What Is a Writer's Blog Anyway? 03/08/2005 To begin with, let me apologize for writing yet another post on blogging (that's three in a row!). I do not want to turn this blog into a discussion on writing and blogging and am only too aware that I must get back soon to my usual subjects. But my mind is preoccupied with the Writers' Blog Alliance (see The Writers Buzz and my post Writers' Blogs and the Mighty PR) at the moment and that's all I have to write about.I have been thinking about what constitutes a writer's blog. There was no intention to post on this, particularly as I am beginning to bore even myself with this constant hammering away at the Writers' Blog Alliance, but this morning I read a comment on Deborah Woehr's blog that demands an answer. Have a look at Andrew Kaufmann's comment and then visit his blog, Lunar Adventures. I think you will agree that his writing is excellent, even though his subject matter varies greatly (as does mine, I admit!). So how are we to define what makes a writer's blog?A suitable place to begin such a definition would be to look at a few blogs that describe themselves as such. There are those that cannot be categorized in any other way: the blogs consisting of creative writing and nothing else. Doug Worgul's blog, Smoke Meat, is a perfect example; each post is a chapter of the novel he is writing (and it's so good that it makes me feel insecure!).Then there are those that combine some original work with posts on incidental thoughts or comment on current events. My own blog is an example, but have a look at A Little Bit Rusty, the blog of a young writer who shows exceptional talent.Many writers do not post their work but blog about the writing experience. This can take the form of a personal diary (Dana's Southern Gal Goes North) or posts about writing and technical tips (Karen Lee Field's blog, Scribe's Writing Desk, for instance). Some writers extend this idea to provide blogs that are resource centers for writers, as in Deborah's blog, The Writers Buzz, and Kendralynn.com's Fictional Persepectives.All of these can be said to be writers' blogs in that they are written by writers. I admit that I have my doubts about the personal diary type as I don't really care what they had for breakfast and what their cat's name is (Dana's blog is excused because she usually mentions her writing and has links to some of it). But it may be that readers will be interested in these glimpses into a writer's life, especially as this type of blog often comes from published writers (perhaps the reality of earning from writing makes one less willing to give work away for nothing).That mention of readers brings up another important point: do we include readers' blogs in our (visibly expanding) definition? There are many blogs that deal only with literary criticism and reviews of books, although the blog owners may have no aspirations to writing. And there are readers who read for enjoyment only, a breed upon whom we all depend. Can we fit these into our definition too? Certainly, for the purposes of the Writers' Blog Alliance, I think we must, for they form our market. Dialog with readers should be a major part of our Alliance.So the definition becomes almost all-embracing. Remembering that I am carrying out this exercise with the Alliance very firmly in mind, it may be that we should say that anyone with an interest in writing has an entitlement to membership.And the answer to Andrew Kaufmann's question must be, therefore, a resounding "Yes, of course you have a writing blog!"
Clive
Jodie Gone, I haven't looked at the link, but I'd say unless the blogger is using mostly audio or photos, that it's a writing blog. The writing may be a journal, or fictional, or fanfic, or philosophical, or reviews, or political, or so on, or a mix of all -- but it's all WRITING because it's all WRITTEN. :) Just my 2 cents. Date Added: 03/08/2005
John (SYNTAGMA) In a way, anyone who blogs is a writer. There are many ways to communicate these days. Why put words on paper or pixels? Because you are a writer. No-one can take that away from you. I'll admit that The Writer as Lord Byron is a hell of a bore. And all those descriptions of domestic chaos leave me icy. A real writer will always stimulate and enhance the life experience, even if they write about tragedy.I'm looking forward to more about the Writers' Alliance ... but don't neglect your own writing, Clive. I'm looking forward even more to your published book. Date Added: 03/08/2005
Gone Away Good point, Jodie. I think there has to be an interest in writing as well, however; some bloggers don't care about the writing as such. Date Added: 03/08/2005
Gone Away Don't worry, John - I'll shout as soon as the book gets published! And yes, you're right that I should not neglect the actual writing. That's one reason I decided to involve Deborah in the idea - she's really good at setting up this kind of thing. Date Added: 03/08/2005
