A lot of people don’t understand blogging. I couldn’t blame them, just a little short under two years ago, I didn’t know either.
All I had heard about blogging was from professional bloggers that did movie reviews, or wrote about traveling or cooking. To me, blogging was a job, and I had never considered it personally.
Then one day, a friend sent me the link to a blogger’s site, blogger who wrote short stories, and she (my friend) told me I should give it a shot. I hesitated a bit. I never was one to try drawing attention. I hate to be in the spotlight.
What was the use of blogging if I didn’t want attention? On the other hand, what was the use of writing, if nobody read what I wrote? After all, what were the chances of me getting people to read my silly stuff and stick around, anyway? I had nothing to lose.
I was lucky enough to quickly get the attention of a couple of people, which encouraged me to go on. I looked around a lot too. I followed several bloggers, watching how they worked on their blogs, and what seemed to work for them.
I never really had a style. As I often say, The Cove is a convenience blog. For a long time, I envied people who had a strong theme, and stuck to it, day after day. I probably would have attracted readers quicker if I had been disciplined, and if I had done something that people could have built an expectation for.
The Cove’s dΓ©buts were slow. Very slow. It felt as if I was in my own little world. Looking back, it was perfect that way. I doubt I would have been the blogger I am, if I had received too much attention too soon. As a lot of you know already, the most fun I get out of blogging, is the interaction with you all.
I know that some bloggers don’t read a lot of others’ posts. Some don’t really care for comments, and sometimes don’t even allow them. They want to write, and be read, and get the “likes”… It’s a way to blog that I respect.
I couldn’t do it that way. I like to leave a trace when I visit other bloggers, and I enjoy feedback aswell. I try to answer all messages, but I admit I sometimes fall behind, and I hope to catch up someday even if some people get their replies weeks or months after their note was left in my comment box.
At some point, I started bonding with some of you. And I have made friends along the way. Some people come, some people go… Blogs start and die everyday. I realized how “alive” the bloggosphere is.
I doubted my reasons to go on, many times. I wondered if I should stop, and write just for myself, and I always stuck around. I am glad I did. I would miss the network I slowly but surely developped with many of you… I’d miss it terribly. I love exchanging with men and women from such different countries and ages. People with such different faiths, opinions and believes.
I like where I am now. I like that in two years, I never attracted any troll. Things are always positive in The Cove, but not in a Carebear way. And that’s certainly not because of my writing. It is because of all of you, Lovelies!
I like being part of your life, and having you in mine. That is probably the main reason I keep blogging. To throw ideas in the air, and wait to see what happens next! I’ll never be a guru, an inspiration, or a motivator… But if I succeed in entertaining you a little, my job is done!
So, if you stop by, just take a second and say “Hi!” You’ll see, there are lots of amazing people around! Oh yeah, my Cove’s one nice place to hang around!
Thanks to you π
your cove is a lovely place and I, for one, am so happy to have found my way to your shores! It could only be better with Danish firemen.
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Danish Firemen…. LOL LOL LOL Yes, I’ll have to involve more of them in a near future! Thank you for always being around, Suze π Things just wouldn’t be the same with my favorite little alien speaking up every now and then π Muuuaaaahh! xx
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I blog because I like to connect with others, and it’s kind of my space to be me.
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I totally understand… Blogs are like micro universes, where we can set our own rules and be ourselves with a kind of freedom we don’t necessarly have in “real life” π
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I love your cove too… much love barbara x
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Thank you Barbara π Just visited your blog, and I love its very positive energy! I’ll be looking forward to reading you again soon!! xx *love* xx
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Definitely. I’ve enjoyed seeing your posts for a long time now. I like that you post what speaks to you, and you’re not ashamed of it. At my core, I don’t want people to feel alone. And having people like you around make this worthwhile. ππ
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Thank you, Sarah π You were among the first bloggers I followed closely, and my admiration for your work has never lessened since! I still remember the day I read “Sarah Doughty followed your blog…” I was like Whuuuuuuuuuuut???? And I did a little footbal-player victory dance in my living room. hihihihihihih
I can tell that your work speaks a lot to your readers… You have a way to reach people by the heart, and I am sure a lot of them feel less lonely, seeing how others feel them! Mission accomplished!!
Have a lovely weekend! xx
P.S. I love the new avatar picture… It might date back to a few days, but I didn’t get the chance to tell you π
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Aww thank you! I’m told that very reaction happens all the time — the disbelief, denial, and then the sudden excitement. ππ It’s always such a pleasure to know that my goals are being accomplished. I’m glad you’re happy with what you’ve created here, too.
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And thank you for the kind words about my photo. π
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You have a lovely blog and we can always expect something different to see, stay on with that π
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Thank you Irene! I am so glad to have you around, especially after the hard times you’ve been through π And I can’t wait to see you post again from time to time π *hugs*
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Hello Cyranny,
This is such a lovely post and you raise some wonderful reasons for blogging.
Connection is a huge part for me too…
Happy writing,
Di π
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Hello Di π
Thank you so much for your kind words! It is always a pleasure to see you here π
Happy writing to you too, and a wonderful weekend!! xx
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What a lovely reply, Cyranny. Thank you for your kind wishes too. Happy weekend for you ππ»π
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Keep on going. I love reading your variety of posts. I don’t see that as a bad thing at all. I like variety in what I read and I think others do to. Even with a theme you need to change aspects or you get bored and readers do too. So keep up the awesome work.
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Thank you Mandibelle π
I admire bloggers who have a theme, stick to it and succeed in reinventing themselves in every post, but I am far more comfortable with this crazy freedom I allowed myself π
I hope you’ll have a great weekend!! xx
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Crazy freedom is wonderful! Have a good weekend tooπ
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I just like to interact and it holds me accountable to a lot of things. Blogging comes in handy for a lot.
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π Interesting… And in what ways does it come handy for you?
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Helps me be disciplined with following a schedule, specifically planning things out, communicating with people, reaching out to people I normally wouldn’t – it’s basically helping me with life.
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I agree so much about the discipline aspect of blogging… It proved me I could stick to something for months without giving up!
Very good points! I’m glad the exercise is helping you in so many ways π
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Same to you. I do need to change my schedule though. It’s not specific enough at all and I could tell since I haven’t been following it smh. Getting better though.
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Blogging is very flexible… As long as you give the best of yourself, I’d say it is a success π
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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Well said π
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