by Anne R. Allen
It’s been quite a week. Let’s hope we’re done with disasters for a while. To my neighbors who got evacuated at 7 AM on Friday—and to the tens of thousands affected by the horrors in Japan—my heart goes out to you.
I started this blog exactly two years ago today: March 13, 2009. I probably shouldn’t use the word “started.” It was more like I oozed into it.
My expectations weren’t so much low as non-existent.
It was a pretty abysmal time in my life. My publisher had gone under, leaving me out of print, unpaid, and stuck with an unpublishable third book in a series. Soon after, the popular ezine where I was a columnist ceased publication. Most of the magazines that were my bread and butter were going belly-up or no longer paying. I wrote another novel and rewrote the others for the US market, but couldn’t even get a partial request.
I feared nobody would ever read my words again.
I started surfing publishing blogs to find out why my queries weren’t getting nibbles. (They sucked. Seriously.) I haunted agent blogs, especially Nathan Bransford’s. But commenting was difficult without a Blogger profile, and the easiest way to get one was—start a blog. Voilà.
I left a short, dismal post and promptly lost the whole thing for a month and a half.
Then I started reading about how even fiction writers need a platform and Web presence. So I Googled around, found my blog and posted an article I’d written for a local paper about six months before.
And forgot it again.
Then I had one of those life-is-short medical wake-up calls and decided it was time to do something—anything—to get my writing going again. So I posted a couple of updated versions of my old columns. I started getting comments. And an invitation from Emily Cross to join the Writers Chronicle forums, which brought some followers. I was amazed.
I was even more amazed when the third or fourth post got a visit from agent Janet Reid—the Query Shark! She even said the post was “nicely written.” OMG, how I basked.
So every Sunday, I’d write a post. I’d never blog more than once a week, since I was concentrating on a new novel now my confidence was beginning to come back.
I had no idea I was “slow blogging” until Lee Robertson left a comment telling me about “the Slow Blog Manifesto”.
Sometimes people would read my posts; sometimes they wouldn’t. I was completely clueless about reading and following other blogs, or responding to comments in the thread. Or anything like using Twitter to drive traffic. I thought if I just sat here, people like Janet Reid would continue to stop by. But I soon learned that lightning doesn’t strike the same blog twice.
But a few months later, I got a rare Google alert. A blogger named Sierra Godfrey had included one of my posts in her “Google Roundup.” I went over to her blog and made friends.
On her blog I met the Literary Lab triumvirate and one sleepless night decided to submit a story to their first anthology, Genre Wars. They accepted it. My fiction was in print again. That felt great—so great that I submitted a post to a contest Nathan Bransford was running for a guest blog spot.
I won! (You can read my post here.)
Less than a year after I’d written my first dismal post, I was guest blogging for the most popular blogger in the publishing industry. I got other invitations to guest blog and a couple of mentions in Jane Friedman’s Best Tweets.
I even got the attention of one of my long-time idols, Pay it Forward author Catherine Ryan Hyde. She commented on a post and asked if I’d be willing to mention a workshop she was giving on a similar subject.
Nearly everybody who signed up for the workshop came through this blog.
Catherine was impressed. She asked if I’d like to collaborate on a book for writers—a combination of the kind of advice I give here and the stuff she teaches in her workshops: equal parts instruction and inspiration.
Squeee!
She didn’t have time to work on it right away, because she had two new books coming out, but I knew she’d follow through. We both saw my blog as a key component of our book proposal, so I started doing more research on how to have a more professional blog.
I found most “how to blog” advice came from professional marketers and full time bloggers with a “boot camp” approach. So I spent months visiting hundreds of blogs—to see what worked best for creative writers. In November, I wrote a four part “how to start a blog” series. (Part I here. Links to the others in the sidebar.)
It went viral. Two internet marketing gurus pronounced my series the best place to learn basic blogging. I was tweeted and retweeted. I was getting 1000 hits a day.
