I've posted before about how it's hard to find time to write and keeping up with all the blogs just might be making it harder. OK, it's not a 'might' thing... It's a 'does' thing. I need to start speed-reading. I leave comments on most (but not all) of the blogs I read. I could probably save myself a lot of time by skipping the comments once in a while. I can't do it everywhere though. Some of the blogs I follow are people needing feedback. Some have very few followers and need encouragement. I can't fail them. I believe in them! What's a girl to do?
I keep promising myself to stop collecting blogs to follow. I even stopped following a bunch. It's not that they weren't interesting. (OK, maybe a couple.) I follow everyone that follows me. It's the right thing to do. If I expect them to spend their time on my blog, I should return the favor. After all, they are here because they want people to read and comment on what they write. Right?
So that brings me to today... I was catching up on all the blogs that posted since last night (whew!) and happened to stumble on a link: Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent. It made my day! I know there's probably a gazillion similar blogs out there, but I found this one first. I follow some published writers and some hoping to be published; I figure I'll learn from them. But some of them are right where I am... trying to figure out where to go next. This blog is a road map! On his sidebar he has links to almost everything you wanted to know about the process of writing, editing, queries, etc. It's an encyclopedia for people like me!
I didn't spend much time there, but I did learn a few important things:
- You can not edit too much!
- I'm no where near sending a query.
- I need to read about them anyway. (It gave me ideas to get my feet wet locally. My query should show I've got a little something under my belt.)
If you are like me, working on a project that you desire to publish, I encourage you to visit his blog and set aside some time to research the topics listed in the sidebar. You can never be too prepared! Good luck, and meet you in the bookstores...
8 comments:
I'm like you I like to interact with other bloggers but the list gets long and I get behind, I'm reduced to going to those on my sidebar, forget about new ones......good you found a blog to help your writing career. I also get obsessed and find a blog I like and read old posts and old posts and.........
I understand the comment thing taking so much time. I have been negligent this week because I have been busy. I guess I have to tend to my other life besides just blogging.
I appreciate all your comments but I'll also understand when you can't do it.
I will be at the bookstore when your book gets published. Please may I request in advance and autographed copy??
Anne
Lily, this looks like a wonderful resource for you! Keep working on that manuscript, girl - you'll get there. And your bloggy friends will be here to cheer you on! (and buy the book, of course!)
Lilly, I know what you mean about too many blogs to read. I like to read all the new ones on my list each day and leave comments. But then I barely have time to write my own before I get too tired at night. I just don't have enough time. So what's the answer? I'm thinking I have to cut back on comments. I'll continue to read and follow all those that follow me and I always like to look up a few new ones, but I realize now that I just can't comment to every one of them, as much as I'd like to. But I'm so glad you came across the blog you just discovered. Can't wait for the book. What's your estimated completion date?
I try to comment first on all my faithful friends and all those who have left a comment for me. If I still have some time I will read other blogs and sometimes comment.
When I worked for the newspaper the editor would sometimes ask if this was my final edit. Without reading the article she would tell me to edit one more time. I still edit and edit again, but never enough.
I love Nathan's blog, and like you, I probably spend way too much time reading other blogs. But it's fun! I also find myself learning something from them every now and then. For me, it's become a support system.
I followed you over from Lazy Writer's blog and I agree with her Nathan's is excellent. It offers excellent advice on what to do but I found I was reading so much advice on how to get published but I wasn't finishing my book in order to put that knowledge into practice.
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