Blogging Bomb Diggity: 20 Beguiling Years, 5 Basic Guidelines, & 3 Breezy Questions

/ Ally Bean

Steve!!!

🔹🔷🔹

Sometimes I feel cuckoo banana pants about long I’ve been around blogland. I started my first personal blog 20 years ago this spring never imagining I’d write one for more than a year or two.

However my life took a few unexpected turns and I kept going, changing weblogs, refining my focus, learning how to write in a chatty way. Carrying on, in what I’d describe as a Steve-like fashion, despite my doubts and mistakes.

At this point I’m glad I was tenacious. I’ve come to realize that writing this blog keeps my brain clicking and my heart open. Also, my no-fuss approach to blogging means it is, for the most part, fun.

Occasionally someone will ask me, a blogging dinosaur, what I’ve learned about how to keep a personal blog. Over the years my answers have varied, evolved, but can be summarized in the following 5 guidelines.

I base my straightforward guidelines on the premise that a personal blog is about sharing stories/information, creating understanding, and being respectful toward other people.

As with everything in life, your mileage may vary.

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5 basic GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A PERSONAL BLOG

Be specific. Life is in the details so share some. Have an opinion or point of view. Do some research. Ambiguity doesn’t make for compelling blog posts.

Be authentic. Have a personality and have the gumption to use it. Avoid anything that might come across as fake or spurious, readers respond to the real deal.

Be meticulous. Your goal is clear communication, so define your terms, use mostly proper grammar and sentence structure, add a little wordy razzle dazzle to keep it fresh. Reply in a timely fashion to comments left on your blog posts.

Be creative. Add something visual to your posts. Find a meme or snap a pic or use colorful fonts. Jazz it up, folks, don’t settle for blah.

Be kind. Once upon a time I wouldn’t have added this last guideline, assuming it was a given. However people can be tetchy now, so be discerning about what you say and mindful about how you say it.

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Clearly I underestimated how long I’d be at this blogging thing.

I cannot say THANK YOU often enough or loudly enough to everyone who follows along and comments here on The Spectacled Bean. You, my little otters of bloggy friendship, give me the lift I need to keep going in blogland.

YOU ARE THE BEST!

🔹🔷🔹

Questions of the Day

Thinking about personal blogs in general, how’d did you get hooked on them?

If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger? And what has surprised you the most in a negative way?

If you write a personal blog, when the time comes to end it how will you do that?

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283 thoughts on “Blogging Bomb Diggity: 20 Beguiling Years, 5 Basic Guidelines, & 3 Breezy Questions”

  1. When I first started, I think my focus was on sharing my cooking techniques but in a very short time I realized that every recipe had a back story to share as well. I think people like the stories as much as the recipes, and it often gives me a chance to pause, remember, reflect on growing up in New England with all its wonders and frustrations.
    I did not realize that in the process of writing a blog, I would make so many friends! Some of whom I have met in person, shared some special times with, and correspond with off-blog, a true delight. It’s been fun learning from each other, and that never gets old.
    I guess I’ll continue to do this until I have nothing left to say, and right now, I can’t imagine that. Ask me again when I’m 92, OK?

    Liked by 4 people

    • Dorothy, I understand how your stories are as good as your recipes, people respond positively. You found your way of writing a blog that is authentic to who you are. That seems to be the key to longevity in blogland.

      I know how you feel about bloggy friends. That was an unexpected surprise for me, too. I’ve learned so many things from other bloggers, things that have made me feel more connected and competent and cheerful.

      I’ll be in touch with you when you’re 92! Or at least in spirit I’ll be there. Oh my, hadn’t thought that far out in time.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Wow! 20 years of blogging! Congratulations 🎊🎉 I have started my blog as my happy place to share some of my hobbies…fast forward to today I still enjoy it and not planning on ending this adventure just yet….What I love about blogging is the unexpected community that I have found here!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Popsicle Society, I agree with you, what I like about personal blogging is the sense of community. I didn’t expect that when I started either. Still having now found it, I’m hooked. As are you!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Congratulations Ally! What an incredible milestone to have achieved. Your guidelines are good advice for life in general. Perhaps that’s the root of your longevity. 

    Best wishes for many more years to come 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  4. Whoo-hoo for you! Scratch that…for US. 😜 Thanks, Ally…for the tips, the giggles, the ‘razzle dazzle’, for being you, you, you…cuckoo banana pants and all (takes one to know one?). I love your tips – especially the authenticity reminder and the encouragement to be creative. Thanks for bringing all of that. xo! 🥰

    Like

    • Victoria, I’m blushing here. Your compliments are over the top, but thank you! I can guarantee you that I had no idea I’d end up here when I started my first blog. It was a lark, not meant to be anything more than that.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Ally, you follow your own blogging guidelines so well! If you asked me to describe your blog, those 5 guidelines are exactly what I would say. Probably that has been a factor toward your longevity (and congrats on 20 years – amazing!)

    The thing that surprised me the most about blogging was the people I met. Such a varied, interesting, kind (mostly) bunch. I anticipated blogging as a lonely endeavor – just me tapping away on my laptop. I never expected the friends I would make.

    As for ending the blog, I just planned on taking a short break for a trip. When the trip was over, I just couldn’t get back into the routine again. Two weeks became a month, which became 6 months, etc. I have recently been re-reading some of my old blog posts, beginning with the oldest. It makes me want to start again. Maybe…

    Liked by 2 people

    • Laurie, what an interesting observation about my guidelines and my blog. I didn’t think of my guidelines as being anything more than [perhaps] helpful for other bloggers, didn’t realize I was describing me. But yeah…

      You said it: I anticipated blogging as a lonely endeavor – just me tapping away on my laptop. Me too. I had zero idea there’d be friendships along the way.

      I’d enjoy seeing you return to blogging. BUT I understand how blogging slipped away from you, just happened, and wonder if that’s how I’ll end this one, too. One day I just won’t.

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  6. I’ve believed in you from way back. I’ve always loved your writing style. Wow! 20 years!! And you’re still going strong. I’ll keep reading as long as you keep writing.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Woot! 20 years is most magnificent, Ally!

    I’m trying to remember how I started this thing. I, too, went through a few: Tumblr, Blogger and finally here (for the past 11 years). I must have read something from someone and then realised people do this writing thing on a platform for all sorts of reasons. And then I tried it and here I am.

