Today's post for the Buccaneer Blogfest is about the blog: why I started and what my goals are for it.
I started this blog about a year ago. I was living in near-total isolation in Brazil, with my two sons and husband; my younger son was one and a half and things were getting progressively easier with him, meaning I had a little more time to work on my writing goals.
I've been an avid journal-writer in the past--I have thousands of pages' worth of diary entries from age 14 to about 30--and I've always found that writing in a personal format is cathartic and sometimes opens doors to great insight, merely in the attempt to tell my life in story form. Writing in a diary is different from writing for an audience, in blog format--but I've found in recent years that I prefer the latter, as I'll reinforce the synapses in my brain that attempt to organize what I write into readable format--good exercise for fiction-writing!
So that's one reason for the blog--personal development. A second and no less important reason is about relationships and community--creating connections with people across the globe in areas of common interest; this is lovely and fascinating to me, and particularly important as I've been at home with kids and usually in an area not physically close to friends.
I also have to admit that I really like it when people read what I write, blog and fiction both!
Goals for the blog:
- community, sharing, learning
- "platform"-building
- fun and sharing
- create accountability for my writing and other goals
I wish now I'd kept a diary/journal when I was younger. Something to write in a letter to my YA self. :)
ReplyDelete:) The diary is about 1% interesting and 99% total drivel. It's still fun to look through occasionally though.
DeleteSounds like great goals. Good for you. I hope you achieve all your dreams:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ink!
DeleteThousands of pages of diary entries! I never wrote a diary because I was always scared somebody would steal it and reveal my superhero identity. But great job with the blog!
ReplyDeleteYeah...I was afraid of that with my diary too but I booby-trapped it so anyone who reads it will be paralyzed with boredom.
DeleteI agree it really helps to have that online community when you're at home a lot. I work from home, so my social connections are kind of lacking. But like you, I have a husband and two sons! Although my second is still under construction.
ReplyDelete:) There is plenty of talking in my house but I guess it doesn't count as "socializing". Many days I crave just being able to speak English to someone at an adult level...
DeleteI think diary writing, especially if you're at home with kids and don't have much "adult" contact can be a really great thing, I know it's helped me. I like your reasons for blogging, especially the personal growth. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Clare! :D
DeleteI love how you're blogging for accountability. That's why I started too! So great to meet you through the blogfest!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Marisa! Accountability, hooray!
DeleteThose sound like a couple of wonderful goals! Meeting new bloggers through this blogfest is turning out to be a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I agree. The bloggers in this blogfest all have a lot more in common than, say, a random group off the A-Z challenge. I'm really liking that!
DeleteMy blog helped tremendously in my first year in Brazil! I'm busier and more adapted now, but still like to connect witht he world and friends- old and new through my blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely glad I connected with you during your less adapted/busy phase, actually, as that was when I was wallowing in the worst of the isolation. But I'm really enjoying reading about all your stuff going on now.
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