Chinook Observer Publication, 2006
As most (but, surprisingly, not all) of my readers know, I am a writer. I have seventeen books in print, several now out of print, and several ‘in the works’ and not yet published. I write about the history of our little corner of the world – southwest Washington. It’s a subject of limited interest (silly ‘them’!) but near and dear to the hearts of a chosen few. Publishers aren’t likely to do a heavy-duty marketing campaign when books about the Peninsula or Pacific County come out, so sales aren’t necessarily brisk unless the author, herself, beats the drums.
Some years (seven!) back, I began this blog with that very fact in mind. I wanted to raise my profile in order to sell books. Pure and simple. I’m not sure of a way to make a direct correlation in that regard. Probably I’ve sold more books than I would have otherwise. But many more things – mostly positive – have happened because of the blog and, though I think of stopping now and then, I doubt that I will anytime soon. Writing each morning has become a daily habit right up there with breathing… or so it seems when, for some reason, I am forced to post late in the day. Or, god forbid as happened once, the next day!
My writing has improved because of my blog. My fan base has expanded. I’ve made new friends and have been able to assist many people (actually, folks from all over the world!) in answering questions about their ancestors or relatives or people and places from the past. Who’d a thunk that our tiny spot on the map would garner such interest?
Not all responses to my blog are positive, of course. I’ve had my share of hate-mail (or, more accurately, hate-comments), most of which I leave posted on my blogsite in the belief that they say more about the writer than they do about me. One of the strangest responses was not too long ago, when I blogged about an experience at a local service facility – a somewhat humorous blog (thought I) – and received not one but two letters (to my P.O. Box!) from the PR person of that facility calling me to task and explaining why they did what they did. The letters addressed “my recent complaint.” Say what???
Introducing Mrs. Crouch
Don’t get me wrong. I love responses to my blog. There is a place for comments directly below each day’s entry, though I’m the first to say that the WordPress publishing platform does not make that an easy option to utilize. Many people comment through FaceBook or email me directly. Often, I write back. Once in a rare while, I get a request for a book. Yay!!! If that idea intrigues you (Christmas is coming!), I commend you to this link for a list of my books: https://sydneyofoysterville.com/books2/ Click on any of the books listed for details about content, price, where available. And… Merry Christmas!
I hope you have an Iceland connection. Did you know that on Christmas Eve they give each other books and READ!
I know I have learned a bit more about the village of Oysterville that I literally stumbled upon about 30 years ago. The houses had names and dates posted on fences. There was something about the little place. I had no idea that many years later, when I happened to be in the Neill Public Library in Pullman, WA one day and happened to glance at a book display. I saw a title, “Dear Medora”. I think the display was geared to youngsters, but I checked the book out anyway. It led to my revisiting Oysterville whenever I was on the coast. I went to Medora’s grave site. Her story was very compelling to me. I don’t know why.
Maybe it was the way it was told. Honestly in a nonjudgemental way. There are “what if” questions. How the son came to live there temporarily and stayed. The later years, in California. And back again. I have read “Oysterville”. It is an entertaining look at the history of the village. But Medora’s story is my favorite.
Tfhanks so much for writing, Carole. And FYI — Dear Medora is my favorite, too!