    I started to see if anything I had to say would hold anyone’s interest. To be honest, my first (many) posts were met with crickets. It’s when I started participating in writing challenges that my “following” grew. I have no rhyme nor reason to my blogging which has kept it fun and non “obligatory”, if you know what I mean. I can write three days in a row or go two weeks. You all are just so lovely, you don’t flush me for my erratic behaviour 😉

    I agree completely with your guidelines and the best thing to come out of blogging is the friendships that have forged. My sister doesn’t get it. That’s okay coz I do!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dale, I remember in the beginning I wondered if anyone ever saw what I wrote, then one day a few months into my first blog someone, ShyLux, commented and I was thrilled. I’ll never forget that blogger.

      I like how you said this: I have no rhyme nor reason to my blogging which has kept it fun and non “obligatory”, if you know what I mean. I feel the same way, I’m reliable as in always myself, but random as in what I write about.

      I know that many non-bloggers don’t get the friendship angle, and maybe it’s better that they don’t blog! Just saying… 😜

      Liked by 1 person

      • Oh my goodness. It took FOREVER to get a comment!! It is a thrill when you do get one, then two, up to five, back down to one… 😉

        Yes. I feel for those who have imposed a schedule on themselves. Sometimes they write and say how frazzled they are. Dude… how about you don’t and come back when you have time?

        Of course. They can’t understand 😉

        Oh, and I have no idea when I’ll stop. I can’t see why I would at this point.

        Liked by 1 person

        • You make me laugh out loud. I adore your suggestion to Dude! While I know I’ve written a few ‘I’m all out of ideas’ posts, I also know that I’m comfortable showing up here, to all of blogland, when I can. Schedules are for work and paying your taxes. 😁

          Liked by 1 person

          • Then I’ve succeeded. I do love to make people laugh (or at the very least, smile or grin). Nothing wrong with “I’m all out of idea posts” (I’m just too damn lazy to!)
            Exactly. I don’t do schedules… except for WW on my beau’s blog 😉

            Liked by 1 person

  8. Happy blogiversary, Ally! I am so glad I found your blog, if a little late in the game. Your guiding principles definitely make for good reading.

    The very thought of ending my blog gives me a sinking feeling, so I will not think about that.

    My interest in blogging began when I got engaged and started scouring the web for wedding planning information and ideas. Somehow, that led me to a couple of personal blogs, those blogs led me to others, and I was hooked.

    Love this: “I’ve come to realize that writing this blog keeps my brain clicking and my heart open.” What a great tribute to this medium!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, I’m glad we connected too. I figure that bloggers find each other when the time is right. I’m philosophical like that.

      I love knowing how you stumbled into blogging via your wedding planning. I understand that, I found out about personal blogging while researching how to create a flower garden.

      I didn’t set out to be a blogger, but once I realized about my brain and heart feeling it, I stayed.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Congratulations on 20 Years of Blogging! I came across blogs after I retired and had more time to search around online. I have never blogged myself and have only been a commenter but this really saved me especially during Covid. I have created such a nice circle of friends around the world and we laugh, share, cry, and carry on together.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ellen D, good point about blogging during Covid. It kept me sane and connected at a time when we all rational people were scared and feeling at loose ends. I’m happy you found me here, and would read your blog if’n you decided to start one. Just saying…

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  10. Congrats! I’m coming up on 13 years myself! Never thought it would happen. Most surprising is the cadre of friendships I’ve made. Some bloggers I’ve met in person and some are just on-line but I feel a true sense of closeness. Techy? Oh yeah! I reread my posts to make sure something that I wrote can’t be misinterpreted.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Kate, I understand how you have just kept on blogging! I’m glad you have, but also know it can be a shock when you look back and see how long you’ve been at it. Like how did that happen?

      Yep, to double-checking what you write so that you won’t be misinterpreted. Even then, I’ve made mistakes in the way I’ve said things. My intentions were good, of course.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Ally, I like your advice to ‘use mostly proper grammar and sentence structure.’ The ‘mostly’ part gives me freedom to use my authentic voice, which I think is important for anyone writing a personal blog. My blogging goal is to share my retirement story, (through pictures and words) which is sometimes boring, sometimes exciting, but always real. My hope is that I will pass on something useful that I have learned about this stage of life, or that a photo I took will make someone smile. I haven’t thought much about when it will all end. I guess that will happen when I have nothing more to say.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, I don’t write anything with the intention of not using proper grammar and sentence structure, but as you noted it happens, lending a more authentic chatty vibe to my blog.

      I like your goal for writing your blog. You have done a good job of achieving it and taking us along for the ride. I enjoy your stories and your photos, both resonate with me.

      The ‘how will it end’ aspect of blogging is one I’ve been thinking about more lately. No answer, but probably like you said: when I have nothing more to say.

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      • Ally, sometimes Grammarly tells me my sentence is bad, but if it sounds like me talking to you over a cup of coffee, I’ll stick with what I wrote. Your ‘chatty’ voice is authentic and engaging and I always look forward to your posts. Congratulations on twenty years of blogging.

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        • Thank you! I appreciate the compliment. While in some places Grammarly is my North Star, not when it comes to personal blogging. I agree with your way of saying it: like me talking to you over a cup of coffee. YES, that’s what I’m going for.

          Liked by 1 person

  12. I have this very distant memory of purposefully moving from all things Microsoft and Windows, discovering Google and then running into this trendy new thing called Blogger. Eureka! A place for an online journal for my kids and as they say, the rest is history.

    Finding and switching to WP allowed me to meet some great folks so that will always be the positive. Finding WP and sticking with it through all their fiddling and changes and issues continues to be a chosen negative because I will not change again to another platform.

    I think we’ve talked about the “end time” with each other in prior comments…

    I feel strongly about your first two guidelines specifically. I try not to make my blog a diary of the day or week but to discuss a topic that evokes a reaction and more importantly- why. I want interaction, not simply a recap of my boring life. I found that on WP btw, which is another positive. Authenticity tops my rules. I see no point in blogging if I cannot be myself, if I must hide or disguise things I want or need to say, or find myself embracing that ambiguity practice you mention. Say what you mean or stop writing. Caginess is not my thing.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, your story of stumbling over personal blogging rings true with me. Yay Google! I found blogs by accident while researching how to start a flower garden. Yay flowers!

      I’m with you about choosing to not write a diary-style blog. Like you I take one thing that happens or one idea I’m pondering and use it as the basis of my blog posts, hoping that what I have to say rings true with someone out there. No one cares about my daily life, of that I’m sure.

