Fear in Writing: What's "your Thing?"

Today in Literary History

Today in Literary History...December 14, 1907: Rudyard Kipling receives the Nobel prize for literature, the first English-language writer to do so.ud

Saturday, August 14, 2010

What's "your Thing?"

Margot Kinberg titles every post after a name or line from a song.  (Oh, and she's a writing encyclopedia of crime novels.)

Elizabeth Spann Craig keeps her blog page clean and orderly, with one, dynamic piece of art at the top of every post.  Just one.

Elspeth Antonelli writes hilarious posts in number form.  1. You're a writer if you own a pen...2. You can't write if you lost said pen...

Dez showers everyone with love and keeps as much skin (not his own) exposed as possible.

My thing changes.  But I've tried to keep whatever I'm writing literary, related to writing (mostly mysteries) and discussion-enhancing.  I don't know if I have a hook.  Lately I think I've been the English Lit teacher!

Do you have a hook?  Blogwise or in writing.



FYI: If your comment doesn't post, it is not in moderation, it's this new spam filter by blogger.  Frustrating me big time--sorry!

17 comments:

  1. Michele, I've wondered that about myself. I think the only hook I have is the love of books (all kinds). BTW, your hook - writing - works.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  2. I don't think I have a 'thing'. I'm just me.

    Life's too short to worry about a 'hook' on a blog too much. Just be you. That's plenty interesting!

    For one thing, you leave kind and lovely comments on other people's blogs too :) (hope you got the direct message I sent you through Twitter- I didn't know if the email address on your profile is correct or I'd have emailed to thank you.)

    ~bru

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  3. Mason- Thank you! And you shtick is definitely diversity of guests. I can't believe the number of topics you cover!

    February- Good perspective. And I'm glad I've made you feel good about your writing! Always the goal. :) I'll check Twitter now. I am not so great about following that thing. :)

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  4. I have really enjoyed your recent Literary Movement Series, in particular the 20th century stuff (lost generation and beat generation) that we didn't learn too much about in high school (we where mostly tortured with boring 18th and 19th century poetry).

    When I blog I don't have any rules, except I always put a picture on top. It's like the rule of always having one picture (or more) on every slide in Powerpoint presentations, to keep the audience awake >:)

    Cold As Heaven

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  5. I don't really have a hook either. I have set posts every week but nothing really that makes me stand out. However, you did recently have a wonder series that captured my attention.

    CD

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  6. Cold- Thank you. I have REALLY enjoyed writing it! I'll be tackling Emily Dickinson on Monday, and probably another LMS post next week. I always put a picure in, too. I try to put several, so people want to read what's further down near the pic! Great point.

    Clarissa- This LMS has been my first foray into scheduling. Thanks, Clarissa. I love your blog!

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  7. I like fairies. I don't know if that is my thing or not, but my blog is filled with them :)

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  8. No hook here! I'm just out here fishing...no hook...no bait...not even a pole. I keep hoping the fish will jump into the boat just to have a conversation because I appear "harmless enough". :)

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  9. I hadn't thought about a "hook." Perhaps I don't have one. I do try to keep my posts on the subject of writing or publishing, although I do on occasion veer off (like my occasional Mermaid Tale).

    Helen

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  10. I guess my hook is books, movies, music - anything in the area of entertainment.

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  11. Michele - Aww....thank you so much for mentioning my blog! That's awfully kind of you!

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  12. I'm not sure I have a hook other than the fact that I most often pull from my own life for the stories and goofball things I post.

    I love your hook of writing about art and literature.

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  13. Oh, I'm wrong. I think one of my hooks is that I usually post a picture of some vintage advertisement at the top of each post. And if I can't find a somewhat relevant vinty ad, then one of my own photos.

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  14. Hmmm... I don't think I have a thing other than learning about this whole writing process thing. Maybe time to find one... :)

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  15. I guess my blog is sorta book related...which is fitting for a bookaholic, I guess. But I wander off in all kinds of directions because my interests are scattered all over the place.

    Writing? I focus on murder. But I don't deal with murder on my blog format or posts very much.

    I guess I'm another one of those independent souls who just does her own thing. :)

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  16. I wonder if my hook would work even better if I really exposed my own skin in my headquarters as well :))))))

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  17. Summer- I think fairies count. :)

    DL- You certainly have bait--your words.

    Helen- Publishing news is what I get from your blog. And, of course, mermaids...

    Alex- I think your hook is Kate Beckinsale!

    Margot- Yours was the most obvious hook! (And a great blog.)

    Lisa- I love those vintage ads. And, hey, my post made you realize something! Yay for Southern City Mysteries. :)

    Jemi- Well, you're certainly doing alright. You have the most comments per post of any blog I visit.

    Patricia- And you do a lot of Colorado-centered stuff.

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