Why do I blog?
Let me make one thing clear. I don’t blog to express a political opinion. As a novelist, my taking a stand on anything political or religious is disastrous. When I talked here last week about civil discourse, it was to vent not about what we say but how we say it.
So there you go – one reason why I blog. I blog to vent about something, be it civil discourse, airport security, or plastic bags.
But there are other reasons. I mean, it’s not like I’m sitting around with nothing to do. I have to put blogging on my calendar, or else it gets lost in the shuffle of the daily writing, in this case, of Sweet Salt Air.
I blog to share news about this work-in-progress, because you all deserve to hear, since you’re so good as to go out and buy the book when it’s done. So I tell you about shaping characters, or I share the challenges of picking a title, and come the day when I have a cover, you’ll see it here.
I blog to get feedback from you. If you hate that cover, you can let me know, so I can let my publisher know. You’re my test audience.
I blog to share knitting tips – because I think knitting rivals yoga when it comes to relaxation. I like encouraging people to learn to knit and engaging those who already do.
I blog to tell you about things I’m learning as a grandmother. The learning never ends, and I think many of you out there, mothers and grandmothers alike, can identify with that.
I write to give you something to read during this long stretch between new books. Escape came out in July of 2011, but Sweet Salt Air may not be out until July of 2013. That’s two full years later. And yes, older books of mine are being reissued in the interim. But read my blog, and you have brand new content.
Finally, I blog because it’s fun. I do love writing. But adding pages to Sweet Salt Air is my job. Blogging is fun. It’s short. It’s finite. It gives me instant gratification.
About which you all know.
Because I blogged about it last month.
So, do you read these things? Are you a blog aficionado?
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I love you and your blog and every thing you write
My granddaught is having a baby my first great grand child you know I did know that they made glow -in- the- dark -passie!!!
learn a lot from you always so I read the blog lots
Hi Barbara,
As a hopeful author, I have been advised to start a blog of my own – which I find a little scary. Will people be interested in what I have to say about my day to day life, and will anyone actually read it? Or comment?
Devastation is lurking in the shadows in case they don’t. …
I enjoyed your blog and I agree with you about knitting. I used to do a lot of knitting – mainly Aran patterns as I get bored with the ordinary stocking stitch or rib….I gave it up about ten years ago when I was disillusioned after spending hours knitting beautiful pullovers (Aran in natural lambs wool) for my husband’s 2 nephews and niece – no thank you was offered and while visiting one day unexpectedly, I saw one of the pullovers out on the back yard grass, all shrunken and filthy. I put my needles away along with the wool and have not touched it since. I miss it though. A lot. Your blog has inspired me to take it up again. Thank you.
P.S. I love your books and have many of them. xxx
Oh, wow, Jo — is your story familiar. So many of the knitters I know are knitting more for themselves now because, after all their work, a finished project is either ignored, abused, or certainly never truly appreciated. I’ve learned to knit only for others who I know do appreciate home-made things. I’ve also learned not to feel guilty making things for me. So please, do pick up those needles again and make yourself a gorgeous Aran sweater, scarf, or mittens. BTW, one of the characters in SWEET SALT AIR is a novice knitter attempting an Aran pattern. You could likely give her tips! BD
Jo,
I know how that must hurt, but if you like to knit … do it for yourself and if you can think about knitting for a charity. They will certainly appreciate it and you will know your work is making someone warm and happy.
The part about expressing an opinion… ruh roh, I’m in deep doo doo before ever publishing work. 😉 Then again, I’m used to deep doo doo.
I’ve blogged intermittently since 2005, but spend most of my writing time with noveling. It’s an outlet for redirecting my mind, for talking on my experiences, for sending my creative energy into something new and with a short completion window. and yes, to opine on things feminism and lgbtq and politics. It all comes down to we do what works for us.
