I've been reading a lot of blog fiction for the last couple months. Some have been easier to read than others and not because of what words they used. I'm talking about easier because of how the website has been laid out. I've compile a list of things that all fictional bloggers would do so that it's easier on my eyes and my mouse-clicking-finger. I know now that I made a couple of these very mistakes on my own blog fiction. When I relaunch I'll fix them.
1.) Next and Previous links for individual posts.
When I'm reading through the archives of a blog fiction, I like to click through one at a time. That way, when reading I get into a groove. Read the post, read the comments if any, click next. If there's no next button I have to look over or click over to the archives and slows down my reading time.
2.) Let a headline be clickable
Going off of the first point. Most blogs let you click the headline to look at an individual post. There are still some that don't. Please, don't make me scroll to the end of your post and click some small '#' or the word 'Permalink' just to read your comments or to get back into the groove I was talking about in number 1.
3.) Readable font
Make your writing large and easy to read. I hate having to tell my webbrowser to enlarge all text. It might make the content more readable, but will often break the margins of your sidebar and other formatting. Besides font size, be sure to pick a font type that's easy to read on the screen. One time I was reading a blog and I had firefox increase the font size. I quickly realized that no matter how big the font was, it was still hard to read. Novelr has tips on which font types to use.
4.) Double space Paragraphs
Always have a space in between paragraphs. Dead tree publishers can get away with cramming as much text together as possible. As a digital writer, you cannot. There are few thing harder on the eyes than a whole bunch of text crammed together with no spacing to help break it up. Especially if they are short paragraphs.
5.) Easy to navigate to first page and archives.
So let's say I find a new fictional blog(woohoo!). Now I want to read the story from the beginning. Now what do I do? Until someone catches up with reading your entire archive, they are going to come to your homepage and then click directly to the archives. Please make the archives link easy to find.
6.) Link back to old references
One of the few advantages that us digital publishers have over our dead tree counterparts is that it's sooooooo easy to reference past events. Not all readers can remember everything in a long work of fiction, especially one delivered in instalments. A novel could be ruined if everytime a minor character is mentioned it says next to their name(pg 41), but for a blog fiction writer you can just create a link back to when that character was first introduced. It may be extra work for you, but your infrequent readers will thank you. And who knows, maybe it'll turn your infrequent reader into a regular.
7) Make RSS feed readily available
This is tip not just for fictional bloggers, but for all bloggers. Lots of people use rss aggregators to read their favorite blogs. No reason to believe that a reader of a fictional blog wouldn't do the same.
8) Don't overwhelm your readers with widgets and gizmos
Another tip that's for all bloggers not just the fictional ones. Sometimes, less is more. I hate having to sift through 14 gadgets, 83 directory links, and 34 "cool links" just to find your archives link.
9.) Don't make it hard or impossible to find the publishing dates.
Alright, so maybe this one isn't a hard and fast rule so much as a pet peeve of mine. I hate it when I can't readily find out the date an item was published. I use that too gage how often a blog is updated or if it's currently active. Also I don't like it when the date isn't listed for each post. For instance it's laid out where it lists the date and then just shows all the posts from that date. So, if I want hte date on a post I have to scroll through 2, 3, or 4 other posts... grr! Like I said - pet peeve.
Follow these 9 rules 8 rules and 1 pet peeve and I bet your readers will thank you for it. I know of at least one reader that will. Do you have tips for writers to make their blogs more readable?
9 tips for a better blog fiction website
Labels: website design |
Better search results for your fictional blog
Labels: Blog Fiction, Promoting, SEO |My last post about search engines and blog fiction said not to rely on them if your entire website is a fictional blog. I had an idea that, if we all work together, could help blog fiction writers get some search engine traffic.
Before we get to my idea, let's get some background on how search engines work. When you do a search in yahoo or google for the phrase "cats", yahoo and google will give you about 30 billion results. The order that those results come is not random. They will try to give you the most relevant results possible. Most search engines do this based on a combination of the number of times the word "cats" appears on your website, and the number of other websites about "cats" links to your site.
It's that last point that's important. The words someone uses to link to your website is remembered by google (and, other search engines). So if a few hundred people link to your website using the word "cats", then google will think that your website is about "cats" even though the word may never appear on your website.
