The best perks of being a blogger are the connections I've made with writers, authors, and other bloggers. In real life, it is so easy to gravitate toward people who are most like us. This is true on the internet to some extent as well, but in the virtual world it is perhaps a little easier to find- and to risk getting to know- people from different walks of life, people from different places and backgrounds, people who read and write different genres, people who just have a different outlook. I am constantly surprised, challenged, and inspired.
Some of my most rewarding blogging experiences have been collaborative. Recently I invited some blogging/writing friends to contribute guest posts celebrating mothers in children's fiction (label: mother's day) - it was so exciting to see the range of fictional mothers chosen, the different writing styles, and the the personal experience each writer brought to her essay. Even more fun was the process behind the posts - the inviting, the enthusiasm, the planning, the publicizing. The response from readers, many of whom were new visitors to the blog, was overwhelming, and incredibly thoughtful. I've also especially enjoyed interviewing authors, such as Jennifer Sommersby and Lisa Bergren, both remarkable women and writers.
The blogging and writing community has also taught me so much. I'm constantly in awe of/humbled by/inspired by the talent, creativity, dedication out there. Every day brings new ideas, new books, new perspectives - and always a much-needed dose of humor. These few months on the blog have been a real education - in so many ways. Hmmm, all this talk about community reminds me of something....
Ack! That I'm at least a season behind, that's what! But also that there are some similarities, no?
In the world of blogging, what does community mean to you? (And if you were one of the characters on Community, which one would you be?)
Enjoyed reading this post i especially like the the last paragraph before the 'ack'.
ReplyDeleteThere IS always something and someone new to find out about in the blogging community. I have really enjoyed the discovery this week. Thank YOU for being part of it!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many people in this community it's hard to keep up! But I love it. There is always someone to talk with, be it about books or life or whatever. Also, love the Community reference.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how nice and friendly everyone is in the book blogosphere, isn't it? That series of guest posts sounds great, I'm glad you were able to do something like that.
ReplyDeleteBefore I started blogging, a didn't realize what a true community it is. Even though I've never met a blogger in real life, I still feel like I've gotten to know some of them.
ReplyDeleteA great post -- I've nothing really to add, other than to echo your thoughts. Also, I've never seen an ep of Community before!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the wonderful comments, and so glad to hear your enthusiasm. (Audra, I'm quite a bit behind in now, but funny quirky ensemble show in which despite all their differences, the characters always end up having each other's backs.)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I've only seen the show Community a couple of times but it was funny, I need to netflix it! I had no idea before starting my own that there was such a tight community of book bloggers. It's truly been amazing! ~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte
ReplyDeleteTook me a minute to get the photo reference. I hardly watch TV.
ReplyDeleteRather than talk about bookstores, publishers or bloggers, I'm talking about volunteering. Come see what I mean.
lol! I love the Community photo! I'd be an Annie for sure.
ReplyDeleteOh, Annie's great! Glad to find a fan :D
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