I’m still here.

I’m still looking at traffic stats.

I’m still reading comments, and sometimes even replying.

I’m still thinking of blog posts.

But that’s just it. I’ve been so busy lately with my editing day job the only thing related to this blog I’ve been doing is thinking.

I’m too pooped to post.

The editing job should settle down a bit over the Christmas holidays. When it does and I have some more time, here are the posts you’ll see from me:

• In praise of the nut graph – small, powerful, elusive and 100 percent unavoidable – why are you so hard to master?
• I love writers who… – a 180 from a post I wrote awhile back on the editors that writers love. Based on the last month, I have much to say on this subject.
• 2009: a freelance writing year in review – a horror story with a happy ending.
  
• Digital media trendsetters to watch in 2010 – The usual suspects, plus a few surprise picks.
• To incorporate or not to incorporate – That is the question to ask your accountant.
• A media incubator wish list – Portland freelance journalists are huddling this week to continue plans for a coworking space dedicated to indie writers. If you were going to design your dream shared newsroom, what would be in it? If you’re already working in such an environment, what do you love about it, and what do you hate?

Readers, which of those subjects should I tackle first? If there’s something else you’d like to read on WordCount in coming weeks let me know.

WordCount readers have spoken.

At last count, close to 65 of you chimed in on a poll I put up earlier this week asking what you’d like to read more of on WordCount: Freelancing in the Digital Age.

Close to a third (28 percent) said you’re most interested in seeing stories about running a freelance business.

An equal number – 17 percent each – said they wanted more articles about how to use Twitter and other tech apps, and Q&As with successful writers. And 16 percent said they want more links to other blogs and articles about freelancing.

Here are the complete results:

What subjects do you want to read about on WordCount?:

• Tips for running a freelance business – 28 percent
• How writers can use Twitter and other tech tools – 17 percent
• Q&A with successful freelancers - 17 percent
• Links to writing blogs & articles – 16 percent
• Other – 14 percent
• Writing basics – 9 percent

It’s interesting to note that a number of you marked “Other” and left comments asking for more, well, comments. That is, commentary on issues of the day that affect freelance writers, such as whether to write for content aggregators. Paul Berinstein, proprietress of The Writing Show podcast, says: “I’d like to see you continue to cover issues rather than offer advice. I also think we’ve seen way too many articles about how to use Twitter and other tech apps. Although you cover those topics beautifully, you’re way too good to waste your time on something so banal.”

Jesaka Long, a freelancer who runs the blog a.k.a. Writer, wants more posts on subjects like writing for content sites, and the great freelance rate debate. About a recent post on the latter, Long says:  “You presented a variety of opinions and gave readers an opportunity to form their own, educated opinions. It was so refreshing to see multiple sides of an argument presented in a more objective way that forced readers to think for themselves!”

Thanks again to everyone who participated. If you didn’t vote, the poll’s still open. (That’s the great thing about the Internet – the poll’s are always open.)

And stay tuned in here for more practical advice on the business side of the writing business, how-to tips, writer interviews – and, yes, plenty more comments.

I’m happy to announce WordCount: Freelancing in the Digital Age was included in Writing White Papers’ list of Top 10 Blogs for Writers for 2009-10.

In the fourth annual competition, 10 winners were chosen from 28 finalists and more than 300 nominated blogs. Writing White Papers’ Michael Stelzner picks winners based on several criteria, including the amount of community interaction, i.e., comments on blog posts. So thanks to anyone who’ve ever stopped in to read something and been inspired to leave a comment – it takes a village to raise a blog.

In case you’re new here, WordCount charts the evolution of the media business from print to online, and the changing role independent writers play in it.

I started WordCount in January 2008, so making it onto a list of blogs that have been around much longer is incredibly rewarding. Congratulations to the other winners, and to a fantastic collection of nominees. Here a peek at all 10 winners:

• Copyblogger
• Men With Pens
• Write to Done
• Editor Unleashed
• Freelance Writing Jobs
• Confident Writing
• Urban Muse
• WordCount
• The Adventurous Writer
• Fuel Your Writing

Today there are more reasons than ever for writers to have a blog. With the media world going digital, freelancers need to keep up with new forms of writing in order to earn their daily bread, or just have a simple way for editors to check out their work.

But getting started can be intimidating. What to write about? What software to use? And how to get anybody to visit once it’s there?

I addressed all of these issues in a post that’s making a guest appearance today on the national blog of the American Society of Business Publication Editors, a professional organization for business magazine editors and writers. You can read the post here.

If you’ve started blogging to support your freelancing business, how is it helping? What’s it taught you? How are you making it work for you?

A writer I know is thinking of starting a blog and asked me how I fit blogging into my regular work day. Good question, and one that’s relevant to anyone who writes full time but wants to improve how they’re marketing their business either by blogging or joining a social network like Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, which are worthwhile but take time. Here’s my answer, which I’ve edited slightly for clarity:

I’ve committed to posting on my blog Monday through Friday, an activity that takes 15 minutes to an hour a day depending on how ambitious I am about writing the post. Days like today I cobble together a post based on interesting posts I’d read on a topic elsewhere. Original writing takes longer, but sometimes I’m inspired and then the writing goes quickly.

