Awhile ago I made a post about blog topics for writers. At the time I wanted to start blogging more but didn’t really know what to blog about. Apparently other writers are wondering the same thing because I keep getting hits on that post. Since I’ve put together a list for myself, and I love to be helpful, I’ve decided to expand on the topic for others.
Blog Topics for Writers:
Talk about Your writing: Seems like a no-brainer, huh? Really though, a lot of writers don’t spend much time talking about their writing (me included). Maybe we should. The writing community is incredible. Since joining the blogosphere, I've found that fellow writers are a great source of feedback and encouragement.
Post Excepts or Teasers: Feedback is extremely important to a writer’s progression. It’s really hard to learn without it, so post some excerpts and reap the benefits!
Open Discussion Questions: Have a question about the publishing biz? About writing? About anything? Post it! Get input, opinion, and/or feedback.
Book Reviews: If you’re writing, I hope you’re doing some reading, too. Book reviews are always great for a writing blog and good reviews mean a lot to authors. Review the books you love!
Interviews: Have any author friends? Any contacts in the publishing business? Been following any up-and-coming debut authors? Ask to interview them! Interviews are always fun and informative.
Discuss Current Events: Seriously. If you’re completely stumped for blogging ideas, there is a wealth of publishing news to draw from. From book releases to big sales to lay-offs and the economy, there is always news you can spew words about.
Discuss Other Blog Posts: Unless you’re bran-spanking-new to blogging, you’re probably following some great writing blogs and/or publishing professionals (if not, see my sidebar). Keep a folder on your computer where you can bookmark posts that interest you. Like publishing, there is always something discussion-worthy out there!
Friday Five: Popular among all sorts of blogs is the Friday Five. And, although no one has spelled out the “rules” of the Friday Five to me, I get the impression you simply list five things you’d like to share on a Friday.
Lists: List and discuss your favorite books, authors, characters, even your favorite book covers, etc. And don’t forget, you can discuss your least favorites as well!
Inspiration: One of the questions that published authors often get asked is: “Where do you get your ideas?” It’s a pretty good question, too. Where the heck do we get the inspiration to create fictional worlds and characters? Start thinking about it now and maybe blog about your inspirations as you become inspired.
Here are some other topics/questions you can consider addressing:
Do you write with music? Why or why not?
What are your comfort books, books you can read again and again, that foster and rekindle your desire to write?
What is your ideal or dream writing space like?
What or who inspired you to write?
Do you belong to a critique group? Writing organization? Tell us about it!
Going to any conferences? Make a shout-out and see if you can find other writers to meet up with.
What are your favorite writing blogs? Why?
Are you querying? Share your journey through rejection and (hopefully!) acceptance.
What are your favorite kinds of characters to write? To read?
What are you doing to improve your craft?
How do you stay motivated?
Are you an outliner or a seat-of-your-pants writer? Why?
Would you like to be a bestseller or have a smaller, more manageable following?
Do you have any fears about becoming published? Why not talk them out?
What are your marketing plans? Are you working on your platform?
Do you have a writing “process?” Do share!
That should give any writer a pretty good start, but I’ll be adding to this list as I have time.
Feel free to add suggestions or other topics in the comments. Are you a writer here looking for blog topics? Post your blog in the comments and I’ll check it out!
What a great list! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That has enough ideas for at least another 100 blog posts.
ReplyDeleteIt's that feedback that's important to us. I only wish more people would do it. The whole point of the writing blog is to include people, with all their concerns. It is a scary thing to put yourself out there, to ask what you think might seem like a silly question. Nothing is silly, because we all asked it at some point.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! Thank you! Like ReNu said, I'm pretty sure I've got plenty of post ideas now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this list, Casey. I can't tell you how many times I sit down to blog and end up clicking off because nothing comes. Or if it does, it usually revolves around food. Weird.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the list everyone. Hopefully it will be helpful to someone!
ReplyDeleteI just found this post and I'm so glad I did. Thanks for providing such a great list!
ReplyDeleteHi Casey!
ReplyDeleteJust followed your link (yes, I know, I'm up THIS late) from the blueboards. I'm so glad I did! As a new blogger, this list will be extremely helful! Some topics I'd thought of, but others I hadn't. Thanks so much for this list!
I just started my blog a few days ago at the insistence of another writer and I've been worried that I'm going to run out of topics in just a few short days! This list is great! Thanks so much. You said in the post we could include our blog for you to check out, so here's mine: www.rachelhamm.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your blog! I'm so glad I found it!
Very informative. Great resource. Will be following future posts closely! Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDeleteGlad this has been so helpful to you all!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Thank u so much! This really helped!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteThat helped a lot! Thank you so much!
DeleteThe anonymous post was from mine, above. For some reason the name/website thing didn't work. Meg Leigh
ReplyDeleteGood ideas for blog material. Another one is to host a virtual book tour. Not only do you get a break from writing your own posts, you increase traffic to your blog.
ReplyDeleteGoodday
ReplyDeleteI'm new here and just wanted to drop by with a little "hello" message (sorry if I have posted in the wrong section!)
My name is Courtney, mom to two lovely boys, and a parttime soccer coach!
I'm here to sniff around and gather some information, so please welcome me :O)
Have a nice day!
Hi Courtney,
ReplyDeleteWelcome! I hope you find the info you're looking for. If not, feel free to get in touch. : )
~Casey
I am new to blogging, and these are very helpful topics. I am not sure how to actually find people to 'read' my blog though...
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Perhaps now I won't blog about, er, not blogging. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks ver much for sharing your wisdom
ReplyDeleteThank you for this list! I went searching for more blogging prompts for writers, as I'm coming up on the end of my "30 Books in 30 Days" challenge (it took me a year, but I'm determined to blog more these days). I have posts scheduled until the 16th, and I realize that after that I have no idea what I want to write about.
ReplyDeleteCurse of a writer.
I'll definitely be bookmarking this page and using some of these ideas! If you want to check out my blog, it's at katjevanloon.com/blog.
Katje, glad this gives you some ideas for your blog! Hopping over for a visit right now.
ReplyDeleteThis a very good information. I was looking to expand upon and add to some of the ideas I had to add variety to my blog. Thanks! I also subscribed.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Information. I was looking to add a little spice and variety to my blog. Thanks! I subscribed too.
ReplyDeleteLove the info, I've been blocked for weeks and now you gave me some ideas. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I found this - How useful! I get stumped easily and it's hard to get blogging again. I just need a kick to get the juices flowing and I think this will help.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas at 2AM when I'm completely lost on what to blog about! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I am new to the game and definitely overwhelmed with everything I need to do. Thank you for the list of great ideas.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. I went on google looking for ideas for blog topics, and this came up. I should have known to come to this site in the first place.
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate your writing, after i wrote around 50 blogs felt like there was nothing to write for, but then you gave new ideas and urge me to think differently, looking forward for your work.
ReplyDeleteThat's very nice post.
ReplyDelete