"How to Write a Blog Post People Actually Want to Read"

From this reading, I learned there are four things needed to create a perfect blog post; a catchy title and sub-headers, interesting images, helpful/factual information, and personality.
Let's be honest, bloggers typically write about the same general topics. To differentiate yourself from other bloggers, you need to take those "basic" topics and tune into specifics about them. This will give your writing a different spin then the writing of other bloggers, ultimately attracting the readers attention.
The appearance of your blog is very important for drawing readers in. Presenting them with a huge block of text will often scare away your readers, but by using headings and white space, you are able to give your writing a better image. Break huge blocks of writing into different sub-sections, and label them all with a specific title. It's also helpful to add bolded phrases into your writing or give your main ideas a bigger font.
It's also important that you write with personality. If you want your readers to relate to what you're saying and genuinely enjoy reading your blog, you have to let them know that there's a real person behind those words. A few ways to do this are by eliminating choppy sentences, using jokes or phrases you say a lot, and telling real, personal stories. It's also helpful to use different font types. For example, you can italicize or bold words for emphasis that you might emphasize in your real talking.
Lastly, it's important that you use images in your writing. People relate better to visuals. When choosing images to incorporate into your blog, you want to make sure that they add to your writing and that they are clear. Readers are often turned away by blurry or unclear images, it gives them the impression that you have a low-quality blog.

Grammar Girl #646

Personally, I never knew the difference between "blond" and "blonde" and always assumed it was simply a cultural difference in spelling. From this podcast, I learned that the two forms of the word actually originate from old french language. Each correlate with a gender. "Blond" is the correct form when referring to a fair-haired male and "blonde" is the correct form when referring to a fair-haired female.
 
As times have progressed, referring to a women as "blonde" can be considered sexist but is still considered correct in proper English. Additionally, most prevalent in the United States, when used as an adjective, "blond" is more common. The form "blond" is also used when referring to intimate objects, aside from Starbucks who uses the feminine form to refer to their drink the "blonde roast coffee."

Writing About Yourself

As a writer, it's important to understand the importance of individuality. Writers are often influenced to write what their teacher or editor wants, when they should be writing what they want. I learned that we shouldn't write what other people want to hear, but what is familiar to us. When you write for yourself, you will reach the people who you want to write for.

When writing about yourself, it's important you are able to distinguish the thin line between "ego and egotism." Confidence and pride are important as a writer; you won't be able to get far without it. On the other hand, being too egotistic will only bring down your writing. You want to make sure that all of the details of your memoir are moving your story forward.

A memoir shouldn't be a summary of your life, which is what autobiographies are for. Narrow it down to specific moments, and build up to the person you are today. Use important details from your past to give your readers an insight on your life, but do so without describing an entire timeline.

People should be the real focus of your memoir. Small details, perhaps the smell of your childhood home, are important to painting an image of what your life was like, but not as important as using real people and experiences. Use people to pave the way for the main focus of the writing, yourself. Give an idea of how certain people impacted you.