The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated – Mark Twain
If you have spent any time blogging, you’ve heard the news that blogging is dead. It was dead five years ago, and three years ago, and is dead now. Despite the death of blogging, people keeping posting on blogs and other people keep reading them.
I think Mark Twain had the right idea.
What do you do if you’re invited to write a guest post but you never have before? Where do you begin? Here are 9 ways to open a blog post:
1- The Anecdote – Begin by relating a personal experience–yours or someone else’s. Use real names to make it real and personal. After the short scenario, segue into the broader topic. In this case, the topic is disenfranchised grief.
When my friend Jill’s ex-husband was killed in a car accident, she cried–for a month. This was the man who’d dumped her, who’d destroyed her credit rating and put a permanent dent in her self-esteem. She hadn’t seen him in years. She’d moved on. So why was she bawling in the shower and dreaming about him at night–this person who had ruined her life?
When your heart is broken by the loss of someone you are supposed to hate–or not supposed to love–it can be as confusing as it is painful. Disenfranchised Grief—grieving for an ex-spouse, extra marital affair partner, a lover kept secret because of sexual orientation, or any relationship that is kept private–prevents the person left behind from openly expressing the pain of loss. That makes recovery harder.
2 – Breaking News – Begin with a news story and move into commentary. This works for mysterious disappearances or cold cases that make good fodder for crime novels. It can also address real life concerns that aren’t always obvious or comfortable. In this case, a pedophile in a position of trust:
In a small courtroom in Delaware, a one-day trial decided the fate of a man accused of numerous shocking, heinous crimes. Despite the lengthy list of charges against Dr. Earl Bradley, only two Delaware State Police officers testified for the prosecution. No one testified in Dr. Bradley’s defense. No one spoke up to explain why a popular pediatrician would molest his young patients—or how he managed to get away with it for so many years.
3 – Addressing an Issue – Begin with a social or political issue. Briefly give enough background so the reader understands the issue. This one is good for personal opinion/editorial. Here, the topic is forced charitable giving:
There’s been some interesting PR lately about the group of billionaires who’ve pledged to give away at least half of their personal fortunes before they die. The list of pledges includes names like Gates, Rockefeller, Bloomberg, Vanderbilt. I followed this story because I think it’s an admirable and interesting concept. If I had a personal fortune, I think I’d like to see the bulk of it put to good use before I kick the bucket. But, big fortune or small, should I be forced to be generous? Should anyone?
4 – Opening Questions – Start with a list of questions. The queries should be both specific and accessible, so set them in real life. Below, the question lead to the topic of early onset dementia:
We’re all friends here, but pardon me if I get personal for a while and ask: When’s the last time you slept through the night? Do you walk into a room and forget why you’re there? Did you leave your purse right there on that chair, you are positively sure you did, but now it’s nowhere in sight? Do you seem to misplace your car keys all the time? Do you forget a few things—or maybe more than a few things—every day? Several times a day? Do you wonder if this is natural aging, or does some disturbing voice ask if these are really early signs of dementia?
5 – Drama or Conversation – Open with a pretend scene. It can be humorous or not, but the short scene leads up to a punch line that leads into the topic. This one is, does your promise to drive a drunk friend home anytime, any night, make you a real pal–or an enabler?
Ring, ring, ring!
Me: (knocking around bedside table because I’m dead asleep): Um, hello?
Maria: Hey, girl! Did I wake you up? Never mind, guess where I am?
Me: (struggling to sit up) Um, where?
Maria: On the phone with you! (cackles hysterically)
Me: Very funny. (wide awake now) So, how many have you had?
6 – The Surprise/Shocker – A true confession or a surprising fact as an opening. It works best if what follows is unusual and not a cheap hook. This one is about a personal connection to a killer:
I went to my high school Prom with a murderer. He wasn’t a murderer then, of course. Then, he was the cute guy who sat across from me in Chemistry, the second string tailback on the football team who worked at the Piggly Wiggly on weekends. Ten years later, this guy who posed next to me on Prom Night in his baby blue tuxedo, his head tipped down to touch mine as we smiled at the camera, was put away for life.
7 – The Spoof – A fake letter or news story. Good for something outrageous or humorous, because bloggers want to have fun, too. I used this one to express my undying support for my pretend boyfriend, Blond Bond:
Dear Daniel Craig: I apologize for contacting you via this impersonal public format. There’s been some communication glitch, as my letters to you are returned unopened, my emails bounce back as undeliverable, my texts don’t land, my flowers don’t arrive, and you don’t respond to telepathic messages. Even the wind blows away my smoke signals…
8 – Survey – A vote or poll on some issue (real, imagined, or joking) is the start. You are opening the floor for return opinions, so be prepared. In this one, you’d get to tell me what you think about reality television.
