What’s Bill going to do about his pregnant ex-girlfriend? Can Jon and Elizabeth’s marriage survive this scandal? Will Katelyn win American Idol? Who is going to the NCAA tournament this year? When will the war be over? Is all the relief money getting to the people of Haiti? We’re all waiting to see what is going to happen next.
Why do you read other people’s blogs? Is it so you can find out what is going to happen next in the blog writer’s life? Do you read blogs to find out about people’s daily lives? I’m sure you don’t care if the dishes are done or not. (done) Or do you read them to see what a writer’s life is truly like? Mine is full of highs and lows. Almosts and not quites… Do the not quites make me doubt myself, no not really. They make me push a little harder. Read a little more. Research more. Write a lot more.
Do you read to try and figure out whether the blog writer is kind, snarky, an introvert, an extrovert, funny, or demure? I wonder what you think of me…I know what I think of my readers. My readers are genuinely caring people. They put thought and effort into their comments, which lets me know something about their character. When they come back again and again it says something else about their character.
MY NEWS: Today was my Fifteen Minutes with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh! I’ll be posting our chat in two segments later this week. Mark is going to email me some photographs to post. He is such a nice guy. If you haven’t joined his blog, please hop over and give it a whirl.
Also, I can’t tell you how cool Skype is. If you have a webcam, download Skype for free and have video phone calls for free. I’m going to harass The WAD until they are all on Skype. It is wonderful to see their faces when you are talking; it makes the miles not seem like it's so many.
TIP FOR THE DAY: Twitter, blog, fb, and Skype (Yes, I’m using it as a verb.)
QUESTION OF THE DAY? What causes you click on a commenter’s name, read their profile, link over to their blog and join then join it?
I read blogs to connect with others who have the same passion. To educate myself about the craft of writing and the publishing business. For fun and entertainment. Because I'm curious (aren't all journalists?) and hungry to read everything I can get my hands on that relates to what I'm most passionate about.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Sharon, that you learn a lot about a person from what they post on social networking sites. I am amazed by how much you can learn about a person in 140 characters. This goes for all types of people: agents, editors, writers etc. Sometimes I really don't think people realize how they are coming across. Or maybe it's who they really are and they don't care. Anyway,I've found many virtual friends like you who have encouraged me and cheered me on. I hope I have done the same.
I can't wait to read about your fifteen minutes with Mike!!! So awesome! And I agree about Skype. It rocks!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading about your chat with Mark! I will take you up on the practice skype chat. Are you available any time tomorrow day or night for a test run?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon!
Excellent news on the interview!! I look forward to reading about it.
ReplyDeleteAs for why I read other blogs, I suppose I like connecting with others--especially writers. It makes me feel like part of a community--writing is a lonely job at times. But as much as I love reading what others think about the craft of writing, I love best to read about people's experiences. Truly, I just love stories.
By the way, I'm your 100th follower! Yay! :) I've seen your name around in the blogosphere and thought it was time to check you out ;)
Buffy--I don't know what your newspaper looks like, but if you have a big influence on it's voice, I'm sure it's got to be great...
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think you can get a good feel from their website, blogs and comments. I'm still working on Twitter...
I've found some really supportive blog friends, too. I'm grateful to them (and you). I hope I come across as a kind person. I always told my students that my life goal was to have lots of people come to my funeral when I died.
Bethany--It's my first interview since I was a DJ (on 1350 AM) in college. So be kind when you read it. :) I learned a lot from Mark.
ReplyDeleteKelly--I'll be home (from the gym) after 10:30 (cst) in the morning. I have to run to school at 2:45-3 ish, but call me. I can't wait to chat with you.
