bloghood

Jon had some questions about blogging

• Why did you start blogging and why do you continue?

I was always reading blogs especially Danny's and Lucy's and started commenting occasionally and it grew from there. I'm not too interested in reading about craft on blogs - I prefer reading about other writers' journeys, successes, failures and schemes or what-have-you. Blogs provide a good barometer of what's happening in scriptwriting all over. I thought I might run out of things to post about in the beginning so stockpiled about 5 posts at first (and then ended up starting on exactly the same day as Pot.)
For about 2 weeks I don't think I had any readers at all and then it picked up gradually. My hit rate isn't that high but it suits me - I get about 10 visits a day when I don't post and 2 or 3 times that when I do. I'm very attached to my blog now - like an online handbag I rummage around in now and again. Mostly it helps focus my thoughts on scriptwriting etc. Sometimes it is just fun.

• How do you decide what to blog about?

In the early days I thought I'd blog about all sorts of intriguing scriptwritery things and review various scripts I'd downloaded and stuff (ha!) - but now I veer more towards the anecdotal. Every so often I'll post a meandering ramble linking disparate trains of thought. I love adding images and the fact that you can now post cell-phone videos straight on to blogger. If I ever shelve anonymity and say goodbye to this blog then I may well do it in a video post.

Quite a few scribos have slowed down lately and it seems to have a knock on effect. I don't consciously sit down and think of something to blog about - either there's a story or there are opportunities etc. Strangely my most banal posts end up being the most popular - like brads (!) or toes. Recently someone typed 'what can I do about burning toes with black spots all over them?' into google and then spent 3 minutes on my blog. Well visitor, if you come back - my advice is "See a doctor. Immediately!"

• Do you write straight out or pre-plan what you’re going to write.

I tend to write it up first in word and then post. I get annoyed seeing typos after I've posted. The only time I write straight is when I'm doing a quick link or something.

• Do you censor yourself?

Definitely and more so as time goes on. Not just the karma thing either. Even with a miniscule readership, you start to become self conscious about who reads your blog.

I'd say if a working relationship or some scriptwriting endeavour turns a bit sour, it's probably best not to post screeds of vengeful bile - although it may be tempting. Things can turn in your favour again - in fact I've just experienced this in regard to a situation I posted about.

I also censor myself about family. I'm not anonymous on facebook but I am here (well not to those who know me) and that offers potential for collision....

So what about you?

Laters