Well, whadda ya know! Help yourself.
Mmm. Just licking a frosted flower from my fingers. Gosh, those are delicious!
Which leads me to my question of the day: what do you think makes a deliciously successful blog?
Right off the top of my head, I'd say:
- Personality: You get a sense that the blogger's an interesting person (and, for me, the addition is "nice" person. Trainwreck types can be "interesting," but I've only got so much patience for neuroses.)
- Writing Style: Someone who has a way with words and who knows the value of writing concisely.
- Content: Pretty self-explanatory. I'll probably be interested in a blogger who blogs about the endlessly fascinating subject of writing. But the wonderful thing about the blogosphere is that there's something for everyone. There's probably even a blog in which someone's Aunt Nellie lavishes her attention on the breeding of Afghan hounds. So if Afghan hounds are your thing, Aunt Nellie's your woman.
- Frequency of posting: Once I go all starry-eyed over a blog, I need my insatiable hunger to be fed. So, if my new blog-crush only posts when the moon is blue, I'm going to lose interest--and probably wave a sad goodbye.
The QQQE is definitely another swoon-worthy one. Matt is all-of-the-above-awesome, as well as being one of the most supportive people in the whole wide world.
Thanks for stopping by! Another cupcake before you go?
I think everything you mentioned will bring me back to a blog. But my top 3 are content, personality and then the look and ease of the blog.
ReplyDeleteACKK...get away, you cupcake, you.
ReplyDeleteBut I digress. Excellent post and one cool blog.
Consider me a 'popper' today but as Aaaanold says, "I'll be back."
I'd vote interesting content above all, but cheat by calling writing style and personality an aspect of content :).
ReplyDeleteHey Michael! Coming over from Matthew's site. I'm a published author, but sorry, you won't find a lot of writing stuff on my blog. I'm a science fiction writer so there's a lot of geek stuff instead.
ReplyDeleteare those cupcakes an incentive
ReplyDelete-a bribe?
an offer we can't refuse.....?
It's like you went to my blog and then described the perfect blog! Also should add pictures of cupcakes to criterion.
ReplyDeleteTo Chris Phillips: Busted!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments, folks. I'll try and do a Matt and visit you on your blogs/e-mail as soon as I can (after I get the kids off to school!)
Thanks Mike, you're too kind!
ReplyDeleteFor me it's all about a few key things.
Humor: nothing beats Hyperbole and a Half, or The Rejectionist, and any blog that can make me laugh will have me coming back like a junkie.
Information: Anything that can educate me every day, like Nathan Bransford's blog, is a winner.
Writing: like any art beautiful writing is fascinating, and certainly will keep my attention. Bryan Russell's The Alchemy of Writing is a great example of this.
MacNish sent me. You have a blog made of awesomeness. I will follow the MG one too, since that's what I write. :-)
ReplyDeletePS - Plot and Structure is one of the best books on our craft.
Nice cupcakes. I want one. Or two. And I agree--Matt's blog is awesome. For writing advice, there are few better than Janice Hardy's blog. I also love Lydia Kang's (no one knows how to be concise yet useful like she does, except for maybe Elana Johnson, whose blog is also excellent). Being concise is a daily struggle for me and I'm constantly worried about the length of my posts, so I totally agree with that criterion. But I'm honored you've found my blog worthy of your sidebar anyway. I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteStopping by at Matt's request. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cupcakes. I think part of blogging is giving and a dose of sincerity.
Nice bumping into you.
Mmmm....cupcakes... *wipes away drool* Matthew sent me your way. :)
ReplyDeletePersonality, humor, consistency, deft writing, and just a blog/blogger that makes me smile will keep me coming back.
Everything you said...ditto. I do follow some blogs that aren't about writing, but the vast majority are writing blogs. I feel like a fish out of water this month because for the A to Z Challenge I chose a theme, and it has nothing to do with writing! I'll know better next year. :)
ReplyDelete