I think it just comes down to how the other half lives. I love to read about other people's journey's. Can't wait to hear about the meeting with Mark ;o)
ReplyDeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteYep, it's nice to know what everyone else is going through. It kind of lets you know where you are in the process. I'll post the info I learned from Mark as soon as he sends me the pictures he said he'd like me to use. :) Such a nice guy. He didn't laugh at my technological problems on Skype once. :)
Congrats on hitting 100 followers, Sharon - that's awesome! When I follow a link and then join/follow a blog, I'm looking for something cheerful or helpful or friendly or funny...someplace that feels welcoming. :-)
ReplyDeleteI totally read blogs to see if other people have done their dirty dishes. It makes me feel better for times I haven't finished mine. I was a bit insane in my blog post a few minutes ago... It helps to know there are other people that have the same problems I do. If you could be quite a bit more insane it would be appreciated. If not, that's okay too. I'll continue reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteCongrats at getting to 100 followers! I'm excited to read what you learned. About your comment on twitter... I'm still working on it too. I don't really like it myself. I'm trying really hard to even remember to post things beyond blog updates. Oh, look, I have something stuck in my teeth... better go twitter it. :P
Congrats on 100 followers, Sharon! And I'm sure tons of people will come to your funeral. I like blogs that make me laugh, ones that give me good info about the publishing world, blogging, etc., and ones that are welcoming, warm, and genuine.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I don't like super-long blog posts. And, I mainly look for voice--a cute, fun writing style. The subject can be just about anything.
ReplyDeleteHow cool to have your fifteen minute conference! Glad it went well!!
sf
Shannon-I have a feeling you find helpful, cheerful or happy momments everywhere. Between reading your blog and your comments, I get the sense that happy momments are always around you, no matter where you are.
ReplyDeleteDani--I'm going to wild and free today in your honor. I was going to go to the gym, but I think I'll take a nap, play on my computer, not do the laundry and get my post ready for tonight. :)
I hope everyone finds some benefit in my interview. I haven't interviewed anyone in years (and years).
I can't tell if anyone ever knows that I said anything to them on Twitter. One time I did have a brief conversation with Janet Reid...Pretty cool!
I read other blogs to get inspired and to learn from them. And yes, I read them to find out what's next. When I was younger, I couldn't miss a day of my soap operas. Now I can't miss a day of blogs :)
ReplyDeleteKim
funny comments make me click over to their profile. OR if i see the same person frequenting the blogs i frequent, i usually take a look at them.
ReplyDeleteI used to follow every blog i came across, but now i have too many so i only follow blogs i find entertaining and helpful.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that I emailed Linda at the McVeigh Agency - finally! phew! LOL!
Also to answer your questions... oooh I'm generally a very nosy person who gets bored very easily and who prefers the internet medium of networking! I like blogs that are full of warmth and humour and who don't take themselves too seriously and who are active in whatever blog community they join. And I like that bloggers get to be very creative with what they blog about and how they use their blogs. A lot of the bloggers' personality seeps through I think and I like that.
Take care and thanks for all your help with the McVeigh Agency.
:-)
Take care and I look forward to reading about your experience!
x
Susan--Thanks, and I hope so. What did we do before blogs? I guess we just googled and before that?
ReplyDeleteSarah--I'm right there with you on really long posts. That's why I'm breaking up the interview into two segments...I'll read long posts, but boy it's hard to keep my attention for too long. I read a really long one on DL Hammons blog last week. It was part of a ya novel with the mc being male and his pov. It was great!
Kim--Thanks for stopping by! I was the same way with soaps...and now with blogs. I can't wait to see who is doing what and if anyone has big news to announce. :)
Falen--I think that's how I found you before you had a blog. You had something in your profile that was sooo funny about your twin. :)
ReplyDeleteKitty--Mark is really nice. Don't be nervous about talking to him. I'll be posting half of my chat with him later today. :)
How about I call you at 2pm? (I am volunteering soon at the grade school.) Does that work? How do I call you? Can you email me if there is a number I call? (I still need to figure it out!) My email is kellyp123@comcast.net. Thanks, Sharon!
ReplyDeleteKelly--I just sent you an email. :) I look forward to Skyping (it so works as a verb) with you later. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is very true that our blogs tell a story, I try to tell a positive one at that and be me. I love the connections and atmosphere at our blog world!
ReplyDeleteMy perception of you (via blog) is that you are intelligent, diligent, and authentic.
ReplyDeleteYou're a thinker, a do-er, your own, real self.
Is any of that true?
And congrats on your fame-y 15 Minutes! Can't WAIT for that post!!!
OceanDreams--I love it too. I like that I can ask people (in the blogging community) I know, virtually, and trust that they will guide me in the right direction. :)
ReplyDeleteJennie--You are so sweet! I hope I'm some of those things. :-) I hope you enjoy the posts with Mark.