Every New Year, WordPress sends out a report about how your blog did during the previous year. It’s always a lot of fun, with statistics like if everyone who read your blog got on a cable car, it would take 60 cable cars to hold them all. Really, it’s a hoot.
It’s always nice to know that I’m not just talking to myself over here. I know I tend to wander around like I’m lost in Topic Land, but I really am interested in a lot of things and I like the idea of throwing out an idea or a current issue, or something and see what happens with it.
More often than not, nothing happens. One or two people might “like” the post, and sometimes you dear regulars will say something, but in general I get back a big resounding NADA. Now, that’s not your fault. I know you’re busy. I read a LOT of blogs and I don’t leave comments very often myself.
But I do hope to have interesting conversations with my readers. Better yet, I’d like to see them having interesting conversations with each other in my comment section. It’s not happening and I’d like to learn how to fix it.
Hence: Blogging 101, an online course offered by WordPress to help lonely bloggers improve their presence. Everyday, we’ll get an assignment to do something with our blogs and somehow this will all coalesce into real wisdom. Or something like that.
Today’s assignment is to post what my blog is for, what I want to accomplish with it, and what its purpose is.
To wit:
My blog’s main purpose is to let the world know about my books and where they can purchased. I gotta make a living you know.
Visitors to my blog can learn pretty quickly about my books. They’re all right there on the first page. But I want you to stay and chat. So I talk about a lot of other things. They are things I’m interested in, because it is MY blog after all.
So on my blog, we’ll talk about, in no particular order of importance and certainly not limited to only these topics:
Women
Feminism
Pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding
Raising kids
Politics
Religion
Humanism
Science
Climate
Food
Agriculture
Travel (especially my travels)
Community
Paganism
Holistic Living
And oh yeah, writing, publishing, and when am I gonna finally finish another book????
What I want to see happening this year on my blog: conversations with my readers.
So go ahead. Drop me a line.
Marlene Dotterer 
It’s been a pretty busy time and I haven’t been leaving nearly the comments I used to leave. Plus, I’ve changed jobs which has had a big impact on the number of blogs I can visit. So I’m here even if you don’t hear the silly wave I do at the screen lol!
You are one of my loyal crew and I’m always happy to hear from you!
Re: Blogging 101
Well that’s pretty handy. I think it’s important to have focus on a blog. I like to read variety, so the more diverse topics, the better.
I enjoy reading your blogs. I would also enjoy a new book from you!!! Wishing you the best in the New Year 🙂
I’m always so happy to hear from you, Ann. Happy New Year to you and Shay, too!
Hello, Marlene!
I read your comment on the Community Blogroll and headed over because you mentioned quite a few topics I’m interested in as well. After a cursory glance, I must say I’m completely drawn in. Hitting the Follow button is surely the next thing I’m going to do. I would love to go through your books as well.
I don’t follow a lot of blogs as I’m relatively new here. I don’t know how often I can drop by, but I want to become one of your regulars. Hope you’re having a nice day! 🙂
Thank you, Nandini! I look forward to your comments. I know it’s hard to find time, especially if you follow a lot of blogs. I’ve followed yours too – can’t pass up someone who defines “blatherskite!”