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So You Think You Can Blog?
Topics: five types of blogs, different blog types, how to name your blog, a blog is your own online diary, things NOT to blog about, keeping anonymous in a bloggers world, twinkie, porterville, Bakersfield, life, Bakotopia.com, Twinkie Blog
Posted by twinkie Mon Jan 5, 2009 17:40:52 PST
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So You Think You Can Blog?
Twinkie dissects and explains the art of Bakoblogging! Start yours today!

By Twinkie, Bakotopia.com contributor

 

While the origin of a “blog” is uncertain and varies depending on who you ask, one thing is certain, they are a very mainstream part of life and are here to stay.

 

But what is a blog, exactly?

 

The word “blog” comes from the words WEB LOG. In other words, you can log your personal feelings or you can log your favorite books, favorite bands etc. If it's on the WEB and you're keeping a LOG it's considered a blog.

 

Another way to think about it is that it's an online diary. 

 

So how do you start? Well, you can buy your own domain and host your own blog, although that way is more complicated and should probably be left for the computer experts.

 

You can also find a host through wordpress.com, yahoo.com, or google.com.

 

The most obvious and better choice of course, is you can choose to blog on your friendly, local site for blogs, bands and social networking, bakotopia.com.

 

Once you choose what site you’re choosing to host your blog through, it’s time to pick a name for it. This name/title should reflect a little bit about your personality.

 

It should be catchy, but informational.

 

For examples of this, you can look at a few bakotopians blogs and their blog titles such as Julie Jordan Scott’s “My Life On Stage-  The Stage In My Life.”  Julie uses her blog to share her own personal journeys during the many different characters she portrays in the plays and monologues she is involved in through several local underground theatre groups.

 

She also shares her poetry from time to time which is usually a mirror into her soul and whatever she’s going through at the moment.

 

Then there is Annie White. Annie’s blog title is “My Ideas Are Better Than Yours, Always” in which she shares her political views and challenges yours. As you guessed from the title, Annie is always right. Period. Well, I mean, in her own little world anyways! Annie is feisty, and non apologetic and her title reflects that.

 

Bakotopian blogger, Lost Hills is a musician/activist. His blog title is “Lost Hills Road” and he blogs about anything from his political stances, a news article he feels is noteworthy, and about his music or other musicians music that he feels is worthy of sharing with the world. Or…errr.. Bakersfield.

 

My own blog title “Kick Off Your Shoes And Stay Awhile” reflects what I hope my blog to be. It’s my very own personal journal where I share my thoughts, feelings, funny stories about my life, theatre reviews, music reviews or anything I find noteworthy. I want you to feel comfortable and at home while reading my blog. I want you to feel like I could be your neighbor or your cousin. I could be anybody. I could be your best friend. My title reflects that.

 

So now that you have a few examples of blog titles let’s talk about different blog topics you could write about. As I mentioned in the examples above, there are political bloggers, personal bloggers, music review bloggers, but what else can you blog about?

 

I’ll give you a few different types of blogs and you can get an idea of what you want your own blog to reflect. Now remember, these are just ideas. And you don’t have to stick to just ONE type of blog.

 

I know I don’t!

 

1. Reviews - you can review books, bands, restaurants, styles of clothing… etc. The list is endless.
2. Debates - you can choose a topic, give your own opinion about the topic, then challenge others to change your mind, or at least to give their own opinion on the matter.
3. Lists - You can blog about “Top Ten Reasons to Say No To Drugs” or “Top Ten Movies of 2008” or “Top Five Books You MUST Read.” Bakotopian blogger by the name of Rubicon does this a lot. He’s an employee of Russo’s Book Store so he reads a lot and is always willing to share his favorite book titles with you.
4. Informational - A perfect example of an information blogger is N.L. Belardes. His blog Paperback Writer started off as a music and book review blog but has slowly evolved into much more than that. His latest blogs titled “A Weekly Report On Nothing” gives you little newsworthy tidbits and his personal opinion on them. This opens up the forum for you to get your two cents in on the local Bakersfield news that are making headlines.
5. Personal - This type of blog pretty much covers everything above but it’s also about you. What happened to you today? What do you have to say about this or that? Rant about your neighbors. Brag about the new CD you bought. Discuss the latest movie you watched. Tell us about your wonderful boyfriend or your funny kid, or your stinky purse.

 

Ok, so now you’ve picked your blog title, and the type of blog you want to write. Now what? It’s very important to discuss the things you SHOULDN’T write about.

 

While your blog is your very own journal and you’re free to write about anything and everything, some things are better left unread. First, you should never give real names on your blog. In fact, never give your own real name, unless you’re prepared for stalkers.

 

What if you write about something real personal to you and somebody doesn’t agree with you? What if that person is not right in the head and becomes obsessed with you?

