Choose a blog and analyze the functions and substance of the blog as a form of writing and information delivery. In your opinion, what are the “best practices” when creating a blog to ensure appropriate form, function, and substance? Provide a link when responding to classmates and post your opinion along with your rationale.
This week I have chosen a blog that I follow regularly. Terrible Minds.
Terrible Minds, is one of the most entertaining, honest and informative blogs on the business and craft of writing to date. Author Chuck Wendig's out-loud fusion of writerly advice, encouragement and inventive profanity have kept me reading for years. He has appeared in HuffPost, Bookriot and a multitude of other author blogs as an authority of genre (sci-fi/fantasy/horror) as well as an outspoken advocate for self-publishing.
Chucks blog is simple. He keeps visual distractions at a minimum, which in turn draws attention to the graphics he does chose to display. The blog page features his most current posts first and foremost, supplemented by a less conspicuous cover art picture of any published works he is promoting.
Regarding content, although Chuck has been known to post off-topic items such as his brilliant and weirdly funny (and completely objective *snicker* An Academic Critique of the Film Guardians of the Galaxy) he generally sticks to the topic of writing and publishing. As an author, Chuck is both traditionally published as well as self-published. His vast collection of blog posts, offering advice on the art and craft of writing, have been compiled and published in several volumes, including Revenge of the Pen Monkey, 500 Ways to Tell a Better Story, 500 Ways To Be A Better Writer, 500 Ways To Write Harder and Kickass Writer 101.
Terrible Minds, in my opinion, is a fantastic example of what I would consider best practices for bloggers who wish to attract and maintain an audience: authentic branding, responsible authorship and effective communication.
Authentic Branding: Chucks voice is uniquely his. Not everyone will be at ease with his style, and he makes no bones about the fact that he does not write for those readers. He writes for HIS readers. No apologies.
Responsible Authorship: Chuck offers his insight, opinion, and facts-as-he-understands them, always with the caveat that he just might not know what the heck he's talking about. He stays current with what is happening in the publishing world and blogs several times per week, always with the goal of informing his readers with the best possible information available to him.
Effective Communication: Chuck maintains a great rapport and open lines of communication between he and his readers by making subscription easy and free, conducting regular flash fiction contests and opening up his blog to guest authors. He frequently responds to comments posted on his blogs and maintains a respectful and civil tone.
TerribleMinds.com
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