Well, I suppose that’s not exactly the question, or I wouldn’t writing this. I suppose my real question has been not if to blog, but how long and how often. And is there anyone out there? Is there any point?
I’m still quite new to the whole blogging, Facebook, forums and social networking world, and at times it has felt a bit overwhelming. As in, what happens to my actual writing?
But the thing I’ve realised is that when something is new it takes far more time than when you grow fluent. Take writing, for a start. It used to be agony. Long, drawn-out agony. And frustrating, to boot. All that work for something that was still rubbish at the end of it! And there is time, rushing by, and there’s so much to do, so much to see, and here am I, stuck in front of the computer. Sad.
But the writing has got better. Since I’ve begun to be published, a whole lot better. And what I’ve realised is that my ease with the social networking world will grow easier too. And I enjoy it. I’ve loved stumbling across other people’s blogs and reading the exchange of ideas. Where I live, amongst the mountains and ruined castles of Wales, is beautiful and inspiring. But it does also at times feel remote.
Don’t get me wrong; I wouldn’t swap this for the world. It gives me the peace and quiet and inner stillness I need to get on with my writing. And I have the most amazing friends here, who support me and cheer me along the way. But sometimes, being surrounded by sheep (real ones, nothing metaphorical, I should add), I have a longing to dive down a rabbit hole and find myself on the London tube. Back amongst the vibrant, seamless mix of races and cultures, and the easy access to galleries and theatres.
And, okay, I go back there once or twice a year for my urban fix. But in the meantime, I now have the wonderful world of blogs at my fingertips.
Which is why I’ve just signed up to Rachael Harrie’s Third Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign. http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/2011/08/third-writers-platform-building.html
One of my greatest frustrations up until now has been feeling a bit adrift with all the information out there. The world is one big place. And cyberspace feels very big indeed. The idea of bringing bloggers and writers together is a brilliantly simple one. I’ve never done anything like this before, and I’m not quite sure what to expect. But I know it’s going to be good!
So here’s to the Platform-Building Campaign, and all the other blogging writers out there. I know I’m going to learn so much, and feel much happier in my blogging skin.
It’s definitely an exciting world out there!
I’m in! I just went to the site and started my set-up. Let’s do this thing!
Yay, Nadine! Brilliant. This is going to be a great ride!
See you at the Campaign!
Juliet
Hi Juliet,
Some great thoughts about writing and cyberspace. I will give you an RT on your very interesting blog. I miss London too, but I’m stuck out here on the plains of Kansas.
Best,
Greg
Hi Greg,
Thanks for that, and for the RT. Kansas sounds beautiful, but very far away from London. Hope you can make it back to the big smoke sometime!
Juliet
I just joined it too (from following your twitter link, I think.) It feels overwhelming, but I think it will be fun.
Hi Marlene,
I know how you feel! Last night I considered running back to last weekend’s hidy-hole of no TV or Internet access. But I know it will be fun and wonderfully useful – it’s just getting your head around it. See you on the Platform!
Juliet
Hurray for the campaign!
I wish I lived in an environment like you do! I really want a place out in the middle of the country (not too far, though, driving a car is ridiculously expensive), but far enough outside the city that I can see the stars at night and have some quiet.
The world of social networking is very overwhelming, so hopefully this experience will benefit both of us!
Hi Rebekah,
Nice to meet you. And I second the hurrah for the campaign! Let’s get this show on the road. I hope you’ll be able to find a place where you can have quiet and see the stars at night. I actually enjoy being in a city at night now, even the sounds of sirens in the distance. But for writing, you can’t beat the peace and quiet. Plus I can wander around in my dog walking clothes, no make up and hair all over the place, without anyone noticing. That is also good for writers. And then I really enjoy dressing up for London parties! Variety is the spice of the writing life.
See you on She Writes and the Campaign.
Juliet
Juliet,
I loved this post.so natural-and I can totally relate! We used to live 100 miles from the nearest city and we had exactly 2 stores in our town! I have to admit it kinda drove me nuts.
Where we live now is 30 minutes from the edge of a city which is just perfect for me and I notice I don’t feel nearly as cut off or just as broody as I was over there.
I think going to the city a couple times a year is necessary!
Happy Blogging!
Samantha
Hi Sammi,
100 miles from the nearest city sounds awesome – and a bit scary. I love remote places, but there’s nothing like the buzz of all the craziness of human life to get those creative juices flowing. Sounds like you’ve got the balance. I’ve a plan to visit New York some time. Now where’s that lottery ticket …:)
That’s plan B after the best-seller.
Happy late blooming and blogging.
Juliet
Hi, fellow campaigner.
I’m in Cambridge missing Tampa a bit. It’s taken me awhile to figure out the blogging thing. My goal is now to post 2-3 times a week. I need to focus on shorter posts because readers want to get in, learn something, think about something new, or simply be entertained and move on.
Happy to meet you. Now following you on Twitter.
