Since I started this blog six-and-a-half years ago, I’ve had over 2.1 million visitors, 3300 on my busiest day, with over 23,000 comments on the 1,509 articles I’ve posted about writing. I have several columns:
- writer’s tips (sign up by clicking here)
- book reviews (usually Fridays)
- tech tips for writers (occasional)
In between, I write what’s on my mind, but always about the art of writing.
If I didn’t look at the statistics on my blog, I would guess that the most read posts were about how to market what you write, but not true. Last year, the series I wrote on Genre Writing Tips was so wildly popular I used that theme for my A to Z Challenge–and will again this year (there are a ton of genres). Then there is a series I call Descriptors–sixty-nine collections on how to describe a variety of stuff you include in your stories.
What a surprise to find out what you-all actually are reading. I am thankful for the WordPress statistics section. Here they are–my top 10 and bottom 10 of 2017:
Top Ten Hits
- 51 Great Similes to Spark Imagination
- 65 Ways to Describe Sight and Eyes in Your Writing
- 24 Ways to Describe Pain
- How to Describe Nature
- 72 Ways to Describe Sound
- How to Describe a Landscape
- How to Show (Not Tell) Emotion–E to O
- 35 Weird Traits Your Characters May Have
- 178 Ways to Describe Women’s Clothing
- How to Describe a Fight
If I remove the description articles, here are the remaining top ten:
- 103 Most Beautiful Words? You Decide
- 70 Collections to Infuse Your Writing
- Word Count by Genre
- 100+ Traits Your Character May Possess
- 6 Tips for Western Fiction Writers
- How to Write
- 15 Tips for Writing Poetry
- 13 Tips for Cozy Mystery Writers
- 21 Tips from Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style”
- 7 Tips for Literary Fiction Writers
Here are the ten that received the least amount of activity, but were no-less carefully-written:
Top Ten Misses
- 103 Most Beautiful Words? You Decide
- 19 Tips for Children’s Writers
- Book Review: Smashed
- Book Review: The Killing Lessons
- Writers Tips #84: 20 Hints that Mark the Novice Writer
- 10 Tips Guaranteed to Rescue Your Story
- How Many POVs is Too Many?
- 4 Ways to Plan Your Writing
- Funny One Liners I’ve Read in Books
- 19 Self-editing Tips
What were your most popular posts on your writer blog? Give me some topic hints for this year:
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the upcoming Born in a Treacherous Time. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for TeachHUB, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
I think I discovered your blog from another one. I read the article and liked it. I was hesitant to follow you because you wrote in the paranormal genre which was not my genre. But I really liked the posts I looked at so I followed you and I’m so glad I did. All your posts have been great! Sure, I like some better than others, but they’re still helpful no matter what genre you’re in. Your caring comes across as well – you care about your readers and your writing.
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How kind of you! You know me well enough that you see I actually don’t write paranormal (thrillers and recently historic fiction) but I enjoy a wide variety of genres. Each has its own aspects that make them addictive. Thanks for sticking with me!
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Nice
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Thanks!
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It’s interesting to see what resonates for people and what doesn’t. I read all your articles and learn a lot!
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I am always surprised–and then compare this to the response to the poll. Yikes!
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I love the variety in your posts Jacqui and it seems your stats prove you are doing well, so if it aint broken, don’t fix, lol. 🙂
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Thanks for that, Deb. Sometimes I think it’s scattered. I like ‘variety’ better!
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Variety it is then! 🙂
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I know from my own blogging, Jacqui, there’s simply no accounting for why some posts resonate and some don’t, especially when each is written with the same level of care and enthusiasm. Keep posting and I’ll keep reading!
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I do tilt the direction of writing my passion with a once-a-year reckoning to see what readers like!
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The numbers that define your blog are mindboggeling – or maybe they’re mindblogging! I don’t foresee such numbers for mine. I think your blog is a major success, Jacqui – very well done.
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1:27 am! Good grief, Shari–you really don’t sleep. Thanks for the kind words.
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Great stats …wish you more milestones in the coming year!
