Back in March, 2010, when I first began blogging, I didn’t know very much about the blogosphere.
I set up a simple blog on rebelchick.net and began writing about daily occurrences, my favorite poems, concerts I attended and a little fiction.
I did it mostly for fun and as a way to find a bit of happiness. After making the decision to leave the work force and take an “early retirement” as I like to call it, my little blog was a way for me to flex my creative muscles…and to find my voice.
I began working on a novel that had been tugging at me and for a while, it went swimmingly.
And then one day, I realized that I hadn’t touched the novel in months.
Why?
Because I was busy blogging. Rebelchick.net became therebelchick.com and my days were spent learning the ins and outs of blogging, networking with other bloggers, joining blogging forums, introducing myself to brands and PR companies and doing what most bloggers do: trying to carve out a space in the internet for me.
A little over two years later, my blog is a completely different machine than it began. And I’m okay with that.
I consider myself a professional blogger. I may not bring in the income that I did with a “real” day job, but I am having so much fun doing something that I’ve always wanted to do: writing. The funny thing about blogging as a job is that even though I only make a fraction of what I made in the work force, I actually spend twice the amount of time on it than I ever did at a desk job. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day…365 days a year. There are no days off and I am always checking emails, tweeting, instagraming, updating my Facebook, thinking up new blog posts, reviewing items, planning trips and the stories that will go along with them…and I love every second of it.
I still think about that novel at times, but I’ve let go of the guilt associated with abandoning it…With over 30,000 blog readers on a good month, I think that I am reaching more people with this personal blog that I ever would have with my novel.
The story that I wanted to tell? It’s being told through this blog, in bits and pieces, here and there…and people are responding to it.
When I talk about my life, about the tragedy of Angeline’s father’s death, people respond. My daughter sees this as well, and this is what makes a blog on the internet so powerful: the immediate response we receive when we pour our hearts out.
There are no worries about publication and book sales. There is no sense of defeat, because even if one single person responds to our story, our experiences with suicide, with grief and depression, then I feel gratified.
I didn’t begin blogging to earn a living, to make friends, to attend conferences.
I didn’t begin blogging for any reason other than to start writing again.
Have you ever heard that saying that if you do what you love, you will be successful?
Well, 2 years and 1000 blog posts later, I have found that to be true.
So thank you. Thank you for reading. Thank you for commenting. Thank you for sharing.
You’re pretty awesome.
Oh wow! 1,000 posts! Congrats! That’s an awesome accomplishment.
congrats on your 1000th post!!
Congratulations Jenn!!
Congrats! You’re an awesome blogger and I thank you so much for helping me when I first joined momdot! Here’s to 1000 more posts.
Congratulations! I think you’re pretty awesome.
Wow, congratulations on your 1,000th post!! 😀
Congrats on your blog and your 1000th post!
Ashley @ Dr. Pepper Diva
Congratulations! You’ve done a great job with your blog.
Congrats!! I can so relate to how you started your blog. It’s so great to do what you love!
I love that your blogs are so frank and I think that’s probably what others love about them too. You actually had me in tears when I read the post about Angeline’s father. Writing is not just for novelists and journalists. This is the 21st century and you’re a successful writer using a modern medium. And I can honestly say, I think you’re having more fun blogging and making very little money than most novelists I know (who, by the way, are also making very little money!). Congrats on your 1000th post. I look forward to the next 1000. *raises champagne glass*
Congrats! = )
Congrats on all the wonderful posts!
Wow! Congrats to making it to 1,000 posts and here is to many more!
what a great milestone. Congratulations can’t wait to read your 2000 post
Major congrats on such a huge milestone!! I agree about your blog reaching more than a novel would have- especially since even if more people read the novel, they’d read it once & be done whereas we get to see your blog all the time. 🙂
CCongrats and look forward to 1,000 more.
Congratulations!!! Looking forward to reading many more posts. 😀
When you began blogging I was so happy for you, because I knew you’d take to it like a fish in water! Wishing you continued success and growth for the next 1,000000000000000000000000000000000 etc. etc. posts, words, picture.
xo
nicole
Congrats!
Congratulations on 1000 posts! I had to laugh about the making less money but putting in more time than you ever did with a “normal” job–I still work a part-time job, but I swear I spend like 10 hours a day on my blog. I don’t want to even know what my hourly pay would work out to. But doing something you love, it’s totally worth it. And it doesn’t feel like work.
Oh, and you’re pretty awesome too. 😀
Congratulations Jenn – this is only the BEGINNING. I can’t wait to read your next 1,000.
Congratulations. I bet you can’t wait to see what the next 1000 posts bring.
And You Are Awesome!
Congratulations Jenn! You are such an awesome blogger!
I started just shortly after you in July. Congrats on your 1000th post!
Wow! I’ve been blogging over 3 years and not there yet…I need to step it up, lol!
congrats Jenn!
Whoo Hoo…. Congrats!! Now I am going to have to look and see how many posts I have. LOL
Here’s to a million more, Congratulations!
Congrats! I published my 1,000 post last week. But I’ve been blogging longer than you. 🙂 I love your blog, btw!
I love this post too! Congrats on 1000!! I always said I love to write and write what I love. The day that changes, I am done! Her’s to 1,000,000 more!