I did it all for love (or for the nookie, take your pick)
mothergoosemouse.com will turn three years old on Sunday.
I could have never foreseen the path of this site, and my path as a writer, editor, and entrepreneur. Three years ago, I didn’t even consider myself a writer, let alone an editor. And the idea that I could get paid to do either one would have been staggering.
But that’s not why I started blogging. And it’s not why I keep blogging.
I told a fellow blogger once that all bloggers are exhibitionists at heart. We want to be noticed. We want people to react to what we have to say. No matter how nonchalant we appear, we love it when people read and comment and email and link us. When they give us “awards” and send us cool stuff. When they ask us to speak at events and appear on panels. Recognition is addictive.
Likewise, no matter how nonchalant we appear, we hate it when people ignore us or overlook us or click right past us. When we reach out and no one reaches back. When we wave our arms wildly and call out, “Pick me! Pick me!” to no avail. It’s enough to give a blogger flashbacks to elementary school gym class, being the last one left when choosing sides for kickball - or indoor recess, never getting tapped for Heads Up, Seven Up. Rejection sucks.
We all have our blogging funks where we question the point of blogging. We’ve got writer’s block and our content gets stale, or we get a snippy comment or a “thanks, but no thanks” response to a submission, or we discover our Technorati ranking or Bloglines subscribers has dropped off, or all of our blogfriends have been invited to Disney World but we never heard a peep about it. We keep our sense of humor at the ready, but on the inside, we can’t deny that it stings.
But three years of blogging has taught me that just as quickly as we can fall into these funks, we can snap right back out of them. We get a slew of insightful comments or complimentary emails, or we’re selected for a new writing gig or asked for a quote or two in an upcoming article, or we find a stack of packages at the front door.
So blog for love (or for nookie, if your exhibitionism isn’t just figurative) and savor the validation when it comes. And remember that a lack of validation doesn’t equal invalidation.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
man, i needed that reminder right about now, so thanks, lady.
congratulations on (almost) three years of blogging. you’re one of the good ‘uns.
Laras last blog post..What Not to Wear (in the Air)
July 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Love this post…very true!
I celebrate 3 years in October…wow.
Jamies last blog post..The Trophy Couch
July 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
love everything about this post. you spoke the truth my friend!
designHER Mommas last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Three, tutu…ONE!
July 9th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Happy 3rd Anniversary! I really enjoy your site and am glad you have had so much success.
I’m celebrating my 3rd Thursday.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I needed this today. The equivalent of my blogging head has exploded today and I’m finding difficulty getting the perspective I usually have.
Thanks.
Loralees last blog post..Update
July 9th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I’m one of the ones who thinks “why don’t more people read me and love me.” I know my family would be disappointed if I stopped blogging because they think it’s great entertainment to read my thoughts…but probably no one else would miss it.
Well, no one else besides me.
Heathers last blog post..Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I needed this, too. I’m so in a funk right now. As Cher would say, “Snap out of it!”
Zellmers last blog post..The Vay Cay
July 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I’m forever shocked people don’t run from my site. Not that i’m a terrible writer, but the sheer emotional commitment it takes to get that into someone’s head can be exhausting. And that’s when life is pretty stable.
I’m just glad that we’re at a point in technology and creative freedom that we can put it out there and those that connect have a way to find each other.
I love your site, don’t stop any time soon.
Anissa @ Hope4Peytons last blog post..What do you do when you don’t know what you want to do?
July 9th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I love your writing and your blog. Through thick and thin and peaks and valleys and lulls and chaos and clamoring and quiet times.
It’s hard…you know it’s hard…with three little ones to always get the time to write and read and comment…but I always come back here.
Happy Blogiversary, you. Happy, happy, happy.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Happy Blogoversary!
My sister is also coming to BlogHer and I was trying to explain how folks all fit together. “She writes for CoolMomPicks and also ParentBloggers, with this other gal who also does x and y, . . .” It’s a great community.
Lady Ms last blog post..The Lady and the Pump
July 9th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Yeah, we want to be noticed…from afar. LOL. I heart you.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Congrats on 3 years of blogging!
July 10th, 2008 at 5:11 am
So well said, Julie. And so true! Congrats on your blogiversary and many more! Sorry I won’t see you next week…
July 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
I needed this today. Been in quite the blog funk and my blog is only 9 months old.
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritass last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Peek A Boo!
July 10th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Thanks for the boost! And Happy anniv.!
PunditMoms last blog post..Europeans vs. Americans
July 10th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Congrats and thanks. This could not have come at a better time.
Amelia Sprouts last blog post..Not So Wordless
July 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Happy 3 years! I found your blog a little bit ago. I really like it.
kcs last blog post..Blogging from my iPhone.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:59 am
So true…I have a tiny blog with tiny readership…and I’m fine with that. But yesterday, it made my day when I got a comment on a recipe I posted almost a year ago. Apparently it was a big hit at a dinner party
Keeps the motivation going!
Saras last blog post..Me as a Flickr Mosaic
July 10th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I seem to go back and forth on this topic a lot lately. And I try to blog for love, although I do admit that I can be an attention whore with the best of them.
Happy three years! I hope I can have similar words of wisdom when I reach my three years in November.
Christinas last blog post..I’m Talking Politics Today & I’m On TV Tomorrow
July 10th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Pick me (too)! Pick me (too)!
Well said.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Great post. I needed this kick in the butt, so thank you.
nomotherearths last blog post..Fringe Après Kids
July 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Have you been reading my mind this week? I’ve seriously contemplated all of this lately. Great post…and so true.
Mommy Crackeds last blog post..Wall-E Schmall-E
July 11th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Congrats on 3 years!! I love your blog, and even when I get busy and can’t keep up with all the blogs I like to read, I always come back here to catch up with you.
caramamas last blog post..That’s a Bad Word?
July 13th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
So well put - we all need this sometimes
Thanks.
JanMary, N Irelands last blog post..Dulse and Yellow Man from Ballycastle-o!
July 13th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
i just wish my immediate family would comment!!! i have been thinking about this a lot lately. reading blogs where the writer is apologizing she doesn’t have time to respond to the 100s of comments left for her.
i have come to appreciate the sweetest circle of bloggers…and newcomers that know me and laugh with me and comment or not, i know these sweet friends i’ve never met personally would be there; online, on email, or on the phone if ever i needed them.
so, this was a great post and a fabulous reminder as to why i’m doing what i’m doing.
Thanks!
lindas last blog post..Straws