Should your Author Blog be About Writing?

I read a post the other day (and I wish I could remember who wrote it!) about how writers shouldn't be writing blogs about writing.

The author of the blog had several valid points such as, "Are you reaching your target audience" and "Is your blog lost in a sea of other writing blogs?"

While I somewhat agree with these statements, I also beg to differ. My audience is anyone who is going to read my book, and guess what? Writers read! Not to mention the amazing support other blogging writers give to friends who are launching books (free publicity anyone?).

source


I have a mantra for this blog and that is, write what I feel. I'm not going to come on here and not talk about writing becasue certian "experts" think I shouldn't mention the 'W' word even though I am a writer.

I didn't start this blog becasue I want to talk about my kids. I started this blog becasue I wanted to become a better writer, and how can I do that if I never discuss the subject of writing?

Yes there are lots of other blogs out there about writing, but that doesn't mean my blog doesn't have it's own voice. It doesn't mean I can't stand out in a crowd if I don't want to.

It's my obligation to put honest and useful information out onto the internet and how can I do that if I'm not being myself in my blog posts?

So here's my advice, if you want to blog about writing, do it!

***

P.S. The winners for the giveaway on my blog and Tasha's blog where chosen. Congrats Jen R. with a copy of Everneath, Nicole MC with a copy of Midnight in Austenland, and Joshua for winning $20 in gift cards!

Comments

Joanne said…
I can understand that advice, in that you might not want to limit your audience to writers. When I started blogging, I chose a theme from my novel, finding a way to live what we love, and designed my blog content around that to keep it connected to my book and audience. I'm a writer, and I do talk about writing but I felt it was important not to limit the subject to just that. I do reach out beyond that subject to people trying to live any passion.
February 28, 2012 at 7:34 AM
Len Lambert said…
My writer's blog is very new, although I've been blogging for quite awhile now and have many followers - fellow writers, friends, readers. I blog about almost anything and I agree with you - I cannot not write about writing, it's what we do. Most writers write about writing on their blogs, along with being a mother, about life in general, etc...I don't think our blogging should be limited to any specific topic.

Thanks for following. I'm now following your blog, too. :)
February 28, 2012 at 7:44 AM
Luanne G. Smith said…
I can see how things might change once a novel is published, and if it finds enough success that the website draws in a wide audience of non-writers. I think in that case the author could still talk about writing but fans might demand more general talk about the novels and characters or the author's life.

At this stage, however, as many of us are still "aspiring" writers, it seems appropriate to connect with other writers through our blogs, and that means talking about writing and life. Good topic for discussion.
February 28, 2012 at 8:25 AM
Kyra Lennon said…
Totally agree with you! I don't think any blogger, whether a writer or otherwise, can be successful if they aren't writing what they feel. And if writing is what is on your mind, it's good to share!
February 28, 2012 at 8:32 AM
Anonymous said…
I think writers shouldn't write about writing unless they really know what they are saying. I would never talk about certain grammar stuff because I really have no idea about some of that stuff. But if I learn some cool writerly stuff, I'm going to share it!
February 28, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Jessie Humphries said…
I have often thought about this. Actually, more like obsessed about this topic. I worry about my blog content all the time. In the end, I go with your mantra: write what you feel. Sometimes I have something helpful to say about writing, but most the time I don't feel exactly qualified. Instead I like to create a sounding board on certain writerly questions and issues so that we can all express ourselves and learn something. Just me. For now. :)
February 28, 2012 at 9:32 AM
David P. King said…
It wasn't until I started posting MORE about writing when people began to follow my blog more. Granted, it's good to step aside and talk about life, now and then, but if you create a theme that people like, then go with it. Take it and run! :)
February 28, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Mark said…
Couldn't agree with you more. This is blogging...it's supposed to be fun! You've got to stay true to yourself and write what interest you:)
February 28, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Ruth Josse said…
I follow the school of write what you want. However, that hasn't involved very much writing information. It can be intimidating to put something out there all the while thinking that you really don't have a clue what you're talking about. But I think as long as you put your own spin on it, in your voice, you'll come out just fine.
February 28, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Shallee said…
This is something I've thought about before, too. One of my concerns is that I write YA-- and most teens aren't much into blogs. Besides, I blog partially to connect with other writers. I'm good with where I'm at in the blog world. :)
February 28, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Annalisa Crawford said…
I think I agree with you. I've often wondered whether I should write about other things - I visit blogs that do it very well - but I'm not sure what else I'd write about that would keep people reading. I like reading about people who are experiencing the same thing as me - I share advice and receive it back.
February 28, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Tara Tyler said…
we cant please everyone. i think blogs are our voice too. we improve our skills with writing fests, we learn from each other and we encourage and sympathize with each other. i love it =)
February 28, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Leigh Covington said…
Interesting. I think we should talk about writing too, although I do get sick of people who throw all their personal politic opinions and what not all over the place. Unless they're trying to be funny - then I laugh! bahahaha! Anyway... I just think it's important to be yourself. Like you said - write what you feel! :)
February 28, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Anonymous said…
Certainly some interesting points. Except for NaNo last year, I purposely try to avoid talking about writing much outside of my usual Wednesday slot. I think it gives me depth as a person, and to be honest, I don't like talking about writing all the time. I have many more interests.

