Carol Baldwin is a huge supporter of children’s literature, which makes her a dear, dear friend of mine! I adore people who do their utmost to help shine the spotlight on the wonderful books being published today. I asked her to share a bit about what she does, and she graciously agreed.

Carol Baldwin, giddy with joy at being asked to write a guest post for my blog
Blogging for Fun and a Different Type of Profit
Sometimes I imagine being interviewed. (Be honest. If you’re working towards publication, you probably have similar fantasies.) So, when Kirby offered to host me on her blog, I thought: Here’s my chance! My book is still a work-in-progress, but who says I can’t be interviewed now? Without further ado, here is my imaginary interview.
Q: When and why did you start blogging?
A: I started blogging before it was a platform-building trend. Back in 2007, I was working on Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4-8. I must have bugged my editor, Emily Gorovsky Raij, with one too many this-is-what-I’ve-been-thinking-about-lately emails because she suggested I start a blog.
It sounded like a good idea, so I gave mine the understated title: “Carol Baldwin’s blog” (remember, this was before every writer and her cousin came up with clever names for their blogs) and started. My first posts were about Teaching the Story and teaching writing to teachers, teens, and at conferences.
Q: Why do you blog?
A: Blogging is an investment. Before I knew what a platform was, I was creating one. When I review books or blog about writing conferences, I’m making connections with authors, agents, and editors. The proof that I had unexpected readers in important places was when I met Carolyn Yoder, (senior editor at Calkins Creek Books) at my first Highlights workshop and she knew my name and my blog because of my friend, Joyce Hostetter, whose books she edits. At my second Highlights workshop, the assistant editor, Cherie Matthews, recommended my blog without knowing I was in the room. That was fun!
Q: Doesn’t blogging take time away from writing? How do you find time to do both? (this question was a real question from a friend).
A: I used to blog twice a week but decided that once was enough to keep my blog active and wouldn’t overload my follower’s inboxes. It is time-consuming, particularly if you chose to write book reviews. Even “simple” blogs (mostly images and less text) can take an hour or two to format. More complicated blogs, (book reviews combined with writing craft) can take 4-6 hours. I blog in the evenings and watch little TV.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting a blog?
A: Consider who your intended audience might be, if you have time to devote to it (you don’t have to blog once a week, but if you want your readership to stay with you, then you want to be consistent), and the content you will provide. Admittedly, I didn’t think of any of this when I started but the writing blogosphere has changed—there’s a lot more competition for a reader’s attention. Don’t blog just to promote yourself or your books. Your content should be something that your readers can use. I feature three of my favorites, Fiction University, Writers Helping Writers and Writers Unboxed here. They are popular because they consistently provide thought-provoking content. Two of my good writing friends admire my persistence in keeping my blog going; one has abandoned hers and the other rarely has time to blog. But a key factor for me is that I enjoy it. Every book giveaway is like a party and I love promoting books and authors. Although I have not monetized my blog, receiving comments that my blog is helpful is very rewarding.
Q: What are some of your favorite blogs to write?
A: I started a series, “You Heard it Here First” when I share an author or illustrator’s news about signing with an agent or when their book is ready to be released. I love those posts as well as when I feature teen writers or sharing what I have learned at a writer’s conference. Recently I have begun combining craft instruction with my reviews like these featuring Kirby’s latest books LIBERTY and AUDACITY STEALS THE SHOW. Integrating writing principles into my reviews helps those principles stick in my brain. It’s also fun to share my progress with HALF-TRUTHS, my first young adult novel.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
A: Since I’m a big fan of giveaways and have profited by attending many first page critiques, I’m offering a first page critique to one of you. Please leave a comment by May 17 and I’ll use random.org to select one person to receive the critique. Include the genre (no erotica or horror), and your email address. Middle grade or young adult is preferred, but adult fiction is acceptable. No picture books. Submission should be 250 words and double-spaced. I know how tough first pages are. I’ve changed mine many times and now open with a totally different character and setting.

Carol in the gardens at the Highlights Foundation retreat center
After ten years, almost 700 posts, and over 205,000 views later, blogging is Carol’s platform, passion, and perhaps a bit of an obsession. During the day, you can find her working on her young-adult novel, HALF-TRUTHS, golfing, or playing with one of her five grandchildren.
Thanks so much for featuring one of my favorite bloggers, Kirby. I always enjoy how Carol combines the art of writing with reviews of books. Her interview here was both informative and insightful for any blogger. Not necessary to enter my name for the drawing.
Test reply, Kirby please let me know if this comes through
For some reason, Carol’s reply to Clara is not coming through, so I’m posting it for her:
“Thanks, Clara. I feel special that I’m on your “favorite blogger” list!
Thanks, Kirby for having Carol on your blog. And I’m sure this must be a thrill for you, Carol, to be on Kirby’s Blog. I fell in love with her writing after reading Two Bobbies and Hattie Big Sky, myself. I am happy you had the experience of being interviewed. You have had a great influnece on people’s revisions, and your informative reviews have led me to read many new books.
Again, we are having difficulties with Carol being able to post replies. Here is hers to you, Sheri:
“Thanks for supporting my blog and my WIP, Sheri. glad to hear you are a Kirby Larson fan too!”
This was a fun interview. I always enjoy Carol’s blog. It’s filled with valuable stuff. Thanks for hosting this, Kirby, and for writing it, Carol.
Thanks for sharing your blogging wisdom, Carol. And thanks for your wonderful books, Kirby, which I also enjoy largely because Carol pointed me in your direction.
Carol has tried to write lovely replies to each commenter and for some reason, the cyber gremlins are keeping those replies from posting. Please all — know that Carol is grateful for your support and your comments!
Kirby, I so enjoyed your interview with Carol Baldwin. Her blog has given me writing knowledge and inspiration to start my own blog. She has also become a dear friend.
Dear Carol,
I am very excited and happy that Kirby interviewed you on her blog. .It was fun learning about how you started your blog and how it has evolved.
Dear Kirby,
Thanks for interviewing Carol on your blog.