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Thanks! Right now, I’m updating some of my nonfic. It’s pretty boring. Sigh.
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Hi Jacqui – you certainly seem to have your eye on what’s going on and what we might need to know about … it’s great having a trustworthy source. And yes your posts are there for us to search and look at … delighted I found you and now happily follow … take care and have a really great 2018 – cheers Hilary
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Thanks so much, Hilary. I learn more every year. I do love blogging because it is forgiving of mistakes.
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but crumbs we all benefit … as we learn from each other … it’s a lovely medium to work in …
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I love your descriptor posts. Though I forget to go there. 😦 I have found them great when I’m feeling low on inspiration. Thank you for developing such an approachable blog on writing 🙂
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That’s exactly how i use them too! They do get the brain working.
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I love your tips and descriptions, Jacqui. There are a few in there that I need to revisit too. Wow. 3300 visitors in a day is jaw-dropping. I think I’d have a heart-attack. Happy Blogging and I’m looking forward to your offering in 2008!
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And publishers/agents think it’s way to small to be interested! Oh well. That’s not why I do it.
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Well, that’s just silly to me. When would we have time to write! 😀
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Over 2.1 million visitors–wow. You put out great content though, so I’m not surprised. I have no idea what my stats were this year–I didn’t get a summary. Probably because I hardly post anymore. 😁
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WordPress makes it easy but I don’t know about the other blogs. Google has a bit of code you can add to collect data but I haven’t found the need for that.
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You always have stellar posts, so I’m not surprised at your success.
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Thanks, Lee! Some I come up with. Some are in response to visitors. All good.
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How fantastic that your blog is so successful, Jacqui. I liked those A to Z posts on genre too.
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I have learned a lot about writing by developing those A to Z lists. It’s quite amazing.
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Your articles are always helpful and insightful.
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Thanks, Juneta! I appreciate that.
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Impressive numbers. Someday I hope to get 100 views in a single day.
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Thanks, Andrew. I love the blogging community. Maybe that comes across in my writing.
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Jacqui you are my hero. How you manage to accomplish all you do is amazing. Wow
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I’m definitely slowing down. I take more breaks and I suspect 2018 will be even more!
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Wow! you have a very successful blog Jacqui! Congratulations and wishing you more accolades in 2018. Book reviews you write are my favorites. 🙂
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Love hearing that, Balroop (about the book reviews). I try to keep them short but pithy. Thanks for being my efriend!
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The pleasure is mine Jacqui. Keep inspiring.
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Your posts are always very useful, Jacqui! You deserve all the blog hits and more.
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Thanks, Damyanti. I always feel the same about yours. And I love the questions you pose at the end of most.
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Your blog is a terrific help to many, Jacqui. Keep up the great work.
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Thanks, Jennifer. I often wonder about the tech tips for writers but they seem to be well-received so I’ll just keep going!
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Your blog is a blessing to so many, Jacqui. Thank you for all that you do.
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Thank you so much, Jill. It’s taught me a lot about voice which helps my fiction writing.
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You have been busy! Great eye watering stats!
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I like blogging as much for the writing as the community. I love meeting new efriends and often seek them out when I haven’t heard from them in a while. What a digital world, hunh!
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Congratulations Jacqui. These are awesome stats.
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They are interesting, aren’t they? I don’t write a lot of how-to-write posts anymore because they just don’t seem as popular!
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Keep up the great stuff you share on this blog Jacqui! Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2018.
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To you too, Ankur. I always enjoy your insights on life in India.
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Phenomenal stats Jacqui and congratulations!!! 😀 My top post is a book review, which has garnered nearly 200 likes, which amazes me! Closely followed by writing posts, ones on travel, inspirational walks and also an article on a female artist!
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I didn’t think of measuring likes but I’d say I’ve never had that many. What was that one? I need to take a second look.
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I haven’t found a way to measure otherwise! 😀 The first one you mentioned had more than that!! I have the top posts listed down the side of my blog.
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Really Great blog
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Thank you, Prateek! Appreciated.
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