Yesterday, the Book Chook said in the comments, that she always welcomes comments that add value to her blog.
That’s the thing about blogs. They are interactive, they encourage community, and they get added value when readers pipe in with added thought. I often read newspaper articles online but spend more time in the comments section than on the original article. News is now delivered as a conversation. This is a good thing. This helps us to think things through instead of just accepting one person’s view.
When an author enters the discussion on a book blog it makes it interesting for everyone. Why is that wrong? Who makes up the rules that bind us? I think authors should view blogs as a community of readers. We aren’t a bunch of paid reviewers. We blog for free because we love to read and discuss books. Read and DISCUSS. To not comment, I think, is to lose out on a chance to shake the readers’ hands and give them a reason to like you and remember your name.
If you, dear Author, comment on my blog you won’t cast a shadow on my credibility. I’m just spouting my opinion on books I’ve read and if my readers think I”m logical and thoughtful, they’ll come back. My regular readers know whether I’m honest or not. I’m quite sure of that.
When I read blogs I don’t care if the blogger got the book for free. I don’t care if the author takes the blogger to dinner after she reviews the book. All I care about is if I share her taste in books. Are her reviews and interviews interesting? Does she have a sense of humor? Is she thoughtful? Does she discuss whether the book has anything to say about society or morals or life or death or anything that matters? Those are the things I care about.
So I think author comments add value to the blog. I like the discussion.
This is new territory. Old rules don’t apply.
One rule will always apply–if you aren’t honest people are going to stop reading you and your blog will be worthless. You’ll just be talking to yourself.
But I think all other rules should be open for discussion.
What about guest blogging? When you actually open not just your comment section to an author, you give her an entire blog post from which to speak? Do people object to that, too?
6 responses so far ↓
1 amydeanne // May 20, 2009 at 10:09 pm
i’m not a fan of guest blogging.. i think like in meme’s than co-host, but if I go to a blog I go to read from that person… and an interview is one thing… i don’t mind those, but i don’t feel like they’re the same.. .. okay.. not sure if that made sense.. good questions though!
amydeanne’s last blog post..WFW- Join us over at Extravagant Grace – may 20th
2 susan // May 21, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Authors are readers. I frankly think bloggers and readers are guilty of not commenting enough. Talk about breaking a rules, who made it a rule that you have to add something to the conversation to speak up? Bloggers write because they have something to say and this blogger wants to know she’s being read and stats don’t get it for me. I blog for interaction andl that means comment, people. I’d like to know why we aren’t having more discussions. Why are we erecting barriers when the Internet provides us with a platform to bridge a divide between all readers including that exchange between reader and writer?
Back to your original query. Author comments do not erode credibility in my opinion especially if the author is commenting after the review. I don’t blow sunshine up folks’ behinds so I have little worry about anyone accusing me of being biased towards any author.
Come by my place anytime. You don’t have to be articulate, bright, witty or impress me in any way. Let’s chat. Sit a spell and let’s talk about books and all things book related.
3 sally apokedak // May 21, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Susan, you crack me up.
I don’t think the rule is that you have to add something to the conversation to comment. People are welcome to say random things that have nothing to do with the conversation if they are so inclined.
I’m thinking about the first National Treasure movie, when the one guy says, “Prison.”
And Riley goes, “Albuquerque. See I can do it too. Snorkel.”
So, no, I didn’t mean to say that only intelligent, impressive people were allowed to comment. I simply meant to say that if you want to discuss, you’re welcome to comment. But if you want to just be random, that’s cool, too. No rule against that.
But thank you for taking the time to comment AND for adding to the discussion, even.
4 sally apokedak // May 21, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Amy, that’s interesting. I agree. I have blogs I visit every day and at those blogs, when there is guest blogger I never read the post. But when I happen by a blog that I don’t read regularly and there’s a guest blogger, I’ll go ahead and read him.
I guess I’m like you, I go to certain blogs to read a certain person and when he’s not there, I close the site and move on.
5 susan // May 22, 2009 at 11:51 am
Hi Sally, sorry, I wasn’t calling you out. I swear. lol I was thinking aloud, sharing my frustration with readers who say they don’t comment because they don’t have anything to add. Heck, if you show up, I’m glad to have you and I’d love to hear whatever you have to say. Hello has its own magic.
Anyhoo, invitation is open. I don’t bite. Ask my kids. I’m a fuss bucket and that’s as far as it goes.
p.s. I did see the movie. Don’t remember the line. Add scatterbrain to the list. :-)
6 sally apokedak // May 22, 2009 at 3:59 pm
well the only reason I remember the line from the movie is that I have a son who insists on rewinding and replaying funny lines ten or more times.
thanks for the invitation to visit your site. It’s very nice. So I stopped in and said hello.