This time last year I thought it would be a good idea to blog every day for twelve months.
I wanted to know whether it would do anything to my writing or give me some direction in my creative life. Last year I had just finished writing a bad thriller novel and wasn’t feeling the literary love.
If I now look back at myself I can’t believe how far I have come and what I have achieved. I put a lot of this down to daily blogging.
Here are the things that I have learnt as a result of daily blogging:
- Focus. Writing and publishing 7 posts a week requires a lot of blog focus. I have had to set aside my Sunday afternoons to writing all my posts for the week. Then there have been the weeks when life has taken over and I have had to write posts on the hop (on trains, buses, in my lunch hour, on walks and late at night).
- Creativity. Daily blogging requires creativity and a lot of it. You have to come up with different ways of putting your content together and finding new angles on subjects which have been discussed before on other writing blogs.
- Social Media. In twelve months I have established a presence on all forms of social media. I have learnt a lot about the various forms of social media and my favourites are Twitter and Instagram.
- The Importance of Networking. This is so important in blogging as you can learn such a lot from the successful bloggers and this can help you grow your own blog. I have come to value my blogging networks.
In terms of achievements which are linked to my blogging:
- I have won ‘Funniest Blogger’ twice (2015 & 2016) in the Annual Bloggers Bash Awards. As this is an award based on votes from the online community it gave me such a lot of confidence when I won. It also taught me that I can get a reaction from readers through my writing. This to me is more important than reviews, book deals etc. I write because I enjoy getting a reaction.
- I published my comedy blog series ‘The Diary of Roxy Collins’ on Wattpad. I created Roxy because I wanted to run a series on my blog. This was useful in terms of daily blogging as having a weekly series to continue saved me from thinking up a new post. Roxy was spotted by one of the Wattpad team and turned into a Featured Romance Story. Since March 2016 Roxy has been read by 113,000 Wattpad readers and has had nearly 5,000 likes. I have had some wonderful feedback from my Wattpad readership and it has given me the confidence to pursue my love of writing romantic comedy. Read the first episode here.
- I have attracted some amazing blog followers who brighten up my day and make me smile.
The big thing for me is that daily blogging has helped me find my creative direction. Publishing post after post of stuff designed to bring a smile to my readers faces has made me realise that this is what I do with my creative life. I want to make people smile!
So, I am at 57k words with my new romantic comedy novel ‘Instructions For Falling In Love Again’. Words are gushing out of me. I am writing about 3k a day and loving every minute. I believe in my story and I am helplessly in love with it. I can’t wait to share some stuff from it with you. I just know you are going to love the humour.
I have also decided to turn Roxy into a comedy podcast and in August I plan to get a real life actress to voice it. I have already pestered someone into doing the music and someone to do all the technical stuff for me. The thought of being on ITunes makes me squeal!
In view of my projects I have decided to revert back to blogging 4 days a week starting from today. I want to give my projects the time they deserve.
I will therefore be putting new content live on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
I do hope you will stick by my Blonde blog and follow my creative journey. Think of all the laughs we are going to have when I share the link to my podcast and when I start writing about my experiences of trying to get a literary agent. *sigh, followed by a dreamy look out of the window* I promise there will be many more giggles here at BlondeWriteMore.
Sad news, I have had to sack the cat (the other half of BlondeWriteMore) as he wasn’t giving my blog the support it needed. He was too busy cuddling the woman up the street.
Have a great day!
See you Thursday.
Photo: Pexel
I’ve only discovered your blog relatively recently (maybe a couple of months ago), but I’ve been enjoying it and voting for you! I didn’t know that you had set yourself this ambitious challenge, but I’m glad it worked out so well for you and that you got so many benefits out of all the hard work you put in.
Hey thx Marina 🙂 happy Monday!
I didn’t know that the post a day was a challenge. Well done you, it’s been fun trying to read them.all and I can’t imagine what life would be like without your blonde blog.
I’m really looking forward to seeing your work doing new things! Go Roxy! 😃
Hey thx Simon 🙂 hope you will stick around!
