I usually blog about how to make anything you write more literary, but I've had a lot of comments on the blog on my website (tamarapaxtoncopley.com). Many of these are asking about how to start a blog, so I thought I'd go ahead and answer this question for the general blog reader. It's not hard to start a blog.
1. When I decided I wanted to write a blog, the first thing I did was think through things I know or have experience with that may help others. The first thing I decided I wanted to blog on was mourning. In part, it was because I wanted a way to cope with the immense and unimaginable agony that comes with blogging. I'd heard that writing through and generally finding a way to express the pain can help. Also, I knew that I wasn't alone in this experience. Other people are going through this and can benefit from my experience either because they, too, are going through this or because they know someone who is and may want to understand the mourning experience.
After that, I decided to write on a cat's experience because I know how very popular cats are on the internet. I have had cats since I was little and have spent many years trying to read cats' thoughts. At first, I really just started because my girl wanted me to do it, and it was her cat. But after I started, I found the voice of this saucy cat and decided it was a lot of fun to write from within her unreliable narrative voice. It's been a great exercise and has helped me flesh out a character inspired by her for my books.
Lastly, I decided to write on writing simply because I've been training to be an English major since I was in third grade. I got both my BA and MA in English. I decided to share what I've learned with those who are interested in learning about how to write in a more literary fashion. I also have been getting more serious about getting my writing career going, so I've been keeping readers up to date on what I've been doing. Think through what your strengths are. Most people don't read blogs just to find out what's going on in someone else's life. They want to learn something that would help them in theirs. Having done four blogs for 5+ years, I recommend you stick with one blog and do it as often as you can.
2. Once you have a topic, you choose a blogging host. Most are free. I went with Blogger.com (Blogspot) because I'd heard of it before. I started my webpage with WordPress but found it a little hard to figure out. Besides, to have a self-named webpage, it does cost money. You choose a background or import one from elsewhere. They have several built into the site.
3. You then just write. Think in terms of a 5-paragraph essay where you start with a hook (interesting first line), give some context, then wrap up your first paragraph on a thesis or point. Each of your body paragraphs start with with a topic sentence that states your argument that paragraph. You then give evidence. Your conclusion wraps up the blog post and makes it somehow applicable to the reader. Every time, I first brainstorm my theme for the week. If I'm writing about writing, have I heard of a technique recently? Have I used one? If not, I may surf for ideas. If I'm writing about my cat, what has she been interested in over the last week? If I'm blogging on mourning, what has happened in my life related to mourning? What's coming up? What may be happening in the world or a friend's life that may relate?
4. It's best to write directly to your reader, to focus on how your particular theme for the week may apply in their lives. How can this writing technique help them? What is it like for me or my cat to experience this event, and how can I make it funny and/or entertaining? What can this blog do for the reader? It's also good if you invite the reader to participate in a conversation and answer your questions. I'd recommend you end on some kind of invitation, even if it's considering what you've done recently.
5. Once you have your written text, run it through Grammarly, grammar/spell check, or some other checker. Readers will be more impressed if your writing is polished. Impressed readers are more likely to return next time, which will lead them to be more interested in whatever you're selling or advertising.
6. You then add headings and/or images. It needs to be broken up, so it's not one big block of text. Images tend to make your writing more attractive or interesting. If you're blogging on events in your life, you can take your own pictures. If not, you can always look up websites like Pixabay.com that give you brightly colored and free images to illustrate your blog. All pictures in this blog came from Pixabay.com. There are several such services if they don't have what you like. Then, add your search terms/labels and post the blog.
7. You'll also want to share the link with your friends and followers on social media. If you don't put the word out, no one will know you even wrote something.
There are multiple blogs out there on how to craft a meaningful blog. If this post doesn't give you what you need, I recommend you Google some of them. Do you have a blog that lacks magic or followers? Go through this list and figure out what you need. Figure out what your blog is for both in terms of your needs and (more importantly), in terms of the reader's needs. What does your blog need? Once it gains widespread appeal, you will get a following, even if it's small. Good luck.
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