Blog Project; Slideshow Genre Markets: Day 2

BLOG PROJECT: Setting up your very own blog

One of the most important marketing/writing skills you will need to succeed as a writer is having your own blog. Many authors have a blog where they can interact with their potential audience(s) and share the process of writing or snippets of their personal lives.

First off, many of you are probably familiar with what a blog is, but if not, here you go--some important information:

A blog is a weblog or web journal. Just like your physical writing journal, a blog can include ideas for stories, your own personal reaction to books/films/national events, etc. It can be a good place to publish your poetry, fiction, and plays before you eventually get paid for your writing. Some companies and media sources hire writers to set up and contribute to a company blog--and they pay you for it! For more info check here.

However, there's a lot to know about blogging. Check out the links below and read a little about blogs before attempting to create one.

• 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Blogging

Here's a few sample writers blogs (with tips about being a writer)

• Sample Blog
• Sample Author Blog
• Sample blog (writing tips)

To set up your blog:

1. Go to https://www.blogger.com or https://blogspot.com. Some students like to use WordPress.com instead. I suggest blogger because you already have an RCSD Google account. For help setting up your blog if this is foreign to you, you may use this link blogger or Google's blog site. Use your student Google email address when prompted.  

NOTE: If you have already started a personal blog as a side project, or because you have already been introduced to the idea, I don't want to stop you from using your blog. Use your original blog site, but I will be asking that you write things specifically on your blog for our class. If this bothers you, start a new blog. No big deal, either way.

2. You may take a quick tour to get information about the blog site you are going to use, if interested. Otherwise, create a new account.
3. You must enter an email account (Use your student email account please.) Your email account name will be your “username”--Write your password somewhere safe where you will remember it. You will need to keep track of this.

NOTE: Please send me your blog address in the COMMENT section below.

4. Create a password, display your name, look at terms of service, etc.
5. Log onto your blog. Follow the prompts to set up your page. Write down your address/passwords, etc. Again, I can't help you if you screw this up.
6. You may provide biographical info and so on. At some point, you will need to create a NEW Post. Each new post needs a title and you should edit it before you post it.

Again, if you need help creating a blog, check out: How to Set Up a Blog on Blogger.

Once you have set up your blog and sent me the URL in the comment section of this blog post, please continue with the following assignments:

Blog Post #1. An introduction to your website. Your first blog entry should welcome your guests and explain that you are a student @ SOTA taking a creative writing course. This is important so that people know you are a teenager. Feel free to omit (leave out) your last name. You can also use a pseudonym if you'd prefer for privacy sake.

Blog Post #2. Write a short non-fiction entry about something you feel passionate about. You can rant, rave, etc. but remember that your blog is a public forum and other people in the world can access your writing. Don't embarrass yourself. Check your spelling and language so you don't come across as ignorant or unskilled. As always, it is important for a writer to think about his/her audience. 

Period 4: (please continue your slideshow project)
Classroom Project: Genre Slideshow

• Create a slideshow for your chosen genre to promote the genre to a fantasist, realist, or pragmatist reader.
• Take a look at the questions bulleted below. You will want to be able to answer these questions in your presentation.
• Use Google SLIDES to set up your slideshow. 
• Create a slideshow detailing your chosen genre by following the steps below. Be creative. Play around with the design and how you present the information in a clear and creative way. You may use graphics and lists to provide answers to these questions:

1. Create a title slide. 

2. Describe this genre. What is it? 

3. Who is the target reader (a fantasist, a realist, a pragmatist, or what combination?)

3. What are some expectations a reader of this genre might expect? 

4. What are some categories of this genre? AND what are the expectations a reader might expect from this genre? 

5. Examples of some popular or famous books or films that fit this genre; and some examples of authors who write in this type of genre.

NOTE: Slideshows should not have too much text--they should use graphics and pictures to get information across. Big concepts (like subgenres) can be listed, as opposed to painstakingly explained. Write your notes in your journal (double-dipping!) and organize your notes to select only the most important information about your chosen genre in the slideshow presentation! Use your handout chapter to help you! The project will likely be due at the end of our class Wednesday.

HOMEWORK: None. If you did not complete your 2 blog posts and/or created your blog, please do that by our next class. Remember to copy and paste your blog URL in the COMMENT section below...