One matter of my pondering is the erratic nature of this here blog. I say that ’cause I see other blogs that have a straight-on direction.You know, they may write about writing or do reviews, things of that sort. Now, you may not have noticed at all but there have been a couple of times when I got stone bored with blogging but like other matters in life, I saw my way through it and kept chugging away.
On the backside of all this, I’ve been writing a lot of flash fiction as I, mentally, try to work out how I need to restructure my novel. Now, this is the novel I aim to finish first ’cause it’s the same one I took to my critique group that helped me define my writing style. Let me say this folks, Totsymae is the writer and the other person is the artist. The artist ain’t been painting so much ’cause Totsy’s taken over after so many years of not writing faithfully. And that’s okay. With this collection of flash pieces though, I’ll be doing a lotta drawing and painting soon.
Any ole how, sometimes I have to reflect on this blog so that it’ll keep my interest, as well as yours. Certainly, I don’t wanna write nothing where you can see I’m totally distracted or the blog’s turned into a Hollywood gossip column. Well, I do like dabbling but I won’t dig down too deep in the Wood. Okay? Believe it or not, I’m methodical about the content here but not in an organized fashion. So maybe you can answer some of these burning questions:
- Should subscribers know the rhythm of when you post? Should they expect to hear from you twice a week, if that’s how you roll or once a day? I ask this ’cause word is, if you wanna turn blogging into a profession, posts must be consistent. That’s not my target but for whatever you’re doing on your blog and you want followers, blogging, it’s said, shouldn’t be sporadic.
- What’s too much in your mailbox? Is three times a day too much? Once a day? What?
- Are guest posts okay on the blog you subscribe to or not? What if there was a noted author or noted whoever? Would that be cool?
- What’s your least favorite topic when reading a blog?
- What makes you fall in love with a blog or fall out with it?
These are all general questions you can relate to any blog, not mine specifically. I guess I’d be okay with you telling me something I didn’t wanna know. I don’t know. I’d have to read what you said first. Then, if I didn’t like what you said, I’d blog real bad stuff about you. Just joshing, folks.
Many thanks to all of you. You’re most appreciated. I was about to say I don’t have any thank you gifts to hand out but I do actually. Download this PDF. Listen to it and after you finish your business, hang it on your wall. (Hehehehe!)
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
I think Rythm always helps
Seriously I know as a reader it depends on the type of blog. If It’s just photography with few words then I like them often. If it’s a blog with lots of words not so often ‘cus I aint got time !
I have 2 blogs as you know 1500 Saturdays which obviously is once a week often with lots of words and then my Photomania which is daily but not many words.
So I tend to do what I like myself.
What do you like yourself.
I really don’t like a blog that is very long, no matter how good it is..as I said I ain’t got the time.
I have another blog but never got it off the ground. This one, I realized, is enough for me. If I blogged in a totally different voice, I’d reconsider.
My interests vary, so I subscribe and visit different sorts. What I don’t like are mean-spirited blogs and constant complaining. Complaining with humor is another matter for me, however.
Tots,
those are some great questions which, as bloggers, we all want to know.
1. I blog every 3 or 4 days now.
2. I do not read blogs that post everyday or twice a day. TOO MUCH.
3. I do not care for guest posts, but I like interesting interview.
4. If a blogger is interesting & kick ass, I’ll read anything she/he writes, regardless of content.
5. I fall in great big love with rawness, honesty, and an authentic voice.
That’s why I love you. :::))XXX
Love you back, Kim.
It’s very rare that I can think of something twice a day to blog about but I don’t think my blog is that type anyway, say like a news type of blog.
Yes, authenticity is what reels me in and variety, since I bore easily.
And thank you, Ms Lipstick Everyday.
1). A blog is whatever you are feeling at that moment you sit down to type your emotions at that exact moment in time. Your rhythm is what your soul feels.
2). If people follow your blog, there is no such thing as too much mail from you. If they don’t want to be notified when you post to your blog, they can 7 should unsubscribe.
3). Guest bloggers are great. if you love the mind of a person, ask them to guest blog. In many ways that is what reblogging is….. instantaneous guest blogging.
