Most of you know that I took a semi-break from blogging last week so I could focus on some much needed revisions. I called it my "I'm hanging up my shoes" week, and a picture similar to what you see here accompanied all of my posts.
Well, thanks to my blogger friend, Karen Amanda Hooper, it has come to my attention that, in some parts of the country, shoes hanging on power lines indicate that drug deals take place there. GASP! I would never want anyone thinking that drug deals take place on my blog, so I thought I'd better clarify.
It go me thinking about what message my blog is sending. I've read a number of blogs recently that discuss how agents google names of those who query. They quite often stumble across blogs in the process, and should an agent stumble upon mine, I certainly want it to convey a desirable message. Between this, and the fact that Wednesday will mark my 100th post, I've decided to discuss what we should and should not post on our blogs this week.
If and when an agent reads my blog, I hope they will see a determined, aspiring author who is willing to work hard at improving and to do what it takes to rise to today's literary standards.
What message do you hope to convey through your blog?
Speaking of Karen Amanda Hooper, she tagged me the other day on her blog. Thanks Karen! I'll be following up on this next week.
Monday, September 28, 2009
How do shoes end up on power lines anyway?
Most of you know that I took a semi-break from blogging last week so I could focus on some much needed revisions. I called it my "I'm hanging up my shoes" week, and a picture similar to what you see here accompanied all of my posts.
Well, thanks to my blogger friend, Karen Amanda Hooper, it has come to my attention that, in some parts of the country, shoes hanging on power lines indicate that drug deals take place there. GASP! I would never want anyone thinking that drug deals take place on my blog, so I thought I'd better clarify.
It go me thinking about what message my blog is sending. I've read a number of blogs recently that discuss how agents google names of those who query. They quite often stumble across blogs in the process, and should an agent stumble upon mine, I certainly want it to convey a desirable message. Between this, and the fact that Wednesday will mark my 100th post, I've decided to discuss what we should and should not post on our blogs this week.
If and when an agent reads my blog, I hope they will see a determined, aspiring author who is willing to work hard at improving and to do what it takes to rise to today's literary standards.
What message do you hope to convey through your blog?
Speaking of Karen Amanda Hooper, she tagged me the other day on her blog. Thanks Karen! I'll be following up on this next week.
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47 comments:
I blame the shoes on wires on those damn kids. I don't know which kids, but I blame them.
We have shoes on the lines near us and they have been there for years. I don't know why anybody would want to announce a deal was going down.
I don't know what I want my blog to convey. I mostly have it to share cool stuff with the world and interact with people. I also don't spell check or edit check my blog very often, so I'm probably not sending a very professional message. Meh.
I hope my blog conveys my voice and my personality. Hopefully, it also demonstrates my love of writing/reading and my constant quest to improve my writing skills.
You're kidding! I didn't know about the shoe = drug deal thing. But even had I, I wouldn't have presumed you were sending a secret message or anything. ;)
I've given much thought to this, too, that what we put on our blogs so heavily presents who we are. We've got to be conscious of our content.
I would hope that my blog conveys my personality and my (mostly) optimistic attitude. I began writing long before I discovered that agents are blogging too and that they read potential author blogs, but that fact hasn't changed the way I write.
I think we should avoid being too negative, especially if we are seeking publication. We should probably also avoid naming agents and editors if naming them will also be associated with copious amounts of complaining.
I agree. I think we want to convey that we're serious about writing.
All of the above. I hope it conveys my personality and just shares an honest journey. Part of the blogging is creating a platform, but a bigger part is about me and the amazing people I meet online.
LOL about the deal going down on your blog. Is the first time free? ;)
I hope my blog conveys my determination to become a better writer. But right now it isn't a tool to help agents find me. I'll have to rethink that. Thanks.
I want my blog to convey an honest person who loves people and wants to reach out to them through writing. I want to touch hearts of I can. That's about it.
Congrats on the 100th post! As for what I want my blog to convey, I want it to convey me. I want my personality to shine on the blog through my writing. Because that's a lot of what writing is about in my opinion.
Well, I will have to say that drug deals never entered my mind when I saw your blog-I thought it clever that you named it "A walk in my shoes" and then had appropriate photos.
I will look through my photo albums and see if I can scan a picture of the infamous Shoe Tree...it is a tree outside of Standish, CA (middle of nowhere basically) where tourists or weary travelers have thrown a shoe or two up into the tree. It was almost torn down by the CalTrans department, but the state occupants threw such a fit, they left it as is.
