I thought it amusing that Robin took so much time away from her own manuscript to rant so eloquently.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
But not, you will note, on a blog.
That is a page of her own website at robinhobb.com not a daily journal type thing. There is a world of difference.
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited March 13, 2008).]
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Yeah. I read that quite sometime ago. Blogged on it! I find it interesting that many publishers like to see a writer's website, and read said blogs, yet Robin Hobb advises against it. Note: her website is a testament to quirkiness, so I wonder if her blog rant is in character.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
quote:I find it interesting that many publishers like to see a writer's website, and read said blogs...
A blog NOT a writer's website.
I have had editors ask about my website. (Yes, I have one.)
I have NEVER had an editor as if I have a blog.
However, I HAVE had editors recently ask me if I am working on something new. So which do you think they'd rather I worked on?
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited March 13, 2008).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Heh. I have a LiveJournal blog, and it's been weeks since I've even been there.
Of course, there are other things than blogs to steal away writing time. Like writers workshop forums....
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
What waste time on a forum? Surely you jest. Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
That's funny, but she could have written that about anything that takes a writer away from writing...video games, the beach (it's late winter in the midwest, I can dream...) that stand-up comic routine, LOL.
I find blogs hold a lot of value, and I find it interesting the way it's gotten so many many many people who wouldn't otherwise be writing - well, they're writing! I think it's a good thing in that regard. But if it keeps you/one from writing fiction (or whatever it is) - well, that's no good. My experience, though, is that like most things - that kind of obsession runs its course and people end up gravitating back to the things they really enjoy/are good at/pay them well. Not necessarily in that order.
Posted by wrenbird (Member # 3245) on :
It's funny that you should post this JeanneT, because I have been pondering this very theme for the past couple of days. You see, I hear a lot that agents and possibly editors like it when writers have blogs and websites. So, I thought, what have I got to lose? And I started a blog. I have to say, when I read "Vampires of the Internet," I had to laugh. I think it's pretty spot on. I noticed myself thinking and doing many of the things she cautions against in the article. I am still trying to descide whether or not I'll keep up with my blog. I haven't posted since last Monday, guess that's an indication of my leaning.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
I do think that having a website is essential. I suspect that any author who doesn't have one should get one. But nobody expects you to keep showing back up and posting to it. Yes, she probably spent a few hours on that rant writing and polishing it. And it has sat there for months--possibly years.
The thing is that if I play a video game (which I've been known to do), I can't pretend to myself that I'm writing and that this is something that I'm doing because editors demand it. I'm wasting time--but I've also already finished my writing for the day.
Anyway, I thought it was an interesting take on a current obsession with a lot of people.
I think his point, and it's one that I agree with, is that blogging is just one of many activities that you can do while you could be writing. So you have to choose if you'd rather write a blog post or work on your novel (or play a video game).
I started blogging three months ago and I enjoy it. I probably average 3-5 posts per week, so it's not like I'm wasting writing time. I have Puzzle Quest for that.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
Actually, I wouldn't consider that a counterpoint. If you read more closely, he pretty much agreed with Robin Hobb's point if not with her hyberbole.
I happen to like Scalzi's blog--but it is one of a tiny handful that I ever read. Let me tell you my real problem with blogs. Most of them are a total waste of pixels.
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited March 14, 2008).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
If I didn't have such interesting stuff to read here, I probably would read more blogs. I have enough of them on my Favorites list. I can certainly see myself posting responses to someone else's blog more easily than I can see myself posting something on my own blog.
But for a time-waster, I am currently using Spider Solitaire. Drives me crazy when I restart the game and still can't get it to work out.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
Geez...Kathleen, I would have thought a moderator should know better than to post the words '...spider solitaire...' on a Hatrack post. Now I am going to have to google it, download it and waste yet more time. Moderators..pah!
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Sorry about that skadder. If you have Windows XP, you may already have it on your computer.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
I have..I checked. Sorry no time to post, I have to get back to the game!
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I've Got the game...
IT'S RUINING MY LIFE, MAN!!!
I can't think of anything but: Move the queen of spades ontop of the king. It pervades my thoughts; when I write, when I drive, and even when I brush my teeth!
AHHHH!
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Oh, no! What have I done?
How can I ever forgive myself?
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
Perhaps we should see if Robin Hobbs will do an anti solitair rant.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Well, Spider Solitaire came with my computer. I play a hand or two from time to time.
Of course, when I sit down at my computer and start to write, I play a few quick rounds of Minesweeper to get going...sometimes I'll try Spider Solitaire to break it up a little...
*****
I saw an article by Silverberg (I think) where he said he didn't do anything online, that his computer was just for business, i. e. "writing." (He may have said more, but that's what I remember.) All I could think of was "he doesn't know what he's missing..."
I find it interesting that many publishers like to see a writer's website, and read said blogs, yet Robin Hobb advises against it. Note: her website is a testament to quirkiness, so I wonder if her blog rant is in character.
