I write therefore I am!
Oh my golly, gosh this weekend I’m going to a Problogger conference. Not only that, but I’ve booked to have dinner with the Travel Bloggers! To say I’m going to be punching above my weight is an understatement. More about this later in the week, unless I’ve been knocked out cold, but for now the organisers are running a competition asking:
- what inspires you to blog?
- what inspires your blogging?
- what about your blog inspires you?
- what is the inspiration behind your blog?
So I thought I’d have a go, as it is something which I am often asked.
Shortly after the “Wow, I didn’t know you did that!” (read ‘could do that!’)
I get a mixed reaction from friends and colleagues about my blogging. There is no doubt there are many in the nonblogging community who just do not get it! They see a solitary life, home alone, just me and my computer typing away. Waiting for some sort of sad validation from a whole load of worldwide random bloggers. All of us caught up in own virtual on-line reality, somewhat akin to an Ashley Madison secret life without the sex!
They may be right! I put myself out there along with the other ‘pick-me, read me’ bloggers. A risky move perhaps, except mine is an equally covert affair. I am exposed, my social media secrecy levels may be high, but my privacy levels are set to zero! My blog is like our Crazy Poodle, always there, with a shiny bright light and a wagging tail ready for action.
1. I’m inspired to be creative! I love starting with a blank page and half an idea. It’s often such a leap into the unknown, an opportunity. Sure occasionally I sit down to blog with a purpose or to talk about something I want to get off my chest, something I want to share. Most other times I have no idea where my ramblings are going to lead.
2. I am inspired to be a photographer! I’m a low budget blogger with an IPhone camera. I have developed an eye for capturing something I want to share. Sometimes, just sometimes I’ll set up a mini photo shoot, generally with the dog and a bowl of treats, but mostly it’s point, click and publish! I love the fact that my blog costs me nothing, except time – it is truly the best value activity in my life!
2. I am inspired to be a photographer! I’m a low budget blogger with an IPhone camera. I have developed an eye for capturing something I want to share. Sometimes, just sometimes I’ll set up a mini photo shoot, generally with the dog and a bowl of treats, but mostly it’s point, click and publish! I love the fact that my blog costs me nothing, except time – it is truly the best value activity in my life!
3. I am connected, not only with people but also with technology! I get a buzz from knowing and understanding something techie, that others do not. I started as a non-Facebook user, computer illiterate with a barrage of kids saying ‘she’ll never understand Twitter, or how to work her iPhone!’ Well, look at me fly now over 1,000 followers on Twitter and over 175,000 visits to the blog! This might be small fry to the rest of the blogging world but to me, it is the world!
My Comms team at work suggested that I might like to attend social media training which of course I jumped at. Unfortunately, the idea was withdrawn when I gave them the above figures and told them I dabble bit! Oh that secret life of Wren, it does make me grin 🙂
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4. I’m a storyteller! I once said I want people to come to my blog having no bloody idea, what they will find. I want to surprise and delight. I am not afraid to shock as my husband will tell you, he’s still getting over the time I had my knickers on the globe. Of course, they were my Victoria Secrets undies for the ‘I am beautiful’ post. But generally, I want to show my wanderings and my life in Australia and for my readers to leave with a smile 🙂
5. I am the Boss! In a life where so much of daily life is out of our control, be it the terrible things we hear about in the news, or a life so jam-packed with busyness, my friends are often amazed that I add in the blogging. But I am firmly an ‘as and when’ blogger. I blog when I want to, at the times of day or night which suit me and my life. Sure we’ve (my blog and I) have had the odd battle when I’ve thought ‘Ohh I’ve been absent rather too long‘… but for the most part, I blog for me, at my timescales, not anyone else.
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6. I am in contact. In Blogland there is always someone to talk to. I love the variety, the fact that at whatever time of day or night, someone somewhere in the world is awake and just might be looking for a distraction in their day. The fact that my writing and wanderings are of interest out there, is a constant source of incredulity and joy.
7. I am knowledgeable. I can’t tell you how often I start a conversation with ‘I read on a blog today…!’ Whether it is what my American blogger friends think of Donald Trump, or the British Bloggers Brexit woes, or the floods in Alabama or the earthquake in Italy. One way or another, if it matters to the world someone will write about it.
8. I am happy. If anyone was to ask me my blogging niche, my answer would be “happy.” They don’t call me ‘Miss Positivity’ at work for nothing, but much as I would like to let rip on-line about certain issues whether it is my useless vacuum cleaner or the way we treat People Seeking Asylum in Australia, mostly I don’t. I want my blogging time, which is my me time to be happy and fun and for me to have a laugh. My blog is my happy place!
9. I am in touch! I love the connections across the world. I’ve had a fortunate life. I’ve lived on three different continents, four if I tell you I lived in America for two summers working and travelling as a Camp Counsellor when I was a student. I had an absolute fear that permanent residency in Australia, tucked away on the other side of the globe was going to be isolating. If I can’t be out travelling the world, then we will have the world come to us through the front door with our international students, guests and visitors and in through the blogging back door.
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9. I am in touch! I love the connections across the world. I’ve had a fortunate life. I’ve lived on three different continents, four if I tell you I lived in America for two summers working and travelling as a Camp Counsellor when I was a student. I had an absolute fear that permanent residency in Australia, tucked away on the other side of the globe was going to be isolating. If I can’t be out travelling the world, then we will have the world come to us through the front door with our international students, guests and visitors and in through the blogging back door.
10. I am irrelevant. I love how relatively anonymous, how unknown I am on my blog. Sure I am told I need to be less of a shy blogger to make those connections, but generally, I don’t feel the need to do this. I love the anonymity. For me, I feel my blog is like ‘The Voice’ television show, you can judge me on my looks the slightly daggy Blogger style and my lack of a personal domain name if you want. I’m certainly the poor relation in the Blogging world. Or maybe you also take me at word value, or not.
My blog world mirrors my personal life, always the new kid in town. I am shy yet excited, I am full of energy to see the world and to have the world come to me. Thank you dear blogging world you have given me so much.
“This blog post was written as part of a competition sponsored by ProBlogger, Shoebox Timeline, and The Good Guys.” See below to view my Shoebox slideshow!
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Linking with Blue Monday with thanks to Jeanne at Backyard Neighbour
and Mosaic Monday thanks to Maggie at Normandy Life
