Blah, blah, blog…

I just spent a day attending the 21^st annual Writers’ Institute Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As my book proposal about the college application process continues to take shape, I knew the conference was especially timely.  When I first attended it two years ago with a different, and very unfocused book idea, I came away feeling justifiably humbled. My experience back in 2008 essentially put the kibosh on my project as my motivation dried up. I did discover though how much I had to learn about the art and the science of the book proposal; the big take-home message was that REJECTION is the most significant reality of it all.

 So two years later I’m at it again, but with a fresh idea and one that I really believe in. I chose to attend the same types of sessions and workshops – all geared towards writers of non-fiction. Again, I was affected by the insistency that in today’s era of book publishing, it’s all about the art of pitching to agents, the creation of a platform, and selling yourself to potential consumers and readers.

Two of my favorite presenters, Janet Burroway and Patricia Crisafulli, discussed the big R word – rejection – and conveyed how inherent it is in the business. More valuable though, they dwelled on the necessity of successful writers to accept it and move on. (Note to self: be on lookout for new products guaranteed to help develop thicker skin).

Rejection aside, a more persistent theme emerged as I sat through six hours of presentations: the importance of THE BLOG. Okay, so I’m doing it! While I had five posts to my credit at the time of the conference (today makes six), at least I could raise my hand for every speaker polling the audience with the question, “who has a blog?”

I suppose then I’m taking a step in the right direction. As hesitant as I was to start blogging, as much as I question its value and worth, and despite feelings of insecurity and unease each time I hit “publish” on my WordPress dashboard, I’m doing it. Because if ever there was a time to stop worrying what people will think about my writing – if anyone ever does read my blog – that time is now. I want to pursue my book project (remember, the one about the college application process – see earlier posts for more information!), and I dream of eventually getting it published.

I first encountered the concept of blogging and the blogosphere four years ago for a freelance story assignment. The editor of the University of Wisconsin Law School publication The Gargoyle asked me to write about Professor Ann Althouse, one of the country’s first big bloggers. At the time I didn’t even know what a blog was or what it meant, and I remember Googling the word before I even dared call her up to ask for an interview.

What’s kind of ironic is that the story of Althouse and her blog (now generating 500,000 visitors a month) was revisited this very week in the local newsweekly publication, Isthmus, here in Madison. I’ve decided to view this coincidence as a sign that it’s time to pursue my own blog more seriously. The experts I met at the Writers’ Institute say its essential. And Althouse herself is proof that you just never know the level of traffic and interest it can generate.

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