Feedback Appreciated

[Celia Cyanide]

I am pretty new to blogging.

I am a Scream Queen. For those of you who don't know what a Scream Queen is, it means I act in a lot of indie horror movies. A horror website contacted me, and asked me to write a "Scream Queen Guest Blog" for their site.

They told me I could write about anything I wanted, but I could really use some advice. I get a lot of hits and comments on my myspace blog, but I only use it for announcements about interviews, films, etc. I don't really do much actual writing there.

Here is the site: http://www.hackslashdead.com My real name is Rachel. The current featured piece, "A Conversation With Paul Cram," is mine, as is "The Psychosis Of Ghosts."

Here is the kind of feedback I would like:

I've never been very comfortable with writing about myself, because I feel like I never know what parts of my life will seem interesting to other people. Knowing that I am a Scream Queen, what would be interesting to read about from me? I started talking about some of my favorite obscure cult classic horror movies, but I would like to do more than that. What would draw more readers in? What is interesting, or not, about what I have written.

The most recent entry is in interview with my friend Paul Cram, who acted in a horror film with me. I asked him questions, and since we know each other, we went back and forth and wrote it so that it flowed like a conversation. I'm thinking of doing more interviews with actors and directors I know. What do you think of this?

Please keep in mind that I do not own this site. I am a "guest blogger." You're welcome to comment on the site layout and appearance. I'd be happy to hear what you think about that. Just remember that I have no control over it.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[katiemac]

I know you said you don't like writing abut yourself, but I'm afraid most of my suggestions are about your involvement in the films.

I liked the Psychosis blog, because as a movie fan I love knowing about film development and sets. Since you're working on horror films, I'd think you'd have a pretty interesting selection. How often are the sets real places, or are they built? Does the "fear" ever get to you on set, or are you used to it (if it ever bothered you at all)? Does anything scare you in real life? How are your vocal chords holding up? :) And, last--how'd you start up with Scream Queen roles?

The Peter Cram blog I bet does appeal to the site's readers. Not being 100 percent familiar with the genre, his interview didn't connect totally with me, but I still be it works for others. I'd suggest giving a bit of background on the movie/character before launching into the interview.

Lastly, once the blog starts rolling, you'll probably be able to launch a couple ideas based on the comments trail.

[Celia Cyanide]

Thanks, KatieMac, for your feedback.

Perhaps I should clarify...it's not that I don't like writing about myself. It's just that I don't know what I could say about myself that would be interesting to read. Does that make sense? I don't want to write something that is only relevent to myself, and I don't want to rant. Ranting is fine, and can sometimes be interesting, but that's not what I want my blog to be about. Some of your questions certainly helped.

Say you were reading a blog from an actor or actress you were interested in, what would you like to hear from him/her? Many people who will read this will know who I am, and have seen me in stuff. But on the other hand, I would like to hear from people who have no knowledge of independent horror, and how this blog might be interesting for them to read, too.

Thanks for the feedback on the interview blog. My next blag is going to be another similar interview with the screenwriter of a feature I have been working on. Would it help to have a bio before the interview? That might be better than saying, "Hi! This is my friend Joe!"

Thanks so much!

[scope]

Thanks, KatieMac, for your feedback.

But on the other hand, I would like to hear from people who have no knowledge of independent horror, and how this blog might be interesting for them to read, too.


Thanks so much!

That's me! I have no knowledge of independent horror, no desire to learn about it, and can't imagine wanting to read anything about it. And I would think most people are of a similar mind-set. I think it's a mistake for you to want to appeal to the masses, which reading between your lines is the message I get. Your craft is obviously a niche market, very much so. You know these people. You have written and acted for them before. You know or can easily find out what they want. I just think it's a mistake to try and write for a market that may not exist. If you want to write and want to write about something other than Scream Screen horror flicks, then it's a whole different story.

Good luck.

So

[sassandgroove]

I've never been very comfortable with writing about myself, because I feel like I never know what parts of my life will seem interesting to other people. Knowing that I am a Scream Queen, what would be interesting to read about from me? I started talking about some of my favorite obscure cult classic horror movies, but I would like to do more than that. What would draw more readers in? What is interesting, or not, about what I have written.things that people might be interested in: learning how you became a Scream Queen, what interested you in acting in the first place, do you aspire to be in other types of films or are you happy remaining a Scream Queen. What has been your favorite roll so far and why? What has been your least favorite and why?

I'm thinking of doing more interviews with actors and directors I know. What do you think of this?
That would be good, too.

[katiemac]

Thanks for the feedback on the interview blog. My next blag is going to be another similar interview with the screenwriter of a feature I have been working on. Would it help to have a bio before the interview? That might be better than saying, "Hi! This is my friend Joe!"

It's probably not necessary to have a full-fledged bio, especially since your blog readers are probably familiar. It's just that when you introduced him, I think one of the early questions was "what's it like to play [character]?" For me, I didn't know the film, so I didn't know the character either. Does that make sense?

Like any film, I always want to know more behind-the-scenes stuff, especially if it's independent so I'm guessing there's smaller budgets. I'd love to know how they pull of the scary stuff, the makeup, everything.

They recruited you for your Scream Queen title, right? So maybe if you keep interviewing directors and actors, you could always ask them something regarding Scream Queens? Again, not knowing the genre I might like to see a blog on what qualifies someone to hold the title, or even something a bit cheesy like "you know you're in a horror flick" when, playing into the "well known" rules of the horror genre.

[Celia Cyanide]

I think it's a mistake for you to want to appeal to the masses, which reading between your lines is the message I get. Your craft is obviously a niche market, very much so.

Yes, I see what you mean! I guess I don't really want to appeal to the masses, but I might like to appeal to people who have never seen my movies before. Maybe people who are interested in horror, but haven't seen me before, or people who are interested in indie filmmaking.

These are great suggestions. Thank you very much. It might be a good idea to talk about how I became a Scream Queen. My myspace blog is strictly for reporting news. My fans might be interested in reading something about my life, and they might like to hear about that.