4). Whining.
5). Fall in love: Raw power and emotional openness in whatever you are writing about.
Fall out of love: man bashing over a past or current relationship.
Good points. Blogs have a genre and I think news media blogs, as yours, will post more often than one like mine. People visit news blogs for that content and want to read the bloggers’ thought on the latest info.
Now, you know I’m not all that crazy about reblogging but maybe it’s because I haven’t quite gotten the hang of it either. I would like to collaborate with others but I haven’t figured out the right way of doing that as of yet. Think for me, Twin.
Reblogging is simple…click the reblog icon, and add a few words why you are reblogging….if you wish to comment. It is exactly like having a guest blogger.
I post more, much more, than the average blogger. I don’t consider a blog something that has 275 writers posting content every 6 minutes….to me that is a website. Blogging is a mom & pop operation, usually run by one or two writers at most.
One thing to remember is this….your blog is entirely yours….do with it as you desire. that in itself makes your blog uniquely you Twin.
1. Rhythm is for business blogs and for avoiding pregnancy blogs. Post whenever your art/writing gods stir you.
2. Some people post several times a day. There are never more than half dozen commenters so who in the world is this vast audience to whom they keep posted every few hours? For them a post is like having another cigarette.
3. Guest posts are a splendid way to promote the blogs of other people and established bloggers should care to help create traffic for beginners with quality stuff. It was done for me and I return to others.
4. I can’t believe how many “join me in worshiping my stupid kid” and endless “isn’t my cat the most wonderful thing in creation” blogs are out there and have an audience. They must be paying these people to visit and comment.
5. Art of any form. Writing? Must have humor, sarcasm, insight, unique style. Totsy has them all. Should never be more than 5 paragraphs. So many good authors I want to knowledge with comment but with 200+ blog emails a day I can’t read their daily novellas. Some blogs I have deleted sub because I never get a return visit.
One thing I hate are these opinion posts. I NEVER participate in what is your opinion posts. If my opinion was valued I’d be president so I don’t have time to go back and forth to the questions and give opinions and that is why I NEVER participate in opinion posts. Unless all I have to do is press publish for Monday morning’s 5AM post.
No, I don’t like the mommy blogs either. Maybe if I were a young mom with little ones. Otherwise…
I prefer shorter posts also and am working on that for my own. Today was one of those rare days of me posting twice.
And thanks for that compliment, Carl. Forgive my manners. I’m gonna have to find you a Belle in this vicinity yet.
Totsy, I try to put out two posts a week. I used to try and do it every day, but then I got bored with myself and I stopped. I really think unless somebody is really special (like you) every day is too much. I love that you post as much as you do, but Honey, you are kind of an exception. Most people can’t find anything that holds me when they do it too often.
I also have trouble with reading really long-assed blogs. I want a short blog. I want to have it take me 5 minutes to read, not 30 minutes. I don’t like all politics blogs either, or all religious blogs. Well, since I’m not religious, that might be why. I’m not really political either except in my own quirky way.
I don’t really care for the “guest posts” that much. I came to a blog to read that person, not somebody else. If it’s exceptionally interesting I’ll read it, but most of the time it isn’t.
I lose interest in people who only blog once in a blue moon and who never visit me. I mean, how do you build a relationship out of that. And I think it is about relationship building. I’ve met people blogging who enchant me, who I love, and who I wish would come and visit me.
I prefer shorter posts also. If it’s a fun blog visit, all the better. I tend to stay away from religion blogs. I’ve revisited some blogs and they’re no longer in existence or they haven’t posted in three months. I understand things happen, however. I’d love to meet and chat with some of the folk here too.
I here ya, Totsy. I am asking the same questions. I post one a week or one every week and a half. Mine are too long…got to get better at editing and posting! But unless someone is an incredible writer with a lot of interesting topics to cover, I don’t want to read more than two a week. I am of the opinion that it’s better to post less but include something of interest than more with little content. That may sound rude, but it’s hard to read all the blogs and comment when they are hitting your inbox at the speed of light.
