What Kind of Blogs Do You Read?
You guys always inspire me with your comments. I thought for the next few Mondays I'd tackle some of the topics brought up in the comment stream from last Monday's post (I Stopped Reading You Today).
Today I want to talk about our interests, both shared and uncommon. The reason I have so many blogs on my reader is because I have so many interests. I read writer blogs, as many of us do, but also blogs that focus on marketing and copywriting.
I garden, so there are gardening blogs, homesteading blogs, and green-living blogs. I have animals, so throw in blogs about dogs, goats, chickens, and rabbits. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool frugalista and there are at least a hundred blogs on my reader that list coupons, freebies, and practical tips to save money or DIY projects.
That's the big picture, but what about drilling down to the details? Why do I read some posts and not others? When do I comment and when do I just store the information away?
When it comes to writer blogs, I rarely read or comment on new releases or excerpts unless A) It's a friend of mine. Or B) The tagline is so compelling I have to give that person a pat on the back.
But I hardly ever read writing advice. Most of the advice out there is regurgitated and old news. My thinking is that unless this is your first rodeo, you already know all the steps to this dance. I know how to write. Only practice and excellent crit partners will make me better.
And those hundred-odd blogs on saving money? Unless it's new-to-me, I can scan those and then delete.
What I do read religiously are friends' blogs, posts that help me be a better animal caretaker, and most gardening posts.
I like reading about my friends' personal lives. It's interesting to me and it makes me a better friend if I know what's happening with them.
Animal and gardening blogs are like information candy. I can't get enough of them. No matter how much I think I know about animals, there are other people with far more experience. It's an honor and a gift to be among sages who can help me be a better caregiver.
Blog reading is a selfish pursuit--at least for me. I read for myself first.
What about you? What kind of blog topics are automatic reads for you? What do you tend to skip?
Today I want to talk about our interests, both shared and uncommon. The reason I have so many blogs on my reader is because I have so many interests. I read writer blogs, as many of us do, but also blogs that focus on marketing and copywriting.
I garden, so there are gardening blogs, homesteading blogs, and green-living blogs. I have animals, so throw in blogs about dogs, goats, chickens, and rabbits. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool frugalista and there are at least a hundred blogs on my reader that list coupons, freebies, and practical tips to save money or DIY projects.
That's the big picture, but what about drilling down to the details? Why do I read some posts and not others? When do I comment and when do I just store the information away?
When it comes to writer blogs, I rarely read or comment on new releases or excerpts unless A) It's a friend of mine. Or B) The tagline is so compelling I have to give that person a pat on the back.
But I hardly ever read writing advice. Most of the advice out there is regurgitated and old news. My thinking is that unless this is your first rodeo, you already know all the steps to this dance. I know how to write. Only practice and excellent crit partners will make me better.
And those hundred-odd blogs on saving money? Unless it's new-to-me, I can scan those and then delete.
What I do read religiously are friends' blogs, posts that help me be a better animal caretaker, and most gardening posts.
I like reading about my friends' personal lives. It's interesting to me and it makes me a better friend if I know what's happening with them.
Animal and gardening blogs are like information candy. I can't get enough of them. No matter how much I think I know about animals, there are other people with far more experience. It's an honor and a gift to be among sages who can help me be a better caregiver.
Blog reading is a selfish pursuit--at least for me. I read for myself first.
What about you? What kind of blog topics are automatic reads for you? What do you tend to skip?
Comments
Your list sounds really well-rounded.
I'm a sucker for food porn.
Especially if they include recipes! I'm a so-so cook, but I'm willing to try anything if it doesn't look too complicated. If it is, I just admire it from afar.
I'm selfish too. LOL
I like to read what is going on in my bloggy friends lives--usually I learn some things that way, whether it's travel, or food, or books, etc...
I hear ya on the writing blogs. I'm kind of feeling that way with conferences right now. What else can be said? LOL
Re: conferences
I still like cons if only for the energy and camaraderie. I don't go to the 'writing how-tos" but I'll often attend talks on marketing and how to better use social media without being a pest.
PS Thanks for the Retweet!
What do I skip? Mostly those that feature another author pimping his/her book. I might take a look, but when the host of the blog doesn't say a word, I leave. If they can't offer an opinion, why should I bother reading it?
And if I've been following a blogger who never acknowledges my comments, I pretty much stay away. Apparently, they don't want my time.
There are a few odds and ends that I read on a whim or if not in the mood the same thing that usually interest me I delete immediately.
I'm not a big fan of putting a lot of writing advice on, but if I come across and idea that I think might help others I'll blog about it.
I think it's rude to ignore a visitor. This is why I respond to every comment.
Sometimes there will be posts where the blogger is a little vague or worse, leaves no room for comment. You know the ones. They end the post telling you something rather than asking their readers to share their experiences.
Sometimes I try to echo their sentiments because I sense they're not so much interested in other viewpoints. But other times I take the chance and volunteer an opinion and hope the blogger appreciates it.
Me, I almost always end with a question. I'm genuinely interested in other people's opinions and I love it when a discussion develops inside the comment stream.
Archaeology via Past Horizons generally gets a click.
Some authors' blogs, like yours, Maria :) Also Ilona Andrews has a great blogging style, and Patricia Wrede for writing advice.
Plus I have a fondness for psychology/neuroscience stuff, so I peek at those, like Mind Hacks.
But you haven't posted since I last visited so a big sigh of relief from me and a wagging finger to you for not posting more. :o)
I haven't checked out Mind Hacks in a long time. I need to look them up again. I do have one blogger friend who's always posting science links so that keeps me clicking.
The only other blogs I read are humorous blogs, and I rarely comment. I'm just there for the laughs.
Take you, for example. I absolutely LOVE seeing pictures of your dogs. I can tell just by the pictures you shoot and the things you say about them that you are a true dog friend.
And many bloggers may not realize this, but I rate how good a writer they are by what they say in their posts. When you tell a heartfelt story about your pooches, I know you can be equally sensitive and heart-tugging with your fiction.
I think the main thing is to be approachable and welcoming. I'm not here to lecture anyone. (I save the lectures for my husband. LOL.)
I'm just sharing my particular experience in the hopes other people will expand on it and tell their stories.
It seems to me that everything is either rehashed writing advice, new rules for social media, or crazy book tours that go on forever.
I follow mostly writers. and a couple of historical blogs. I should probably follow other interests. I've just got to find them.
I'm not fond of memes, blog hops, or endless blog tours.
-Jimmy
The last few weeks have been rough since Feedly tricks me into deleting my entire stream of blogs, but I'm getting better at noticing when it selects everything.
Now, i read hardly any, anymore. Just my blogging buddies. I just don't have the time
I still like blogs for more complete thoughts, but FB is good for shorter posts--like your incredible pickle project. They looked great!
I think some writing/publishing topics are worthy of discussion, but it has to be handled by people who can offer a different slant to an old subject.
Too bad, I didn't read any reviews on R.I.P.D. before I shelled out big bucks for it. But at least it gave me the chance to warn people off it.