Tag Archives: Answers

A Few More Answers

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Time to finish answering your questions from a couple months ago. Here goes…

D asks, “What is your favorite thing to blog about?”

I probably most enjoy writing funny posts.  But I don’t do it very often, because I have to be in a particular mood and be inspired.  I have an idea for one in the near future, though, so watch out! (Just need to take a particular picture for the punch line!)

Alissa asks, “Have you ever considered quitting the blog, and if so what made you decide to stick with it?”

No, I’ve never really considered quitting.  I simply enjoy this kind of writing too much.  At least at this point, I can’t imagine quitting blogging, though I know my blog may not always look like it does now.

Carolyn asks, “Do you know any Canadians???”

I have a few Canadian acquaintances and have had a few others through the years.  Actually, our class president my senior year of high school as from Canada, and we used to make jokes about what would happen if she was deported…would we still have our class reunions?  Of course, back then we didn’t know yet about Facebook and how that would make us not want to go to a reunion, anyway.  Cue next question…

Jennifer asks, “Have you maintained any relationships with people you went to high school with?”

I still talk to my 2 best friends from high school.  We get together every year or so, and email about that often.  That’s it though.  I’m really not the same person I was back then, and many of them aren’t, either.  I am Facebook friends with a lot of people from high school which really takes away any incentive of going to my 10-year high school reunion that’s coming up next summer.

And finally, Sarah asks, “How did you become a Christian?”

Great question!  I’ve actually gotten this one before, and here’s my answer.

That’s it for this round!  Feel free to ask me any more questions that you may have…though I can’t promise a quick answer (but I’ll try to do better)!

Blogging for Beginners

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A few weeks ago I asked you to ask me questions, and a few of you did.

Miel Abielle asked, “Since you have been blogging for so long, what are your top pieces of advice for a new blogger?”

I’m so glad you asked this, as this was something I’ve been wanting to address, but didn’t feel like I had a forum for it.  I’ve talked about it before (see Blog Faux Pas and Post I Avoid), but there is still more to say.

I think the most important thing I could tell a starting blogger is to EDIT. Long posts tend to be skipped.  Posts with typos and unnecessary details will be, too.  Except for an occasional bulleted post, your post should deal with ONE event or topic.  As Jenna in 13 Going on 30 would say, we don’t need a play-by-play of your life.

A common mistake beginning bloggers make is to not post regularly, and when they do, spend time apologizing for their erratic blogging. Evaluate how often you can blog…and stick to it.  If you mess up?  Don’t dwell on it.  Move on.  When you begin a post with, “Boy, I can’t believe I forgot I had a blog these last 2 weeks!” or the like, you’re tipping off to potential readers that you aren’t in it for the long haul, and they’ll find another blogger to follow.

It might sound trite, but be yourself. We all make fools of ourselves regularly, don’t try to hide it!  If you are struggling with something, share it (or at least as much as would be appropriate in a public forum).

But, that said, don’t use your blog to vent. Never speak poorly about someone else.  As far as your blog readers should be able to tell, you’re the only sinner you know (though we obviously know that this is not true!).

If you refer to a previous post, link to it (like I’m doing above).  That helps readers to know what you’re talking about, and to read more if they’re interested. (Bonus: it may even drive search engine traffic to your blog.)

And I can’t believe I *still* have to say this, but do NOT have music automatically playing on your site. Chances are your readers do not have the same taste in music as you do, so don’t assault/scare/frustrate them.  Most of the times when I come across a blog with music, I close the window immediately, without even evaluating the content.  It could have been my new favorite blog, but we’d never know.

That’s the main points I’d share with a new blogger.  Do you have anything more to add?  I know I’m not an expert, but I’ve learned a lot the hard way.  Do you have any questions?

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