      I agree with you about authenticity, of course. I know some bloggers don’t tell people in their real life that they write a public personal blog, but I could never make a go of that. I’m too open about what I do and who I am as I do it so hiding my blog would be work. Subterfuge would tire me.

      Like

      • I think daily life blogs were a thing…once…when blogging was new. Sort of an extension of FB perhaps. I want depth- not snippets I would say. I’m totally there on the laying my soul out there for all. Subterfuge is a great word isn’t it?!

        Liked by 1 person

        • I think you are right. Daily blogging was how I started, but quickly realized I didn’t want to share all the details of my life, I felt too exposed. Depth, even when it isn’t serious, is good by me. Subterfuge is a word I have a difficult time spelling, BUT know people can be sneaky so I use the word.

          Liked by 1 person

  13. Twenty years! Good for you. I am hitting five and faltering. When I started I needed to rant, which I did; and boy it felt good. Now I am not as ranty. That is a good thing for life but not necessarily for a bitchy blog. As I cruise into another blogging year, I will be considering my future in blogging. If I decide to end it, I will say goodbye and it will disappear.
    In the meantime, I love how you manage to engage us all and may end up looking to your blog for inspiration.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Jenn, I understand faltering. I’ve gone through that many times. Each time I gave myself the grace to stop posting for a while, then returned as a revised version of myself. Still me, just with a shifted focus.

      I hope that when the time comes to end this I’ll know it and say a proper “good-bye” but many bloggers just go away… never to be heard from again…

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Congrats on that twenty-year anniversary. Is WordPress giving you some crystal? Or just a digital crown and orders to update your software? I blog to have somewhere to share my stories. I used to blog almost daily, but now it’s less frequent. Probably because my in-laws have been nicer to me?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Autumn, I haven’t always been on WP plus I sense that my kind of personal blog isn’t what WP wants to be known for. They seem to be all about monetizing your blog for profit, not maintaining your blog for snorts and giggles.

      Speaking of which I’m laughing about your observation regarding your in-laws! There could be a connection between your need to post and their behavior.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Happy blogoversary! I thought my almost 10 years of blogging was a lot, but you’ve been here TWICE as long – wow! I agree that it’s all about the attitude: fun combined with thoughtful communication, sprinkled with comment chatting. I quickly unfollow bloggers who don’t engage with their readers – we are just not on the same page, but to each her own, I guess.
    As for your questions, they are too fun to ignore. So: I first started blogging because I had just travelled to Argentina for 7 weeks and had about 10 000 photos I wanted to show everyone, but people in my real life weren’t really that interested in my amazing encounters with penguins and street tango. So my mum suggested, why don’t I start a blog, since she knew I loved to write. (I think she thought I’d be able to monetize on it, hahah! I went the other way, didn’t I?) I’d vaguely heard of WordPress and just signed up without thinking. And here I am.
    What surprised me was when the Daily Photo Challenge ended, I loved that! And perhaps also how many people try to make money with this – and some actually do. I’m also surprised at “professional” bloggers who don’t respond to comments: why, how, what?!?! I think I wrote a post about it at some point. As for positive surprises: well, the community for sure. If I stopped blogging, I’d miss all these global chats. But I have thought of stopping, since 10 years (coming up next February) is such a long time. If I do quit, I don’t know how I’ll do it – but I certainly won’t just vanish, if I have a choice.
    Thanks for the fun posts, they are a joy to read and you certainly have no lack of creativity pumping them out like that!

    Liked by 1 person

    • The Snow Melts Somewhere, yep 20 years is a loooong time to write a personal blog. It happened so gradually that I didn’t think about it until the beginning of this year. Still don’t know how to process it.

      As for your 10 years and how you got into blogging, I love it. You have the perfect accidental blogger story which as you mention doesn’t necessarily lead to monetary gain but does lead to global friendship. Not a bad result for your efforts.

      You said: I’m also surprised at “professional” bloggers who don’t respond to comments: why, how, what?!?! I, too, wonder about this in blogland and in social media. Considering the point in both areas is to be social… why aren’t they? Seems a little off to me, like perhaps I am a pawn in their game. 🤨

      I, too, hope that when it comes time to end this blog I won’t vanish, but will be able to say “good-bye.” Guess we’ll find out eventually.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I think the first blog I got hooked on was The Art of Non-Conformity, and that was why I started blogging back in 2010. I discovered so many fantastic bloggers on WordPress back then and had a blast.

    What’s surprised me the most is how kind, supportive, and encouraging people I’ve never met in real life can be. I feel closer to many blog buddies than I do with acquaintances in the real world. It’s amazing.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Erin, I wasn’t on WP until 2011 so I missed some well-known bloggers here. Early on blogging was different, no one was about monetizing, instead just having fun, regardless of which platform you used.

      I agree with you that the kindness of bloggers is amazing. In the real world you know people because of genetics or geography, while in blogland it’s all about who you are. And some of us just click.

      Like

  17. For me, writing a blog has always been about enjoying the journey . . . no destination required. 

    Lately, my compulsion to write new blog fodder has been non-existent, but there is a part of me that feels reluctant to pull the plug entirely. 

    I always enjoy reading your blog posts, Ally. Congrats on 20 years!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nancy, I get what you’re saying about the journey. Heaven knows I had no destination in mind when I started blogging, still don’t have one.

      I understand about not having anything new to say yet not wanting to end your blog. It’s a tricky choice in that there’s no right or wrong to it, just a feeling [I presume] of knowing it is time to move on.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. 20 years – wow! Congrats on that. I never dreamt I’d be blogging as long as I have – 11 years, I think? I got hooked on personal blogs, because for the most part they made me laugh. I also really enjoyed seeing the world through someone’s else’s eyes/experience.

    The most positive aspect of blogging for me is the friendships I’ve made and the support I’ve encountered, hands down. I never dreamt I’d meet people in real life from my blog, or that I’d connect with so many people through my blog who I hoped to meet in person some day.

    Hmm, the negative part is I don’t always feel like I have enough time to write my blog (or I have more to say, but feel like my post is already lengthy and by the next post I have something else to chat about. I’m a chatty one, I guess, with lots to say/recap) and I never have enough time to read all the blogs I want to read. I don’t understand when a blogger doesn’t respond to comments. I also sometimes get a sense that someone might leave a comment on my post because they feel obligated, instead of wanting to engage. I’d love for people to comment because they are interested in doing so, not because they feel like it’s a chore.

