Some answers to asked questions...

 

A

I really need to update my own about page on my wix site, that is when I get a minute.

B

I had tried WordPress, but I kept getting lost, just couldn't get my head around it and unfortunately it doesn't come with an idiots guide, not that Im an idiot, I just like things being easy to use.

My only fault with blogger is trying to find other blogs like mine, searching for them is awkward. 

C

I have found the blogging community to be friendly and their comments friendly over all.

D

I do my best to keep things neat and tidy, the blog is good, but the website needs an over haul.

E

Taking time to engage is also a reason why I do the blogging challenge, and keep up with the Insecure Writers. 

Editing is very time consuming, and not sure if I get it right all the time. I do my own as I can't afford to pay one.

F

You would be surprised how many times I have seen newbie writers ask about publishing after first drafts, when there is still a tonne of work to do.

You never know if you are boring your readers unless you try. Post about your characters maybe one a week, and if your following interact with you, ask them what characters would they like to know more about, or places in your world.

G

I don't see why memoir writers, can't be guest bloggers, talking about how to write them, stories you didn't put in or the difficulties.

I'll be back with more q&a next week.

See ye round the web

TWW

H, I, & J is for...

Hi all, I am a little late with several letters as I was at a wedding of two dear friends, who after 20 years finally tied the knot. Please bear with me, as I catch up.

HEADLINE / POST TITLE:

Make this as interesting and eye catching as possible while connecting it to the content of the article or post you are creating. No sense on them mismatching as your readers will feel cheated. 

HYPERLINKS:

These links, or the www. Address that goes into your search bar to bring readers to pages linked to your blog, and or the subject of the article, post you are writing. A lot of blogs and websites allow you to add them to a word, just make sure they are working and not broken...

I is for... 

IMAGE:

When creating your blog, your articles, and posts don’t forget to add images, info graphics, and videos if you can. Some blogs like blogger insist that you use youtube, to create and upload videos like unboxing your author copies, and or merch. People like visual aids and images of book covers, characters, maps, and any signing, or events you may be at.

INFOGRAPHICS:

Information and graphics mixed together to explain something, very handy for blogs and websites.

INSPIRATION:

Discuss where you got your ideas from, not just for your book, but certain characters, and places, flora and fauna. How did you come up with names, languages, histories. Once a week when planning your novel, or when editing it. I also need to take my own advice eh?

INTERVIEWS:

This is two fold, one is politely and with respect, to ask dedicated book blogs for an interview with them about your novels. They don't have to, they are under no obligation to do so, and no is no. But if they say yes, make sure you know if you have to pay, or it's for free. Then it's up to you if it's ok. 

J is for...

JOURNALING:

Write about your struggles with being a writer and being an author as well as how you got over them. Subjects like writers block, your process for laying it all out (paper, cards, and cork boards). 

JOY:

Share your successes, your publications, your signings, and conferences you may be attending. 

G is for....

GOAL BUILDING:

For those who like being held accountable, building goals on your blog for your followers to keep track of with you is a good way to do that. Tell your followers what you are planning, and you can all try to keep track.

GUEST BLOGGER:

A guest blogger is usually someone in your industry that you invite along to do a post or several on what they do and how they do it. It can also work the other way, for you to do a guest spot on a friend's blog, or another writers blog. Basically it's good advertising for what they and you do.

OK, that's G done, hope your day was awesome, see you around the Web.

TWW

F is for....

FEATURE POSTS:

I've touched on this before, but I can't stress enough, share posts on features such as who your characters are, maybe a feature on your world building, or how about treating them to a deleted scene, or even a short piece not in your novel involving your characters, or a side character.

FIRST DRAFT DISSCUSSION:

Talk about your first draft, you know the vomit one, where you just write to have something on the page. Perfect first drafts are difficult and PERSONALLY I think new readers should know that the first draft is just everything all at once, and that it's meant to be edited. 

FUN:

Ok, if writing and publishing isn't fun for you, look away because I'm about to advocate having fun with setting this all up and updating it. If you can't enjoy it, see if you can hire someone to create and update it for you. 

P.s. 

I'm updating this at the Nenagh Womens Shed, my fave haunt on a Tuesday night.

OK, I hope your A2Z is going great, see ye around the web.

TWW

E is for...

 

Hi there again, welcome to week two; hope you all had a great Easter and didn't get tooo stuffed on eggs, right todays letter is E.

ENGAGEMENT:

This means interacting with your followers and finding other blogs to follow as well. Engaging means liking, sharing and subscribing to their blogs, websites and newsletters. Make sure you like the blogs, newsletters and websites that you follow. Do bear in mind that it does take time to build up a following and to interact with blogs, so make sure here as well that you have the time to do so. 

At the writing of this blog I have 12 followers, according to the wee widget on my page, which makes me very proud. A lot of people have more, a lot less, don't stress, you aren't talking to the void, someone is listening.

Low engagement isn't good; high is good.

EDITING:

Lots of followers and even some writers and authors that you will follow all have an interest in editing; we all have to do it, and it's a pain in the ass job. But 90 per cent of writing is editing, because it goes like this...

First draft

Edit

Second draft

Edit

Beta

Edit

Alpha

Edit

Proofread

Edit 

Now this is just an outline of what writing a novel could be, some say there are five, some say more drafts before a novel is ready to go check out my post about it here The Road to Being a Published Writer: D is for....  (will open in a new window). 

Your followers will enjoy seeing how you do it, some might even have questions for you. Engage with them and build your following.