Why Writers Should Blog
August 14th, 2009 by (Michy)
If you’re a writer, I’m here to tell you that you should blog. There are so many reasons why you should blog when you are a writer, and it doesn’t matter what type of writing you do. However, nonfiction writing does seem to benefit slightly more from blogging than fiction writing does, but both types of writers and writing will benefit from you having a blog if you’re a writer.
Why? I’m so glad you asked!
Why a Writer Should Have a Blog: Warm Up
Every morning, I used to get up and go write in my Myspace blog, something humorous, poignant, dull, boring… whatever it was, depending on my mood. It was a way to get my brain into mode, get my fingers warmed up, get settled into my day of writing ahead of me. Mostly, it got me brain in the mode I needed to start writing.
Why a Writer Should Have a Blog: Connections and Networking
If you are a fiction writer, you want to sell stories and book and if you’re a nonfiction writer, you want people to read you. If you write web content, you want people to view your work and comment on it so you get maximum exposure and revenue. So, blogging is a good way for people to connect with you in a social setting, network with them in a social way, making them more likely to stumble across you online and more likely to pick up your writing, in whatever form, and read it. You network with them in a way that doesn’t even feel like networking–through your blog–and get other benefits from writing the blog as well.
Why a Writer Should Have a Blog: Less Structure
When we write for everyone else, whether fiction or nonfiction, we have to write with our audience in mind, or we have to write to the style guide of the publication, publisher or website for which we write. On a blog, though we should use good grammar and writing style as much as possible, we’re allowed to be more casual, more colloquial, and more personal. Our blogs are all about us and our thoughts and ideas on things, so we can go first person when many print pubs don’t allow it. We can laugh and tell little jokes in between imparting information. People are more likely to overlook a misspelling or a typo on a blog too.
Now, that doesn’t mean to type in text or IM speak or to throw grammar out the window. Keep in mind that as a writer, everything we write, whether blog or otherwise, that is read by the public will help determine the type of writer we are in our reader’s eyes. If you type very lazy and poorly on your blog, it’s not going to entice people to come read your real writing work.
Still, blogs are a great way to write without as much structure, more for sheer pleasure or stream of thought writing, without having to adhere to hard and fast rules that someone else dictates.
Why Writers Should Have a Blog: Ideas
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written a blog and someone has come into the comments and asked me to blog about something else or to write about it, because they were interested. Or, perhaps someone said something in the comments that made me think of a new idea for an article or even another blog. Ideas are everywhere, and blogging can help spark those ideas.
Why Writers Should Have a Blog: Help Break Writer’s Block
I don’t believe in writer’s block, not truly. Perhaps we don’t feel like writing, don’t have any ideas about what to write, or don’t want to work on the things we have to work on for work/income, etc., but we can always write. I did write this blog post (it’ll open in a new window for you so you can keep reading here), about how to overcome writer’s block. Keep in mind, though, that I don’t give a lot of energy to writer’s block, because I don’t truly believe it exists. A blog is one good way to prove to yourself that writer’s block isn’t ‘real’. If you can write a blog post about any old boring mundane thing, including writing a blog post about having writer’s block, you can prove to yourself that you can write – you just might not want to write. We are not always in the mood to write, no matter how much writing is a part of us.
Sometimes, an alcoholic doesn’t want a beer. Sometimes, men don’t want sex. Sometimes, women don’t want chocolate. And sometimes, a writer doesn’t feel like writing. There’s nothing wrong with us when that happens; it’s natural and normal, and we just push through it. Writing a blog when we feel stuck, especially writing a blog about being stuck, can help unstick us.
Why Writers Should Have a Blog: Breaks Monotony
Bored writing keyword articles for the money? Tired of writing an article you thought was good but the editor has sent back twice now for revisions and just told you to go a whole new direction? Write about it! A blog breaks the monotony of the writing-for-pay routine, lets you break out a little creatively and gives your mind a rest from the other type of writing. When you go back to your for-pay writing after having a little fun and blow-off on your blog, you might find you finish up quicker than when you were just trying to push through the mundane.
