Bodacious Loquacious Original & Gratifying

/ roughwighting

Word Press award, trophy, writing, bloggingI was given notice this week.

Of my five-year blogging anniversary.writing, publishing, filing

My mind automatically flew backward five years ago, when I lived in the SF Bay area, creating stories for the writing classes I taught, spending hours writing chapters for my novels, and stuffing it all in computer files and sagging file drawers.

And then my nephew arrived.

Tiburon, writing, San Francisco BayC flew in from the east coast to enjoy a bit of California sunshine. The morning started rosy, then the weather turned windy and rainy. Under a canopy of pink-gray skies viewed from my many-windowed loft that overlooked bay and city, my 20-something nephew proclaimed, “You need a blog!”

Unlike some in my family, C supported my writing with immense passion and loyalty. In his New England youth, he cheered on every Boston team imaginable, but he also read voraciously. Majoring in business and communications at a prestigious university, my nephew interned for mayors and senators and professors, and he honed his writing skills into an amazing job in Washington, D.C., soon after graduation.

His word counted (no pun intended), and if he told me I should blog, by golly, I’d blog.

Whatever that meant.

That’s correct. Five years ago I’d never read one blog, much less written a blog post.

C spent his California weekend explaining the concept of blogging, showing me around Word Press, helping me think of a name and a reason…to blog.

“WRITE!” C pleaded. “That’s what you do! Share your stories! Finish your books! Publish them! And Blog!”

So I did. My first Roughwighting blog post was entitled. Looking Straight Up. I had 2 followers. Me, and C.

blog, blogging, writingIn five years, I’ve written 255 blog posts; I’ve published 2 books; and my followers number over 2,000.

Blog writing is, of course, so much more than “writing.” I have ‘met’ and made friends throughout the world who I most likely will never meet in person. Yet, I’ve been doodled and delighted, taught and tantalized by pals from North Dakota to Norway, Australia to Algeria.

I was invited to participate in a Word Shark writers’ conference that included a group Doodle, Mike Allegra, Writing in Yoga Poseof bloggers from VA, ND, NY, MA, and PA. I’ve been doodled by the best (thanks forever to Mike Allegra), and I’ve learned what it’s like to live in Spain and Wales, India and Canada. I use amazing recipes from Sunny Cove in Santa Cruz and Spanish treats from Darlene.

Bloggers have taken me on virtual writing tours of Hong Kong and Nova Scotia, Hawaiian volcanos and the hills of Scotland.

And best, for me, I’ve been encouraged by other successful Indie writers like D. Wallace Peach and Amy Reade, Roy McCarthy and Carol Balawyder.

We all back each other up, read and learn, buy each other’s books and review them on Amazon.

wedding, nephew, aunt

Nephew C gets a big hug from me at his wedding.

But, of course, my biggest supporter is my nephew.

I’m sending him my 5-year Word Press trophy with a huge hug and thanks for believing in his Auntie Pammy. Word Press, blogging, blogging anniversary

118 thoughts on “Bodacious Loquacious Original & Gratifying”

  1. Wow Pam, this is gorgeous! 🙂 It’s precious to remember how much one person can effect our lives in ways that balloon, mushroom into something of far greater significance than we had every imagined. My sister is especially good at this, giving the right encouragement at the right moment in the right direction and opening up the lives of others to experiences they may never have found otherwise. What a star of a nephew you have! And you can thank him from me too, ‘cos my WordPress life just wouldn’t be the same without you!!! Love always, Harula xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    • I’m feelin’ the love! I happened to be visiting my nephew in DC last weekend. We ‘talked’ writing over dinner. And then a few days later I got the WP ‘5-year-trophy’ and I thought of how much I love synchronicity. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

    • Blogs are addictive to read, for sure. So much good ‘stuff’ out there! And yes, I think you’re right, we get addicted to sharing our own ‘stuff’ too, don’t we? Particularly when we have great followers who support and cheer us on. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary of blogging! What a difference 5 years makes. Your nephew sounds amazing. I am so glad I met you here and thanks for the mention!! Here’s to 5 plus more years of blogging and writing!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • In some ways I feel like I’ve been doing this for much longer, because I’ve met so many neat people like you over these past five years. I’ve lived vicariously through your lifestyle changes after your move to Spain, and I enjoy every one of your posts.

      Like

  6. Congratulations, Pam! Your success is deserved and your nephew a blessing, indeed. I like the way you wrote this, including a sense of humor and the steps you took to expand your world. I started due to a break up with a guy, “the fisherman” and now, four years later, I have much more healed heart than the shards it was left in! I cannot remember when I switched direction but my writing has.
    I have illustrated and written four little kids books. In the 90’s, I sent 3 of them off, SASE (remember that publishing route?) and they have mainly been used in a battered women’s shelter, as a pamphlet to encourage children to open up, church ecumenical peace camp and a 4H group. I may someday use them to make coloring book stories. No hurries, no worries and like you I adore my friends. . . like YOU! Keep on going, girlfriend!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Pam, Congratulations on five years. Your nephew sounds like a special person and well deserving of this shout out from you. I agree that one of the very special benefits of joining the blogging world is the way it has expanded my horizons to other cultures, places and people’s thoughts that I would never have experienced in such an intimate manner.👏

    Liked by 1 person

    • You said it better, Bernadette. Yes, blogging is the best way to connect with others globally, I think. Much better than Twitter or FB, because blogs tell us stories of how another person lives, works, sleeps, loves that open our hearts and minds to a different place, a different way.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Congrats to you on your second year. Your blog teaches me something in every post. Plus… now we’ve found out we have New Jersey connections. I think that’s really great.

