Friday, March 2, 2012

My Blog’s Lessons to Me

image

(Thank you to the wonderful bloggers who created this event.

Go HERE to see other posts and to join in!)

***

 

As undecided as I may get over a paint color,

or what hair cut looks best on me,

I have never swayed from

one clear truth regarding my blogging.


For me it has always been about the writing.


And it is at that very same point things get a little messy.


Here is what I mean.
***

Audience

Writers need readers, and I have been

blessed to have more than I ever imagined would read and comment on my posts

(many anonymously).

In the interest of full disclosure, I have at times fallen prey to

the need to have MORE.


(OK. So I am there now.)

I don’t do well when whatever it is that is driving me

wants MORE.

And so I try the blogging tricks of the trade that work so well for others,

and guess what?


They rarely work as well for me.
The need to live comfortably with humility is one of my ongoing life lessons.


Lesson #1 for Laura:  Dance with the one that brought you and do what you know to do.


Which brings me to the next item:


Voice

When I am only focused on gaining MORE readers,

MORE followers, MORE comments,

and that doesn’t play out according to my crafty planning,

then the voice of my writing loses its

Real Message,

which is where all of the good stuff lives.

IMG_3238
(My favorite post.)

Through my humor and my willingness to share

crazy things like an anti-paint tutorial

or faux twitter posts 

the real message from me to you

is that the delight we all find in simple things is where

real JOY is.

Lesson #2 for Laura:  Continue to find delight in simple things, write posts about such joys,

and let the follower chips fall where they may.


And so dear blogging friends new and old,

may I recommend one key thought?


Hold this all loosely.

***

And guess what.

I wrote about this best HERE.

I already wrote this post and didn’t realize it.





 


22 comments:

Lisa said...

Amen, Laura.:)

Anonymous said...

I am a fan - I check your blog first and regularly and miss it when you're "gone visiting". Have a happy life - fellow Texan without a blog

trash talk said...

My comments on just those two previous posts sum up what I think of you as a writer and as a person. You are gifted in ways that are beyond the scope of what I could only hope for. A wise woman once told me "like a beating heart". That's how I feel whenever I read anything you write, from the faux twitters to your self-doubts. You are real as real can be and as a wise man once told his wise daughter "keep the reins tight"!

Deb
P.S. If you're lookin' to dance...come be my partner!

savvycityfarmer said...

your 'soul' amazes me ...

chin up, head high
you're a daughter of the King of the universe!

Patty Marker said...

This is so true and what I was trying to say only with maaaaany more words. I love your humor and candor best of all. Oh yeah, and your dear daughter posts are my favorites. Love ya dear friend, Patty

Blondie's Journal said...

You have said it so well, Laura!

XO,
Jane

Deb said...

you are so right Laura...sometimes I see that I only have a few comments on a post...and think what could I have done to get more...then I read the comments and I see the people who are always there commenting...cheering me on...so much better than just a whole bunch of empty comments....from people that feel obligated to say something...the amount of followers or amount of comments aren't what it is all about...it is the quality...not quanity...I always love your writing...I wish I had your talent...

thistlewoodfarm said...

Laura,

You have a wonderful voice. I went and read your post about the beautiful church and I love the picture that you painted.

Truly, your writing has blessed me today. I will be thinking about that post for ages and ages hence :)

Thanks for taking the road less traveled.

blessings,
karianne

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Great post, Laura. I think blogging is a great form of expression.

Theresa said...

I LOVE blogging and have met so many friends! My blog is just my daily journal, like life... some days are better than others:) Enjoy your weekend dear Laura, HUGS!

Low Tide High Style said...

I say keep on keepin on just the way you are because that's what we love about you! You bring originality to blogging...something that's more rare than diamonds most days!

Kat :)

Anonymous said...

Laura ~ I also read your blog every post and also miss you when you're gone. Your blog is also "lessons to me". Like Deb, I usually only comment on the posts that especially touch me.
Marilyn in Missouri

Eclectically Vintage said...

Laura
What a fabulous post! I read your dream house post and I too would love to live in an old church. I knew two people who did and they were amazing spaces!

Looks like we're two kindred spirits. So glad to have found you and thrilled that you linked to our party. New follower.
Kelly

NanaDiana said...

LOL-Laura- I am headed over to read your BEFORE post! I agree, when I first started blogging I couldn't WAIT to get to 100 followers but the truth is I don't care if I ever get any bigger than I already am...blogwise, that is. (okay..and size wise too). I have pretty much stayed true to what I started out blogging about although my style has changed. I am more condensed now and show more pictures.

You are such a treasure to me..and that is why I keep coming here. There are blogs that I don't bother to respond on (or even read a lot of the time) because I don't feel like I am seeing the "REAL" person behind the words. I like to feel connected to the bloggers that I follow. I want them to know that I appreciate them as a person...not as just someone that knows how to post a pretty picture.

So, I am here to follow you along and I'll probably die first because I'm older...but I'm here until then...well, unless my computer dies even sooner!

Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend! And, I'll leave you with SweetCheeks newest words...hallelujah Sistah! (don't ask-don't know where it came from-they're Catholic)...lol xo Diana

Pondside said...

The blogs I continue to follow, to read every post, are the ones that are about the writing. I love the pictures, I love the tutorials, but most of all I love the words. Just keep writing please!

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

You're not alone. I fall prey to the same desire for more...and none of those blogging tricks work for me either.
I only really feel like my blog is authentic when I let the follower chips fall as they may. I love the way you said that.
It's a inward battle to live by this, but I'd rather create a blog that I love and that is truly "me" and have fewer followers, than to end up with a blog that I don't enjoy and a mass of followers.
Love your honesty and transparency!
Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Made In The South said...

LOVE YOUR BLOG ~
Still waiting to come help you with that dream home and enjoy coffee. LOL

Debbie said...

I am C-RAZY about this post. You wrote my heart so well. When I write what my heart has to say, I'm content. Followers and readers may not flock to comment, but I have that deep down good feeling nonetheless.

I can't be anybody else.
I'm stuck being me.
Might as well blog about it.

Linda @ it all started with paint said...

I am so loving your favorite post ...

"the couch pillows soft,

the windows polished and bare ..."

You -- and your exceptionally well-written words -- conjure such amazing imagery ...

And thanks for sharing your blog goals and dreams with us at our link party ...

:)

Linda

Cassie Bustamante said...

LOVE this! i agree whole heartedly that is is about the writing.... everything we do on these blogs comes through in our writing- we connect through it, express through it,.... great points!

Karah @ thespacebetweenblog said...

This is so great Laura! I think you've hit the nail on the head...if we lose our own voice in our writing...then who is everyone really following?!? Speak our voice and let those who appreciate it follow along the way. :)
Thanks for linking up, sorry it's taken me so long to come by and check out your goals. Happy to be a new linky follower.
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

free photo editor said...

yeah, when you want more of something - you get less. it's like voice telling you that the important thing is - to speak your mind. and soul.
the need for self-expression is one of the oldest needs. just like the need to be heard, understood and appreciated.
keep doing what you do ;) you do it great

 

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