Why Writers Should Have a Blog: Release Frustration
Frustrated and on the verge of pulling your fingernails out one at a time? Having trouble getting into the flow? Kids driving you crazy and your husband just asked, “Are you on the computer… again?” Blog about it! If you’re blowing off steam in your blog, be sure to be careful not to blow off too much steam at an identifiable editor though – that might come back to bite you later – but blow off your frustration. I think you’ll feel better for it, can get back to your writing faster and more energized, and you can share the feelings with those who understand you and have been there too — other writers!
Blog venting is a great way to publicly journal and blow off steam in a safe, healthy way, get your fingers burning up the keyboard and get you ready to tackle the writing tasks in front of you.
GO BLOG!
See, I love blogging. I love to blog about whatever is on my mind, whatever I’m thinking, whatever pops into my head to share with you guys, sharing ideas, educating others, helping others, or just sharing my life with people who might or might not care, but hopefully in an entertaining sort of a way.
When I become a best selling author and people are buying my books by the truckload, I hope to continue to maintain a blog that is active and open for all to come to and post and ask questions and give me that interaction with people who love to read what I have to write.
Anyway, blogging is not only fun and easy to do, but it’s healthy, helpful and liberating to a writer. It doesn’t even matter if anyone reads it really, because sometimes, just getting the emotion tapped out is enough. Of course, getting comments and reader and reader questions is always nice too!
If you’re a writer and you have a blog, have you visited it lately? If not, why not? If you’re a writer and you don’t have a blog, why not get one? You can get one on Blogger or WordPress for free, or for a small fee, you can get your own domain and get free blog templates and such to help get you started. You can even monetize your blogs and make a little bit of extra cash on the side too. If you make at least enough to cover your blog hosting costs, you can have a nice self-hosted blog on your own domain and it won’t cost you a penny!
If you’re a regular blogger, blog to your readership about why they should have a blog, link back to me here, and let’s challenge all our readers to blog today and tomorrow! If you haven’t blogged in awhile, dust off the blog, remove the cobwebs, tune it up and then blog about whatever is on your mind. Then come back here and drop off a link for me to read and I’ll come comment on your blog. I’d love a link back on your blog saying I challenged you to write a blog post so it sends other writers this way so they can write a blog post too! I’ll comment on every blog that leaves me a link below!
Get to bloggin’!
Love and stuff,
Michy
Popularity: 81%
Posted in Writing | 23 Comments »
August 14th, 2009 at 7:12 PM
[...] I have inspired 3 blog posts of hers that I know of- 2 were for grammatical errors and now this one. [...]
August 14th, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Okay, Okay. I blogged. happy?
http://rissawrites.wordpress.com/2009/08/15/dusting-off-the-blog/
I even gave 3 times the link love to you.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Hi Michy: My “blog” is devoted to Esoteric Journaling. It is a spin-off from one of my non-fiction books. Please visit me at: http://esotericjournal.com.
I’ve read your messages for some time and enjoy every one of them.
regards,
Bonnie
August 15th, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Michy,
Thanks for the challenge and the push to get back to regular blogging. I posted about it on my blog (http://livingabroad.today.com/2009/08/15/to-blog-or-not-to-blog/) I intend to be more regular in my blogging.
August 15th, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Good article Michy, and you’re right. It is a great way to express yourself when your thoughts may not necessarily fit into the tidy package that other sites expect. Thanks for the good reminders.
August 15th, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Okay, I think I’ve commented on all of yours so far…
Come on, readers! Who’s next?
August 15th, 2009 at 10:51 PM
I’d love to have a blog. I have been reading all about how to set one up, and I am still confused on exactly how to do it. I have a great idea for one too. Hey Michy, wanna chat about my idea?
Donna
August 15th, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Donna, I’d love to chat about your idea! Holler at me!
August 16th, 2009 at 8:44 AM
I gave you a link and talked about my own personal reasons for blogging. http://justkat73.blogspot.com/
August 16th, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Dear Michy, Nice to read some of your stuff again. At first I didnt think that this blog would be relevant to me at this time, because I now consider myself more of a marketer, BUT TRUTH IS: This blog (about blogging) is for EVERYONE (not just writers). Of course, I’ll Always be a Writer at heart and that is what I do. I have to be a little more careful as to what I say on my blog however considering the message that I like to portray. For example, I can’t vent frustrating anger, etc. because it is an encouraging, life-changing blog. (well, at least my main blog at Manifest Your Dreams). Again, thank you very much and have a beautiful day!
