For me, it took awhile to get on the blogging bandwagon. I was of the mindset that writers should just write—and all the promotional and marketing should be left to the publisher. Well, of course I [...]]]> So I was reading this article yesterday on Novel Spaces, and it asked the question—Is blogging dead or alive? 

For me, it took awhile to get on the blogging bandwagon. I was of the mindset that writers should just write—and all the promotional and marketing should be left to the publisher. Well, of course I had to change that attitude—and quick. But having a blog can’t be just about you screaming about your writing abilities or promoting your next novel. It has to let your readers see another side of your life that you wouldn’t share in normal circumstances. Readers of this blog have learned that I love all things hair—which includes weave, because after all it is hair—that the revisions on my next novel are kicking my butt, and that I deal with a chronic illness. You also know that the hubby is the computer and mathematical genius of the family which means I can breathe easy when my daughter doesn’t have to ask me about her algebra homework. (But if she needs to write a book report on John Steinbeck’s The Red Pony than I’m totally there!) The point is you get to keep your readers engaged and informed during the year or two hiatus between books. I like to give my readers a little taste of what goes on in an ordinary writer’s life so that they see the craft of the written word ain’t all that glamorous.

But I digress. The point of this post is to examine if blogging is dead. Will blogging go the way of VHS tapes—hot one minute but then quickly replaced with the likes of Facebook and Twitter? Goodness, I hope not. Facebook and Twitter are great, but they have their limitations. Blogging doesn’t. If you want to write a 30 page dissertation on why you think Rick Fox should still be on Dancing With the Stars, (He was robbed, I tell you…robbed!) then you can do it on the mighty ‘ole blog. Twitter limits you to 140 characters and Facebook has their limits too on your word count. So for me, blogs have a place out there. I think blogs are still alive and kicking—but I do agree that many writers have sadly left this format of communication behind them. I’ll be the first to admit that finding new material to blog about is hard work. I try to keep my blog varied—dish and advice about hair, author interviews, and rants about writing make a nice variety. I feel comfortable about the topics I blog about, but I also keep a tablet of possible blogging ideas that help me in case the well runs dry.

I think the new way to keep blogging alive is to mix it with your Twitter and Facebook readers so you are covering all your bases. If you love to blog, keep doing it. Don’t replace it with Twitter or Facebook—figure out new ways to keep it fresh. Introduce a new theme or topic. Love to write and exercise? Start talking about both and watch as a flood of ideas come your way. You could also review a book, or another product that fits in with your blog. Invite another blogger with interests similar to yours to write a guest post. The possibilities are endless as long as you don’t give up.

Don’t give up on the blog people. There’s life in it yet.

11:00 am—Arrive at mall. Begin looking for parking spot.

11:07 am—Still looking.

11:15 am—Still looking. Should take this as sign to go home, but no, keep going.

11:22 am—Find parking space. Am [...]]]> Like a dummy I went to the mall on Saturday to catch some of the sales. Here is how my day went.

11:00 am—Arrive at mall. Begin looking for parking spot.

11:07 am—Still looking.

11:15 am—Still looking. Should take this as sign to go home, but no, keep going.

11:22 am—Find parking space. Am ecstatic.

11:24 am—Spend two minutes fiddling with daughter’s coat. Note to self: Buy daughter new coat.

11:30 am—Inside mall. Husband calls to remind me of our budget. “Not a penny over,” he says.

12:15 pm—Leave New York & Co. a hundred dollars over budget. And have not bought anything for husband or daughter. Guilt ensues. Make frantic phone call to husband professing undying love. “How much did you go over?” he asks.

12:18 pm—Sister offers Macy’s gift card to buy husband some clothes. Hoorah! Back in good graces.

1:00 pm—After potty break, stand outside Children’s Place. Pray. Then go inside.

1:25 pm—Stand in line with handful of clothes, two bags, and whining three-year old. Promise her ice-cream if she calms down. Mission accomplished.

1:40 pm—At register handing cashier money, when daughter announces in loud voice she has to pee-pee. Feel tears coming.

1:52 pm—In restroom, daughter refuses to pee. “I don’t have to anymore.”  “We’re not leaving until you pee.”

1:55 pm—No pee in sight. Daughter wins.

2:02 pm—In line at Children’s Place. Again.

2:30 pm—Finally leave Children’s Place. Meet sister at Kid’s Foot Locker. Sister has bought daughter 2 pairs of shoes. (I know, my sister rocks!)

3:00 pm—Promise of ice cream delivered. Hands feel lighter for some reason. One of shopping bags missing. Tears are immediate.

3:02 pm—Retrace steps in tears. My tears cause daughter tears. Now have a crying, ice-cream melting three-year-old and missing shopping bag. Stares from strangers growing.

4:00 pm—Find shopping bag at Kid’s Foot Locker. Cashier placed behind register. Prayers of thanks ensue.

4:04 pm—Mother calls. “How was it?” she asks. “Not too bad. I only cried once.”  “Just once? Well, I guess I’ll go with you next year!”

Now you know why I had to write something positive for my guest spot at Novel Spaces. Click here to check it out. And remind me to stay home next year!