I’m starting a new website to explain blogging and related technical matters in plain English. It’s called Blogging Art and Practice.
There are some things about blogging that involve technical skill or know-how. I call those practices. I strive to use the best practices, to make my blog easier for people to read, for search engines to find. But there is an art to blogging, too. It involves finding your own voice, expressing your view of the world, writing well.
I’d like to help you with both of those. As a start, I’ve added the handout that I developed for the garden blog presentation that I gave at the Garden Writers Association symposium last month. I’m hoping you will send me questions through the contact form there. I’d eventually like to build an FAQ and a glossary to help “normal” people wade through the jargon.
Stop by when you get the chance and let me know what you think.
I’ve often been tempted to delve into these topics on this blog, but I’ve wanted to keep Cold Climate Gardening focused on gardening, not blogging. Now I’ve got a place to explore the blogging part of garden blogging, so it’s no longer a temptation I’ll have to resist.
I don’t plan on posting there as regularly as I do here. I will let the questions I receive direct my writing. I’ll also post on problems I solve for myself, and new information as I find it.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
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This will be helpful to those of us who are technology challenged. I have made several trips to my local Barnes and Noble and studied books on blogging. There is so much to learn.
Your knowledge of blogging and gardening will be a great benefit to your new site.
Twitter: @suburbangarden
Thank you! Us blogging neophytes & non-techheads need all the help we can get.
Good luck with the new blog!!
I did a blog round up today, you’re in it.
Good luck with the new blogging site. If I ever decide to switch to WordPress, you’ll be the first person I consult!
Good idea.
I’ve recently noticed people using WordPress as a simple way to build a website for a garden club or similar group. While it seems a nobrainer for experienced bloggers, there does not seem to be much written about that useage from the perspective of a neophyte.
Hi Kathy,
I wonderd when the announcement was coming. Excellent job on the new website. The design is very appealig. There is a great amount of into in the handouts section.
Good luck! I’ll be checking in.
–Robin (Bumblebee)
Ditto Pam’s sentiments. I’m going to link to the site on my site’s “Gardening Sites and Blogs” page. You’re going a long way to lowering the barriers to entry into this very cool world. S
Great idea, Kathy. I don’t know how you have time for another blog, but great idea.
I look forward to checking it out from time to time.
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