Some of the blogs I don’t subscribe to are links on my site so that I can visit them. I don’t mind visiting often with shorter posts. Blogging, I think, is either a pastime or it’s being done to build an audience for a specific reason.
Good questions!
1. I think having a well-defined rhythm is a definite plus, although I feel a little hypocritical saying that, since I’ve never been able to come anywhere near close to establishing one for my blog.
2. I don’t get blog posts in my mailbox; I subscribe to some via RSS and some via the WordPress reader, so I don’t find frequent posts that intrusive. But if you post six times a day, I might skip some of your posts.
3. Guest posts can be cool, as long as they fit in with the theme of the blog.
4. Well, there are some topics I’m just not interested in, like about 99% of sports. And I generally either love or hate rant posts, depending on whether or not I agree with them.
5. Really good writing or really good art can make me fall in love with a blog. A lively comments section makes me feel warm and cozy. Occasionally I’ll become infatuated with a blog that covers a subject I’m not interested in, if the writing is really good — but that’s not true love, and the infatuation eventually fades.
Your last comment on infatuation brought a smile to my face. I’ve had a couple of guest posts. Until I can do something pretty creative with the next one, I’ll hold off.
Great questions! I’ve moved to three posts per week, and two of them are intended to be shorter (I let myself get more verbose on Wednesdays). I figure, write as many as you want. If I don’t have time to read something on a given day, I just won’t read it, or I’ll save it until later — though I have to admit, multiple posts per day would put me off.
My pet peeve with writer blogs is that I don’t need or want a report on how many words you wrote today. I don’t really care about the subject matter as long as the writing is good. In my world, politics are just fine, thank you, as long as the blog makes a thoughtful argument.
I generally don’t read guest posts. Your voice is a distinct one that I look forward to (Totsymae’s in my in-box — yay!), so I would probably just flush a guest blog.
Generally, I don’t care for writers writing about writing. It really depends on how I can relate to it also.
Thanks for saying that.
My comments are geared toward blogs written for the love of writing.
I write two or three times a week. Readers have expressed appreciation for that.
I don’t like to write or read long posts. Who has time?
Early on, I had longer stories. I posted sections over a number of days. Some people protested the “break” and having to wait, but I doubt they would have appreciated a super long post either. I like short now!
Postings of two or more a day add to a sense of “load” and often it’s material that could be sent in an email or on face book. It feels like the author is looking for numbers.
I keep “declaring” I will refrain from reading or commenting on posts done daily. However, some blogs are worth it – to me. Authenticity, teaching something about life, humour, courage, wisdom, altered attitudes or perceptions – those attract me. I don’t care about a neighbour ramming a fence unless there’s humour or a POINT to it.
I love blogs that “show” – in writing, photos or both. I don’t care to be lectured. I love colourful, regional or creative descriptions – unless it is all drama. Readers can tire out.
Some writers are just plain good writers…they could write about skunk pie and make it interesting. You are one of them. I look forward to finding a new offering from you. As readers told me, I LIKE THAT YOU DO NOT POST DAILY!
You are fresh, Totsymae. You present a sense of sitting together over a cup of coffee or tea. You are personal in a way that does not cross over into privacy (in boring detail).
I go to a post because I want to read that person…not a guest. If we want to promote a buddy’s blog, we can add a link in a clever, welcoming way. However, when someone knocks on my door, I believe they expect me to answer the door.
And now I must get my nose into writing something for my blog. I’ve spent three days commenting! Too much!
I’ve done a series of posts in the way of a story. There were only five posts but far too long for one post. I don’t have the energy to post daily. While there have been a handful of times I’ve posted twice in a day, I stay away from that and put needed time into other writing. I also try to keep the posts short, which is one of the reasons I started the 100-word stories.
I’m glad to see the responses from people. Every now and then, I run into a blog or articles that advises this and that. I think rules work, depending on the goal of the blogger. And sometimes a direction may not come right away, which is why categories on the blog are a good thing.
Totsy, anything you write, anytime you post is fine by me. I want you to blog and I want you to write your book — obviously, the book comes first — but if blogging takes time away from writing, post once or twice a week won’t hurt you or anyone. I like reading your posts because you’re an original — no other blog is like yours.