In December I got a Google alert saying blogsbusiness.net had valued my blog at $25,000. (Right—who’s going to buy it? But it was kind of nice to hear.) Offers from advertisers started appearing in my inbox. (Not that I’m going there.) But when I was asked to join the staff of the Best Damn Creative Writing Blog and invited to teach at the Central Coast Writers Conference, I realized I what a difference my blog was making in my writing career.
For the past couple of months, Catherine and I have been working on our book. I’m happy to announce we’ve now finished our proposal. Working title: HOW TO BE A WRITER—and survive with your spirit intact. (Watch this space for more info.)
I still can’t sell my novels, but I have a couple of pieces of an old one in the latest Literary Lab anthology, Notes From Underground. And I’m getting ready to query my new one, which I feel really good about.
And most of all, I have you, my fantastic blogging friends. I feel I’ve connected with people of my own tribe here—all those other writers I used to have to go to a conference to meet. Blogging hasn’t just improved my chances of restarting my career, it’s enhanced my life. (I’m going to write more about this in a guest blog over at Sierra’s next month, while she’s ushering another whippersnapper onto the planet.)
And on this blogiversary, I’d like thank you all: Emily, Lee, The Literary Labsters, Sierra—and Catherine, of course—plus every single one of you who has followed or commented or even just lurked here for a quick read.
THANK YOU! YOU’RE THE BEST!!
You’ve helped me prove that a “slow” once-a-week blog can succeed.
I’d love to hear your stories. Bloggers out there—what got you started? Non-bloggers, would you consider starting one, knowing you only have to post once a week?
posted by Anne R. Allen (@annerallen) March 13, 2011
Happy Blogiversary, and I only post once a week too. Sometimes even that is bordering on too much, but at least it's do-able.
Oh Anne, I'm so thrilled at your success as a result of your blog– and this is such a good wrap up of how engaging with others in the blogosphere works.
What you've achieved in a year are now credentials you can use when querying your fiction.
Congratulations– it was hard work, but I always thought it came pretty naturally to you, too. You speak common sense, and that resonates with people. I think. 🙂
I love success stories. Maybe because I'm American. Maybe because I'm old enough to know how many ideas/projects/efforts aren't successes. I wish more people would talk about the flops and misfires. I suspect it would be much healthier to have reasonable expectations than inflated goals.
That's why "oozing into" appeals so much. I know I "should" have a blog; I've known it for quite a long time. Only this week did an idea that didn't completely suck come to me. At least right now I don't think it completely sucks. I have to live with it for a while. Does it have substance? Will readers be interested? Will *I* be interested?
Lots to think about for a maybe-would be timid and probably half a$$ed blogger who, IRL, is quite confident and never short of an opinion. (just ask my husband).
Congrats on the success. We love your posts and guest posts, so thank you!
Hope the coming year will be even better and bigger.
Martina
Congrats to you. Inspiring and encouraging – as I get ready to write my weekly (Sunday) post 🙂
This is an AMAZING story! My mouth is hanging open as I read this. It's like almost too good to be true! I have nothing even close to report like this. Love to blog, made some friends, sold some books– that's my story LOL.
Carol–I think once a week is best if it is indeed "do-able." But even once a month is OK if you're consistent.
jb–You have such an inviting, comfy blog. I feels like a wonderful old library. You definitely qualify as a slow blogger.
I actually have about a 200K word novel I took those excerpts from. That's the book I couldn't let go of–even though it didn't work–for nearly a decade. Sigh.
Now I'm going to take some time off and read Notes from Underground. I look forward to your piece.
Sierra–my blog success is partly due to your blog success, so again–thanks!
Barb–Thanks. I think if you don't write because you love it the road is going to be tougher.
Ruth–I'm hope you take the plunge soon. I'm really looking forward to reading your blog!
Martina–You guys do such a great service with your fantastic publishing blog. It's a must-read for writers no matter what our genre. Thanks for the good wishes.
