Some blogger I turn out to be. Not so big on the regular updates. And when I do, they’re about 9 pages long and full of academic quotes. Apologies to anyone who cares enough to check regularly…

In all honesty, I’m finding the whole blogging thing something of an interesting (read: challenging) experience. Mainly because I’ve never been a big believer in putting stuff out there unless I’ve actually got something to say, and more often than not I don’t feel like I’ve got much to say at all, so better to say nothing.

But then, of course, what’s the point of blogging? Is it just to ‘say something’ or is there more to it than that? My friend Adele, in her blog Persnickity Snark has just put up a really thought provoking piece on the topic of Young Adult Author blogs, and why they do / don’t work, and it’s got me thinking.

I really like her point about accessibility. That’s the only reason I started this blog in the first place, to be honest. As a general rule, I’m not the sort of person who’s naturally at the cutting edge of things like web 2.0. I avoid Facebook like the plague. I don’t have an iPhone. When I hear the word ‘profile’ I still automatically picture someone’s face viewed from side-on. I have no idea how to post pictures to twitter. I had to get my wife to build my (insert shameless plug here) new website.

But, at the same time, I really want to be available so that people who invest their time and energy in reading my books have the opportunity to get in touch if they want to. Or to find out a little more about where I’m coming from. That’s why I took the ‘twitter’ plunge, and also why I set up ‘Musings…’

I’m also hoping that if I post updates here on how the final ‘Darklands’ book is coming along, that people will stop pestering me about it :) (This, of course, is just a joke. Please feel free to pester away…)

(actually, btw - I'm expecting the reader's reports on the final book to arrive sometime today. Depending on what they say, there might even be another post coming. Alternatively I might be throwing myself off a high ledge, somewhere. But that's beside the point...)

The cool thing from my point of view, is that even though I’m not proving to be the world’s most regular blogger, and even though I’m very aware that I’m still finding my voice and style – I’m actually enjoying the experience far more than I ever expected to. It’s been great having the opportunity to get involved in a couple of really important public discussions of my chosen field of work, it’s kept me in touch with a whole pile of people I haven’t spoken to for ages, and put me in touch with a whole lot more. It’s much more than just ‘being accessible’, it’s also actually fun. This has come as something of a shock to a cynic like me.

I’m also having a lot of fun doing #twitlit.

So, the point of all this? I guess what I’m saying is that, if you’re one of those who has read my rather convoluted ramblings and random musings to date, then thanks. Many and grateful thanks. For your patience, if nothing else.