Things I’ve Learned in 10 Years of Blogging

 Full Disclosure: It’s slightly more than 10 years, from my start in 2003 co-blogging with Right We Are!, to setting up my own site after my co-blogger decided to pursue other interests. I still run that site, along with co-blogging, once again, at Liberty’s Torch. Oh, and a short-lived blog about teaching that spawned a widely-shared post.

So — why do I blog? It’s not the money. At my niche of the business, even ONE ad would be welcome. It’s not the glory. Few know I do it, and even fewer appreciate my efforts.

What blogging has given me — and what it could give you — is the PRACTICE of turning out words, multiple times a week (sometimes multiple times a day), organizing my thoughts, finding links, structuring the posts to gain eyeballs, coming up with catchy titles, and keeping it going, year after year.

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I’m not the greatest writer — but, I am consistent. Occasionally, I do hit one out of the park, and get a huge response, but, whether I capture attention, or wonder whether I’m spitting into the wind, I keep writing.

Day after day. Week after week. Year after year. At Right As Usual, just under 2500 posts.

In a way, blogging has become my substitute for a journal. It’s my warm-up for other writing. It’s what keeps me in the game. It’s what gives me perspective for the difficulty of getting, and keeping, an audience.

It’s prepared me NOT expect instant success when I publish my first book (currently in revision stage, planning to publish by April, 2018 — check back to see a link at that time). Who wouldn’t like to have best-seller status the first month? After years of writing, I know that isn’t likely. When I do hit the Publish Button, I’ll take a day or two to enjoy the moment.

Then, I plan to start my next book. And the next after that. And so on.

There are many bloggers who post when the mood inspires them. There are others who try it, then quit. There are even those that hit it big, and make that their goal.

I’m like a lot of Medium members. I have a set goal, to write. I’m prepared to work at that trade/craft until I die, or have to quit, due to infirmity.

Blogging has helped me develop the discipline for that goal. It could help you, as well.

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