    You do not come across as a Steve. 😉 Happy blog-versary!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ernie, hey wait… I’m not Steve?!! In the beginning I was Steve, owner of confusion clock. I never knew what I was doing, floundering around.

      I, too, enjoy seeing the world through other people’s eyes and experiences. I know that I’ve learned much along the way, usually in the realm of not judging. Or in how to be a better friend everywhere.

      I don’t have an explanation for why some bloggers don’t reply to comments– or cherry-pick which ones are worthy of reply. It seems counterproductive/insecure to write about your life, leave the comments open, then ignore the people who took the time to pay attention to you. I’ve seen it play out over and over again. Beats me.

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  19. Wow, 20 years congrats! I’m year 7 and it does feel like a long time, but as you’ve mentioned you learn a lot as you go. Great advice, some of which I follow already, others I’ll keep in mind for the future. I like your comment about being kind, there’s a lot of negativity out there so it’s nice not to spread it, although I’m sure at times it’s difficult to hold back. Here’s to 20 more 😊 Maggie

    Liked by 1 person

    • Maggie, 7 years is a long time to write a blog. Congrats. I’ve learned as I’ve gone along and it sounds like you have too. I added the “Be Kind” guideline because I’m tired of people talking smack about everyone who is different than they are. I bite my tongue often enough, feeling it is best to not contribute to negativity.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Very few people last 20 years at anything, so CONGRATULATIONS on making it to the 20 year mark! I’m at year 16. I got started because around 2004-2008, I was part of a message board that went off the rails when someone with Munchausen Syndrome wreaked havoc on the boards. Two of the women I had become close with through private messages started blogs and I followed suit (they are both long gone from the blog world).

    The most surprising positive thing has been the friendships that I never expected to have with strangers. The negative thing is the AWFUL comments I’ve read on some of the blogs I follow. But they are few and far between, thankfully. I expect to either keel over and my blog will end with people not knowing why OR I will realize I am no longer able to keep up with technology and my online presence will slowly fade away, but I will try to say goodbye to any surviving followers.

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    • Bijoux, your entry into blogging is fascinating. I didn’t do much with message boards, but they would make a good place to get the feel for how to blog. I’m glad you’ve been around for as long as you have.

      I agree about the friendships and about the lousy comments. The first I understand and appreciate, but the latter seems immature and passive-aggressive. Haters gotta hate, and all that, but it doesn’t mean I have to take anything they say seriously.

      I hadn’t thought about how eventually technology might become too much for me and that’ll be when I stop blogging. There’s a truth to that idea, I’m not all that into anything dubbed a techie *improvement* ‘cuz they usually ain’t.

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  22. I’m almost there with you; I started on Labor Day weekend 2004. I didn’t think I would be able to keep it up since I was going back to school the next week. Somehow, it became cheap therapy! We met up in the early days of blogging when you were on several different platforms and weren’t yet the Spectacled Bean. I would add to your excellent list that for me, I have to love writing and want to post, rather than feeling I should or any sort of obligation to write in a certain way or on a schedule. To continue to love blogging, I have to write for myself, not for comments, not for attention–just my quiet voice letting others have a glimpse of my life and of me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I knew you started blogging about the same time as I did. You’re right I’ve gotten around in blogland, messing around with different platforms and blog titles. Part of my learning experience.

      I agree that you have to want to post to a personal blog if’n it is going be a comfortable fit in your life. I’ve come to realize that eventually, if people stick with it, everyone finds how to write your blog in a way that floats your boat. Paddle on, sister!

      Like

  23. I’ve been blogging as long as you have and mine grew out of a need to connect with others who were going through the same, life challenges I was at the time…that of a care giver to my disabled husband. I found I had a knack for poking fun at myself and for sharing details of various therapies he was going through. Over the years my life has been through a few reincarnations and with each, a new blog was born. I can’t imagine ending it anytime soon but I did cut down to posting just once a week. I tell my blog followers things no one in my off line life knows.

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    • Jean, your reason for starting your first blog is inspiring. You found the connection and understanding that you needed AND learned that you are a good writer, story teller. I’m glad I found your blog along the way and that I know things your irl acquaintances don’t!

      I only post once a week now, too. Sometimes not even that. I know that like you I can’t imagine ending this blog quite yet, but eventually… it’s going to happen.

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  24. Congratulations! Doing anything for 20 years is significant. And I agree that your blogging guidelines are good living guidelines. 

    I think I started blogging in 2009 or 10. A friend told me I should start one, and so I did. I wrote my own blog for a while, and then in 2011 my partner and I started one together focused on house/life renovation. That one got some traction, and I have blog friends today that I first “met” through that blog. I liked having a particular topic to focus on. I’m not quite sure where I’m at on my blog journey now. It’s not feeling quite right, but that might not be about blogging. I’ll keep keeping on as I have been, maybe trying some things out, until I’m sure about what’s going on.

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    • Rita, you know I hadn’t thought about the fact that doing anything for 20 years is significant. Thanks for pointing that out.

      I didn’t know about your house/life renovation blog, the precursor to the precursor to the blog you have now. You’re another person who, like me, moved your blogging efforts around. I know you’ll find the fit you want so that your blog seems right to you. That’s important.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. I know what you mean about the sense of community that blogging brings. In the past there have been times when I was so frustrated with the changes WordPress was making that I was seriously considering stopping blogging. It was the realization that I would be giving up my blogging friends – my community – that kept me hanging in there to resolve the causes of my frustration. I like your blogging guidelines. Much like what I feel about blogging too.

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  27. Ally, your five basic guidelines are the best I’ve seen anywhere. The bloggers who follow such principles are the ones I seem to gravitate toward and continue reading. While perfect guidelines for blogging, they’re also pretty good directives for life in general.

    It’s been almost six months since I’ve posted on my blog. This fallow time feels right, and may become permanent, but it’s also possible that blogspiration may strike and I’ll resume. Meantime, I’m writing in other cubbies and corners, and for me, right now, it’s the writing that’s important.

    Whether I return to blogging or not, I will continue to read the bloggers who have inspired, entertained, and made me think. So, I’ll see you next time….

    Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, another commenter said the same thing about how these blogging guidelines are also life advice. I hadn’t thought of that before, but am flattered by the idea.

