I know what I know
and what I don’t know,
I will find out.
– thepublicblogger

Ask thepublicblogger

Topic of the Day: Blogging
written & edited by Kendall F. Person

Dear thepublicblogger: What makes a story interesting to you? – Tam NG

Dear Tam NG:  When I was younger, it was genre that drew me in, until one year – when I was a little older – I stepped outside my comfort zone and found reading to be wildly entertaining, and only the dullest of books would stop me from finishing the story. Now, I start reading a post or story for whatever reason: but to answer your question: What makes a story interesting to me? The writing style.

Do the words flow and the ideas work and does the theme build, and the climax – does it force a gasp. Fiction or non, long story or short, poem or essay, words should read like songs that makes us dance and images that make us stare or better yet, like the stage, where we expect our live players, to deliver a performance, that makes us cheer. I even like when art imitates life and stirs emotion. A story that provokes-thought and entertains like a show, is the approach I take with the grasshoppers, that study under me and even established guests writers.

Dear thepublicblogger: How can I become a better blogger?  – Anonymous

Dear Anonymous:  How can you become a better blogger? How does one become a better boxer, or get better grades or become a better father. Technically, you will receive different responses, but generally, they remain same: Become whoever or whatever you long to be. Give it priority in your life. Long hours at work? Children to raise? Those are priorities, indeed, but how much time do we watch tv or spend on the phone or daydreaming? Priority.

DO as oppose to PRACTICE. Blogging offers the platform to imagine, create, organize and build. And it gives the freedom to share with an audience or keep to ourselves.

If you believe in what you are broadcasting, and if you can accept the fact, any potential disappointment or failing will not break you, before you even start, then you can become a better blogger. No fear is more than a tagline and do away with anonymous, be proud you are asking questions, and  extend the courtesy of respect by  offering your name.

Dear thepublicblogger: How focused does my blog need to be, if I have diverse interest, but want to establish a personal brand? – Sameer Jain

Dear Sameer Jain: 

Trial & Error or Proven Templates

I took the former route. No errors, but it did take Time

I wonder if Quora is actually big brother (chuckling). I say that, slightly in jest, because, if they had asked me to answer this same question a month ago, I would have delivered the wrong answer.

On March 13th The Neighborhood will begin its 5th Season, and during the 3 month hiatus, it is being split into 3 separate stages. It took me 3 years and very carefully analyzing the data and every word, then ignoring it till now. I have built a library of short stories, poetry, inspirational post, editorials, opinion pieces, reviews, events and Reality Shows. Ironically, it was the most popular show that made me see the light. The events bring in the heavy bouts of traffic, but the faithful readers do not care about that and I can tell they were feeling buried, neglected and lost. Only those most intimate with my work understand the full community known as The Neighborhood, but an artists’ favorite piece or a singer’s favorite song may not be the fan favorite, no matter how many different ways it is sung.

You do not have to be rigid, but there does have to be an umbrella term that can easily be given that describes what the audience will behold when they step into your online community. Pay close attention to your readers in at least equal amount as the stats. It is the ones that leave comments time and time again, that carry and support you when the one time visitors have long since been gone.

But do not ignore the one timers, because if they had a good time, they will be back for more of the same. Only this season – for me – it will be found at different locations. Untested waters? Technically, but a long time in the making, certainly. I understand our work feels like it should stay together, but not always the feasible.

Kendall F. Person, thepublicblogger