Writer's Notes' Third Blogging Year in Review
February 1st 2010 00:01
We've just celebrated the third anniversary of Writer's Notes, and it's hard to believe it's been three years already! The time seems to have simply flown by. The last year, in particular, has passed with almost lightning speed, with so much happening to make it anything but ordinary. Some of these events have been good and others heart-wrenching, but each has been a growth experience that has added its own unique brand of quiet wisdom to my life's journey and, I think, to my writing, as well.
Transformational Events of the Past Year (2009-early 2010):
My Whoa Factor Phase
I was honored to co-blog with Brad Shorr at The Whoa Factor for the first half of the year (having been invited on board by Brad at the beginning of December, 2008). Though that stint came to a halt when Whoast, Inc. (the Chicago firm for which we blogged) was acquired by Straight North, I loved the time I spent there providing content beside a fellow blogger I've always admired.
My Battle-with-Mom's-Alzheimer's Phase
As most of you know, my mother became ill with an extremely fast-progressing case of Alzheimer's during 2009, at which time I became her sole caregiver (still keeping up with my writing as best I could), and Mom died of the devastating illness last May. That was a difficult time for me; yet, it also taught me so much. I won't go into the details of this period here, but suffice it to say, I learned many valuable lessons.
My Minimal Blogging Phase
As I dealt with the aftermath of Mom's death, I decided to give myself permission to blog less without guilt. At that point, I even (reluctantly) dropped my almost religious practice of writing a monthly comment-recognition post to thank everyone who had commented at Writer's Notes the previous month. That was tough to do, but it couldn't be helped. (I still haven't reinstated the practice yet, though I hope to soon.)
Rather than allowing myself to feel the stress and pressure that the need to post new content can sometimes bring, I focused on healing, on spending time with family, on dealing with the inevitable issues that always arise after someone close to us dies, and on writing only as much as I could and only when I felt I could. I still haven't fully regained my blogging rhythm yet, due in part to the residual effects of the topic I'll discuss in the next section.
My Personal Illness Phase
At the beginning of November, 2009, I came down with a bad case of bronchitis, which had me down for the count for about five weeks. As I began steadily improving—finally!—I noticed, to my dismay, that within several days (but before I'd gotten fully well), I began catching another cold, which immediately began moving down into my chest again. And hence, Round Two!
Unfortunately that wasn't all. After several more weeks of fighting the illness with herbal remedies and other natural supplements, and beginning to improve again, I've once again relapsed (thanks to yet another cold), and I'm currently battling my third manifestation of the illness, which seems to have decided to hang on for the duration. (It's been nearly three months since I've been completely well.) Finally got checked out the other day and various tests are underway to determine the precise cause of the problem.
My New Productivity Phase
Thankfully, I've continued working right through all this illness (which was, of course, easier to do since I work from home). I've in fact actually become even more prolific than ever in my professional writing since the beginning of the New Year, despite the health issues I've been battling. So, that, at least, is a plus!
Though I still haven't returned to blogging as much I'd like to yet, I am working on it—and succeeding to a fair degree. (You'll note that I wrote four posts in January--actually five, since it's still January 31st here in California, though Australia time [which is eight hours later] is used for time-stamping my posts, since Orble is in Australia.) This is a vast improvement over my posting frequency of late. Considering that in November and December, I only published one post per month, and only two in October, I feel I'm doing extremely well—even though I may not be feeling extremely well!
My New Outlook Phase
All this leads to my new, more optimistic outlook and the way it has helped my work. I've begun looking at my work in a more positive light, being more proactive in seeking work, more industrious in writing new content, and better able to (selectively) multi-task when needed without stress and without allowing it to throw off my equilibrium. These new developments have all been real pluses and real areas of growth for me, and I'm looking forward to perfecting them even more during Year Four of blogging at Writer's Notes!
Thanks so much for reading!
Jeanne
If you're a blogger, how long have you been blogging and what insights have you learned along the way, either during the past year or in general? If you don't blog, would you like to, and if you were to start a blog, what would you blog about?