Cougel–Sunday blogs rule! All the blog authorities say "never on Sunday" because that's the day the fewest number of people are reading blogs, but that means there are fewer of us posting, too. And if you only blog once a week, people can read it any time.
Wow I got a mention 🙂 I'm really touched 🙂 Thank you!!
Personally I think your success has less to do with your 'slow blog manifesto' (though i'm sure it helps) and more to do with the amazing quality of your posts and advice!!
To many more years m'dear 🙂
"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it," sayeth Jean de La Fontaine. Me? I say, Well, Dang! There you go. You just never know what's gonna turn up. I'm beginning to suspect that life's one big pin ball machine. Hear the plinks? And blinkey lights while you're caroming off the bumpers thinking you're heading down, down, down when actually you're just sliding sideways before wheeling around the bong!bong!wheel and zooming up and away! Well. Go figure. And Congrats.
I'll tell you what, the only reason I turn on my computer at all on Sunday's is to read you.
You are an inspiration to us all, fast, slow, or medium bloggers.
I'm so happy for you. I know something BIG will happen to your books this time around. Into the query trenches we go.
Anne, Congratulations! You've worked very hard for a long time and the success is most welcome if overdue. Pardon me if I wax a little nostalgic to wish my mother was here to share in the joy. And I can say I knew you when. A measure of your success is that I put pen to paper this week to start a sketch of a story idea I"ve had in my head for decades. Keep up the good work!
Richard
I am so feeling what the last commentor said… This post made me feel a little lighter on a Sunday evening. Sounds like you are living proof that if you build it they will come! Happy Anniversary!
I've only just started following your blog, but already I can see it's a great writer's resource.
I started blogging nearly 2 years ago, with no expectations. My only hope was to meet other writers, and I have. If you consider yourself a slow blogger, I'm not sure what category I'd fall in–I guess I simply prefer a very, very slow, steady pace. I post when I have something to share, whether it's a couple times a week or once a month…
…by the way, I'd love to see you develop those excerpts in Notes from Underground.
This was a great post to read. What a wonderful path you have followed. I think coming in with humble, low expectations brings it's own reward – it means you are blogging for the love of writing, nothing else, and that shows.
Wow, congratulations. You've come a long way!
Heehee Lee "Robertson" It's ok, though. 🙂
I still believe in Slow Blogging. I've never had to apologize and say "I'm too busy to blog this week, blah blah." I blog once a week or even every 2 weeks, usually on a Thurs or Fri. It's fun and doesn't cut into my writing/reading time.
Book idea sounds fantastic! I'd read it.
Is this one of those moments? I turned on the computer five minutes ago in a depressed state of mind. I unfortunately read some "industry" news and began to think the chances of jump starting a career at this stage in my life was probably a ridiculous thought.
Okay, so there is always that "however" in the back of our minds. Then because it was Sunday and I know what I can always rely on every Sunday, I clicked over to you.
I am so happy to read your blog this week. Not just to celebrate your anniversary or support your hard work and great talent, but because I know somehow you are out there and … well why not give it a shot?
Not like I have a whole lot on my agenda for the next few years. Thanks Anne, you are an inspiration.
Congratulations on your blogiversary and all your achievements! I too like the concept of slow-blogging, but I am a little slower than one a week nowadays.
KarenG–But you actually have books to promote, which is a whole lot more important.
Emily–Thanks for all your help!
Churadogs–Great quote. Yeah, I think the pin-ball theory of the Universe works as well as anything.
Anne–That's so nice to hear! Thanks a bunch. Let's hope it's the year for both of us to get a break.
Elena–Thanks!
Richard–Uh-oh! Have I seduced you away from composing music to the dark world of fiction writing?
Florence–It makes me feel so good to hear that! Your blog is a cheerer-upper, too. A little visit to New York.
Laura–Thanks! Knowing I can cheer people up is the best part of all.
LR–I'm SO embarrassed. I've fixed your name in the post now.
Gargi–Slow is good. It doesn't have to be once a week.
