Posts
The world is filled with pain --
with lonely people struggling with burdens they feel they cannot bear --
with empty long nights for hurting souls who see no hope, no light.
When you put pen to paper or finger to keyboard -- think of them.
WHY PEOPLE READ IS HOW YOU SHOULD WRITE:
Think on why people read blogs -
1. People want to connect
Sometimes they want to connect by simply dropping by, lurking but smiling and nodding in agreement,
as they learn that someone else feels the same as they do about something, even in their very different life.
The same goes to why people read fiction --
They want to connect to characters who feel the same hurts and cherish the same hopes as they but in vastly different circumstances that take them away from the loneliness, boredom, or hurt they are feeling.
2. People are interested in People.
People read blogs for the personal touch the blog offers over a magazine, newspaper or the canned laughter of TV sit-coms.
They like that there’s a human behind the blog who shares their ups and downs, their tips or life hacks, and asks for advice back from readers.
Readers also enjoy watching a blogger’s writing style develop over time.
In like manner, people read fiction for the good company.
3. People are curious.
So, too, are prose readers:
They seek to find the similarity in struggling souls in different times, different countries, different lifestyles.
Living through the eyes of different characters lifts them out of their own problems if only for a little while.
4. People like to know they’re not alone.
It is the same with prose readers:
Lonely souls find affirmation and hope in reading of far-away characters (in time or social status) suffer from the same doubts and problems they do. They even find ways out of their own jungle by seeing how others struggled out of theirs.
5. People Like Authenticity.
People like to know they’re reading a real story when they click on a blog. No one likes to be taken for a fool.
Real, honest writing is what blog readers like.
And it is what prose readers are
drawn to:
Treat a minority, a class, a personality with contempt and cruelty, without compassion for their situation -- and you slam a wall between you and the heart of the reader.
No matter how fantastical the situation, if you write of the human heart in conflict with itself, with other striving hearts, the reader will "believe" your storyline -- caring and rooting for your heroine.
The wounds, the anguish, and the final triumph of the heroine will be lived by your reader who will return to your books again and again.
6. People like the closeness of a blog.
That closeness of writing is what brings prose readers to your books
over and over:
Haven't you read authors that had you feeling
as if they were sitting across the table from you, spinning their tales,
winking at you as they made an observation about living, about the bullies of life?
You had the feeling if you shared a meal or a drink with them that not only would you enjoy their company,
But they would enjoy yours.
Write as if you were sitting at that table with a lonely, hurting, or bored soul.
Sprinkle your tale with laughter, with sighs of shared sorrow, and with the most important things ... hope and friendship.
WHY DO YOU READ BLOGS?
WHY DO YOU READ THE AUTHORS YOU DO?
On November 8th
On November 8th
for
I
will draw for the winners of
the
autographs of the main stars of THOR 2!
Out of all the social media around, I find writing/reading blogs the most satisfying. As you say, Roland, we can learn so much about nearly EVERYTHING! It's a bit like reality tv - ordinary people are glued to their screens watching ordinary people do ordinary things. With blogging, sometimes it's extraordinary things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the WEP Vacation bloghop for August. Going to be a great roll up.
Denise
Denise:
ReplyDeleteGlad to vacation for you. Ah, actually it will be Alice and Victor -- but they needed a break from the haunted French Quarter.
Blogverse is like the world's biggest Party Line! :-)
I blog for the relationships, like you said. There really are only two sorts of bloggers: Commercial and social.
ReplyDeleteNobody reads the commercial blogs for long, and so it quickly reduces back to a social and networking tool.
The authors I read the most and love the most are the ones who write a truly memorable ~story~, with great characters and wonderful situations.
- Eric
Eric:
ReplyDeleteYes, the friendships keep me blogging when fatigue and depression would have me stop.
Laugher, perceptive reflections on life, and friendships portrayed keep me reading authors like Robert B Parker, John D MacDonald, and Jim Butcher. :-)
I read blogs to find like-minded writers or bloggers with interesting things to say.If that blogger is friendly and communicative, I'll come back.