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Comment by Brad Shorr
Comment by dcr
My first blog was started in 2005. I haven't posted to that one since 2007. But, I will be posting to it again soon.
Hope you're get better and feel better soon.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for those very kind words and wishes! It has been quite a year--one that definitely had its bright spots despite the sad moments. Another good thing that happened this year (besides TWF) was that Mom's illness and death effected a reunion between most of my siblings and me and enabled my kids to see--and in my youngest son's case, meet for the first time--their aunts, whom I hadn't seen in years. So, there was definitely an up side.
I so enjoyed blogging with you at TWF! You really were my mentor in many ways. I've always admired your ability to handle so many different projects so adeptly and efficiently, and that really has been a wonderful example for me. It rather amazes me that you post so often at Word Sell, while remaining so active on Facebook (including FarmVille), Twitter, and LinkedIn--with the LinkedIn group you've created and now your new FarmVille group--not to mention your other business projects. (Have I forgotten anything?) Where do you find the time and energy? You are truly the model of efficiency to this writer!
Thanks again for your kind words and thoughts. It certainly has been great knowing and working with you--not to mention playing FarmVille with you! I, too, hope we'll have the opportunity to work together again in 2010. Best wishes to you this year, as well!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
You're a real blogging veteran--and quite consistent with your posting in the bargain! Wish I could say I've blogged even half that consistently! And you have a day job, too, don't you? I think that shows amazing dedication, and I certainly commend you for it!
Thanks for your kind blog birthday wishes (in my blog birthday post). That reminds me that I want to say I'm so sorry I didn't manage to get over to wish you a happy (human) birthday a few days ago. (Got the notification from Live Journal, popped on over there, and found you hadn't posted there lately. Was in the middle of a writing project so resumed my work, and here things still sit!) Hope your day was really special! I've been focusing more on my professional writing these days and trying to fight off illness at the same time, so it's been a challenge.
I'm really quite impressed with your record for consecutive daily posts (over 500). It's one you certainly have every right to be proud of! (Coming up with a new post every day is indeed difficult, so the fact that you've been able to do it really speaks to your creativity.) Here's hoping you pass the 1,000-day mark; but, even if you don't, you've already done a fantastic job posting for as many consecutive days as you have. I think that's really quite an accomplishment. As far as I'm concerned, I'd say anything beyond what you've already done is just icing on the blogging cake!
Thanks again for stopping by and sharing your own blogging journey with us! That's one of the things I love about blogging: hearing everyone else's stories about their own experiences--both blogging and otherwise!
Jeanne
Comment by Lillie Ammann
I've been blogging 3 1/2 years and try to post 2 or 3 times a week. Although I do have affiliate links to Amazon and Smashwords for books I review, I haven't made any money and don't do anything else to monetize my blog.
It's strictly for my own pleasure, and I intend to keep it that way—if I tried to make money off it, it would be too much like work. I'm amazed at Dan's record of daily blogging—I can't imagine blogging that much. I don't have that much free time or that many ideas.
Although you haven't posted much in the last few months, your blog is filled with content, and I look forward to many more years of reading your blog.
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
I'm so sorry to hear of your health problems and the sadness in your life.
Keep on with writing and with life and once, more, well done.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for your good wishes for the coming year, as well as your welcome words of encouragement. They are much appreciated.
Your blogging pace of 2-3 posts a week is a good one, I think. While some bloggers (like Dan) post much more often, I believe that's the exception rather than the rule. Of course, for bloggers who have heavily monetized their sites and are counting on them to bring in substantial income, I can see why blogging daily--or at least five times a week--would be almost a necessity. Others who post often simply do it because they love to blog or because the nature of their blog lends itself to shorter, more-frequent posts, which is great! I, personally, tend to write longer, more involved posts, as a rule, which makes it more difficult for me to post as frequently as some bloggers do.
