What you need to think about when writing your blog (or when writing. Period.)

Here's some terrific advice from a great American writer, Kurt Vonnegut, who has compiled eight rules for great writing (pay particular attention to No. 7):

1. Find a Subject You Care About
2. Do Not Ramble, Though
3. Keep It Simple
4. Have the Guts to Cut
5. Sound like Yourself
6. Say What You Mean to Say
7. Pity the Readers
8. For Really Detailed Advice...

Read this post by Maria Popova, my favourite blogger, to understand what Vonnegut means: "How to Write with Style: Kurt Vonnegut’s 8 Keys to the Power of the Written Word".

ADDITIONAL READING:

• "10 essential tips for becoming an effective blogger"

• Some great advice for first-time bloggers

"10 Essential Tips for Becoming An Effective Blogger"

See how many experts (not just me) are saying the same things when it comes to writing/blogging: "10 Essential Tips for Becoming An Effective Blogger".

This particular post by Monica Carter Tagore, who has written more than a hundred posts about writing for the Writer's Living website, may be about how to shape your blog if you're a writer, but the points made and the advice given by her apply to every kind of blog.

Make a note especially of these points:

#3. Get a name that works. Get your name or one that quickly identifies what the blog is about. Don’t go for cutesy, weird names that test your reader’s memory.

#5. Create good content. You don’t have to be a stellar writer when it comes to blogging or making a living writing. But you do have to produce good stuff. Nobody wants to read boring, confusing, or rambling posts.

Also read:

• Some great advice for first-time bloggers

• You still don't have a blog?

• How to write more successful blog posts

Additional reading: Here are two important points about blogging made by inveterate blogger Lesley Carter:

#Put your nose to the grindstone and write! More content leads to more readers, as long as you can maintain quality.

#Write great headlines. There’s no faster way to catch the attention of people in your niche than an intriguing headline.

Read up on all 10 tips on Lesley Carter's list here: "10 Great Ways to Get Noticed as a Blogger".

• Thanks for the alert, Maitreya J.A.

• EXTERNAL READING: She is India’s most popular celebrity blogger, has a full-time staff of 10, and reaches out to a quarter million followers every month — Meet Miss Malini.

You still don't have a blog?

Mark Nichol, writing on the Daily Writing Tips blog, gives you seven reasons to begin publishing your own blog right away.

I particularly endorse Reason No. 7:

Your blog provides you with a forum for developing your communication skills — not just writing but also video and audio, as well as interactivity such as networking, commenting on other websites and blogs, and responding to comments on your blog.

Read the column in its entirety here: "7 reasons to publish a blog".

• Also read: "Some great advice for first-time bloggers".

Some great advice for first-time bloggers

JULIE POWELL

Julie Powell launched a career from — of all things — a food blog which then morphed into a tell-all memoir that ultimately landed her a sweet film deal. Heard of Julie & Julia, the 2009 movie starring Meryl Streep? Yep, that Julie is who we're talking about.

Why did Julie Powell start her blog? Why did her blog attract such a large following? And how did it help her to become a better writer? She answers all these questions here.

Powell also offers five tips for developing a personal blog that will interest the public — and not just your friends and family (they are the first to say they "just loved" your post, and also the first to lose interest):

1. Use blogs to develop your voice and become a working writer.

2. Identify a blog’s appeal, and build on content that keeps readers involved.

3. Be acutely aware of ethical considerations in personal writing, and keep your motives and emotions in check.

4. View blogs as tools to address subjects of interest and a way to become a public writer.

5. Remain focused on the craft of writing.

For each tip, she offers a personal anecdote to help you understand how this advice can be used to your advantage. Read the feature in its entirety here: Julie Powell’s Advice For Bloggers.

• Also read: The 25 basic styles of blogging... and when to use each one and The ethical guidelines you need to keep in mind when you publish your posts.

• Photo courtesy: FishbowlNY