Hatrack River Writers Workshop: About Blogs

This is topic About Blogs in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by apeiron (Member # 2565) on :

Not the typical writing style we talk about here, but I thought I'd gauge opinions.

I wrote an article for my university paper that got the attention of a company that has a blog on their webpage. They're interested in having me write for it and I've agreed to post a series similar to the one I'm writing for the paper.

But the style of blogs, in my experience, differs from what you find in print.

So here's what I'm interested in: do you read blogs? If so, about what topic? What makes someone's blog engaging? How would/do you strike a balance between professionalism and the sort of off-the-cuff style that marks the genre?

Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :

Ninjas.

As for blogging generally, the important thing is providing fresh content on a regular basis. Otherwise, people will stop checking out your blog. I have to admit, this doesn't appeal to my own instincts.

Style is completely up to you, most blogs contain a lot of informality because it doesn't help to get too picky about what you're posting, as long as you post something every day. Most blog readers like that because they feel more connected to the person writing the blog if it's more off the cuff. But there is no bar to your writing in a more formal style if you're more comfortable with that and your audience is more interested in what you have to say than who's saying it.

Posted by giggles (Member # 3279) on :

I blog, try to everyday. Everything I do on mine has to do with writing -- learning the craft and the journey to publication. I post about success and failure, which is hard to do sometimes. I keep mine both informal and professional. You won't see me cutting lose or cursing, because I don't want to offend my readers, but I will get emotional occassionally. Blogs I read generally are other writers, agents, or publishers.

If you keep in mind that blogging is a lot like keeping an on line diary that the whole world can access you'll do fine.

Chrissie