People take blogging too seriously...

6/10/2016

I have subscribed to a number of blogs and have noticed a certain trend in quality. Those who are 'professional' bloggers and authors have spent the money to make the viewing experience as easy as possible. They will not harass you as soon as you click on their site--they will wait until you scroll down before their free book or product pops up.

The content of the blogs vary. Some are hugely informative and have taken hours of research and gathering skills. Some are more stream-of-consciousness-writing (ah-hem). Some are total garbage, recycling material from other parts of the web. On the whole, I have found the blogs to be interesting and informative. The only difficulty is the time they consume.

Sometimes, I feel spiritual and look for the deepest meanings in all of life's majesty. Other times, I am looking for mindless violence to pass the time. Some bloggers are so serious in their message--and their message rarely varies. Presumably, if you want to hear a sermon, you go to church. Likewise with these bloggers.

My blog is less structured than most, yet I still believe in what I write. I am documenting my journey into the online world and the odd dynamics of book writing/sales.

I listened to a podcast from The Creative Penn yesterday where they had an author who described himself as a hack. Joanna (host) smiled and joked that this was meant in the most positive manner. The guy then continued to describe his work as modern day pulp fiction. Joanna let that comment go. For me, I found it interesting because I think that is what most writing is becoming--for the sole reason that authors need to eat. They need to give the audience (within their particular genre) what they want. Faulkner decided to write to his audience before he was able to achieve the commercial success he needed to feed his family in the 1930s. Today, Indie authors struggle to work within the confines of Amazon to sell their books--working with the algorithms and the promotions. What does that mean to the public? More blogs and podcasts and free books or free seminars.

I find it exhausting. I also find it to be a race to the bottom with authors being both the unwitting accomplice and victim. We need to distinguish ourselves, but we also need to value ourselves.

This message may apply to anyone in any field in life. Until we value ourselves, how can we expect others to value us? For me, it is the price of a cup of coffee (for a kindle book). I will give a man on the street a few bucks to buy a coffee (or, more likely, I will buy the coffee and hand it to him). Let's allow the consumer to take a chance and not expect everything for free. Because the cost of the 'free' item is usually much more than the consumer or any member in the chain realises.

That being said, I just got notification from ACX (the part of Amazon that deals with Audible book creation) that my book CONSPIRACY -- Man on the Run III has been put onto audible and iTunes. I am very excited. If you are interested, this is the link to it:

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Crime-Thrillers/Conspiracy-Audiobook/B01LXQV96N/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srImg?qid=1475737530&sr=1-1

Not sure if/how audio books will sell. I have been enjoying audio books a LOT. It is embarrassing but they are perfect for travelling and walking.

Let me know what you think!

2 Comments

francine

10/10/2016 04:11:59 pm

Audio books are the bomb!

I was sold on them when they came out on cassette tapes and I listened to them on my Walkman or while driving long distances. This certainly dates me, but back then I couldn't afford to buy sets for myself as good audio books would average $50- $120+. I got around the cost by borrowing the tape sets from the library. In preparation for international travel, I would painstakingly copy and label each tape. Now, so much is available really cheap or free on line. I love this easy access to audio books.

I have raised my children to value good books. Now as they are in senior high school and university, I feel I have done my role instilling the importance of reading and books into their lives. On their down times I usually see them engrossed in reading literature and discussing the content. While doing mindless tasks, such as cleaning, I hear loud music or often audio books winding their imaginations through a classic or non fiction book.

Friends tell me how lucky I am to have children who read. Personally, luck had nothing to do with it. This was an intentional life choice my husband and I had discussed prior to even starting our family.No television and limited screen time, plus hours of cuddling while reading aloud and LOTS of audio books. We found that this infused our children with the ability to access their own imaginations and PLAY in a way their generation had lost through television and the growing enslaught of social media.

The future of books and reading needs to be instilled in the early years and nurtured throughout the years a child remains at home. Schools can support your efforts, but if we want to retain a literate, cultured society, we need to unplug the tech and slow down dough to read books at home.

Oh, before unplugging your computer, make sure to download a couple good books for you and your family to engage with while driving to and from school, swimming or music lessons.

Baron

11/10/2016 05:03:50 am

Dear Francine,

Thank you! I also remember the heavy plastic containers the audio books came in. They were usually seminars or workshops and, when you actually got audio book tapes, they were the best. I can still remember listening to the unabridged reading of the KJV bible thinking that it was the best thing since sliced bread. We are living in a golden age of book/media production. It is up to us as producers and consumers to make the most of it.

I like that you went to the extreme of no TV to help push them towards books--audio and conventional. You are an inspiration!

Oh, and thanks for the comment! For those who are reading this, I LOVE comments and will ramble on in response (if you want) endlessly.

TTFN
Baron

People take blogging too seriously...

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