 

Not that I’m saying it’s gonna happen, but it CAN happen, so it’s better to stay as anonymous as possible, unless you can handle the hate mail and death threats. Of course this rarely happens and when it does, it’s in very extreme situations, but it’s better to be safe, than sorry, right?

 

Also, keep your loved ones names out of your blog. You can give them nicknames such as Dear Husband, or Big Brother or something more original than that. My daughter’s name on my blog is Princess Twinkie, my boys are Annequin and Big Mickey. You get the idea, right?

 

Another important thing to remember is do not bash friends or family unless you remain REALLY anonymous. But if they are aware of your blog, it’s best to keep your issues OFF your blog page.

 

For example, you get into a huge fight with your boyfriend and you think it’s over for good this time, so you write about it. You get back together the week after your big breakup. A month later, he finds your blog and reads about what a shithead, asshole, sonofabitch you think he is. This pisses him off and he breaks up with you.

 

This scenario is best avoided by just keeping negative stuff like that out of your blog  unless you choose to remain completely anonymous.

 

Now that we’ve covered the basics of blogging such as your blog title, your blog content, and what NOT to blog about you should feel comfortable enough to run to bakotopia.com and start your own FREE blog.

 

It’s free. It’s easy. It’s local. And it’s the cool thing to do.

 

Come on. You know you want to. Be part of the local Bakersfield social scene. Let your voice be heard.

 

You won’t regret it.

 

Also ptinted in Bakotopia magazine, issue 46, 1-22-09

 

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Comment From: matt

Twinkie, you rule! Thanks for this grrrreat article! You are veterana of sorts, ya know? Comment From: likhy2

wONDERFUL! tWINKIFIED?...hAVE YOU BECOME A FULL-FLEDGED WRITER? i BELIEVE THAT YA SHOULD HIT UP A MAJOR MAGAZINE. yOUR WRITING SKILLS HAVE MOST DEFINITELY REACHED PREMIUM LEVELS. i AM SO PROUD TO SAY THAT i MET YOU WAY BACK IN THE DAY IN SOME BOOK CLUB. yOU ROCK MY SOCKS. kEEP IT UP MAINE AND LET NO SWANKERS SHAKE YOUR STRUT. "Amor, Luz, y Paz" Comment From: twinkie

Matt-can you believe I've been "blogging" since 2006? hehehe. Sal.. I wouldn't say "premium levels" quite yet! hahaha. In fact, I see a few run-on sentences in there that made me cringe. But I DO have fun writing so I won't be stopping anytime soon. It's a great outlet for me. Comment From: LomelEZ

Twinkie, You are my Obi Wan! I need help blogging for I am not a good writer. My brain tweaks. I think faster than I can type, if that even makes sense! But you know what I mean. LOL. Comment From: twinkie

ha. You're too funny, girl. Actually I'd like to take a moment here and admit that I'm NOT completely anonymous. Everyone knows my name is Norma. And I'm always posting pictures of myself and family and friends. AND all my friends and family are aware of my blog, and even read it from time to time. Also, I've NEVER had a problem with stalkers (that I know of) or hate mail. I did have someone blog about me being a blog whore once though. But I took it as a compliment! ;) AND we later kissed and made up. Comment From: twinkie

This coming from one of my favorite bloggers means a lot to me. Thanks sister!!! Comment From: AnnieLWhite

thanks for emailing me about this, cause i had no idea at all. this is a great atrical. :) you are funny and i love your blogs. Comment From: twinkie

Thanks Annie. Your blogs are always interesting not only because of the content, but because of the debates that follow in the "comments." Comment From: JulieJordanScott

I agree with Matt. YOU RULE! Thanks for the shout out. I am working on three theatre projects simultaneously right now and have a lot to write about (now to just find the time to put the fingers to the keyboard!!) MUCH LOVE to you, dear Twinkie! Comment From: twinkie

Right back atcha, girl! You rock! Comment From: losthills

Hey, great article, Twinkster! Really good writing, and some important tips that we all should take to heart. Well done! Comment From: twinkie

Thanks losthills. I'm hoping my tips and advice will bring bakotopia in fresh meat..oops.. I mean new bloggers! tee hee. Comment From: matt

This is our Lowdown story featured in the new issue of Bakotopia magazine! #46! Comment From: twinkie

Can I just say WOOT!!! Or am I supposed to act like I'm not excited about it? tee hee. Comment From: woofwoof

I LOVE YOUR BLOGS TWINKIE! I have known you since high school and you have always been funny. Everyone is right about your writing skills.YOU GET BETTER AND BETTER ALL THE TIME!! Comment From: Foxymoron

I think it is great you explicitly point out that you DON'T have to stick to one type of blog theme. Some of the best blogs out there (either as solo authors or multiple authors) experiment with all kinds of poisons! Comment From: twinkie

Exactly! In fact my list was more of a "starter up" list. There's WAY more types of blogs out there. All in all though, these are the most basic ones for someone to start off with if they were new bloggers.