One year ago today, I christened this blog and began to write regular posts (I had posted a few poems prior to that, partly for practice, partly so that there was more than just one thing to read). My reasons for wanting to blog were twofold: First, I saw it as a way to share my poems. Second, I hoped it would inspire me to do different kinds of writing (that is, not poetry) and stretch myself a bit as a writer. I remember feeling quite shy about it at the beginning. I confess, I still do feel shy about it. Blogging sometimes feels like writing a letter to someone, and instead of putting it in the mail, posting it on the bulletin board at the neighborhood coffee shop. One wonders who will read it, and if they will find anything in it that touches them, makes them think, or makes them laugh.
Or will it just be tacked over by one of the babysitting or yoga fliers?
That strangeness aside, today seems like a good day to say thank you, Reader (whoever you are) for showing up. Believe me, there was a part of me that thought you wouldn't (show up, that is). I hope there has been something for you to enjoy here, something to think about, something to laugh about, something to take you away from the daily grind for a few minutes. That's what this blog does for me, and I'm grateful for that.
Over the next year, I'm hoping (hoping! hoping!) to have a little more time to devote to writing pieces on living with chronic illness; social/political trends that interest me; essays on spirituality, belief and nature; memories and what we can learn from them; and of course, more on books, parenthood, and the writing life.
I expect to be posting fewer and fewer poems, and probably will begin removing those that are here. I'm finding that more and more publications will not accept work published ANYWHERE (emphasis theirs) on the Internet. Despite my philosophical quarrel with considering personal blogs as "published" material, I feel I must give way to this trend. My great goal in life, aside from being a Good Enough Mother, is to be a Big Girl Poet. That means fewer poems posted here, and more poems submitted somewhere-out-there. If all of you keep your fingers crossed for me, and if I work really hard, maybe someday you can read my poems in a real live book. A girl's gotta have a dream, after all.
Sweet dreams to you, Reader, and thanks for coming along for the ride.
(Image is Dictionary Through Lens by "booksworm" - public domain through Wikipedia Commons under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License).
Posts
4 comments:
Reading your blog is something that brings me a great deal. And it pushes me to be a better writer (though I tend to be quite flippant in my own blog...:-).
Thanks for being here. I'll keep reading. And I look forward to the day when I can stick actual paper bookmarks between the actual paper pages of your first book!
You remind me of your mother as I read your blog. Your witty, sentimental, thought provoking way of looking at family and life is probably why I identify with what you write and why I enjoy your mom so much. I would be one of the first to buy your books.
Thanks for taking the time to write this blog. I love reading your work. It reminds me of being a young mother myself and wishing I had had the wisdom to reflect on it in writing somewhere. Might be a good read for my own family now that they are all parents. I hope there is some sort of a 'permanent' record of your writings somewhere. Your children will love reading it some day.
This blog is like candy for me. It certainly is provocative and hits a very familiar note, but with more humor, insight and grace than I could only dream to convey.
(And your nightstand is much neater than mine.)
Post a Comment