Artwork: © Davy D Writer
My one-year anniversary of setting up this blog passed a few weeks ago. I thought it might be a good idea to share some thoughts on what I have learned and experienced. I am not new to blogging. I had a blog some years ago which was growing and moving in the right direction. The problem was it started eating into my writing time. Before I realised, the blog became a primary focus, and my writing took a back seat. In typical writing fashion, when a character starts to become fuelled by ego, they meet a sticky end.
Blogging feels different this time. Between blogs, I have managed to find a good balance between personal life and writing. Blogging is now a pleasurable experience, and these are three things that have stood out (and notes to self for future reference).
Be consistent
Hard work and consistency are keys to success. In the first six months of writing this blog I was inconsistent, posting occasionally, in the hope that the blogging world would be knocking down my door. Writers and bloggers are busy people. Schedules help them to make the most of their valuable time.
With this in mind, I committed to posting twice a week, Tuesday and Friday. What a difference. All the statistics have been moving in the right direction. Just as importantly, having this strategy means I can build blogging into my writing week. This leaves me time to connect with other writers and bloggers and time to read the excellent writing undertaken in this community.
Be courteous
WordPress seems different from other social media platforms. I am lucky, to date, I haven’t been trolled, (this is not an invite) and have found interactions to be respectful and motivating on many levels.
Bryan McGill in his book, Voice of Reason, said, “Courtesy is a silver lining around the dark clouds of civilization; it is the best part of refinement and in many ways, an art of heroic beauty in the vast gallery of man’s cruelty and baseness.” We all see life through different filters and experiences. When you visit someone’s blog you are invited into their world, their own personal space.
Being courteous is at the forefront of my mind when I press that send button. Words can be misinterpreted through language, culture, and generation. Taking a step back from a comment, making sure it is appropriate, is time well spent.
Be yourself
I have driven myself insane reading books and articles on blogging and becoming a better blogger. The most valuable lesson was believing my blog was an extension of me. Being brave, experimenting, and seeing what works, has taken time. In the past year I have posted writing and artwork that I would never have felt confident displaying anywhere else. That comes with being part of a supportive and inspirational community.
To anyone who has read, liked, commented, and followed my blog over the past year, I would like to say a big thank you. Here’s to the next twelve months. If anyone has any other advice to guide me for the next year, then please drop a line in the comments section.
Have a great weekend.
🐝🐝🐝Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Happy Fun Friday My Friend.
A red rose
Placed in a vase
Fragrance fills the room
– iku
Thank you, Goff. A poetic gift to carry into my weekend. Happy Fun Friday and a good weekend.
Cheers My Friend. Enjoy.
I love your three Be’s! I’m grateful to have only experienced courteous comments through WordPress, something we can’t take for granted these days. I also agree that being brave is the hardest part of writing and the key to any creative endeavor. Here’s to another successful and fulfilling year of writing. 🙂 Alicia
Thank you, Alicia. I agree, WordPress does seem to have a different vibe to other social media platforms. Long may it continue. Thank you for visiting and for your thoughtful comment. Have a good weekend.
In 10 years of blogging (7 on WP) I’ve never been trolled. I’ve had some disagreements over the years (mostly during the Trump presidency about opinion pieces I wrote) but even those have been respectful.
‘Be yourself’ – I keep getting facebook notifications that A.I.can write better blog posts than me in seconds. Where’s the fun in that? The best part of the blogging is the writing. Each piece is like a puzzle to work out.
After comments on my last post and 2 articles I read yesterday, I feel more positive about blogging than I have in a really long time. I’ve been thinking blogging is on the ropes. Now I feel like it’s positioned for growth. Here’s to our wacky hobby. I hope your next year is great and your ego doesn’t get sucked in again.
Thank you, Jeff, that is appreciated. I like the thought that writing blog posts is a puzzle that needs working out. I think as long as there are writers connecting and interacting there will always be a space. Some of the other social media platforms seem to be hitting a ceiling. Perhaps a slower more even paced medium is what is required. I am glad you are feeling more positive about blogging. Enjoy your weekend.
I’m pleased you’ve found a balance to your personal and writing/blogging life, I’m still searching for that. My blogs are madly inconsistent but I’m generally okay with it, I write them when inspired rather than to hit a deadline.
Your blogs are easy on the eye, make a point but don’t overdo it and are interesting, all of which drew me to them. Keep it up.
Cheers, Paul. It has taken a few years and experiments to find that balance. Perhaps it is something that comes with ageing and losing a need to have an ego stroked.
I think my blogging style has developed with writing poetry. Glad to hear there is a transfer over to longer pieces. I appreciate your feedback. Have a good weekend.
I also find WordPress a friendlier, more polite and more encouraging platform than other social media platforms. I’ve never come across any conflict (something I hate) or unpleasant comments.
I’m glad you’ve got the balance right between blogging, writing and reading (and personal life). I spend more time blogging or, more accurately, reading and commenting on others’ blogs. I do this because I’m interested in what my companions are writing. However, sometimes it takes over my personal life, and I open my inbox to find a considerable amount of notification emails. I need to get the balance right.
I enjoy how you write and what you have to say, Dave. I also love your artwork. You are very talented. I am passionate about bees, too, so I particularly loved this piece of art from you. Keep writing and keep creating. Take care of yourself.
Thank you for your kind words, Ellie, they are appreciated. You are right in that the time taken out to respond to comments, and reading and commenting on other blogs, is very important. As much care is needed as writing your own work. Thanks again for taking time out to read and leave your thoughts.
You’re more than welcome, Dave.
I agree that WordPress is a friendlier place than other social media platforms, although I have had a few trolls visit my blog, but I ignore and block them. They dislike being ignored and soon move on.
I also got myself into a bit of a rut with blogging where it became a chore, and I felt guilty for not visiting and commenting on all the posts of those that followed me. What a big mistake that was. Now I only read and follow the blogs that interest me instead of feeling obliged to visit and follow simply because they follow me.
Keep blogging a fun and enjoyable experience, and you won’t go wrong.
Thanks Hugh and that is sound advice about the guilt. I’m getting better at managing that. The more you blog, the more confident you get with how to deal with it. The connection and enjoyment are more important than the numbers, I feel. Thanks for your thoughts.
Love your 3 B’s, Davy. Especially, “The most valuable lesson was believing my blog was an extension of me. Being brave, experimenting, and seeing what works, has taken time.”
Yes – that is a nugget of pure wisdom. And I agree, the WordPress community has been great!
Congratulations on your year milestone with this blog!
Thank you, Wynne, for your kind words and support. They are most appreciated.
Congratulations Davy! Your three Bees definitely hit the mark. Nothing can replace wisdom attained through practice and experience. Continue to Bee you and I’m sure the coming year will be a spectacular one. To many more Bees and years of blogging! Have a great week ahead. 🙂
Thank you, Terveen, and grateful that you have been one of the people who have supported me from the start. Your words have been a source of inspiration throughout that year. Have a great week too.
Congrats on your one-year anniversary. I have enjoyed reading your blog!
Thank you, Diana. That is most appreciated.
Nice post. Six months is a short time to be inconsistent. I think I myself have been inconsistent for six years, lol. Terrible. It’s only in recent years that I started taking this seriously. And twice a week is a great schedule. I can barely handle my weekly posts. Congrats on your blogiversary!
Thanks, Stuart. In fairness it has taken me a few years to find the right rhythm. I think the secret is to be flexible and not get too stressed. I keep reminding myself it’s a marathon not a sprint. I enjoy your posts whenever they appear.