Hi! Great to meet you, too. Heading over to your blog now. I think that’s right about shorter posts rather than huge long ones.
Here’s to a great Campaign!
Juliet
Hi Juliet,
Like you, I’m also quite new to this whole social networking thing. At the beginning, I had an idea about setting up different blogs covering different subjects, but that one quickly died a death when I realised how much work would be involved. Now I’ve settled on just the one, which I think will provide more than enough distraction from the actual writing bit!
I’ve also enjoyed the campaign and am quite excited about it. Social networking is undoubtedly a fantastic way of meeting other writers and bloggers – as long as you can get the balance right. Looking forward to interesting times ahead…
By the way, I moved from London earlier this year, and am missing it loads. There’s nowhere quite like it, is there?
Hi Helen,
I did the same, and started with several blogs. Like you, I soon realised that one was quite enough to keep up with! My dilemma is that I’m published under two names, so do I need to keep my two personas separate? I need to think about that one
The Campaign is great! I’m enjoying it already, but I agree, you need to get a balance or the writing goes out of the window.
Ah, a fellow ex-Londoner. I know what you mean. I’m still utterly and totally in love with London, even though I don’t want to live there again. I breathe in the fumes at Euston, and I’m happy. Although I do love coming home again!
Your blog is lovely. Glad I met you on the campaign. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.
Hi Angelina! Glad to meet you too. Here’s to the Campaign.
Hi Juliet, I’m dropping by to say hello as a fellow new Campaigner. (adult fiction group). Nice to meet you!
Nice to meet you too, Linda! Heading over to your blog now.
I love the Campaign already
You nailed it. This campaign, in the mere three days I’ve been involved, has already connected me to so many amazing people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It has been a flurry of activity, but so, so enjoyable.
Yay to that! I didn’t expect it to buzz straight off and lead to so many fascinating blogging friends. Brilliant!
Finding your niche in the blogging world, creating interesting content that makes people want to come back and read again is a constant struggle for me. The campaign is giving me the determination to apply myself again, to make connections and reach out when I’ve been totally wrapped up in my own world lately. I can’t wait to get to know everyone better!
Hi Heather! Great to get to know you. I’m sure we’re all going to learn so much from each other. Queens of the blogesphere, here we come!:)
Hi Juliet,
What a lovely, thought provoking post. Thanks for looking at my blog, started for similar reasons, to help stay up with what’s happening out there and figure out technology, and to open a small door to like-minded souls away from the isolation of writing.
I live in France though I am not french and while I love it here, its my home and I wouldn’t change it for anything, I find social networking does open my horizons in ways that the community within which I live does not. It also offers an opportunity to give something back, we all love the acknowledgement and its always exciting when I find a new comment on one of my blog posts.
Thanks for the tip regarding changing the image, I will look into that, I did try one image but the clarity wasn’t good, which I think is to do with the resolution. I love your images of nature and look forward to reading more from you. Claire
Hello Juliet
Lovely to meet via the Campaign. I’m a frequent vistor to Anglesey/N.Wales and have been enjoying your lovely photos. I submitted my first novel to RNA and made many friends that way. Thinking I may join again as my 3rd book looks like taking a romantic turn.
Not sure how much time I can give the challenge, but great to meet people along the way.
AliB
Hi Juliet, I just followed your link from your message in the yahoo group. I love your post and the photos in it. Nice to “meet” you.
Hi – yes, blogging is a strange space. I’ve also signed up to the campaign, though I think I shall use it to find blogs to dip into rather than doing all the writing challenges (my time is limited). But it does give the links to some great blogs, and the chance to see how others are working in cyberworld.
Jo
I have two blogs – wow, I’m such a liar! I have five. One is my writing one – Jan Morrison. One is for all my other thingys – Living the Complicated Simple Life. The third one I do all on my own is Dreaming with Rumi and I must say I don’t get there often. I also share one – Catchword Productions – with my fellow mystery weekend company owners and Burrowers, Books and Balderdash, that I do with my fellow Burrowers. Whew. I just got tired. My writing one takes up most of my time, however. I don’t enter many groups etc…, as I am up to my armpits in revisions – I did enter the campaign though and I’m in one of your groups!
Hi Juliet,
Haven’t read your whole blog but read the first one about writing the story from the pictures of the couple and the apple and the Devon Shoreline.
Your personality comes shining through. I think we are going to be fast friends.
My name is Welsh, meaning white browed??? go figure.
anyway. I am so excited that you like my Aging Gracefully post. It is one of my favorites and your positive input has given me hope that perhaps I need to get more serious and write more on my blog as well.
Today tho my goal is to REALLY learn SHE WRITES as a tool for my writing. So I am going to get back to that now.
Here’s to new friendships (she lifts a glass of cabernet ) anddoly more writing.
love
gwendolyn
Hi! I’m a fellow campaigner and stopped by for a visit. I really enjoyed reading your posts.
Hugs!