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I almost titled this post “Spring Cleaning,” but I thought if I did, no one would read it.
I’ve had my most recent blog design for over 2 years…it was time for a change. I hope you like it like I do. If you see anything funky, let me know!
For the first few years that I blogged, I participated in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo). The only reason why I didn’t last year was that I was participating in the harder, but more rewarding, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).
But I’ve not been blogging this year like I have in the past, especially not in the last couple of weeks.
So why would I commit to blog every day in November?
Because, really, what else will I do in the month of November? Today my unemployment officially begins. Whether I like the idea or not, chances are not good that I’d start a new job before the end of the month. While I’d love to at least have one lined up by December 1st, my secondary goal of having a job by January is much more realistic, and still optimistic.
So, I’m going to blog my unemployment. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on going pessimistic on you. I doubt I’ll talk about the economy, or even much about my job search. I’d rather focus on what I believe God is doing through this time.
Fellow bloggers, are you doing NaBloPoMo this year?
The last couple of weeks I’ve barely found time to blog. And when I’ve found time, I’ve struggled with what to say.
It’s not really writer’s block: I’ve journaled more this month than I’ve journaled in a couple of years. It’s just that the thoughts that are running through my head aren’t bloggable.
I want to share. I’ve certainly been talking it out with friends.
But right now, I can’t really share what’s going on in my life and heart on the blog. One day soon, my friends.
In the meantime, I hope to pick up blogging with things that I can talk about.
Thanks for being patient!
It’s been a while since I’ve solicited questions. Due to my own re-prioritizing, not as many people read this blog as in the past. Still, I want to know what you, my faithful reader, want me to write about.
So do you have a question for me? A topic you want me to address? A bone to pick?
Feel free to make your comment anonymous if that’s more comfortable for you. I’ll do my best to address all questions.
This week will be all about 5s. Why?
Because 5 years ago this week, I started blogging.
Instead of doing a usual one-post celebration, I have to drag it out all week. Five years is kinda a big deal, right? So all week I’ll share 5 this or 5 that (I haven’t quite figured it all out yet).
Today, let’s talk about my 5 favorite things about blogging. For the fun of it, each post will also include a childhood pic since I have so many to choose from (thanks, Dad). None from when I’m 5…that’d be too obvious.
1. I get to write what I want to. I’ve had to write for school, and I’ve had to write for work. For the most part, I don’t enjoy that kind of writing. Something in the compulsion and formality of it bugs me. But here on the blog? I can write what I want.
2. The fact that blogging isn’t a monologue. Sure, I love to share my opinions, but I love that people respond, making it a dialogue. I have the best commenters, too.
3. Blogging refines me. Blogging refines my writing (I hope!), but it also refines my beliefs and opinions. I know that I have to defend what I believe, not just state it.
4. Blogging is a record of what I’ve been thinking and doing. Now that I have 5 years worth of a blog, it’s interesting to look back. It’s amazing how much I forget. Something that can seem like such a big deal at the time can be really small in hindsight.
5. By reading other blogs, I learn. I learn more about individuals and ideas as well as about people in general.
Thanks to a hectic schedule, I’m not going to give myself the pressure of “having” to post on Fridays. I still aim to post Monday-Thursday, but I’ll leave it at that for now.
Hope you have a great weekend!
This week for Top Ten Tuesday, the topic is the top 10 bookish/blogging resolutions. I already told you last week my daily goals for the year (which I’ve been okay at, but would like to be better!), but here are 10 bookish and bloggish things I want to do this year:
1. I want to read 120 books. So far I’ve read 4, so I’m on my way.
2. I want to focus more on my blog. In 2010 I let it run on it’s own momentum, so now I want to inject more of my own energy back into it. I have some ideas on how to do that, but I’ll leave you in the dark for now. =)
3. I want to fix the back-links on my blog (they still link to posts that I’ve since moved to my current blog location). I’ve been very slowly fixing them since my move TWO YEARS AGO, but it’s time to be done.
4. I want to comment more on others’ blogs. I’ve been reading, but have been slacking on the commenting.
5. I want to read off my TBR shelf, as it’s full. I only put non-biographical nonfiction on that shelf, so that needs to be my focus. I love reading theology and more academic books, but it does require more of me, so sometimes I go with the easier options instead of these books.
6. I want to continue to listen to a lot of audiobooks. I think they’re awesome, and it’s a great way to “read” when your eyes are otherwise occupied (driving, putting a puzzle together, cooking, etc.) or just tired.
7. I want to read even more young adult books. It helps me get in that frame of mind for working on my own young adult novel, reminding me of all the emotions of that time of life.
8. Speaking of writing, I want to self-publish my novel this year. I know self-publishing is not for everyone, but I think it might be for me (still investigating my options). I like to write as a hobby, but I really don’t want to write as a profession.
9. In order to self-publish by the end of the year, I need to finish my second draft by the end of March (or at least that’s my goal).
