February 26, 2007
Pardon the Intrusion
May had a great blog post over at RTB about group blogs and I was going to reply there but decided to save it for here, since this IS a group blog.
I honestly can’t tell you why we’re here, other than I know where all three of my partners in crime live and I can get to two of them in less than an hour :D so maybe they felt no wasn’t an option.
I’m not sure if we here at SFC actually work or not. But our voices DO seem to fit together –maybe because they’re all my critique partners *ggg* When we started I think we wanted this to be more of a reader’s blog but it seems to have morphed into a writer’s blog and that’s okay by me. As long as it works and we’re having fun.
Anyway I had to go searching for a minute but I’m back with the real reason for this post. There was a comment by Jane of Dear Author about authors who maybe should participate more on reader blogs or blogs like RTB than group blogs that got me to thinking (and I’ll happily admit that maybe I didn’t take her comment the way it was intended).
Do you remember the girl in school who always tried to horn on on your group (along with everyone elses group?)? Yeah, that girl, the one with the ugly hair and not quite right clothes? That’s how I feel when I comment on reader’s blogs. Except for maybe Sybil who likes to keep her finger in the pie that is the romance industry. I do occasionally comment on some reader’s blogs (like Rosario) especially if they’re talking about a book that interests me because I’m not just a writer, I’m a reader, and I’m always looking for a good book. But I always sort of feel like I’m intruding on a private party and maybe I should just go home.
So am I alone? And what about any readers out there? Does it bother you when authors POP up on your blogs?
Amie, there’s nothing wrong with commenting as a reader. After all, all writers/authors read. Frankly, I would be upset if you came by to say “Hi, check out my site.” Probably make me swear never to buy your books because it’s not much different from spam then!
I think Jane was referring to the fact that most bloggers will click on the links to the site of every commenter they have–at least, those like me with fewer commenters. Commenters/readers will do the same.
From that, you get someone else who now knows who you are. If you comment on a reader blog, and the blogger goes back to your site, she/he will check out the excerpts etc, because she/he is a reader!
And the linkage possibilities! I don’t link to everybody who comes by or links to me, but there are many bloggers who do.
Especially for newer bloggers, or bloggers who don’t have many readers/commenters, it’s a rush. Everyone who blogs wants to know that someone’s reading their blog.
LOL may I never have and never would do a drive-by like that!
May I feel more at home at your place too, you’re a writer too and you do reviews and interviews so it’s not just from a reader’s perspective if that makes sense.
(crap note to self: fix smileys)
I don’t comment on other blogs. Not really. There are one or two I might do that with - this one, for instance. But yeah - I agree with the “drive by commenting” LOL. I have to be inspired to comment if it’s a blogger I don’t already know or am friends with. How sad is that? And I get maybe one or two comments on my blog. Not that I mind. I know there are folks out there reading it and every now and again someone I don’t know will comment.
BTW, I like the new layout!
Actually, I think that you came by my blog illustrates the point I made.
Blogs are about give and take. I cannot remember whether I found you or you found me, but I probably clicked to find out more about you when you commented on a blog somewhere, or vice versa.
I don’t have that many commenters, so I don’t have to deal with the cliqueishness issue.
You used to post on my blog every now and then and now you don’t post there anymore. Hmm. You should NEVER feel unwelcome on my blog because I was one of those girls in high school who never quite fit in anywhere.. this is why I try to make Let’s Gab fun for everyone, where everyone can say anything and everything… no matter what it is. I hope you’ll continue to stop by now and again.
I’m just testing something out. Smart me decided to upgrade the blog. Wonder of wonders I didn’t break it.
May I don’t think anyone really IS cliquish, I think it’s just how I perceive it. Does that make sense? It’s like going somewhere you know the ex and his wife are going to be at. It just feels a bit off. But you are totally right about blogs being about give and take. I think i found you through Karin T or Raine *g* –which was right about the time you asked me for an interview, remember?
Amie, yeah, I get that, and I understand because that’s exactly the reason why I don’t comment on a couple of blogs.
Right. My memory’s lost somewhere in outerspace, but I’m sure you understand. LOL.
May it must be out partying with mine. I’ve forgotten everything today!!!!!!
Yeah, that girl, the one with the ugly hair and not quite right clothes?
Well yeah on the clothes–but my hair was very nice, thank you!
I don’t visit a LOT of blogs. One or two regularly, and I skip around to others when I have time.
I do try to visit the reader’s blogs when I can (whether I comment or not) because they’re not only interesting, but they provide some insight into what readers like, what they want to see more of, what they’re tired of, etc.
You’ve still gotta write what’s right for you, but it is informative.
And I admit, sometimes I get that ‘not welcome’ feeling for authors on certain reader blogs. Yes.
