Thanks to those few, brave souls who made their way through my last post. I know it was long, and perhaps a bit controversial. (Although, I did have an agent read it and she thought it was funny. See - even agents can have a sense of humor!) However, since that post, I had two of my "regular" followers leave me in the dust. This makes me sad. I want my mommy. I'm gonna take my toys and go home to my kitties. They NEVER stop following me.It also makes me wonder if I've hit some sort of nerve...
I'm finally "live" with my new role as Philly Songwriter Examiner. Please visit often: Philly Songwriter Examiner. Along with this gig is a long list of "Writing Do's & Don'ts." Of course, being the headstrong 'thang that I am, I had already plowed into my first article before this little writing tool came my way. By that time, I realized I'd broken almost every rule on the list. OK, that's a slight exaggeration. I'd only broken two (very important) rules: no caps in the headline besides the first letter of the first word, and don't do an introductory first article. Each word of my first headline was in caps and the article was an introduction to me, glorious, me. So, I had to delete it and start from Square One.
It got me wondering if there are Writing Do's & Dont's in the blogosphere. I'd love your views on if there's an invisible line that shouldn't be crossed by bloggers along the posting trail. Sexy = okay; x-rated = not okay; racist or bigoted = never okay (mean is not funny or acceptable EVER!) Politics, one of my favorites, is definitely okay, after all, this last election couldn't have been more fun to write about, and religion? Better tread lightly on that one. (Just ask Madonna or Sinead O'Connor.) Oh, yeah, and then there's making fun of agents. That's a good one! Or is that perhaps as taboo as x-rated, religious, racist remarks? Hmm... (Or could it be I'm not as funny and entertaining as I thought? Damn, I hope it's not that!)
18 comments:
I think you are placing too much emphasis on followers. To me its a numbers game that people seem to be hung up on like Facebook. I dont even display it on my blog because its distracting. I have people that follow me supposedly who have never given a comment or or who clearly dont read my blog. Yet others that read and comment and dont follow. I know which one I would prefer. Blogger mucks around with the numbers and they come and go. I lost yours before remember - it still showed I was following you but it didnt show on on your blog. I lost three followers overnight but it means nothing. I always use my blogroll because you cant follow anyone outside of blogger and there are a lot of other blogs out there.
I think these blogs are our own personal spaces so nothing is sacred. If we try to write to capture followers then it impinges on the quality fo our work and us. I say just be yourself, write what you want to write and for the readers you lose there will always be others to take their place. Just do not get hung up on numbers. It truly means nothing. If you are going to look at numbers use Google analytics. Take Care. You are a great and funny writer and have a wonderful personality and are talented. Keep believing in your dream and dont get distracted by a gadget on blogger.
Lilly, Words of wisdom. You're SO right! I think it's a throwback to high school - who's popular, and who's not. Who cares? I promise to pull my head out of you-know-where and get back to the magic and mystery of writing. Thanks for reminding me...
What? Who would drop you because of that post? It was funny! Were your two dropouts undercover agents?
When I got caught up in the numbers and started writing (my last blog) based on what I think people wanted to read, I didn't have the motivation to write it. Now I write what I want, with the blogosphere in the back of my mind. I want to connect with others or I wouldn't be here - but to me it's more about the quality of the connections than that numbers.
I think you can and should write any and every thing that you are willing able to back up with your heart and mind.
I think you do a fabulous job here, if I were you, I wouldn't worry about it.
Debra, I loved your last post! I personally didn't comment because my computer died a long, sad and very LOUD death, and I had to bogart my hubby's laptop to do all my blog stops and didn't have time to comment. But, it was hilarious!
I've noticed that our whole little blogosphere goes in cycles. I sometimes get TONS of comments and then other times I only get one or two. I never hold it against my post if no one really comments. Writing in our blogs should be just like the writing in our novels. It needs to make us happy first!
Kudos to you for your debut article at the Examiner. I clicked over, very nice! Great gig going on there. And I'm with the others on the blog issue, comments and followers come and go. It's like a breathing, changing being. Do your thing, and keep on writing.
Sandra, That must be it! Undercover agents with no sense of humor whatsoever! Thanks for solving the mystery.;-)
Amy, You are so amazing. Thanks for your ongoing support even with all my neuroses. It's not a job for just anybody. (smile, wink, smile!)
Vivi, I'm so sorry about your loud, dying computer, and I'm so happy you thought the post was funny. You're right - I'm happy when I blog and that's really all that matters. The comments are simply icing on the cake.
Joanne, Thanks for the kudos! And, you're right (as always!) - my blog is a living, breathing entity that will ebb and flow, peak and valley, and rock and fizzle (depending on my mood?!!). Thanks for reminding me!
Write what you know and write what you want. I think once readers get to know your style of humor and intent (who doesn't know you're a nice, decent person?), then they will read tongue in cheek. As long as you're having fun writing and connecting, that's the only important factors. :) I've lost a few folks too b/c they don't like politically incorrect cartoon or blonde jokes, but you still gotta be true to your own quirks. Hugs and write on! Congrats on new gig.
I thought your post was hilarious. If anyone reacted poorly, sucks on them.
Angie, I LOVE your blonde jokes! What's wrong with people? OK, I get it. I'm going to continue to write whatever the f I feel like and trust there will be plenty of folks who "get" me.
Sarah, How are you, girlfriend? I'm glad you liked the post. You're right - sucks on them!!
You know blogger had some sort of hiccup yesterday and we all lost followers. I can't explain it. But I am sure it had nothing to do with your wonderful writing!
Debra, Really? You mean I've made a complete ass of myself (again) for no reason? Oopsie. My bad.
I agree with Lilly. I've had people reading my blog religiously, from New York and Norway, and none have ever commented. I think they are afraid to be associated with my stuff.
Broke, Why would they be afraid to be associated with you? You're hilarious if not a bit rusty around the edges - but that's what makes you special. You, my friend, tell it like it is. And I, for one, love that.
I just found this info on another blog about followers:To fix the Follower issue, go to Dashboard. On the left you will see "Manage". Click on that. To the right of each blog if you see "Anonymously" against any blogs you are folloowing, you needs to change it to "Publicly." It often reverts to Anonymous for some strange reason. Now you will appear on that person's blog. I imagine they have to do the same to reappear on your blog. So spread the word!
Hope it helps. Its happened 3 times for me. Blogger is playing up.
Lilly, Not only are you beautiful and funny, but you're a genius! Thanks I'll check this out right away.;-)
Your blog is awesome! Anyone who doesn't follow you is, is, just... jealous. Yeah.
Linda Lou, Yeah, that's it - they're just jealous! (Either that or they're well-mannered and have good taste, and who'd want to hang out with people like that?)
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