I'm a reader who may write non-fiction one day. Reading over MJ's blog, I agree with some of the comments to her post. I agree that sincerity keeps me coming back to read a blog by an author. I'm disappointed when I find that an author's webpage doesn't have a blog on it, but I appreciate that they aren't transparently using the blog format to sell their books. It's helpful to me as a reader to just have a webpage with the author's bio, story synopses, and where you can get their books, and a complete list of their works. A blog is a bonus (as it is here).

I read Seth Godin's blog - I'm in marketing sort of - and his blog has made me want to read his books. But if he blogged poorly - I probably wouldn't look twice at his books. I agree that non-fiction writers may want to blog to add a personal story to the more predictable nature of their subject matter.

Another thing to recall here - and something that is obvious to those in publicity - every contact you make with the public is an opportunity and a risk. It's a vulnerable chink in your persona when you blog, since you risk sharing too much. That's where the sincerity part comes in - people who are only flogging won't share things that put the purchase at risk. Or are more likely not to share.

1) I'm a reader.

2) The fact that I'm not interested in ever writing myself doesn't interfere with my enjoyment of all your posts, including the ones on the craft of writing, which I find quite interesting actually. Physics is interesting even though I'll never be a physicist. Knowing French is interesting even though I never speak it to anyone but my kids and my high-school French teacher when I run into her in town. Knowing what goes on in an author's head is enriching even though it doesn't really have a direct impact on my life.

3) I don't think so. But then I don't follow a whole lot of other author weblogs.

I'm a writer too. I'm not yet published, so I probably follow more agent blogs than you do, but I read a fair number of writer blogs as well. And yes, most of my blog readers are either friends or writers, or both.

What she's missing in that point is that writers also read. And they have friends who read, and if they like your book they can spread the news by word of mouth just like anyone else. Better, because they may have blogs too, with new and different readers. And so on, and so on....

I think blogging is like writing fiction itself: you have to WANT to do it to make it work. You have to enjoy posting, coming up with new ideas, and interacting with your readers. If you don't want to do it and commit to it, the blog will quickly become worthless and no one except your mom will come. Or you'll post once a month, and lose all momentum. I think it's fair for publishers to ask new writers to have a website, where readers can buy the book, get more information, read excerpts, etc. But you can't and shouldn't make new writers have a blog if they're not interested in it themselves.

I'm a reader who enjoys your take on all things you blog. I would venture to say that by reading your blog I have learned to be a more discerning reader. Before, I could only tell you that I liked a book or didnt'. Now I notice things and put words to why I like, or don't like, about a book.

Eventually I'd like to be in the film production process. Your take on story writing/creating is interesting to learn with a whole different take/medium in mind.

As for other author blogs, I really haven't found another that interests me as much as yours.

think Susan expressed my feelings(probably better then I could have)about blogs,I'l just add a blog is kinda like a party, if your having a good time then its more then likely you'l remember the host:D

Are you a reader or a writer or a reader wanting to be a writer?

Um. Both? Except when I'm not. Okay, I'm a reader and I wrote some unpublished stuff and no longer plan to write or try to publish anything. But I still have writer-friends and still work with them on THEIR writing (in a very hands-on way; none of that Let's Talk Writing Theory, not for me). So there's that. Now for the rest of it...

Basically, if someone blogs well, I'll read them. A blog I like is one that shows me the person - really shows me who that person is, what they sound like, what it'd be like to hang out and eat Cheetos together. I don't like hearing exclusively about the hallowed Writing Process or their characters or the book business. I guess I mean if a writer ONLY blogs about writing-related stuff, I don't care to read it. And the whole concept of writing a blog to a target audience (fellow writers or potential readers) is a bit repellent to me; I think people should write what they're compelled to say, that's all.

I read some authors' blogs whose books I don't read (for any number of reasons), and I've had authors whose books I love but whose blogs leave me cold and I never read. It's really its own form and some do it well, some don't. I evaluate it for itself: in the same way I'd say "I love her short stories, but I don't like her full-length novels," I can equally say "I love his blog but not his fiction." I've also had some writers whose online personas (not boringness or inept blogging, but just basically being assholes) have made me dislike them strongly enough to swear I will never read a single word of their published stuff.

If an author is prevalent on the net, it'll get me to recognize their name, but not read their book - or their blog. Period.

I'm just a reader and this is the first and only blog I go to. I come because I find it interesting to hear what you and others have to say. It has given me a greater appreciation for your writing and for the writing process itself.

Well, I'm definitely a reader and have only recently started to look at writer's blogs after I've read a book. I usually look at blogs to begin with because I want to know more about the book itself -- especially to perhaps learn why the writer wrote the way she did or maybe to even get a few more insights into the book as a whole. I seldom go to a blog, quite honestly, because I want to know more about the writer, other than to see what she or he has written previously or when another book might be coming out. Of course, sometimes the author turns out to be very interesting beyond his or her books. On the other hand, I have been to a few blogs where the author has come across as quite the condescending jerk.

I am also a writer, though not published (yet!!). So, part of me understands the need to connect with readers and/or to get feedback. In fact, on my own little forum, I have started a "musings" section where I can write about my "life", though, to be honest, I have to wonder who, other than people who know me, would really care anyway.

