They say that the blogs that tend to stand out aren’t afraid to shy away from controversy. I would agree. These types of blogs draw readers by the thousands.
Contrary to my public ‘face’, I am actually extremely opinionated and very blunt. I use many of the ‘colorful’ words that I pen in my books in everyday conversation. (Not pretty, but there you have it.) I made a conscious choice to avoid controversial subjects when I started this blog.
Why? Not because I want people to like me. I did it because I think fighting on the web is a waste of my time. (I avoid most things I consider a waste of my time. If I voiced my true opinions on certain subjects there WOULD be fights. *g*) I think I’ve succeeded avoiding controversy with a few exceptions (the RWA posts). Did the number of hits to my site jump during those posts? You betcha. Was it tempting to keep the rant going? Absolutely. What stopped me? My readers. I don’t want readers that come to my site to feel uncomfortable. I want them to feel welcome. Can’t do that if I create a continuous bitchfest. I avoid blogs that focus on snark. Yes, they can be funny at times, but the negativity gets old after a while. Besides, snark is easy. Tranquillity is hard.
Which type of blogs do you prefer? If you blog, which type of blog have you created for your site? Does an author’s opinion about hot button subjects influence your decision to purchase their future work?
December 17th, 2005
I wrote a long comment (what else is new) and lost it. *sigh*. To keep it short I agree with everything in your post. The ranty blogs do get boring/pointless after while.
And even though I’ll make sure to check those blogs regularly, it’s more like rubbernecking a trainwreck, I’m more interested in the controversy, then in them, what they’re doing, reading, writing. If they’re not ranting, I skim and leave. So, yes, the ranting will *eventually* turn me off in terms of checking out a writer’s work.
My blog probably needs a bit more focus, but I’m just having fun with it at the moment, once (if) I’m published, I’d strive to make it a wee bit more ‘professional’ and more focused on writing/books.
Blogging takes quite a bit of energy/upkeep. It’s easier if it’s fun. I like blogs that touch offer a mix of topics, and that’s sort of my aim with my own.
by Jaq December 17th, 2005 at 1:14 pmJaq, I think you do a good job of offering a variety of subjects on your blog. You should have fun with it. I also agree that visiting the controversial blog sites is a lot like looking at traffic accidents. You don’t really want to see the bodies, but you look anyway.
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 1:32 pmI’m with you and Jaq. I have kept my mouth shut a couple of times about views expressed on my blog because I want the people who visit feel like they can freely express themselves without being “jumped” for it. It’s funny, but I avoid controversy BUT do “rubberneck” at other’s rants - I look at trainwrecks too. And they do get tiring. I think it can affect a reader’s purchasing choices just like an actor’s public opinion can affect a viewer’s choice of movies. It’s just the way things are. I like to keep my blog full of fun with a mix of more solemn subjects, but I do shy away from controversial topics. I do try to use more humor because, let’s be truthful, with mom I need all of the laughter I can get.
by Eve December 17th, 2005 at 2:03 pmOr is that effect - damn, I always get those two words mixed up *g*
by Eve December 17th, 2005 at 2:05 pmLike you, I made a conscious choice to avoid controversy and snarkiness in my blog. I prefer to visit happy blogs, thoughtful blogs. And I prefer to focus on postive topics in my own blog; the creative process, the business of writing, I can go on about that stuff forever. : )
by Charlene December 17th, 2005 at 2:16 pmI avoid conflicts in my blog, like you Jordan tranquility is too hard to come by. I use my blog strictly for my writing and to discuss it.
I enjoy blogs where I can relax, learn and gain a bit of insight about the person, author, writing in general. It’s nice to see other writers may face the same issues as myself.
No a person’s blog doesn’t make a deciding factor in whether or not I purchase their work. it has to be the story itself.
by Terra Kent December 17th, 2005 at 4:35 pmI purposely keep my blog close to the same voice I use in my books, which, since I write romantic comedy, is lighthearted and comedic. It keeps me positive and happy and I’m hoping it does the same for my readers. I have extremely strong views and opinions, but I choose not to voice them publicly, either on my blog or on others. While bitchy, snarky blogs have an assured audience, I don’t want to fill my days being sarcastic, biting and nasty and feeding that to my readers. Or reading a steady diet of it elsewhere. I just don’t believe all that negativity is healthy–and it’s certainly not why I chose to become a writer. I steer clear of blogs that delight in deliberate controversy, cruelty, sniping, or steady criticism. I may pop in occasionally, but then I go back to the positive, lighthearted blogs I prefer. I don’t purchase books written by consistently negative or purposely controversial bloggers. If I don’t enjoy their blogs, I’m fairly certain I won’t care for their books, either.
by Daisy Dexter Dobbs December 17th, 2005 at 5:29 pmThe thing that gets me most about the “ranting” blogs is that because the internet has it’s own time zone (zero to panic in 60 seconds) it’s too easy to get all crazed and then find out that, oops, never mind. So I try to not necessarily avoid hot topics, but to stay rational and wait. I don’t do politics, though, because that would make my blood pressure go up, and it’s not worth it.
