Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The Fate of Blogging

Last Sunday, I participated on a panel for the Women's National Book Association National Reading Group Month Celebration at The Last Book Store in downtown LA. That’s a new store, by the way, large and full of mostly used books that are hard to resist, even though fiction isn’t the focus.

There were five authors on the panel, plus a moderator. I really enjoyed the whole experience including hearing everyone else’s story of how they began writing and got published. The audience was enthusiastic, too, and asked a lot of great questions.

One thing that was discussed was blogging--whether the panelists blogged, how often, and what we thought of blogging.

I’ve been here on Killer Hobbies for years and really enjoy it. I’ve been guest blogging on other sites now more than ever, and also enjoy that.

But some of the people there--audience members and panelists--appear to believe that, with other social networking options like Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and more, blogging is disappearing. They believe it’s not as helpful or relevant as the other choices.

Well, heck. I hate to think that could be true. And I’m not giving up my blogging, at least not yet.

Yes, writing a blog post is more time consuming than describing on Twitter, or even on Facebook, what someone had for dinner. Well, for me, I’m more likely to be describing on Facebook what my dogs, or my books, are doing.

But it’s also still enjoyable to me to come up with a relevant topic and expound on it for a few paragraphs--a subject as important as whether blogging still works, and whether it has a future.

What do you think?

15 comments:

Beadknitter said...

There will always be people who enjoy writing, journalism, or just writing in a diary. I'm one of those people. I don't see blogging going away because of people like me. It might get less popular. Or maybe I should say it will whittle down to the people who are serious about and actually enjoy doing it instead of everyone doing it cuz "it's the thing to do". That's what I see happening now.

Harvee said...

I think as long as there are books, there will be blogging too. I know some writers who successfully get their names and books out there through their blogs! Blog on! Harvee

Linda O. Johnston said...

Since I posted this blog, Beadknitter, I discovered there is an upcoming blog conference in Los Angeles--Blog World Expo 2011. Looks as if there are still people serious about blogging, at least this year!

Linda O. Johnston said...

Thanks, Harvee. I intend to blog on!

Katreader said...

I think blogging is very different from the quick postings of Facebook and Twitter and thus has it's own very important place.

Linda O. Johnston said...

I agree, Katreader, and I hope blogging continues to capture people's attention and imagination.

Dru said...

I think blogging is here to stay. It may not be as popular, but the few who still do it, will continue.

I like reading blogs because it's all there for me to read without having to scroll for continuum.

Linda O. Johnston said...

I agree, Dru--plus people write such great comments!

Lynn said...

I plan on reading blogs until there are no more to read. I enjoy reading a few paragraphs abt a project or a trip or a great recipe. I also enjoy Facebook, but for me they are different. FB is more of a quick couple of sentences or a posting of a picture. But to truly know what it's abt, I follow the blog link. (if there is one)

Linda O. Johnston said...

There can definitely be more info and detail in blogs, Lynn. That's part of the fun of writing them!

Liz V. said...

My nieces assure me I'm years, if not centuries, behind, which may explain why I've discovered blogs only within the last year. Disappearing? Heaven forfend.

Linda O. Johnston said...

You're here now, Liz V.--and that's what counts. I sure hope blogs remain for a long, long time.

Betty Hechtman said...

Facebook might say you went out to dinner, but a blog would tell where you went, what you ate, and whatever interesting things happened while you were eating, along with how you felt about the whole thing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda O. Johnston,

I'm Veronica. Nice to meet you.

I would like to leave a comment for you. I am a blogger myself. I started at the tail end of September. I struggled a bit in putting together my blog, noneedforwork.blogspot.com. This blog mentions the variety of online fun activities people can pick such as reading ebooks. I put a lot of thought into making the blog. Now, I constantly hope that my blog will get attention. Keep on blogging!

Janie Emaus said...

I think blogging will be around, but I do see it changing into something more interactive.