      It’s good to respect yourself and what you need when it comes to blogging. If not posting to your blog is what seems right to you, then carry on not blogging. Returning is always an option.

      I look forward to seeing your comments here so stop by whenever you feel so moved.

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  28. Congratulations on your long and successful journey in blogland!

    I have been doing the bloggy bit for more than 13 years. Mine began as a way to write about narcissism – I had had a bad time of it married to a narcissist for 20 months – but then I switched over to photography (this was what I really wanted to do for fun!) once writing about narcissism had run its course. I don’t yet see an end to blogging but when the time comes I will do a concluding post (if I’m able!).

    I like your five rules and have similar ones. Over the years I’ve immensely enjoyed the connections made here and that’s possible when we have some kind of code to blog by. Your blog is engaging, practical, funny and penetrating. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lynette, 13 years is like *forever* in blogland. I can see how writing about narcissism would be a good subject, but only for so long. I also know that your photographs are wonderful and informative and might make for a better longterm blog theme.

      Thanks for the compliments about this blog. I appreciate them. Like your blog, this blog has changed over time into what it is today. Excellent point about a concluding post… if you’re able. Ain’t that the truth!

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  29. Ally, I started blogging because I wanted to stretch my writing muscles a bit. Since I wound up going in a different career direction from my collegiate journalism education, I wanted to do something creative. Once I started, it became clear in order to have anyone read that creativity besides me, it might be a good idea to “get out there” and see what other folks were blogging about. That’s where the positive blogging surprise comes in – the fact many folks rewarded me for visiting and commenting and subscribing to their site by visiting and commenting and subscribing to mine. The negative surprise would be there are folks who don’t appear to even visit your site no matter how engaged you are on theirs. It is very nice to be back actively posting, and I hope to be able to carve out time to keep the blog active until the end…my end. 😁

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    • Bruce, I didn’t know you were back to blogging so thanks for the heads up. I don’t subscribe to blogs via WP, instead follow them on Feedly, a RSS system. Once Feedly decides your blog is over [6 months without a post], then it’s off the system… until you put it back in.

      I agree that the reciprocity among personal bloggers is wonderful and encouraging. Therein is part of the fun. I also agree that there are some bloggers who are more than happy to receive your comments on their blog posts, but can’t be bothered to visit/read/comment on yours. I don’t know if it is arrogance or shyness or busyness, but it happens and has all the time I’ve been blogging. 🤷‍♀️

      Liked by 1 person

      • Ally, Feedly is brand-new to me. I’m gonna read up on it to see what it’s all about. I have always subscribed to blogs via WP and then just used the WP Reader (no way I can manage emails or alerts). Might be a better way to do the same function in the future. You made an excellent point when you suggested shyness as one reason someone wouldn’t reciprocate, especially when it comes to commenting. That’s a great (and kind) observation, and I suspect that is the case in a few cases. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • You can try Feedly for free and for years I used the free version, but then decided to upgrade so that I could have limitless folders. I keep all the blogs I follow that way, many folders by topics with similar blogs in them, me feeling organized.

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  30. I’m impressed with 20 years! I love your chatty style and wit. I’m 10 years in with my personal blog. I’m surprised at how it’s changed through the years, following my path in life. I discovered blogs I read through comments on my blog, or comments on other people’s blogs.

    As for number five, I learned writing a weekly sports parenting column for SwimSwam for five years that people can be nasty! Parents would unload on me. My column had a link to my blog and I got comments on my blog’s “About” section.

    Here’s one of “those” comments: “Your thoughts and comments on your blog and swimswam are frightening. Swim parents like you are the reason coaches and boards malfunction.”

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    • E.A. Wickham, I, too, am amazed by how much I’ve changed as a blogger over the years. Thanks for the compliment. 10 years is a long time in blogland, you’re doing great.

      SOMEBODY SAID THAT TO YOU?!! Honest to Pete, what is wrong with people. I’ve no doubt your “About” page is not the reason “coaches and boards malfunction.” They manage to do that on their own. What a thing to say… and yet why am I not surprised? I’ve had a few *odd* comments over the years, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Congratulations on being here for 20 years and still managing to make it look easy.

    I started off writing a technical blog about one of the most boring subjects in the universe. I kept trying to make it interesting by sharing stories. I found liked writing and reading stories better than boring stuff. That’s mostly what/whom I follow now – storytellers.

    I’m often surprised when I include something I think I probably shouldn’t but since I like it I do. Then people comment that they like that very thing.

    In a negative way, it doesn’t happen often, but some people can’t resist taking something way too seriously and holding me responsible for something.

    If I get tired of blogging, I think I’ll slow down and then stop. Like a merry-go-round.

    I hope you keep going, Ally.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dan, you know in some ways at this point blogging is easy for me. I have the time and inclination to write, so as long as something blog worthy happens in my life I’m good. Of course there are those other times…

      Storytellers, yes. I’ve had the experience too where I post something for me and it explodes with comments. I also agree that some people are inclined to take everything too seriously, and you can upset someone by writing about the darnedest [harmless] thing. Been there, done that.

      Your merry-go-round analogy is perfect. That’s a smart way to think about how a blog ends. Thanks.

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  32. My 20th blogversary is coming up in September. I think I’m a little more loosey goosey than you are on blog rules, though. I rarely copyedit particularly well and find more typos on my blog than I care to admit!!

    There are so many positives for me in maintaining a blog – the community that has developed around it, the writing skills that allow me to write about things that people in IRL are sick of hearing me talk about, an amazing record of my life for the last two decades, and a clarity of purpose. There are negatives, too – it hurts when there’s a negative comment or criticism and sometimes I spend way too much time on it!! But I think the positives outweigh the negatives by quite a lot. I’ll be writing on my blog until I’m too old to type!

    Liked by 1 person

    • NGS, I knew you’d been blogging for a long time, so am happy to put a number to it. I agree about the community that forms with personal blogging and how interesting it is to look back on who you were, what you did.

      I get negative comments and some that are weirdly passive-aggressive too. I just shrug. In fact at this point shrugging seems like the best/easiest way to deal with any possible negativity.

      I love knowing when your blog will end and have to wonder if that’ll be the same for me. Can’t type, no more bloggy.