Let’s take a vote. If you HAD to choose one of the following, would you prefer to be:
A} Trampled to death by elephants; B} Mauled to death by a bear; C} Eaten to bits by piranhas; D} Forced to watch Jersey Shore 20 hours out of every day for the rest of your life.
The first three made me cringe in horror, but D’s the one that’s really scary–to me. Obviously, there are fans of the nutty crew out of Jersey, but I don’t get it. Do you?
9 – The Quote – Look above. Mark Twain fired off this zinger after his obituary appeared in the newspaper. Using a quote, particularly a zingy one, can set the tone and the topic for what’s to follow.
So, here are nine ways to get started. Maybe next time I’ll come up with ways to end them.
Ramona
Thanks, Ramona. This is very timely as I plan to work on my blog in 2012 to really get it to take off. It will also help when I post on Working Stiffs.
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Kristin, posting on Working Stiffs allows me to write about non-writing experiences, which I enjoy. It’s good practice. Good luck with the blog in 2012!
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Great suggestions, Romona. Or you can post samples of your work, like my short story on http://writerswhokill.blogspot.com. During the winter holidays we post short stories, so not only mine is there, but all of the WWk bloggers’ short stories. Come on over for some fun reads.
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Elaine, you made me think of two I forgot: The plug and the rant. This could go on and on….
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Ramona, I may print this out and post it on my bulletin board. I’ve been putting so much of my creative writing energy into the manuscript, there hasn’t been much left for my blogs.
Okay, I guess that’s not a bad thing. The creative energy going into the manuscript part, anyway. But I need to punch up my blogging energy, too. Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
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Annette, I think if you master a few of these types, it gets easier to knock out a blog post. It’s like reporting–you learn a few approaches (or formulas, if you will) and refine those, and it becomes your style.
But yes, your manuscript needed top priority, so that was a wise choice!
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Ramona, this blog made me want to read your other work.
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Thank you, Sheila–that is a very kind and helpful comment. Because most of my work is short, I should be submitting all the time. But I don’t. This gives me a kick to do that, so I appreciate it more than you know.
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This blog has appeared about 5 years too late for me. But thank you! How nice to see various forms listed so clearly–and with good examples, too.
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Ramona, this is terrific! Thank you..and I am printing it out to keep forever..xoo!
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Blogging is dead? I’m always the last to know. But I’ll continue to blog anyway, and your post will be a valuable tool.( I’m also pleased to find someone who knows what a Piggly Wiggly is.)
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Kathy, the Piggly Wiggly girls must stick together….The demise of blogging is declared about once a week. And yet, here we are.
Nancy and Hank, much obliged for the nice words!
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Ramona, many thanks — I’m saving and savoring your suggestions, as I get my own blog rolling! Yes, the blogosphere is over-full, but there’s always room for good stuff — like this!
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Leslie, good luck! You have a particular niche, so use it well–as I’m sure you will.
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Ramona, this was so helpful. Very thoughtful and analytical, and I loved your examples. You are a blog goddess. I always try to ensure that I have a great opening hook to lure potential readers. And I find that giveaways don’t hurt, especially if they involve chocolate.
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Thanks, Cindy–I’ve never been called a goddess before. I can handle blog goddess. The hook’s the thing, isn’t it? All you have to do then is follow through. Then provide a payoff. Then, you’re done!
Sounds incredibly easy, doesn’t it?
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Very helpful post. Each type of opening you mentioned is definitely do-able. It’s nice to have options that really work. I appreciate your blog.
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Thank you for the great suggestions!
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Linda and Carole, thanks!
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Ramona,
Being new at this, actually I’ve never been involved in a blog, not sure I know what a blog should do or even if I want to blog. But you make it sound fun. I’m thinking about Blogging.
Thanks, Walt
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Walter, blogging is fun. It allows you/me to touch on subjects that may not be addressed in our fiction or other work. Writing a blog post is also good practice–you only have <800 or so words to make a point. You can't scuttle around for long with that kind of word count!
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Excellent advice. I teach blogging and this will be a must-read link for my students.
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Anne, thank you for the nice compliment!
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Great info – thank you! I’ll be blogging to promote my new mystery on Killer Hobbies and guesting on other cozy websites so this helps!
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Good luck, Chrystle! I’ll check out Killer Hobbies.
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