blogging
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Annual Bloggers Bash 2019
Yesterday, 15th June 2019 was the Annual Bloggers Bash in London. I went feeling very nervous and excited. I managed to get on the right train and sat reading my Kindle all the way to London. Quite a relaxing journey and nice to have some me time. No real interruptions as nobody spoke to me on the train.
On reaching London Victoria, I found some lovely blogging friends who welcomed me. We then all walked to the hotel. Still feeling nervous I would have been lost if I had not met up with these lovely friendly people.
The hotel was lovely and the atmosphere was very welcoming.
There were blogging awards during the day and I’m aware that Eloise De Sousa has also posted this information, so here is her link. Amazingly she was writing her blog post on her phone during the day! Congratulations to all the winners.
Here is Adam Dixon reading out one of the awards.
Here is our first speaker, Laura from Full to the Brum, a food blogger from Birmingham.
Our next speaker, Gemma Todd, made me feel very inspired, an amazing story and has achieved what a lot of us are wanting to achieve. Gemma Todd, GX Todd who now has books published with Headline. Gemma worked as a Librarian driving a 35ft mobile library van. Yes, I struggle enough with my Citroen C3 Picasso, no way I would entertain driving an HGV. Unless it was across an empty car park.
Her books, Defender and Hunted are part of a four-part series called Voices. The third in the series, Survivors is due to be released on October 31st. Her writing has been likened to Stephen King, horror thrillers. Have to admit when I got home I ordered Defender and it is arriving today. I do love Amazon Prime. I sat listening to her, thinking wow and then hoping that maybe if Gemma can do it then maybe one day an agent might like my time tunnel novel. A lot of patience and persistence and hard work. (Please note, anything purchased through my blog will at no extra charge to you, earn me some commission which will help to pay for my blog).
I did also look up some self-published bloggers on Amazon last night as well. Try and get the most out of my Kindle unlimited. However, it is always a struggle to fit in life, reading and writing. Right now, I’m supposed to be helping with homework and I have a mountain of ironing to do.
So a lovely day had by all. It was great to be there and talk with people face to face, rather than messenger or through blog post comments.
When the day was over a group of us walked back to London Victoria together. Still anxious about getting on the wrong train but with friendly help, thankyou! I found the right platform and the right train.
It felt that as soon as the day started I was back on the train reading my Kindle going home. I am now looking forward to next year, for the next Bloggers Bash. just a year to wait.
This was my submission for the competition, five. Five things you didn’t know about me
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Sunshine Blogger Award
The Sunshine blogger award is an award given by bloggers to other bloggers to award our peers. Each blogger nominated for the award is asked to nominate 11 other bloggers that they admire or are inspired by. It’s an honour to be recognised, and a wonderful opportunity to encourage others to keep doing what they love.
I was nominated by a lovely blogger, Erin whose blog is at unboundroots Erin now has an online shop on her blog where she sells her amazing watercolour prints.
Thank you Erin for sending me some sunshine.
Rules
- Thank the person who nominated you and provides a link back to their blog so others can find them.
- Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
- Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
- Notify the nominees about it by commenting on one of their blog posts.
- List the rules and (optional) display a Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post and/or your blog site.
Questions
1. What inspired you take the leap into the blogging world?
I am writing a book and wanted to develop my writing skills. Blogging has enabled me to do this and get feedback on my writing.2. What is your favourite blog post?
I’m not sure if I have a favourite as such but here is one from poetry and one from fiction writing
Poetry – the love of a mother
Writing – Feeling a sense of loss3. What is your most-viewed blog post?
This would be, 100 days blogging, what I have learnt4. Do you have any other creative outlets besides blogging?
I write, and am now 29000 words into my current work in progress, I am developing my secret time warp novel.5. If you could meet any blogger in person, who would it be and why?
Sorry not sure if I can name someone specific as I would love to meet all of you! I am looking forward to the Bloggers bash in June where I will meet some of you. Would love to meet Erin, Susie, Orla and Josy who I know would have to travel many miles to come to London.6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I would love to be an award winning author. Books with my name on the cover in Waterstones would be amazing.7. Where is your favourite place to unwind?
In my recliner with a good book and a mug of tea8. What makes you happy?
When my family are happy. When my children are happy and well.9. How much time do you spend blogging per week?
I was blogging daily, but I’m committing more time to my novel at the moment. I’m maybe blogging once a week at present.10. Do you have a person you share your blogs/writing with before the world see it?
No, not really. I mention them to my husband, but he does not really read them. The blogging community are usually the first to read them.11. Can you share a future goal you have for your blog/writing?
I’m hoping that it continues to develop. I have purchased a new domain for an author site to link to this one as well. That will come in the future.
