Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Blogged Down
I've never been a big reader of blogs. Even when a friend recommends a particular blog as a "must read," I find myself strangely reluctant to visit the site. I think part of it has to do with my addictive personality. Wait...that didn't sound right...most people don't become addicted to my personality (although my husband seems to like it a lot!), but I tend to become easily addicted to things that will distract me from what I should be doing, which is writing. Blogs included. I find myself strangely fascinated by the things people reveal in their blogs; intimate things. Things nobody but their significant other or their therapist should know. Seriously, some blogs are like reality shows for readers!
Then there are a few blogs that I do enjoy visiting because they're short, humorous, and insightful. Visiting these blogs only takes a minute or two and is good for a smile. But I'm not in any danger of being sucked into these blogs and can easily go weeks without stopping by, and I'm not tempted to go back and read those posts that I may have missed.
Then there are individual author blogs...there are literally hundreds and hundreds of these out there. I usually avoid them because they make me realize how unexciting my own life is in comparison, or how much more I should be doing to promote my books.
But recently, I've been trying to overcome my blog-o-phobia. This past weekend I actually visited several of the blog sites recommended to me by friends. Yes, I am in imminent danger of being sucked into one of these blogs, but like a true addict, I don't care. I need my fix! The blog site is Penelope Trunk's Brazen Careerist. I dare you to click on her tab "About this blog" and then scroll down to her posts entitled, "The truth about my name," or "My Marriage." I guarantee, you'll become addicted, too.
The other blog, which I don't visit as often, but will this week because he's promoting Positivity Week for writers and the world of publishing, is Nathan Bransford, Literary Agent. I actually found Nathan's post yesterday, about the future of e-books, to be a bit frightening. I'd love to know your thoughts on his eBook Utopia and predictions for the future of publishing.
And as far as blogs go...how much time do you spend reading them, writing them, ignoring them?
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When a blog jumps the shark...
I used to follow two blogs religiously. I'd visit, oh, I dunno, like twenty times a day. And then, independently, each of these blogs did something that turned me off.
I was done. That was it. You know how they say TV shows "jump the shark"? Well, these blogs did that for me, and now, I might go back once a week, but I'm almost never glad I did.
Is there a term for when a blog "jumps the shark"? I think it happens when the blogs go from personal fun to the overtly commercial.
Can't wait to check out your blog addictions!
I learned something!
Diana, I have never heard that term before!! I Googled it:
"Jumping the Shark is a colloquialism used by TV critics and fans to denote that point in a TV show where the plot veers off into absurd story lines or out-of-the-ordinary characterizations, particularly for a show with falling ratings apparently becoming more desperate to draw viewers in. In the process of undergoing these changes, the TV or movie series loses its original appeal."
Yes...I have definitely seen this in blogs, and it turns me off, too. Especially if the shark-jumping involves man-eating (or bad-mouthing someone in order to create a buzz of comments).
Jumping the shark
I believe the origin was from Happy Days -- the episode where the Fonz actually does ski-jump over a shark... yep, that about defines when something has gone too far, far past where it should have ended.
I always like the Seinfeld philosophy, end on a high note -- I can think of some book series as well as TV series that could have taken that advice, but then I never thought to apply it to blogs.
I don't read a lot of them. I will pop by a few romance blogs on our sidebar each month, I like Write Minded Riding with the Top Down, and NINC because they are pretty friendly, fun or informative places that my friends frequent.
Other than that, I sometimes post on my friend's blogs, maybe once every 6 months or so, LOL. Otherwise, I like Skepchick, they have a very smart blog, and Televisionary, but I still only get by them maybe 2 or 3 times a month, and often to read, not to post. In general, I don't read the romance blogs, because I don't follow reviews, mine or anyone else's, and I don't care for the snarky ones. I don't find them to be all that, and who needs all the negativity? I like Teach Me Tonight, but I spent so many years in academia, I'm kind of done with that, too.
I prefer Cigars, eHarlequin, Facebook, and to some extent, Twitter. Though I think the quality of communication on Twitter and Facebook is extremely surface, by necessity -- how much can you do in 140 characters? (The Jon Stewart thing on Twitter was hysterical). I enjoy our blog and the Harlequin messageboards, and plain old email, much more...
Sam
I like Write-Minded and
I like Write-Minded and Riding With the Top Down, as well. In fact, they're links on my webpage.
I find I gravitate toward those blogs that are updated regularly and frequently. Nothing worse than seeing the same old blog day after day...I'd never do anything like that (whistling innocently).
Good point...
I agree, blogs have to be active. That's why I'm such a blog nag here, LOL.
Sam
Karen
Now I have to figure out how to forget Penelope Trunk's name. I could definitely spend too much time there.
But I already spend too much time elsewhere on the internet so...no. Or maybe just one more peek.
Ellen, I love her voice, and
Ellen, I love her voice, and her writing is just such a pleasure to read...even when she's writing about something that's not very pleasant!
I visit about 10 blogs
I visit about 10 blogs daily---don't always comment tho'.
I prefer blogs that are updated daily.
I have links to about that
I have links to about that many blogs on my website, but find I only actually visit 2 or 3 of them with any regularity. Yes, blogs are much more likely to have me return if they're updated daily.
blogaphobe!
Yup i think we all go through the blog addiction at one point or another.
Personally i stop and check four every night when i get on the PC.
Kay stockham, I knew her when she was Dorma!
Stephanie bond- always some interesting writing tips
eharlequin-cool site lots of writers and unpubbed as well like me.
cigars of course.
Im a new convert to cigars after reading Sam's comments on EHQ alot, im glad i popped on over, its always fun.
After i check those then i make myself get off the net and write. okay so it doesnt always work but most days!
happy bloggin er-writing
jody lynn
Jody Lynn, you're a lady
Jody Lynn, you're a lady after my own heart; our routines are almost identical! I haven't checked out Kay's blog, or Stephanie's either for that matter (and I love her books) so I may--ahem--have to pop over there before I sit down and start writing!
So glad you did find us and that you come by to visit!
Karen