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1. Separate Yourself
If you're starting a doll blog, it's likely because you were inspired by some other one you've read before. Me? I took after Belle's Bulletins. Although she has sadly long since finished blogging, here is a link if you're interested in reading it. http://belles-bulletins.blogspot.com/ But there's the rub. If you want to be successful, you must make yourself stand out among the crowd. First, address what makes yourself unique as a blogger. Do you have an diverse or interesting cast of dolls, ranging from key-chains to ornaments to giant snow queens? Do you have a setting that would be intriguing, such as a seascape or a house on a mountain or a big city not so far away? Is a common theme dealing with solving mysteries or going on adventures? Find what you can use to your advantage to not make you seem like a copycat.
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2. Bring 'Em Back
Sometimes certain dolls tend to fade into the background when their original intention was for them to be kept in the spotlight. Sadly, this happens a lot. If you ever start to loose a character's part in a story, find a way to reel them back in. For example, what skills do they have that no one else does, and how does this help the story move along? However, if you just cannot find a way to bring 'em back, per se, just let them be. Something might occur in the future that will inspire you to write about them again. It just so happens that not everyone can be a main character, even in a true story.
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3. Change the Narrative
Hearing the same voice over and over can get boring. Any good teacher knows this, and to better captivate their students, might shout occasionally to get their attention. But you can't really shout in text, not unless you're using all caps. Instead, you can experiment by using other dolls to tell a story for a change instead of your go-to storyteller, because every doll is different and will view an event in a different way. I know this blog is named after me, but really, Steve and especially Moana have gotten a chance to use their voice and tell a different view of something that happened. I've heard from you as my readers that you actually liked the change, so why not give it a go for your own blog?
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4. Give You and Your Audience a Break
Contrary to how things are often done here, every post does not have to be a fifteen-pages-long account. Throwing shorter posts in the mix such as crafts, recipes, and photo reels are easy to make and fun to read. They feature more pictures, usually, so if you like photography and arts, this may be more your thing. This will also attract a different variety of readers while still staying true to what it means to be a doll blogger... being sure to feature some dolls, too!
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5. Do Some Expanding
We'd all probably like to think that writer's block doesn't exist. But every once in a while, especially if something new or interesting hasn't happened recently, I lose motivation to write. What you can do to solve this is to throw a character into a place they normally wouldn't be and see what happens. Luckily we have plenty of spirited, adventurous dolls here to keep me on my toes whenever I post. In Olaf's case, he had previously thought he was a real snowman, and not a doll, but going into the basement craft room (where he would normally be too afraid to visit) and reuniting with his brother Gad opened his eyes to reality. This expanded Olaf's character overall, seeing as he is more knowledgeable and is not as cowardly as he used to be! (This will all be explained in a later published post.)
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6. Focus On Conflicts
Most writers will say to focus on one conflict at a time, but I think that's completely wrong! That's not how it happens in real life, and that definitely doesn't happen in the Room She Lives In. There can be as many conflicts as you want within a story, internal or external, but it's important to draw more attention to the main conflict until that one is solved, and then address the smaller ones, or vice-versa. A lot of things can happen in a day or a span of a few days. Loki and Magneto might get into a squabble and refuse to talk to each-other, but then Magneto is needed later because, introducing the second conflict, Loki lost his helmet down the vent and Magneto is the only one smallest enough to fit through to get it. (That didn't actually happen, but I think it's a good example.) As long as you realize that conflict is the engine of a story, you'll be golden.
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7. Look to Objects for Inspiration
Since it's likely you'll be getting pictures of dolls to put on your blog, use this to your advantage. Objects have a lot of power to them. Whether it's questing to get something, finding the meaning of something else, or simply drawing to light what one important object means to the story or its characters, a lot can be done with little things. And speaking of little things, those work even better since most dolls are much smaller than humans. Who knows what all can be done with a miniature tea set or school supplies?
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8. Raise the Stakes
Now, this one can be tricky. It's hard to find dolls that are willing to move out of their comfort zone just so you can post the story on Blogger. But sometimes they will just amble into conflict themselves, and you'll be able to take advantage of that. Uh oh, your character has a secret and it was just revealed. Uh oh, they were mistreated and now they have to accept a lifelong blemish. Uh oh, there's a time limit to finish an important task or else... you decide. Raising the stakes will make things interesting and add action to your tale.
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9. Include Everyone
This kind of ties into bring 'em back. Perhaps there was a doll you were overlooking to be in your blog because they look a little old and worn? Maybe they are actually a key-chain? Are they seasonal like nutcracker could be? Are they an animal and cannot create dialogue? Put them in your blog anyways. They could stand in as background buffer, or they could be a really prominent main character you and your audience end up liking.
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10. Don't Be Afraid of Ignoring Your Blog
Come on, I have to know this one better than anybody. I often leave this blog dormant for months on end, and for good reason too. If an author is pressed to write all the time, sometimes the creations they create... aren't that great. Taking time away from writing is good for the brain, or so I claim. But seriously. Don't feel like you have to come out with one post every week. Great ideas are often found by not thinking about them at all.
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Believe it or not, these are only a few tips for writing your own doll blog. There are plenty of others out there, but I figured ten was just right for now. If you want more sometime in the future, just leave a comment and I'll be sure to take note of that. Happy blogging!
Unsure if this post warrants a sign-out pic,
Queen Elsa
Wait a minute. Olaf, basement craft room, his brother Gad? Did I miss a post, or did no one get around to posting that story yet? Either way I'd love to read it.
ReplyDeleteSigned, Treesa
By the way, thanks for saying/writing that it's ok if a blogger doesn't post constantly. MyLittleMegara said/wrote something similar when she was nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award. I happen to think it's good advice. Although other bloggers insist that the only way to grow your audience is to blog on a regular schedule, I think deadlines can put too much pressure on new bloggers. I know there are people who work best under pressure, but other people become paralyzed by that kind of stress. Besides, being too concerned about the number of followers or page views a blog has just sucks all the fun out of blogging. It can also make a blogger forget why they started blogging in the first place.
ReplyDeleteSigned, Treesa
Yeahhhhh, about the Gad thing... that was my mistake. It had just happened to us around the same time I was creating this post and I just thought it was a given at this point, when really it wasn't, because my readers had never heard of it! I'm finishing up writing that post now, though, so it'll be coming out in these next few days.
ReplyDelete