So the lovely bloggers that I now nominate for a Sunshine blogger award are,
- Rachael Stray at Rachaels Thoughts
- Debra Purdy Kong at Debra’s Blog and Debra’s author website
- Stevie Turner at Stevie’s blog and Stevie’s author website
- Kayla Ann at Kayla Ann
- Willow at Willowdot 21 – An insight into mind and soul
- Ritu at But I smile anyway
- Linda Schaub at Walkin’ Wit’ and Whimsy
- Arv Jpr at Jaipur thru my lens
- Susie Lindau at Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride
- Esme at Esme salon with homemade tried and tested recipes, senior salon, guest posts, interviews and more.
- Carolina Russo at Yesterday after – Art Inspiring Magic
Here are the new questions. Please do not feel that you have to participate! I just wanted to give you all some recognition. I appreciate all your friendship and support.
1. What advice would you give to someone considering writing a blog?
2. What are your hobbies other than blogging?
3. Who are your favourite authors?
4. What do you do to help you relax?
5. If you were an animal what would you want to be and why?
6. What is your favourite food?
7. How long have you been blogging for?
8. What is your favourite holiday destination?
9. Are you a cat or dog person?
10. Marmite, do you love it or hate it?
11. Would you rather go forward or back in time and why?Thank you all!
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100 days blogging, what I have learnt
I started my blog in October 2018, 100 days later, today, I am exhausted. I would not recommend blogging for 100 days straight but it has honestly been quite an experience.
As I submitted my first blog post, Saturday morning, I did not expect to put as much work into it as I have. I also did not expect to read as many fantastic blogs and meet (virtually) as many lovely bloggers.
My reason for writing my blog was to improve and develop my writing. Having started writing a novel and feeling a bit lost with it I thought blogging might help. I also considered that if I had people following and reading my blog then my name will already be known if I ever do get my book finished and published.
Since starting my blog my Facebook page has grown and there are people actually reading my writing. Before I had to force my husband to read it and then any criticism of it was just based on his opinion.
I enjoyed it so much that in December I decided to go self hosted with Lyrical host and I would highly recommend them.
I have learnt in the last few days that people have many different reasons for starting a blog. I have been looking at my progress and then reading others on Pinterest. I have now realised that I should not be comparing, I have blogging friends who simply blog for the community and friendship, they have no interest in making money from it.
Talking to a lady on one of the many Facebook groups about my blog, I was advised it will not make money as it is not giving anything to the reader. Now maybe this depends on the reader. If someone is wanting to read poetry or a story they are possibly not asking Google. They will possibly be searching in the Word Press reader just like I have done.
The same lady also said that she would not be interested in any of my Pinterest pins due to the images being to personal. Interesting feedback and yes I think she was right. I am now learning Canva and using that for my pins rather then pinning straight from my blog. I’ve also realised that the posts that might make money need to be separate from the others as they are maybe the ones that someone might save.
What I have learnt
1. I have written some posts that are more giving to the reader and I will continue to in an effort to monetise. see,15 ideas to help keep your kids entertained
What is the point in writing a blog? why do I do it?
Then purely more selling if interested.
Amazon deals and Alexa enabled devices for the smart home
Christmas / birthday present ideas
2. I started my blog to write and I will continue to write. I enjoy writing poetry and writing short stories, I also enjoy the community and friendship. There are many blogs out there that are purely for the community aspect and so many are so enjoyable to read. I am not going to list any here as you know who you are.
Here is some of my fiction writing and poetry.
Short stories
Poetry
The mannequin and the slippers poetry
3. I started writing about my children but, I am thinking that I cannot continue writing about them daily. So, I will still write about them but not every day.
4. I have also learnt the importance of making the time to visit other peoples blogs, blogging is a huge community and a good one. Also if you do not visit other people they might never find you and you might then miss out on a good connection and possible friendship.
5. Here are my stats on day 100, most of these numbers are Facebook and the WordPress reader. However, I have had a few visits directed from Google and Bing and other wordpress blog sites that I have posted to.
As 17.20pm today 20/01/2019
Views –
October 2018 – 727 views
November 2018 – 946 views
December 2018 – 1000 views (I have a feeling this is more 1033 views then the figures add up).
January 2019 – 861 views
Views Total – 3567 views
Visitors Total – 1511 visitors
Stats 2018
101 posts, 451 comments, 77385 words
Stats 2019
24 posts (now 25), 119 comments, 11472 words
Word Total – 88857 words
Yes without blogging I could have completed my book.
Aim for this year
1. To master SEO (Search engine optimisation) I am slowly getting my head around it and have about 50 posts still to work back through.
2. To look again at my Pinterest account. People tend to repin from my other blogs and posts board rather then my own. However last night someone I do not know saved one of my more helping posts with a canva vertical image.
3. I need to make a schedule of when I am posting and maybe ideas of what to write about. Keeping up with my poetry and short stories plus the kids.
4. I need to continue writing my book. I recently found Chapter buzz and then submitted my Secret time warp story to it, in an effort to maybe turn that into a book as well, one day.5. I also need to make time to read more. Blogging daily has meant hardly any reading. I bought myself a Kindle at Christmas and I have hardly looked at it.
So on with the blog and thankyou to all of you who have helped, followed and supported me and answered all my questions. I really appreciate all your help and friendship.
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