Saturday, April 21, 2012

A "No Reply Blogger" Fix & a few words about "Writing Lessons Learned"


A couple of housekeeping issues to take care of: 1) "No Reply Blogger," and 2) "Writing Lessons Learned."

No Reply Blogger

So, I'm going to seem like the goofiest blogger around, but I only recently learned that if you reply to a "no reply blogger" email address, your reply doesn't make it through. Stop laughing. I know. *hangs head in shame*

You see, I reply to every comment on my blog via email, and to be honest, I never look at the actual email addresses. I just click "reply," type in my comment, and assume that if the email message isn't returned, that it went through. Thankfully, some wise bloggers set me straight.

If you're a "no reply blogger," I want you to know that there are replies to your comments floating out in cyber space! And probably not just from me :)

I was quite flustered by this, so I searched for a fix. If you'd like to receive email replies to your blog comments, there's a way. I'll summarize Utterly Chaotic's great tutorial:
  1. Go to Dashboard
  2. Go to Edit Profile
  3. Look in Privacy section
  4. Check the box that says "show my email address"
  5. Go to Identity section, and enter an email address
  6. Click Save Profile
Some people may not want to show their personal email address, and I totally understand. If you have a separate email address for Blogger, you could enter that. Then you could forward your Blogger emails to your personal email address. That's what I do.

If you're unsure whether or not you're a no reply blogger, you can leave a comment, and then email me directly at julie (at) juliemusil (dot) com. I'll let you know how it looks on this end.

Writing Lessons Learned

I read most books based on recommendations, so I usually like what I read. Usually. And I learn lessons from each book, whether it's a favorite or not. And I share those lessons here on my blog.

But I wanted to make it clear that I'm not necessarily recommending each of these books. We all love different genres, but the writing techniques can be universal. I'm focusing on the positive lessons I learn, and sharing them with all of you. Hopefully these observations help other writers as much as they help me. I just wanted to point this out, because I don't want to mislead anyone!

Ok, housekeeping done.

Tell me, are you a no reply blogger? Or do you even know? Leave a comment, and we can figure it out! It's so much more fun when we can chat back and forth :D

34 comments:

  1. They're floating in cyber-space with mine from the first few months we decided to email reply, too. :)
    erica

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  2. Erica, I feel so bad about it. I never even noticed :(

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  3. I don't think I'm a no-reply. I do get messages from other bloggers, so I'm probably okay.

    I love when other people analyze books - don't stop!

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  4. I'll have to check into this. I only reply on my blog.

    It feels great when you sweep the house clean! Have a great weekend, Julie.

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  5. I've never replied by email so this is all news to me. Hmmm, I may have to look into that.

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  6. Your replies and those from others come through to my email, so I'm good to go!

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  7. I've been getting your emails:)

    Though I might have been sending to these "no reply" people too since I just assumed if someone posted their email it would work...will have to look in the future.

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  8. I'm learning something new every day. Hold your head high ...not in shame... for being someone who learns. Beats the alternative!

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  9. I didn't realize that at first either! I get sad when I can't respond to people via email.

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  10. I had no idea about the "No Reply Blogger" thing! I immediately when and checked and realized that's exactly what I was... Key word WAS, lol=) I usually reply to blog comments directly on the blog because I've never even thought about replying via email... Something I'm going to be doing as well now=)

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  11. Julie you rescued me from darkness of the "no reply blogger" zone. I am forever grateful. I think cracking the code puts you in the "tech nerd" zone. You will be revered by millions.

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  12. I didn't know about the "no reply" thing either, but I don't try to hide my email address when I go to the trouble to leave a reply. That seems like knocking on someone's door and then running away before they answer it. But that's just me. Kind of ol' fashioned, but my parents were from the Midwest. 'nuf said. ;-)

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  13. Nope, I get all your email replies. I love it when your name lights up my inbox!

    And I agree. Even if you don't necessarily like a book, or if you just have an issue with it, you can always learn something from the writing. I did this past week with The Descendants. The story's rather dry & boring & the voice drives me nuts, but the author has a unique way of making the MC observe things that happen around him. He goes from a clueless idiot to a tuned-in father. Somehow, against my will, I kept reading, and in the end, I liked it. Go figure!

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  14. Hi Julie! You are so good to reply to all your commenters... I tend to visit blogs of my commenters before any others and respond that way. But I think it's great and very personalized to do it your way. And I agree, you can almost always learn something from a book even if you don't necessarily care for the story.

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  15. Being a tech geek, this is news to me. I never received emails b/c I was a no-reply blogger. Good to know! I've fixed it now. Thanks so much for the tip. :)

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  16. Ok I'm testing this out. Problem with mine should be fixed.

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  17. Karen's fix worked, and so did Pk's! Yipee!

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  18. The NR bloggers are a scourge to my lazy replying habits! lol Like you, I like to reply via e-mail when I can. It isn't all laziness, though. Sometimes I can say more in an e-mail than I can in a blog comment. I can 'connect' a little better if I know the convo is private or 1 to 1. If that makes sense...

    Anyway, here's to hoping lots of folks switch on the reply! : )

    Very nice to meet you, Julie. Really appreciated the comment you left on my blog and look forward to getting to know you!

    EJ

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  19. More troublesome are those who follow with no link to follow back.

    I think it's important to have a way for folks to contact us for many reasons. Great meeting you. :)

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  20. I haven't worked out how to do email replies yet. I must get on to that since I rarely have time to go back to see replies to comments I make all over the place. Emails would be handy.

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  21. Hi Julie! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog the other day :D I really appreciate it!

    Thanks for doing this post. I do the same thing -respond via email- and was rather frustrated when I learned this truth.

    Happy Monday from a new follower,
    Jen

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  22. I think focusing on writing lessons learned is a great way to review books you don't like. I always struggle with giving fair negative reviews, and that sounds like a good way to do it.

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  23. I don't think so or maybe I am b/c if I'm really curious about a reply, I'll check in later in the day. How interesting. I've probably done the same thing. Though if I have a specific reply I'll email the person with my response, knowing a lot of people don't come back and check.

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  24. It also took me a some time to realize those "no reply blogger" responses don't go through. I wish more people would link to their email address so I can send a reply, so I'm going to tweet this and direct people to your post! :)

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  25. I love your "Writing Lessons Learned" series, Julie. Some of your reviews make me want to read the book, and others don't. But even those I'm not interested in or haven't read, still teach me something. Your examples given are so succint, it isn't necessary to read the actual passage - so thank you!

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  26. hi I did everything but still I am a no -reply blogger. help!

    mail me at ncdiamante@yahoo.com

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  27. Like Angel above, I did everything yet I am still listed as a no-reply blogger. I do get toms of mail though so I think there must not be an issue?? Feedback please!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  28. Hi there! I've done everything but it seems I'm still a no-reply blogger. Please help! :(

    genzel@hellokitty.com
    http://www.genzelkisses.com

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  29. I get replies to comments regarding a certain post via my email inbox. How do I respond to someone's comment on my own blog, and have that response go into their email inbox (I can reply to comments directly on the blog post). I'm confused...please help.
    Janet @ http://up-anchorsetsail.blogspot.com/
    explorersfour@gmail.com

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  30. Am I a no-reply blogger? moonofsilver@gmail.com

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  31. I have a fellow blogger telling me that she has replied to my comments on her blog but I have never gotten them or seen them on her site or mine. If she leaves me a comment on my blog I get it but I do not see her replies to my comments on her blog or get email replies. Thanks for the info I am emailing you to see if the change I made worked!

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