Drink your water, Catherine.
See if you can make them laugh.
Relax.
It's not that I think I'm a blogging expert. I'm not. I'm a non-geek who can't open zip files and I only write a post when I'm bursting with an idea. This blog is for fun. For me, the crucial thing is the real writing - the space I make for it, the ideas I let come in, the way I am trying to build up a body of work. In fact I was really chuffed when a big writer included 'Don't Do Social Media' in her tips for the newly published - saying that writers should be working on their craft rather than blabbing about it. You see, I agree. She said that 'Author Platform' was almost the dirty refrain of our times. Interesting, eh?
And yet. Blogging, facebooking, sketching out that platform - these are now expected of all authors by publishers big and small. But how much do they help? Is there a tipping point when the time you pour into your online presence results in a leap in sales? Hmmm, I wish. Anyone who is book promoting out there knows that it is hard, humourless work. Sending off review requests, sounding vivacious in interviews. Blogging feels more tangible because it can foster an exchange of ideas and a support network. To feel that at any given moment you are not the only creature in holey tracksuit pants and last night's mascara telling yourself you are pumping out valid words. To feel a little cohesion, right?
However. While it is great to feel less alone in our dreariest clothes while our ideas are soaring, a chilly thought is just that: WE ARE NOT ALONE. We are surrounded by gazillions of people all over the world doing exactly the same thing. Typing, musing, bragging, uplifting, telling. I'm certain this planet has never known this level of global chest-beating.
That said, I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think constitutes a good, resounding blog.
What do you think makes a blog sing in the dark?
What touches you?
What makes a blog worth your time of day?
In other news from the ranch Mark's portraits have been trickling in and though I'm tempted to photoshop a pair of cats' eye sunnies on the model's face, I've decided to share a few of them. Please select which of these foolish women you would select/crop for an interview/book jacket shot.
And don't laugh.
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| Under one of Padova's arcades |
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| Sassy on some villa's steps |
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| Would you read a book by this half-drunk woman? |
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| My son's favourite - looks very grassroots! |
Hmm. I really need to think about this one. I'm probably the wrong person to ask what makes a blog sing in the dark because I immediately critique mine. And then I end up wanting to pull the plug on the whole thing. Most of the time I'm not sure if my blog is measuring up so this entire question makes me a tad insecure. However my first reaction is that a writer's voice that is authentic and likable is crucial for me. Also,I'm not one to stay too long and listen to loud chest beaters as you call them. And I love humor, a tongue and cheek perspective on life, that's always nice. So I guess the emphasis is on the writer over the content. Once I like the writer and their writing, I'll read anything. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I love all your photos but my fave is the one on the villa steps. There's just something strong and a bit sassy about it. But honestly, I think any of these photos would look wonderful on a book cover :)
Thanks for this thoughtful comment Leslie. I certainly think your blog 'measures up' and always transmits warmth and sincerity. I agree that humour is a necessary trait - I'm always up for a good laugh and some tricky thoughts. Yes to authenticity!
DeleteI think it's funny, the villa-steps-shot. I wouldn't consider myself sassy, but it was the first word that came to mind. It's hard to know with an author shot whether you are projecting what you'd like your readers to think, or who you really are within. Either way, I'm a rotten model! Xcat
About the three "whats" you question on our thoughts...Honesty, sincerity and chat from the heart.
ReplyDeleteAs for the photos..the first one is the best, under Padova's..honest, sincere, forthright and clear... from the heart.
Thanks for dropping by Gardeningbren. I also like the Padova shot! Ciao cat
DeleteYou are what the Pre-Raphs would call a "Stunner" - Jane Morris and Liz Siddal had nothing on you! Beautiful photos the lot. I'm drawn back to the first one - it loooks more in keeping with the "real" you (as I've imagined you!) - it fits with the voice I have for you, if that makes sense?!
ReplyDeleteI think blogs where the author makes an effort to connect and where their personality shines through are attractive. And somewhere where I get what feels like integrity....and throw in some info for top marks!
I would like to do less platform work and more actual writing work! Good to have the OK for my views on that!
Ha! And he didn't even photoshop! (Or maybe he did?) I must say I felt desperately stupid leaning on a post in Padova - had just had massive aperitivo. (And spent the week on heavy southern Primitivo wine!) I think that's my fav shot too.
DeleteYes I love to get the feeling of a blogger's personality - all those twitches and turns of phrase. A good laugh too.
Ah the platform. Fortunately my poor Internet connection hampers me with that. But being a taxi driver on call for kids also means my writing suffers too! Xcat
I don't have a blog but I can imagine how tricky it must be to regularly come up with new stuff. I have looked at quite a lot of blogs about writing in the past but now tend to check out only 2 or 3 (yours included!). I think these tend to be the blogs where the authors manage to combine a great sense of humour with interesting tales of their own writing / reading experiences, but only when they really feel they have something useful or funny to say. Hope that makes sense?!
ReplyDeleteI think the Padova shot is perfetto!
