5 Writing Blogs You Should Be Reading
My Fav Five!
I haven’t done a “shout out” of blogs in some time, so let me do that today with a focus on those offered by freelance writers, bloggers, journalists, and others who write for a living. I’m not going to include the usual suspects because everyone knows the A-listers. Oftentimes, the best stuff is found elsewhere; besides if you want interaction from the blogger him/herself, the smaller sites are often the best for that.
My Blog Guest – I wrote about this site’s forum last week, but have since found Ann Smarty’s related and recently launched blog. As you might guess, Ann’s topic is about guest blogging which is something I know can help raise your visibility if you choose to go down that path.
Freelance Folder – I would not have known about this site if my writing friend, Laura Spencer, from Writing Thoughts hadn’t alerted me to it. Well, it turns out that Laura is a regularly and frequent to contributor to this site which has been picking up a ton of traffic in recent months. Laura always shares stuff of interest to writers including “Mastering the Art of Client Relations.”
Carson Brackney – Several years ago I crossed paths with Carson when he ran Content Done Better, enjoying his advice which always seemed to fly in the face of conventional wisdom. Carson sold his blog and disappeared for two years as he took on a regular job, but now he is back and as caustic as ever! Carson is an advocate of content distribution sites (he runs one himself) and a slayer of elitist writers. Nuff said.
A Writer’s Word, An Editor’s Eye – I’ve referenced Lillie’s site before, but her site is worth a visit. Lillie is a writer, but she is also an editor and a darn good one at that. A couple years back I referred a friend to Lillie who needed some advice with a book. Lillie took the time to help my friend out, an invaluable and totally unexpected response from Mrs. Ammann.
4 Walls and a View – Dominique Small launched her newest site in January and has been doing very well. Instead of offering writing tips per se, Dominique uses her blog to advocate on behalf or chronicle illnesses, namely chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. By sharing her personal battle with these diseases Dominique does a wonderful job in educating people on a very personal level. She demonstrates that good writing can come forth despite life’s challenges.
Thanks for stopping by; I’ll be featuring additional favorites in the near future, but covering a different topic.
Tags: 4 Walls and a View, A Writer's Word, An Editor's Eye, Ann Smarty, Carson Brackney, Dominique Small, Freelance Folder, Laura Spencer, Lillie Ammann, My Blog Guest, writing blogs, Writing Thoughts
Writing | Matthew C. Keegan, 8 Feb 10
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By Matthew C. Keegan, February 8, 2010 @ 9:00 am
That would be Tonya, Lillie. Her book was a devotional about Esther. You helped her find her voice with your feedback.
By Dominique, February 8, 2010 @ 6:48 pm
Matt – I checked out everyone of your favs and was quite impressed. I actually signed up for 2! Thanks for sharing them with us.
Oh yeah…thanks for the review and shoutout! Much appreciated.
.-= Dominique´s last blog ..Telling MYSELF the truth =-.
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 8, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Absolutely, Dominique! Thank you for stopping by and for providing an interesting daily read.
By Laura Spencer, February 8, 2010 @ 7:06 pm
Hi Matt!
Thanks so much for including Freelance Folder in your Shout Out round up of blogs for writers.
I always enjoy your insightful comments on WritingThoughts or Freelance Folder. It’s a pleasure to have you as a reader.
I proud that we made the short list.
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 8, 2010 @ 7:13 pm
You are welcome, Laura! I think we’ve known each other for three year’s now which would be about a year after I launched the forerunner to this blog, The Article Writer. Glad you’ve found a place on Freelance Folder though I do miss you on Writing Thoughts (hint*hint)
By Carson Brackney, February 8, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
Thanks for the shout out, Matt!
One little tiny thing… I do own a content production co. (I’ll leave the fighting over whether it’s a mill or not for others to discuss) and I do think that “millwork” can work for the right people when done the right way. I’d stop short of calling myself a “mill advocate,” for what it’s worth.
I’m glad you’re reading!
.-= Carson Brackney´s last blog ..Contributing at Freelance Writing Jobs =-.
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 8, 2010 @ 8:32 pm
Carson, I apologize. I meant no disrespect in calling your site a content mill. I guess I got caught in the discussion of the past few months when people criticized the low-paying sites. Your business model serves a need and I am sure it is something of value to both freelancer and customer.
By Lillie Ammann, February 8, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
Matt,
Thank you for the kind words and including me in this line-up of outstanding blogs.
You have my curiosity aroused, though. I must be having a senior moment—I don’t remember the friend you referred to me, but I’m glad I was helpful.
.-= Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..Looking for Vets with PTSD Who Have Improved =-.
By Carson Brackney, February 8, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
No offense taken, Matt! The only reason I wanted to make a distinction is because we don’t share a model with sites like AC, Bukisa, etc. Our clients come to us with content needs and we assemble teams of interested freelancers to get the work done. It’s more of a brokerage model than anything else… That’s all!
Some of those projects pay in “mill range” some pay a lot more. No worries, though!
.-= Carson Brackney´s last blog ..Contributing at Freelance Writing Jobs =-.
By Sharon Hurley Hall, February 9, 2010 @ 5:44 am
Great list, Matt. I especially agree about Freelance Folder, where Laura’s articles got me reading it again – and I’ve since found some other gems.
.-= Sharon Hurley Hall´s last blog ..Successful Subbing – Ten Tips for Outsourcing Your Writing Work =-.
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 9, 2010 @ 6:00 am
Ah, another fan of Laura Spencer! I didn’t even now about Freelance Folder before Laura started writing with them. There are so many good writing sites that FF had escaped me until then.
By Ann Smarty, February 9, 2010 @ 6:08 am
Matt, thanks a lot for including my new blog to the list. I’ve started the blog to help our community by giving us another platform to promote ourselves, growing our Twitter presence as well as giving some tips on why and how to (guest) blog.
.-= Ann Smarty´s last blog ..6 Benefits of Guest Blogging + 9 Tips for Better Guest Blogging =-.
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 9, 2010 @ 6:12 am
Smart move on your part, Ann! We get to read your tips and understand where you would like to see the community go. I especially appreciated how you stressed My Blog Guest is not an article marketing dumping ground.
By Doug Stewart, February 11, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
Have you read http://thebloggersbulletin.org yet? The blog is written by a community of professionals who blog. My opinion of the blog isn’t subjective because I’m a contributor. But I still think your readers will find it helpful.
.-= Doug Stewart´s last blog ..Interview with Troy Vossoller: Example of a Small Business Using Twitter Right =-.
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 11, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
That’s a nice set up, Doug. Having multiple writers/bloggers on one blog can be a good way of spreading the news and creating backlinks too. I will explore this further.
By kanishk, February 16, 2010 @ 7:08 pm
I do think that “millwork” can work for the right people when done the right way. I’d stop short of calling myself a “mill advocate,” for what it’s worth.
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