Blogging Friends
February 24, 2009 by Lillie
Nearly three years ago, I decided to take the advice I’d been giving to my clients and start a blog. At the time, I expected the blog to be an opportunity to share what I’ve learned about writing and editing. One of the things I love most about editing and helping authors self-publish their books is mentoring the writers—to see them constantly hone their craft and become better writers. I hoped to help writers online, but I didn’t expect to have any direct contact with those I taught.
In the first month, I had a couple of comments from offline friends who stopped by to encourage me. Then it was a couple of months before another friend stopped by. I participated in a blog carnival and got a trackback but no more comments for weeks. The next comment was also from a friend … but then—almost six months after my first post—I had a comment from someone I didn’t know! That was a thrill.
I started visiting other blogs and leaving comments, and some of those bloggers reciprocated. I joined MyBlogLog and participated in a couple of blog carnivals and memes and met a few more people. Many of the people I met in the early days of blogging are still my blogging friends. Some are no longer blogging, but I will always appreciate their blogging friendship for however long it lasted.
Recently, I recognized some of my blogging friends with the Premio Dardos Award for their blogging excellence. I’d also like to thank those same bloggers for their friendship: Alina, Brad, Cath, Deb, Helen, Jeanne, Joanna, John, Karen, Lori, Matt, Mig, Misti, Renee, Robert, and Tammy.
Bloggers who hold a special place in my heart are all those who hosted me on my blog book tours, including these who aren’t listed elsewhere: Bluestocking, Lenin, Ron, Mayra, Genesis, Father Jerry and Shirazi.
Other bloggers whose friendship I value include:
- Laura Spencer, Writing Thoughts
- Lisa Vella, Getting It Write for You (a busy mom who doesn’t blog much anymore who was one of the bloggers I met early on)
- Merry Monteleone, Mom and More
- Michele Tune, Writing the Cyber Highway
- Phil Davis, Authors on the Net
- Sharon Hurley Hall, Get Paid to Write Online
- Theda K., Crayon Writer
- Yvonne Russell, Grow Your Writing Business (Yvonne had some health issues and hasn’t been around much lately, but she hosted The Writers Cafe where I met many wonderful bloggers.)
After my slow start in getting comments, I’m blessed today to have comments from 150 to 200 people each month. Some of them visit once and leave a comment for the Do-Follow link, but others become regulars. Each month, I thank the commenters from the previous month as I truly value them.
Some of the top commenters each month, in addition to many who have been listed elsewhere, are:
- Andrew, Good Honest Dollar
- Morgan Mandel
- Wilson, Will You Mind
What a blessing of blogging friendships! And I know I’ve forgotten someone—if your name belongs here, know it’s in my heart. I’m just overwhelmed with thinking of so many delightful blogging relationships.
And to think that less than three years ago, I thought I would be teaching my visitors about writing and editing. Instead, I’ve made friends and learned more than I could ever teach.
This post is an entry in Alina Popsecu’s 4 Year Bloggiversary Group Writing Project at Words of a Broken Mirror. You still have a few days to enter. Alina is offering some outstanding prizes (not that I’m biased or anything—one of the prizes is an autographed copy of Dream or Destiny), including a two-hour PR consultation with Alina. But even if you don’t win, just spending time thinking of great blogging friends is a prize in itself.
Thank YOU, Lillie. You don’t know how much joy it is to know you. WE are blessed!
Lori´s last blog post..When Work Gets In the Way
Thank you, Lori. You are so sweet.
Lillie, I think we can all remember the thrill of that very first comment that did not come from a friend we told about our blog! The natural conversations sparking on our posts and how we learned to reciprocate, find new friends and keep sharing and learning.
Great article! Thank you for joining the contest!
Alina Popescu´s last blog post..WoBM Anniversary Contest – Final Countdown
Thanks for sponsoring the contest, Alina. I enjoyed thinking about all the friends I’ve made through blogging.
Hi Lillie – Three years is a long time. I’m getting close to the two year mark.
Like you, one of the biggest rewards I’ve got from blogging is the friends I’ve made online.
Cath,
For some reason, I thought you had been blogging as long or longer than I have. You have certainly made your mark in the time you’ve been blogging.
Thanks so much, Lillie. It’s a pleasure to know you, too, and I value your comments on my blog. Sounds like we have had a similar blogging journey.
Sharon Hurley Hall´s last blog post..Getting Started
Sharon,
It’s interesting how similar many of our blogging journeys are.
Lillie, you are the blessing. The blog world is a brighter, sweeter place because you are in it! I am honored to have you as a friend.
Renae´s last blog post..The Skull
Renae,
What a lovely thing to to say. Your blog posts continue to touch and inspire me.