      Like

  9. Congratulations, Pam! What a great story. Like you, I was told by someone, a friend, that I needed a blog. At the time, I knew little about blogging. I’d seen it in the movie Julie and Julia, but that was the extent of my knowledge. It’s been such a great experience and you’re right, it’s not just about the writing. The fabulous people are what keeps me going. Enjoy the weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Pam, it is obvious to me that you and your nephew are cut from the same cloth- you both are inspirational, kind, motivated, and incredible. I thank you for making me a part of your blogging journey, and I wish you many more years of blogging and writing success. Congratulations on five years!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Perhaps that’s why blogging can be so successful. Those who write with passion about what interests them, share that passion generously with their readers. I’m grateful for all that I learn thanks to the passion of others, and I’m so grateful that others read my little ‘flashes of life.’ Thanks for sharing with me!

      Like

  13. I can see that our similarities just keep on accumulating 😉 Our journeys in the blogosphere, as well as the discovery of said mysterious world, parallel each other quite eerily – even if you do have two years on me 🙂

    I would venture to say that finding my love of writing – through the whim of someone’s similar comment (hey, you should write a blog) – has changed my life for the better. Yeah, I know, hyperbole – but, we’re paid to do that as writers, right? 😉

    Seriously though, every time one of my anniversaries come around, I look back at what I’ve written and it makes me proud, reflective, and amazed – at what I’ve managed to write and more importantly, the wonderful people I’ve met. And even if no one ever reads my blog, I know that I’m leaving a legacy for my son. And, ironically, the future version of myself reading old posts by me tends to learn an awful lot in the process too!

    Many congratulations, Pamela, on a wonderful milestone. I’m so happy that our paths have crossed and I look forward to the next five years and beyond in our shared corner of this wonderful thing we call the blogosphere 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • As always, you explain the joys of blogging so beautifully with your verse, Dave. Yes, I think our writing improves with our blogging. And yes, I think we owe a lot of thanks to the one who pushed us to start a blog. Thirdly, I look forward to hearing more about your stories, your book to be published, and your successes in the future.

      Like

  14. Pam, congratulations on your five year anniversary!! What a wonderful nephew, to support your writing from the start, encourage you to begin blogging. A great five years with two books published. Wow! Well done and you give rightly thanks to your nephew but also some wonderful writers here on blogging world!

    Liked by 1 person

    • I have such fond memories of my youong nephew coming to my house for holiday dinners and ‘important’ football games, me teaching him how to set my table and clean the dishes. 🙂 Now, he’s all grown up and teaching ME how to ‘set up’ my writing and get it out there. How cool is that? 🙂
      So glad you and I have connected.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. What a sweet post and thank you so much for the mention, Pam. I love your blog – one of a very limited number I follow by email so I never miss it! I laughed at your slow start, soooo familiar, but wonderful that you had an enthusiastic supporter who obviously knew what he was talking about. (2000 followers is a clear measure of success!) The community out here is indeed inspirational and welcoming. I’m so glad we connected, my friend. ❤

    Like

    • Sometimes we forget how important that little (or big) push to ‘the next best thing’ is in our life. We must always remember to thank those who believe in us.

      Like

  22. Congratulations! Wise advice from your nephew! I always find it so interesting to learn why one started a blog. For you as a writer it made logical sense. You have been productive in those five years and I have enjoyed your blog and been inspired by your blog. May you have continued success. I agree that blogging expands one’s world!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Your words infuse me with blushing gratefulness. By the way, I found you first by the fabulous title of your blog. Coastal Crone, indeed. Brilliant, and I so enjoy reading about your neck of the woods.

      Like

  26. Pam, what an accomplishment and what a great nephew. I am so glad I found you in the blogging world. Your posts make me smile and happy. Thanks for all your encouragement and kind words. Happy anniversary and I wish you the very best in years to come. Hugs from Sunny Cove.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Well, YOUR posts make me smile and happy too – amazing recipes that inspire me to experiment in the kitchen. One of these days, my hope is that we meet each other in person.

      Like

  28. Wow Pam! Congratulations on 5 years of hard work, fabulous writing contributions, and a commitment to your craft. Such a pleasure to enjoy your pieces every week, and to watch your audience grow. Bravo! Celebrate! Write forever!