Oh wow! I'd never have know about shoes on wires signalling drug deals! But I think you bring up a good point! We always need to be really careful about what we say on our blogs. We want to be accurate and positive!
Is that what that means??!
Yeah, your blog image is important. Nothing worse than someone googling you to find you whining. LOL!
I hope people see my blog and think, "Hey, she's fun! Maybe her books are, too." :)
I had that same revelation when I started querying. I realized that if an agent found my blog I wanted to make sure they didn't think I was insane, so I've toned down my posting a bit (I think) to seem more professional (I think). I'm excited to see your posts this week though!
I want publishers and agents to see me as a real person, with real feelings. That’s why I post some personal stuff. On the other hand I want them to see me as someone who is serious about writing; which is why most of my post are positive and about my journey through this process.
BTW I love your blog. I am sure when publishers and agents read yours they see a very dedicated writer!
That's exactly what I see when I read your blog.
I hope to encourage readers to think anew.
~ Wendy
I always worry about what I write on my blog. sometimes I wish I were more brave, sometimes I think I should hide more. Difficult balance. But don't think I am ashamed of anything that's up there, so that should be fine.
I was about to turn you in for the drug deals taking place on your blog, so you can imagine how relieved I am to read this post. *phew* ;)
Blog responsibility is a very important topic for aspiring authors. Thanks for addressing it.
Congrats on your almost 100! I hope to be inspirational and not whiney. Sometimes life is a bit tough and I feel it's important to write about it. I hope I do it in a way that encourages people in their own lives.
Loving your blog!
I can't believe that. Shoes on power line = drug deal? Crazy!
I hope that anyone who stops by my blog finds something that makes them smile, gives them some small encouragement for the day, or something useful. At the very least, I hope an agent would look at more than one post and be forgiving of one post they might not like.
I hope my blog conveys the person that I am; how I think and what I like. I would like readers to see me and who I am when they read my words.
I'm still chuckling--drug deals--too funny. I hope my blog shows who I am (a mom, a writer, a human who makes mistakes sometimes) and why that's a good thing. I hope my blog seems REAL.
I did a post back in Feb in which I added a pic like that. I was talking about motivation an that is just how I envisioned it in my mind. My honest opinion is this... I mean, being that all of your post talked about hanging up your shoes... if someone took it the wrong way then I just don't that is fair. I also think that is is also not totally fair that we should be restricted as to what we can talk about on our blogs. I mean, it is supposed to be an expression of who we are. Idk. I have been thinking about that too. I don't feel that I post really bad things, but I do try to be honest about how I feel. I just want my blog to convey my walk though my life and I want to give people something that they can relate to so if I am sad... I am sad... happy... then I am happy and so on and so forth. When I so make it I want to tell people about the ups and downs and I can say..."read my blog if you don't believe me."
I don't really think that you have anything to worry about Susan... this blog is FAB and it is really helpful to alot of people. Myself included. If someone bypassed you becuse of some shoes on a wire...then they are missing out! BIGTIME!!!! You tell me who they are and I will tell them so myself! I hope that this does not sound like a rant. I don't mean for it too. It is just that some times all of this modern technology bothers me. It is like, it can be used against you in a way that I don't really like. They give you the freedom to express yousekf through all of these mediums, but then tell you not to be to free or you may get picked over. Sigh. That is why I just trust that God will get me where I need to be. I feel the same for all of us in life. Ok, I am done. I could go on and on. lol. Sorry for the long winded speech. :o)
Hi Susan,
I pray my blog will illustrate my passion for this God given gift. The love that I have for knowing what God has designed for my life.
If I can hint at my love for words through m writing where an audience would want to read my work- fabulous!
Blessings to you...
Well, I know what your blog always conveys to me. Someone who is intelligent, playful, and sincere. Congrats in advance on the 100 milemark!
That I am . . . huhn, I don't know - let's see -- dedicated to my craft, supportive of writers, happy to be alive (laugh) . . . tenacious .... stubborn....and a member of the Forehead Butt Society - in fact, president of it *laugh*
I agree that it's important what we're presenting on our blogs. It's okay to be fun but you also have to be somewhat professional. You want agents to know that you love writing and you're serious about it.
My blog is an outlet. It didn't occur to me when I started it that it might be used as a way of an agent accepting/rejecting me, but I've learned that is exactly what could happen!
My blog is my voice. It's tied to my life as a wife, mother, and writer, and my desire to make people laugh and encourage them, too. Hopefully, an agent would understand that. If not, then I would think that maybe they're not the agent for me!