I visit often but don’t comment much. I just wanted to tell you that I find your web site inspiring. I enjoy reading your stories. Thank you!
Andy,
I recognize you as a previous commenter. I don’t know why your comment was caught in moderation, but maybe you used a different e-mail address or something.
I’m glad you find my blog helpful. Thank you for the kind words.
Thanks, Lillie. I think you may be correct. I go back and forth from my gmail account to my website email.
I will continue to visit – I just sent a link to my daughter so she could enjoy your website as well.
Thanks for sharing my blog with your daughter, Andy.
Congratulations on the award, a heartfelt post I must say. I too am constantly looking forward to improve my writing skills. Your blog helps. Cheers
GregR´s last blog post..Playing Favorites At Technorati
Thanks, Greg. Hope to see you back often.
Hey Lillie,
I thought you stopped blogging awhile ago, I just saw something popup on your Feedburner feed, realized there hadn’t been anything on it since October, and came here.
Looks like your Feedburner feed is broken maybe? I’m going to switch my sub to your local RSS feed.
Hope you are doing well!
Mike Olbinski´s last blog post..Jina and Sports
Mike,
How weird! I’ll try to figure out what’s going on with Feedburner.
But I thought for sure I’d commented on your blog recently. I’m keeping up with all the delightful Lyla pics and progress reports on your blog and on Facebook. If I haven’t commented to tell you how precious she is, I don’t why.
I sure thought I had.
Thanks for letting me know about the feed problem. I’ll see what I can do.
Oh you did, I just mostly read blogs based on what my Google Reader shows, because otherwise I tend to just forget about websites out there
I know you did post a comment, which was awesome and appreciated
Mike Olbinski´s last blog post..Jina and Sports
That’s good, Mike. Thought maybe I’d had a senior moment!
Lillie, Feedburner appears to be fixed now!
Mike Olbinski´s last blog post..Jina and Sports
Thanks for letting me know, Mike. I just went and re-entered my feed address—the same one that was there before—because I couldn’t see anything wrong. I’m glad it’s working though I have no idea why it wasn’t working before or why it is working now.
I was happy to host you!
Bluestocking´s last blog post..Life is Stranger than Fiction 4: So happy together
Bluestocking,
Your podcast was a highlight of my tour.
Thanks for the mention. I do try to get around and visit as many friends as I can.
Morgan Mandel
http://twitter.com/morganmandel
You’re welcome, Morgan. I appreciate your visits, and I enjoy your blog.
I used to have a lot of online friends playing games too. As people move on, it’s kind of sad to lose touch. It’s really exciting to re-meet under different context, such as blogging.
Calvin´s last blog post..…Secret Weight Loss Technique Revealed !
Calvin,
It is good to reconnect with people, whether they are online friends or friends from high school or other times in our lives.
Glad to be part of this community.
Shirazi,
I’m glad to have you as part of the community.
Unfortunately, I had to inactivate your link—I hope temporarily. When I went to your site, I ended up on a porn site. I’m not sure if this is something you are doing or if your site has been hijacked—perhaps by the singles ad you are running.
At any rate, if it is not your intention to have a porn site, I will be happy to reinstate the link as soon as the problem is resolved.
If it is a problem and not a deliberate decision on your part, I hope you get it resolved quickly.
Blogs are a great place to interact with others and make friends. It’s all about people and relationships. You meet people you can do business with or be friends with.
Nancy from Internet Biz
Nancy,
Blogging is great for networking and great fun as well.
Very encouraging, I hope my new blog sees similar success. It’s always great to hear a success story.
Good luck, Josh. I wish you great success and fun.
I agree that the blogging world really is a thrill. I started out not completely sure of what to expect, but once I started getting the very first comments back from people I didn’t know, it was a thrill to hear all the stories about how many people found my blog helpful. The second part of that was meeting all the new people and finding their great blogs. Thanks for sharing!
Shane´s last blog post..Freelance Writing: Freelance Writing Movie Reviews Online
Shane,
It’s encouraging to know our blogging experiences are similar.
Lillie, it’s very hard to describe the feeling, when our article received some useful comments from the strangers for the very first time (I’ve been through the situation and I’m still overjoyed with it)…
Blogging is a very amazing and thrilling journey, as we don’t know what types of comments we’ll get from the commenters.
I loved all your articles and hope you’ll keep up with the good work, Lillie!
May god bless you, my friend.
wilson´s last blog post..Maintain Your Cholesterol in Healthy Level!
wilson,
I don’t know how you found my blog, but I appreciate your loyal readership and always positive comments and your friendship.
