The Overhaul, A New Beginning
Wahoo! Time to celebrate. (Photo credit: tsuacctnt on Flickr)
Ta-da! The bandages are off, and Wonder, Friend has a new face. Welcome!
{Before I get too far, I want to thank Jen from Blue Yonder Design for this new look. Jen’s a saint. A very patient saint.}
I go into some detail about the impetus behind this face lift, and my goals for the blog, on an all-new About the Blog page. I hope you’ll snoop around today and check out the two, new About pages. I also hope you’ll apply to write a guest post, but more on that in a bit.
If, however, you don’t have a lot of time to hang out on Wonder, Friend today, here’s some of what I have to say in About the Blog:
I took time off in late 2011 and thought about why I blog. I’m not going to give you the I do it for me, and don’t care if anyone is reading or not line. I probably would write even if nobody was reading, but it would not be very stimulating.
So the real deal? I blog because I think in written words.
I’m not a talker, or at least not a good one. Oh, to be a funny talker, as Mel Brooks says. But that’s not me. Words get stuck between my brain and my mouth, yet they have a relatively smooth path from brain to fingers. So I blog in order to share my thoughts, to ask questions, to connect.
I’ve always agonized over having a rhyme and reason to my posts, and since I rarely achieve consistent rhyme or reason, you can imagine the turmoil. During what I’ve come to call (sound effects, please: bum, bum, bum) Blogging Hiatus of 2011, I arrived at this (it’s so obvious and why didn’t I accept this before) conclusion: Wonder, Friend is my blog, and I can write anything, everything, or nothing of consequence. The only common thread needed here? Me.
Oh, and wondering. That’s a key element I try to always incorporate (it is in the blog’s name, after all). A lot of life leaves me thinking I wonder… how that works or why that happens or can I recover from this? Therefore, most – not all, but most – of my posts close with a question for readers. I want to open up a dialogue in the comments, so stop by and share your thoughts, your advice, your funny or sad stories.
About those guest-posts I mentioned earlier…
For me, the best part of the blogosphere is exposure to ideas and people we would otherwise never consider, never know. I want to share some of those brilliant, funny, thoughtful people on Wonder, Friend. Starting next week, Wednesdays* are reserved for guest bloggers. If you’re interested – and you are, I hope – I’m not too proud to beg, but please don’t make me resort to that – click here and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch about dates.
Thanks for sticking with me through (bum, bum, bum) Blog Hiatus 2011. I’m thrilled to be back in this familiar space, refreshed with a new look. And a new perspective. I look forward to wondering with you!
Speaking of that, I wonder…
:: When did you last overhaul something, whether your blog space, your living or work space, yourself? What was the impetus for that overhaul?
*Some Wednesdays, such as busy holiday weeks and Spring Break, will not feature a guest blogger.
read moreIt’s Alive! It’s Alive!
Barely.
The blog, that is. Me? I am very much all the way alive.
You may or may not have noticed that there hasn’t been a post here since November 1. Frankly, I got really sick of myself and the blah, blah, blah posts. I decided to take a break (sorry I didn’t do a better job of letting you all in on my plans… it’s just that I didn’t actually plan it, so much as stumble around in it).
And what a break it was. Here are some of the things I’ve learned since November 1, presented along with low-quality photos (as in photo quality, not subject matter):
:: There is nothing sweeter than living in real time with real, three-dimensional people.
These are my two favorite 3-D people, making gingerbread men for Santa.
:: I can go a whole day, a whole week, and nearly an entire month without tweeting. Guess what? Twitter is still there. And I am still here.
And still being here is particularly nice at Christmas, I think.
:: I can make cake balls. But not with any sort of skill. Or without testing half a dozen or so in the process. I may have cured my desire for cake, at least in its ball form.
I made 12 dozen of these babies.
:: If you plan ahead and assemble small bicycles, configure new computers, and put the batteries in remote control cars during the week of December 19, Christmas Eve is a lot more fun.
A note from Santa explained that this is a family gift, but a certain 5-year-old still kind of thinks it's his...
:: I like to cook. I know, right? Crazy talk. I’m particularly fond of recipes from this woman.