After blogging everyday for a year, I got tired, not of writing but of the obligation to write. And I wanted the space and time to do other things, like live, so I’m trying to that, and travel a bit so I have material to write about.
Hope this helps?
I actually have a collection of flash pieces but I want to add a few more pieces, which I see completing before the end of the month. I’m going to publish it as an e-book. I’m pretty excited about it. I got about halfway through the novel and realized I had to do something different. It’s gonna work out though. Thanks a bunch for your support. I’ll be extra excited when the novel’s done. THIS YEAR.
Totsy, I try to have a rhythm of posting twice a week. I was told the same thing about posting regularly and not sporadically, because you’ll lose readers that way. Someone here said, okay to post daily if it’s short. Like Carl. He posts daily his cartoons and that’s perfect, but I wouldn’t have time to read if they were long and everyday. Mine tend to be long so twice a week is my limit.
I’m not fond of blogs that come in more than once a day. I don’t have time to read more than once a day because I subscribe to many, and I try to stay on top of them.
I believe guest posts have to be closely aligned with the type of blog you have. In other words if you suddenly had a mommy blogger as a guest blogger, that would feel out of left field.
What’s your least favorite topic when reading a blog? I’m with Carl in that I absolutely detest those mommy blogs that want you to worship their child as much as they do. Now, not all mommy blogs are that way, but when they are, I just want to scream!
What makes you fall in love with a blog or fall out with it? I love blogs that are funny and that I can relate to. Like yours. Plus with you, there’s always the bonus of the art. I love good art and photography, too. Thanks for asking!
The guest posts have been something I wanted to do more of. It’s just not turning out that way just yet. I’ve had people (not subscribers or visitors I’m familiar with) to email to guest post. One even offered to pay me but maybe she changed her mind.
I recently got one of those, and I wasn’t comfortable with that. When they offer to pay, it’s $20 top. One wrote and offered to help me with my blog, and all had to do was include a link to some nebulous page. Anyway, I keep thinking of what Kim said, that she doesn’t want to come to a blog she likes and find some guest has posted. I’ve actually taken that to heart.
Totsy~
Your questions about this blogging business is important. I had a homeschooling blog that I worked hard for several years. It received lots of hits, gave some Amazon revenue, but in the end it bored me and I closed the blog. For all the effort I put into the blog, it just didn’t feed my soul.
I love Tumblr because I can go there and find some beautiful and interesting things to look at or read, then reblog. I could care less about Tumblr followers.
My blog you link to here has a single purpose-writing. I’m trying to figure out how to write, so my blog is my playground for experimentation. I don’t do personal on this blog. I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t want to wade through other people’s personal stuff either; my life is full enough.
I go back to a blog that shows honesty and integrity. I like a blogger that isn’t just trying to jerk you around with BS. They really have something interesting to say, and they say it well. I figure if you’re going to take the time to write something worth reading you’re not going to flood my mailbox. Good writing takes time. I also think people return to blogs that entertain.
Great topic Totsy,
Cheers!
A “playground for experimentation” is the perfect definition. I change what I post here constantly and I like the freedom of that.
I am not a writer, and have no intention to be. In fact, I never thought of it, and certainly not in English, as I never believed i would be able to express myself correctly in a language i didn’t really learn.
Therefore, I won’t answer to each questions, but tell about how I read the blogs.
When I read a Blog, If I like a post, I also go through all the comments, and subscribe to the Blog of a person commenting (if I liked the comment).
Every morning, I have at least 120 emails for new posts and comments. I read the introduction and continue. If I like, I comment.
The criteria is in general if I can relate to what is written and if I feel I have something in common with the writer or if i feel a certain connection with the person.
I don’t care if the blogger writes once a month or 3 times a day, as long as i like to read what is there.
I started writing only 10 days ago because i had to stop my therapy and i found it a nice idea to express myself. I love to get comments because it shows people care. My online friends are the only ones I have.
I hope this helps a little <3
You’re doing well with writing English. You’re doing a great deal of reading, however. I always feel as if I’m not able to keep up but I try to do what I can. Blogging is both fun and time-consuming. What I hope is that blogging informs my writing. What you say does help. Thanks.
