Thursday, September 22, 2011

Blog What You Want

I started to title this one "gratitude," but by the end I had to change it. 

That's how I imagine the plotter and the panster in me collide when I write. The plotter is the calm, planning one who says what the family will do, a nice trip to the ocean. The panster is the one who smiles and pretends to agree... and ends up taking the kids to Thailand.

Anyway, so this started off about gratitude. I have to say how awesome you all were about my last post.

I already have my first editing project as a result, I've got bleeps offering to plug me on their blogs, I've got Tweeters tweeting about it, some of you directed me to other places to advertise...

It's been a while since I gushed about how great our little writers community is. I think the last time was when I got my agent. That was five months ago! Too long.

I know people say blogging is dead. I don't know. It seems like there are many thriving blogs out there--Jen, Matt, and Katie are the first that spring to mind. But there are so many others.

Some say you should never blog about writing. Can I just jump in real quick and beg some of you to ignore this. Please? 

I've learned so much from reading your discoveries. K.M. Weiland has given me more lightbulbs than I can count--also Dr. Quinn... And speaking of doctors, Lydia Kang is always giving me story ideas with her medical Mondays. And that's only three of you!

Others say you shouldn't blog to sell books. Well... I've bought all my bloggie friends' books. I haven't read them all yet, but the ones I have are fantastic. And it's cool to think I know the authors and we're friends.

I bet to them it's like that starfish story (link)--it made a difference to that one.

I'm sure I'll read somewhere about how you shouldn't blog to find editing jobs. And I'll do like I always do when experts announce how I should fill this space of mine. Shrug and smile.

As my friend Shannon said, "Write whatever the *%!# you want. It's your blog." (Shannon also me two serious work leads after Monday's post--one resulted in a writing job. Whoot!)

So there. This post really is about gratitude. And blog what you want. I'll never know how much I've gotten back from it.

Have a great week-end, reader- and writer-friends! Til Monday~ <3

34 comments:

Shannon said...

Much love to ya, girl. <3

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

I so heart you right now. Taking charge and doing your thing. Yes! :) (and Shannon gives really good advice)


(p.s. it cracks me up when you call me Dr. Quinn. I heart you for that too. :) )

Hart Johnson said...

So I MISSED Monday's post, but I remember you saying something to the effect of professionally editing, and as someone who's been on the receiving end, I will TOTALLY promote and endorse--Just gimme a chance to get my ducks in a row (which may take to the end of the month).

I don't think blogging is dead (or will die) by a long shot, but i think it is a different thing than a lot of people think it is. People on... say LinkedIn... seem to be under the misconception it is an ADVERTISING mechanism. They totally miss the NETWORK part of social networking--the back and forth. The friendships are real and deep and we really DO all help each other out. Each of us gets our turns to draw on it, and all of us have multiple chances to give back... We're mutual minions!

Angela said...

I always like reading what you post, no matter what you choose to blog about. You have a certain honesty that comes across in your writing. It makes reading your stuff so much more interesting.

Old Kitty said...

Yay!!! May you continue to get more and more editing jobs - yay for the blogging community!!!

Take care
x

Anonymous said...

I hope blogging isn't dead. I think the "market" is flooded, but what the heck, it's still a great way to network and get support. :)

walk2write said...

Blogging ain't dead, not by a long shot. As long as thoughtful, intelligent people have something interesting to share, there will be other thoughtful, intelligent people willing to receive it. So there might be a little self-promotion involved. We have to do that everyday or risk disappearing like a beetle in the woodwork. I'm glad you're honest about your intentions. It's refreshing. And I'll continue to tweet for you. It's a pleasure to help.

Matthew MacNish said...

Shannon hooked you up? That's awesome. She's the best.

LTM said...

@LBD--you are SO right. I think you have to decide what you want from it, and then you can decide if it's working for you. Thanks, girl! :o) <3

M Pax said...

You're fab, Leigh. :)

Yes, blog what you want. Write what you want. If there's one thing I've learned on this writing journey, the rules were made to be broken. They never seem to apply quite right.

M Pax said...

ps, if you want to do a guest post sometime on editing or what have you, I'd love to have you. :)

DL Hammons said...