As I explained in my last post about search engines, the problem is that the words people use to find your fictional blog, may never appear on your website. They certainly never did on mine. No one ever found my fictional blog when doing a search for the words, "fictional blog". To solve this, we should exploit the part of google that takes note of our linking words. If you have a list of fictional blogs, don't link to them by name. Link to them using the words: "fiction", "blog fiction", or "fictional blog" etc...
Let's look at an example. I'll use Fluffy's blogroll, from The Professional Pet Blog Fiction as an example. (Not trying to pick on him, just the website I was reading when I got the idea)
Her Blogroll currently reads:
- (Un)Dead Man Blogging
- Atyllah the Hen
- Horton's Folly
- Peep This Diary
- The Squeaky Boot
- Undead Flowers
- Wilf's World
- Blog Fiction: (Un)Dead Man Blogging
- Blog Fiction: Atyllah the Hen
- Blog Fiction: Horton's Folly
- Blog Fiction: Peep This Diary
- Blog Fiction: The Squeaky Boot
- Blog Fiction: Undead Flowers
- Blog Fiction: Wilf's World
Now, the next time google looks at fluffy's blog, it will note that "Blog Fiction" is used to link to all those other sites. Now, the next time somebody searches on "Blog Fiction" those sites will appear higher on the list. If we all do this for each other, it will be easier for new fans to find our Blog Fiction. I will soon be changing my feed titles to reflect this change.
If you have a fictional blog that I link to, Let me know in the comments if there's a different phrase you'd like me to use when I link to your site.
Review of Starts: Anonymous Lawyer; Lord Likely
Labels: Anonymous Lawyer, Beginning, Blog Fiction, The Astonishing Adventures of Lord Likely |[This is part of my series of reviews of blog fiction beginnings. Click here to read more about the importance of the beginning of story or about the criteria I use. This review is not a review of the entire blog fiction story or site, just the first post or two.]
For my first review, I would like to take a look at the beginning of The Astonishing Adventures of Lord Likely. The first post, titled An Amusing Incident, does not spend it's time explaining why he's taking up blogging, instead, it gets right to it. Here's the first paragraph:
The post continues for another 10 paragraphs, but I think the first should already have you hooked as a reader. First to jump out at you should be the ironic statement of Lord Likely being "a hard-working member of the aristocracy". This sets the tone of Lord Likely's other "observations" in life as well as his condescending attitude. The next sentence sets the tone for Lord Likely's irreverence. The idea that "stabbing a beggar" is as common as "deciding which hat to wear" also reveals Likely's callousness. Overall this is a great beginning to a great Blog Fiction.
Being a hard-working member of the aristocracy is tiresome fare indeed. When not deciding which hat to wear, or attending private functions, or stabbing a beggar, there's countless other tasks which all vie for my finite attention.
Now let's look at the first and second posts of Anonymous Lawyer. The first short post was like so many real blogs. A test message combined with why it's starting.
Just testing. I spend enough time reading what other people are writing that I may as well start my own page.Kind of a gruff unfriendly start. Just like the character. The second post tells a story that ends with the character saying:
This is power. Making law students vomit. This is why I like being a lawyer.The story definitely reveals something of the character writing the blog. It also sets the tone of "Anonymous Lawyer" constantly trying to make himself feel better by making others miserable. Another appropriate start to a great Blog Fiction.
If you're looking for good online fiction, check out both of these blogs. As you can see, you'll enjoy both of these right from the beginning. Let me know in the comments your own review of these two fictional blogs.
New Blog Fiction Definition
Labels: Blog Fiction, definition |When I first started this blog I posted what the best definition of blog fiction I could come up with. It wasn't a very elegant definition. It was long and complicated and fit a new story telling medium into a rather small box.
I think I may have come up with a better definition.
The new definition has two advantages. The first advantage is that it's shorter and could be put into a dictionary. The second advantage it encompasses current blog fiction without precluding future innovation. I also think it's a little more flattering of a definition than the one Wikipedia gives:
A story published using blog software that uses common blogging tools to create the story in a way that would be difficult for other medium to replicate.
a form of fiction writing that uses weblogs to reach its readership. It is a small-scale fringe activity in the world of blogging, and although it has generated some literary critical interest, it remains isolated. It is presented in many forms, from a pretend diary or posted novel to a serialblog.Going forward my new definition is the one I will use when looking for new Blog Fiction. Hopefully the rest of you who find my blog will use this new definition when adding your own blog fiction to the list.
