It has been a convoluted journey navigating round the blogosphere in the last two months. I played it safe. Surrounded my blogs in a capsule of security with ‘nice’ decorative photos and a haiku-to-match in order to test the environment of the blogosphere. Bit dull perhaps but it has given me a creative challenge daily and my photos got an airing. What’s not to like? The number of likes gives the clue. But then I am new to this blogging lark and perhaps I didn’t boost the posts. Learning the terminology fast. Even thinking of writing an article on being a newbie blogger to encourage others.
Each day I am eager to get onto WordPress Reader to gaze with awe at the creativity and quirkiness of other peeb’s blogs. Makes me feel quite square and insecure. But I will carry on pushing out those haiku for the time being. I set myself a challenge to get a haiku out there every day until the end of June.
Q: Then what?
A: I don’t know yet. Something is brewing.
Q: Any hints?
A: Er. No. But had enough of haiku for a while! Well, after June 30th.
Q: Have you checked out other bloggers’ sites? Any types you particularly like?
A: Doodling blogs enchanted me and I pushed out one of my own but realised I wasn’t too good at it. Not like the charming doodles in a doodling site I visited. Then there was another doodling site with tens of thousands of visitors which had character doodles involving puns which made me both squeal with laugher and squirm. Quite a delicious site.
Q: Only doodling?
A: Daily photos were a pull too. Probably because I was trying to do the same. There is one gloriously popular site that has a photo and haiku every day as mine does. No. Didn’t copy – just thought of doing the same. And happened upon someone who did it better.
Q: What about Longreads?
A: Dropped into some of them but more interested in daily posting sites to see how possible it is to keep the mojo going. Yes, Longreads will need a bit more time to digest. Can see myself reading more of these once I have established my own blog.
Q: Have you made connections with other bloggers in these two months?
A: Yes. If you mean have people commented on my site?
Q: That and more. You may have looked up a site, perhaps?
A: Yep. While playing with tags for the Reader I typed in ‘Shiatsu’ and met a great blogger who gently reminded me that it would be a good idea to have an ‘About’ page (still on my ‘to do’ list. Too busy creating haiku!). This blogger has a similar interest in walking as I do. And she kindly guest-posted one of my posts on her site. That was a first. Made me feel I was making some progress!
Q: So. Now your blog is two months old. What does blogging feel like?
A: Erm. Is there a word for it? ‘Blogophantastic!
Q: Maybe ask your fellow bloggers.
A: Hey. Good idea. Haven’t tried a poll yet.
Q: Name one thing that drives you mad about blogging.
A: Choosing a theme that fits the content! Driving me mad activating and customising themes and they are never quite right. There are some screamingly atrocious colour combinations too. Spent too much time with the psychedelic colours! Squirm-worthy!
Q: This interview is turning into a Longread. One last question. If there is one piece of advice that you would give another newbie blogger following behind you what would that be?
A: Get off my tail! No, seriously. I would say take your time and experiment. That is what I am doing and enjoying every twist and turn. Every time I see another blogger’s site I learn something. Blogging, I have learnt, is about community. It is also about finding your own unique voice so that people engage with your blog. I did think about a mission statement but that’s far too formal. It is my own unique voice that I need to allow through. Still waiting …
Q: Sure it won’t take long to emerge. Thank you for your time. Hope to interview you in a year’s time and you’re still blogging.
A: No doubt about that but what about I wonder. Might still be hanging out the laundry … at least it will be colourful. Which theme’s colour scheme shall I choose … any advice anyone?