    Liked by 1 person

    • I could just as easily write about the amazing support I receive from you, oh special one. I will never forget the first time you arrived to my creative writing class – determined, talented, and a forever-learner.

      Like

  33. Congrats! My 5 year blogiversary is coming later this year and a dear friend encouraged me. She had to help me set it up because it seemed so complicated. I can’t agree with you more about the benefits. My writing improved greatly. I never seem to run out of ideas. But it’s about the people you meet along the way. Recently I was looking at one of my early posts and realized that many of my old blogging buddies are no longer active. I surprised myself with a feeling of loss. However, there are so many new ones. The things you learn! Your nephew is definitely a keeper! Wise man.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Let’s pat each other on the back for reaching five years. You’re right – many bloggers don’t keep it going that long. But how our writing does benefit, as well as a growing gang of wonderful writing friends.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Congratulations on your five year blogging anniversary! I’ve been blogging for a little over a year now, so I know how demanding it can be in terms of time and effort. I’m full of admiration that you’ve managed to make a success of yours for give years. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  36. To your admiring flock, I add my hearty congratulations. You have whizzed past most of the pack of bloggers in five years. And judging from your file drawers, you are both neat and prolific.

    I have just passed by third blogaversary and understand the dedication it has taken to reach this milestone. Plus two books to boot. None of us advances without others’ encouragement. That it originally came from your nephew adds another layer of intrigue. Again, kudos to you, Pamela.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Your encouragement and support mean a lot, Marian. Yes, sitting in front of the computer, sometimes sweating out words for book or story, can be a lonely, even lowly endeavor at times. But then we get a high five from our blogging friends and, if we’re really lucky, from a nephew or cousin or spouse or old friend, and we remember exactly how much we love this job of ours – creating words and worlds.

      Like

  37. Congratulations! Thank goodness for your nephew. What a dedicated fan! To have propelled you into the blogging world where the rest of us can linger over your words and sigh and laugh and smile and tap dance. (Or not tap dance.) I am glad you celebrated publicly, so we could, too. Here’s to five more years! (Or whatever the Muse agrees to.) I love putting prepositions at the end of sentences because it feels so rebellious.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I think an exciting (surprising) thing for you to do is tap dance in your woods, Kathy. I can actually envision you doing this, with your friendly squirrel perhaps sitting on her haunches, clapping along. Ahh, how well we know each other ‘after all these years’ blogging together, even though we’ve never met ‘in person.’ Sometimes, meeting ‘in writing’ is much more real. ❤
      Oh, and keep on using your prepositions any old way you want to…. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Kudos on your fifth! (My own bloggy fifth is coming up this November). Fine folks like you make the whole blog thing so very fun and rewarding. (We writers do have a marvelously supportive online community, don’t we?)

    And thanks for the shoutout, my friend. You are — and always will be — Doodle Worthy.

    Liked by 1 person

  40. How wonderful to have been inspired especially by someone younger. What a wonderful person he is! It’s funny how sometimes we need someone else to recognize how we should hone our skills, to write a blog, publish books, or whatever form it takes. And of course, you listened and then created.

    Happy 5th anniversary!

    Liked by 1 person

    • I respect and feel grateful for your words. Your ‘reading interrupted’ blog is incredible and thought-provoking. May we always have someone in our lives to push us along to believing strongly in ourselves.

      Like

    • I think that’s what ‘truly matters,” Louise (from your post on asking the right questions). What truly matters is that my nephew respects and cares for me enough to push me into this techno age of sharing our writing through blogs, social media, and then, finally, through our books. 🙂

      Like

    • Thanks, Bruce, The really happy fact in this post is that I actually LISTENED to my nephew and followed his advice!! 🙂
      Hope you have many C’s in your circle. Please count me as one.

      Like

  43. How completely wonderful for you!!! I started blogging because a friend of mine from high school suggested it. I have had some wonderful experiences and made great bloggy friends too!! It has been a real pleasure reading your stuff and getting to know you! 😀

    Liked by 2 people

  44. So awesome to have a nephew who encouraged you like that! I love that he took you by the elbow and said “Blog, Woman!” 😉 Looks like it was one of the best decisions you ever made! Congrats on your 5 years.

    Liked by 1 person

  46. I got the same notice. 5 years! Does it make you feel ancient? Proud? Both? Neither?

    I’m hovering just under 600 posts. Not as many followers, but that’s fine. I’m so happy for you.

    My “Intro to Blogging” story is quite similar. My son was the guy who “schooled” me. I had never read a blog either! I suspect that there are others out there like us! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  47. Congratulations. What a fabulous nephew! Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say we’ve opened such an incredible door in someone’s life and make a contribution like that! I know I’ve grown so much through blogging.
    xx Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

  49. Congrats on your five year blogaversary. We are all thankful to C for encouraging you to blog.
    I’m sorry I’m so late in posting this comment. Hubs and I are involved in a huge undertaking and I am way behind in reading both books and blogs and in writing new posts.
    I’m looking forward to future blog posts on Roughwiting. Hugs.

    Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.