What I’d like most is a dialogue, but unlike some wonderful bloggers, I only occasionally hit the right note. I’ll keep trying though.
by Jo Leigh December 17th, 2005 at 6:08 pmI usually check out blogs from writers who keep it real. Sometimes they may rant. Sometimes they might whine. And sometimes they just talk about their daily life - DH, kids, etc. Mine is just about my writing with dashes of insights into my life.
by Silma December 17th, 2005 at 6:28 pmSnark and bitchiness get OLD! After a while, if a blogger does it, I just get tired! I mean honestly how many things CAN you beotch about? *ggg*
by Cece December 17th, 2005 at 8:44 pmI strive to keep my blog friendly and thought-provoking - and I like to visit such blogs!
by Olga December 17th, 2005 at 9:07 pmI’m a non-confrontational person (except with my dad and my husband) and that’s how my blog is too. Like you said, it’s SO easy to be negative all the time. There’s too much negativity as it is.
by Amy December 17th, 2005 at 9:22 pmEve, I know an author’s opinion has affected my purchasing decisions. I agree that the same can hold true for an actor. It takes a lot to get me to that place, but once I find myself there it’s not likely to change.
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 9:51 pmCharlene, I agree. *g*
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 9:53 pmTerra, I like blogs for much the same reason. I want a place to learn, grow, laugh or sympathize.
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 9:54 pmDaisy, Now that’s interesting that you make an effort to sound like your writing. (And succeed in my opinion.) You definitely get a good feel for your sense of humor when reading your blog. I never thought about avoiding an author’s work due their blog voice, but it makes sense.
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 9:56 pmJo, I hear you on creating a dialogue. It’s extremely difficult, but there are some really good bloggers out there who are doing it. I agree that many people respond before they’ve had time to calm down. I think there should be a rule that you have to write whatever you’re going to say on paper first, then burn it. Afterwards, if you still want to comment online, then go for it. *ggg*
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 9:59 pmSilma, I visit a few blogs with authors like that and love them. I don’t mind someone needing to rant. I really don’t. We all need to do that at times. Just make sure it’s intelligent before you open your mouth. That’s all I ask. LOL!
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 10:01 pmCece, Apparently some people NEVER run out of material. *g*
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 10:02 pmOlga, Me too.
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 10:02 pmAmy, I’m non-confrontational to a point, then look out. (wg) I won’t allow anyone to purposely intimidate or verbally attack me…which has surprised a lot of airline passengers in the past. *ggg* ;-P
by Jordan December 17th, 2005 at 10:05 pmI think there is room for ranty blogs, so long as they make it clear that’s what they’re doing, perhaps in the title, or in the strap beneath the title. That way, those that want to visit them can, and those that don’t, don’t have to. I try to keep my own blog quite chatty, hopefully a tad witty, and basically about my life and work. But when I feel a rant coming on, I’ll share it but maybe stick “rant alert” in front of it. Or “whinge alert” if I’m having a moan. But I agree, the blogs I visit are also quite chatty, and if they start to get a bit *too* moany then I’ll stay away a while.
by Diane December 18th, 2005 at 7:22 amDiane, I think there’s a place for all types of blogs. I put a warning in the heading of the blog entry the last time I ranted about something. *g* I try not to do it often because I think it’s easy to get caught up in the snark cycle/whine cycle. (I avoid the whiner blogs too.) It’s okay to whine to friends, but when you do it everyday on your blog, it gets old fast.
by Jordan December 18th, 2005 at 9:51 amSnarky is soo.. well, dull. I think it is a lazy way to express oneself. I think it is a curtain, a mask, a way to avoid or close off one’s real true feelings, Uh-oh, am I being controversial?
I enjoy blogs that are either INFORMATIONAL or INSPIRATIONAL.
EVERYONE is opinionated! We just need to know the time and place to pass a particular opinion!
I enjoy your blog, Jordan.You give info without a lot of commentary! And you share your personal path with the writing..which I find inspirational!
Happy Holidays!
by Maddie December 18th, 2005 at 3:52 pmThanks Maddie! I agree with your mask comment. It keeps everyone at arm’s length away.
by Jordan December 18th, 2005 at 9:11 pmI agree with you on the idea of fighting on the web. I’m a pretty opinionated person as well, but for me, it’s just not worth it to fight about something that while I’ll feel better for ranting about it, I’m not sure how it would benefit anyone else.
by danica December 18th, 2005 at 9:57 pmI generally avoid blogs which use opinionated and confrontational topics as subject matter. I find that many people don’t spell check when they are angry and I find it incredibly annoying. If you cannot take the time to spellcheck and reread your opinion before you post it then it’s definitely not worth my time to read it. I enjoy thoughtful debate to be sure but when it’s complaining and general dissent just for the sake of blog numbers it strikes me as silly and irrational.
I like informative and interesting commentary. I appreciate quick wit and thoughtful commentary and the blogs I choose to visit generally contain these things. On my own personal blog I generally just talk about my life a little bit…sometimes my writing.
by Shannon December 19th, 2005 at 10:09 amDanica, I can’t see the benefit to anyone else either. You’re simply giving your power away by reacting. In the end, no one wins.
by Jordan December 19th, 2005 at 10:19 amShannon, LOL, on the spell check. Isn’t that the truth? I don’t mind healthy debate, but very few people can do it in a detached manner.
by Jordan December 19th, 2005 at 10:22 amI’m not funny enough to get away with snarky. And I don’t care enough to try to develop that. I like just writing about whatever suits my mood. I’m an opinionated person, but I don’t think that means I should post my opinions about absolutely every subject. I don’t care if I have one reader or a gazillion. So I just write what I feel like and call it a “mishucalanza”, my Italian family’s word for “eclectic.” I do my blog to have fun, and writing tons of rants and stirring up controverly is not fun for me.
by Linda December 19th, 2005 at 10:38 amLinda, I think as long as your blog reflects your personality, then you’re in good shape. I can do snark, but it comes off better when I leave it in a story.
by Jordan December 19th, 2005 at 2:40 pm