BJ Hoff's GRACE NOTES

Just So You'll Know ...

Okay, I’m in the process of opening up the comments feature again. As most of you know, I closed it a few weeks ago for several reasons. I think by now I have the spam problem, as well as a couple of the other kinks, resolved. Only time will tell ...

For those of you who wrote to let me know you didn’t like the closed comments feature, I understand. But I think you understood as well that I didn’t have time to deal with the ongoing problems, and also that I didn’t have the time to answer each email individually.

So thanks for your patience. Now–even though the option to comment is open again, those of you who usually write to me via private email, just know that you can continue to do that. I realize that some of you are more comfortable doing email that commenting openly, and that’s perfectly fine. Whatever your preference, stay in touch. Just a reminder that, although I can’t always address each email or comment (although I do try), I appreciate them ... and I hear you.

BJ

Changing This and That

You may notice a few changes here on Grace Notes soon. A little "tweaking," a few deletions, an addition or two. But two of the more noticeable changes include going to a "no comment" configuration and less frequent entries.

Writers seem to need so much space. And I don't mean simply office space--although certainly that's a must--but I'm also referring to space in terms of time and choices. I've been mulling over the best way to go with the blog in order to keep it reasonably active--because many of you have indicated that you really want me to continue. But the issue of time just keeps getting more and more complicated. So, in hopes that fewer posts--at least during the more hectic times--would be better than no posts, I'm going to ease off a little in the number of entries. Of course, all of you regulars know I've never tried to pin myself down to a daily schedule for entries--I knew from the beginning that was impossible for me if I were going to maintain my "day job" (writing books), but I have tried to manage at least two or three entries a week. Except for ... some times. Hopefully, not much will change in that regard, but be patient with me when things seem a little slow. I promise you, I'll have a good reason for cutting back if and when I do.

As for going to the "no comment" feature, it's that time factor I mentioned above. Almost from the beginning, I've tried to respond to comments and questions. It's always bothered me when I had to let either hang unanswered.

And then there's the spam issue ... and I'm sure I don't have to tell you how time-consuming this can be. TypePad (where the blog is parked) does a good job with filters, options, etc., but I still get too much in the way of comments that don't look like spam but when I open them to moderate--guess what? They're not really comments at all! Not that I don't appreciate the goodwill behind these offers to send me all kinds of products and information I don't want, and not that I couldn't use a measure of Nigerian riches to supplement the writing income--but it just doesn't seem right to take advantage of the good nature of strangers.

I still invite your input. You have an email address here on Grace Notes where you can always reach me, and there's another link on the Contact page of the web site. I want you to feel free to write to me anytime, not only about the content on Grace Notes but anything else as well. The "plus" to this is that you won't have to wait for me to get around to approving your input, and the length of your remarks won't be limited. And because I hope to save a little time by going this route, you'll probably get a response from me sooner and more often. So please stay in touch. 

Thanks so much to those of you with whom I've discussed options regarding this issue for your encouragement and your requests to keep the blog going. I'll do my best! 

BJ

Interviews Up ... and Coming

Just a reminder that Jonathan Stuart from The Mountain Song Legacy series will be interviewed here on Grace Notes tomorrow (Wednesday).  You won't want to miss getting to know this gentleman, the first on the list of interviews I'll be conducting with some of the characters from my books.

And speaking of interviews, Favorite PASTimes has one up with yours truly today (Part 1) and Wednesday (Part 2). You can sign up for a free book also.

BJ

Thinking Blogger's Award

Thanks to Cindy Swanson for recommending me for a Thinking Blogger Award . I confess that I didn't know about these until today, but I appreciate Cindy's submitting my name and her kind words about Grace Notes.

See--I really do think about what I write here!

BJ

Speak Your Mind

As I've already mentioned in a previous post,  I'm in the process of having a new website developed (by Kelli Standish, the creative fire behind so many other author websites we've all admired). I'd forgotten the difficulty in providing enough "original" material for this kind of endeavor, but by now I'm remembering going through the same dilemma with the original site.

Most of my visitors seem to be readers and other writers, so I thought I'd throw out a lifeline to you and ask you to share what you'd most like to see, not only on the site itself, but on Grace Notes, which will be incorporated into the site. What are you looking for when you visit a writer's blog or website? What do you find most interesting and/or most helpful? Do you want information, and if so, what kind? Entertainment? Writing tips? What do you click on first when you visit? Last?

Feel free to offer any input, realizing of course that everything can't be used. But I'd love to consider your ideas and suggestions, so fire away. You can leave comments here or contact me via my private email.

Be serious now--I need help!

BJ

Blogs on the Rocks?

According to columnist Jon Tevlin, blogs are on the wane. Even some of the most popular and active ones are either closing down, cutting way back on their entries, or standing idle for weeks and months at a time. Tevlin's recent column states that, according to Technorati, of the 56 million active blogs, the average life span is three months and declining. Even MySpace and Facebook are losing visitors.

Although the percentages may sound small, they would seem to indicate a definite trend. Gartner Inc. (a technology firm) says that people have gotten bored with their blogs or else have learned that trying to come up with something interesting every day just isn't worth it (I can certainly identify with that).

The same firm indicates that there already are more than 200 million ex-bloggers and that 2007 will see the blog world lose even more steam.

None of this surprises me. Almost from the beginning I gave up the idea of daily blog entries. Sometimes it's all I can do to post weekly entries. Life just has a way of interfering with blogs. I decided that I would blog only when I at least thought I had something to say, and that family needs and writing deadlines would always take precedence over the blog. (And I'm sure you've noticed that I take fairly regular--and unapologetic--"breaks" when necessary.) Now, after a couple of years (or maybe more ... I don't keep count) I'll admit that keeping up the blog, as well as reading the blogs of others, has lost much of its early interest. 

What I've enjoyed most about it is the opportunity it provides to "mentor"--and for a writer like myself, who can't seem to find the time or the energy to travel or teach, the mentoring aspect has been important to me. Grace Notes has also involved me in a wider network of writer-friends than might have been possible otherwise, in addition to giving my readers ready access to information about my books (which was one of the primary purposes behind the initial idea to blog). 

I don't consider it a waste of time, and I'll probably continue to keep it up as I can. No doubt I'll also continue to read my favorite few blogs as time permits--there really are some exceptional ones out there, packed with information, tips, and even some laughs. But when I saw the above-mentioned stats, I could only nod with agreement and a total lack of surprise. When you have to make a choice between your loved ones, reading good books and writing your own--and blogging ... well, you've been around here long enough to see what comes in last.

BJ

Take a Break

If you're having one of those days ...

and need a diversion, go over and play at Angie Hunt's blog,  A Life in Pages.

Think on This

I don't believe I've ever read a healthier, less self-important, more sensible articulation of one person's sentiments on winning an award (a Christy in this instance)...or life in general...than Karen Hancock's entry here: Writing from the Edge . Ever feel like applauding a blog entry? Here's one that deserves it.

BJ

Enter the Editor

If you haven't yet seen Karen Ball's  Charis Connection entries, "Enter the Editor," the third of her witty and informative "mini-series" is up today. An interesting look at the editor/author relationship from a lady who's familiar with both sides of the desk.

BJ

Thanks to Lisa...

I have the multi-talented Lisa Samson to thank for the striking new Celtic banner for Grace Notes. I don't have an ounce of technical ability when it comes to web sites or web logs, so good friend that she is, she designed, "customized," and then published this for me. Whatta gal!

Thank you, Lisa. Lovely job!

BJ