Bookwitch (courtesy of Jill Murphy)
The writer and Mancunian Maven Adele Geras emailed me the other day to tell me that I had a really good write up of ‘What’s Ukrainian for Football?’ on the Bookwitch’s blog. Of course I logged on immediately and she was right; it was a really good write up. It made my day and I’m not even kidding. All writers need boosts like that from time to time to keep going. Thank you, Swedish lady! Check it out on bookwitch/wordpress/com and go to the December 3rd entry.
Bookwitch’s blog is exceptional. She writes everyday, pretty much, and her pieces are always interesting. The woman really knows her children’s books and seems to go to any length to bag an author interview. She’s been up close and personal with the best.
Bookwitch’s blog links to other blogs such as An Awfully Big Blog Adventure (written by various children’s authors) and many, many websites. It’s also dead easy to navigate and should be used as an example of ‘How to do a blog.’
Less easy to navigate (though that could just be me) but fun is a co operative blog called Trapped by Monsters, spearheaded by the totally zany but cuddly Tommy (Scream Street) Donbavand and crew. It includes loads of gory illustrations from the bloggers’ various ghoulish output.
It’s interesting reading blogs and websites in general. Some authors are terrible at updating and begin each one with ‘I’m sorry it’s been such a long time since I wrote …’ Which begs the question, why bother then, chuck? Nobody wants ‘news’ from April 2007. Others only write about their new books and prizes for which they’ve been nominated. That’s perfectly legit – I do it – but it feels a bit too self-promoting when that’s all they write about. A few authors go to the other extreme and reveal way too much information (Meg Cabot – sheesh – I don’t want to know what sign is on your gynaecologist’s door. Really, I don’t). I guess it’s hard hitting the perfect balance. I suppose you know if you’ve got it right by the comments people leave. Unfortunately, I’ll never find out if I’m doing OK as I’ve kept the comments button closed. Why? Because I’m too wimpy. I know 99% of the comments would be lovely but it’s the 1% psycho- with -the -axe-to-grind that puts me right off. I might be persuaded one day but for now, I’ll just carry on writing into cyber space and hoping Bookwitch forgives me for dissing the Swedes.