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| Dawn Kinzer |
You spent considerable time coming up with a thought-provoking
idea for a blog post, then more time writing and re-writing the piece until you
were satisfied it was worthy of national attention.
The day came when the article went live for all the world to
see, and then . . .
Nada. No comments. No feedback. Nothing.
And you pondered the results.
Did anyone read the words I so masterfully assembled? Did I touch
anyone? Encourage even one person?
You’re not alone!
But, don’t despair! No or few comments doesn’t mean we bombed!
Nor does it signify that what we wrote didn’t inspire, challenge, or move
people.
Here are three reasons why we can believe it:
1. Although readers may have LOVED
the article, they may be unable to
share something personal or unwilling
to put their thoughts out there with the possibility of being judged.
2. Some readers don’t comment
because they believe they have nothing profound to say in response, and they
don’t want to come across as being silly or shallow.
3. Technical problems may hinder
some from commenting. Did you know that Blogger/Google no longer allows
anonymous comments? So, unless a reader has an account with Google, he’s unable
to post on a blog hosted by Blogger. (However, if the settings on the blog allow “anyone,” including “anonymous” readers to leave a message, the comment may be accepted.)
The pros say if you want to generate comments, write something
controversial to spark discussion. But, here’s the thing. Seriously Write isn’t
a controversial blog. Our goal has never been to stir up arguments. Our mission
is to equip and encourage writers. And reality? Although Seriously Write has a
large following, we have a quiet audience. More often than not, we experience
more dialogue on our Facebook profiles where our team daily links the articles
than on the blog, itself.
There’s another thing we need to remember. Unless a blog is
completely deleted, our articles are available for readers ongoing—for years!
In 2012, our Seriously Write hostess, Annette Irby, shared her
article, “Nuance:
Are You Really Saying What You Mean?” The post has received only four
comments, but it’s been viewed over 14,500 times!
On my personal blog, an article I posted in 2011, “Brothers
and Sisters,” continues to hold the top rank in views. Yet, it has yet to
receive one comment!
So, take heart, dear writers . . . and write on.
And don’t
forget to leave a comment below! (wink)
When
have you been let down by lack of response to a blog article you labored over?
How did you handle that discouragement?
In 1904, Hope Andrews, an aspiring fashion designer, struggles
with leaving New York City. But with no job, her parents leaving the country,
and an abusive ex-fiancé refusing to accept their broken engagement, Hope
doesn’t have much choice but to give in to her parents’ wishes that she move
far away and live with her cousin indefinitely.
Talented Benjamin Greene can’t deny his passion for painting, but
guilt over a painful incident in his past keeps him from sharing his gift.
Instead, he devotes much of his days to helping his younger sibling rebuild a
farm inherited from a great-uncle. Only his brother is aware that Ben spends
his spare time in a studio on their property.
In the small rural town of Riverton, Wisconsin, Hope and Ben can’t
help but be thrown together. But as feelings for each other deepen, tension
thickens over how talent should be used. Their mutual passion for art brings
them together, but will it also drive them apart?
Dawn Kinzer is
a freelance editor, and her own work has been published in various devotionals
and magazines. She co-hosts and writes for Seriously Write. Sarah’s Smile is
the first book in her historical romance series The Daughters of Riverton,
and Hope’s Design is the second. Rebecca’s Song will
be released in 2018.
A mother
and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific
Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, good wine, strong coffee,
the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.
You can
connect and learn more about Dawn and her work by visiting these online
sites: Author Website, Dawn’s Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Pinterest,
and Instagram.
Sign up
on her website to receive her newsletter, and you’ll receive Dawn’s short
story, Maggie’s Miracle (PDF format) as a gift.
