Comments on: I Need Some Blogging/Writing Advice

By: Cate

Cate — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:07:23 +0000

It looks like you’re using wordpress, so did you know that you have a separate RSS feed for each category? If you have a “writing” category and a “blog” category (with sub categories, that’s fine) people can choose to subscribe to one, or the other, or both.

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:46:37 +0000

brigit’s flame on livejournal (it’s just hosted there) is a great community for writers. they encourage all genres, styles, etc., provide feedback, and do monthly competitions associated with prompts.

By: brad

brad — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:22:33 +0000

For some reason, I was reading this and thinking about TV; especially when you mentioned maintaining and engaging an audience. And so a (hopefully-not-too-forced) TV analogy:

You could make this place like a channel; a channel that offers a variety of different programming. NBC, for instance, has completely different lineups depending on the time of day or night (e.g., “must see TV” on Thursdays). If your audience could get everything by tuning in here, rather than having to “change the channel” by going to another blog or site, all you’d have to do is make them aware of your scheduling; that on Thursday you write “must read fiction.”

I’m not sure about how you could combine content from different pages into the same feed, but that’s definitely an idea worth checking out. That way you could have a variety of content that is essentially broadcast through the same medium: our readers. You could divide your writing platforms but still singularize the delivery (double win).

I think this is just my long-winded way of saying that I agree with everybody else.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:05:05 +0000

I think it’s wonderful what you’re thinking about doing! I vote with everyone who said having a feature on your blog to showcase your fiction writing. And if it doesn’t work out, you can figure something else out!

The good part about having your own domain is that you have ownership over your own material, whereas if you had a .blogspot or .wordpress account, you might not have that. That way, if you get published….well, you get the whole shebang about copyright, etc.

By: Nora

Nora — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:33:21 +0000

I vote that you keep it on this blog; I will gladly follow you elsewhere but I think that like they’ve said you’ve got a readership, a domain, a great layout, and it makes sense for your readers (and others!) to identify you as a reader when you have a base. Can’t wait to read your work that you post, or anything pertaining to your fiction dreams and goals, which I’m sure you will accomplish :) May I say that I knew you before you’re famous when you’re on Oprah or Larry King or the New York Time’s Bestsellers List!?

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:36:45 +0000

If you want to post original writing somewhere for others to be able to both read and leave you feedback, check out the website http://www.fictionpress.com

By: Herding Cats

Herding Cats — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:31:36 +0000

I would happily read your work….whether it’s on here or another blog! Post wherever you feel it’s right for you!

By: Ally

Ally — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:57:32 +0000

Oooh, exciting. I think you should start out here on your blog. See how it fits before you spend too much time figuring out the LastName stuff. You can always transition to another site if this doesn’t work after a while.

By: Sophia

Sophia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:27:35 +0000

I would love to read your fiction here on the blog too, I think it’s a great idea. I bet there are famous writers out there who started out as bloggers-without-last-names, so that shouldn’t be a hindrance!

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:11:08 +0000

Jess called dibs on publicist, I want marketing coordinator.

Anyway, I’m going with most everyone when I say to continue writing on this blog. You have a firm foundation of readers already set, so asking them to read more of your work is a gift. Additionally, maybe you could have “Fiction Friday” to where you direct people to a new “Chapter” or “Fiction Piece” that you’ve done.

If you need any assistance with anything, please don’t hesitate to give me a heads up!

By: Kahea

Kahea — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:00:26 +0000

first of all, i’m so glad that you’re taking this step. it’ a big one, and you taking charge of your professional writing future can hopefully inspire other (read: me) to try to do the same! have you thought about using 20-something-writers as a platform? i know it’s not your own personal blog, but as administrator, you could start to transform 20sw into something more similar to the “she writes” network and have pages (either static or a separate section functioning like a blog) for members who want to do the same thing you’re doing. the problems with this is that it seems like a lot of work to administer what could possible be a huge growing blog/network, and it’s sort of a third blog. the advantage would be that you could get even more support, in particular from those who would want support as well. if that doesn’t seem like something you’d like to do, then i’d go for the separate section on your blog (not static). hope this helps! looking forward to seeing the results!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:34:04 +0000

I’m sending you an e-mail about this right now, but PS I call dibs on being your publicist when you publish your first novel.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:45:34 +0000

It’s nice to see you taking another step towards your goal. I think putting your work in a sub-domain sounds fine; this is a writing themed blog after all. Even though it might be daunting at first, sharing your fiction writing with others is important if you intend to eventually get published. I’m very interested to read some of it, and hopefully it will inspire me to really get going on some of the ideas in my head. You’re clearly very driven, and that’s why I’m so sure you’ll get what you want, sooner or later.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:45:05 +0000

Make that three votes for keeping it all here on the main blog. I think it will be less stressful, less time consuming, and less fuss. Your readers love you for you, and enjoy what you have to say, no matter what it is. You know we will support you with any and all of your goals.

xoxo

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:31:30 +0000

I definitely think you should keep your writing on this blog, for all the reasons you said. I think it would actually be fine just to incorporate it into the main blog. You could have categories for the type of content you are posting which would help the readers. Or, if you want to use your /writing sub-domain, that can definitely be included in your main feed, which I think would be best for that option.

Also, I love the ideas for content you suggested. Looking forward to reading!

By: mandy

mandy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:28:28 +0000

I dont see any reason why you shouldn’t put it here on your main blog, Ashley. While you might not take yourself seriously as a fiction writer just yet, I totally take you seriously as a wonderful writer (and would regardless of what you write). Putting in the writing time, your goals, etc here on your main blog might help keep you accountable. Personally I always feel more accountable after “telling” people I’m going to do something, even if its people who are reading my blog.

As for getting comfortable with people reading what you’ve written — you are all ready incredibly courageous, some of the posts you’ve written here and on your other blog took a lot of guts that a lot of writers wouldnt have. Also the fact that you already have an audience here helps and you’re sure to attract more new people with each post you write.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable putting it all out there under my FirstName LastName either. Not just yet, especially if by googling your name so many personal details about you are exposed. Start here and in time you can always move it to something more professional when you’re ready. In the mean time you can start to compile a professional site, without sharing it with the entire world.

Just a few thoughts, hope they help and that you’re enjoying your break.