Compared to my last attempt at defining a blog fiction, I think it includes some of the categories I explicitly excluded last time. This was a conscious decision. Rereading my old definition and looking at more closely of the stuff that's out there, I decided that it was too narrow. That's why this one is a bit more broad.
Please let me know in the comments what you think of my new definition.
Beginning a Blog Fiction
Labels: Beginning, Blog Fiction, Reviews |Call me Ishmael
It was the best of times, It was the worst of times.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...
What do all three of these phrases have in common? They are the first line to timeless story telling. In one line the tone of a story or character is placed in the mind of the reader: The Character is a cast-away, It's a time of contradictions, An epic fairy tale. The first line of a story can also draw in the reader by making them ask questions that they want to know the answer too. "Why is telling me to call him Ishmael? Is that his real name? Is it a biblical reference? How can it be the best and worst of times?"
Blog Fiction is no different than any other fiction in that it needs to draw the reader into the story. Much of the blog fiction that I've found starts off with a justification of why the character is starting to blog or a diary. The first post follows the formula, "I'm starting this because of [x]". Some other's go for authenticity by making the first post something along the line: "I hope this shows up when I hit publish!" As if the character is testing the blog software. Some may not have a real beginning and just start writing.
I don't know which way is best. Actually, I don't think there is a 'best' way. As long as it's interesting I think a writer can start a Blog Fiction however (s)he wants.
A regularly occurring series here will be me reviewing the first (and second and third, when appropriate) post of the blog fictions that I've found. I'll be basing it on 3 criteria: Does the tone it set in sync with the character or story? Does it draw in the reader? Is it Original or Clever?
I will review more than a couple per post as warranted. If I give a bad review I will do my best to contact the Author and see if they would like to either comment or rebut. If there is a rebut, I'll post it on the front and include a comment in the original review that contains a link to the rebuttal.
There'll be no particular order in which blog fiction I review first other than I'll give some sort of preference to blog fiction that is currently active.
Look for the first reviews in the next day or two.
Zombie Lawmen? Where the heck did this come from!?
Labels: Advertising, Blog Fiction, Zombie Lawmen |Well that's weird. I've been doing searches of the term blog fiction for months now and I have never seen any "Blog Fiction" ads from google. However, when I did a recent search, I found this:
An ad for something called, "Zombie Lawmen". The description read, "Where Justice is Dead! The very best in Blog Fiction". Naturally, I couldn't resist checking out the site.
What I found was, "disappointing", to say the least. All it was was a weird graphic, a parental advisory warning, and 3 links useless links leading to websites that were just scum-sucking domain squatters. At this point, I was completely confused.
After doing a quick google search of "Zombie Lawmen", I found a copule websites that shed some light on the subject. Apparently, this (now defunct) Blog Fiction effort was launched by a company called GMobile Media. They have a description of it on their main page.
Zombie Lawmen™ is a Blogworld set in an anarchic future where the heroes of the Amercian Old West are raised from the dead to bring law and order back to Tombstone, Arizona: "The Town Too Tough To Die.”I also found a blog post about it from last year. You can read the summary of Zombie Lawmen here. The whole concept sounded really interesting, if a little far fetched.
So what happened to it?
Why are ads still appearing for it when it's obviously an abandoned project?
When it was still around, was it any good?
When I have some time, I will try and find the answer to these questions.
The "Fake" Blog Explosion
Labels: Fake Blogs, Inspire |For a year and a half, the blog Fake Steve Jobs was a runaway hit. One, because it was a entertaining parody and, two, because of the mystery surrounding the blog trying to determine who the "real" Fake Steve Jobs was. It was so popular that, once the identity was revealed last August, that even the New York Times announced that the mystery of the wrote an article about it.
That article must have introduced the blog to a lot of people because shortly after the article(and probably many many others) were printed, a whole slew of copy cats flooded the internet. Almost all of these hard working copy cats lasted only a few months until the blog ended or was abandoned. Now come on, If you're going to be a copy cat, at least put some work into it. If you want somebody to spend time reading your writing, you should be either original or spend a lot of time working on. Most of these copycats did neither.
