Why Fiction Writers Should Have a Blog

Many writers are opposed to the idea of blogging and view it as a cheap version of a journal but at the end of the day, a blog is just a vehicle for publication like any other. Blogging is a way to get your name out there as a writer and to show off some samples of your writing style and skill. They also serve as a great marketing tool for when you catch your big break and get your book published, you have build up a reader base of your blog and many of which will now buy your new book. We live in a reality television world where people have realized that real life (even though reality TV is nowhere close to real life) can be more interesting than any sitcom. Blogging is just turning that realization to a new format.

Blogging is in a sense a sitcom that each writer can create. It has its main character (you) a supporting cast (family, friends, whatever inspires you to write) it has challenges (getting published) and rewards (when you finally get your work out there). Readers love this stuff, getting to know who you are and what made you who you are. There is something about the current generation that does not want to read a story anymore, they want to read about the author who wrote the story. This idea is where blogging pays off especially for writers who have the skill to properly generate good content on a normal basis.

There are millions of writers out there working to make a name for themselves and upon that thousands of publications online or print working to get new stories published. The only way to keep your readers finding your work is to show them where it is. Your blog serves as a roadmap to your writing career and leads your fans to your work. Without it, there is no real way short of a static website but these tend to be boring and never updated (or hard to tell when they are) so readers will generally not revisit your site more than once.

In the big picture fiction writers need to know how to market and stay in touch with their readers. Blogging gives them this avenue to generate interesting content on a daily basis where you do not need to be really technological savvy to pull it off. Blogging applications are very intuitive and most anyone should be able to figure it out with a little tinkering. There are also many websites available to help you if you need additional assistance in blogging online all you need to do is google your problem and you will find a solution.

Just remember, the point of a blog is to provide frequent updates to your readers to keep them informed of your career. If you do not update it often, don't bother creating one as your readers will not check back after a little while. Consistency is king in blogging and more so for writers. Don't expect your readers to be around when you hit your payday unless you have brought them along with you on the journey of your career each step of the way.