Hell, Totsy, it took me longer to read these comments than any post I’ve read in awhile. You can post all you like. I come around eventually and catch up. Guest posts on YOUR blog are fine. You know what you’re doing. I want more of your painting. I loved the Lady Gaga PDF. The drawing looks better than she does. Not a Gaga fan. Actually, I thought the drawing was a departure for you. Maybe I don’t pay attention. Very angular and interesting. I liked it. I love the 100 word posts. You do magic with them. Whatever, girl, I don’t care. Just post.
It’s taken me awhile read the comments also. Everyone has their own particulars when it comes to blogging but as you can see also, people are pretty serious about blogging itself. When I started, I didn’t realize what a serious business it could be.
The drawing was done on computer. Something I did quickly. I like Lady Gaga but she’s become such a caricature, she seems more strange than natural but that could be just me. I dabble here and there from time to time.
I didn’t realize this was serious stuff either. I still don’t take it seriously enough, I’m sure. I am old. So I don’t give much of a damn about most things. I do enjoy seeing young people write and paint and search for themselves. Not everybody knows who she is the way you do, Tots! You were born with an ancient soul, you know.
Totsy, blogging for me, has been a growing and fluctuating thing. I’m not in it for business, so I don’t feel like I need to follow ‘rules’. I don’t have one topic and when asked to describe mine in one word I usually say either ‘random’ or ‘life’. If it interests me, I assume it probably interests someone else. I think pictures, art, poems – all make equally great blogs. I can’t read more than one a day and sometimes get behind with those I do subscribe to. But yours it great as it is.
I like randomness too, with that combination of art, music, etc. Someone commented that her blog is a ‘playground for experimentation.’ I like that.
On your blog I like what you write and how you write it. I like your paintings. On other blogs I like what that person writes, short, long, weird, informative, whatever. If I like it, I like it.
Least favorite topic for a blog? I don’t know, I don’t read blogs that I don’t want to read. But I don’t like arrogance — those who judge others’ blogs!
Humans get civilized through creativity, and through sensitization to the pain of others. So — anything that opens people’s hearts is good with me.
Thanks. I’m pretty open to reading anything, like yourself. Sometimes, I have to go back to the longer posts if one appeals to me.
“Humans get civilized through creativity, and through sensitization to the pain of others.” Nice quote and very true.
Hi there Totsymae,
These are some legitimate questions that I’ve asked myself. I used to be very concerned about the frequency with which I blogged (or didn’t), then as time progressed, I became more concerned about the quality of my content. I just can’t put out the caliber of work that I write on an everyday basis, without compromising the quality of the “for publication” writing that I should be doing outside of blogging. Part of the reason that I blog is to work in earnest on my craft, so there’s a considerable amount of editing that must be done; unfortunately, that can take more time than the actual composition itself. Unlike you, I don’t have a large following or get nearly the same amount of comments/feedback as your blog (mostly because I don’t blog as often) but I’m cool with that for now, because I think that I’m reaching some folks, albeit a few, on a very personal level. I write as inspiration allows, when the work reveals itself.
P.S. I don’t like to be inundated with too many posts, as I follow a bit more than a handful. I’d rather them give me fewer, more thoughtful posts, than tons of rambling posts. After a while, I tend to lose interest. (It’s that adult onset ADD, I tell ya!)
One thing that I actually love about your blog is that I don’t know exactly what to expect every time, yet I’m pleasantly refreshed when I read it, and almost always, I’m left chuckling at the humorous ways in which you capture the everyday. Keep on being you! That seems to be working just fine!
If you get too many from one blogger, you can change it to where you get posts once a week.
I don’t know what to expect when I sit down to write most of the time.
I don’t think it matters if you blog on a set schedule or not, especially since you give readers the option to subscribe via e-mail. If I have to remember to go to my Reader, I have a harder time keeping up with posts and a schedule is more important.
I like shorter posts (love your flash fiction! love your art posts!) that entertain and inspire. Anywhere from a couple of times a month to a couple of times a week seems like a good posting tempo.
