Six Years and Counting: Reflections on Blogging
Posted by Kathleen Pooler/@kathypooler
Have you ever stepped into a new activity, not having a clue what you were doing but followed your dream anyway and then have it exceed your greatest expectations?
That is exactly what happened to me in 2009 when I decide to start a writer’s blog.
It’s my sixth anniversary of blogging, and as I do on the birthdays of my children, I reflect on the days of their births. New life. New beginnings filled with anticipation and joy.
The Story Behind the Story…
On December 5, 2009, as I sat at the desk of a fellow nurse practitioner whose schedule I was covering, I looked at the framed quote by Goethe in front of me:
“Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
I sat back in my chair mesmerized by the words that would eventually power me into starting my own blog.
That evening after work, I signed up for a free Word Press.com blog. At the time, I did it because I was told I needed it for my “author platform”. I was just learning the language and I didn’t even know what social media meant nor did I think it would interest me. My focus was delving into the art and craft of writing, specifically memoir. I knew I had a lot to learn and I felt a “fire in my belly” to make it happen. That fire was the story I yearned to tell, though I had no idea about the specific story or how it would be told…the hope I felt driven to share.
The story that had been bubbling inside me for many years seemed to erupt into a tangible flame that day.
What was I thinking?..
I did not think ahead about what it would mean to start something and keep it going. Nor did I think about having to find topics to write about week after week or the time it would take to maintain it. I took a giant leap of faith and hoped it would all turn out.
And, it did, far greater than any expectation I had at the time.
Where it led me…
Six years later, blogging has become a natural part of my life, an extension of who I am and what matters the most. It has brought me soul-nourishing direction, focus and writing inspiration. I have met many amazing people, both writers and non-writers, who have become treasured friends and highly –respected colleagues, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person and many others I hope to meet someday.
It has been an endlessly gratifying journey filled with all sorts of pleasant surprises—a publisher’s request for a manuscript, feedback on my writing, seeds for more stories from comments, opportunities to guest post on other blogs. But learning from one another is what I love the most.
Blogging Benefits:
For me, it has been a gradual learning process with a steep learning curve and well-worth the effort. I started my blog because I thought I had to but I have continued blogging because I love the community that gathers together and converses about memoir, writing, life stories, hope.
“Come gather around my kitchen table and let’s talk and learn from one another.”
Because of this, blogging feeds my creativity and my writing process.
It has helped me define my “brand”. Hope has been powerful force in my life—hope through faith—so my brand is built around the fact that hope matters. Hence, my tagline is “ sharing hope one story at a time” through memoir which is why my posts focus on memoir writing, publishing, life stories, hope….
A brand has to come from within…consistent blogging has helped me to find my authentic voice.
How Blogging Feeds the Writing Process…
Helps you honor your passion to write and connect with others …as long as you show up.
It involves researching topics which in turn helps you learn about the craft of writing.
Helps you deal with your inner critic. Writing and blogging are games of endurance and require persistence and practice. The more you write, the more confident you become. You are stretching your writing muscles.
Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint.
Blogging helps you showcase your writing and enables you to get constructive feedback from others.
My best advice to anyone who is considering blogging is let it come from a place of passion for your writing…and make sure you are having fun!
Take your own leap of faith and be yourself.
I thank all my followers for all you do to inspire and motivate me to keep blogging. You are the reason I started my blog and the reason I will keep blogging!
***
Every year, I do an annual survey via Survey Monkey to hear your specific thoughts on what’s working and what needs work. I am always open to how I can make things better for you and look forward to your feedback as I plan my 2016 calender.
Here’s the link to the brief survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RYWW3NS
Your feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
***
How about you? How has blogging influenced your writing? If you have a blog, what keeps you going? If you are thinking of starting a blog but haven’t yet, what is holding you back?
I’d love to hear from you. Please leave your comments below~
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Congratulations, Marian Beaman. You are the winner of Pamela French’s memoir, Life Soup!
Next Week:
Monday, 12/14/15:
“The Face of Alzheimer’s: Where Memories Meet by Memoir Author Christine Grote”
Interview with Memoir Author Christine Grote about her new memoir, Where Memories Meet:Reclaiming My Father After Alzheimers. Christine will give away a copy of her memoir to a commenter whose name will be selected in a random drawing.
