My pondering about blogging continues. Right after my last post I learned that my friend Leah Hennen is discontinuing her blog More Ways to Waste Time. She will leave many sad souls behind. Leah is a stylish decorator, and expert ebay treasure hunter, and she has compiled the most amazing list of galleries, stores, and museums to visit, mainly on the west coast, but also online and abroad. Leah you and your stories will be missed.
This past weekend our local paper ran an associated press story about blogging, focusing on Julie Powell's writings about cooking her way through Julia Child's recipes in Mastering the art of French cooking. Her blog led to two books and now a movie Julie & Julia. The article discusses what a makes a blog successful and how success is measured. Of course this varies from blogger to blogger, for some it is number of visits, for others the amount of comments, and sometimes it is all about self expression. The key still seems to be passion for the topic you write about. If your heart is there it will resonate with others.
While visiting miss Molly's blog, I learned about the nie nie dialogues, written by Stephanie Nielsen. Almost a year ago she and her husband Christian, was in a plane crash that nearly took their lives. Stephanie was a devoted blogger before the accident, and now continues to share her thoughts about her burn injury recovery, her adorable children, her love for her husband, and living a life that is no longer what it used to be. Her writing is warm, funny, engaging, heart wrenching, and very inspirational. This is blogging in its most powerful way. I encourage you to visit the nie nie dialogues, and to support the Nielsen family in any way you can.
It is time to put my blogging anxieties to rest. I truly love what I do, and my life is rich and fulfilled in so many ways. With that in mind I will follow my heart and continue my musings about work, life, nature, creative people, and all the beauty that surround us.
i’m very glad! i thoroughly enjoy your blog, lotta. i find it to be a tranquil respite through your writing, work and wonderful photographs. your passion shines through.
ReplyDeletei can relate to your thoughts about it the other day, though. it's such a compliment and so interesting to be included in your list as i've been doing some rethinking about our blog lately, too. there does seem to be a self-inflicted standard we bloggers create about posting, etc. and i'm not sure why. then, i’ll read about someone like stephanie and it wakes me up.
xo, cindy
ps on another note, we saw the movie ‘julie & julia’ this weekend and absolutely loved it.
yippeee! x
ReplyDeletelovely dialogue you've shared here, lotta. no doubt many can relate, myself included. i spend hours musing and devouring, revealing a bit of me and often questioning the worth. but there is something compelling in the exchange, in the awareness of others, in the kind connections. indeed, writing of your passions is its own therapy and will surely resonate with many as well. blog at your own pace and we will follow. your creations are lovely and i so appreciate your craft. thank you for including me in your world.
ReplyDeletehello Lotta,
ReplyDeletei've also recently discovered the Nie NIe Dialogues, and feel the power of her writing as well.
some days you really get to wondering if anyone is reading what you're typing, and then some days you get a comment from a stranger, and find another wonderful blog to read.
thanks for introducing me to your blog, and your beautiful work as well.
linked to you today. thanks for the timely conversation. its nice to have a kindred spirit.
ReplyDeleteI think blogging is a good way to build relationships with people who enjoy your work and are curious about the person behind it, and may ultimately become collectors. I'm glad you are continuing!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing the feelings that surge to the surface when we read posts like this, Lotta! They are intense and profound. I've been thinking a lot about these questions and find your thoughts very, very helpful and insightful. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would be very sad not to have you blogging you are an inspiration in everything you do. I also try to visit your garden blog as well.
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