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  33. Congrats on 20 years!! I started reading some blogs written by Grandmothers and joined in. What has surprised me most in a positive way are the nice people I’ve met both bloggers and readers. I’ve only had one negative experience on a blog with the writer and another person commenting. I learned a lesson to never reply to anything political. It’s just not worth the hassle. When it’s time to end it, I’ll probably just hit the ‘private’ button and let it sit there for a while.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Judy, what a fascinating way to start blogging. It makes sense and I’m glad you’ve expanded a bit to include the rest of us. I suspect that anyone who has been around blogland for a while has had a few negative commenting experiences. There are some wackos out there.

      I like your idea of hitting private, then just walking away from it. A simple way to end your blog.

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  34. Cheers to you and other blogging dinosaurs who have survived the test of time … and thanks for sharing 5 wonderful points. So true! I started on Blogger with a specialty blog in Sept 2005 … kept it for 3 years. In late Aug 2008, I came to WP with an eclectic blog (a multitude of topics) – and kept it regularly for for 11+ years. I resurfaced at BWR after 8 months, a blog that is only weekly – specific in terms of style – eclectic in terms of topics.

    I chuckle thinking of blogging as crack. It can consume us in many ways. At least I was able to kick the habit. After all, I don’t want to burden readers or myself – but it took a long time to figure that out.

    Some followed me and have stayed – others followed and dropped off – others come and go – etc. I used to take it personally, but not any more. After all, not every type of blog is for every reader.

    Oh well … thanks for the topic and letting me blab a bit.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Frank, your route to your current blog makes sense to me. You and I like many longtime bloggers dabbled here and there with platforms, tried a variety of blog styles, then landed where we are now. I like your weekly approach with eclectic topics. Of course I do the same thing here, I show up reliably, but am random about what I write about.

      I think you’re onto something with your idea that blogging can be crack. Never thought of that before. I was MUCH more into blogging in the early years, and during the lockdown phase of the pandemic, but now… I show up when I can, not because I need to.

      Yep, I take little personally when it comes to who follows along and who doesn’t. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, nor do I want to be.

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  38. Yikes, I thought I had been blogging a long time. Hmmm. my first posts were around November 2007, when I was participating in NaNoWriMo. I recall WordPress as being very quiet back then, my posts dropping into a void for the most part. After a couple of years, I stopped writing but kept the blog and then resumed in February 2013.

    Q1. Thinking about personal blogs in general, how’d did you get hooked on them?
    A1. When I resumed blogging in 2013, WordPress had made improvements that made it easier to connect with others. I got accepted into a group of writers who liked collaborating, and that forced me to study other blogs. I eventually left the group (I am so *not* a group-oriented person), but I’m still good friends with one of the writers. I’d say that first experience—of collaborating with other writers–is what got me hooked. It was fun. I met a lot of interesting and nice and talented writers.

    Q2. If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger?
    A2. Frankly, that people seem to like my writing. Most of the time I’m just blogging, but occasionally I’ve shared poetry or fiction and have received positive feedback.

    Q3. And what has surprised you the most in a negative way?
    A3. That people can still be manipulative and petty and just all-around bad sports. I’ve managed to avoid getting entangled, but a couple of times I’ve observed the slow-motion train wreck of vindictive pettiness. It’s disappointing what some people will do to get attention.

    Q4. If you write a personal blog, when the time comes to end it how will you do that?
    A4. In case of emergency, what I’d want to do is provide my husband with my WP credentials and set up a “see you on the other side” post that he can send out. He’s quite anti-social media, though, so I’m not sure if he’d follow through. (Also, depending on circumstances, it could be a lot to ask of him.) If I’m still alive when the time comes, I will send out one last post. I know some people might think it’s unnecessary to announce one’s departure, but I know that I worry about my blogging friends when they don’t write for a long stretch. And when I did have a lull in blogging a few years ago, a few blogging friends emailed me to make sure I was all right. So, to respect their friendship, I think the least I should do is send out one last post. But how will I know when it’s time?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marie, your path to how you became a blogger rings true with me. Like you for me it was one of those start, then stop, then restart things. I wasn’t on WP at first, didn’t know it existed, but I did goof off on Blogger and then Typepad.

      Fascinating how collaborating got you hooked on blogging. I did NaNoBloPo back in the day but nothing more than that when it came to group activities.

      Your positive is wonderful, while your negative is disheartening. I agree with you, of course. There can be a petty feeling to how some bloggers do their thing. Sad, really.

      I’ve thought the same thing about how I’ll end this blog. I’d ask Z-D to make sure there was one last post IF such a situation arose. I think he’d follow through. But as for those lost bloggers who are just gone, I wouldn’t want anyone to feel like they were abandoned so if needs be I like how you said it: to respect their friendship, I think the least I should do is send out one last post.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Oh goodness, 20 years? Wow. And to think I’ve ‘known’ you for most of that time! I came into blogging because my friends were doing it and I followed them. Then they all moved on and I didn’t, so here I am.

    I suspect that my blog will die with a whimper someday. I’ll be on a lull and not posting, my current blog friends will have all quit and no one will be coming around anymore, and then one day I’ll try to get in there to post and something will be broken, and I’ll say, ‘eh, never mind’ and just let it go. Every time I’ve come close to shutting down, that’s been the scenario. I think you and Nance are what kept me going for awhile there!

    Liked by 1 person

    • J, I didn’t know your friends were blogging so you did too. That’s cool, especially the part where you are still here.

      I see your blog ending scenario playing out for me, also. I’ll show up, WP will have again *ruined* something easy, and I’ll give up. I’m flattered to think I was one of some who kept you going in blogland. We old-timers have to stick together!

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  41. Wow! Congratulations on this milestone, Ally! That’s great! To answer your questions, I’ve been surprised by how many great people (like you) I’ve met through writing a blog. The negative aspect of writing a blog is the sheer amount of spam I’ve had to wade through. As for ending it, I dunno how that will occur. That probably doesn’t answer your question. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • L. Marie, I’m with you about the great people and I, too, get lots of spam. Sometimes I get rather sad about it because some spammers say nice things! The ending question is one that lingers on the edges of my mind at this point.

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  42. I love your great wisdom – especially, ” I’ve come to realize that writing this blog keeps my brain clicking and my heart open. Also, my no-fuss approach to blogging means it is, for the most part, fun.”

    And your guidelines? So good – and I mean that in a clear, authentic, and kind way! So grateful to have met you, Ally!

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Thinking about personal blogs in general, how’d did you get hooked on them? I got hooked by reading them. And then got started by thinking, I could do that; with no real thought or intent behind it.

