A Writer’s Words, an Editor’s Eye is one year old today
June 11, 2007 by Lillie
One year ago today I started this adventure called blogging. Actually I had set up a Blogger site a long time ago but never developed it, and I coordinated a couple of group blogs for Christian E-Authors but never got as much participation as I’d hoped. Although I had helped several clients start blogs, they quit posting after varying lengths of time.
I had also been maintaining a devotional blog for my church and a blog for an Army chaplain who used to be our priest. But I don’t write for either of those blogs; the priests write the messages, and I simply post their messages and moderate comments.
In my first post, I said I’d be sharing news of my projects, writing and editing advice, and information about electronic and small press publishing. I hope my readers have been introduced to good books written by my clients, learned more about publishing (including self-publishing), and gained some helpful tips on writing and editing.
However, rather than primarily educating my readers, I have gained far more than I have contributed and far more than I could have imagined a year ago.
I discovered that my blog is not just a place to share what I’ve learned. Blogging is a large city with hundreds of small neighborhoods. It’s a place to make new friends, a place to learn and share. It’s synergy that makes the whole more than the sum of its parts.
When I realized that my blog was not a platform for teaching or preaching but an arena for learning and sharing, I began to expand the topics I cover. Some topics (like my faith and support of our troops) have evolved naturally because these are important to me, part of who I am. Other topics were instigated by bloggers who challenged me to memes/group writing projects or those who inspired me or made me think in their own blog or in comments here.
Thank you to my blogging friends old and new, including Alicia, David, Doris, Edith, Harmony, Helen, Howard, Hummie, Jeanne, Julia, Karen, Laura, Lisa, Liz, Lori, Matt, Merry, Michi, Mig, Theda, Thomma Lynn, Vikk, Yuwanda, Yvonne, and more. These 24 people who have inspired, educated, motivated, and encouraged me are listed in alphabetical order - each one is special and unique.
Thanks also to each one of you who has visited my blog, especially those who have commented and participated in the community.
One year, 159 posts, 544 comments, and 13,914 spam comments (since I installed Akismet in January!), too many mistakes to count (including one major goof) later, I’m addicted to blogging.
Now I’ve decided to take the advice of Mig and Jeanne and others who write about SEO. Blogging has been a wonderful experience so far – it’s bound to get even better if more people find me … and I make more friends.
Congratulations, Lillie, on the milestone – my 1st year is just a few days away too. It’s astonishing how the journey of only an year has changed us, isn’t it?
Who (insert tongue in cheek here) knew?
Thanks, Robert, and congratulations on your upcoming milestone. Your group writing projects are certainly a great contribution.
Many congratulations, Lillie, on your first blogging anniversary! May your next year be far, far better than your last, and may your blog always remain the pleasant, friendly, helpful, and inspirational place it is today!
Wishing you the best,
Jeanne
happy anniversary!
Happy Blog Anniversary! Thanks for the wonderful mention– I am enjoying your blog and learning from you as well.
Congratulations on your one-year anniversary, Lillie. It’s been fun to get to know you through your blog. I’m looking forward to another year, then another, and so on.
Congratulations Lillie. In an amazing show of synchronicity, I’m celebrating a blog milestone as well. My blog metaphor post yesterday marked my 100th post, so we’ll celebrate together.
Happy blogiversary and thanks for including me in your list of blogging friends. I look forward to seeing your blog blossom even further, and to more wonderful posts.
Happy Blogiversary to you! I celebrated mine just a few days ago, on June 7. It’s a special milestone, isn’t it? You’ve got an excellent blog, and Im glad we’re blog buddies!
Lillie — The pleasure is all mine. I am so glad that our paths crossed, I believe that this event is truly providential.
Congratulations on the blogging milestone; it is addictive, not necessarily a bad thing especially if we can impart something that we know to others.
Blessings, Matt Keegan
Happy birthday Lillie’s Blog!
You’re one year old today… and what a wonderful year! I’m so proud to be in your life… (You are older than me – here speaks Mig’s Blog) and I have so much to learn from you…
And so many things to be grateful for! I love you!
Lillie,
Congratulations on one year of GREAT blogging! I’m honored to be listed here as one of your blogging friends. I admire you more than you could even imagine!
Have a lovely week!
Lisa
Thanks Lillie, I’m happy to be in your neighborhood
Jeanne, Sue, Karen, Helen, Yvonne, Thomma Lynn, Matt, Mig, Lisa, and Harmony,
Thank you all so much for the congratulations, celebrations, and kind words. I’m proud to call you my friends and look forward to learning and sharing for many years to come.
Congratulations, Lillie, on your blog birthday!
I know what a year means. It’s a wonderful achievement. YEA!
Congratulations Lillie on hanging tough and reaching your first anniversary as a serious blog owner!
Thanks for counting me as one of your blogging friends. This favorable mention is very humbling.
Many blessings.
Liz and Edith,
Thanks for the congratulations and for the inspiration I get from each of you.
Congrats Lillie on your blog’s birthday! That is a milestone. So many quit after a month or two — one year of continuous blogging is akin to three years at something else, I’d venture to say.
Continued success to you with your blog. It does get better. I’m going into my third year — and it seems that the more I blog, the more I have to say! Here’s wishing you the same.
Yuwanda,
Thanks for the encouragement and for your great blog that I always find informative.
Congrats on turning 1! I just surfed in from Court’s site and I’m hoping to pick up some writing tips. My writing is horrible! The only reason I do it is because I like it so much! LOL
Don
Thanks, Don. I’m glad you surfed in and hope you find helpful tips. If you have specific questions or topics you would like me to cover, please let me know.
quite inspirational i have to say
Thank you, constructicle boy.
Happy Birthday to your blog! I’m glad you shared some of the things you’ve learned. I’ve been thinking about starting a blog but I worry too much about what to write. I’ll keep your tips in mind, especially the fact that blogs are for learning and sharing and making friends!
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