The traditional rules for accepting this nomination are:
- Thank the one who nominated you and embed a link to their blog.
- Share how you started your blog.
- Give a little bit of advice that new bloggers can take away.
- Select fifteen other blogs who you think really deserve the award.
- Visit the blogs you nominated and let them know
Thank the one who nominated you and embed a link to their blog
Thank you, Laura (of Hot Shot Headlines fame!) for nominating me!! I’m sorry that it took me so long to get around to filling out & posting this, but I was committed to do it even if it killed me. It didn’t, obviously. Or am I posting from beyond the graaaaveeee? 😉
Share how you started your blog
Gosh… OK, so, I actually made this blog twice & I’ll explain how & why for both.
Once upon a time (seriously though, I can’t remember when it was), I was submitting my poetry to several reviews online. I had a binder full of short story, poems, & “other” ideas. I thought that creating a blog would give me space for both my own writing.
I was also trying to find work, wherever I could, as an online content writer. Part of me thought that making a WordPress account might also impress potential employers. It was close enough to a being website without the high cost (anything about $0.00 was, & still is, out of my price range).
Unfortunately, I didn’t use it. Not once.
Then, about 5-6 months ago (again, I’m terrible at remembering dates & times; I could be off by as much as a year), I was reading some comments on a feminist Facebook page I like & I saw a link to a post. That’s how I found The Melodramatic Confessions of Carla Louise & its brilliant author, whom I still maintain is one of the sweetest people online.
However, for some reason I don’t understand myself, so I can’t explain it to you, I didn’t want to use my existing, blank, WordPress account. So, I made a brand new one instead. & I used the same exact name. If anyone reading knows what the heck I was thinking, please let me know!
Since I first posted, back in June (I only know because of WordPress’s stats showing my 1st post ever), I’ve mostly:
- Filled out tags
- Done challenges
- Reposted some book reviews from my Goodreads’s account
- Reblogged some amazing posts that shared my feelings regarding feminism/politics/mental & physical health issues
- Shared the guest post I wrote for Carla’s page
However, I still haven’t really started sharing my own writing – remember, the binder of ideas from earlier. To be honest, most of them are G-d-awful, but there are one or two workable ones. The good ones were the driving force behind creating this blog, both times. My procrastination knows no bounds!
Give a little bit of advice that new bloggers can take away
Oh dear. I still consider myself a new blogger, so I’m still searching for advice.
Then again, there are a few things I’ve learned thus far that might help those just starting/thinking about starting their own blog:
- Tell your story. I think showing readers your humanity, & what you’ve learned in your life, is important. I know that helps me connect to other people’s writings.
- Don’t ignore comments. Comments I leave on other people’s blogs let me connect to writers I admire, share common interests, discuss similar & dissenting points-of-view, & give feedback. Comments I get on my blog show that people are reading my posts, in addition to everything I already mentioned.
- Tags, awards, & challenges are fun. However, if they start to feel like a chore, distraction, or just plain boring, you don’t have to do them. You’re allowed to stop a month-long challenge on the 3rd or the 29th day. You’re allowed to say to someone, “Thanks, but I don’t think I’ll be doing this tag.” People – myself included – have added pages saying they’re not doing awards/nominations/tag. You don’t have to give a reason (you also don’t have to be a jerk, so stay polite).
- No matter what, there’s probably a blog for what you’re interested in. I’m pretty sure you can find bloggers writing about whatever topic tickles your fancy. Go look for them!
- Don’t be ashamed to use whatever morsel of inspiration you need. If you’re feeling “stuck,” WordPress has really neat prompts for writing, drawing, & taking pictures. Or, if you prefer working offline before posting, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, & other booksellers have tons of prompt books/journals/diaries for your inspiration.
- This post really helped me.
Select fifteen other blogs who you think really deserve the award
I award everyone. Yeah, I know it’s a total copout, but I don’t think I have 15 followers (especially not when you discount those who’ve already done this & those who don’t do awards). I’d like to hear everyone’s thoughts because, regardless of how many people read this, you’re all worthy of recognition.
