My earlier post about blogging received a huge amount of interest and it appears to be a subject close to the hearts of many readers. I promised to come back to it, so I’d like to start with a post on blogging for writers. I’m aiming to look at blogging for readers in a separate post.
Many people warn against blogging about writing, or blogging at all if you write fiction. I would disagree, for the following reasons:
I have gained a huge insight into writing and publishing from a range of authors who blog about the process of writing, editing or publishing. I have learned about both self-publishing and traditional publishing. Some agents and agencies also blog and their comments can be really helpful in finding your way through the rabbit warren that is the publishing industry.
Drawing in other writers who understand the process, and can support you, is essential. I would go so far as to say it as essential as gaining readers. Writing can be an isolating business and blogging can help you to connect with others with a certain level of freedom. I have gained so much from the comments on this blog from other writers, and by following blogs written by writers.
It limbers you up and keeps your words flowing. The process of writing for a blog is very different to the process of novel writing and it can teach you things that you won’t necessarily learn from writing your manuscript.
Reader responses are immediate and interactive. I would say that this is one of the biggest joys of writing blog posts. I really enjoy the comments and suggestions. I like to meet new blog readers and discover new blogs and books. The debates which are sometimes struck up from a particular topic can be really invigorating and will challenge your various perceptions.
Although you can blog about your subject area – crime, if you are a crime writer; relationships, if you write women’s commercial fiction; a specific area of expertise if you write non-fiction – I find that blogging about writing helps me to formulate ideas and to share what I have learned with others who are travelling along the same path.
I find that readers are also interested in finding out about the writing process and I receive emails from people who are just starting out or who would love to write but are nervous about putting their ideas down onto paper. Some readers are just interested in how writers tick and like to know what goes on behind the pages.
Any thoughts? Do any of you find blogging about writing helpful?
F.C. MALBY 
I blog about writing, and more specifically about things for beginning writers. It has not only helped with my writing, but also helped me to flesh out alot of the different perspectives within the universe of writing and helped me to focus in on the things that are both helpful and detrimental to different types of writers.
Look forward to more from you!!
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It sounds like a really useful blog. A lot of people want advice at the starting point. I get emails from people asking how to get into it and how to self-publish. I agree that blogging does help you to flesh out ideas and I think it helps to share thoughts with others. Thanks for your comments.
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I am new to creative writing but not writing per se. Blogging is useful as an output for my urge to write as well as a shop window for my stories. If it wasn’t for WordPress and the various flash fiction comps I enter I struggle to see how I could have kick started a hobby like creative writing. As you say blogs offer feedback which is critical, for me at least. I need to believe people like what I am producing. My only problem with the feedback is it tends to be only positive. I would enjoy negative critiquing as long as it was not nasty or personal. You can only improve your writing so much on praise alone. It’s important to hear the ugly truth at times.
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I think once your work is published the reviews are pretty honest. Blogging tends to attract positive comments, which is encouraging but, as you say, not always helpful. It’s great that you are finding blogging helpful. It is definitely a good outlet for writing and one that I personally really enjoy. Thanks for your comments.
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Blogging can take many forms. My blog is largely interviews with writers or small publishers, but it has been a wonderful experience because of the narratives that have emerged. It has also been invaluable to help me both understand the writing process and the publishing industry.
Your blog, Fiona, is a resource to dip in to. Long may it continue.
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Thank you, Elaine. That’s really kind. I have enjoyed your author interviews and the variety has been really interesting.
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Excellent points, all so true! I think blogging is an essential part of being a writer, no matter what genre you write! It is a fabulous way to generate interest from all over the world.
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I agree. The global aspect of blogging is parting what makes it so good. I love to connect with people from across the globe. It enriches your outlook.
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