Heather–Thanks! Let's keep oozing.
Hi Anne!
I just discovered your blog, and this was such a wonderful post to read! Congratulations on your success, and I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Well happy anniversary, or birthday, or whatever is appropriate here! It was neat to get to hear some snippets of your personal story that I had not heard. Any news yet on Food of Love? I didn't want to bring out the cover art on my pages until I was sure you were ready for the release yourself.
Fantastic post! I started a blog in 2006 and have a new one now at bookalicio.us when you find a subject you are really passionate about it is a great way to interact and find community.
Anne, yours is a great story, and full of real life (non markety) advice. And, as always, reassuring to newer bloggers to hang in there, keep making genuine connections, and stay true to yourself. Thanks as always.
Congrats girl!
I'm in awe of your bloggy skills!
I'm a faithful follower and wish you great satisfaction and success.
Sherry Heber
Congrats! This is such an inspiring story. I blog twice a week and love the idea of the slow blog manifesto. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Julie–Thanks for following and commenting. I'm so grateful for every new reader!
Meghan–SO sorry I've backburnered the re-release of Food of Love. Your cover is awesome. Do display it and I will get back to you soon!
Anybody who needs a cover design–go check out Derico Photography.
Alison–glad I'm brightening a Monday. Yeah, I've read all those people who say blog every damned minute of the day or you're not going to get any followers, blah, blah. I'm grateful for slow bloggers. I can't read everything, but once a week or less gives me a fighting chance to keep up.
Pam–you're a real seasoned veteran. I'll check out your blog. I think group blogs are a great idea.
bookspersonally–It's all about being real, I think. Glad you see me as non markety.
Sherry–let's get you a Google profile and bring you out of anonymity.
Genet–twice a week is plenty. Don't let anybody pressure you to do more!
Wow! An anniversary! I can't believe it has been two years already. I, as so many, love having your blog as part of the beginning of my week. You are always inspiring and so entertaining. I am continuously impressed. Thanks for the two years of shared wisdom!
I love blogging success stories almost as much as I love publishing success stories. We're all so closely connected by this blogging thing. Congrats!! Let the success keep rolling (or oozing)!
Hahaha, thanks Anne… you so totally rock, and I have truly enjoyed working with you!
Anne–Damn shame nobody reads you…
Congratulations! You rock sista!
Just the post I needed to read (and click ever so many links off of!) on this grey and rainy monday. Thank so much for such an inspiring post!
I started my blog last november as a way to join French Fridays with Dorie and flex my creative muscle again. Today I posted what I think of as my first real non-French Fridays post. I'd posted a few times before but this is the first one I was really nervous about. The photography is weak, but in this post I was only really focused on the writing and used the photography as a way to break up the text.
I'm really looking into seeing what this slow blogging is all about, since everything I've read says you must blog 3 times a week, which is what I'm working towards. But now I'm thinking this might be the wrong tact for me. Thanks so much for all the food for thought! Must get reading!
Congratulations on your blogoversary! 🙂 I'm glad that its been so worthwhile to you, its been very valuable to us the readers so we appreciate you. I am taking your advice on slow-blogging with my new writer blog and trying to make sure I write one post a week but one that is well thought and written with care. Thanks for the information on slow blogging!
Christine! I forgot to thank YOU!! Without that great photo, my blog would still look like an old Wild West wanted poster. I love that picture.
Derico–You're so great to work with, too!
Terry–It's not quite the readership you had at the Chicago Tribune, but I'm grateful to be read at all.
CE–I do know about Joe Konrath, and follow his blog. I've talked about him here quite a bit, although not recently. I am going to self-epub my backlist (and I have a fabulous new cover from Meghan Derico, above) but I'm still hoping for that whole Big Six brass ring thing with the new book. It's not so much about the money as the support, I think.
Aisha–I'm so glad slow blogging is working for you. It's hard to keep two blogs, but I think if you do each one "slowly" it can work. I usually advise people to have only one, but since you're an agented author who will soon need a really professional Web presence, I think it's a great idea.
