First off, let me tell you all that, besides laying hardwood flooring all day yesterday (oh, my aching back -- and we get to do it today, TOO! woo hoo) I also had no internet service, so if I didn't visit you...that's why (and, GAH, it was pure torture)!
And... proof of life in New Hampshire (truly, I am amazed at the resiliance of plants -- and no snickering from y'all down south when you see my little bitty babies):
My seedum:
My daffodils:
My chives:
Which will some day look like this (and the seedum is beside it):
My doofus dog (we got her a remote trainer, so she can now run in our yard off-leash. DH calls her a remote control dog):
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Now, on to the reason for this post (aside from the fact that I post every day *G*): Pet peeves when I visit other author blogs.
I have to admit to being a serious blog-hopper, despite how busy I am. I have about 100 blogs set up in my Google Reader, and another fifteen or so that, for whatever reason, Google won't accept.
I have "met" many authors online, and have since purchased books by them that I wouldn't have otherwise (and, I have yet to be disappointed) -- the ladies whose books I'm giving away in my contest this month are two of them. I met Ceri via NaNoWriMo and Diane was a regular visitor to my friend, Allie's blog -- and I love to get to know about people. After all, authors are just human beings with real lives outside of their writing.
I also understand that most authors keep a blog for promotion purposes. I know I do -- or, at least it started out for that reason. Now, I really just love to "talk" to you all!! LOL... and you don't appear to be sick of hearing me ramble. And, I do put promotional stuff up like my new review I was Google Alerted to yesterday for my oldest published story, "Now That We've Found You" or the fact that "One Love For Liv" is still available for purchase and seems to be a winner with all the reviews sites so far -- and if you haven't purchased it yet, why haven't you?
BUT... and here is where my pet peeve comes in: It isn't a blog for promotional purposes to the exclusion of all else.
I have a few authors on my Google Reader (a couple of whom are coming off for the reason I'm about to list) who post very infrequently, and the only time they do is to say "I have a new release -- go buy it" or "I'm promoting myself and my new release here".
You know what? If I don't care about you, if I don't have a "relationship" with you, I really don't care about your new release. And I'm annoyed by the fact that you only use your blog, every month or so, to tell me to buy something and for no other reason.
Promotion is fine. Melissa has been talking about her upcoming book that is part of the Wedding Planners series with Harlequin, and I'm excited to hear about it! But, she also talks about herself, her kids, her Climbing Cutie friend (*G*), her new dog(!) and more. I visit her blog every day to see how SHE is... and her writing is part of her life. It's just not her ENTIRE life.
Okay... all done venting. But, am I wrong? What do you think?
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You Are Ashlee Simpson! |
 Stylish, unique, talented You're your own woman! "It seems like I can finally rest my head on something real I like the way that feels" |
Dear heavens... ((bangs head on keyboard))...
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15 comments:
Your flowers-in-frozen-earth pictures could have been taken outside my front door :)
We were powerless for a while yesterday but I think it was good. I worked on my laptop and actually ended up getting a surprising number of words written. I was tickled, although I missed visiting with everyone too!
Love the photos. Reminds me that mine isn't the only stark landscape in the northeast. *BG*
Happy Friday. And I hope you get the floor finished soon. I'll bet it looks great. :)
I'm relatively new to the blogging world, but have to agree with you.
Until recently (when a friend recommended BTT to me), I was really strugging to find book-related blogs that weren't purely for promotional purposes.
The reason I'm becoming so addicted to blogging is because it's a fantastic window into how people think and their life experiences ... it's a way to interact with people and share ideas in a way that's respectful and open (at least it should be).
Look forward to reading more of yours!
Not more snow! I hope it's gone by noon. (And may your floors be finished by then, too...)
Hi Marianne, I just mentioned to you in your post on the second how I enjoyed your blog and didn't care for others that weren't updated. I used to visit this one blog everytime that I was online and then she started to post less often and then a gap for weeks and longer. I quit visiting altogether because it was a waste of my time. I enjoy the extras like you do too, and visit Melissa's blog often as well. One thing that is disappointing though is when I post some answer or ask a question and it isn't acknowledged. I understand people are busy but there should be some interaction.
Oh I forgot to tell you how sorry I am for you. I couldn't imagine seeing snow here in April!
Nah! You're not wrong. I think when we invest our time and money in a book, we want to get at least a little something back. Sure, there's the entertainment the book provided, but I, too, like to get to know an author. I realize there are some who are so big they NEED to protect their private lives. I understand that, and I respect that. But over all, I think it's nice to have a connection with them. On a slightly different level...that's why I like Dancing With The Stars. It gives me a glimpse of what those stars are really like.
Hope your floor is almost done. My back aches just thinking of that.
I agree 100%. Why waste valuable coffee time reading advertisements? Blogging should be an ongoing conversation, not a circular ad.
But that could just be me.
In that vein, Husband and I are working on redesign of my blog to take it to it's own host and reach a wider audience. I don't have a book coming out in the next year, but I am a writer, mother, wife, home schooler, sports parent, &c...and there's a conversation in there with other women like me. Not that I won't tell you when my next book is coming out, just that it won't be the ONLY thing I talk about.
You Are Liz Phair!
Sexy tough indie girl...
Who's not afraid to be a little girly
"I am extraordinary, I am just your ordinary
Average every day sane psycho
Supergoddess"
Not sure who you are, but I like it!
Okay, huge sigh of relief. I was wondering if I'd done something wrong blog-wise. I'm pretty low on the book promo on my blog, but with the launch of The Wedding Planners series have been doing more lately. My hubby always kids me when he reads the blog and says where's all the stuff about your books!
Can someone explain google reader to me? I have the blog urls I read daily memorized and just type them in to go there. Is there an easier way????
Beautiful little babies! I'm sure they'll survive the bit of snow we just got.
Man, if I just used my blog to promote my work I would barely post there. And wouldn't everyone rather hear about my website woes?
I'm Sheryl Crow.
As I mentioned before, I've discovered many new authors by visiting and interacting with blogs. It become personal and you're more incline to purchase the book when before you would not have.
I bet your floors will look beautiful once it's completed.
You Are Sheryl Crow!
Down to earth with tons of creative energy
When you talk, everyone can relate to you
"Life springs eternal
On a gaudy neon street
Not that I care at all"
Have a good Friday.
I still can't believe you're getting snow. Did it stop already?
If an author is just using their blog as an advertisement, then they shouldn't have a blog to begin with. I read the blogs of MANY authors, but only those who seem to appreciate the interaction with their fans. (And, there are a few who have become good friends. *g*)
"You Are Ani Difranco!
Honest, real, and well liked.
You're not limited by any boundaries.
"And you can call me crazy
But I think you're as lazy as white paint on the wall"
Is it bad that I have NO idea who this is?
Have a good day. Sorry about the snow, sending wishes of warmer weather for you.
You Are Ani Difranco!
Honest, real, and well liked.
You're not limited by any boundaries.
"And you can call me crazy
But I think you're as lazy as white paint on the wall"
Who the heck is Ani DiFranco???
I'd rather be Sheryl Crow. But maybe that's because we were both born in the same small town. *g*
I feel the same way about blogs for promo purposes only. And like you, I often buy a book because of a relationship developed with the author.
I won't talk to you about going plant shopping today, you know, it being snowy up there and all.... ;)
I am with you 100% on the pet peeve. An author is a WRITER. They should be able to manage at LEAST one post a week about life. If a blog is purely promotional, I'm gone!
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