, what is meant by telling. And the warning against telling leads to a confusion that causes novice writers to think everything should be acted out…”


Christina Rodriguez:
I like Richard Ford's advice not to drink and write. If I were talking to my peers (book illustrators), I'd say, "Hey, have that drink if you want to. It worked for all those French impressionists!"

Good advice isn’t the only perk from blogging. Recently I’ve won Galen Kindley’s soon to be released, Hearts of the Morning Calm. If you haven’t visited his blog, Imagineering Fiction you may want to stop by. His contests are easy. I won simply by having lived in Korea at one point in my life.

I’ve also won The Stillburrow Crush by Linda Kage at Nancy Parra’s This Writer’s Life. I was excited to find that Nancy included an autographed copy of her own book Mr. Charming.

Darcia Helle at A Word Please usually has some sort of contest going on. I recently received a signed copy of her book, Hit List.

Finally, I’d like to thank Tamika at The Write Worship for passing along The Butterfly Award to me on March 3. If you are not familiar with Tamika, she writes beautiful and inspirational blogs.

Making blogging friends, receiving advice, being introduced to new writers and new books, and being honored by awards are just a few of the perks of blogging. What do you enjoy about blogging?

Thanks for stopping by.

24 comments:

Elisabeth said...

I enjoy the community, the creativity and the democracy of the blogosphere.

There is a certain freedom that emerges in blogdom whereby it's possible to speak spontaneously if you like or if you prefer to present well polished pieces.

In return the responses can be short and sweet and equally spontaneous or deep and meaningful, even lengthy or not at all.

The freedom to respond or not to respond is equally appealing, as is the freedom to post or not to post.

The only thing I dislike is the occasional visit from trolls or spoilers, but they are easily weeded out. Gate crashers I call them. Like the thirteenth fairy in one version of 'Sleeping Beauty' who cast a spell on the infant princess, these trolls are not welcome. While genuine supporters and those who share in the struggle to communicate and highlight their thoughts and creativity are most welcome.

These to me are the joys of blogging. And we learn so much from one another.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I love the writing community! I get so many tips and so much inspiration from everyone. :)

I love your collection of tips!

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

Joanne said...

One of the joys of blogging is to go along on everyone's journey, no matter what it is ... writing, gardening, music, decorating. Whatever their passion, when they blog about it, we become a part of it too, cheering on their hearts. And congrats on your Award, too ... a nice way to start the week :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Congratulations on your award.

I love all those things about blogging, too. And meeting all the people is probably my favorite thing.

Elspeth Futcher said...

I've been amazed by the warmth and support I've found out in the blogosphere. Writing is such a solitary pastime it gives me courage knowing others are out there doing the same thing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

All of the above!
And it makes me stretch - keeps me writing no matter what.

industrial coffee grinder said...

I just feel great when i am in a touch with blogging as it gives you the freedom to express all our views and the most important think is that you can write whatever you feel or think.

The Old Silly said...

That's a mighty fine list of good advices. The wonderful world of Bloggydom is an amazing source of new friendships, growth, and healthy, valuable interaction. I love it here. :)

Marvin D Wilson

Anonymous said...

Hello,nice post thanks for sharing?. I just joined and I am going to catch up by reading for a while. I hope I can join in soon.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Love your butterfly award! Also, enjoyed the tips from fellow-bloggers/writers. Which is one of the reasons I blog-- to get motivated through seeing what my peers are doing, and #1 reason, to feel part of a community of writers.

Helen Ginger said...

Thanks for putting together all the great advice you received. It's hard to remember the time before I had cyber friends! Thanks for this post and congrats on your award.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Daisy Hickman said...

From a "never-famous" author (and maybe that's a good thing!), I'll offer this thought: Listen listen listen. I've been told for many years that my writing (prose) is poetic. Okay. But not until recently did it occur to me to sit down and write some actual poetry. Sounds obvious, right? Ah, nothing about writing is terribly obvious, I'm afraid. So, we must always be listening, connecting the dots ... and, in keeping with my recent blog post @DazyDayWriter, living a "poetic life" that supports our creative instincts.

Arlee Bird said...

That's a lot of good advice. And that's what I like about blogging. I learn something new almost everyday. And I get to communicate with people all over the country and all over the world -- it's just a wonderful blogging world.
Lee

Jan Morrison said...

What a fun compendium of advice. I have two more things to add to mine - don't cut your finger or stay out of the kitchen - and don't believe your mind when it sends you discouraging thoughts. Not helpful!

JennyMac said...

Such fantastic and positive advice..especially about not giving up. And bum glue cracked me up.

Christina Rodriguez said...

Thanks for sharing all this great advice, Jane, including my own!

Patricia Stoltey said...

There are two things I love about blogging.

One, Blogger friends. Who knew so many incredible people were out here doing this mysterious thing called blogging?

Second, Discipline. (Write. If you don't have anything to write about, write anyway.)

Morgan Mandel said...

I like the one about never give up. Also, not to worry about getting it perfect right away. Those very much apply to me.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Enid Wilson said...

Thanks Jane for the collection of tips. I like the bum glum. I need it very much.

Steamy Darcy

Roz Morris aka @Roz_Morris . Blog: Nail Your Novel said...

Coming late to this party I found so many people have already said what I wanted to say about blogging and the fantastic friends you find along the way. But I'd add this. In an industry where there are more knock-backs than breaks, blogging allows me to be out there connecting with readers, writing pieces that they enjoy and find useful. And talking to other bloggers whose work I value and look forward to reading.

Anonymous said...

i honestly love your own posting style, very charming.
don't give up as well as keep penning seeing that it simply just truly worth to follow it,
looking forward to look into even more of your current stories, thankx!

Anonymous said...

Yep. This is the sum and substance of blogging. Blogging is a two-way street. Its a win-win situation as visotrs glean something of value they can take away and the blogger gains expsoure.

Stephen Tremp

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.

Isac Newton said...

I actually enjoyed reading the perks of blogging. I t has motivated me so much that no i feel like doing so.

Jane's Ride - Novelist Jane Kennedy Sutton's journey through the ups and downs of the writing, publishing and marketing world