You try and stop me! 😜
I have loved all your posts since I started following you Lucy! Well done fir completing your challenge alongside all the other projects!!!
Well, whenever you post, I’ll be there! ❤️ good luck Hun!!!
Hey thx Ritu! 💃🙋🏼
I am in awe of your commitment! Hope the novel carries on going wonderfully 🙂
Thx Terry – happy Monday! Just getting my red chair ready for Saturday 💃
So excited for you, Blondie 🙂
#fabulousandonyourway #congrats ❤
Hey CC! Thx – you have brightened up my day with your comments 🙂
Not doing too badly, are you, Lucy? I’m looking forward to the next step! Good luck with the book, agents, etc. xxx
Hey thx M.L Kappa – I don’t really mind what happens, just want to make people laugh. What is your first name? Do you like me referring to you as M.L Kappa?
Marina, I thought I said 🙂
Mmm yes – apologies 🙂
I used to wonder how you have found the energy to blog daily, but after getting to know you better I understand how motivated and driven you are. looking forward to reading the book!
Thanks Suzie 🙂 💐
Always welcome!
Soooo no Roxy… what about Tina? Is she sitting outside with the cat? On the other hand a whole book! Yep you’ll explode. If you do can you let me know. I’ll bring a deckchair and doritos. Keep oozing stuff oh wise owl person.
Tina is busy finishing her book….obviously her and I are COMPLETELY different. Love the wise owl reference!
I hope Beryl is on the case too….
Loved your book BTW! Am envious of your humour 🙂
Ah, I think we probably inspire each other to greater heights. You don’t know how much I’m looking forward to your oeuvre Lucy.
Wow… well done! I didn’t even realise that’s what you were doing! It’s great to see what you’ve learned from it and marvellous that it has changed your writing life… and your life life too! I always enjoy your take on being a writer and blogger – you hit the nail on the head, every time.
Thx Jools, happy Monday to you 🙂
What an amazing feat to meet your goal of blogging every day while writing your new novel. I think I’ve read and enjoyed every one this past year. Congratulations on your success with Roxy on Wattpad and what exciting news about the podcast! That’s awesome. Great things are in store for you. You’re an inspiration, Lucy.
Arrrr thx Kimberly! One day I will have a book out as good as yours 🙂
You’re so kind. I look forward to it!
Congrats on the challenge and all the projects! I don’t think I could blog everyday. Sometimes I think three times a week is too much. Lol. Happy Writing!
Hey thx 🙂 happy writing back to you!
How exciting about Roxy!!! I think you’re being wise re pegging back on the blog posts. Great to hear the words of your novel are pouring out of you #iwillneedabiggershovel 😉
Thanks for making me choke on my tea with that shovel comment Esther! Lol!
Ooops, sorry! Lol 🙂
How wonderful to read about your accomplishments. I love your RomCom and I’m so glad you managed to get lots of reader-love on Wattpad. I’ve been curious about Wattpad and signed up but when I couldn’t find any quality writing to read there, I got discouraged and went back on the blog hunt. For my good reads. I guess the good news: I found BWM. 😊 Congrats!!
Hey it’s my amazing hair friend!! Thank you! Yes get on Wattpad 🙂
Congratulations, Lucy! I’ve only recently discovered you, and I’m impressed by your output and tenacity. I love hearing the excitement in your voice for your new rom/com and am looking forward to reading it. Cheers!
Yay – could you hear my excitement? I am a little over excited!
Your excitement comes through loud and clear for all your projects. And that’s the way it should be! 🙂
Thx Maddie 🙂
Your blogs are so relatable. It feels you’re writing for me only.
Thank you – made me smile 🙂
Keep smiling! 🙂
Congrats on this great accomplishment! It looks like you’ve come a long way since you first start and I hope you will continue. Even though you’re scaling back, I’ll still be around to read your stuff. It’s not like you can get rid of me, I’m now living behind your red chair. 🙂
Yay!!! No you can’t go off Chris, I look forward to reading your comments 🙂
Really don’t know how you find the time, Lucy. But keep it up – it’ll inspire the rest of us
Thx Graeme – will see how I get on with 4 days blogging – hope I don’t get bored 🙂
4 days blogging in a month is a struggle for me, so I don’t even understand that
Or maps :-))
Oooh… Harsh!
