Why This Writer Blogs
For some of us, that means pray and write. If writing is what one is called to do, then writing is what must be done. Writing isn’t easy, but then, most callings aren’t.
Writers are advised, “Write every day; write something every day.” This is why I find blogging to be helpful. I’m not always writing fresh content for a novel. Sometimes I’m editing old content. Sometimes I’m rewriting it. Sometimes I’m in the submitting phase. Other times I’m marketing. I work at my writing job in some way, every day. In between The End and Once Upon a Time, what do I do?
I call my blog a mini blog because it doesn’t have all the features other bloggers offer. I don’t have guest bloggers, games, give-aways, or drawings for free books. My Selling Books Blog is a short essay, usually 500 words, about a place I’ve visited, folks I’ve met, and things I’ve learned about marketing while on the road with my books. In between travels, I might write about something related to writing, editing or marketing, or a tip for other writers. Occasionally, something random or seasonal pops up.
Writing a blog is a complete writing exercise for me. First comes the idea. I write the first draft. Then edit. Rewrite. Edit again. Cut words. Lots of them. If the story doesn’t change without it, it doesn’t need to be there. Then I edit some more. I shine it up. I create an appropriate image to use with every story. By Sunday night, I’m ready for Monday morning’s post. I have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to write, edit and polish the next one for Thursday’s post.
I enjoy the process. I think it’s honed skills beyond what the reader sees. I use imagination, think abstractly, come up with a theme I think readers would enjoy. It’s strengthened my editing skills. I pick things out quickly and I don’t sorrow over a single deleted word. My skills with the computer have improved. I’m a fast cut and paste editor, moving sentences where they really need to be, not necessarily where they started. Writing short essays is an exercise in story arc, but with immediate satisfaction. It’s an exercise in patience, as I read the article every day and find something to change, maybe just a word, but something. It’s also an ongoing training for deadlines; I’m accountable to my readers. It’s an exercise in perseverance. So, you see, writing the blog is training for my next novel.
My advice to a new writer, is “Write something every day.” A blog is one way to do that. I think it has more accountability than journaling.
I hope readers will enjoy reading as we continue the next year on the Selling Books mini blog. This is 497 words!