Andrew Kaufmann Clive -- Thanks so much for the nice words about my blog! I really do appreciate it. It's an interesting topic -- I can see an argument both for exclusivity and for inclusivity. I think so many blogs are really "business" focused, or really "gadget" focused (or whatever the case may be), that the words chosen and writing style are a far distant priority to simple "get my audience the information." Which is perfect for those audiences. But I'm sure there are a lot of people who are more interested in a finely woven argument or interesting story -- and those people might find a home in this project. I hope it has great success! I'll be watching (and hopefully participating) closely! Thanks again, Andrew Date Added: 03/08/2005
Gone Away You're welcome Andrew; you have a fine blog there. I am pleased at the response to the idea of the Writers Blog Alliance - the more that participate, the better its chance of helping us all achieve more exposure. Date Added: 04/08/2005
John Clive, IMHO I don't consider myself as a 'writer' per se, so I am happy to be called a 'blogger.' I think I can tell the difference between something well written and something that is blogged! GBYAY Date Added: 04/08/2005
Gone Away Nothing wrong with the writing in your blog, John. The important thing is that you get the message across! Date Added: 04/08/2005
Mark Cross Let me recommend this young ladies site: Soulkin. I have no connection to her so it's not a plug for my benefit. I found her site surfing the 'net one day and I've been a reader ever since. She brings the most mundane moments to life. I love her stuff. Date Added: 04/08/2005
Gone Away Agreed, Mark; an interesting blog. It reminds me of one that I read regularly - Paper Sack Lifetime. Incidentally, I heartily approve of recommending others' blogs instead of pushing one's own all the time. Do a bit of that myself on occasions... Date Added: 04/08/2005
John (SYNTAGMA) Question to MAD, off-topic :: I've noticed that some sites, including Gone Away and Problogger, don't get their post links aggregated by Technorati. Is that because of some code, like rel=nofollow built into the posting script? I know it's used widely now for comments, with good reason. But in posts it lowers the viral effect of a blog in the traffic stakes. Date Added: 04/08/2005
Mad No I'm not using rel="nofollow" for comments. I don't know what the issue with Technorati is. To be honest Techonarti gets on my proverbials so I haven't given it much thought. I am more than happy for google to see and follow my commenters links. Date Added: 04/08/2005
Gone Away It's a good question, Mad - what have you got against Technorati? Date Added: 04/08/2005
John (SYNTAGMA) Thanks, MAD. I meant links in actual posts rather than comments. Clive, you're up very early over there! Date Added: 04/08/2005
Gone Away Don't tell me, John! Even dreaming about WBA now. Kept seeing this Page Rank counter for it and it was clicking over like mad... Date Added: 04/08/2005
Deborah That's funny, Clive. :D Well, I've just finished with the main body of WBA and have posted this Deborah It seems that my post got cut off. Go to The Writers Buzz, please. :) Date Added: 04/08/2005
Gone Away It is fantastic, Deborah! Thanks again for all your hard work in getting it off the ground so son. I shall start promoting it immediately! Date Added: 04/08/2005
John (SYNTAGMA) I'm looking forward to the WBA. When can we expect an announcement? I've trailed it on SYNTAGMA. Date Added: 04/08/2005
Gone Away The WBA is here here, John, in beta form at the very least. Click on this link, have a look around and see what you think. Then register and join in the discussion to fine tune it! ;) Date Added: 04/08/2005
Ken Another interesting piece, Gone Away, although I'm depressed to see that you don't think of poets as writers. Date Added: 04/08/2005
Gone Away Ah, but I do, Ken. They're included in the first group, the ones consisting of creative writing and nothing else. There is no higher form... Date Added: 04/08/2005
Deborah Thanks and you're welcome, Clive. :) John, WBA is live and functional right now. I expect to launch it to the public as soon as I iron all of the bugs out. Go ahead and sign up. Then take a look around and tell me what you think. Ken, I will add a poetry category to the links directory. I knew I was forgetting something. Date Added: 04/08/2005
Mark Cross What category might a satirical news site fit under or would it be an appropriate site for such an alliance? Date Added: 05/08/2005
Gone Away I would count it as a columnist's blog, Mark. After all, you're doing the same job as a journalist but you're adding an extra ingredient: humor! Date Added: 05/08/2005
Ken My apologies! That's what comes of reading too fast! I should have known better. Date Added: 05/08/2005
Gone Away Oh, I think you made a good point, Ken. I should have made it clearer that, to me, the word "writers" includes poets. Date Added: 06/08/2005
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