The Secret Diary of Jonathan Schwartz:
This was a darn near exact copy of the Fake Steve Jobs blog. The title was the same, The Blogger template that was used was the same, only the widgets were slightly different. It started in August - right after the New York Times Article was printed. It limped all the way to November before being abandoned.
The Secret Diary of Brad Stone:
This hard working mocker of the guy who outed Fake Steve Jobs, lasted only 4 days past a month and only 13 posts.
The Secret Diary of Hillary Clinton:
It's amazing how politics can bring the best out of people... Luckily it doesn't bring out hard work so we don't have to endure them for long. Like so many of these "Fake" blogs, it came in with a lot of posts at first and then limped on until it was abandoned a few months later.
The Secret Diary of D.A. Carson:
It's amazing how religion can bring out the best in people... This very original blog copied the title and template of Fake Steve Jobs. It started right after the New York Times article. This hard working sinner only lasted 2 months.
The Secret Diary of Greg Swann:
Here's an esoteric diary that only our Australian friends would probably get the jokes. Thankfully for the rest of us, we aren't missing much. This fickle Aussie blogged for a grand total of 7 days.
As you can tell, I really don't like unoriginal, lazy, copy cats. To get a glowing review from me you don't need to do much. You only need to do one of two things. Be original\different, or show some work ethic. I will never mock anyone who works his\her butt off, or for trying something new.
As far as "Fake" blogs go, I will continue to link to ones that are active. Also, if you're thinking of doing one yourself, please, don't make it exactly like Fake Steve Jobs right down to the template and description. There is plenty of ways to be original in your "Fake" blog. Also, if you're shooting for the same popularity as Fake Steve Jobs, take note that he had over 1700 posts in 2007. In other words, you're probably going to have to type your fingers to the bone.
Did Blog Fiction peak in 2005?
Labels: Blog Fiction, History |Lots of new things in popular culture follows a certain pattern. Somebody does something new and/or different. It becomes popular. Everyone talks about it. The genre is then copied repeatedly until every hack is trying to do the new thing. The novelty then peaks. People quit watching the crappy copies and only the best survives. People quit talking about it because it's no longer new and just becomes part of the culture.
Examples of this were variety shows on TV Variety shows gained popularity in the 60s, especially the Ed Sullivan show. Then in the 70s it really peaked. Any idiot that was famous got a variety show. Now, the closest thing to variety shows that we have are late night talk shows and SNL.
The same thing happened in the 80s with standup comedy. Every bar owner thought they could be the next Improv and every office "funny guy" thought he could be a comic. Well, the number of stand up clubs eventually declined, but stand up is still done in clubs that know how to run a comedy club.
With that in mind. It seems like interest in Blog Fiction peaked back in 2005. Considering that they only started in 2003 that's pretty quick. I know things go fast on the internet, but this is ridiculous.
I keep find articles and websites circa 2005(or earlier) about Blog Fiction and very little since. Don't get me wrong, people are still writing Blog Fiction, but nobody is really writing about it. Here's some of what I mean:
FictionBlogs is a list of Blog Fiction that hasn't been updated since January 2005.
Over on BloggersBlog all of their posts about Blog Fiction were in 2005 with one January 2006 exception.
Blog-fic.com used to be a gathering place for Blog Fiction writer's, but now the site is gone and has been replaced with a scum-sucking domain squatter. (Link not included so as to discourage people going to these sites.
Over at Grand Text Auto, an active blog "about computer narrative, games, poetry, and art", hasn't had an post about Blog Fiction since 2005 as well.
The yahoo group fictionalbloggers started and peaked in 2006. It hobbled along until the middle of 2007 and died (right about the time I found it, of course)
The most recently active site that was dedicated to Blog Fiction was Betsy's Phony Bologna blog. Unfortunately, shortly after finishing her thesis she had to stop writing about them to concentrate on her job.
I think you're starting to see the point. Based on all the searching I've done, Novelr and I are the only ones left still writing about Blog Fiction. And Novelr writes about the more broad topic, Blooks. Or, at least, we're the only English websites still talking about it. I don't think that's a good thing. If more people writing about them, I think it could help to increase the blog fiction audience. I think it's healthy to have multiple views and angles about a subject. I hope more people will pick up the subject.
If I do find a site, or a section of a site, that is dedicated to blog fiction I will link to it. So far though, there are none that I know of that are still active.