There must be a mistake. My site is very family friendly and rather conservative. Please have a look at it again and let me know what you find. Will look forward to your response. Thanks.
shirazi´s last blog post..True Blue
Shirazi,
I’m so glad. I was shocked when I went to your site last time and was immediately transferred to a porn site. Evidently someone hijacked your site/Blogger or my computer for a brief time, but everything is back to normal now. I went back again, and it was the same good site it’s always been. I even clicked on the singles ad, thinking perhaps I had accidentally clicked on it before and that’s what took me to the shocking site. However, it didn’t take me anywhere offensive. So I can’t imagine what happened on my last visit to your site, but I’m glad it’s not happening any more.
I have reinstated the links in the post above and on your previous comment. Sorry I had to temporarily deactivate them, but I’m sure you would do the same thing if something happened to my site temporarily. Thanks for continuing to be a light on the Internet.
Comments are so important, it helps to know that people are actually reading our blogs and have input. A blog without comments is like a radio broadcaster, he doesn’t know if anyone is listening!!! I guess that is why they have call-in shows!!!!
Thanks, Gary
Gary Sims´s last blog post..Review of CNET – cnet.com
Good point about call-in shows, Gary. We need response to know if anybody’s listening.
well i havent seen many people who care for freinds when it comes to blogging stuff … keep it up
webber,
My experience has been that bloggers as a rule are very friendly, helpful, and supportive. Just check out the people I have mentioned and you will find many caring bloggers.
Meeting new people with interests similar to yours is one of the best parts about blogging.
spot´s last blog post..5 Cool Photoblogs
spot,
Your name makes me think of the kids’ story about Spot the dog.
Blogging is a great way to develop friendships with like-minded people.
Lillie,
I’m honored to be listed among your blogging friends and am only sorry that I haven’t commented as much lately as I have in the past. I truly consider your friendship a blessing and always enjoy visiting your blog and reading your insightful posts.
I also very much enjoyed hosting two of the stops on your Dream or Destiny blog book tour and felt those two posts added a richness to my blog’s offerings that my readers both appreciated and benefited from. Thanks for working so hard to answer my readers’ questions about publishing in such a detailed manner! As far as I’m concerned, you were the ideal guest author!
Jeanne
Jeanne,
I’ve missed your comments but understand how busy you are. I have offline friends that I don’t have contact with for long period of time, but they remain good friends even when we aren’t in contact.
Sometimes we’re blessed to spend more time together, but our friendship remains the same regardless of the frequency of contact.
I’m new to blogging so reading your post was inspiring to say the least. Makes the big W I D E web seem more close-knitt! Thanks! Fleur
Fleur,
I’m glad the post was encouraging. I’m sure you will find that the blogosphere is filled with generous, friendly people.
Well, here I am. Coming by in a very belated fashion to say thank-you.
I appreciate your friendship too. This blog is great and you are too! I’ve learned so much from coming by here and the best thing is that I know that you would be available to answer questions if I needed it.
Keep up the good work! (I’ll try to stop by more frequently.)
Laura Spencer´s last blog post..Five Reasons Why Bargain Writers Are Not Always a Bargain
Laura,
You’re so busy writing blogs it must be hard to keep up with reading them! I’ve seen your posts several places.
I remember 3 months ago when I started my blog,I used to get up early in the morning to see if there are any comments posted to any of my posts. There was not a single comment for 22 days. Finally I decided to write a comment myself in the name of others
and since then I don’t know why but my reader didn’t hesitate to put up their thoughts via comments. I’ve able to make some beautiful friends since then.
Its a wonderful experience.
Sriraj´s last blog post..Mp3 ringtones for Nokia 6600
Sriraj,
People often don’t like to be the first to do anything—but they want to be part of something other people are doing. So when you wrote your own comments, they thought this was a popular blog that people liked to comment on, and they wanted to join the crowd.
Your technique must have worked. You got comments in days; it took me six months to get a comment from someone I didn’t know. Hope your blog continues to grow and you continue to make new friends.
Lillie,
I still remember the feeling when I received my first comment from Brad Shorr, whom I had never met before.
I remember the feeling – “Wow – someone other than my mother actually read what I had to say!”
Like friendships and working relationships in the physical world, blogging friendships can be very special, and whilst there are many on your list above with whom I am not familiar, it seems from the above list as though you have shared a great number of special blogging relationships over your three years of involvement within the blogosphere.
Andrew´s last blog post..Ryanair versus Jason Roe: How not to handle a blogging spat
Andrew,
Congratulations on winning first place in Alina’s group writing project. You did a wonderful job of sharing about three special bloggers who have impacted your life (two of whom are also on my list).
We can build special relationships through blogging.
Wow, this page looks full of friendship and PINK! Good to know you Lillie. Hope we become good blogging friends as well.Though my niche is not similar to yours in any way, its all about cell phones.
Asif´s last blog post..GreenPhone | Battery Extender | Nokia
Asif,
The pink is all links—maybe I have too many links.:-)
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