Okay, I lied - no spanking and sex in this one, but I did want you to come by to read.
I enjoyed Meredith’s most recent post very much. It got me thinking about why I began. I remember feeling like I’d stumbled into an unreal world where my fantasies were reality. Everything was anonymous and I could ask questions and not be thought of as crazy. And I have plenty of post about spanking and sex and you're more than welcomed to go back and read them.
In the beginning it never occurred to me that I would make friends – real friends. Talk about the icing on the cake! My best friends in the world live out here.
But I don’t blog for them, they read my post and many of them comment, but I can pick up the phone and call them. I can hop on a plane and visit them.
I’m blogging to talk to my silent readers, hoping and praying you’ll talk back. Because for me, that’s the fun of blogging – meeting new people. I don’t need to know your name, or where you live, or anything else about you. I just like the contact.
It does hurt to write a post and realize that only a handful of your friends will comment. I’m most grateful for those comments, but I usually have about 200 readers come by when I post. It’s sad to know no one new wants to talk to me.
Picture yourself walking into a large room full of people. You exchange greetings with the few you know, then you go to other groups to talk. They listen politely, then turn and walk away without saying a word. After a while you just shut-up and leave.
Over the years many, many bloggers have shut-up and left. I may be crazy to stick around, but I still enjoy it. And new people still, occasionally, sent me emails. That keeps me going.
Copying from Meredith, here are my numbers.
New Beginnings by the numbers:
Number of years blogging: 13 years. I began 7-22-06.
The number of published posts: 2,366
Estimated number of comments: 18,000 (not counting my replies)
The number of drafts: 65
Total page views: last count - 1,120,577
The number of drafts: 65
Total page views: last count - 1,120,577
Number of books written: 15 (Just felt the need to throw that in!)
The number of mentors at the beginning: Hard to count. One stands out, but so many were encouraging and helpful.
The number of mentors at the beginning: Hard to count. One stands out, but so many were encouraging and helpful.
The number of bloggers launched: A handful
The number of those bloggers still active: Several
The number of guest bloggers on this blog: Back in the old day a few friends broke in with hilarious results.
The number vacations with blogging friends: 16
The number of blogging friends visiting our home: 4
Number of bloggers/readers who have become good friends: Very many, 12 I’ve had the privilege of meeting in person.
I'd love for you to comment any time you’re by. I’d truly love to hear from you. I promise I won’t invite you to my house to visit this weekend and you don’t even have to go on vacation with me! But you never know, in a year or two we might both want to do these things.
If you’re more comfortable emailing it’s, elisspeaks@yahoo.com
Hi PK, Meredith's post was great and I enjoyed reading your perspective on blogging. Those are some awesome numbers :) I never dreamed I would make such wonderful friend's and receive such amazing support here when I started commenting then blogging.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
Hasn't this all been amazing? I feel like we have real friends all over the world.
DeletePK,
ReplyDeleteYou are the gold standard here in blogland. You are the pioneer out there first. I have two very strong memories of you and me. The first is when you called me just before our first Beach Sisters meet-up. And your southern accent took my breath away. The second time was at dinner in the beach. The couple next to our big group watched us closely as we laughed and talked. They asked us a few questins and without missing a beat, you got up from the table and presented them with one of your cards advertizing your newest book. I will forever be impressed with both of those moments. I watched you from afar and then enjoyed the gulf waters at shoulder height as we listened to one another on a hot June day. Keep blogging, PK and I will keep reading. And for heaven's sake, consider visiting.
With love and respect,
Meredith
You are great for my ego! I remember giving my cards to the people at the next table - trust me it was easier than talking in person with former colleagues, students and church friends at the Art's festival! But both give me courage. Blogland is the only reason we met and I will be forever grateful. But I still say I don't have an accent!
DeleteGood morning, PK! Wow, you are a true blogging veteran! Woo! Hoo! It hurts my feelings when other bloggers and readers don't comment on my post either. For the bloggers, I just assume they're not reading my posts and don't care. For the readers, well, they are more private for their own reasons and I am just glad that they are reading and hopefully enjoying! I hope you get a new email friend sometime soon! Hugs, Windy
ReplyDeleteYou're right, many people are hesitant to comment and they do have their own reasons. I just hope that they realize this is a save area to communicate.
