No great expectations.
I honestly didn’t have any really big expectations when I once again began seriously writing in my blog. It was meant to be a way to pass the time and share a story or two. If I picked up a few readers along the way, so much the better.
I have read many of the advice blogs on how to be a better blogger. I’ve read that you need a niche, so that readers will be more interested. I’ve read a lot, and I’ve ignored a lot. Not because it wasn’t good information or advice, it simply did not fit my ideas of how I wanted my blog to progress.
I don’t write a “how to” blog. I do not see myself as a teacher, so you won’t find blogs with precision instructions on how to build, grow, paint, etc…
I rarely leave my house so I definitely don’t write a travel blog filled with an abundance of information and gorgeous photos to entice you to visit.
I’m not going to tell you ways to lose weight, gain weight, exercise, or what to eat. I also don’t have a wealth of recipes.
I’m not the grammar police nor could I give technical information on photography.
The only fiction writes I’ve shared are those that were part of a writing challenge. Things that would never go any further. I haven’t written poetry in years and have no knowledge of its many forms.
Those are what immediately come to mind, I know there are many more that I don’t do. Because I know that my lack of knowledge would shine and I would look rather foolish. So, if I don’t do any of that? What do I write? I write my heart.
I write about the usual stuff around here. I write about the things that touch my life and my heart. Every once in a while there may be a rant slip in, but not usually. I write about the things I learn. I write about my desire to encourage and inspire. I write about hopes for the future. I write, in the hopes that someone coming along and reading, may find something that touches them, and gives them a better understanding, a better feeling, a bit of hope, a reason to try harder.
I write the down home stuff that reminds me of Mayberry and a certain sheriff. I’m no one famous, I don’t have an important position anywhere. I’m not an enfluencer. I’m someone who writes because I can no more stop writing, than I can stop breathing.
The amazing thing is, that there has been and continues to be growth as far as my log is concerned. No, I’m a long way away from having the following that many others do, but I am so grateful for all who are. It amazes me with each notification of a new follower. Every ‘like’ and every comment are an encouragement for me to continue and to try harder.
But it isn’t just the blog that has grown. Over the course of the last year, I have grown personally in many ways. Grown in ways that I would have never expected. I still have a long way to go. I have things I need to prune away so others can grow and bloom. But I can look at myself and see the growth and changes. I know where that has come from and it isn’t my doing. Thank you Lord, for the talent you gave me, for the ability and means to use that talent and for those who are here encouraging me.
Here’s to more growth in the time to come.
Words from The Dirt Road 
oh look.. here it is..let’s just call it an echo…
So glad you have been growing- we all should aim to grow as people over time!
I agree that we should. If we encourage growth, especially the right kind, then the world could and would be a much better place.
I’m glad blogging has been such a positive all round growth experience. I think we all find it interesting to read about another person’s everyday life as it is something we all can relate to. Life, for most of us, is about the small day to day things, not just the dramatic!!
I agree. The dramatic can be overwhelming and cause us to miss the more important and special.
I hear the same things too. Then, after you make it big, you can write about random things. But I’m like you. Each day is different. I’m not the same as I was yesterday. I think I quoted Alice in Wonderland.
Which I have done often. That rabbit hole will draw you in every time.
The thing is, if you pay attention to most of the people preaching a niche, their ultimate goal is always to monetize the blog. A few of them will grudgingly admit that if one is doing a personal blog, a niche doesn’t so much matter.
My personal thoughts: First, blogging would become a chore if I was trying to monetize it. Second I’d be better off from an earning perspective trying to get work at a magazine or website, or writing books. People expect access to blogs to be free, AND (in my never to be humble opinion lol) if you go the other route and do paid endorsements / reviews, you lose credibility when you’re taking money from the manufacturer.
I agree, which is the main reason I have not. I do not want to taint what I write in any way. It was never my plan to attempt to endorse anything, because in truth, there is a level of faults in nearly everything produced. Yes, there are good points too, but it is all subjective. My considerations, which even that I hesitate, was to possibly add that little donation button. Be an enabler of my coffee and chocolate addictions. But, as I said, I hesitate even at that because I’m not fully comfortable with it…yet.
My writing, is an act of the heart, an expression of what I see, feel, experience. As you said, to monetize, changes it from expression and sharing to selling. Making it something different.
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