November, 2009

Metaphysical Rationales: Why Do You Blog?

A friend at Agentquery.net started me thinking this morning. She asked about timing on starting a blog, and about how to gain a following.
It is without doubt a long, tedious process to gain a following online. That’s why you have to start long before you are ready to send your novel to an agent. So how do you find these folks?
1. Choose a point for your blog. Mine is to promote Asian-themed literature. Do I get off point? Sure. More often than I’m on. However, if there’s ever someone who needs my sort of site to post something on or raise a question, I am so there!
You may have noticed I’ve reviewed a few Asian Themed books: “Silver Phoenix,” “The Wandering Monk” and “A Robe of Feathers.” I intend to continue with this, as I think it serves the general community of writes/readers and fits well with my theme. Early next year, I look forward to posting my first author interview and hope (and pray) to do more.
I’ve also started a Yahoo group for Authors of Asian Novels and promoted it on this blog. I started the group so that we could build a database of research materials, novels to read, music to enjoy while writing and anything else we can think of. It can also serve as a critique group, though no one has asked thus far. I wish I’d had access to that database and support while writing “Mourn Their Courage.” I hope to share and add to these resources as I continue in my career.
2. Build a following by becoming a follower. Post notes on other blogger’s sites, be kind and thoughtful and make sure your blog allows followers and gives your email. You will find followers doing this. Also, contact individuals when surfing. Most of my followers have come by to say hello because I said it first. BTW, I’m a zero on the introversion/extroversion scale. What excuse do you have?
3. Google news topics of interest to you, then contact those individuals whose names pop up. I’ve found more than a few followers and people to follow by doing that.
4. Offer information on contests and heck; even offer prizes for your own contest if you have an idea for one! Nothing sparks interest more than competition and generosity. (A lesson I’ve learned, but not incorporated, I know!)

I’m sure there are other methods I haven’t tried/thought of, so feel free to suggest them. I’d love to know what I’m doing wrong! LOL.

Back to why you want to start now:
By the time you’ve blogged for a year, you may feel like there’s little point. You have twenty to fifty followers. Big whoop, right? Don’t get discourage if you follow more than you’re followed. I think that’s the norm. I know there are followers of mine who never selected “Follow This Blog.” They follow by RSS feed, which I have no idea how to track. (Anyone?)You have more of a following than you know even with ten people signed up.

When an agent googles you or selects the url address that you DID include in your cover letter, they’ll see what you’ve got and be impressed, which is the whole point. Right?

Here comes the reason for my title. This morning, I got to the above question and stumbled. It made me think about this process.
Some folks blog everyday, write their novels and probably work as clowns for kids or bake for a local charity. I respect these individuals more than I can say. I blog when I have an idea and time to express it. My fiction comes first. Yet I still find myself wondering: why BLOG. I have a bazillion and one writer friends through online forums and my critique groups. I have their support and they have mine. So the obvious answer is, I’m marketing for my upcoming novel. That’s also too simple an answer and I would not continue if that were my sole response to this question. I’m going to take a leap here and paraphrase a favorite quote from “Shadowlands.” “We read (write/blog) to know we’re not alone.” That is why I continue to blog. Though Facebook says I have close to 200 friends and I have many others who don’t know what a computer keyboard looks like, let alone how to Facebook or blog-surf, I still want MORE.

Am I alone in that?

Why do you blog?

Kreative Blogger Award

Thanks to TK Richardson for nominating me for the Kreative Blogger Award! She’s got a great book trailer at her site plus straightforward directions on how to make your own and that’s just the recent entry. Get over there and check her out.
I’m supposed to tell you all sorts of things about me that you don’t already know. The truth is, there’s at least one person following me who knows everything there is to know (are you reading today, Rabbit?), but for everyone else:
1. TK Richardson wanted to be a gypsy; I wanted to be a horse! LOL.
2. I’m a Star Trek fan and wrote “A Tribble Ate My Lunch: The Official Star Trek Cookbook.” The only problem being, I was too slow and someone beat me to the punch. (No pun intended.) I will try Paramount/Pocket again someday.
3. I listen to music of every variety but rap with foul words and twangy country.
4. I have sung in Carnegie Hall with a choir of about eighty members.
5. Wo hui shuo Putonghwa. Ni na? (Okay, I’m showing off, there. I said I can speak Mandarin, you?)
6. I’m a romantic who loves the occasional romance novel as much as blood and guts battle scenes.
7. I love historicals, but refuse to consider reading anything set before 1900 unless it’s Urban Fantasy. I just can’t get into modern settings.

Ok. Next, I’m supposed to send my award onto others. (They make you work for this thing, don’t they?)

1. Take a look at Jeannie Lin’s Adventures in Romance. It’s a gorgeous site and if you’re into Asian stuff like me, she has good news for you.
2. Dara Sorenson at Tales From the Writing Front. Dara has an intrigueing site that’s concerned mostly with Japanese-flavored Fantasy. How cool is that?
3. Sandi Rog at The Book Doctor. Sandi is a good friend, a Christian and a great editor with some classy visitors. She also gives free public edits, so check her out.
4. The Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood blog. If you’re not following, why on earth not?
5. Laura Manivong’s site has a great post up right now about high concept hooks. I am so there when I’m done with this. You should join me. Her upcoming novel, “Escaping the Tiger” received a great review from Linda Sue Park. I may be unworthy to link to Laura’s site….
6. Natalie Whipple is Between Fact and Fiction and yes, I intended to word the sentence like that. LOL. Natalie’s a hoot. It’s a great, informative blog and Nathan Brandsford keeps touting her in his daily blog for a reason. Check her out.
7. The Historical Novel Review is run by Mirella Patzer and is a font of info on great reads and author interviews.