10. I want to do NaNoWriMo again this year. It was great last year not only to get back into writing, but to be a part of a writing community.
Time to finish answering your questions from a couple months ago. Here goes…
D asks, “What is your favorite thing to blog about?”
I probably most enjoy writing funny posts. But I don’t do it very often, because I have to be in a particular mood and be inspired. I have an idea for one in the near future, though, so watch out! (Just need to take a particular picture for the punch line!)
Alissa asks, “Have you ever considered quitting the blog, and if so what made you decide to stick with it?”
No, I’ve never really considered quitting. I simply enjoy this kind of writing too much. At least at this point, I can’t imagine quitting blogging, though I know my blog may not always look like it does now.
Carolyn asks, “Do you know any Canadians???”
I have a few Canadian acquaintances and have had a few others through the years. Actually, our class president my senior year of high school as from Canada, and we used to make jokes about what would happen if she was deported…would we still have our class reunions? Of course, back then we didn’t know yet about Facebook and how that would make us not want to go to a reunion, anyway. Cue next question…
Jennifer asks, “Have you maintained any relationships with people you went to high school with?”
I still talk to my 2 best friends from high school. We get together every year or so, and email about that often. That’s it though. I’m really not the same person I was back then, and many of them aren’t, either. I am Facebook friends with a lot of people from high school which really takes away any incentive of going to my 10-year high school reunion that’s coming up next summer.
And finally, Sarah asks, “How did you become a Christian?”
Great question! I’ve actually gotten this one before, and here’s my answer.
That’s it for this round! Feel free to ask me any more questions that you may have…though I can’t promise a quick answer (but I’ll try to do better)!
September 13-17 is Book Blogger Appreciate Week. And while I’m not strictly a book blogger, I do love to read all the book reviews and bookish posts of other bloggers.
And in honor of BBAW, I want to introduce you to something my sister-in-law is organizing and I’m super excited about:
Of course you all know how much I’ve enjoyed readathons in the past. Hey, I enjoy reading just a wee bit. But this is an event even the non-reader can participate in (that is, if they’re willing to pick up a book, magazine, or graphic novel for a few hours).
How does it work? Simply read. For every hour you read that day, donate $1 or 1 non-perishable food item to a local food bank. Did you know that $1 donation can provide 4 meals for those who may otherwise go hungry?
The Readathon for Hunger takes place on November13th…2 months from today. I’d love for you to join me…I’ve planned to read at least 12 hours that day and donating $12 to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. But even if you only have an hour or two to lend to the cause, we’d love to have you!
Joining in is easy. Just visit the website and comment on how many hours of reading you’re aiming for.
I’m really excited for this as it combines two of my passions: reading and helping the poor. We know people are hurting in this economy, but almost all of us have at least a little to give!
A few weeks ago I asked you to ask me questions, and a few of you did.
Miel Abielle asked, “Since you have been blogging for so long, what are your top pieces of advice for a new blogger?”
I’m so glad you asked this, as this was something I’ve been wanting to address, but didn’t feel like I had a forum for it. I’ve talked about it before (see Blog Faux Pas and Post I Avoid), but there is still more to say.
I think the most important thing I could tell a starting blogger is to EDIT. Long posts tend to be skipped. Posts with typos and unnecessary details will be, too. Except for an occasional bulleted post, your post should deal with ONE event or topic. As Jenna in 13 Going on 30 would say, we don’t need a play-by-play of your life.
A common mistake beginning bloggers make is to not post regularly, and when they do, spend time apologizing for their erratic blogging. Evaluate how often you can blog…and stick to it. If you mess up? Don’t dwell on it. Move on. When you begin a post with, “Boy, I can’t believe I forgot I had a blog these last 2 weeks!” or the like, you’re tipping off to potential readers that you aren’t in it for the long haul, and they’ll find another blogger to follow.
It might sound trite, but be yourself. We all make fools of ourselves regularly, don’t try to hide it! If you are struggling with something, share it (or at least as much as would be appropriate in a public forum).
But, that said, don’t use your blog to vent. Never speak poorly about someone else. As far as your blog readers should be able to tell, you’re the only sinner you know (though we obviously know that this is not true!).
If you refer to a previous post, link to it (like I’m doing above). That helps readers to know what you’re talking about, and to read more if they’re interested. (Bonus: it may even drive search engine traffic to your blog.)
And I can’t believe I *still* have to say this, but do NOT have music automatically playing on your site. Chances are your readers do not have the same taste in music as you do, so don’t assault/scare/frustrate them. Most of the times when I come across a blog with music, I close the window immediately, without even evaluating the content. It could have been my new favorite blog, but we’d never know.
That’s the main points I’d share with a new blogger. Do you have anything more to add? I know I’m not an expert, but I’ve learned a lot the hard way. Do you have any questions?
Photo by lapideo