I’ve been watching Michael Stelzner’s request for nominations for the top ten blogs for writers over at WritingWhitePapers.com for a couple of days now. I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about the votes being cast.
The call for nominations seemed simple. Suggest your personal pick for the best blog for writers. The ten blogs that get the most votes win.
My mixed feelings began when I noticed all sorts of nominations being tossed into the hat. There were blogs for inspiration, for motivation, some that talked about the difficulties of being parents and writers, a few that were some sort of personal diary written by writers, and blogs that (in my opinion) don’t even seem to have much to do about writing.
So I asked about guidelines – what kind of “best blog for writers” were we looking for? Michael’s reply was, “James, it’s really not that complicated.”
Possibly, but I don’t think it’s that simple, either.
To me, a blog for writers is one that provides information about writing, help, advice, suggestions, tips, and hints.
Maybe I have a narrow-minded view. Maybe I’m too focused on a writer’s self-improvement versus boosting self-esteem.
Perhaps I’m too linear in my thinking. I can’t help but wonder: If the call for nominations was for a blog for construction workers, would the votes include blogs of soothing, flowery, philosophical posts geared to stroke the inner power of the drill-wielder’s psyche?
Personally, I expect “best blogs” to be ones that discuss technical aspects, problem solving, possible marketing strategies and information. I’d nominate blogs that actively help me be better at my profession. But that’s just me.
So I have to ask:
- What do you consider valuable in a blog on any given niche?
- Is it more important to you to find information and insider tips?
- Do you feel that more weight should be on the personal factor and individual insight?
- Do you look for advice or help?
- Do you seek out companions in the field with whom to share experiences?
Let me know: If you nominate a “best blog”, what factors into your personal criteria?
[tags] top ten best blogs, best blogs for writers, writer blogs[/tags]
Hi James;
I am sorry I responded so quickly to your post.
I am really just looking for nominations from “any” blog for writers.
I will explain more about how I intend to qualify the finalists as we move forward.
Please accept my apologies.
Mike
Thanks, Mike; no apologies necessary. I just found the variety of sites submitted confusing.
Running a contest of any kind generally requires some form of guidelines – even if those guidelines are, “Hey, anything goes.”
Anyways, I’ll have more coffee and all’s good.
J
James – This is the second year we have done this. I am always surprised at what people nominate. Enjoy that coffee and thanks for your readership! -Mike
Interesting. I remember last year’s competition. I’ll have to go over the Michael Stelzner’s blog and see which blogs are in the running.
I don’t agree with you as far as the scope of the blogs nominated, but I must say that I thought some of them weren’t so great. I did bookmark a bunch though.
I’ve given each one a look and have added some to my feed reader. I know at least half aren’t going to make it past a week’s subscription, but I’m giving them a chance.
I saw your comment on the thread James, and tend to agree. There is a wide gamut of genres of blogs there. Since I’m personally focused on writing online at this point, that’s what appeals to me. Some of the blogs nominated, that were seconded and thirded (did I just invent a word?
) don’t appeal to me in the slightest.
I agree with you. although very belatedly. I came across a link to this post while searching for something else and felt the need to comment because I was one of those who nominated a blog that really didn’t fit the category.
I knew it didn’t fit the category, since it was a blog that contained (some) good writing, not a blog about writing, but I fell for a plea from the blogger to his readers. His rationalization was that you can learn about writing from reading good writing. In hindsight, I think that blogger only wanted to promote his blog by having it appear on the list of nominations, and I shouldn’t have fallen for it.
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