what is the protocol for blogs? how many times do i get to ‘begin’ again….? and, is it just me, or did everyone feel that they have invited themselves to a really hip party, came without a hostess gift and are wearing fashions seriously out of date?
since beginning this journey - three whole days ago - i am, by far, my most frequent visitor - i can count on one hand the others…. that is if i don’t include ‘site meter’… i didn’t invite him, i don’t know how he found me and since he hasn’t left any comments it is hard to know his intent…
often encouraged to get the things i’ve made out into the world and beyond the occasional local show, i resolved that 2006 to be the year to accomplish just that. lurking since january of this year has been my blog activity - until now. these few months lurking have been inspiring, a great education, and just plain fun... i stumbled upon a group of women who are spectacularly talented and more generous than i ever imagined. there are some fantastic people in the world and luckily a number of them have chosen to share their lives with the rest of us. what i didn’t expect to find was the community they have established, the obvious friendships, and the admiration they have for one another.
and there lies the root of my apprehension…
•will i be accepted into this community?
•will i be a valuable contributor?
•am i worthy of commenting? knowing that at least a few might link back to my site…
•will my personality appear in my posts?
•will i embarrass myself to the point of stopping this endeavor altogether?
•will my inadequacies as a writer be amplified? for me. to see. EVERY SINGLE TIME I POST?
•will i have to buy a thesaurus or will everyone have to suffer come to love my over use of the words spectacular, great and lovely? and the comma... my over use of that baby is less than spectacular…
•am i going to be able to limit my penchant for using what others might consider ‘the vocabulary of a sailor’ to real life and not my blog?
•did i fiddle around with the look of this thing too much? not enough? will I feel like i can change it and not reveal that i am obsessing to the point of nausea?
•is it obvious to everyone reading this that i worry WAY TOO MUCH?
•has anyone but me considered that upping my dosage wouldn't be a bad idea?
and, finally i wonder…
how much time do others spend taking photos, making crafts, writing posts? did they check their etsy shop every hour after posting their first items? did they thank someone, as i did, – four times - for being the first person to comment on their site? and did they consider sending them a present too? is it possible to make a living and have a blog at the same time? and when does it begin to reach a balance? and then there is the learning curve… can i remember how to add a button the next time? where the hell do i learn about blog rolls? would julia child be of some help there i wonder? do i need a graduate degree to understand rss feeds? ….mama?
despite it being an invitation i extended to myself, i am pleased to have been invited to the party… so for now, i will grab a bottle glass of wine and start to mingle a bit.
Bonjour! Do not fret. Write and photo that which brings your true heart alives. And all the rest follows in place. Your blog is delightful keep going!
Posted by: Tongue in Cheek | 26 March 2006 at 11:47 AM
I agree with Tongue in Cheek. No reason to fret. If you leave comments, get a Flickr account and put links (sidebar and in the body of text) on your site, the people who resonate with you will come. Like me for example--I enjoyed your comment on my site and thought I'd like to read more of your writing.
Jump on in, the water is fine.
Posted by: michelle | 29 March 2006 at 09:36 AM
so sweet, the both of you...thanks!
-s
Posted by: stephanie | 29 March 2006 at 10:07 AM
I love your frank comments about starting a blog. I too, ummed and aghed for ages, wondered if I had enough to offer or say and if I did was anyone going to be interested in reading it. Checked my blog all the time and flickr, was grateful when people made me their contact. I have calmed down a bit now and I just enjoy being connected to all those people out there. I love seeing what people make - it inspires me to make things myself and most of all I feel like I'm part of this amazing community. I think we lead quite lonely lives these days and I for one feel there's something missing - and that's community. Must stop rambling - I love your blog and the things you make.
Posted by: Simmyb | 12 April 2006 at 10:13 AM
I completely understand how you feel!! I felt the same way. I even started doing giveaways and only had 1 or 2 people, if any, sign up for them. I thought, this is ridiculus, I felt like I was trying to buy friends. Once I started doing more swaps and leaving tons of comments I seemed to become more "accepted" into the group. It does seem to take awhile but don't give up!! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Sherry
Posted by: Sherry Wescott | 18 July 2008 at 10:26 AM
HI, I found you through a post, through another post, through another....that's how it works most of the time. I began blogging so my far away relatives could keep up with my life and blog just for me. I love the comments but try to fight the urge to post what I think others will like, Like I said, my blog is for me. I was dumbfounded the first time someone left a comment. How did they find me? Even more dumbfoudned to see my little blog on someones favorites list. Yes, I checked my etsy every hour, sometimes every ten minutes and was overjoyed the first time something sold. Being accepted? You will find many people who will accept you just becasue you have thigns in common. The best way th get comments is to comment on others. But relax, don't sweat it. You wont find yourself until your blog is about you, not about pleasing others:>) Good luck!
Posted by: Kathy | 23 July 2008 at 05:53 AM