Why does one blog?

I've been writing these for several months now, and can't help wondering whether anyone is reading them. The Sunday New York Times Magazine for May 25 had a cautionary tale for the feature article, by and about a blogger. This person claims to have revealed too much of herself for the world to see. I find my own motives are quite different from hers.

I want to reveal only enough to make a reader curious about my book(s). The "s" in parentheses is there because I hope to live long enough to see my next book in print. (It's been under contract for over 2 years.)

Settling (see cover illustration on the right) came out originally in 2004. It's a book for adults. That means there's a little bad language; no porn but some real sex; not much violence, but a rape; some tragedy, but with redeeming aftermaths. It's a love story, but it doesn't boast a conventional happy ending, which makes me think it doesn't really qualify as a romance. Besides, I want the reader to consider a few possible questions after finishing the story. For instance: how much should a person sacrifice for love? How much should we value good will? How about the pros and cons of fantasy and dreams? What are the consequences in adulthood of one's childhood influences? Maybe half a dozen other things. Yes, it's supposed to be entertainment, but just maybe it can offer a bit more than that.

Amazon offers it in paper or for your Kindle reader; you can order from the publisher at www.ebooksonthe.net.

If you think a story by this blogger might be of interest, it would be pretty easy to find out!

Hilltop Notes

This is number one of who knows how many? It comes from a hilltop in Morganton, NC, with the Blue Ridge as our backdrop. It also comes from a writer--I think--who is looking for like minds and adventurous spirits. Well, maybe not too adventurous.
I have a book to promote, and I hope a second in the near future, and short stories to get some critiques on with an eye to finding a publisher for a collection...all the usual writerly requirements. It seems necessary to find out who's out there who might be willing to form a support group around those of us who find ourselves without a formal geographical region to call our own. Foothills? Table Rock?
I have a novel, released last month, that got some compliments. See Book Buzz for particulars. Another is due out "soon." Does anyone know what a publisher means by this?
As a well-known comedienne used to say: can we talk?