I’m thrilled to see you blog, and look forward to future posts.
nelle
I’ve read most of your books, own many, and agree with your ideas on grandchildren & knitting. I read your blog because it makes me smile. I knit socks. There I’ve said it. I know I can buy them at Walmart, but I love the way my own creations feel & fit. I’ve created a new item especially for my baseball playing nephews…a bat hat! They spend so much money on aluminium bats, I’ve knitted them long socks to keep the bats from being scratched and also to keep them warm in our unpredictable Illinois spring. Who knows, it may give their bats a big advantage. 🙂
I like your blogs and wish I’d found them sooner! For me, writers are faceless, almost nameless people who sit somewhere in a cold, musty garret at a typewriter. I love your books and I really enjoy reading about how you write. A faceless writer has become a real person and I find your books more enjoyable because of that. And I love knitting — even mindless knitting to keep my hands busy while watching TV but do enjoy lace-like patterns if I can be left alone (which doesn’t happen often). And I prefer knitting for myself because I’m not that good at sizing and recipients often care (and they have even reason to be picky) that the garment fits well. But for me, the wonder is in the creation and years later looking at a sweater realizing my hands have touched EVERY stitch. When I read your books now, I feel the words are your creation rather than standing on their own. I’m not sure if that makes sense.
Dear Barbara
I love knitting and Grandchildren and have a new baby boy coming. Would love it, if you would share some cap, and bootie patterns that you like (free ones). as I have spent hours on the internet looking. I understand your position on politics and I respect that.
Laurie
I have a lot of blogs I try to visit each day.. But it depend on how much time I have.. I might not get to everyone, but a good portion of them.. I love them because I find out a lot about the books and authors that are making the rounds.. I have found some “new to me” authors to read. I hope that I can get around to them all today, but time is not going to be with me. I have my niece and nephew here with me this week. So something has to go…
So it may be some of the blogs…
Thank you for that, Barbara-for keeping us readers updated on your writing and your books and not blogging about political stuff. It gets so tiring listening to people rant and rave about politics, and yes, I could rant and rave about my beliefs, but why? It doesn’t change anyone’ s beliefs and it can tend to alienate people, I think. I love reading about the writing process and characters and book covers-I love sharing all of that with my readers. it’s just awesome to have a safe place to talk about characters like they’re real 🙂 I try to read a few certain blogs, but I have to be careful not to get so caught up in reading and surfing the internet or I don’t have writing time. I did try my own blog because I’m sure it would be good for my writing career. I just can’t do it-I don’ t have the time, with two kids at home and other responsibilities! When I’m home, at my computer, I try to spend most of my time working on the works in progress!
I love all the authors blogs and yours especially. Keep doing what you’re doing. If others don’t like it, then get off of those they don’t like. I tell all my friends that.
I read a few blogs on is your Barbara and really enjoy it. I think they are interesting when its an interesting subject matter, or when it has to do this reading or authors they I have enjoyed reading. I have my own blog and enjoy writing it. http://mariaitaliankitchen.blogspot.com/
Dear Barbara-
I feel like I am addressing this note to a dear old friend. I bought your first book to take camping with me back in 1994. I had not purchased a book in a long time because I just couldn’t find an author I liked. The stars were aligned or something that day -because finally I found someone’s writing style that really appealed to me and had a cadence that flowed easily through me. I finished that book and thought that I might look for another and so goes my journey. I have gone back and found all but one Candlestick (?). Going forward I am further behind. I have purchased the books and because I save yours, I love the hardcovers. I have a few waiting for me to read. I stopped by your website today to look for your book artwork for pinterest. They have a section on pinterest for favorite books and movies -they also have a space for you to link the source, so when I tell them about my favorite books, by my favorite author -I can plug in the link to your website as the source. If that isn’t okay just have someone email me. I was hoping that it would be like anything else -source the bookcover artwork and you were covered for copyright. It seems like a great way to share your love of great things! It will also display then on my facebook page under interests. I love your books. You will always be my favorite because you brought me back to something that I loved and you have kept me engaged for all of these years. Who inspires you Barbara? Best wishes! -Shari
Who inspires me, Shari? You and all the others of you who send me such touching and encouraging notes. Thank you! BD