No, you’re not alone. I feel the same way. Maybe it stems from so many negative comments about authors and their reading tastes, but I feel absolutely gun-shy at most places that are run by readers. I’ve seen too many comments along the lines of ’she writes, so what does she know’ or ‘it’s probably her friend, so ignore her comment’. In the end, it’s just not worth the hassle.
I am new to the blogging thing so I’m not really aware of the whole ‘clique’ thing. I have a great respect for authors and love having the opportunity to interact with them on blogs and I love being able to interact with other readers too. I think the clique idea is stupid and childish and anyone involved in that should get over themselves. Was that a little harsh?
That explains everything, Cece!
Oooookay, I’m the reader blogger here. I think the unwelcomeness stems from the fact that we do not want a flame war etc to start in the event we give an author a very bad review. I mean, I know most authors aren’t going to cause trouble, but all of us have seen what can happen, and that makes us slightly nervous when authors drop by.
It’s not about you, it’s about the few who have tainted all of you, if you see what I’m saying.
At least, that’s what I think. I feel very odd in Romancelandia.
Mik thanks…..now all i gotta do is fix the smileys.
I tend to NOT comment if it’s just a “me too” sort of comment
LOL maria no not at all, but I think Jordan kinda nailed how I feel.
And welcome to SFC!
And here’s the honest to God’s truth, if I don’t like something (like oh I dunno, a book) I won’t comment/write on/about it.
May I see exactly what you’re saying, but seems as if there’s just as many readers out there causing disturbances in the force as there are writers. Ok maybe not JUST as many but I bet you know what I mean. *g*
I really hope that authors feel comfy posting on my blog. I try a place for both authors and readers!
You know… to come together and sing kum ba ya.
What? I very said I wasn’t a smartass :). But really I do want everyone to post. And think everyone has something nifty to take to the table. CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG.
hee sorry ;) I will shut up now
Uh, no comment! *g*
Honestly though, I wouldn’t know, unless it was a loud enough explosion. I read Dear Author, Sybil, Paperback Reader, Avid Reader aka Keishon and I’ve recently added Dionne Galace to my list, but that’s it for reader/reviewer blogs. I’ve never been to AAR, and I’ve not posted on a romance messageboard in a very long time.
You know, I think we are jumbling together reader/reviewer blogs like mine with blogs of people who just love to read. Bloggers who will comment on their fave author’s blogs and rave about them, and complain when they happen on a wallbanger. Like Bev says, “Yes, I ramble on about books but I don’t DO that re-view thing”
Hi Maria! She’s really cool.
“that girl, the one with the ugly hair and not quite right clothes?”
Wait a minute Amie - you’re talking about me in high school! Uh, maybe even now.
(Weirdo artist types, you know.)
I love the authors that stop by my blog; some come regularly and others just POP in now and then. It’s all good. And I enjoy the nonauthors as well. Heck I love it when the musicians stop by because they are TOTALLY wacked. It makes for a great eclectic mix of ideas, comments, viewpoints.
What I find fascinating is that people find my blog interesting enough to come back again and again. Even those that accidently found it by funky google searches (shudder).
*pokes Sybil*
You nut! No seriously, you strike a good balance (and FWIW I wasn’t trying to make an us vs them do to-just an observation).
suuuuuuuurrrrreeeeeeeeeee
lol honestly hon I was in a out like lightning trying to post, work ::coughatleastlooklikeIamcough:: and format more posts. So I didn’t read everything.
I agree and disagree. Blogs are cliquish, as are message boards, websites and the like. Everything has its regulars. I would dare say SFC has them. As does Jordan’s blog. IT is just what happens when people get to know each other somewhat.
I think the trick is being welcoming. Yeah such and such may be an ‘in joke’ but there is a difference in saying - Oh it is just an in joke you won’t get it. And saying oh it is such and such. Make people feel like outsiders and they won’t want to come back.
I think. I love reader blogs because I am one and because where else would people understand sqqquuueee because you found that perfect book you HAD to have to join the other 7000 books you have tbr.
I want to say there is no author/reader thing but when it comes down to it…. there can be. It is all in how you treat it. I would blog hop a hell of a lot more if I had more time. Sadly for me it generally takes longer than five seconds to put a post together *g*. I do adore you SFC though. LOL as well as Jordan’s blog and mays.
I very rarely leave comments at blogs that I don’t frequent. Mostly because if you comment I would assume you have or want a raport with that blogger. I will want to know if they responded to my comment or if others have. I want to stay involved. When you do a drive by it’s almost like popping your head into someone’s room stirring up trouble and scooting out of there (not that folks are always stirring up toruble in drive by’s mind you but, well, I always try to over explain…)
Anne my apologies! You got caught in moderation and my spam filter! And thank you! I’ll definitely continue to peek in and comment. I was that girl in HS too LOL
Rhiann that goes for you too-i Hart musicians BTW!