So Yes, I Blog!

A semi-weird conversation I had with a non-writing, former classmate the other day led me to believe that many people in the world still find blogging to be unique or unusual. It went something like this.

He said, "So, I thought I'd spend time blogging."

"Cool," I said. "I love blogging."

"I know," he said. "That's why I said it. I'm not really going to blog. But you should blog about ________ and ________ and ______. I mean, you have your blog.  You blog!"

I wasn't really sure what he was getting at. And then because we were in a big group of people, he was pulled away from the conversation, and we never really got back to it. I kept thinking about his comments, and then I realized a couple of things.

1. Because I am around so many writers and mommies, I think nothing of blogging. Doesn't everybody blog? Shouldn't everybody blog? Isn't it a great way to network, communicate with others in your field, share information, and create a platform for yourself? (By the way, the answer to these questions are YES, YES, YES, and YES.)

2. Other (regular, normal) people think blogging is a big deal. They think it is important to blog and that we really have something interesting to say. I have people tell me all the time, "I love your blog. I read it to find children's books. I love the activities you provide. How do you find the time?" and so on. But when I hear people say these things, I still think blogging is no big deal. It's like I don't believe them. Blogging is just something I do because I think it's important,and I have something to share with parents, teachers, and librarians. I want to meet other people in the children's book world, and blogging is a great way to do this. I blog for WOW! because I have information to share with writers, and I love being a part of this community.

3. So, in conclusion, I decided I should think blogging is more of a big deal than I do. I should be more proud of the fact that I have kept a blog going for over three years now and that I have made money from it. I have authors and publishers contacting me to review books, and I have regular readers who really use my suggestions at home and in their classrooms. I should not be so amazed when people comment on my blogging posts for The Muffin or when they retweet my link. Blogs are amazing, and bloggers are hardworking writers--and I am one of them!

Thinking about this conversation with my former classmate also made me contemplate how as writers and bloggers, we get so caught up in our own worlds--our busy lives, our rejections, our struggles with plot or wondering what to post. We should stop and take a breath every once in a while and look at ourselves from the outside. Look at our accomplishments, and look at what we are producing for the world to read. People are reading it. People do take notice--even if they don't leave comments on  your blog. So, I'm saying--if you blog, be proud. Keep it up, and tell people, "I am a blogger." You might just be amazed at how AMAZED they are!

Post by Margo L. Dill
If you want to start a blog or if you have one and want to work on it (the focus, monetizing, driving readers to it), my blogging online workshop is starting up again on Friday, 10/21. It's $125 for 5 weeks. To view the syllabus, read comments from other students, or to sign up, please visit the WOW! classroom here.

photo by orangeacid www.flickr.com