For the past few months I’ve been running a Saturday series featuring writing blogs that I think offer something a little extra. I’ve called the series “Of Note” because I try to feature blogs that I think are notable for writers.
What do I look for when I select a blog to feature? Of course the process is somewhat subjective since it’s based on my own opinions of what is valuable to writers, but I can list a few things that I take into consideration:
- An Active Blog. I try to feature blogs that post regularly. By post regularly, I mean that the blogger usually posts several times a week. I would hate to recommend a blog resource to my readers, only to have them find that the blogger only posts once a month. Of course, sometimes a blog appears to be active only to have the blogger go on hiatus.
- Content that Is Useful To Others. A lot of bloggers post regularly, but much of the content is of no interest to anyone but themselves. For the “Of Note” series I’m looking for something a little more. Most people aren’t really interested in finding out that a blogger ate fast food three times last week and is getting new carpeting in their living room, so if this is the main content of a blog I probably won’t feature it. (Note: I do consider humor to be useful to others.)
- Writing Or Freelancing Related Content. WritingThoughts is about freelance writing. The “Of Note” blogs that I like to feature are also about freelancing or writing. A blogger could have the best gardening blog in the world, but I’m not going to feature it in my “Of Note” series on this blog. It doesn’t fit with the theme of WritingThoughts, or with this series.
- Recent Exceptional Content. One thing that really sways me towards featuring a blog is if that blog has recently had thorough, thought-provoking, or informative content. If I feel that a good blogger has gone out of his or her way to research and inform others I am much more likely to feature them.
The “Of Note” series is basically my recommended blog reading for writers. Of course, my blogroll also performs that function. The difference is that the “Of Note” series goes a little bit deeper and I often point out particular posts that I find helpful. (If you want to check out the “Of Note” archives, click here.)
My basic opinion is that if a blog is about writing or freelancing and it’s good, it eventually needs to wind up in the “Of Note” series. Of course, there are thousands of blogs and I’m only one person. That’s why I post my disclaimer each week. Still, if you know of a writing or freelancing blog that’s notable, I’d like to hear about it.
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Mihaela Lica // May 13, 2007 at
I like your style… more and more! 😉 My blogs of note don’t need to follow any rules. They just need to trigger a feeling. But I understand why you have these rules. After all, your blog is a resource for writers. And what a resource! Keep up the good job!
2 laura // May 14, 2007 at
Thanks! I wouldn’t call them rules, though. More like principles.
3 Jeanne Dininni // May 14, 2007 at
Laura,
Would it be poor form to tell you about my own blog? It’s at Orble.Com, an Australian blog site, though I live in the U.S. It’s called “Writer’s Notes,” and my goal is to provide as many good resources (including markets) and as much helpful information, inspiration, and encouragement as possible to freelance writers! My two recent Mother’s Day posts contained 20 and 10 links, respectively, that I felt would be of value to writing moms. My URL is http://www.orble.com/writers-notes/. (Orble has also just offered me my own domain blog, which I will be changing over to soon. They will provide forwarding services once I’ve moved.)
Thanks!
Jeanne Dininni
4 Laura // May 14, 2007 at
Nice to meet you Jeanne!
Thanks for listing my blog on your site. I tried to leave a comment, but couldn’t do so without registering for Orble. It looks like you are collecting a great list of writer resources.
I hope to see you here often.
5 Jeanne Dininni // May 14, 2007 at
Laura,
Nice to meet you, too! I’m so sorry you weren’t able to leave a comment on my blog! I wasn’t aware that you had to register with Orble to leave comments and was actually surprised to hear that because I have had comments left on my blog from someone using the name “Anonymous”; but I suppose that individual–though anonymous–must be a registered Orble user.
Happy to list and link to your blog! It looks to me as if you have a great deal to offer the freelance writer! As I am able to find the time, I plan to delve more deeply into the resources you’ve made available, as well as check out the blogs on your “Blogroll.” I know it will not only be great fun, but also very informative!
Wishing you continued success!
6 Jeanne Dininni // May 15, 2007 at
Laura,
Did you return to my blog and find out you could leave a comment, after all? I’m assuming it was you. While I realize it could have been any one of the 30 bloggers and other writers whose links I placed in my two Mother’s Day posts, I’m betting you came back and decided to try again. And I’m glad! But, if it WAS you, I really don’t want you to feel that you need to REMAIN anonymous simply because you started out that way!
Please feel free to drop by again, add another comment, and sign your name. Give the name of your blog, too! Despite the fact that the top of the “comment” field introduces you as “Anonymous,” I’d like my readers to know who you are! (When I reply to your comment, I’ll make any necessary explanations.)
Blessings,
Jeanne
7 laura // May 15, 2007 at
No Jeanne!
I didn’t leave any anonymous comments at your blog, but I have visted several times.
The thing that has me stumped is the slot on your comment form that says Orblt Tag, not quite sure what that is.
If I comment, I don’t do it anonymously.
8 Jeanne Dininni // May 15, 2007 at
Laura,
Wow! I wonder who it was who left the comment, then! I’ll have to respond to it and ask them to tell me who they are–since they are obviously someone whose site is among the links I posted.
The “Orble Tag” would be the name used when posting entries to one’s Orble blog(s). For me, it’s my real name, since that’s what I use when writing my blog (and most other things, as well.) That’s why, when someone who isn’t an Orble member posts a comment, that field says “Anonymous.”
The field that I’M wondering about, though, is the “Home Page” field; because I’m wondering if non-members can put the URL of their OWN websites or blogs there when leaving comments. (I doubt it, though.) They can, however, sign their names at the end of their messages if they so choose–and even add their URLs to their messages, as well, I believe–since this is done in the body of the message. (Feel free to do this, if you’d like to try leaving a comment again sometime.)
Thanks so much for your visits!
Jeanne