Let's share ideas on our own blogs

This was my very first blog. It seems strangely prescient - did I write it knowing that it would fit nicely somewhere, sometime in the future?

Anyway, let me know what you think.

Whilst it will be more convenient to comment in the Blog Lovers thread, it would be nice to leave a comment on the blog itself.....I have found that it is not always easy to get comments!

https://www.chess.com/blog/DreamLearnBe/yes-another-blog-from-an-unremarkable-chess-player

Maybe if something is more for the content and or positive could go in the post, but critics could stay here. What do you think?

I will check later!

The only thing to say there is "good luck with your blogging experience", yet after 1 year it's a bit late.

Here... I think you could go straight to what you want to say instead of trying to create suspension. Unless you do it very well, it's not adding anything as a matter of content and on the emotional level either.

I will later share one of my infamous 0 comment blog posts!

I think that is a great rule of thumb. Otherwise constructive criticism (which is valuable) gets muddled up with trolling.

@DreamLearnBe

I like the juxtaposition of chess in the club vs. the internet. I think it is an excellent hook for your piece that captures the reader's interest; you might consider starting your blog there. Many people went from clubs to the internet during Covid. And many of those who started on the internet have become interested in clubs.

Your might section might focus on the question, "What is that clubs provide that the internet does not?" You focus on the relationship-building aspect of clubs, which is excellent. Finally, you introduce blogs as a possibility as the internet version of this relationship aspect. 

From my own experience, this is true. Traditionally, I hate writing as I do not see myself as a good writer (my big nemesis is grammar, not content). I have too many ideas, and they get all scrambled. During Covid, however, my chess club socialization was gone, so I discovered chats and blogs. I also found that blogs work for me because I only had to focus on one idea at a time, which streamlined my thoughts. So, now I want to become a top blogger.  

Aside: Regarding my grammar phobia, I discovered Grammarly; it handles my editing problems. but I have to be careful because, at times, it tries to change the meaning or the nuance of my thoughts. Editing still takes a lot of time.

This is a valid point not just about this blog, but many others too. Learning how to draw the reader in, build suspense and make the reader want to read on is a tricky business. I think that it is probably a less valid strategy here, maybe more so on longer form blog platforms (like Medium).

It is certainly something that I am a long way from mastering!

One of my 0 comment posts!

https://www.chess.com/blog/Marziotta/another-way-to-study-games-and-positions-chigorin-schiller-saint-petersburg-1897

Apart the formatting (I should have improved bold and similar, maybe added a title or put more paragraphs) I like it. It's even less messy than my usual diary post. My last diary log is so messy I think I won't post it and find something else to blog about instead.

Let me know what else could be improved... And comment if you feel like!

Hi Renate-Irene,

First up thanks so much for taking the time to write a detailed response.

Your point about using club vs. internet as an intro hook is interesting. In a way this connects with the idea of focusing on one idea. You increase the risk of the reader becoming lost, if there are too many elements floating around.

I do like the Ginger GM. And not just because he is partial to the occasional pint (I confess, me too!). I think he makes material engaging and accessible without dumbing it down.

The question of formatting is important. I agree that titled, bold print paragraphs can help the reader navigate the blog conceptually.

I am still getting to grips with all this (one year down the line). Mind you my long term goal is to write a book, so I am willing to cater for a more niche readership and lower following. however, the improving the writing quality and clarity is non - negotiable!

One of the things I liked about your post was that offered the reader a number of resources they may not have been aware of before.

Russian, wow (again)!

@DreamLearnBe

Thank you for your comment

Yes, that is why I like the blog format. One idea, one blog. If I have multiple related ideas, I write multiple blogs. Each blog expresses one idea, and I label them parts 1, 2, and 3. I did that with my Christmas Blog, based on the three wise men coming to Bethlehem. I am considering starting a series of blogs on Bobby Fischer, Lombardy, and Spassky.   

By the way, I think I just figured out the meaning of your avatar name, an excellent concept. 

The multiple part strategy is an excellent idea. Besides making the blogs themselves more compact, it encourages return readers!

DreamLearnBe has become a sort of over-arching life theme. Currently my three areas of interest are chess, wire sculpture and writing.

Different levels in each one, but I am on a journey and that is just fine!

 Avatar: An interesting combination, and all of them are grounded in a creative personality.  

Series: Magazines used it. The Strand used it to get readers for the Sherlock Holmes series with great success. From a writing perspective, I find serial blogs useful as they allow me to focus on one concept without feeling that I am "killing important ideas."  It allows me to give each idea its own space without getting too lengthy and without the strain of keeping up with multiple threads. In addition, it provides a good trade-off between breadth and depth; you can do both, one step at a time. 

To use an analogy, it is like eating an apple one bit at a time rather than trying to stuff the whole apple into your mouth at once.