How gorgeous is this brine? You should have seen the turkey it made, but you can't because I forgot to take a picture...
:: Some Pinterest projects work out.
I found this centerpiece idea on Pinterest, and tried to pass it off as my own idea. Everyone who knows me knows better than that, though.
:: Some don’t.
As they say on Pinterest: Nailed It.
:: I’m a Haiku Master. Or, more accurately: I Wrote One Haiku and Now It’s A Christmas Tradition (prepare yourselves, family).
For my family's Tacky Christmas Attire exchange.
:: Say what you will, but I love our Elf on The Shelf. A little creepy? Yes. But we had fun with him this year.
The kids didn't want to drink green milk...
:: Getting mugged is not so bad after all. In fact, it’s downright tasty.
Thanks, Meg, for my @Members_Lounge mug (and candy and hot chocolate!) #MugSwap2011
:: And finally, I learned that yes, real life comes first, always. But writing this blog still makes my heart sing. I have a soft spot for my blogging friends, for everyone who drops by to read, and for the free therapy that comes with writing it all down.
So. Happy New Year to you all. I am – finally, really, honestly – working with the fabulous Jen on a face lift for Wonder, Friend. Some minor changes in content are coming, too. It took me some time to figure out how to move forward with this blog, but I think I have it settled. For now. I look forward to sharing it all with you soon.
I also look forward to catching up with you. Let’s start here…
I wonder…
:: What did you learn in 2011?
read more
It Seems I Am Not Above Begging
Disclaimer: This picture has nothing to do with this post. But I like it, so I'm sharing. It's two of my favorite guys, in one of my favorite places: the Oregon coastline.
I was not planning to post today.*
But I need to. I need to grovel and plead and generally embarrass myself further. I can hear someone like Mr. Unmarketing say something along the lines of if you can’t move people to do something then you’re a lousy blogger and should just cash it in. Well, maybe I’m a lousy blogger.
But I am not cashing it in. First, it doesn’t appear I’d get much in the way of ROI right now. Second, I like blogging here. Period.
The point is, a couple weeks ago I wrote this post. I realize that the prize(s) are not a new Coach bag or a great pair of sunglasses or a cute photo book. But they are still good prizes. No? So I’m asking this: Take another look at the post and leave a comment?
You have two options for commenting, and both are easy. I promise.
- Just leave a comment. You can tell me what you ate for lunch, or what color panties you’re wearing. Tell me anything. Every comment is $1 for charity.
- You can open a GiveBack account (or tell me if you already have one), tell me YOUR favorite charity, and then you’ll be entered to win $50 for your charity.
That’s it. And I’ll just say Thank You now, because you’re all awesome.
***
As for the * up there. In the first sentence. See it? I’ve been operating on a blog only when you have something to say system, and it turns out I have about two things to say every week. Does that work for you guys? Are you annoyed there aren’t more posts here or are you glad your inbox/reader has one less post in it some days?
Just curious. I would love your thoughts on posting frequency and what you would like to see here. Because me? I’m here for you.
Honestly.
Writing here is often cathartic and nearly always fun, so sure, I get something from it. But over the last year, it’s you guys – the kind people who stop by to read – who keep me coming back. I know I always say I’ll keep writing even if nobody reads (and I will, so the joke’s on you, non-reading people); but I’d like you to get something out of the expereince, too.
I’m wondering…
- Do you want more posts or is the current (in)frequency okay?
- What are your favorite kinds of posts? {This one, for example, made me laugh, but I’m guessing it was either A) Too long (my wordiness is a known issue, but sometimes I can’t control myself) or B) I was the only one laughing and everyone else thought it stunk or C) I’m the only loser watching way too much USA programming.}
Again, I say thank you. I appreciate your feedback.
Have a great weekend. And once you’ve answered my posting-related questions, go comment on the GiveBack post, okay? Or you can go there first and then come back to this post. It’s really up to you.
read moreNewsy News
I have an announcement.
I am not pregnant.
Admit it, that was your first thought. But there are no babies cooking over here.