Though my blog contains Google AdSense ads, my own ads are displayed only 50% of the time and Orble's the other 50% of the time. This means that it takes me quite a few months to hit Google's $100 minimum payout amount. So, I definitely can't count on this as a serious source of income. I've just started an Amazon A-Store here at Writer's Notes, in which I've placed books on writing that I believe would be helpful to my readers; but, I haven't really made any sales yet. (At least I hadn't the last time I checked.)
There's definitely something to be said for blogging simply for the love of it. It can certainly be more enjoyable--and likely far less stressful--that way. I'm sure, too, that there's a lot less guilt involved if for some reason you're unable to post as often as usual.
Personally, I couldn't imagine blogging every day--particularly now that I'm busier than ever with my professional writing--though I would love to be able to do it. Again, though, I don't really think that's even a realistic goal for me with the length of the posts I usually write. I agree that it would be extremely difficult to come up with post topics for daily blogging. I know some bloggers post very short news items or other brief thoughts, which can make daily posting easier--though some of the bloggers who do that post even more than once per day!
Thanks so much for stopping by with your thoughts and good wishes, Lillie! I always enjoy carrying on a conversation with you--whether here at Writer's Notes or over at A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye!
Many good wishes to you in 2010!
Jeanne
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
As usual, this post was a very interesting read. You certainly have been on a roller coaster ride. Here's to you and how you just keep soldiering on.
One of the things I have really learned from blogging, particularly if you are in it for the hits, readers and adsense dollars, it is best to have a very narrow topic.
As you know I talk about a broad range of things and because of that my posts often attract really weird ads. I once wrote about homlessness in Sydney and an ad appeared in the middle for a florest!!!
Nevertheless, I still enjoy writing about broad issues and even quirky trends, etc so I have just accepted that I won't be making squillions out of this one.
Here's looking forward to many more posts on Writers Notes.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks! I appreciate your compliment on my post, and I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Your compassion for the things I've been through over the past year is also much appreciated.
Thanks so much for stopping by to cheer me on!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I can certainly see your point about the AdSense ads. A narrow topic can definitely help target the ads to the blog's readership--though, I suppose that if you have a wide variety of readers, a wide variety of ad types might just work. After all, you never know who might be in the market for a florist!
I really don't think that, here at Orble, we can expect to earn very much from our AdSense ads--unless, perhaps, we happen to write one of the more popular blogs that attract thousands of readers a day. With our AdSense ads only being displayed half the time and Orble's the other half, we're already at a disadvantage over most independent blogs, which keep 100% of their AdSense earnings. How could we ever expect to earn any real AdSense revenue that way?
So, in one sense, it may not really matter that much whether yours is a niche blog or one with a more eclectic mix of content. In fact, a blog with more varied content might tend to appeal to a larger number of readers than a niche blog; so, it's really hard to say how much it affects AdSense revenue. Whichever kind of blog we choose, all we can do is try our best to engage our readers and provide value-added content so they'll want to keep coming back. Then, we can just let Google AdSense take care of itself. (Though here at Orble, I don't think we should count on it to provide a significant amount of income.)
I think it's fantastic that you're writing about the things that interest you, rather than confining yourself to a niche that you might find constricting. When we write about what we love, we can't go wrong. Of course, that's no guarantee that we'll make a ton of money, but it's one sure way to experience personal fulfillment, at least. And after all, isn't that what life is all about?
Thanks so much for your congratulations and words of encouragement! They're much appreciated!
Jeanne
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Happy blogaversary!
I enjoyed reading this post, as usual. I hope you'll make a full recovery sometime soon, and I look forward to reading whatever you have to post over the next year.
I've been blogging for two and a half years, and it's been a lot of fun. It's a real struggle to post consistently. I've managed to be fairly consistent for the last couple of months, which is good. You've definitely earned the right to relax about not-posting guilt-your posts are still great when they come, and 2009 was a rough year for you.
Here's hoping that 2010 proves to be a better year than 2009.