Anne, your blog is inspiring and fascinating. It makes me want to read everything you write… I implore you to consider becoming an indie author and show those publishers what they're missing. Before you completely dismiss the idea, please read the following post by Joe Konrath: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/12/you-should-self-publish.html; and then I challenge you to read as many of his posts to current day as you can. It is an eye-opening experience to say the least.
Great stuff Anne. You're an inspiration to us all.
Congrats on the Blogiversary. This is my first time visiting your blog and I can honestly say it won't be my last. I think fate drove me here as I've recently started my own blog and wondered how often I needed to post. I usually blog about once a week or so, so I'm glad there's nothing wrong with the slower pace. I like to take a different approach and blog about life experiences and feelngs and how they influence a writer rather than the "nuts and bolts" of writing. I figured there were so many others doing this and they were much better at it than me. Plus, I'm in the middle of the query process so I simply don't have the time to blog everyday. Thanks for the inspiration and to the Muses for sending me this way.
Thanks Simon!
Lenny and Suzy–you're at different stages of your careers, but you're both voicing the same problem–as we are urged to use the Interwebz for "platform," we're all told to do the same thing: blog every day about writing. Booo-ring. Too many of us doing that already.
So I feel that blogging once a week or less, and blogging about things other than nuts and bolts rules, is the way to go. We're trying to reach READERS,not just other writers (although writers read obviously.) So the successful new blogs will be ones that branch out into more creative territory. Not posting fiction, but posting creative essays that show your unique personality.
Being called a Labster is awesome-sauce. 🙂
You have truly been an inspiration to me for blogging. I always enjoy your posts, even if I don't comment. It also sounds like you have some fantastic things in the works! So exciting!
Thanks for the candid blogging blow-by-blow, Anne.
I started my writing blog almost 5 years ago, before the whole "writers' platform" Zeitgeist. I wanted a place where I could chronicle my meditations on writing and not have to decipher my horrible handwriting. I honestly never thought of it as a building block to publishing.
Those days are over, though, and now that I have a book and an agent, I feel like I have to play catch-up and get in the game. You have lots of terrific advice, but I have to admit, when I smerge the idea of "marketing" with writing, I go to a different place entirely; I feel a desperateness creep in. I get itchy. Is it all about compartmentalizing then, do you suppose?
Congratulations. Anne, I am delighted that your blog has reached a wide readership. You were generous and provided me with exactly the advice I needed when I was making baby-steps in querying.
I started my blog in October of 2009. I, too, post once a week. I started with random thoughts about writing or memories, then branched out into guest interviews and in a couple of weeks I'll have my first guest blog. Since I'm part of a social network, I post my blog at various places. I visit others and comment and hopefully, they'll trace back and visit mine.
Congratulations, Anne!
I'm SO happy you decided to start blogging. I love your blog, value your expertise, and look forward to your posts.
Anne, It's so fun to read about your blogging journey. I learned a lot about you through this post. And congratulations on your book with Catherine Ryan Hyde! I'm a huge fan of your blog, and I will direct people to this post when they ask me if blogging matters.
Elaine–so glad my suggestions helped!
Michelle–You inspire me, too!
Stephen–Book bloggers help writers establish careers. Thanks for doing those interviews and reviews!
Becky–Thanks! Love the new look of your blog.
Nina–You are my Twitter guru. I don't think my blog would have done so well without Twitter–and without you, I'd never have known how to use it–so you get a big THANK YOU, too.
Meghan–That means a lot. You have a fantastic blog. I learn a lot every time I visit.
Anne, If a post had pages, this would be a page-turner. What a ride! I feel that a blog is to a writer as a sketchbook is to an artist/designer. It keeps you connected to your art and ramps up your writing adrenaline.
Your blog is one that I enjoy and reguarly read. Congratulations on all of your achievements!
Leslie–what a great analogy.
Liz–Thanks!