    If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger? And what has surprised you the most in a negative way? The people I’ve “met” along the way; which I truly didn’t expect. They are the kindest, most supportive and fabulous people and I love them dearly. As for the negative – well, luckily for me, I haven’t come across any negatives – at least on my blog. But I understand there are some pretty nasty trolls out there and I’ve been fortunate enough to have avoided them.

    If you write a personal blog, when the time comes to end it how will you do that? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m sure nine times out of ten people start wondering “Whatever happened to Gigi?” right before I actually get around to posting something. I am, without a doubt, the world’s most sporadic blogger. But I don’t know that I want it to end. So if it does come to end; well…that will a surprise for all of us; including me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Gigi, I like your approach to blogging, no thought or intent sounds like me when I started.

      I agree that the people I’ve met are the best part of blogging. I’m pleased that you’ve avoided any encounters with trolls or haters. That seems significant.

      I’m smiling at your answer to the last question. Sporadic blogging is good, keeps people on their toes about what might be up with you. A surprise ending has a good ring to it, might end up being the same for me.

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  44. I think, along with Steve, that we’re all pantsers when we first start blogging. How fabulous you’re still at it after 20 years. Congratulations!!🎉🎈🍾
    While I’m a bit irregular these days, and no longer participating in the 52 Ancestors prompts, I have no intention of giving it up. Even after publishing a couple books, the blog is still my favorite place to publish.
    As others have mentioned the community found here is so wonderful! When I take the occasional break, I miss it so much.
    Your blogging tips are spot on and succinct. All bloggers should pay heed!

    Like

    • Eilene, hear, hear. Yay Steve! Pantster is right but eventually, if we are determined, we find our way in blogland. I’m encouraged that you’re going to continue blogging. I find that the community aspect of it, plus the ability to be your own writer/editor/publisher, keeps blogging fun and easily accessible.

      I take breaks and like you when I’m gone too long I begin to long for the connections, wonder what’s up with people. So I come back, just don’t know for how much longer. Eventually this will have to end.

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  45. First question- All of the blogs I frequent, are genuine, written by good people, and for the most part, have a positive beat, rather than whiny snark. Biggest surprise was the number of genuine friends that it has generated, several (7) whom I have met in real life. Last question is hard to answer. I think I will pull the plug rather than let it sit there inactive, I know I will reach out to my regulars and give them the heads up, make sure I have a way to stay in touch. 20 years…kudo’s to you. This is year # 17 for me. I can still remember the feelings of when I pushed the “publish” button for the first time. Surreal, sense of power, able to speak to the whole world.. It still amazes me.

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    • DM, 17 years for you! Yay. I remember hitting the publish button for the first time, too. You’re right: Surreal, sense of power, able to speak to the whole world. I couldn’t believe what I was doing was actually what I was doing. Now it seems old hat, and that’s a shame.

      We all have our off moments but I’m with you about focusing on bloggers with a positive vibe, overall. And about avoiding whiny folks who are obsessed with what is wrong with the world, questioning every little thing. Too tedious for me.

      Hoping that when you finally end your blog I’ll be on your list of regulars to keep in contact with. 🤓

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  46. Have a personality and have the gumption to use it.–Love that. And the razzle dazzle line. First, I started blogging to share funny parenting stories that I thought I would one day compile into a book. Not exactly what happened. Now I blog because I have personal stories that I think are too fun or entertaining to keep to myself, sort of like when you read a good book or watch a great movie and feel you ought to share it with others. But probably the number one reason I continue to blog and read others’ blogs is the friendships I’ve built and want to maintain. I’m glad you’re one of those BBs, AB. 🙂

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    • Betsy, the personality and gumption line is something I said to someone who asked me how to write a blog with personality. He was being sincere and he loved my [flippant?] reply. Since then I’ve said it again… because it is true.

      I didn’t know your blog stories about parenting were intended to be a book. Many bloggers started personal blogs, hoping to use them as a stepping stone. When I started writing my first blog I was clueless about anything involving how you get a book deal. Then once I learned the deets I said “no way.” It’s more fun to be a blogger with friends than an author with an agent. I cannot imagine I could do both.

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  47. Congratulations on 20 years of blogging Ally – that is quite a milestone. I don’t think I know any other fellow bloggers with that many blogging years under their belt.

    I started my blog to appease my neighbor/friend Marge who kept forwarding me posts of blogs she subscribed to. So I never did it for myself. And I’ve mentioned before that blogging never took off for four and one-half years … just a few friends who subscribed. After Marge passed away, blogging took off when bloggers subscribed and I began to feel the warmth of the blogging community.

    That warmth of the blogging community is genuine – the longer you are blogging with the same people, who often appear on other’s blogs you follow, it seems like one big happy family. It has been a positive experience for me.

    I archive all my posts (which I write in Word) along with my photos and they are on a flash drive – I have done that since day #1, although I often wonder if WP would go belly-up and cease to exist, would I really want to go to another platform? I admit that as much as I love blogging, I would not use those archived pics and narratives to start anew on another platform. Now that seems odd to say that since I enjoy blogging so much.

    I just turned 68 and I don’t plan to shut this blog down anytime soon, but have made plans for a future blog title by reserving another domain name (as I mentioned to you previously). That is in case I incorporate other things into my blog eventually … not sure when that would be, but I am interested in taking some art classes next year and am hoping to incorporate some nature sketches into my blog (if they are good enough, i.e. once I master animal stick figures).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, I’m as amazed as anyone about how long I’ve been at this blogging thing. I didn’t start with a clear end goal, just started to see if I could write a blog. Guess I can.

      You said: That warmth of the blogging community is genuine… it seems like one big happy family. I agree and am surprised by it.

      I used to archive everything I wrote and all my images that went with the posts, but then decided to stop. If WP ends, I might go elsewhere, I might not. And if I did go elsewhere I wouldn’t republish what I’d written here. I’d start anew.

      I look forward to seeing if you start your other blog and if you share your sketches where you are now or there. Blogging is whatever you want it to be.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I do back up my blog regularly (after each post I prepare), but I can no longer back up the photos, but I’d have to think twice about republishing now 1,933 posts. I agree with you – I would like that option to take my blog in a different direction down the road to keep it fresh.

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  48. This post has only been up a day and already there are over 110 comments. This indicates you have hit the right spot, Ally. Your followers don’t just write, <Nice post> – they actually engage in a conversation with you, if they are so inclined. This is what a successful and satisfying blog looks like in my opinion – and it is something blogs on this platform offer that many other platforms don’t.

