Does Your Blog Do These 16 Things?

Many of us blog or read blogs.  Here are 16 things that I believe serve as a litmus test for judging whether a blog is good or bad. What do you think?

<1. Does the blog publish regularly and consistently – or is it sporadic and hard to find?

<2. Does the blog shout at the reader or speak in a voice that is sharing?

<3. Does the blog come across as bragging or teaching?

<4. Does the blog sound personable and filled with its unique character?

<5. Are unrealistic things being proposed on the blog or are realistic things being shared?

<6. Does the blog offer resources, links, and tips?

<7. Is the blog sharing something that is not quite found elsewhere?

<8.. Is the blog focused in a subject area or is it all over the place?

<9. Is the blog respectful of others, their views, and their activities?

<10.  Does the blog self-promote or sell something too often?

<11. Is the blog the place where your words are appearing for the first time – or is the content recycled material, that was previously posted elsewhere?

<12.  Do you fact-check your blog?

<13.  Are there newsy tidbits, stats, or trends on your blog?

<14. Does your blog highlight blogs that may help highlight you?

<15.  Do you respond to comments on your blog and engage in a discussion?

<16.  Are you sharing the blog with others via social media – LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.?

Interview With Author Carrie Butler 

1.      What type of books do you write?  Romance novels with various sub-genres—paranormal, contemporary, fantasy, etc.

2.      What is your newest book about?  Strength (Mark of Nexus #1) is a New Adult paranormal romance. Here’s the official blurb:

“When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, she’s stunned. Wallace Blake is everything she’s ever wanted in a man—except he can’t touch her. His uncontrollable strength, a so-called gift from his bloodline, makes every interaction dangerous. And with a secret, supernatural war brewing among his kind, there’s no time to work it out. To keep Wallace in her life, Rena will have to risk a whole lot more than her heart.”

3.      What inspired you to write it?  Strength—and ultimately, the whole Mark of Nexus series—started as a "what if" scenario. What if a unique, supernatural race lived among us? What if there was more than one? How would the world stay in balance? I listened to music while I plotted out a few points, and the 2005 Five for Fighting cover of "All I Know" came on. The lyrics—especially the first few lines about bruises—really struck me.  As I considered them, the figurative meaning morphed into a more literal scenario. What would life be like for a guy with uncontrollable strength? What if he couldn’t touch the woman he loves without hurting her? The words flowed from there.

4.      What is the writing process like for you?  I spend a few months on the first draft, and then I send it off to my critique partners. I like to have at least five, because they each bring different strengths to the table. It makes for a better-rounded manuscript. After I process their feedback, I do as many revisions as necessary. Then it’s on to the beta readers. They tend to focus on big-picture things and last minute details, which really helps. Once I process their notes, I’m able to do final edits and polish the manuscript for submission. Whew!

5.      What did you do before you became an author? My background is in marketing, and fortunately, those skills have really aided my writing career.

6.      How does it feel to be a published author?  It feels fantastic. There’s nothing better than hearing from a reader who truly enjoyed my work. Whether it was entertainment or means of escape, I’m happy to have touched their lives in some small way.

7.      Any advice for struggling writers? Keep writing.  I know that sounds like a given, but with all of the pressure to build a name for yourself these days, it’s easy to put your work on the back burner. Writing is the only way to move forward and reach the next level. It’s worth the effort.

8.      Where do you see book publishing heading? As the digital age continues to push instant gratification, and we find ourselves more and more pressed for time, I think we’ll see more serials in the market.

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http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/are-you-great-gatsby.html

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2013