I like guest posts and interviews because I appreciate being introduced to new (to me) bloggers and writers.
I don’t like mean-spirited posts, but I don’t mind controversy. Topic doesn’t seem to matter much.
The blogs I like best are diverse but they all seem to have honest and open-hearted writers.
Glad you like the flash pieces. Reading other blogs is how I learned what it was. I’d never heard of it before. In order to shorten posts. I’m going to try to post more art. Maybe conversation pieces.
Clearly, you touched on a passionate point for your readers. Blogging – I post twice a week and to a schedule. For me they are weekly deadlines I have to meet. I keep my topics to what interests me – writing and anything with I am passionate about (writing, words, lovers, family, life). While I have finished the first book and looking for an agent, I am working on a second WIP, which takes up all my free time (which isn’t much because I have a day job). I love writer’s blogs the most. I like hearing about their trial and tribulations, about writing, about their creative side. However, I will read other content if the writing is good or if the voice catches my attention. I can’t seem to stay caught up with commenting, and I’m sure I loose readers, but I do try to comment a little bit everyday. I know some people post everyday and so far – those I’ve read that do this are only posting to post. The content is sometimes stream of thought. I am grateful when people stop by, read, and comment on my writing because I assume they, like me, have busy schedules.
Yes. I didn’t know people would be so passionate. As long as it’s fun for me, I’ll blog. There’s a reason why everyone does it and I enjoy learning from other writers and bloggers. It’s been an interesting ride.
Your gift is great!
I like.
1. What the heck is “Flash” fiction? I have never heard that term.
2. Humor grabs me when I read a blog, like that the best. You have plenty of that.
3. Can’t answer the other stuff, still figuring out what I’m doing.
And that changes all the time.
I asked the same question when I heard the term. Here’s a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_fiction
I think flash is usually no longer than 1000 words. Glad you like it here. Thanks.
I do like it here! Very much. Just wish I could visit more often.
You write some GREAT stuff! I like your style too.
Thank for the link, went and checked it out, learn something new every day. Thank you for that.
Correction: A 100 word story is called a drabble. Learn something new everyday. I didn’t know that. I have almost 50 drabbles. Sounds like something wet, doesn’t it?
Drabble? Ok, gonna look that up too! Heheheheheh
Ya, does sound like something wet!
Do what ya damn well please with your blog. It is Your Blog. Wander off in different directions if you so choose, folks will follow. But above all, keep it fresh and creative. I always look forward to what ya might post next.
Oh yeah, I’ll experiment. Glad you like. I’m going to start posting more art, by the way. I’m not as conceptual as you are but it’ll be art all the same.
Your work is really great, loved the paintings ya put with the Joe Tex song. More art is always better in my opinion
I’m with Inner Chick and Linda on most of my preferences too. Twice a week is good. I don’t have time to read everything even then. Not fond of guest posts. Usually don’t read them. Shouldn’t be too long. Again…time and lack of attention span! Your blog is great which is why I’m still here! I’ve unsubbed from most others. I just don’t have time to keep up.
Thanks for hanging in there with me. Looking for you to start writing again on your blog. You’ve been MIA.
That’s funny … I don’t find your blog “erratic” at all. Even when you’re writing about any ole thing, it comes off as poised and even kind of necessary. Like, “hey, why didn’t someone say that before?”
You post more frequently than most of the other blogs I read. In other cases, I might get tired of daily posting, but in your case, it works because you’re always giving something of yourself.
Somebody else came up with a better term for hers, called an ‘experimentation playground.’ I’ll go with that instead.
Over the last couple of months, I’ve posted more frequently than normal. I thought I’d be out of the country by now, so I’ve stuffed a few mailboxes. 
Glad you like though. Thanks.
haha, thought you’d be gone from the scene of the crime, huh? Where you off to, tots? Is it part of the conundrum you mentioned the other day?
