What Style Blog Do You Prefer?

[Lynda Coker]

Do you like them: Informative, Entertaining, Chatty, Eclectic, Business-like, or Warm and Fuzzy?
Do you like lots of photos, sidebar badges, blog-rolls, etc.? What's Your Style?

BETWEEN THE PAGES

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

And that's a fabulous reply, April!

I've already answered Lynda's question, but you've brought up other points I'd like to address, too. For instance, while content is the main thing for me as well, I like the way pictures break up big blocks of text. As much as I love to read, those big blocks on my PC monitor scare me away.

I could get through a long review broken up into bite-sized paragraphs, but sometimes I don't even read a short (i.e. 200 words) review if it's just one big block.

[April]

I do like pictures when they have something to do with the content and if they are moderately sized. Like if it's a HUGE picture that takes up the screen thats when I get turned off lol

[Lesa]

I've already been quite mouthy on this discussion but now I'm wondering about fonts. :) April and others mentioned not liking too many fonts or weird fonts.

My co-blogger and I have both been using the same font--- it is one we both like and carried over from our individual personal blogs. We've wondered if we should continue using the same font as each other or each use a different font to further denote us as individuals. On my last 3 posts, I used a different font as an experiment. I much prefer my old font but it isn't a deal breaker for me.

Would appreciate your opinions: If font changes bother you, would you be bugged to see half of the posts in one font and half the posts in another font. Do you think readers can tell us apart just fine if we both post in the same font? Would it be more clear (to new readers especially) that there are two co-bloggers if we use different fonts?

thanks again, Lynda, for a great discussion! Thanks to all for any insights and help with our font conundrum.

Lesa

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

I think it will be clearer if you and your partner use different fonts, though, of course, there are other things you could try.

I used to read a blog with about seven bloggers, all of whom started each post with a graphic to clue the reader in immediately. (One member used the same little button all the time; another had a new picture of one of her pets each time; etc.) I think that would be better than different fonts. =)

[Lindsay Phillips]

I agree--I tend to like a website to stick with one font throughout (unless it's a title/subtitle or something like that.) The different graphics is inspired.

[Amanda Markham]

Hi April,

I don't think you're picky. I like your well-thought out and argued post. I agree with music, blinking lights and the ##^$@@!!! partial feed in the RSS reader. Personally, my pet hates are: clutter on blogs - like too many badges, book blogs that morph into food blogs, 'mommy' bloggers who harp on about their kids and the latest bunch of scrapbooking crap they've bought from WalMart, and apostrophe abuse! Don't start me on apostrophes...

Amanda (Desert Book Chick)

[The Lit Witch]

I actually like them very clean, organized and uncluttered... and no sound! If a blog is an assault on my senses as soon as I open the page, I just leave. (c:

[Priya Parmar]

Thank you for discussing this topic! I am a new historical fiction author (my first novel is out next January) and I am writing a blog-- priyaparmar.blogspot.com --but so far have just been writing for family and friends. I am not sure how to pitch the tone for a wider audience (or how to get it out there!). Are people interested in hearing about the publishing process? The writing process? As I write historical fiction I also have a huge researching process! I also want to help people navigate the tricky query and find an agent path as so many people kindly helped me! I would also love to know what sorts of books readers want to read as I am working on my second novel. What do you think? Thank you for helping!

[Lynda Coker]

Hi Priya,
I'm a writer myself with two books published and working on a third. But when it comes to my blog, my aim is to help readers find just the right story, and to give authors additional exposure through reviews, interviews, etc. That's why I chose to be a book blogger first, and writer second on my blog.

If you limit your blog to the writing, reading industry (which every other writer seems to be doing) you'll greatly limit your audience to other writers only. Make your blog something unique to you. Build an audience that wants to get to know you better, follow your achievements, tackle your goals, experience your highs and lows. Along the way, you can always sprinkle your writing interests in, as well.

This is just my opinion, of course. Blogs are very personal venues, and in the end, yours should be whatever you want it to be.

[Priya Parmar]

That is wonderful advice! Thank you!

[Kimmie Howard]

I actually have no business commenting on this. I like blogs simple but my blog is extremely lame. I'm not very eloquent so my little blurbs are basicly "just the facts, ma'am". That's probably why no one reads it anyway. Oh, well. Once upon a time, I used to add things besides books but in the last year or so I haven't done anything that wasn't book related.

I'm not interested in music, video clips, memes or any of that stuff. I do like links. You can ignore them if you want to or follow if the subject seems interesting.

[Lynda Coker]

Hi Kimmie,
There is nothing wrong in staying focused on one point of interest. Thanks for sharing.