Are
Blogs Passe? by Debra H. Goldstein
When my first book, Maze in Blue, a mystery set on the
University of Michigan’s campus in the 1970’s was about to be published, I was
advised to quickly create a website, social media presence, and a blog. The
result was:
Website: www.DebraHGoldstein.com
Twitter: @DebraHGoldstein
Personal blog, “It’s Not
Always a Mystery” – www.DebraHGoldstein.com/blog
I was set, or so I
thought. What I discovered during the time that elapsed between the original
publication of my 2012 IPPY award winning Maze
in Blue, its reissuance by Harlequin Worldwide Mystery as a May 2014
selection, and Five Star’s 2016 publication of Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players
Mystery, was that technology changed what was needed to attract readers. Websites
had to be more interactive and mobile friendly, pictures and crafts demanded a
presence on Instagram and Pinterest, and besides having a personal blog, it was
beneficial for emotional support and reaching other readers to be part of a
group blog, like The Stiletto Gang.
Of course, even though it
meant redesigning my website, devoting more time to social media, and writing
three blog posts a month (I write the
Stiletto Gang blogs posted on the 2nd and 4th Fridays
of the month and alternate having a guest post or one by me every other Monday
for It’s Not Always a Mystery), I
complied. In my free time, I enjoyed life, produced twenty short stories that
have been published and a few still looking for a home, and wrote the first
book for a new series that will soon be shopped by my agent.
In five years, both the
world of publishing and suggested means of connecting with readers has
Personally, making blog
deadlines is sometimes onerous, but I’m always glad when I complete one. I like
sharing a bit of myself with you. I also enjoy reading blogs written by others.
I always read everyone’s postings on The Stiletto Gang because we are all so
different. Although I may not always write a comment on the blog itself or when
it is reprinted on our Facebook page, I respect and value the different views
we express.
But, what do you think
about blogging? Do you think they have served their purpose? Do you look
forward to them? Do you prefer ones written by individuals like It’s Not Always a Mystery or group blogs
that appear more often, but are written by more authors like The Stiletto Gang?
This is a question I wrestle with as well--and obviously there are many different views on the topic. Just this semester in my reviewing class, I had a freelance critic who said he stopped writing his blog because that whole trend was over; in contrast, I welcome a blogger this week who's doing great work and continuing to attract followers and fans. And clearly I'm read here reading this--as I do every morning first thing, working through feedly and a list of blogs I follow.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm part of my own group blog and enjoy it, I'm not sure that people are reading my *personal* blog at my website. But I still keep it up just to keep fresh content on the page and for a bit of news for anyone who does follow it.
Not sure any of this helps, but in the meantime, thanks for a fun post. You have this reader enjoying your posts and looking forward to more!
Thanks, Art. Appreciate your words of support .... and your reasoned approach to the different viewpoints on blogging.
DeleteGreat questions, Debra, and, in my opinion, the answer seems to me to be "it depends." Time is such a precious commodity and while I don't read as many blogs as I used to. There are still some that I continue to read...time permitting. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you. There are some I read religiously and others that I skim, but all in all, I still gain knowledge from most of them.
DeleteJust read this, Debra...b/c when I get behind, the first thing that goes is reading blogs. I enjoy blogging for the SG once a month, but I've given up on my personal blog. Are they passe? I'd say definitely maybe.
ReplyDelete