Author: Debra

What Do Writers Blog About – Ideas for Blogging Topics

What Do Writers Blog About For many writers, writing the book is the easy part.  Writing is something we love and are passionate about, and watching a story unfold on the page before our very eyes is beyond thrilling.  But it?s the stuff you have to write after??the dreaded synopsis, a perfectly-worded, not-too-long, not-too-short query letter, the nearly impossible back-of-the-book summation.  And just when you think you?ve gotten through it all, along comes the concept of a blog.  Everybody?s doing it, you hear.  It?s necessary for the success of not only your book but for you as an author.  It?s expected nowadays.

But What Do Writers Blog About?

Many writers think that beyond the writing of their book, they don?t ?personally?What Do Writers Blog About ” width=”200″ height=”200″ />Deciding What to Blog About

Before you get started, you need to ask yourself a few questions.  First, who is your audience?  Keep in mind that you?re trying to appeal to the very same readers who are interested in books in your genre.  Hugely successful author, Stephen King, refers to his audience as the ?Constant Reader.?What Do Writers Blog About ” width=”200″ height=”299″ />If you don?t put any planning into your blog and start blogging about everything under the sun (whatever you happen to be interested in on any particular day), then you?ll end up confusing readers.  People will connect with you on a particular passion, topic or interest, but few people will connect with you on several topics.  You have to be selective about the content you?re posting on your blog.  Stick to a topic you?re passionate about, and you?ll find you never run out of ideas.

Where to Get Post Ideas

Try these techniques for coming up with interesting blog post ideas:

  • Find inspiration by keeping up with the latest books, movies, TV, celebrities.  What?s going on that might be interesting to your readers?
  • Always keep a notebook with you so you can jot down ideas as they come to you. You can also use the ?notes?What Do Writers Blog About ” width=”200″ height=”320″ />How to Keep Your Blog GoingSet up a schedule so you?re blogging regularly.  You won?t have much of a following if your readers hear from you three days in a row, then nothing for six months.  Be consistent.

    Go back and expand on topics that your readers responded well too.  Which of your blog posts have gotten the most comments?  You know you have an interested audience there ? build on it.

    Do a Variety of Posts.  Some Examples Might Be:

    Posts to announce an upcoming book signing event

    How-To Posts

    Review Posts.  Book reviews, product reviews (such as writing tools or software)

    Inspirational or motivational Posts

    Juicy Facts About Your Book Posts.  Little tidbits containing behind-the-scenes facts about your book.

    Opinion Posts.  You can talk about your beliefs, life lessons you?ve learned, rules you live by, etc.

    Life As a Writer Posts.  This is where you can talk about your writing schedule, how you deal with writer?s block, or how your family continuously interrupts you while you?re working.  You can also talk about the writing industry itself ? how it?s changing, how social media has affected writers, making a living as a writer, etc.

    Current Project Posts.  Talk about what you?re working on right now.

    Update Posts.  Use these to let your readers know if you have a new book in the works, or are planning a book signing.

    Personal Experiences Posts.  Talk about your life a little.  Bonding with your readers over conversation about real-life experiences can be powerful and fulfilling.

    Feedback Posts.  Ask your readers for feedback on various topics, or on things such as possible covers for your new book.

    Video Posts.  Upload and embed relevant videos from YouTube into your posts and discuss.

    Just Start!

    The only way to get comfortable blogging is to start doing it. Do it regularly, and you’ll get better and better at it.  Think of your blog as a forum to express yourself, your ideas, and your personality – not to mention your skills as a writer!

    Feedback, Please!

    If you have ideas to share with other writers on coming up with topics to blog about, please comment below!  Thanks so much for visiting our website – Happy Blogging!

    Debra Sherman
    Co-Founder and Chairperson
    Lewiston Writers’ Group

    For More Post Ideas

    Read my article, What Can Authors Blog About?  Ideas to Get You Started

    For More Helpful Articles, CLICK HERE

     

     

How to Write for My Blog – It’s Easier if You Plan Ahead!

how to write for my blogWriting content for your blog can be much easier if you know how to plan your blog posts out ahead of time.  If you sit down to write without a plan, it can lead to frustration and often results in a blog post that either doesn’t make much sense, or isn’t that interesting.

Create a Plan for Your Blog Post

Create a plan or an outline for your blog post ahead of time by following these steps:

  1. Choose a topic. Make your headline interesting and captivating.
  2. Write an introduction (say what you’re going to write about).
  3. Break down your ideas into smaller concepts or ideas.
  4. Break up your content with headlines in bold (like I’ve done in this article).
  5. Write out your content, researching information and facts along the way if need be.
  6. Write a conclusion (summing up what you just talked about).

Your breakdown or cheat-sheet might look like this:

Introduction

Idea #1:  ___________________________________________________

Idea #2: ___________________________________________________

Idea #3:  ___________________________________________________

Conclusion

Fill in the blanks before you start writing your blog post.  Not only will it eliminate writer’s block, but it will result in a well-organized, well-written article.

Remember Your Reader is a PERSON

As much as we like to sound smart as writers, we also have to remember that not many people are interested in sitting down and reading a textbook.  Be conversational in your writing.  Tell your story/relay the facts in the same way you would if you were chatting with a friend.  Your reader should feel as though the two of you are having a conversation over a cup of coffee.

how to write for my blogAsk for Engagement

People like to give feedback.  Always encourage people to comment on your article or add their own ideas.  Blogs that are getting a lot of engagement with visitors rank higher in Google – so get your readers talking!  This is also a great opportunity to either recommend a product or service, or to invite your reader to subscribe to your mailing list or to share your article on social media.

