I know it seems ironic to blog about the value of a blog, but since many of you have given me wonderful feedback in the past, I’d like to ask you another question: What, exactly, do you like or dislike about blogs?
The reason I’m asking this question is that some writers I know are thinking about creating a new blog. But I’m wondering if they should bother. Isn’t the blog “market” saturated by now? There are so many already out there — funny ones, cynical ones, informative and frivolous ones…. Is there really room for yet another blog?
Obviously, since you’re reading this, you do read blogs. 
So my question is: What draws you to a particular blog and keeps you coming back on a regular basis? Great information? A contest? An interesting guest blogger or a guaranteed laugh?
Or are you sick of blogs, fed up? Should these writers forget creating a new blog and move on to the next new thing? And what constitutes a terrible blog in your opinion? What bores you or turns you off (and please don’t say polls 
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So…To blog or not to blog? What is the answer to that question?
I can’t offer a copy of my May book as an incentive to answer because it isn’t out yet. But I will give away a copy of one of my backlist books at the end of the day to someone who is kind enough to give me her/his opinion.
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I love reading blogs. I use g-reader to keep track of the blogs I want to read. (Way too many).
I like reading excerpts and what is happening with authors I like. Sometimes reading a blog brings a smile, makes me think or gives me a laugh or two.
by Ann M.
on February 21st, 2008 at 6:03 am
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I like reading excerpts also - it is a good way to see what a book is about.
Offering contests is a great plus - a free book - who wouldnt want that? LOL.
A good laugh, or interresting info is sometimes offered as well as learning about an author. Some blogs are absolutely hysterical - Jill Shalvis’ blogs are always so entertaining and funny.
by Pat L.
on February 21st, 2008 at 6:21 am
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I love blogs. I like reading about what the author is working on, reading excerpts, the information that the authors share about their lives and the contests.
by Crystal B.
on February 21st, 2008 at 7:33 am
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It just occurred to me that I should have asked something else. If you read group blogs (like this one), how important is a theme? In other words, should the authors all write similar books (erotica, humor, etc.), or is a mix of styles all right? Do you come to expect a certain thing from a certain blog — such as, if I read XX blog, it will be funny?
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I read a select few blogs. The ones that I read have regular posts (nothing worse that visiting again and again and nothing’s been posted… I stop going after a while). I like the blogger to talk about a variety of things, but I do admit that if I go to an author’s site, I prefer most of the talk to be about books, writing, etc.
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I like going to blogs. I’ve found out it’s a great way to “keep in touch” with authors and other readers too who enjoy a particular author.
I really like group blogs too because it does introduce me to new authors and again a differant group of readers I might not otherwise get to connect with. I don’t really care if the genres (or rather subgenres) are mixed, not too much anyway. Basically as long as you aren’t mixing men’s action adventure with romance or non-fiction books with romance, I’m good. 
by Laura J
on February 21st, 2008 at 9:08 am
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I probably spend about one hour a day visiting author blogs 
. I think they’re great and have introduced me to a bunch of new authors I probably would have never found on my own. I think group blogs are great, especially because they’ll include guest authors, great prizes, wonderful exerpts.
by brownone
on February 21st, 2008 at 9:38 am
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I agree with Jennifer K on everything she said. However, I use Onfolio to read my blogs, and don’t blog hop anymore. So in that same vein, I would like to say that I use my reader to save time, and when a blogger doesn’t set their RSS feed to show the whole post and instead only posts the title or the first paragraph in the feed, I get a little annoyed. Okay, a LOT annoyed. If I want to go to the site and comment I’ll do it, but please don’t make me click on the link to read the post! There is one author who I absolutely love who lets her syndication show only the title, and I’m getting ready to just delete the feed.
Something I don’t like to read when I subscribe to an author’s blog is things about their pets or family. A few short things here and there are all right, but my eyes usually glaze over by the second sentence unless the post is about something really fantastic. I would also like to add that my husband is a cop, and is the strongest advocate of NOT putting anything personal on the internet, especially when it comes to people who are in the public eye.
Contests are great, news about upcoming releases is great, and I do like the idea of blog sharing because I might be introduced to another author with similar writing. Mostly, I prefer to read about writing and industry stuff, though.
by Elise
on February 21st, 2008 at 9:55 am
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Blogs are interesting, informative and introduce me to authors, their books and any news that is important. I enjoy most blogs that are current and feel that contests, excerpts and news gives readers more to learn about what is going on and keeping up with the latest news.
by ruth
on February 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am
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I like reading blogs that are funny or thought-provoking. I think they give me an idea of the writer’s voice. Group blogs are great, mixed genres even better, because new posts are frequent and I get introduced to different authors.
