Bloggers' Block?

[Nicola O.]

I've been reading as much as ever but finding it hard to get motivated to write reviews and posts. I'm in a bit of a slump. I think I'd like to take a bit of a break, but I'm torn because I don't want to lose my regular readers.

Anyone else in the same boat? Or managed to get rowing again? Or bailed out? Or... some other metaphor that works better?

[Nicole Hammerstad]

Try changing the topics up a bit that works for me.

[Joseph Arellano]

I went through something similar recently - read more books and felt like writing less. Part of it may be a reaction to "average" books; it's easier to write about very good and quite bad books than the ones in the middle. Just saying, "This is an average book..." is not very interesting and - after all - you are writing for more than yourself (e.g., for your readers). So sometimes if I can't find a "hook" that relates to a book I've just finished I put it aside - strangely enough the right review opening/lead always pops into my head at a later time.

I also agree with Valerie Russo, you might think about other interesting things to write about - and they can still be related to books (thus keeping your readers interested). How about a write-up with photos of one of your very favorite book stores? I did one of these posts last year and got a lot of great responses. Anyway, I think everyone has some lulls but the key is to write when you're feeling strong and hold back/rest when you need to. Joseph - http://josephsreviews.wordpress.com/

[Narendra Pai]

When you get a really good book for reading...you can't withhold yourself from telling about it to others!! First find that enriching book, all problems would then vanish!!

Best Wishes..

[Nancy Werking Poling]

Everyone says a writer needs to blog. I've got one (smearedtype.com), but I'm not convinced. Like you say, it takes time away from writing. And who, other than friends, reads it?
Nancy
www.nancypoling.com

[Nicola O.]

Nancy, as a reader I disagree with this. I think it's important for you to have a website, but a blog is "extra," in my opinion. If you have a tidy, attractive site with information about you and your book -- it doesn't have to be fancy, but you should have a list of your books, with blurb and a .gif of the cover, and maybe a bio and information about any book-related events you might be appearing at.

I'd rather see a site like that than a poorly-maintained blog, or a blog that reads like a chore.

You can also create a presence in the blogosphere by doing occasional guest posts or joining a group blog with other authors who have a similar audience or perhaps share a publisher. This would help it from cutting into your writing time too much but still gets your name out there a little bit.

[WonderBunny]

I love seeing small or random blogs where an author has stopped by to say, "great review of my book" or something. It shows that they care about their readers and in some ways, that sells more books. I know recently when an author commented on a blog I read (which only has 40 or so followers), I instantly went and check out the book - not only from the glowing review but because I thought it was great that the author cared. I ended up purchasing the book on the spot too.

[Jessica Stern]

I took a longer-than-intended break over the holidays - didn't mean to, but was just pulled in too many directions to really focus on reading and writing.

I was surprised though - my regular readers came back as soon as I posted something, one of them even gave me a blog award even though I hadn't posted much - it was so motivating! I took myself to the bookstore and found a book I got excited about and I'm moving again!

So I guess you should feel like you can take a break - your readers will be there when you come back.

Cheers,
Jessica
http://desperadopenguin.blogspot.com/

[jerry limonta]

I agree with other thoughts I saw here. I think the key is to lay out topics ahead of time and keep a notpad handy to jot down ideas when they hit you.

[David Gutowski]

I trudge on through, but I've been blogging daily for over 7 years (and have the option of blogging about music as well as books, which helps break the bloggers' block sometimes).

[Nicola O.]

Hey, thanks! I am getting some good ideas here. I'm not usually a contest person, but this one at Literary Escapism has piqued my interest. And my latest post got some attention from the author (who is quite prominent in the romance genre) so that has me a bit juiced again.

So I guess what worked for me is to plug along a little bit, with the blogs and books that I really love, and eventually the enthusiasm comes back. :-)

[Juju from Tales of Whimsy.com]

Try review minis.
Tiny reviews until your back in the mood for longer ones :)

[Ginger B. Collins]

This discussion has given me a list of great ideas! I'm an aspiring novelist and my blog focuses on the challenges of marketing for first-time authors. I think book bloggers are the key to a successful grassroots campaign. I appreciate all the insight I get from this community and plan to add lists of book bloggers to my blog on a regular basis.

Regarding the blogger block - I keep a draft of tid-bits, links to interesting information or examples of authors with a good marketing idea, etc. I call this my Copper-Pot Luck. When I'm lost for something substantial to blog about, or am pressed for time, I pull out the pot luck and post it. Kind of like when you gather all the plastic containers in the fridge, heat them up and put them on the table and call it dinner!

Ginger B.
http://coppertopcollins.blogspot.com
www.gingerbcollins.com