Hi Anna! Thanks for dropping by and I'm so glad you are enjoying the blog. I agree that having something to say is essential. Sometimes I start off a waffly post that means nothing and just reeks of me not having a thing to say really, so I cancel all and go play piano! Usually I get my most niggling ideas in the car (ie see above re taxi driving)
DeleteYes, all makes sense and I'm glad you like the Padova shot! Ciao cat
I wish I could hear your talk on blogging. Mine is schizophrenic, I'd love for it to be more pulled together. (Unfortunately, that would involve pulling myself together, which seems unlikely.) I agree with you that the push for writers to build a platform is sort of ridiculous---at least for novelists. I'm designing a website now, and I'll keep blogging because I enjoy the community, but I can't imagine how any of that would sell actual books.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture on the steps. Your hair looks spectacular! But I agree with your son: grassroots, mama.
Oh Averil I wish you could be in the audience with a huge glass of prosecco for before and afterwards!
DeleteI LOVE your blog. I love that it is all over the shop but sincere and raw and wordy and mad and sexy. Sometimes I think about that gap between how we imagine our blogging mates, and how their lives might really be. I know mine is a lot messier and less elegant and writerly than it might seem, although the alcohol and handbags - that's all so close to the truth! But I do believe that the blog world that we create can be a type of uber-reality, where dreams and truths intertwine, and sometimes our souls shine through!
Some posts of yours are still very clear in my mind. As is a scene or story of yours I read once. Cool stuff sista.
Hi Catherine! I can really see both sides to it. I started blogging after I felt guilty that I had no platform after sitting in sessions at the Matera Festival. While I enjoy it, I know it does take time from my writing, so I fully understand when people say they don't want to keep up with social media. However, now that I've started querying, I see that agents like it. GREAT photos! Which will you choose for your June release?
ReplyDeleteWell things have slowed so it's not going to be a June release (must change this!) I think a platform is useful in bringing you into the fray of publication and presentation and promotion - which are all so removed from sitting down creating! Although without knowing who you want to be on the page, you are going to send out confused signals and waste valuable energy. Know Thyself! said Socrates. That said, I know you are expected to be a viable web presence by agents and publishers, but with blogging being something almost everyone does, it's very hard to be original or meaningful. It's not easy - in fact balance is the hardest thing to maintain I think!
DeleteI still have another batch of photos to go through so no firm decisions yet!
I like the 'half drunk woman' the best. The blogs I read are mostly about travel. I like to see photos and find some useful information about a place occasionally. I don't read introspective blogs, or blogs about young children, or pets. I don't like them to be too personal and can't stand the use of the word 'hubby'.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite difficult to find your voice in a blog. I started mine to help friends staying at our house in Italt make the most of the area, but it grew a life of its own and now takes in all my travels. I sometimes wonder why I keep it up, but I think a blog can become a bit addictive, and I do like all the friends I have made through my blogs.
Thanks Debra for this. I'm so glad you like the 'half drunk' woman best. I'm definitely going to find way to use this somewhere. However the short stories are fairly serious and little gloomy so it may not be cover material. Perhaps for a personality piece?
DeleteI also like travel blogs because I'm a restless being who has moved around a lot. Like DLC (though completely different) the stories deal with displacement and crossing borders - physical and emotional - so I'm always keen to see what other people make of their lives.
I do read a lot of writers'/reviewers' blogs too. And I think my voice has changed considerably over the past two years, partly because I'm more connected to my audience, and also because I'm more confident with my subject matter. Enjoying yours immensely!
Cat I have enjoyed your thoughts in this post - deep and thoughtful. They sure have me thinking. I suppose we all have our unique ways of blogging. It is what appeals to one that makes a post a good post but that is in the eyes or the ears of the reader. We all have different expectations and levels of ability to write. Your posts are always interesting and well written but that is your style. I am happy just to be able to share my travel experiences without being too serious but then that is the purpose of my blog. The purpose can also hold the key to the answer to your question. As for the photo, all great but I am partial to the one sitting holding a glass of vino rosso. Lyn x
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Lyn. It's true it's useful to have an understanding of who your readers might be, and thankfully many have blogs so it's easy to visit and converse. I do think it's important to stir up some ideas - it's usually what's on my mind at that point in time. I don't like to feel under pressure. I'm enjoying your blog too - parts of Italy I haven't seen before and some sure-to-make-me-homesick news from home! Xcat
Deletelovely pictures Cat!
ReplyDeleteI must show u this!
now i can't stop reading your blog!
http://www.vice.com/it/read/amanda-schmidt-indossa-abercrombie-per-un-anno-intero
The foto of you with the wine. I think it's most in keeping with the sense I get of you. And being slightly passionate about red wine ... it's always going to appeal as an image that will make me want to read the article or pick up the book. Good luck though, I suspect only you can choose in the end. It's about how you want to be perceived :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Di. I'm sure I'll use the red wine shot for an interview where I'm allowed to seem like a chic drinker. I don't mind it at all! Ciao cat
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