I’m very excited because my friend (and super talented writer) Jane Koenen Bretl is guest blogging at There Are No Rules – Jane Friedman’s blog for writers at WritersDigest.com – and her post is all about me!
…Okay, maybe ALL about me is an overstatement. But I’m in there.
Her post is part of a series of posts exploring the benefits of blogging for aspiring writers (and really anyone building a platform and online presence). Jane writes beautifully, and you should all go read her post, but my favorite part is the part where she writes about meeting me face-to-face after we’d been “bloggy” friends for a few months. Jane writes:
Ironically, me, the online relationship snob, was as nervous to actually meet her as I might have been on a first date: Would I recognize her from her photo? Would she be as friendly as she seemed? It felt surreal, this crossing of worlds…
She’s right about that. I don’t know if it’s true for everyone, but I have a tendency to stumble there, at that intersection between virtual and “real” worlds. Still, even knowing that about myself, knowing how insanely nervous and tongue-tied I can get, when Jane said she’d be vacationing in my hometown, I jumped at the chance to meet her.
Sweetly, in Jane’s version of the story, she doesn’t tell about how I nervously dumped most of my coffee into my lap, which as it turned out was a good thing. I relaxed after that, kind of felt like the real me had presented herself. No use trying to be cool. In her post, Jane says our meeting went well, and it did. We talked like old friends, which in a weird sense we were. Blogs are funny things. While I don’t write about everything that pops into my head, I do write about important things. I publicly wonder, publicly work things out, publicly grow. There were so many things I didn’t have to say to Jane, because she’s read them here. We were able to start in the middle of a conversation already in progress.
Both Janes (Bretl and Friedman) conclude that blogging is beneficial to aspiring writers, and I agree. In addition to a blog’s role in an author’s platform, its value in attracting an audience and connecting personally with readers, I think a blog provides a space where the writing is easier – maybe more exploratory, more personal, less obsessed with craft and the intricacies of grammar. And there is value in the community that forms around some blogs. Certainly, I feel that way about mine. My life is richer and more interesting for the connections I’ve made through Zebra Sounds, and the fascinating people – writers and non-writers – I’d never have met if not for my decision to blog.
I’m curious, if you feel like sharing, why those of you with blogs blog and why those of you without don’t. And if you don’t feel like sharing, then feel free to be completely irrelevant… we’ll make it up as we go. =)
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And now for something completely different… I fell in love with this wonderfully creepy story, “The Dark House,” by Lake Lopez (who occasionally graces us with his comments.) Definitely recommend reading it if you’re in the mood for a little bit of scary. C’mon… you have to read it with the lights on anyway. =) Lake promises a zombie love story coming soon, and you know how I feel about those!
I blog because I have almost no “real” people in my life to talk with about writing … and I love to talk about writing. I love to write too, so by writing blog posts I have the best of both worlds.
And I love that you blog because you talk about many things I’d like to, but have decided not to publicly. So you’re my blogging alter-ego! :-)
I forgot to say, the coffee in the lap thing is sooooo me … only it would be tea.
How fun, Judy! Thanks for giving the rest of the story!
Just in case we are feeling a bit full of ourselves with all this mutual admiration, I see one of the random “automatically generated possibly related posts” for our little bloggy story today is “Blogging for Dummies”. Oh WordPress gods, you have kept me humble…
Linda, I happily accept the title of alter-ego! And try not to think about how much smarter your decision likely is. ;-)
Jane, Don’t get me started on the WordPress gods. *Lifts fist in bloggy rage*
I have had several blogs. The current one is a keeper, because it’s where I finally found my “blog voice”, and it’s never hard to write posts there. But even with my past blogs, I had a lot of fun meeting new people, and I think now that’s the part I really enjoy about blogging. That, and having an audience for everything I write :)
I feel so proud of both of you today….
Loved that Jane left out the coffee spilling and Judy spilled the story about it…. I think that pretty much sums it up….. the small and the big in social interactions…..And the funny thing? If it had been Jane who spilled the coffee the roles would have been reversed. Judy would have kept it to herself and Jane would have spilled it in a charming self deprecating way.
Both of you have such warmth. You’re both always a pleasure to read.
What’s next? The *Judy and Jane tour America* road show?
I’d pay $10 to see that…..
You guys ROCK!!!
Group hug?
Karen :0)
Belle, It’s a good bloggy voice you have there! Need to add you to my Talking Books blog.
Karen, Aw shucks! Ten bucks, really? I’m so in!
reasons for starting a blog….
I heard a whispering voice calling out to me a I walked through my corn field saying, “if you blog it he will come”
or
“Blog, James Blog”
or
So I can wear my new t-shirt that says ,”I blog, therefore I am”
I guess I din’t get my fill on the last Caption This!
“We were able to start in the middle of a conversation already in progress.” What a beautiful way to put it. Blogging does give us a voice and a platform and the opportunity to be heard and connect. Great post.
Thank you, Judy, for the endorsement! I truly appreciate it. Coming from a writer I adore it really made my day / week / month! Thank You!
I think one of the most inspiring things that I’ve seen since I started working at Writer’s Digest (and hosting the events in particular) is watching how they spark the interaction, growth, and relationships of writers. I can’t imagine anything better.
Bobby, You delight me! I heard that voice, too… It said, “You can be the Zebra Blogger.”
Lake, I’m definitely happy that YOU blog. The adoring sensation is mutual. Now, stop playing around and go write a zombie love story!
Jane, Wish a few more of your events were in my neck of the woods. Love your blog though. Every writer should read it.
I missed having an internet connection yesterday…
I loved your post! You’re always so sweet writing about (not always all about) yourself.
I for one haven’t met 99% of my blogroll, but I’d very much like to.
It’s definitely an amazing opportunity to meet people you connect with instantly, exchange e-mails, etc.
My reasons for starting my blog was that at that moment in time I felt like telling someone what was on my mind and writing came easily. Also i was thinking how fewer people judge via blog than in real life.
I didn’t use my blog for a while after that first time, but it is a place where I can show off my experiments, share my opinion, view, tips, etc. on different topics, and I just can’t imagine my life without my blog, even if it’s not as popular as most people’s.
Also, the part I love most is that through the bloggy world I found many bloggy friends, many blogs, posts that inspired me and I started writing short stories.
Totally unexpectedly, never knew I had it in me…
Sure I’m not half as good as I can be, but I’ll get there.
I’ll always be grateful for this to everyone who has inspired me, including you!
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