“Happy birthday to me,” sings the blog. *toots party horn*
My blog is a year old, and it seems like a good time to reflect and discuss a course for the future.
I’ve met a lot of blog goals in the past year.
- Twenty-four tales posted and available in my Short Story section,
- Over fifty articles of advice in my writing blog section–stuff I really wish I’d known when I started writing,
- Three actual books for sale *happy dance*
- Eight books reviewed,
- Thirty-seven authors interviewed,
- Along with other articles on social media and daily life reflections.
It’s had 11, 530 views. Okay, Huffington Post isn’t eyeing me as possible competition, but I’m happy about it, and I want to thank you all for each one.
And now I’m thinking about where it’s going to go.
I want it to be mostly about my stories and books. I’ll still write the occasional writing blog, and I have no desire to give up author interviews, although I’m thinking of scaling back the latter to two a month instead of three.
So I’ve been thinking along these lines:
- Post three stories a month, plus
- one or two reflections,
- a book review,
- one or two author interviews,
- and one or two articles on writing, social media, or publishing,
- plus the obvious flurry whenever I release something.
Apart from releases, that would give me a comfortable two posts a week.
Does that sound like something that would interest you? I’d love to hear your comments. And thanks again for reading! 🙂
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Avid writer and reader of Faerie tales and noblebright fantasy.
Cathleen Townsend 
I am not an author, although I have written unpublished, illustrated children’s books. I think practicing different styles is fun and keeps me connected with people both in areas of writing and in art/photography, Cathleen. I seriously try to post less, since writing comments, then visiting others blogs is such a time consuming aspect, which I enjoy but feel often overwhelmed by. . . Congratulations and best wishes in your second year. The best is yet to come… 🙂
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Yes, the time aspect is one reason I’m down to eight posts a month. When I started out, I posted every day, but I didn’t have many blogs to return visits to, and I had a lot to say, especially about writing. Now, though, as you say, reciprocal visits take a while.
But I made myself miserable last November between blogging and Twitter–I had no time left to write. I can’t let that happen again. If necessary, I can always back down from eight posts if I need to. Thanks for stopping by, and for the good wishes, reocochran. 🙂
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Congrats ☺
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Thanks. 🙂
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WOW! Congratulations on your achievement, Cathleen. You’ve accomplished so much in one year. I’ve had my blog for four years in Aug. and have only a smattering of posts and followers. You are doing something – many things – very well. Wishing you even better next year.
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Well, sticking with a blog for four years is an accomplishment all on it’s own, Sharon. And you’ve got some quality posts over at Ink Flare. I have quality rather than quantity myself when it comes to followers, but that’s okay.
And may we all figure out this blogging gig well enough to make them rock and roll. 🙂
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Congrats, Cathleen, and thank you! I think that over time you come to learn what you want to use your blog for – it took me a little while to realise that I wanted a certain combination of blog subjects that suited me, and that happened almost naturally.
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Thanks, Mick. Yeah, mine started out completely devoted to the craft of writing, which is fine, but I’ve got a whole novel’s worth posted in that area. I’d really like to home my short story skills. 🙂
And your blog is an interesting place. I know a lot more about India than I did before going there,.
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Thanks, Cathleen. Yes, that was the logical way for my blog to go.
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Happy Birthday and Congratulations! 😃😂😉
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Thanks so much. 🙂
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There comes a time to narrow your focus. It seems that your time for that has appeared. I look forward to reading your posts and I am happy to hear that you may curb your posting but not disappear. I would like to invite you to share some of your writing at the Senior Salon tomorrow.
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What an honor! I popped in and left something, but don’t feel like you have to post it if it doesn’t fit with your blog. 🙂
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Let me hire a brass band and bring over some noisemakers. Happy birthday and blogoversary. Above all, c.o.n.g.r.a.t.u.l.a.t.i.o.n.s. You’ve accomplished so much in just one year. 😀 ❤ Raa Raa 😀
I'm going on five years soon and have been fighting to stay afloat. You started out with a plan. Mine wasn't specific enough, but after all this time, I want writing to come first.
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I think most of us have a love of good writing in common, Tess. And I think we all struggle to keep our heads above water at times. Perhaps we’ve all just got to act like ducks–calm and serene on the surface, but paddling like crazy underneath.
And five years proves you’ve got staying power. 🙂
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Thanks so much, thumbup. Sorry for the delayed response–I’m afraid this one got stuck in the spam filter. Whoops! 🙂
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cathleentownsend,
So glad you found it! It’s not just your site, my comments has been disappearing at the other sites too.
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♫ HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY TO YOU! ♫ Congrats & Best Wishes, Cathleen. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Bette. You are such a dear. 🙂
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Congratulations and well done! Happy Blog Birthday! 🙂
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Thanks so much. I really like having successfully made it through a year. 🙂
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Good for you – here’s to another year! 🙂
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Well done! 🙂
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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Happy Blog-birthday a couple days late! ❤ So thankful to have met you, Cathleen. Here's to another great year of growth and celebration!
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The feeling is mutual, Rachael. I’m happy to be taking this journey along with you. 🙂
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