I’m an early riser and I work on my blog first before starting the rest of what I have to do that day. I’m eight months into it and it’s become part of my work routine. But I’d have to say that some weeks I’m more into it than others. This week I have some major deadlines so the blog will get a minimum of my attention.

If you’re going to blog the most important thing is to pick a schedule and stick to it, whether that’s once a week, twice a week, etc. If people subscribe to the blog through a reader they’re going to expect posts on whatever schedule you’ve determined and if you don’t stick to it it’s easy to lose them. I know this because I subscribe to a couple blogs and when old posts sit in my reader after I expect to see new stuff I’m disappointed. It’s like seeing headlines from last week’s newspaper: boring.

As for social networks, I’m most active on Freelance Success, then LinkedIn, then Facebook, which I just joined and haven’t really spent much time on.

I’ve become a big fan of the LinkedIn’s status report, which is LinkedIn’s answer to Twitter. The status report is that little box on the Home page that lets you answer the question: What are you working on? The number of characters you can use is finite so you can’t ramble. But it is enough to say “I’ve just updated my profile, check it out!”

More about time spent blogging: In a 2006 study, the University of Massachusetts found that 65 percent of bloggers spent an hour or less while the rest spent up to four hours. Read more results from the study here.

For Tim Ferriss, less is more. The blogger and author of the best seller The 4-Hour Work Week, advocates in this post, The top 5 uncommon timesavers for bloggers for blogging only a couple times a week so your posts have time to percolate and get picked up around the blogosphere – definitely food for thought.

Time spent on this post: 30 minutes. How much time do you spend blogging?

5/07 UPDATE: I’VE ADDED THREE MORE TO THE END OF THE LIST. MVR

5/02 UPDATE: I’VE ADDED A COUPLE MORE LATECOMERS TO THE END OF THE LIST. MVR

NOTE: I’VE ADDED TWO LATECOMERS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST. MVR

I’m ushering in May by kicking off a blogathon, where I promise to post something every day this month. I’m calling it A Post a Day in the Month of May.

I’m doing it to celebrate a milestone birthday coming up in a week or so, and the start of spring.

I’ve persuaded 19 other freelance writers to join me. During the course of the month I may write more about each one. For now, here’s a list of who’s joining me in my great birthday blogging adventure:

Janine Adams – Organizing tips galore.

Jane Boursaw - Covers everything about movies including reviews, trailers and industry news.

Diana Burrell – Diana is one half of the team behind the popular The Renegade Writer books and blog, which are both crammed with good stuff for writers.

Jackie Dishner – Writes about biking, but so much more. Her post today on biking and body image is amazing.

Marijke Durning – Writes about the newest in health and safety news, and a bit about life as a freelance writer.

Carolyn Erickson – Carolyn is using the blogathon to recharge her blogging batteries – good girl!

Amy Grisak – A good-looking blog about “seizing the moment,” with lots of posts about gardening, food, family life and more.

Roxanne Hawn - Covers the “true tales, brags and whines about my life with a rescued border collie named Lilly.”

Sandra Hume – A blog about Laura Ingalls Wilder! My 7-year-old son and I just read “Little House in the Big Woods” and I fell in love with it all over again.

Elizabeth Kricfalusi - “Miss Adventure” writes about adventure “in many different shapes and flavors.”

Trish Lawrence - According to Trish, “It’s mostly blather about my writing, gossip, and my opinions on things as opposite as Gossip Girl and James Frey.”

Sue Poremba – Writes for and about writers. Today’s post is about coming up with queries.

Sarah Ludwig Rausch – A mom of four and freelance writer: it’s worth visiting Sarah’s blog just to see the picture of her cute kids.

Meredith Resnick – Actually, Meredith has four blogs but I only picked one to link to for now, on “real world news and real world views” of adoption. Meredith, how can you keep 4 blogs going?

Dawn Weinberger – A fellow Oregonian, writes about life after her husband Carl’s successful liver transplant last year, chronicling “our journey of faith, hope and healing.”

Susan Weiner – “Coverage of investment-related topics by a financial writer-editor who’s also a CFA charterholder.”

Late entries:

Charmian Christie – Christie’s Corner takes a light look at food. Her motto: “Real food. Real life. It ain’t always pretty.”

Jen Miller – Writes about the New Jersey shore in support of her new book, “The Jersey Shore, Atlantic City to Cape May: Great Destinations: A Complete Guide.”

Claudine Jalajas – Writes about the joys and pain of remodeling her house.

Barb Adamski – A Canadian writer who blogs about lacrosse, “its past, its present, and its future.”

Leah Ingram – The Lean Green Family (formerly Suddenly Frugal), all about living frugally and green.

Dara Chadwick – Fit in Real Life.

Jennifer Willis – Thoughts from the spiral.