Times Are Changing

I used to love blogging but lately...it feels like the blogosphere is changing. I'm definitely not ready to give up my blog but I might be doing a once a month thing instead. Like a newsletter almost, but in the form of a blog post? Not sure yet.

In the meantime, I have a few awesome interviews coming up.

Author Loretta Boyett has a book out and I'll be interviewing her soon about that.
Paralegal Beth Thompson grew up in Ocala, Florida, the only child of doting parents. Although her childhood was a sheltered one, the terrifying nightmare that has dogged her for as long as she can remember continues to haunt her.
Joseph P. Hill, an unscrupulous Sarasota Attorney, doesn’t care how he makes a buck as long as he makes lots of them. When he unearths a missing link to Beth’s past, Joe concocts the perfect scheme to make this discovery pay off and lures an unsuspecting Beth to Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Angry that her boss, attorney Alan Knight, does not return her feelings, she takes the bait.
The night Beth arrives, a man is murdered at the airport. What is her connection to him, and why did he die holding a locket identical to the one she wore—and lost—on her flight?
As the truth unfolds, each step draws Beth closer to a dark secret hidden from her since childhood, plunging her deeper into danger, deceit, and deadly betrayal.


Critique partner Cheryl Linn Martin has her SECOND book coming out. If you like middle grade mysteries, don't miss this exciting series!!!

And I'll also be interviewing long time blogging buddy Susan J Reinhardt. She has a wonderful blog well worth subscribing to. :-)

How long have you been reading or writing blogs? Does it seem like things are changing to you?

Comments

Sandra Orchard said…
I've been blogging for about a year and a half. I have enjoyed meeting many wonderful people through the blogosphere. Can't say that I've noticed any changes, other than the usual burnout and phasing back, but I only frequent a small corner of it.
February 11, 2013 at 8:44 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Maybe it's just me? I've been blogging for almost four years (I think?) so maybe I'm just burning out...not sure.
February 11, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Jennifer Shirk said…
Well, to be honest, blogging is not like it was a few years ago. I met so many great people thru it, but honestly, a lot of those friends have lessened their blogging schedule or stopped completely. Now it's more FB and twitter.
Like you, I'm not ready to stop, but I might have to tinker with my schedule.
February 11, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
I think FB has kind of taken the place of the networking, don't you?
I miss a lot of my old blogging pals who've also stopped or moved onto to something else.
February 11, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Lindsay Harrel said…
I've been wondering the same thing lately. I get a lot fewer comments than I did this time last year, although my pageviews have gone up. So maybe people are still reading but not taking the time to comment? Either way, it's been great for me to develop my voice and meet lots of awesome people. I'm not ready to give up either, but maybe will weigh my priorities sooner or later.
February 11, 2013 at 9:09 AM
Julie Jarnagin said…
I started blogging years ago--on Xanga. LOL. That's old school. I still don't think I've figured out how to reach readers with my blog, and it takes a lot of time. but I'll probably hang in there for a little while longer.
February 11, 2013 at 9:17 AM
Diane Estrella said…
You have to do what you like and have the time to do. Newsletters are cool too. :O)
February 11, 2013 at 9:26 AM
Karen Lange said…
Looks like a great lineup! Looking forward to it. :)

Yes, I think blogging is changing, and I'm not sure if it has to do with me and friends in similar situations or other factors or a little of both. I've been blogging for nearly four years and feeling a little burnt out. Much of this is due to my other commitments and frustration over getting other writing time (besides blogging). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy blogging - particularly for the people I've met (like you!:) but I've found it necessary to cut back for the sake of sanity and getting more writing done. As you know, I went down to posting once a week.

I recently read a post by Ruth Schiffman where she said she was feeling like blogging was getting to be "one more thing to do". I could so relate. But she made the point that her blog was how she connected with many friends and she wasn't ready to give that up. She also felt it was an important part of the writing life to stay in touch with other writers. As much as I agree with her, I think we all need to find the right balance that works for us. Cheering you on in whatever decisions you make. :)

February 11, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Julie Dao said…
Oh I hope you stick to it, Jessica! I love hearing from you and you were one of my first blog buddies ever. But it's definitely a good idea to take a break if you're feeling burnt out and return when the inspiration strikes you :)
February 11, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Unknown said…
I definitely hear you, Jessica. I still love blogging, but what I don't love is the time it can take away from other writing. But I love that feeling of connecting with readers. I guess I'm continually asking myself how much longer I can keep it up on a regular three-days-a-week pace. I've been tossing ideas around in the back of my head for awhile now. I guess we'll see what happens.

Looking forward to your interviews!
February 11, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Patti said…
I know what you mean Jessica, especially since I really don't have anything going on. I've kind of started doing a week on a week off kind of thing. We'll see how that works.
February 11, 2013 at 10:55 AM
Jeanette Levellie said…
I hear you, dear. I feel the same way. I spend more time on FB because I can get alot of news in a short time. Our lives are too crammed full, aren't they?
February 11, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Loree Huebner said…
I only blog once a week, but I do love the contact with readers and other authors. Especially when they take time to comment.

It's hard on days like today. Early this morning I typed THE END to my WIP...then realized I needed to get out a blog post today too. It can be difficult, but worth it, I think. I do love to keep touch on FB.
February 11, 2013 at 2:07 PM
Cindy R. Wilson said…
I blogged for several years but as you know, recently stopped. If/when I come back, I think I'm going to slow down on blogging, too. A newsletter kind of thing is a good idea. I know it was mostly because I was burnt out and not writing as much. Since I stopped, I've read six books and written a whole novel as well. All that in eight weeks! It just goes to show that (at least for me), blogging and social networking can end up taking way too much time if I'm not careful.
February 11, 2013 at 3:32 PM
Janet said…
I've been blogging for over 4 years and every now and then I feel burned out and think about stopping. It is a little different now, people don't comment like they used to and I sometimes wonder if it is worth it, but I think I'll keep doing it. And, I love MG mysteries, looking forward to reading about it.
February 11, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Brandi Boddie said…
I think the blog climate has definitely changed. We were told that if we wanted to be published and to reach readers, we needed a platform. Sometimes it's a catch 22. You need a platform to reach readers, but how do you do that if you don't have a book out yet (either aspiring writer or author in between works) that they can read?

Not saying that blogging is only to gain potential readers. It's still a great way to connect with others who are doing the same thing we are. However, maybe it's not necessary to post multiple times a week. I used to post twice weekly, but I had to scale down to once a week, and even that may change. I think readers and those in the industry are cognizant of that fact.

Sorry for rambling on. Great post. It gave me alot to think about :-)
February 11, 2013 at 5:43 PM
Susan J. Reinhardt said…
Hi Jess -

Thanks for the shout out!

I hope you continue to blog. I'm finding that social media is the way to go for platform building. In May, it will be 5 years since I started this adventure.

Loretta's book sounds chilling. I'll have to check it out.

Blessings,
Susan :)


February 13, 2013 at 8:06 PM
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