New To Blogging?

Weren’t we all…

Everything has already been created. With that said, it is how we rearrange the pieces of everything that tells a new story, expresses a new idea, perspective or point of view.

As a new blogger, the hardest thing to do is get started. We wonder to ourselves, “what do I have to say that will be interesting to others?” We wonder if we are good enough and will readers like us because we are putting ourselves out there for the world to see. We’re sharing what we feel is us, that part that makes us a person. Or are we?

We share for many reasons:  encouragement, inspiration, teaching, therapy, humor, perspective of ever day life, etc.

In reality, when we write our posts we are expressing ideas, ideals, opinions, perspectives and images. Very few people can or will ever put their real selves out there. We share bits and pieces of the stuff that is inside us but each person has their own perspective when reading. Their own interpretations. Some get us…some do not. It is no different than the real lives we lead each and every day. We are often one way at home and another at work; one way with family, loved ones, friends and another with acquaintances and strangers. We write from ourselves and to various audiences.

As new bloggers we must determine what we are going to share and how we are going to share it. We can tell snippets from our lives, stories of family and work day events; humorous or serious; fact or fiction; inspirational or (self)-defeating; cathartic release for our own personal therapy or sharing of experiences for others to benefit from as they go through similar experiences. There are as many subjects as there are writers and readers.

Guess what? Not everyone is going to see it the same way we do and not everyone is going to like what we have to say. We need to understand that should not reflect on how we see ourselves. If we determine that our blog is us, then we are perhaps putting just a bit too much into our blogs. There is no way for the world to know the real us without living each and every day with us. We often lie to ourselves, how can we truly express every detail of us to the reading public? Even our reflection in the mirror goes through the filters in our psyche. We read other blogs with the same filters.

We see other blogs with hundreds or thousands of followers and want to be successful just like them. What makes them successful?

Some bloggers are serious, purist writers and they would hope that everyone who writes is the same; while others with the same or similar abilities are elitist and believe that they and their kind are the only ones who should express their ideas in writing because they have a gift or have been through the grueling education that makes a real writer (author). Some of us are hacks at writing. Expressing ourselves in an environment that should be for true professionals but we may do a bad job of it, probably because we haven’t paid our dues and obtained all the education—grammar is often the truth teller.   There is something to learn from all of these writers. If you pay attention, you can see what to do and what not to do but don’t let it define you. Purist will often help when asked by someone who is truly interested and willing to learn, not someone who just asks questions; elitist will often belittle you for not knowing what they know and hacks will just continue with their program.

You will hear of and see trolls. Online trolls are mean-spirited and look only to argue and demean regardless. Their goals often appear to be to put others down in order to build themselves up…little do they know. Pay no attention to their issues and don’t make them yours–don’t get into it with them.  And most of all, do not believe them when they attack you—you are as free as you allow yourself to be not how anyone else tells you to be.

You will see some bloggers make fools of themselves by their written actions. Some will ask you to like them, follow them, embrace their vulgarities and offensive words…some will ask for funding. They most likely have an obsessive need for acceptance and want to be accepted for their negativity when they really don’t have or don’t know how to contribute respectfully or positively.

There are many people out there who the attempt to be offensive and yet they only provoke as a younger brother would a sibling sister; others say they’re offense but in reality are only thought promoters. Some attempt to provide words for ingestion of thought but the waste product smells less of a rose. There are others who intend to offend and they truly do.

Some have legitimate charities or businesses and will promote them.

Some write to teach or promote writing. They share the secrets of writing and blogging—they even have classes. What could it hurt? Nothing, as long as you’re learning something. If you are losing yourself and becoming someone else, you might want to rethink and glean practical substance over personal style. Your style will already be there or will emerge as you continue to write—you will find the way you want to express yourself.

Some people share other people’s posts but never share of themselves.

Some will tell you that you must get followers to be a success; while others will tell you that what and how you write will get people to follow you. People can’t follow you if they don’t see you. You must get yourself out there. Often the best way to get some notice is to read other blog posts and comment when appropriate and what is appropriate to the conversation. Your thoughts on a subject, pro or con, will quite often result in others going and checking out your page to find out more about you.  If not daily then weekly, go check other blogs just to see what they’re up to…read their content and say something, like something, encourage them to continue sharing.

Some bloggers only want or have followers–they do not follow.  You’ve got to be a well known author, have a fantastic product (your writing) and a very unique self-perspective in order to pull it off.  That doesn’t mean they don’t read other blogs but someone at that level is probably swamped with a daily professional life that can take its toll with book signings, interviews, etc.; and with hundreds of thousands of followers, there’s no way they could ever hope to get to anyone if they re-followed every one that followed them–you follow me? 😉  Don’t be offended, they’re probably not following anyone else either.

Frequency and consistency of posts will result in a more consistent following. I know this from personal experience. I took care of life for about 20 days and didn’t write any posts during that time. Very few came to my blog and no one new followed my blog during that down period. Once I started writing and reading again, the numbers increased and have stayed consistent. You must be involved in writing and reading, liking and commenting to help being seen which will result in people paying attention and in turn, commenting, liking and following your posts. People like interaction.  However, most people don’t want to go first.  It’s okay, go first.  Just as you are particular about what and who you are willing to follow, so are others. Don’t be offended if people don’t send likes. Often, people read and move on to the next post. Sometimes, they think about what they read, and later come back with a like or comment.