Want to See a Sample Blog Post?

You just did!  If you go back and skim through this article, you’ll see I followed all of these steps.  And since you’ve gotten all the way down to this paragraph, then these tips worked on keeping you interested!  🙂

Feedback Please!

If you have any questions about how to properly write content for your blog, or if you have suggestions to help others with their writing, please leave a comment below.  Thank you!  Debra

For More Helpful Articles, CLICK HERE

 

 

How Wonderful My Life Has Been

The members of the Lewiston Writers’ Group were recently honored to be invited to attend the 50th anniversary party for long-time Lewiston Writers’ Group member, Robert Kerins and his wife, Pamela, whom we all adore!  We’re honored, as well, to be given permission by Bob to share his poem here.  Enjoy!

To Pamela, on our 50th Anniversary

How Wonderful My Life Has Been

Long ago, as I worked at my station,
You appeared. Perhaps Kismet’s creation.
I looked up slowly, first at your legs,
The finest pair—my memory begs.

Then came the hem of your suede mini-skirt,
And your radiant smile made my heart alert.
Without a thought, I asked for a date,
Fifty years later, we celebrate fate.

Our path together has been far from smooth,
Yet your love has proven constant and true.
You joined my family, made it your own,
Became the beloved, the anchor, the stone.

Following injuries, you cared for my pain,
Through my battles with booze, you kept me sane.
When I sought office, you gave your hand,
On committees and campaigns, you helped me stand.

When my country called, you kept the light,
Tending our home while I chased the fight.
You stood by me through my union’s loss,
When I left for duty, you bore the cost.

Cancer’s cruel touch tore my heart apart,
Yet you held me close, mending the shards.
Through all my failings, through my retreat,
You silently rose, unwavering, sweet.

The little things you do, I see them all,
The way you’ve caught me each time I fall.
As my strength fades, you take the strain,
Without a word, without complaint.

This is true love, steadfast and bright,
A golden bond through dark and light.
So here I stand, with friends and kin,
To tell you how wonderful my life has been.

Written by Robert Kerins  

Robert Kerins, Authorrobert kerins lewiston writers group

Feel free to check out Robert’s author page to see his ever-growing list of fantastic crime novels!

To view all of Robert’s books on Amazon, CLICK HERE

 

A Nice Evening at Susan Lynn Solomon’s Book Signing!

susan lynn solomon

I had the pleasure of attending Susan Solomon’s book signing this week at the Lewiston Public Library.  The evening included wonderful conversation with Susan and fellow writers about the art and joy of writing, and refreshments (the apple cider was perfect!)  The reading was wonderful, as is Susan’s writing.  Truly an enjoyable evening!

-Debra Sherman, Lewiston Writers’ Group

Enjoy this video of Susan reading from her book, A Shot in the Woods.

https://youtu.be/cdqgFJEQnJQ

Susan’s New Book, Writing is Murder

Cursed by a Native American brave, the Bennet House is one of the most haunted locations in Niagara Falls. This is where Emlyn Goode and all but one member of her writers’ group hunt for ghosts on Halloween. What they find in the house, isn’t a ghost, though. It’s the body of Edward Bennet, the missing group member.

A few days earlier, Edward had shown Emlyn a document he’d found in the Bennet House, and told her it would anger people if made public. When Edward is found, the document is missing. Emlyn is certain that document will identify Edward’s killer, but her search for it becomes dangerous when her lover, police detective Roger Frey is shot in the Bennet House, and then the killer comes after her and her friend Rebecca. Without Roger to protect her, can anything written in her ancient relative’s Book of Shadows save Emlyn this time?

susan lynn solomon

Visit Susan’s Website at www.susanlynnsolomon.com

New Novel by Robert Kerins – Deliver Them From Evil

Lewiston Writers’ Group member, Robert Kerins, has published his 6th crime novel!

new novel by robert kerinsDeliver Them From Evil

With no help from his parents, eleven-year-old David runs away to be free of the too familiar attentions of Father Jim. He’s returned home to his abusive father and must serve the priest as his altar boy and plaything.

Fawzi, barely out of her teens, and a mother of two, must obey the demands of her husband as ruled by the Quran. She pays dearly when she tries to free herself from this fifth century prison in today’s America.

Detectives Alec Theron and Orson “Orca” Sanders fight society and bureaucracy to protect them and deliver them from evil.

new novel by robert kerins

For More About Robert Kerins, CLICK HERE

Lewiston Writers’ Group Mourns the Loss of John S. Bis

JOHN BIS

John S. Bis, one of the founding members of the Lewiston Writers’ Group, passed away on July 25, 2018.   John’s influence, his priceless feedback, his sense of humor, his willingness to help others – along with his brilliant writing ability, will be greatly missed.

Visitation will take place at MESNEKOFF FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd., E. Amherst, NY 14051, on Tuesday, August 7, from 4 – 6 PM, after which a Celebration of Life Memorial Service will commence at 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice Foundation of WNY.  Click Here to Read John’s Obituary.

Click Here to Visit John’s Author Page

Please feel free to comment below to share how John has influenced your life.