ReplyDeleteI read the authors I do because I like their subject matter, or I like the way the author writes. I usually will read through most of their works.
'Everybody is looking for something' - so I persevere. Liked this post, Roland.
Some beautifully made points, Roland. I blog for the connection and as you so rightly say, the personal aspects, the person behind the blog.
ReplyDeletei think i have mentioned this and this is what makes me not a writer, i guess. i don't talk in perfect sentences and maybe use the wrong inflections on the wrong words. i sometime write in same fashion and that sometimes hurts me amongst the real talented people.
ReplyDeleteInsightful, Roland. When we're driving down the road at night, I like to see if people's windows are open. If so, I like to see what their houses look like. I just want to know. Reading is like that. You get to 'peek' inside. Without being considered a degenerate! Blogs are so supportive, too, offering encouragement and feedback.
ReplyDeleteGotta run! I'm avoiding getting ready for work....
Nicely said Roland!I have made some great friendships blogging. I started blogging looking for connections because I missed the states and the language. I found more than I ever imagined possible.
ReplyDeleteD.G:
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked this post. As writers we stress so on our own private world that we forget the reader who is our audience. I read authors who include me in
their field of thinking. :-)
Suzanne:
The blogverse is the biggest Party Line known! I meet great people like you on it.
Jeremy:
It is for others to judge our merit as writers. James Joyce and Jack Kerouac wrote in strange ways and were considered geniuses! Have fun with your writing and go with the flow. :-)
Words Crafter:
Sherlock Holmes said something similar to Watson in one of their adventures: about if you could just lift the roofs off each dwelling they passed what intricate lives you would find.
Have fun at work!
Siv:
As have I! You are one of the special friends I've made. May our writing dreams come true!
This one is dedicated to all the curious cats out there...
ReplyDeleteI think reading to connect, to know we aren't alone, is a major driving force. It the reason this group has done so well.
I blog to connect with people/writers like me. Nobody quite gets me like you all do. And it reminds me that so many people are where I am, I'm not alone. Thanks for the lovely insights, Roland.
ReplyDeleteI definitely blog to connect but also to entertain.
ReplyDeleteHope you're well.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Yes! The main reason I read is to connect with the characters.
ReplyDeleteFabulous post, Roland! It's perfect for IWSG.
Great post. I read blogs to connect and to learn. I read books to escape, to go on grand adventures, to visit new worlds, and to meet new characters. (I'm okay with some of my friends being fictional.)
ReplyDeleteAlex:
ReplyDeleteMy Stetson's off to you for starting this warm, healing group.
Gwen:
The lovely people like you inspire me to do my best!
Shelly:
Still working and on first call as usual. Whew! I need a vacation!!
Jennifer:
I'm so happy you liked my post. Yes, I read to pal around with my friends like ODD THOMAS, HARRY DRESDEN, MERCY THOMPSON, and TRAVIS McGEE!
cHERIE:
I'm just fine with many of my friends being fictional, too! I read for much the same reasons you do. :-)
The blogs are pretty much my only form of social media. I love discussing topics of my interest with others who are as interested in learning, growing, writing as I am. I've made some wonderful on-line friends.
ReplyDeleteThose are excellent points you make Roland.
Have a good evening.
........dhole
Donna:
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a Twitter of a FB'er either. Like you, I mostly discuss things on blogs (mine and others). I've made wonderful friends like you, and my world is the richer for it! You have a great evening, too!
Wonderful and insightful. I do love blogging and connecting with like-minded people. I only wish I had more time to do so. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get the blog up and running for visiting and commenting on my phone. When I'm at the desktop, I'm there to write. I can FB and Tweet from my phone, anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAs for particular authors, the one who stands out in my mind the most is Diana Gabaldon. When I read her novels, I'm right there, standing beside her, experiencing every second. The authenticity of her characters and voice leave me gasping for breath, laughing, or crying. She and I (in my head of course) are pals. :)