- Curt Bizelli
August 16th, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Great post, Michy! Lots of good reasons to do the whole blog thing. I also use it to chronicle my writing adventures – what I find that works, what doesn’t work, things I struggle with and need to work on more. I just don’t do it enough!
Here’s what you made me do:
http://writer.apocalypseblog.com/consider-me-kicked/
August 17th, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Wow, I stumbled across your article. It’s a very good article and makes some good points, too.
My problem is that I have a blog, I just have trouble keeping it updated. I find it hard to blog just for the sake of blogging, though I do agree that it is a good way to keep the writing muscle flexed and let the words flow.
I’m going to work more on updating my blog. Even it’s just to say that the husband and kid are driving me nuts again or to deliver anecdotes about my every day work experiences. It’s not related to writing, but it’s something.
August 23rd, 2009 at 5:40 PM
[...] idea of this post comes from Michy’s recent blog post on why writers should blog. I agree with Michy’s list of benefits, although I wanted to elaborate on some and add my [...]
August 28th, 2009 at 11:57 AM
This is interesting. While I agree, I’m not sure when to try to fit this in. As it is, with two jobs, two kids, a bear of a (car-based) commute, volunteering, being the primary shopper/cook/toilet bowl scrubber of my household, and an aspiring writer, I’m just not sure this is realistic. I mean, you are writing for the freelancer/writer community.
However, I like the goals you list. It all makes sense. And I think I will benefit from pursuing them by other means.
Warm Up – Because I write after the rest of the family is asleep, or by getting up before the cats even think about it, I don’t have a lot of warm up time. What I do is keep the ideas swirling in my head by thinking (radio off!) about my story while commuting, and reflecting on it while drifting off to my nightly 4 hours of sleep.
Connections and Networking – I found this post through a network, so that’s kind of up and running, but I think blogging builds a different sort of network – it builds name recognition and followers. That’s something I’ll have to find a way to do.
Less Structure – I scribble. I doodle. I draw (badly) my characters. I write a line or two of dialogue while at a stoplight. I review chapter divisions while keeping my youngest company in the bath. (Okay – him, not me, that’s sloppy writing!)
Ideas – I have kids. Kids generate ideas. Seriously. Ever need an idea? Get friendly with some kids. Volunteer at a school or babysit or hang out with yours or a friend’s.
Help Break Writer’s Block – With my schedule, I either write or I don’t. Nobody in the world cares about my book but me. It’s pretty simple. Doesn’t always get me writing, but I sure don’t sit around with writer’s block.
Breaks Monotony – This is something I don’t have to worry about. Fatigue, yes. Monotony, no. (Or at least, my monotony comes in enough flavors that I don’t notice it… Can that be called monotony?)
Release Frustration – Oooh, good one. Actually, that’s part of why I’m writing the book in the first place! I also recently picked up the drawing hobby I dropped decades ago. To each his own.
I realize this is a lot of blogging from someone who doesn’t have the time. Your post was just that inspiring!
August 28th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
LOL Thanks, Steve! Great to get a comment like this!
You’re right – when you work outside of writing, it is a lot harder. I’m blessed to be a full-time writer, so there IS monotony when I’m writing and researching articles.
You’re soooo right about kids being wellsprings for creativity and ideas though!
hope you’ll pop by more often!
September 1st, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Cool site, love the info.
September 5th, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Hey good stuff…keep up the good work!
September 13th, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,
A definite great read…
-Bill-Bartmann
September 15th, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Just an update since you issued your challenge. I have written 8 blog posts in a month and 19,041 words on the book.
Huh, maybe Michy is right.
But that does not mean I am doing NaNo.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Hey, I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog!…..I”ll be checking in on a regularly now….Keep up the good work!
October 8th, 2009 at 7:56 PM
I don’t know If I said it already but …Great site…keep up the good work.
I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks, 
A definite great read….
October 10th, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so, Excellent post!
October 11th, 2009 at 5:31 AM
I’m sure many of you are like me and one of the first things you do in the morning is head here and check out the new post. Along with seeing the new posts, I’m also always checking out the blog roll rss feed and watching them grow, or shrink sometimes. In one of my past …but all in all excellent site. Keep it up!