In this column, I’ll answer questions about blogging, provide links to blogs that are helpful to writers, and generally poke around the blogosphere.

Q. Why do I need a blog? I’m a WRITER—I’m not a blogger!

A. Short answer: Because your blog IS writing.

Long answer: I’ve heard an agent say at a conference, “Your blog is your column.” I’ve heard a magazine editor say, “Your blog is your collection of clips.” Your blog posts are proof that you can write clearly and consistently. A blog lets the world know who you are and what your interests are. Most importantly, your blog builds readership. Agents and editors are interested in a writer’s platform. Your blog is a major part of your platform. If you update frequently—and you should, readers will come back.

If you use Blogger.com for your free blog, your blog content will be on Google almost immediately. Blogger is owned by Google. This will help people find you—and writers want to be found. (Blogger isn’t the only free blog; there are others.)

Q. Why should I read blogs? I’m busy writing.

A. Many agents blog. If you’re an unagented writer, it pays to become familiar with agents you might want to represent you. If you read their blogs, you get a sense of who they are and what they want. Plus their blogs are often full of good advice for writers. Two agent bloggers, who have links to their clients’ blogs on their own blogs, are:

Nathan Bransford: nathanbransford.blogspot.com
Janet Reid: jetreidliterary.blogspot.com

Janet Reid also has another good blog about writing query letters: queryshark.blogspot.com.

A good blog to start with—and to read regularly—is Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents.

Q. I’m still not convinced. Can you recommend some info about blogging?

A. Check out these blog posts: “Why Should Writers Blog?” from The Urban Muse, and “The 4 Pillars of Writing Exceptional Blogs” posted on Problogger.

If you’d like to ask a blogging question, email me.