In a blog, I agree that it’s better to keep personal info to a minimum. I enjoy getting a glimpse into another author’s life, and connecting with her on a deeper level, but I don’t want to read several pages about how wonderful her cat is.
Is it worth it? I don’t know! I sure hope so, because I spend WAY too much time reading and writing blogs.
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Oh, wow. I didn’t realize that there were special sites to organize your blogs. I think I have a lot to learn! 
So far, I’m hearing that excerpts, news, and contests are good, trivial personal information and out-of-date content are bad. I certainly agree with that last one. I always feel that if the blogger herself doesn’t care enough about the blog to change the content, why should I bother to visit it? The same thing goes for websites.
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Gail, there are so many great Feed readers out there, and trust me when I say you will save so much time using them! One thing I like a lot is that I can save th best blog posts in another folder (I have folders for agencies, publishers, research, and other writerly stuff) to go back to later. I like using Onfolio because it not only saves blogs, but you can save actual copies of internet pages to organize your research. That way when you don’t have internet access, you can still pull up the actual web page you’ve save. The program is free and great for anal-retentive organizers like me 
by Elise
on February 21st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
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I have many various blogs that I visit and read daily. Most are from some of my favorite authors. I love when they offer contests and have guest bloggers. As an avid reader of all genres I found guest authors the most fun. This usually introduces me to many new authors I’ve yet to discover.
by Teresa W.
on February 21st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
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I like blogs that have multiple authors. They do not have to write the same type of books.
I dislike blogs that do not update at least weekly.
by Estella
on February 21st, 2008 at 2:27 pm
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I like reading blogs to meet new authors and read their progesss on their WIP, and excerpts. I like blogs that are updated, informative, intersting, humorous, and mixed with some personal (some). I especally like Jaci Butons Blog. It’s all of the above (what I said). I want my blog to be like Jaci’s. .
by Marquete Williams, romance author
on February 21st, 2008 at 2:52 pm
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Why I love having a blog feed through GoogleReader. This way I don’t have to blog jump and don’t worry if a blog isn’t updated every day/week.
I understand how hard it is to find time to blog. I have several blogs which don’t get updated as much as they should. Thus I think blogging with others is a great way to take pressure off a writer who is under deadlines and other pressures. The group of writers doesn’t have to be all the same genre and a blog doesn’t always have to be funny to be read.
by Ann M.
on February 21st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
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I love blogs, I usually find good books that way. They also keep me up to date on things (books, news, politics. etc) I sometimes post but I usually just like to read them. (right now I am reading about 20 different blogs on Big Brother 9..lol..so I am a fan of blogs)
by Karrie
on February 21st, 2008 at 3:48 pm
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I like to visit blogs mainly for info and entertainment. I like to read about the newest gossip. I don’t mind blogs that rant, but it does get tedious after a while.
by Jane
on February 21st, 2008 at 3:59 pm
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I’m torn about blogs. I visit way too many of them. Sometimes, it’s nice to see what’s going on - or have a cute pick me up. Sometimes, they’re a waste of time. I am a fan of blog contests/giveaways (who isn’t?!) - but at the same time… I care more about the author’s books.
by JSL
on February 21st, 2008 at 6:38 pm
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A contest will get me to a blog but I have to enjoy the blog to stay and make it one of my daily visits. I prefer blogs that are smaller in size - I just don’t have time to read 50-100 posts. I like blogs by one author or a variety of authors. Since I’m a reader and not a writer I happen to enjoy hearing about family and pets etc. I also like hearing about their latest books and excerpts. I also expect some feedback once in a while. There are blogs where no one ever comments back and I always stop going to those - no one likes to feel invisible. Usually it goes hand in hand, if I enjoy the author/blog, I enjoy their books too!
by catslady
on February 21st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
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I like reading blogs. I starting reading them about 3 months now, and I find it informative. I also get to learn what new authors and books are out there. 
by Amelia
on February 21st, 2008 at 11:44 pm
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Catslady - I agree. Whenever I post a comment on a blog, I always check back to see if the blogger commented.
Thank you all so much for your comments. Overall, it sounds as if blogging is still popular. And Elise - if you email me with your address (gail@gailbarrett.com), I’ll send you one of my books — or preorder the May book for you.
Thanks again, everyone!
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To me, the best blogs are those that update a few times a week. Bloggers should keep postings on the short side to keep me stopping by. Humor, great. Contests, also a plus.
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I used to be one that chatted on the loops, but I tend now to chat on the blogs more. I think because I don’t have to search among messages to find the new topics. Much easier to to that with blogs. And I too can find the up to date info as it happens on the blog. Using my google reader, I can have the blogs in one place to check out. I think the blogs are ‘in’ right now and its like technology, it always gets better and thats kind of what it is for me compared to yahoo groups.
by Caffey
on February 25th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
