Blogging for Writers

How to Choose Blog Categories

I love to categorize things, a point of contention between me and hubs when we used Quicken. Instead of using Misc., Recreation, or Hobby for to put my scrapbooking supply purchases in, I wanted a Scrapbooking categeory, with a Cardstock sub-category. That tendency spilled over into my blog where I have a kajillion categories. I tried to use few categories on this blog, but didn't do so well. (Those need to be culled at some point, but who knows what that point will be.)

As part of the relaunch of my Lexical Light blog, I'll be streamlining the blog's categories. What about using Trivial Pursuit categories? Nah, they don't fit my blog. Despite the risk of wandering, I did a bit of research and found some good advice. 

How to Choose the Perfect Blog Categories (from Co-Schedule in 01/2014, a cool-looking tool)

    Take aways: Use less than ten categories. Overlap some categories. Don't use the subject of your blog as a category. "Cute is for kittens." Aim for clairty over cuteness. 

How to Choose Categories for Your Blog (from ProBlogger in 10/2008, a long-time favorite) 

    Take aways: Use fewer categories, rather than more. Keep categories at same granularity level - the same level of broadness or specificity. Keep the tone of the categories the same. 

 Get Started Guide: Blogging or Writers (from Jane Friedman in 08/2011) 

    Take aways: Know the goals and purpose of your blog. It may take time to find your voice and categories. 

How Many Categories Should Your Blog Post Have? (from TodayMade in 2014, author Julie Neidlinger also wrote the Co-Schedule post above. 

    Take aways: SEO tends to favor single categories for a post versus several categories for one post. 

    Another thing I'll add is to consider what your blog platform allows. Some use categories and tags. Others just allow categories.

My next step is some pen and paper thinking about my blog categories, after I figure out which category this post belongs in. 

Do you have any advice for choosing blog categories? 

2015 Blog Goals

I started this blog in 2007 as a place to put resources. I'll continue to do that in 2015, partially to serve as a file cabinet of sorts for me so I can remember how or why I did what I did on my blogs. 

As I have questions or do bloggy things that require research or some other help, I'll post the info on the blog. If someone has a question about blogging, writing, or social media, I'll post that on the blog. However, instead of posting them as they happen. I schedule them to post on Mondays. 

I'll also update the resources in the sidebar as needed. 

Nothing entertaining or earth-shattering. Just useful...for myself at least and maybe a few other people. 

Happy New Year!

What to do with blogging and writing?

Blogging and writing are like peanut butter and chocolate. (Mmmm. Reese's.) Since I can't add the pieces to this blog as I'd like, I'll refer you to someone who knows lots of things about blogging and writing: Jane Friedman -writing, reading, and publishing in the digital age.

Spend some time on her blog and you'll see why blogging and writing are two great tastes that taste great together. 

 

 

Should writers blog? Some say no.

One of the main reasons I even thought about writing was because I started blogging in 2005. It wasn't the early days of weblogs, but everybody and their dog didn't have a blog. Now there's a Dog with a Blog Disney Channel show. Even live college mascots have blogs.

I started BloggingForWriters.com to supplement my presentations at the East Texas Christian Writers Conference. It is a bit anemic, but I keep it up because people still visit. (And I have packrat tendencies, even online.) 

Today I found a post on Jane Friedman's blog asking if writers should blog. It's a good read with lots of discussion in the comments. If you're thinking about starting a blog or wondering if you should stop blogging, take a few minutes to read it. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Oh, my. I just realized the text in the cartoon on Friedman's blog was the same as my original blog post title: To Blog or Not to Blog.

WLT Third Thursday Wrap-Up: How to Write a Love Scene

Romance writers Willa Blair, Shauna Perigo, Tracy Wolff, and Mari Mancusi

Feburary's Third Thursday was about writing love scenes. I don't write fiction, much less romance novels, but I went in with an open mind because I like to think there's always something to learn from other writers. I wasn't disappointed. I learned that good characters and tension are elements of all stories. For more about what makes a compelling love scene, check out the Third Thursday Wrap-Up at Scribe, the WLT blog.