Only my little joke Graeme 🙂
Really? I didn’t know you had a sense of humour
Lol!
I actually never noticed that you published every day–just always counted on a post from you showing up in my inbox. When I started my blog, I decided to post 5-6 times a week solely to add content to my blog, make it more robust. So when someone searched a topic, they didn’t find one article. They’d find a selection. That became a habit which I’m trying to break. I think followers prefer 2-4 posts a week. I see you’re at 4…
Thx Jacqui 🙂 happy Monday!
Congratulations on completing your year and successfully building your blog. I have loved your writing and am glad I came across your blog.
Thx – I am glad you stopped by my blog too 🙂
Hey – thx for this 🙂
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
Thx Don :-))
My pleasure.
Congratulations. I am six months in to the same exercise and I agree that it is life-changing. Just the network I have built and the friends I have made have been worth it.
Yep – totally agree!
Thank you – much appreciated 🙂
Congratulations on your awards for blogging and providing writers the inspiration they need.
I am trying not to cry that I won’t be seeing you at Tuesday Blog Battles any more, but I’m so thrilled for your continued successes, Queen Lu!
Hey IBFF! Never say never! For now I got to sort out this life ambition thing 🙂
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a committed writer in possession of real talent, must be ever in pursuit of her life’s ambition. 🙂 Keep at it, my sweet friend!
Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog and commented:
Awesome article!
This post lit a light bulb in my head. While I was traveling, I didn’t touch my novels. I walked away and forgot about them, which was great! It have me a clean slate to come back to and the opportunity to clear writer-bias that I have of my own work. However, I haven’t really done anything outside of chapters 1-3 since I returned and it’s starting to set in. I’m not on vacation anymore. I’m not clearing my head. This is now neglect for my novels and I need to give them a little TLC again if I want to really get them published. So, thank you for reminding me to take time away from my blog and focus on what’s important: my novels. (And it’s not like I’m behind on blog posts. I have all of July stacked with a post a day, already written. :p)
Yes you do need to give them some TLC 🙂
Good luck!
Hey thx – will need it 🙂
Wow! Great job on everyday! I’m lucky if I write one every week! I enjoy your blog a lot. Here’s to all your accomplishments and future accomplishments. I am sticking around. 🙂
Yay!!! Happy Thursday!
I’ve been following you on Twitter for a while now Lucy and I love your writing too. This post is fab. I’ve been thinking about blogging daily now and I think reading this has given me the push I’ve been needing to do it!
Grace xx
Thank you so much for this and tweet 🙂 I think you should do it! Happy Thursday!
Lucy, you have a lot of affirmation there in all those comments above and I have no doubt you will be buoyed by all those good vibes–you’re good at that, I’ve seen. You do indeed have a remarkable optimism and a lively wit and your posts never fail to make me smile. I believe you’ll like lightening your blog load and I expect future posts to be evermore dazzling as a result. Good luck with the novel roller-coaster…hang on tight!
Arrrr – fab comment! Keep popping your head around my virtual door 🙂
Okay, I have to ask…what are you meaning to convey with “Arrr” because, over on this side of the pond, “ARRR” is what pirates say! And, thanks for motivating me to do more with my own blog, by the way.
Love it! Yep put me down as a pirate!
I love your dedication and admire your commitment to something that you so dearly love. I absolutely love the way you share such incredibly well written posts day after day. Amazing job and congratulations on that!
Thank you – such a nice comment! You have made me smile 🙂
Thank you for this 🙂
Ohhh, I definitely agree on not needing the validation for your writing. I used to write on a site called Wattpad – it’s a horrible place – and all I wanted was validation. Once I got past that, I was happier and enjoyed writing more =)