Thanks again to you and Tasha. So excited for something on my wish list. Decisions, decisions!
February 28, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Jordan McCollum said…
The first time I heard that argument was from Kristin Lamb. It made me panic a little—since I'm a writer blogging about writing!

But she clarified later that in addition to the concern about reaching your potential audience when you're published, she was trying to address the pressure new writer/bloggers might feel: that they have to blog about writing. You don't! Lots of unpublished authors whose blogs I read only talk about writing technique periodically, if ever.

Also, many published authors whose blogs I read do talk about writing, but much less the technique and a bit more the creative life and writing process, in addition to other topics.
February 28, 2012 at 2:32 PM
Carl Duzett said…
I was going to comment on your blog but then I saw it was about writing and said to myself, "What is this lady doing, writing about writing? Shouldn't she be writing or something?" So, in a huff, I left with nary a word.
February 28, 2012 at 2:45 PM
Gill Wyatt said…
Quite agree. You go for it. Let your voice be heard.
February 28, 2012 at 3:23 PM
Alan Horne said…
There are fewer hard and fast rules for blogging than there there even are for writing. Most of the writers I know blog about writing. What authority does anyone have to say otherwise?
February 28, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Alex J. Cavanaugh said…
I blog about movies, music, science fiction, and other geek stuff - wonder what that says about me?
February 28, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Sarah Tokeley said…
Since we want our blogs to last, we have to blog about what we enjoy. Sometimes that's writing, and sometimes it's not :-)
February 28, 2012 at 7:07 PM
J E Fritz said…
I like reading about writing. Plus it's always on my mind so what else would I blog about? If I want to stay interesting, I have to write what I love.
February 28, 2012 at 8:53 PM
Gabe (Ava Jae) said…
I've heard a lot of people talk about this, and in the end I came to the same conclusion you did. If you enjoy writing about writing, then I see no reason not to continue. As you said, writers do indeed read, and quite frankly I'm less concerned about my audience when I get published than I am about my current audience. Maybe things will be different post-publication, but for now I'm happy to continue writing what I love to write about. :)
February 28, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Cassie Mae said…
I do exactly what you do, blog about whatever the crap I want, lol. Writing and non-writing stuff included :)
February 29, 2012 at 12:20 AM
Jayrod P. Garrett said…
Miss Bennett, I love this post. It is so true that we have to find our own voice in order to be able to blog effectively. And I'm so glad that I spoke to you, and read Kristen Lamb's advice to develop my own blog. It really helped me out. Thank you so much!
February 29, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Eden Mabee said…
If you aren't speaking from your own heart, it doesn't matter if you are discussing turtles or chocolate or writing even.... no one will follow you unless it's true to you. And if it is, they'll read about slugs and come back for more the next day. Simple as that.
March 1, 2012 at 12:35 AM
Roni Loren said…
I think you should always write about what you're passionate about, but there is some usefulness in this advice. I kept a writing blog for three years that turned out be to be very successful. And I'm so thankful for all the awesome writer friends I've met. And I know when my book launched, many of my writer friends went out and bought it. So yes, writers definitely read and will support you. But once I was published, I realized that my blog would hold no interest for readers who weren't writers.

I wished then that I had varied my blog up a bit along the way and not stuck so strictly to writing. So now I've moved everything to my author website, leaving my writing blog and that lovely following I built behind. Now I blog one day on writing/social media and the rest of the days have topics with more general appeal. I don't think I'll ever want to stop talking about writing because that's my job and my passion, but it's been nice to also talk about other thing during the week. So I guess my advice would be blog about what you want, but don't paint yourself into too tight of a niche corner.
March 2, 2012 at 9:38 AM
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