~Dianna
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I've noticed that you do seem to post quite a bit of content--which is wonderful! Of course, I also understand that consistent posting can be a challenge. Most bloggers are confronted with the very same challenge, though each one handles that challenge in a different way (some more effectively than others). Thanks for your encouraging words about my own lack of posting consistency during the past year. It's nice to know that someone understands and gives us permission to relax and let go of guilt, because guilt is counterproductive.
We all go through different seasons in our lives--and different seasons in our blogs, as well. As long as we keep learning and growing through our life experiences, I think that's the most important thing, because it will translate into more creative blogging.
You'll be coming up on your three-year blogging anniversary soon, and I'm sure that by that time you'll have even more to show for all the time, energy, effort, and emotion that you've invested in your writing than you do now.
Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences! Hope 2010 will be a really productive, prolific, and creative blogging year for you!
Jeanne
Comment by Sonya 1
Freelance Tips
Writing Words
You managed to write through the difficult time of your mother's illness and death and while you were (still are, by the looks of it) sick - that in itself is an achievement.
I've not had any of your obstacles in my life in 2009 and still I struggled to keep my blogging routine going. Fact is, when you write for a living there's sometimes no room for writing even more in your spare time. I just went through one month of daily blogging. While that was fun, I wouldn't want to keep this pace up throughout the year. I'm shooting for two post during the week and maybe one over the weekend now.
My third Writing Words anniversary will be at the end of September. I've started blogging almost 10 years ago though - I've managed to get through quite a few of the popular blogging platforms in that time. I've deleted blogs left, right and centre - but never before saving everything I wrote to my hard drive. Reading posts from back then is quite entertaining. I'm glad I've adopted a more professional blogging style in the past few years and I don't think it's necessary anymore to wipe out all traces of my online existence. I enjoy blogging here (despite Orble's shortcomings) and I'm quite looking forward to my own third blogging anniversary.
I wish you a successful writing year 2010. Your posts, no matter how frequent or infrequent, will always go on my reading list.
All the best,
Sonya
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks so much for your support! I definitely appreciate your encouraging words!
It certainly is difficult to blog after doing a full day of professional writing! I understand you there! Sometimes you can feel "all written out"! We really do need to maintain balance in our lives, which is one important reason not to allow ourselves to feel guilty when we have legitimate reasons to forgo blogging for a time. There are simply times when it can't be helped, and it's definitely counter-productive to beat ourselves up over it. All that does is cause stress, which in turn saps our energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and inspiration, putting us even farther behind than we were when we were originally unable to post!
Posting daily for a month was quite an accomplishment! That's difficult to do! I think your goal of posting two to three times a week is very reasonable and "doable" and unlikely to cause an inordinate amount of stress. That pace does seem to be fairly standard with many bloggers. Personally, I'd rather write fewer meatier posts than try to post too often. At least, that's my general preference. Every so often, though, it's fine to write a really short post, and I'm learning to give myself permission to do that every now and then--though I often find that once I start writing the post gets away from me and I end up writing a lengthier one than I intended.
You're really a blogging veteran, and your posts certainly add value to the Orble community. Orble is fortunate (and so are we) that you enjoy blogging here, and I know we'll all be happy to help you celebrate your third blogging anniversary come September.
Thanks again for your good wishes and kind words! Wishing you success, as well, in all your writing and blogging endeavors in 2010!
Jeanne
Comment by Anonymous
I congratulate you on the 3 years, grieve with you over the loss of Victoria, and pray for your miraculous recovery from this prolonged course of illness.
Much love ~LindaYour text goes here
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
So glad to see you here at Writer's Notes and so happy to hear that my writing has inspired you in your own blogging endeavors. Personally, I love your blog and feel you have so much of value to impart to your readers.
I definitely recommend that anyone who wants to know anything about beauty visit the Star Brows blog and also stop by the Star Brows website while they're at it. I just know they'll learn so much!
Thanks for dropping by to leave such encouraging words! You're a real friend!
Love,
Jeanne (JD)