My conundrum, unfortunately, has been a little of this and that. I’m grinning and bearing it as best I can. Where? Ummmm….:-)
Totsy, I for one, love your flash fiction. And your art! Your art totally grabs me! I don’t have the time or energy to read blog posts that come in more than once a day. I subscribe to blogs, visit those on my blog roll as well as those of people who comment on my blog. I try to keep up with the reading but sadly, with the sharing the laptop situation I have with the Son, that is virtually impossible. I like different types of blogs, the funny ones are my favorite. Photograph blogs rock and I will visit some fashion blogs to see if I can learn a thing or two. I don’t particularly visit a lot of mommy blogs but I guess that’s because my kids are grown and I feel like it’s no longer my thing. Nevertheless, if a writer writes passionately, if he or she talks about things I can relate to, and if there’s pretty photos to boot, I’m a goner. I will definitely come back!
Thanks, Bella.
I like different types of blogs too. There’s so much variety and creativity out there. I wonder what the next level of blogging will evolve to, now that we’re having this conversation.
1. That’s interesting because I blog when I feel like it… and there’s nothing rhythmic about it. Maybe you get a flood of me writing for days… and then, nothing at all. I mean, making it a point to blog – and especially when I’m not feeling it – puts pressure on me to churn out stuff that, in the end, is just me writing for the sake of doing it and without “me” behind it.
2. No such animal as too much in my mailbox; in fact, I get kinda unhappy when I don’t get those emails from WordPress letting me know that, say, Totsy has written something new or someone at least clicked “Like” on something I wrote!
3. I guess they’re cool as long as they don’t take anything away from the host blog because, after all, your blog is about you and not someone else’s view of things. Noted author? Why should that matter?
4. My least favorite topics is politics.
5. What makes me fall in love with a blog is how real the blogger feels to me and, yes, you can tell by the way they write. What makes me fall out of love with a blog is when the blogger stops being real and starts feeling commercial.
Least favorite is politics? I thought you’d say something like religion. I think those two are the most sensitive topics.
People have different reasoning for blogging, so I pondered this a little more after browsing an online book about it. The responses have been interesting.
Nah, I can handle religion just fine; politics brings out the very worst in people and I have zero tolerance for it – so blogs that are just about politics are very much off my radar.
Wow, guess you got the feedback you were looking for. Don’t know if my 2 cents is worth even 1 at this point, but here goes.
Should subscribers know the rhythm of when you post? Not necessary. Life isn’t predictable, why should blogging be?
What’s too much in your mailbox? Is three times a day too much? Once a day? What? Once a day is the absolute max for me these days. Any more than that and I have to only focus on the post that seems the most interesting to me.
Are guest posts okay on the blog you subscribe to or not? What if there was a noted author or noted whoever? Would that be cool? Guest posts are fine to get to know new people, but I just reduced my number of subscriptions. Ignorance of more wonderful blogs I can’t get to in a day is bliss right now for me.
What’s your least favorite topic when reading a blog? ranting and whining (oh, that was 2)
What makes you fall in love with a blog or fall out with it? The quality of the writing and the passion of the voice.
Yeah, I got back more than expected. People are pretty serious about blogging. As long as people know what they want out of it, all the questions and rules won’t make that big of a difference. Nice to know what the thoughts are anyway.
The only thing I have to say about frequency of bloggin is: either two very short posts a day or one longer one per day is ENOUGH already! I hope you are okay with that. Also, I think it is totally cool to be all over the map with the type of posts you do, because I think it can keep the reader’s interest up! I go into my mailbox about 2x per day, but then, I get over 600 emails per day. This is my choice right now, because I needed to re-immerse myself in the writing world after being such a techie geekie for decades. Also, I tweet a lot with all kinds of folks from all over for the same reason. Wonderful writing material in those, by the way. Facebook is for more personal sharing with closed friends and family, not that some of my new blogging friends are not “close”, already! Sorry I went off into digital na-na land here, but I just got going. A Southern thing, do you think?
For serious hobbyists and writers, I can see posting more than once. A thought just hit me about how I use FB, which is to connect but more importantly for me with FB is storing information digitally that I can browse through later. The blog serves the same purpose really. Hopefully, people are understanding that others aren’t commenting every time they post. It can be a full-time job.