Anne,
Congrats, on so many things! I love reading how so much can happen in the span of a year. Your post is a lovely reminder that slow and steady wins the race, and that valuable connections come with patience, diligence, and great writing 🙂
I love this story! I love that you 'lost' your blog…twice. 🙂 And I love even more that you found your way.
Happy Blogiversary!
Blogging indeed has forged many a friendship.
Next month it will be 18 months since I first blogged. But it was a private blog then, to discuss our nanowrimo experience among a few writer friends I knew. It wasn't until one year ago that I decided to keep it and take it 'public', meet other writers and bloggers. I'm so glad I made that decision. Now I have 850+ followers and many of them have become true friends. Rarely does a day pass that I don't get a phone call or text from someone I met via my blog (or twitter), and I get hundreds of emails/day from them. I think I counted 52 Christmas cards snail mailed to me from writer friends I met through blogging. I feel very blessed.
I love this community. And I love that we live in this modern time where the world shrinks and we can connect with other people in this industry and do research and find information with a few strokes of our keyboard…while wearing our PJs. 😉
Thanks for sharing your story, your journey.
Have a very happy weekend, Anne. And again, happy blogoversary.
Love,
Lola
Christi–You're right. I'm a total tortoise here, and I like it just fine. Thanks!
Lola–Thanks for sharing this great story. That's what I love about the blogosphere–it's about reaching across barriers of geography, age, economic status, ethnicity, etc. to form new tribes: like-minded groups who can support each other in challenging times and cheer each other's successes.
Happy blogiversary!
I've been blogging for only a year and I threw myself into it, posting everyday, spending hours and hours on it. Can anyone say burnout? Now I've cut back a little and only post 3 times a week. I'm still juggling my time because I love blogging so much.
Well time is definitely one of the confirmed SEO techniques. If you wait long enough, something should happen eventually. Of course if you work on your blog along the way.
Lynda–Glad you cut back instead of getting totally burned out. That's when people abandon their blogs and leave them orphaned in cyberspace. Most people do that after three years.
Jenny–If your #1 goal is to have a high-rated blog, then your blog should be your #1 priority, but for creative writers, I recommend slow blogging. It's not about SEO. It's about making friends and having a Web presence.
Awesome. I'm still juggling time and I read all the blogs I follow, though I don't often comment. I should. It's always a work in progress.
Oh, crap-a-doodle-do. Now you've gone and done it, woman. On the one hand, you mention in Sierra's blog about writers squandering time on social media, and THEN you write such a good guest post that I HAD to come visit your blog, and now I HAVE to sign on as a follower. When will it ever end???
Seriously, you've got a great blog here, and I'll enjoy following you. (No need to feel guilty for keeping me away from my WIP; no need at all …)
Susan–Thanks for following. And remember, I only post once a week, so I won't take TOO much time away from your actual work. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story! It's inspiring to see what you've achieved with just one post a week. Your blog is an awesome resource.
I'm so glad I found your blog this morning! I recently decided to try blogging again, starting with a weekly recap of The Jersey Shore. (*ducks tomatoes*) From there, I plan to move on to a couple of posts a week, but it's nice to see some validation for the slow approach. Thanks!
Wonderful post, Anne! It's so wonderful that I'm going to go back and read all those links. And then I think I'll twitter it. Maybe it's been around before, but the message is worth repeating. I'm already following you.
That's saying, "You've really got something in slow blogging," as powerfully as I can.
I got into this publishing game after earning a couple of advanced degrees and having several successful professional careers.
Then the writing bug bit. Whoa! Was the literary world different! As an economist, all I had to do was present a couple of papers. People got my abilities and I was off and running.
The writing/getting published world is–well, it's the way you describe it in your post. I decided that I was going to be successful and sane. Hence my blog, http://yourshelflife.com.
Great to meet you. Our world views are simpatico. It's much better to blog once a week when you've got something to say. And give preference to your creative writing. Now to to back and read all those links.