Blogging through the Years

 

Today's IWSG question asks how long I've been blogging and have been on Facebook, and what has changed about them. I've been blogging for a long time! About 15 years. What has changed?  Well, for one thing, I'm not sure blogging is as popular as it once was. I don't know if this is my impression because I've gone from posting stories about my kids every day to showing up once a month to do these IWSG posts. My kids have grown up and are out on their own. No more funny stories about them. And I'm pretty busy working.  I've noticed though, that many bloggers who were regulars way back then are no longer on Blogger. Maybe for the same reasons I don't show up often.  What do you think? Is blogging not as popular or is it still going strong?

Facebook. I've been on Facebook even longer than I've been blogging. I think Facebook is good for keeping in touch with people you don't see regularly. It's okay for marketing, but honestly, I think Instagram and TikTok are the more happening places. It's gone through periods of being political, which I don't exactly appreciate. When that happens, I avoid it. I think Facebook has lost some of its popularity. And I think it will continue to do so since the younger generation is more into TikTok and Instagram. What do you think?

Other news: The next Bubba and Squirt book comes out on May 7th. If you'd like to be a part of the tour, you can sign up here. Thanks! 

And here's a very cute Spring picture of Mama Dove and her babies. 😄 (Not sure what I think of her nesting choice, but it seems to work.) 

  

  

Using AI to Write a Synopsis

 

There has been a lot of debate on whether or not AI should be used to create books and illustrations. But what about writing book blurbs?  Today's question for the IWSG group asks if you've ever used it to write a blurb or synopsis.  After hearing about all the controversy, I decided to give it a shot when writing the blurb for my last book. (What do they say? Curiosity killed the cat?) I was curious. So I put in the information about my book and waited for it to spew out the blurb. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't enamored. I played around with the words, trying to see if I could create something spectacular. No dice. So I scrapped the whole thing and came up with my own blurb which is way better. (I think). My conclusion? I think the human brain is better than AI when it comes to creating, and an author knows his/her book way better than any AI does. Have you ever used AI? Were you happy with the results?    

Author Websites

 

Have you ever been frustrated while visiting an author's website?  Today's IWSG question asks what bothers you when visiting an author's website. Honestly, I've never been bothered by anyone's website, but I'd say a big factor is the ease of getting around and the ease of finding the book(s) and making the purchase.  I'd say the home page should give a sense of who the author is, and what kind of books the author writes. 

What do you think? Is there anything that's a personal pet peeve when visiting an author's website?

On a different note, thanks to all who have purchased or reviewed my new book, or visited the tour stops for Bubba and Squirt's City of Bones. If you'd like to win an autographed copy of the book and a $50 Amazon gift card, there's still time. Visit this site to see the remaining tour stops and enter:   https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/bubba-and-squirts-city-of-bones-awareness-tour/

I will mail the books anywhere in the world (as long as they can be mailed to the destination).

   

Book Bub and book release announcement

 

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope you all have a happy, healthy, and productive 2024!  We'll start off with the IWSG question of the month:  Do I follow readers who follow me or just other authors on BookBub?

Honestly, I don't spend much time on BookBub. I visit when I have a new release, and I'll visit when I want to post a review, but that's about it. I do more following of people on AllAuthor. It's easy. As soon as I log in, there's a list of authors to follow, so I check just about everyone.

What about you?   Are you on BookBub? 

And here's my big announcement:  My book, Bubba and Squirt's City of Bones will be released on January 16th!  I'm super excited about it. It's the 3rd in the Bubba and Squirt series. 

If you'd like to follow along on my book tour and have a chance to win an autographed copy of the book and/or a $50 Amazon gift card, here's the schedule:

January 16 The Children's Book Review

January 17 Icefairy's Treasure Chest

January 18 The Momma Spot

January 19  Life is What it's called

January 22 Crafty Moms Share

January 23 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

January 24 Barbara Ann Mojica's Blog

January 25 A Blue Box Full of Books

January 26 One More Exclamation

February 5 The Fairview Review

February 6 Country Mamas With Kids

February 7 Twirling Book Princess

February 8 My Reading Getaway

February 9 Cover Lover Book Review