In a session on 'building your brand', the speaker advised us to be consistance - always keep the same voice within our blogs and across whatever social media we may use. She also said the voice had to be consistant with the purpose of the blog. Well, that pulled me up short. To be really honest, I started a blog to build an online presence because I hope to get a novel published someday and it's generally accepted that an author needs an online presence. So far so good. I rather enjoy blogging and I like to mix posts about writing with personal topics, general information, and lots of humor. But I write mystery/suspence, and not the lighthearted kind.
Uh oh.
So if someone is interested in my suspense novel and they check out my blog and hit a post I've written just for laughs, am I
I asked a couple of the workshop faculty and got some mixed responses. The concensus was I might have a problem. So I'm going to try something of a workaround. Starting next week - well, actually I started this week - I'm going to follow a new post schedule. Mondays will be Mystery, Murder, and Manuscripts, where we'll talk about mystery (suspense, crime drama, etc.) or about writing or maybe about writing mysteries. This will be my serious author day. On Wednesday, I'm keeping Happy Hump Day. Just because it's fun. Friday will be For Everything Else. Might be serious, might not.
Okay, that's the plan. What do you think? Seriously. I'd appreciate your feedback on this.
I also promised you a new blog. Nope, not mine, but one I think pretty much everyone can benefit from.
Maria Zannini is lauching a blog titled Back to Basics which is tied to her excellent book series and Facebook page The Frugal Way. As Maria describes it, Back to Basics is "more than frugal living or how to make a few extra bucks. It's about creating the Have-More life without donating a spleen."The official launch of Back to Basics is next Tuesday, although there are a couple warm up posts already in place. While you're waiting, check out The Frugal Way which is loaded with links to great free stuff. You need to Like this page. And I hope you'll give Maria a great launch day on Tuesday - visit, follow, share, tweet, enjoy. Make her day.
One final note - I'm going to be away from my computer most of Friday so if you leave a comment - and please do - forgive me for not answering right away. I'll also be late visiting everyone else's blogs, but I will get there.
Groaner of the Day: (keeping it short, it's Friday) This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore
15 comments:
That's an interesting point. I guess fans would expect more of a similar vibe to your genre. One post a week seems reasonable.
mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough
Before you blogged, heck, maybe even before you wrote, did you visit blogs of your favorite authors? If so, what did you expect to find?
That's the question I asked myself when I started blogging. Truth was, I may have visited a couple of my favorite author's websites (not many, though), but I mostly went to see if they had anything new out. I didn't necessarily look to see if they had a blog, and if they did, I would have preferred it to be more friendly (personal) and maybe find out a few things about that author I didn't know about.
Just something to think about, because I like your funny blog!
The mystery idea for Monday sounds good. But I think a blog is as much about your personality as anything else.
I like your new idea, and I also agree with Alex that the blog is about showing your personality. I mix it up a lot on my blog and I don't think that makes anyone wonder if I am a serious mystery author or not.
Thank you for the lovely mention.
Ref: blog
You'll get more out of your blog if you write what's important to you. Your audience will find you.
Case in point. I knew lots of writers would flock to my marketing and writing posts, but the posts that get the most hits are actually the homesteading and dog posts.
You're doing fine.
Mood - I'm hoping the Mystery Mondays will work. I'd hate to give up the fun parts of my blog just because I write more serious stories.
Stacy - Good point. Although many of my favorite authors don't blog. I guess I'm worried about turning off a potential agent or publisher who checks out my blog to get a feel for my writing.
Alex - Oh dear, I may be in trouble. *grin*
Maryann - This is true.
Hey Maria - you're very welcome. I really am excited about Back to Basics.
First, giggling at the pun (because I love puns).
Second, I like your approach to your blog. I was thinking about the same kind of scheduled approach. I do a Fiction Friday where I talk about writing stuff and a My Little Town Tuesday where I talk about what's going on in my life or town. I haven't thought about what else (like where to put my occasional rants), but I figured if people could know what to expect, based on what day they visit, that might at least move me in the right direction.
So, I'm right there with you. Let's see how this works out.
Thank you for the herbivore line. I'm still chuckling. Ref brand, it's a person's voice that trumps everything.
Jeanne - We can use each other's blogs are test cases.
Mike - Ah, but does one's voice carry over all types of writing? Or do with speak in multiple voices?
The frugal living idea is so good. We can all use a few tips on saving!
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