MOMS CLIQ Magazine | October 2008

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By Mary Davis

Sean Platt is known to his many fans as Writer Dad. Although Writer Dad is fairly new to the blogging scene, he’s already built quite a following. After blogging for only six weeks, he reached 1000 comments and was nominated to Alltop after just one month. Read on to see why his readers find him so likeable.

You’ve really built a community on your blog in such a short time.

Yes, I respond to every comment. I hit a thousand just recently. Without community it’s like I’m dwelling in an empty cave. I want to genuinely create, and I want to write, and I want to write for an audience. I’m courting them I guess. I’m saying “Look, I’m worth it.” And when I put something out that I want to charge for, I want our relationship to be good enough that they’ll say, “Okay, I’ll give your book a try.”

Why do you think you’ve reach such success with your blog?

I think it’s just genuine. I think that I’m honest, I think that I admit my feelings, and I think I’m funny. People like that. People want a story. If I’m going to give advice, I’m going to give it in the body of a story. Ultimately, I’m a storyteller. I think that people want to be entertained, but I think they also want something real. I think that’s how honesty comes through.

What advice would you give others who want to start a blog?

I feel a little uncomfortable giving writing advice because I’ve only been doing it for a year. I’ve never had a writing class, ever. I didn’t go to college. I opened up a business at 18. I’d never written for anyone other than myself. I feel hesitant to give advice, and the only advice I can give is to think of who you’re writing for and write to that person. I always write as if I’m talking to someone because it gives me more clarity in what I’m trying to say, or what lesson I want to teach, or who I’m trying to make laugh. Sometimes it’s my sister. If I can make my sister laugh, I know it’s a good joke!

How has blogging changed your life?

Thus far, I would say the number one thing it's done for me is give me a lot of confidence. When you have a community that appreciates your words, it's fuel. Every one of those comments is just shoveling more coal into the fire, and it's important to me.

You can read more from Sean at www.writerdad.com It took his wife eleven years to convince him to write. Check out her blog at www.namasdaisy.com.