Today is IWSG day-the first Wednesday of each month. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Our purpose is to share and encourage. You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page. I have a question: Have you ever blogged a book? If so, what kind of book--fiction or nonfiction? And how did you go about doing it?
I have several nonfiction book ideas and I'm wondering if I'll accomplish more if I start blogging about them. Not sure what avenue to take. Or exactly how to do it.
One book I'm writing is about the experiences of a woman who went blind for many years, then God restored her sight. I have hours and hours of Q&A with her. Her life as a blind woman is amazing but I can't figure a way to blog about her in short posts without writing the entire story. And I'm not even sure I should blog her story.
Any ideas? Would love to hear your thoughts on blogging a book, and any experiences you've had doing it.
12 comments:
Ah I see--so you mean either a blog dedicated to that topic, or a series of posts dedicated to that which you later turn into a book? Interesting. I have not done this, though at the fabulous Midwest Writers Conference one of the staff talked about how he used freelance article writing as preparation for a non-fiction book. He specifically tailored his expertise to articles about time management and searched for article opportunities. later he compiled all his research into a book he published himself. He is a big proponent of setting goals and working smarter not harder as a working writer. I think with a plan, what you want to do is very manageable!
Stephsco, thanks! Nina Amir wrote How To Blog A Book. I need to find it somewhere in my book stash and read it. Blogging a book sounds easy until I try to do it. :)
I think it's always helpful to write about or through your character's eyes in any medium, whether it's blogging or journaling. It's all about getting to know them better and writing exercises like this help you develop your characters fully.
I think I`ve just done that during the AZ Challenge. Does not count probably as it was my very truly first attempt at writing anything different that a regular post or a poem ;)
I kinda sorta blogged a book a couple of years ago. It started as a small idea so I posted it on my blog. Then, that seed took root so I did another post. Before I knew it, I was running wild in Word and just left the book hanging in Blogger limbo until I finally took it down off my Pages on my home page because it was so revised.
A lot of the chapters in my Write With Fire book started out as blog posts. I was working through ideas on the blog and then expanding them for the book. It worked well for me.
I never thought about blogging a book. You don't want to give away too much because then the readers don't have a reason to buy the book. Teasers would be great. Since you have so many conversations with the woman, you might consider blogging snippets.
Best wishes,
Diane IWSG #108
I haven't but I love the idea. The one thing a blog book has going for it is, it's non-linear. Using all the links a person could read from middle out or back to front.
Probably best as a non-fiction. The reader would follow the information as they desired.
Here's my link if you'd like to drop by :-)
Anna from Elements of Writing
I'm not sure, but I think the middle grade book THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND started out as a blog or web novel. I think it's done pretty well.
It sounds like an interesting idea. Good luck!
I haven't done it, but it sounds challenging and fun. You would certainly keep the book fresh in your mind if you blogged snippets.
jaybird - thanks! That answers my question about blogging a novel: character sketches, conflict ... any number of things. :)
emilia m. - It counts!
Elsie - I need something to keep me going with my book so maybe I'll give it a try.
Charles - Oh, yeah, I remember. Write with Fire is very good. I'll take another look at it with blogging in mind.
Diane - I agree. That's what bothers me about blogging a book. :)
emaginette - I'll pop over!
Jenni - thanks!
Carole - a definite advantage, huh?
I think I've talked about it, but not blogged about the book itself. Sometimes I think when we talk too much about the book before it's finished, it loses its energy. Just my humble opinion. Your story sounds really interesting! I'd write it first.
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