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It's hard to believe, but today marks my one year blogiversary. I decided to start blogging because I needed a hobby, and I had no idea what other sorts of blogs were out there, how to connect with other bloggers, or how to write a blog that would appeal to anyone outside of my IRL friends. And here I am today!
So here are my reflections on 2008, the year of my blogginess, about what blogging has meant to me:
Constantly expanding my reading choices. Prior to this year, I had never read Neil Gaiman, or a graphic novel, or Orson Scott Card, and I had never received Advanced Reader Copies. I had never sat down and put into writing my thoughts on the books that I was reading, or attempted to track my reading in any way. I tended to buy or check out a book from the library, read it, and return it. Then I wouldn't read anything until the next time I was at the library or bookstore. So far, I've read 83 books this year (still time to squeak in a few more before the end of the year). Although I love reading, I haven't ever read with such determination and purpose.
Making awesome bloggy friends. It never occurred to me before that I could consider someone I had never met a friend, but I am quite sure that some of my bloggy buddies and I have more in common than I do with some of my IRL friends, because of a shared passion for books and writing. Speaking of, it was the wonderful Chris who kept asking me about nanowrimo, and debi who kept writing these encouraging, inspiring little comments about my writing, which led to....
More writing. I thought I would have a writing blog at first (although I had no idea what a writing blog would consist of), but it didn't really end up that way. I always liked writing, but I wasn't actually, y'know, writing. Blogging got me into the habit of writing every day. And then I tried posting a short story here and there. And I then I heard about nanowrimo. And then I actually signed up and spent a month doing nothing but trying to bang out 50,000 words of my first ever novel. Which I would have never attempted if I had not started blogging. So there you are. Of course, with the time I devote to writing, I have that much less time to blog, but one can only balance so many things in life, no? In any case, I have become quite disciplined about what I spent my non-work hours on doing, so that I can feed my hobbies and actually spend time with my husband and puppy.
With that in mind, I ask you, what has blogging brought into your life?
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16 comments:
Congratulations! I agree that blogging has pushed me to read and do more than I normally would. And what a great community! Thanks for this post!
Excellent reminiscences!!! I'm sooo very glad you started blogging because you're awesome and one of my faves. I think it'll be three or four years for me in February and so far blogging has brought more friends, self-reflection, and fantastic reading into my life than I ever could've expected.
Happy Blogiversary Kim! :) My second is coming up on the 1st, which is just crazy to me. It's brought into my life an increased awareness of my reading-and a record, which is awesome-as well as so many wonderful bloggy friends. My favourite part about the bloggy friends-other than themselves-is their diversity, in all senses of the words. There's no way I could have met so many cool people from all walks of life irl!
Happy Blogiversary Kim!! It seems like you've been here longer than a year...I guess that's because I've become so used to your blog (which is one of my favs :) I have year number 2 anniversary coming up on January 3rd! That's hard to believe. I've definitely become an even bigger reader than I was before through blogging and I've met such wonderful people. It would be hard to ever leave blogging.
Gosh, your post makes me feel so old. I've been blogging in some form or fashion since 2000.
*creaks*
Congrats on all the writing and your blogging anniversary. I hope you stay with us for loads more years. ;)
Happy blogiversary! Blogging brings out the best in us, don't it?
Happy Blogiversary! Has it really only been a year? Time sure flies. Blogging has really proven to be a benefit in my life as well. I am glad to know you, Kim, and look forward to reading more of your wonderful posts in the coming year.
Happy blogiversary, Kim! I'm so glad you started blogging. Here's to many more years.
Many of those things you mentioned are important to me too. First of all, making friends who share my interests. Secondly, the fact that it forces me to write almost every day. Though I haven't tried fiction in quite a long time, being in the habit of writing means a lot to me. It helps me sort out my thoughts, for starters.
And of course, I'd better not get started on what you people did to my wishlist and tbr pile :P
Happy Blogiversary, Kim!
I'm glad to have you as one of my good blog friends! :)
Amanda-why you are very welcome! :-)
andi-wow, I am just a baby compared to you! And I thinking making new friends is the best part :-)
eva-so true!! Its incredible how many different book bloggers are out there but the one thing we have in common is books
chris-aw shucks :-) Happy early blogiversary to you too!
renay-thanks :-) I did start a (very crappy) blog a few years ago, but I abandoned it because I had no clue how to maintain it or make it interesting.
n. vasillis-yes, it certainly does!
literary feline-why thank you! I look forward to more from your blog as well!
nymeth-omg, I have never had such a big tbr pile. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I do this for fun. Ha.
melody-thanks for stopping by and I'm glad we are as well!
Happy Blogiversary, Kim! I'm glad we're blog friends and I do share the same thoughts as you.
I started since 2005 but things are definitely getting very much better now. All you blog friends are really awesome!
happy blogiversary!
I was thinking the same things lately, how before blogging I never wrote my thoughts on a book so extensively, and I never kept track of what I was reading, not so precisely. I started blogging on a whim of the moment and never looked back.
I'm about to hit my one year anniversary too. I greatly admire you for taking part in nanowrimo! My favorite part about book blogging is like you said, the purpose of reading and the opportunity to reflect and write about what I've spent so much time reading. I love discussing books and unfortunately I don't have many people in real life I can talk about them with, so blogging is my way to do that!
Congrats on a great year! I've enjoyed your blog and hope that 2009 will be just as great! I agree, blogging has meant a lot to me because I can talk about my shared interests.
Happy Blogiversary!
I've made so many friends in the blogging world that its hard to imagine not doing it anymore. I like having a place where I can share one of my biggest passions with people who feel the same way, and get fabulous recommendations at the same time. Here's to another year!
Happy Blogiversary.
Blogging has definitely changed my reading experience. Not only because I read more widely and from the friendship, but also because a book doesn't feel finished until I go and at least write a couple of notes about the book, even if I never manage to go back and write a full review!
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