DeleteOkay, that pushed the guilt button. I have been reading your blog daily for years. You have become part of my morning ritual. Breakfast then a visit to your site and many of the side sites. I have also read all your books, many more than once. I do love writing and keep telling myself I want to be part of this, but I am a chicken. Why I do not know. I may start with a Fantasy Friday and see where that goes. But just wanted you to know I am a big fan and would love to get more involved.
ReplyDeleteAnon, Thank you! I'm glad we've been meeting each morning for a long time now, and even happier that I'm now in on it! I hope you will try a Fantasy Friday and truly I'd love to lure you into blogging - but I won't push. I promise, I would be willing to nudge a little, but I won't push. Please do feel free to email me. I wouldn't have lasted 13 years if I wasn't extremely protective of my readers privacy. Hope to hear from you.
DeleteYour post about lack or few comments hits a soft spot... Having started a new blog and hoping for comments and listing in blogrolls... I have written short stories, doubt if I could write a book... Please add us to your blogroll... All the best, B
ReplyDeleteI started with short stories so I bet you could! As I've told you several times now, please drop me an email. I'm kind of protective of my blogroll and I want to 'know' you just a tiny bit.
DeleteIt is indeed frustrating to write your heart and then not be able to connect with readers. It today's world it is scary to reach out. I'm also one of those who comes here often to see what's up and what I can learn (and often for a good chuckle or a moment of more serious contemplation because let's face it, relationships can be tricky).
ReplyDeleteI am very glad you continue to blog and write your books and I'm totally #TeamPK :)
I'm glad that you come here. I know I was worried about reaching out at first, but I just couldn't help myself - I had to be a part of it! I'm really glad I did.
DeleteYou have had many milestones here in blogland, congratulations to all that you’ve done, 13 years is amazing! I’ve always loved reading your blog and I’m happy to hear that you still enjoy writing here. It’s been a source of enjoyment, insight and wisdom for me and I love that you write from the heart about what is real. You’re genuine and sincere and it shines through. :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this. Sometimes I can't tell if I'm determined or in a rut. But like I said, if I enjoy it and other people still come by, I guess it doesn't matter. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteI enjoy reading your blog and check in fairly regularly. Often I don't comment because I don't really have anything to say. I have wondered sometimes why you have a separate blog for your books rather than combining the two. As I've mentioned previously, I never could comment on your other blog for some obscure reason, and it was ages before I 'found' you via this blog.
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DeleteI'm so glad you come by Bethany. I began the Reading Room as my 'business blog.' I fear it's mostly writers blogging to writers. I don't consider the others as my friends so much as colleagues. And I don't want want to invite all of them to my 'real life.' I'm in a group over there where we promote one another's books - not all that would promote to my friends. If I promote a book here, as I will soon, it's because I know the author and I like the book. Please feel free to just say Hi anytime.
That makes total sense re. the book promotion group - thanks for explaining.
DeleteAh OK,
ReplyDeleteYou were one of the first blogs I read. Meredith might have got my first comment ever, but you had been in my heart and head forever it seems.
I love reading all your blogs and love your books (can't wait for the latest with Carl's law series!)
Hugs
Boo
Thanks Boo, that makes me happy. You won't have to wait long 'Searching for Home' will be out next week! I'll be posting more soon.
DeletePK, I think my first contact with you was a Fantasy Friday story I sent you. I didn’t have a cover name then but knew my real identity would be safe with you. Little did I know then that we would become friends and meet in person as Beach Sisters.
ReplyDeleteThirteen years as a blogger is no mean feat. Blogland has shrunken and maybe some of us have little more to say but please carry on writing as long as you enjoy it - no need for it to be sex and spanking for it to be interesting!
By the way, I thought of you yesterday as Harry and I walked the Highline to check out the changes since our last visit.
Rosie xx
You should have asked if my love was there! You could have met him. He's used to my friends coming by. I guess I now see blogland as a friendly bunch of women, chatting over the back yard fence. We have a cup of coffee, or wine and one particular interest in common. Here we can talk about anything, including spanking and sex. We have come a long way together over the years, haven't we.
DeleteMany thanks for having added our O&P blog to your blogroll :)
ReplyDeleteB
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