Susan,
Well your blog is kind of like a drug, isn't it? I mean, we all come back for more of your written words. Which, by the way, I love.
Congratulations on your 100 post! Your dedication to writing daily is inspiring.
My blog is about myself, my memories, my dreams. Sometimes I vent at things and attitudes out of my control, but mostly I try to write about how I live: through a conscious effort to do what's right for myself, my family and my community.
Oh, by the way, just noticed that you've linked my site to yours! A million thanks!
Wow! This is why I would make a terrible criminal--I'm just not up on all the stuff like this. >.< Congrats on your 100th post. :D
I think, more than anything, I want my blog to be me, but about people in general. Things that we all share in common, even if we do it differently.
Definitely professionalism, but my blog is also a way of communicating with friends and keeping a diary so-to-speak, which I think if I ever get published, my readers would enjoy too. Doesn't everyone want to get to know the authors of books they loved to read a little more?
I need to think on this some more. Looking forward to your posts on it this week.
I haven't seen shoes on a wire in a while, but it always used to make me laugh. I never could figure out what would motivate someone to shuck up on a wire a perfectly good pair of shoes.
I like to think that after my clever disguises, an agent trying to check me out will need to be cleverer than google to find my blog. I only say that, because I didn't want my friends and family to find it with google. But that's a story for a different time.
I started my blog a little over a year ago as an outlet for my personal essays. But then people started commenting, and I started visiting other blogs and making friends, and it has become so much more than I thought possible.
I hope when people read my blog they find information, inspiration, good writing and someone they want to spend more time with =)
I found out about the shoe on wires thing this weekend, actually...how funny is that? Well, not funny, but you know...
I try to be upbeat and unique. Sometimes I get carried away by other factors in my life, but hey, it happens. If any agent were to read my blog right now, I'd be okay with that.
Good idea today!
Hello, Susan,
We haven't met before, but I am very happy to have stumbled onto your blog. I find it so interesting and informative; thank you.
Its sad to think that drugs are any negative part of anyone's lives, but to learn that there are secret codes for spreading the word about them is, somehow, even more troubling.
Concerning the last phrase in your post, I am curious to know what 'Being Tagged' means. Also, if you don't mind sharing, how does it work?
Thank you, again, for creating such a fun blog. - Yaya
http://yayashome.blogspot.com/
I forgot about that! And just a few months ago the house across from us had shoes on the power line and someone told me that. My hypochondriac nut of a neighbor called the police (he calls the police when someone sneezes) and they told him to call the electric service. Apparently they won't investigate a house based solely on some urban legend, go figure! Or maybe it's that my neighbor has called so often, they ignore him now.
I hope to convey hope and inspiration. But I also just want a place to write what is on my heart and inspire myself :)
I've seen a shoe tree here in Canada but I can't recall seeing shoes on a wire.
I don't think my blog portrays a specific message, just the ramblings of an aspiring writers journey...
I had a good laugh reading all these comments. I'm new to blogging and am enjoying all the blogs I've come across including this one. Congrats on your 100th. Hope to get as good as all of you!
I don't really know. To be honest, my blog started out being for kids, but my target audience doesn't always have internet access! So, it became a place for me to connect with other writers. I hope it is a fun place to visit. One that someone won't feel is a waste of time.
Shelley
I hope my readers feel enthusiasm about the craft. This journey is so much fun and I love sharing it with other writers like you, Miss Susan!
Not sure what's wrong with me but I knew that about the shors:)
I hope my readers feel inspired and see me as genuine.
I had never heard of that one! I always just chalked it up as goofy kids. I don't think you need to worry about the message you convey. We all love the shoe theme, and how you use the shoe stories to lead into today's 'lesson'.
Now, some of the others however...
I love your blog and it conveys a lot to me. A person that loves writing and writes well!
As for me, I never want to say anything bad about anybody. And I want to keep things upbeat. If an agent comes to my blog I want them to feel at HOME SWEET HOME! :)
I didn't know about the shoes on the power lines. So when I see shoes in the street, does that mean there's someone barefoot on the loose? (Wow, it's really late... Even I don't think that's funny... sorry.)
Your blog is great-- always thoughtful and thought-provoking. Keep it up!
I hope an agent would think I was professional.
But I blog about strange things sometimes so I'm not sure what they'd think. Probably, "Good Lord, this woman is nuts."
I think your blog must be professional. And if it's not, you risk the chance of losing representation by saying something unprofessional. Lol, then again, you can't have it too professional or you'll bore everyone to tears.
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