Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Happy anniversary

This entry marks my ninth year as a blogger.  On December 2, 2005 I wrote my first tentative entry. At the time I had no idea where I was going, or what I would say.

I wasn't sure that first night whether this would be an occasional entry, or something I'd do daily. I don't think I understood then, the investment it would take to do it daily. But I wrote.

There have been only a few days in the past 10 years when I did not post. I never forgot, but we live where stormy weather is commonplace, and there were times when we had no power and I couldn't post. I've missed fewer than seven days in nine years.

The first entries were an extension of an alumni website I've maintained since 2002. The idea was to write stories about things the people who graduated from my old high school might enjoy.

Then something interesting happened. My audience expanded. One of the first people to follow my blog was Ms Soup from Australia. I rarely got a comment and somedays I wondered why I bothered.

But early on I discovered there was power in writing every day.

My first entries were good ideas, but my writing was sloppy and choppy. It's a wonder anyone bothered to read what I wrote.

As with most anything you try, practice is the key.

In reading over my older work, I can tell my voice then was filtered through the advice of high school and college classes. Not necessarily what the teachers were saying, but what I thought they were saying.

Looking back, the work they encouraged me to read wasn't meant to be hard and fast rules, but a pathway that could help me find MY voice. Too bad I didn't grasp that sooner.

At any rate, these blogs gave me enough confidence to approach the local newspaper editor to ask for a weekly column.

I've moved gently forward since the first post nine years ago tonight. Making that commitment to blog, changed my life.

Autumn blueberry bushes.



10 comments:

  1. Happy Anniversary to your blog! Wow, less than 7 days never posted in the past 9 years! Keep up your spirit! :)

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  2. What an interesting story, Rick! Congratulations! This is truly an accomplishment on your part. I thought your newspaper writing led you into blogging. I've only been blogging two years, but it has gotten me into almost daily writing outside of my blog. Blogging is teaching me so much about finding my voice and writing. Your post is so encouraging.

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  3. I admire your commitment; your writing is wonderful to read, and I'm honored to be among your followers. Happy blogging anniversary to you!

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  4. Congratulations. Nine years of writing is quite an accomplishment. I don't know what your writing was like back when you started but I sure enjoy it today. Take care.

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  5. I just wanted you to know I have enjoyed the time since I discovered Life 101. I am and always will be a wanna-be writer. As I was writing early (2AM) I thought of you and wanted to thank you for the points I have gleaned just from reading. I paid very little attention in school because like many boys in the 50's, I was enduring school until I was old enough to quit.
    Now when I reach for the right word it escapes me. When I use 'was' my mind says, 'U chure 'at ain't were?', I say to myself you should have paid attention. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for providing a good place to visit. (smile)

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  6. Happy Anniversary. Your posts are very interesting to say the least. Thanks for a great site.

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  7. Anonymous5:25 PM

    Keep on blogging--I LOVE your posts!!

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  8. Nine years! That is impressive, Rick.

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  9. Nine years!! Seems like only yesterday. And as well you post on a regular basis - which is more than can be said for Some People....

    Ms Soup

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  10. Big congrats to you! Nine years is an amazing accomplishment of daily writing. I'm glad it has taken you places as well. Keep on posting!

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