Some time ago I mentioned that I was going back to work. And then I never mentioned it again. So now, finally (the not knowing has been killing you, hasn’t it?), here’s the scoop:
I’m working again. For money. Because don’t get me wrong, I’ve been working all day, every day at a really fantastic job. It’s so fantastic, in fact, that I’m going to continue doing it (motherhood, in case you’re head-scratching), but I’m going to mix in a few paid gigs, too. Turns out, I missed working. I missed helping people craft pieces of writing. Now, after a nice stretch of all mom, all the time, I’m shaking things up a bit and couldn’t be more excited.
My new professional home is Missy Stevens Writes. It’s not a blog; all blogging will stay here.* Missy Stevens Writes is where you go if you need copy. Any copy. For anything.
Today I’m also very excited to announce my relationship with Eli Rose Social Media. I’ll be working with the talented founders, Liz Jostes and Kristin Zaslavsky – you may also know them as A Belle, a Bean and a Chicago Dog and Taming Insanity – on all manner of marketing and communications word-smithing. There happens to be a post about pitch letters on their site today. If you’ve ever wondered how to pitch a company, go take a look.
There you have it. The big news. Thanks for indulging me here today; we’ll be back to regularly scheduled wondering and whatnot tomorrow.
*Here, by the way, will soon be getting a face lift and going through some small changes. Look at that, something else for you to look forward to.
***
BEFORE YOU GO!
Again with the shouting? Sorry about that. Sincerely. I just don’t want you to miss this:
GiveBack Challenge Post and Contest
My wallet isn’t even winded yet. Come on, let’s make it hurt a little. Please. We can do better. When you’re done here, click that link and help make my wallet sweat, won’t you?
read moreThe Story of Us, A Girl and Her Blog
♫ Love and blogging, love and blogging.
Go together like thieves and flogging.
This, I tell you blogger mama,
You can’t have one with otha’. ♫
{Why I’m Not a Songwriter: Exhibit A.}
Blogging is a lot like love and marriage, though. I explain:
It’s Love at First Sight
When you first start a blog, it’s all you can think about. You post every day. Sometimes twice.
Quirks? What Quirks?
It’s kind of cute the when your blogging platform eats all your comments. The process of recovering all those comments is an opportunity to learn more about each other.
Familiarity Sets In
But it’s the good kind of familiarity. You’re comfortable, you speak each other’s language. You’ve memorized all the short codes and know just how to make magic happen with your blog.
Breaks Are Good For You
You’re still totally in love, but you realize the blog cannot meet every need. You want to hang out with old friends, make a few new ones, develop your own hobbies. Enter: Twitter. And Pinterest. And Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, StumbleUpon, Google Connect, follow, like, link, oh my.
Is This a Break or a Break-Up?
You’re spread a bit thin. Keeping up with the blog and all of your social media activities, on top of work, family and whatever else you are juggling is hard. Deep down, you still love the blog. You do. But some days you can’t remember why you love it. You’re phoning in the posts, and it shows. When you post, that is. We’re talking major dry spell here.
So Many Quirks
For crying out loud, the comments disappeared again? This is total crap.
Reconnecting
You and the blog, you have a heart-to-heart. You flip through old posts and reminisce. Along the way, that loving feeling resurfaces. You start posting again, and focusing on all the best parts of your blog.
The Long Haul
The honeymoon is over, but the best is yet to come. You and the blog, you’ve been through some tough times and it made you stronger. Now you know what matters. Forget the rest. Now you know how to balance your time (mostly) and devote just the right amount of attention to the blog. You learned how to nurture without smothering: the key to all successful relationships.
I wonder…
:: What has the trajectory of your blogging relationship been?
:: What’s the longest you’ve gone without posting? (And no, that’s not a euphemism. I’m really talking about blogging.)
:: If you took a break, what instigated your rekindling?
***
BEFORE YOU GO!
Sorry about the shouting. Just didn’t want you to miss this. Don’t forget about my
GiveBack challenge post and contest.
Are you really going to let me get away with donating only $10? Please. We can do better. When you’re done here, click that link and help make my wallet a little lighter, won’t you?
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