It’s one of the big surprises of my writing life.
Discovering that becoming a blogger meant I was joining a worldwide community. A community that cares, and helps.
I became a blogger because my daughters thought I needed to “get myself out there”. I was struggling with the effects of a head injury and damage to my body; I’d become ashamed of myself and extremely reclusive.
Blogging helped pull me out of hiding by giving me pen-pals all over the world. As I read their stories — or their comments on mine — we started getting to know and care about each other’s projects and well-being. They inspired and uplifted me.
Bloggers also help each other in practical ways:
Tweeting: Some bloggers often/routinely retweet my (and others’) posts. Take a bow, Wendy MacDonald, Sally Cronin, Sarah Vernon, Tina Frisco, Annika Perry, D.G. Kaye and all of you who do this!
Reblogging: It’s a great compliment when followers reblog a post. Props to Sally Cronin; Chris (The StoryReadingApe); Marcia Meara; Bernadette; and many others who do this routinely.
Helpful insights: Bloggers such as Gallivanta, Clare Pooley and Lavinia are likely to share a helpful insight, fact or contact in their comments. I always take note!
Writing Tips: Bloggers share tips to improve our writing — blogs or books. Props to Michael Dellert, Sue Uttendorfsky, and many others.
Connections: The best story I know is my own. Chris Graham connected me with Jo Robinson to illustrate Myrtle the Purple Turtle. A great partnership was born. I’ve been recommending Jo as an illustrator and editor ever since.
Author Services: Jo, Kev Cooper, Jeanne Balsam and others offer one or a range of services at affordable rates: editing, design, illustration, publishing, promotions and promotional materials such as bookmarks and posters.
Recognition: Blogger-reviewer-author Kev Cooper reads many books and started the Diamond Book Awards. Other bloggers give book/blog awards too.
Promotions: Sally and Chris are the best I know, generously promoting what seems like hundreds of authors each year. How they find the time, I don’t know, but — take a bow, you two!
Featuring other Bloggers: I do this on my blog, as do many others.
Deliberately Buying each other’s Books: All my purchases/requested Christmas gifts from family are books from small presses and especially by indie authors who blog. I borrow books by the big-name authors from the library.
Giving feedback on Manuscripts: When the draft is done but you’re still not sure and a blogger gives feedback, that’s a major gift.
Reading and Reviewing each other’s books: When a blogger reads my book then reviews it on Goodreads, Amazon or even better – their own blog — that’s a gift! Take a bow, everyone who does this! Thanks to bloggers who’ve done this for me.
Spreading the Word: We spread the word about each other’s books in circles beyond blogging. Lavinia Ross and Gallivanta: Thank you for spreading the word about Myrtle in your own circles and beyond.
Praying/holding faith for each other: We celebrate other bloggers’ “wins”. Invariably, we also learn about their life struggles. When my husband was critically ill, bloggers around the world expressed concern. Many were praying. And when my blogger friends or loved ones face troubles, I do the same.
Been helped by bloggers or helped? Please share!
Cynthia Reyes 