When I read a blog, even though I am in the learning stages of trying to get published and need information, I'm not all that interested in reading about the nuts and bolts of what an author does in order to get published or how they spent their day writing (I went to my study, I sat at the typewriter, I created, I typed, I talked to my editor, my publisher, I'm under a deadline, woe is me...) I'm much rather just read a "static" FAQ area that has that sort of information. Now, hearing about a book signing, etc, and what happens while an author is "on the road" would be fun and entertaining. Or hearing about an author's experience with "fans". After all, in the end, that's what it's all about -- connecting to people through the written word.

Basically, I guess what I'm saying is that reading an author's blog depends on who the author is and whether I feel enough of an emotional connection to read and get involved. And if the writer turns out to be one of those jerks, well, I really, really, have to like the book in order to bother reading the blog. But, hey, that's just me...

I'm a reader.

Your blog is the only author blog that I read, so I haven't had any negative experiences.

I wouldn't have known who you were if it weren't for your blog and I feel that would have been da damned shame.

I've struggled with blogging quite a bit because I know I'm outspoken and the self-revelation is inherent in honest blogging.

I took heed to MJ's words and started some reader's blogs (still in progress) for people who read my books and want to find out more about the book, other books, and characters, backstory, maybe some author profiles to introduce other writers of the type.

But as far as personal blogging, I think it has made my name more known. Name recognition is never a bad thing. Many of these people wouldn't know Monica Jackson from any other black romance writer if I wasn't so forthright. Some can't stand me, but some do. The ones who can't stand me talk and get others interested.

My books have enough of an unique voice so the I-will-Never-Read-A-Book-By-A-Negro-or-Gay crowd of conservative romance readers wouldn't like my style anyway. Neither would the conservative black women who has to have their reads fit into a certain strict mode and their authors be a certain way.

I'm not a novel writer, but a reader. I was interested to see what Google knew about you and discovered your blog. Without your recommendations I never would have discovered Dunnett. Your recommendations have been invaluable to me; your discussions are in depth enough to intrigue me; and your open mindedness keeps me coming back.

Thanks, this is useful. I know I've lost some readers since I've been keeping this blog. Monica's right, it's hard to get the interesting/honest/sincere balance right.

I hope I've gained a few, too.

.

Rosina:

You gained me: that's one. And I just tonight purchased another copy of Into the Wilderness for my mom's birthday: that's two. So there you go. {g}

I follow in the reader wanting to be a writer category. I must confess this is the first writers’ blog that I have visited. I have checked other authors websites to read excerpts, book release dates etc. and was quite surprised when I found this site due to my curiosity about the wilderness novels and found it interesting on so many different levels.

Information on the writing process has been informative and educational but I don't necessarily come here for that.

I originally just wanted an excerpt of Queen of Swords, but I’m curious by nature and started checking out the blog and started getting glimpses of Rosina's personality as well as was hooked by her openness and willingness to share.

I am not aware of other author blogs, but I do visit other author websites and am disappointed when authors don’t update their websites.

I'm a reader, with no real aspirations to be a writer. I love your blog, and a few other's like Jenny Crusie', becuase they give insite into an interesting process (writing, forming stories, etc.). And when I find an author I like alot, it's nice to see who this person is that created people and places that I've fallen in love with. Often I find other authors/books I love from recomendations on your site and from the SB's.

I'm a reader, a writer/proofer/editor (nonfiction, for my job), a someday fiction writer, and a blogger (gardening). I actually wandered over here from someplace that had linked to the 'writing sex scenes' thread (Making Light, I think) and the big attraction at first was the discussion of craft.

I am currently experiencing what I've seen other blogs call "readers' block" and haven't bought new fiction in about a year. (New house, new garden, blasted busy, trying to keep writing.) So I haven't read anything except the excerpts you publish and the blog posts.

Blog reading is really where I am right now. In fact, I have three separate sets of bookmarks in my browser -- political blogs, book blogs (writers, editors, agents, and readers), and science blogs (which includes gardening). Of all the blogs I visit, this is one of the most substantial, and I appreciate the fact that while you do discuss business aspects I never, ever feel that you are trying to "market yourself" to readers.

I think it is far more effective for a writer to be a good blogger than to be a good marketer. In fact, I think an interesting blog is a golden element of "stealth marketing" -- if you're this good off the cuff, then your books must be hella good. The posts about your father are some of the best storytelling I've ever read.

When I get some breathing space (winter, I hope) I will definitely look up your books.

Rosina - re this post and this topic - check out the Globe and Mail newspaper article on edition 22/08/06 titled "A Writer like no other" re Kenneth J Harvey - he's a Canadian Eastern author who is obviously incredibly good at self-promotion of his books and that's what this article focuses on - in a good way.

Me - I love the fact I can connect on your blog to authors - b/c I often check out other links you post.

Also - off topic - but for some reason when I post I can see the menu down the right-hand side of your page but when I view your main menu blog page - no right-hand topics etc on the main page - don't know why.

Andrea

I am a reader and a writer. Author weblogs add to my reading experience.