Post by Jenny
On April 12, in a post no doubt
heard ‘round the writing world, Jessica Faust of BookEnds Literary Agency bid
her blog adieu. As of yesterday, the post had 110 comments from saddened readers
expressing gratitude for all they have learned from Jessica over the past five
years. I did not leave a comment, but if I had, it would have been more of the
same. I enjoyed reading the blog and found it to be enlightening and
encouraging. I will miss having it as a resource.
Jessica confessed to
having lost passion for the blog, but she also wrote this: “It doesn't seem like blogs have as much ‘power’ as they
used to, especially with the ease and speed of sources like Twitter and
Facebook.”
That made me think.
For anyone participating
in the A to Z Challenge, as I
am, April is a very blog-intensive month. Writing 26 alphabetical posts,
and visiting, commenting on, and following as many blogs from the list as
possible makes for a whole lot of activity in the blogosphere. In 2010, A to Z’s
first year, there were nearly 100 participants. This year, 1,722
bloggers signed up to at least give it a whirl.
So, are blogs getting
stale? The growth of A to Z alone makes me think ‘no.’ But the blogs themselves
are what convince me that blogging isn’t in its death throes. I’ve read so many
fun, quirky, thoughtful, poignant, personal, and informational posts that clicking
through the list has become addictive and wish I had more time to do so.
Moreover, it must be the
writer in me, but I enjoy the blog format more Facebook and twitter. I understand
that those two cornerstones of social media are fast, effective ways to spread
information. And McDonald’s is a fast, effective way to have a meal, but that’s
not enough to get me in the door.
So, tell me. Do you get
more information from blogs, FB, or twitter? Will you miss Jessica’s blog? Do
you predict that next year’s A to Z will have more participants or fewer?
12 comments :
I get more useful information from blogs, hands down. A lot of twitter and FB links go to blogs anyway.
I too, like the blog format, and don't have to rely on mine to put food on the table...though I could stand to lose a few pounds. Hmmm...need to think about that one.
Too late into this whirl-o-wind called writing to get to Jessica's blog. Maybe I can fill the void....not!
I've managed to post daily for the A to Z, but some issues arose that got me behind in my daily comments. I doubt I'll gain 25 new followers. I've been careful not to sign up for a lot of blogs during the challenge "just because." If I don't believe a blog will be a fit for me, I comment and leave. I quit reading a number of industry blogs, because I realized they kept me from writing — so I didn't realize Jessica quit blogging.
Sad about Jessica. I much prefer blogging to other social networks. Im doing the A -Z again but really do think its a bit ridiculous to dedicate a whole month to everyday, nearly, blogging. I enjoy meeting/learning though.
Denise
I think blogging works like this: if you enjoy what you're writing about, other people (not everyone) will enjoy it too. I've only been a daily blogger since January 2012 but I've been AMAZED at what a vibrant, connected, passionate group of crazy writers there are out there and I hope that's always the case! I've enjoyed the A to Z Challenge writing, but have really enjoyed making new connections more. :-) Denine
I still love reading blogs best, but I do find it a bit of a burden to come up with new topics for my own blog on a regular basis. That's one of the reasons I love having guests ...my work is the formatting, posting, and promoting while my guest has to do all the thinking. :D
Thanks for visiting my blog earlier today. I myself enjoy blogs- this A to Z challenge has really helped me flex my blogger muscle.
I too am doing A-Z; I too am a bit overwhelmed this month. However, I love blogs and blogging.
For myself, writing something is better than writing nothing, and I am learning so much from other bloggers that I might not pick up on my own, just reading books (though I do lots of that, too.)
I've been blogging since 2004 and here's the thing.
Blogs can be a lot of different things -- diary, web presence, content archive, whatever.
I have blogs for my teaching where students go to get the latest lesson.
I have blogs for my various fictional universes.
I have blogs where I expound on topics unrelated to those topics.
The point is that I have a goal and a purpose for those blogs. Sometimes they grow. Sometimes they shrink. Sometimes they're very active and sometimes I forget to post for a few months.
You know what?
They still work for *me* and that's the key.
I learn from blogs. They teach me how to make a mushroom sauce with shitake mushrooms, paint glass vases to look like pottery and how to handle a teenage daughter. I enjoy the variety of the subject matter and the dedication of the bloggers.
Yea to blogs!!
Enjoyed reading your blog this morning. Visiting from A to Z. But now I'm joining. Have a nice day
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by and for your thoughtful comments. I'm glad blogs still have many fans. I learn from them, too, and laugh a lot. There are some funny bloggers in this world.
Kudos to everyone making the final push for A to Z!
I write for this blog once a week and sometimes have a hard time coming up with a subject. I often refer to my defunct blog for an idea. I didn't get many followers so gave it up. I'm thinking it may be better to guest blog. I get more exposure. Trouble is finding someone who wants me as a guest!!
I write for this blog once a week and sometimes have a hard time coming up with a subject. I often refer to my defunct blog for an idea. I didn't get many followers so gave it up. I'm thinking it may be better to guest blog. I get more exposure. Trouble is finding someone who wants me as a guest!!
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