Blogging is not dead...it's just that some bloggers might go MIA for awhile. *looking innocent*

Where was your editing services when I was struggling through my second novel?? If I ever do get published, I'll have to put an editor on retainer. :)

Carolyn Abiad said...

Blogging takes a huge time commitment. I think there's a natural ebb and flow, because we all need a (summer) break. People who love it will always come back. btw, I <3 Hart's comment about mutual minions and it's very true. Ramble on! We're listening.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Ha, I love Shannon's advice :)

Unknown said...

I'm totally with you. I don't think that blogging is dead. I think you should blog what you want and read your blogging buddies books. Thank you for saying so. And, I hope you get a lot of editing work.

Michelle Fayard said...

Congratulations, Leigh, on the positive response you're already receiving and for reminding us that the social networking we do really can and does make a difference.

Stina said...

I saw Roni's post the other day, questioning if blogging is dead, and a writer friend and I discussed it over lunch today.

We felt our writing lives were richer because we blog. We wouldn't have found most of our writer friends (CPs and beta readers) if we didn't blogged. We don't regret it at all. The writing community is awesome. :D

Lydia Kang said...

Oddly, I have been afraid to blog whatever I want, which is why I was so stressed about posting my 9/11 experience. But it is good advice. Life is short. Blogging should be fun.

I am also so grateful for the support I've received while blogging. It's been overwhelming.

Laura Pauling said...

That's great! Congrats on branching out. I can't compare blogging now to the "good old days" of blogging like before there were followers badges. But It's been a great experience so far.

DEZMOND said...

blogosphere is great isn't it? Always there to give you some luv when you need it!

PK HREZO said...

I agree, Leigh. there are no hard and fast rules to blogging. Do what's right for you. Mine is like a medley of whatever I feel may be worthwhile. And while I don't see blogging as anything that's gonna get me a book deal, I so cherish the many friendships it's spawned. :)

LTM said...

@Laura--Yeah, I wasn't around then either, but I think for what I was expecting to get from blogging (not much), I've done pretty well--LOL! :D <3

@PK--Me, too. The friendships were so unexpected, but so very supportive and helpful! And I guess I should add "to an extent," b/c I don't agree with blog rants or giving vent to all your bad feelings. Try turning that into a book~ ;p <3

Talli Roland said...

Yay! I totally agree. You need to do what words for you! And isn't it such a fantastic community? I'm overwhelmed by all the support I've received -- BIG LOVE goes out to everyone! :)

And speaking of big love... thank you for putting Willow on your sidebar.
xx

Talli Roland said...

Oops - what WORKS for you. Writing on the brain!

Anonymous said...

So true. Listen to your heart, not the "experts." Have a great weekend! And congrats on your first project!!

LTM said...

@Liz--thanks, girl! You, too~ :o) <3

Laura said...

Very pleased to meet you (from Talli's blog)
So great about your job already - congratulations!

I reckon blogging won't die whilst it has so many strong and blossoming friendships shooting back and forth... and people are generally nosy (or at least I am) and the blogosphere is like living in the largest little village going :)

May well be emailing you re: my first ever novel in the near future - how do you like editing chick-lit?
Laura x

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Oh, according to those nay-sayers, I'm breaking all the rules. I blog about writing and books and all that stuff. Lol... Hooray for free will! :D

♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

Tracy Jo said...

Love it! Amen to writing what you want. So glad you got some jobs off your post! I have been wonderfully surprised how supportive everyone is in this community. Happy weekend!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Leigh,

Blogging isn NOT dead. It's a thriving community with wonderful, caring, and creative people!

I'm glad you managed for find some freelance work. YAY!

On another note, I miss your entry for my blogfest, but if you'd still like to post, you can until tomorrow.

BB

LTM said...

@Elizabeth--and I think that's great! I've learned so much from bleeps sharing what they've learned. It's great. Thanks for joining! :o) <3

Janet Johnson said...

Amen, sister!

dolorah said...

My sentiments exactly :)

.....dhole

Nas said...

Great! Everybody should talk about what they love best! So what if I talk about books and book....and books?!