I like asking questions myself, you have 62 responses so I may have nothing to add because it would take me till lunch to read them all? However, it is your blog … the theme is yours, it’s nice to ask, to have input… however we can adjust settings to receive blogs on a weekly basis, which is something I do personally. Some people love to blog like 3/4 things per day and I can’t keep up so I condense it so I can read it when I have the time by subscribing weekly.
Course, LOL they all show up on a Monday and freak me out. hahaha!
All your questions revolve around your blog and what you want here… what do you want? Ya know? I may misunderstand what you’re asking but if this blog has a purpose for you, keep it that way, different posts make for fun… it’s not the same ole thing. That’s me though.
Yeah, I like changing it up. Or else, I’d probably have stopped blogging a long time ago. Actually, it happened with my first blog because I was following the “blogging rules” out there and since there was no variation in what I posted, I ending up abandoning it.
It’s nice to change things up I mean you are SO creative! How boring would it become for your mind if you … followed all the rules?
Wow, what a lot of answers to all of your questions, Totsy!
I’m going to be a bit contrary on this one, because I’m not really going to answer your questions.
I follow you because I love your writing, your humor, your style and your art. Sometimes I look at every word — how you constructed a marvelous sentence, how it was that the humor snuck up on me.
But sometimes there are 12 million blogs waiting for me to read, so occasionally, I don’t read one or two.
And that’s the reader’s choice — to sometimes have to say, sorry, I can’t tonight.
But Totsy part of the fun of reading your blog is because I never know what to expect. And that’s much more fun than knowing exactly what is in store. I don’t follow ANY of those blogs.
XX
Elyse
I’m glad you enjoy the blog, Elyse. I directed someone to yours a couple of days ago and he loves it. I’m glad to see that people enjoy it here. It’s become like a little playground. So nice of you to say those kinds words too. I really appreciate it.
[...] “When I knock on your door, I hope to find you.” In essence, that’s what I wrote to Totsymae. [...]
I have nothing else to add. I have not theme and I post when I get a chance. I read all my emails and respond to comments made to me as soon as I notice them. I always make my own rules and etiquette.
Making our own rules and how they work for us individually is the key. If I start getting a ton of emails like some bloggers, I’d need an assistant. I think bloggers who are pretty popular and sponsored have assistants doing that kind of legwork too.
I need one LOl I can’t do anything else but read emails all day.
I agree with most of the above. I do think posting on a regular, consistent basis helps build a loyal following–at least it has with me. Also, most blogs bore me. The ones that don’t are the ones that tell a truly engaging story in a humorous and/or heartfelt way. I’d much rather receive a blog a week or every two weeks from a writer that makes me laugh and think then receive something every day that makes me want to scratch my eyes out!
Yep. Some people are able to blog well consistently, whether twice a week of five. I don’t like the ones that are mean-spirited and always looking at life through a dark lens.
1. Rhythm – don’t care if it’s regular or not. I prefer a mixture of longer and shorter – with different approaches to mix it up – like you already do.
2. Once a day max. No time to keep up otherwise. Less frequently is fine too – once a week, once a fortnight…
3. Guest posts are great – I’ve had them on mine and very pleased to have some people with great stories to tell (and give me a wee break).
4. Quotations – well, that is, just a bald quotations without any personal interpretation from the blogger. Quotations as part of something more – that’s fine. What else? Interminably long posts. Too much. Sometimes in exceptional cases it is justified – but rarely. (And that’s speaking as someone who is guilty of going on too long.)
5. In love? Attitude, humour, unique insight, spirit. Out of love? Incessant banging on about Obama’s birth certificate and how he’s somehow the embodiment of Hitler, Stalin and any other genocidal maniac. That gets tired very quickly.
1.Should subscribers know the rhythm of when you post? I confess, I’m sporadic. But at least once month I have something on a blog. I look after 2 blogs.
2.Are guest posts okay on the blog you subscribe to or not? I’ve neverhad a guest blog post on my personal blog. I don’t get a ton of traffic on my blog anyways.
4.What’s your least favorite topic when reading a blog? Perpetual anger in a blog.
5.What makes you fall in love with a blog or fall out with it? A blog that is well written, not too long posts and with 1-2 relevant photos that are quality.