We as individuals must determine what we want to share. We as readers will determine what is acceptable. What we write about does say something about us as much as what we read. However, what we write isn’t all of us. If you seek to be liked and followed but people don’t like what you’re writing change what and/or how you write. If you’re new to writing, learn what you can about writing, learn how to express yourself that will invite readers.

Most of all, write for yourself. Remember from the movie Field of Dreams, “Build it and they will come…” There’s plenty of room for one more, if necessary, they’ll add another server just so you have a space to be you.

It’s long, I know but if you got this far, I appreciate it. I hope this will encourage you to progress forward with your blog. I hope we’ll get a chance to know a little bit about you through your writing.

We write, read, edit, rewrite and wonder if it will ever be good enough.

The next hardest thing to do is click on the [Publish] button. Go ahead, click it…it’ll be okay.

Jay 🙂

 

Where Are They?

How many times have you found a post or blog that you like, click follow, and then never hear from them again?

Occasionally, like this morning, I go to the Blogs I Follow list and click on different blogs just to see what they’re up to.  Often, I see that they have not posted in the past 2 to 6 months–I wonder why?  Did something happen to them?  Did life get in the way?  Should I secretly mourn they’re passing?  I know I took about a month off between posts to take care of things in my life but I didn’t go away, I still read other posts.

Now, just as everyone doesn’t like all of my posts, sometimes I don’t like all of someone else’s.  We’re that way.  We like what we like, when we like it.  But that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in a blog overall.  I am, otherwise, why would I expect to see someone?  Why else would I look for their perspective?

At one point, they captured my attention but now they’re gone.

Shane, or whoever you are, come back.  Oh!  What’s that shiny thing over there?  Is that another blog I might be interested in?

Jay 🙂

 

What’s your story?

When it comes to telling your story, do you know what experiences you have that will tell the world about what made you who you are?

I read an article earlier today about an answer Mike “Dirty Jobs” Rowe gave in response to an interview question.  It had to do with not following your passion in life if it doesn’t prove successful in sustaining your life (of course that’s my take on it).

I’ve already proven to myself that my passion for writing stories and painting pictures will NEVER pay the bills, it shall remain a minor focus, part time at best.  There are a few reasons for this.  First, I work a little over 40 hours per week (no complaints, I’m blessed to have a low-paying job while others struggle to get work).  Second, although I have been writing for many years, I have not been properly trained in literature (specifically, creative writing) and therefore, will not appeal to very many (outside of my favorite people–very common folks).  My audience is and will remain limited.  And then, there’s the fact that it is important for me to follow God’s path for me with life, family and friends.  There is no guarantee that being an author is in my future but I will give it my best shot and see what happens.

After reading Mike’s response, I remembered when a friend asked me why I ever thought I could be a writer and what in the world would I know enough to write about.  I thought about my experiences in life (1) and how that could be a factor in helping me write (there are many stories, my friends).  I told my friend that would not be the problem.  The problem would be how I could accomplish it.

I’ve studied a few things here and there but I haven’t taken writing courses, yet.  In jobs as analyst and for reports writing, the style is very different from writing a book–the “government style guide” is quite different. With the knowledge I have, it would probably be easier to write a how-to book than a story book but I’m not in this for easy, I’m in it for creativity sake–an outlet for what’s inside my mind.  I already have a few stories that I’m working on.  What I have found in my research is that I can utilize skills from jobs and experiences I’ve had over the years, coupled with human observation, to put into characters.  Also in my research, it has been told to me that I should, “write how I speak,” and “just let it flow because you or someone else can fix it later.”  So, that’s my plan or was my plan.

Recently, I became a publisher.  I knew nothing about creating ebooks or printed books.  I had a couple of unknown writers provide me their books a few months ago; to learn about the processes, I bought ebooks and searched the internet for articles and blogs, and I viewed a few YouTube videos for information on self-publishing.  As of yesterday, I have three books with several sales on Amazon.com, in Kindle format and one of those on Createspace for print.  Oh, and I have this here blog website.  I had to learn to set up a website, too and it only took something I already possessed, my administration and self-management skills.

I believe that I have enough life experiences to create many stories.  I promise, I will apply syntax in a way that will make some cringe and others glad that they don’t have to struggle to read.  And, I will tell my stories, one page at a time.

So, what’s your story?  How can you use your experiences to tell it?  Just don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t tell it.

Jay 🙂

1 List of experiences (alphabetical order):  Administrator, Chauffeur, Classified Material Handler, Commercial Anodizer, Data Mining Specialist, Data Warehousing Administrator, Delivery driver, Document / Photo Scanner, Editor, Electronic files archiving, Events Planner, First Aid / CPR, Firefighter, Help Desk / Customer Service Representative, Information Technology assistant, Janitor, Leadership and Development Instructor, Legal Clerk, Military Intelligence Reports Writer/Analyst, Office Management, Painter (art / home), Personnel / Career Counselor, Personnel Management & Logistics, Personnel Pay, Poetry, Postal Clerk, Project Manager, Property Management/Leasing, Publisher, Records Management, Research Analyst, Retail and Business to Business Sales, Safe custodian (combination control), Security, Singer (Church Choir / Karaoke), Supply Clerk, Technical Manuals Librarian, Trainer and Subject Matter Expert Facilitator, Writer (Fiction / Non-fiction)