So Jane took off and running from my RTB post.
My answer to her question, whether an author should reach out and touch a reader, is yes.
But I think we’ve lost sight of something very important here.
An author writes stories. Therefore it is most important that an author touches a reader through her/his work.
Would I like to be appreciated? Would I like an author whom I rave about dropping by? Hell yeah.
I can’t deny that I’m an even bigger fan of Paperback Writer because she noticed that I came by often, that I linked to her and reciprocated.
At the same time, I think I can say that I wouldn’t be less of a fan if she hadn’t reciprocated. I do not know KristieJ, I do not read her blog, but I daresay it’s the same for her and Lisa Kleypas.
Books are not, for the lack of a better term, exclusionary. It’s not like “I have a limited edition watch that you can’t find anywhere else.” I can say “I have this book, I’ve read this, I loved it, and you should go buy it too.”
And it’s great because if you go buy it, and then you read it, we can discuss it. I have this blog partly because I don’t have anyone IRL to discuss books with. The few reader blogs I read have been wonderful finds for me, especially now that I’ve largely given up on messageboards.
When Jane says:
I find that many of the group blogs do not contribute much to the blogging community. They serve as promotional vehicles and not much more primarily because these authors are not present anywhere else on the internet.
I disagree.
I do think there’s a correlation with author blogs that are promotional vehicles and authors who do not contribute on other blogs, but I do not think that simply because an author does not comment elsewhere on the internet that she/he does not contribute.
Intelligent and cogent posts on industry and all things romancelandia are not a contribution? Of course they are a contribution, whether or not the blogger comments on other blogs, especially when the blog has enough readers that other bloggers pick up on her/his posts.
Besides, is there really a point to authors bloghopping just to say “Hi! I really like your blog!”?
miladyinsanity 
Hell, I get excited when anyone posts on my blog. It’s just nice to know someone is out there reading, and cares what we have to say. At least that’s what I think. 🙂
Hi! I really like your blog. ;-P
Hackers downed my site/email (as you know from reading my blog today), so I’m slowly catching up on a lot of stuff I missed lately–and I still owe you those bookmarks! I have a package ready to go out to you this weekend. Special pressie included.
Have a great rest of the week, May!
Crap! I think your blog ate my comment, May.
Basically, I just wanted to say, “Hi! I really like your blog!” 😛
First off, I had no idea what you were talking about at first..but I’ve followed some links and seen a bit more of the discussion.
I can honestly say I read blogs that interest me, I don’t care if it’s a reader or a writer. A lot of blogs I read are niether, they’re just blogs, people talking about life. And I read a lot more blogs than I comment on, not because I don’t want to comment, but because I admit it, I read the blogs for enjoyment and I don’t always have to particapate in a conversation to enjoy it. Somet iems I comment, sometimes I don’t. Blog hopping time is my quiet time of the day. it has nothing to do with who’s blog I’m reading.
No there is no point to someone stopping by to say “hi I like your blog.” Seems kinda silly.
I personally comment quite a few places, and I have some regulars but there’s so many blogs out there I know I’m missing some good stuff, but there’s only so many hours in a day.
…and not only do I have to write, I have two kids, a house and a dayjob to keep track of. 😀
*eyes widen* I see Jaci’s comment in the admin page, I click to respond and suddenly there’s so many.
Jaci, I like it when people comment. It’s always a rush, you’re right about that. But sometimes you see the same person doing this all over the net, and it makes you wonder “Maybe this person is only trying to get people to go to her blog.”
Sasha, it’s nice to know that I’m not the last person to find out for a change. LOL. I agree, you don’t have to comment to enjoy reading a blog. That’s why there are so many people who read blogs, but don’t have their own.
Amie, yeah. It’s the time factor here. On days when i’m in a hurry, I don’t comment at all.
Well said, May.
I just think it’s a tempest in a teapot. More than that, it’s one of those Catch 22 things.
I have a blog. I write about all sorts of stuff, my kids, my husband, politics, sex, writing, books, Clive Owen…sigh, cupcakes, the weather – whatever I want to write about. I love it when people reply but I don’t hold it against Nora that she didn’t comment about my review of Innocent in Death. I still think she’s the shit.
Blogs are about a lot of things. Some blogs I read all the time but I’d never dream of commenting at because I’m there to learn or as an observer. Sometimes I’m blown away and fangirlishly shy – for instance I read Jenny Crusie’s blog but I think I’ve only commented once.
Some blogs are about community and people comment there and are part of that community. Smart Bitches I think does the best job at this of all the popular blogs. It’s a place I always feel welcomed, I always feel free to speak and I always want to read the comments because the folks there always have interesting things to say! I can talk about books there, I can talk about covers and the publishing industry and sometimes even politics.
There are loops, there are blogs, there are many places in the universe where people congregate, learn and commune with each other.
Community and contribution take many forms.
“I Didn’t Start It, Honest!”
Well of course you did. I saw you, you done it! 🙂
Hey, it was a fabulous discussion.
May,
I lurk more than I post because I don’t think that I have anything to contribute or what I was going to say was said by someone else. It seems silly to regurgitate what other people said already. Maybe it’s my business training, but one thing you’re told all the time is don’t open your mouth if your point is the same as the guy next to you.
Besides it seems silly to say “I stopped by” on every blog I read. I mean…it’s like some kind of ego thing you know…to make sure that people know I exist or whatever. 😉
May, I read blogs from a writer’s pov. I never thought of it from a reader’s. Very interesting perspective. Most of the pubbed writers I know are pretty busy people. Actually, most people I know are pretty busy. I have no idea what I’ll do when I’m pubbed. I don’t think I’d spend a lot of time at readers’ blogs. I’ll worry about it then.
Hi! I like your blog… *G*
Seriously, though, May if nothing else it gave people something to discuss this week. ;o)
I love blogs but I tend to skip over the ones that are nothing more than RAH RAH ME! Talk about boring. I can’t remember who said it, but nobody is fricking interesting that they have to talk about themselves with every blog post.
Thank you Lauren. I blog because I like to talk, amongst other things, but my preferred mode of communication has always been the written word. I’m by no means shy in person though. You’re absolutely right, “Community and contribution take many forms.”
Raine, *g*
Angelle, exactly. There are a lot of blogs where I read, but there’s no need to respond.
Edie, I don’t think it’s necessary. I mean, I do think it might be a better way to get an author’s name out there, but I don’t consider it necessary.
Now I know why they call Shiloh Walker a brat. Because, you know, that’s exactly what she is. *g* I don’t want Rah Rah Rah, though some, like Jill Shalvis, have an amazing knack for making the ordinary hilarious.
Now I know why they call Shiloh Walker a brat. Because, you know, that’s exactly what she is. *g*
Sniff. And to think I was actually behaving myself….
;p
Hmm, interesting topic. I guess…I just don’t actually read enough blogs? And…drive by commenting seems a little creepy to me. If I dont’ read your blog or comment regularly on your blog, popping up to say “Hey, hi, see you’re talking about me…” is a little wierd. I’ve done it on a couple occasions when someone directed me to something being said about me or my work, but generally, if I find your blog and read it regularly I’ll start commenting on it. 😉
Your blog, for example. We “met” on LJ and I didn’t even know you HAD another blog. Now I know. Now I read. Now and then, I comment. 🙂
But I don’t have time to trawl the internet for MORE blogs to read! LOL! I spend too much time not writing as it is!
M