    The blogger community that intersects and overlaps here and there in the blogosphere has been a joyful surprise to me and what got me hooked, besides it being an act of expression. I have learned so much from other bloggers, and I feel like where the mainstream media is generally negative, blogland is fun and, by and large, positive. It is also a way to obtain information directly from the horse’s mouth without the influence of big business and their pecuniary interests.

    I was criticized by a follower recently for “kicking the research can down the road,” in a post- but I feel she missed the point of my post. This was one of the very negatives I have received in 14 years of blogging, and whilst her complaint had some merit, it highlighted to me the power we relinquish when our published words are misinterpreted by a reader.

    I am blogging less lately, as writing professionally takes up more and more of my time. Ironically, it was my blog that led me to a job as a writer and reducing my blogging posts.

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    • Amanda, I hadn’t thought about how WP’s design makes it easy to incorporate comments as part of each post. You just toss them on the end here by allowing comments. You’re right that some platforms [I’m glaring at you Substack] make it almost impossible to comment on posts. 

      Like you I’ve learned so much from other bloggers who share their stories, their lives, and do so in a compelling way. I like the overall positivity in our corner of blogland, even when someone is whining they’re do so for a valid reason. 

      I’m laughing about your commenter who didn’t like your lack of research. I’ve had the same thing happen and told the guy something like: “my dude, this is a personal blog with my rules & I feel no need to do exhaustive research.” I then invited him to do more research, write a post on his blog, and I’d go read what he wrote. FUNNY THING, I never heard from him again. 😁

      I like the irony of you starting a personal blog then getting a job as a writer because of it, only to find you don’t have the time to blog. Life’s a pip, sometimes!

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      • You mentioned Substack, I haven’t heard of that platform but won’t bother looking at it now. I am happy with Wpress atm, so there’s no need to change. I found Blogger hard to navigate – it didn’t seem to encourage interaction between blogs so I switched. A friend in Norway had a wordpress blog so that is why I started here. So glad I did. Meeting up with people you have great conversations with irl is kind of cool.
        As for your approach with the other blogger, you are right. Your blog, your rules. They have the right to read or scroll on to another blog… why leave a reprimanding comment?

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  50. Bom Diggity is right! 20 years is amazing! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your wisdom in your guidelines.

    Thinking about personal blogs in general, how’d did you get hooked on them? I guess it happened naturally, but I don’t really remember. I got hooked on personal blogs with great storytelling and humor, and the comments would lead me to find other blogs.

    If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger? And what has surprised you the most in a negative way? A positive surprise is the warm, caring blogging community. Another positive surprise is that I really enjoy writing my blog. A negative surprise was how complicated it was to use WordPress.org.

    If you write a personal blog, when the time comes to end it how will you do that? My preference would be to announce it and give the reasons why when the time comes. I like closure. Of course, sometimes things happen! Technology is getting more and more complicated for me, and I can just see making some mistake, and poof, my blog is gone!

    🔹

    Liked by 1 person

    • Michelle, interesting how you just found blogging and got hooked. I agree that story telling and commenters are what make personal blogs compelling.

      Your positive and negative are spot on to how I think, too. The community is supportive, while the technology that makes platforms run is off-putting.

      Laughing about how your blog might end. Hit the wrong button and it is gone. I know a blogger who did that. Talk about being ticked off. She came back though, explained herself, and carried on. Still… 🫤

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  51. Like just about everyone, the best – and very unexpected – thing about blogging is the community. Last night, I counted 14 bloggers that I’ve met IRL and I hope to meet a few more soon. And you know what? Each one has been exactly as I expected. What that tells me is that it’s hard to hide our real selves behind a blog. I guess some try, but it is pretty obvious to their readers.

    I’ve been blogging for over ten years now. I’ve slowed down lately (not sure why) but I don’t have plans to stop. I’m enjoying it too much 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janis, it’s encouraging that the bloggers you’ve met have been who you thought they’d be. No deception makes me smile. I agree that it’d be difficult to hide who you are if you write a blog for any length of time. I couldn’t keep up a facade, that’s for sure.

      Sometimes slowing down is what you need to do to keep your blog fresh. I started as a daily blogger, now I’m weekly… sometimes even less. 🙄

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  52. Congratulations Ally for blogging 20 years, that’s real commitment. Though having said that, time goes so fast and blogging becomes part of our lives, it’s as natural a thing to do as send a friend a text to see how they are 🙂 Well for me it is and I’ve only being doing it for around 7 years.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, you raise a good point. While 20 years is a long time, it also has flown by because blogging has become part of my life, seamlessly fitting in to my days. 7 years is a long time to keep blogging, btw. Congrats!

      Liked by 1 person

  55. I just received my congratulatory bot-message from WordPress this week; I’ve been at it for sixteen years at The Task at Hand. I’m not sure about Lagniappe, but I’m too lazy to go look. Maybe four years. At any rate, I like your guidelines. I’ve only had one: be personal, but not confessional. In a way, that at least implies a good bit of what you mentioned in regard to your five. There’s no distinction between my person and my blog ‘persona.’ What you see is what you get, although many of my best stories never will see the light of day because (a) they’re truly personal, and (b) most of them are better told on a front porch with a drink in hand.

    As for ending my blogs, the only thing I’ve considered is writing a farewell post and giving my password to a friend who can post it once I’m dead and gone. Of course, the operative word there is ‘considered.’ I’ve got too much going on to think about stopping — in any sense!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, I’ve no doubt that you are in real life exactly who you are in your blog. Great advice: be personal, but not confessional. Would that more people adhered to it. 16 years is a very long time in blogland, but you realize that. Congrats.

      I take your point about considering the possibility of having a farewell post ready… just in case. I know that it seems like blogs can go on forever, but there are times when I wonder if it might be better to just end it with a definite good bye while I’m still here. No decision, just thinking out loud.

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  56. Happy 20th anniversary! That’s a big milestone! You were blogging before blogging was cool and you’ve kept it up through all these ups and downs. I’m so happy you did. You bring a little burst of colour to my life!

    Thinking about personal blogs in general, how’d did you get hooked on them? I was super lonely being at home with two tiny kids, and it made me feel less alone.

    If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger? And what has surprised you the most in a negative way? I think the most positive thing is all the friendships I have made over the years. And negative – there isn’t much any more, but remember when people used to “hate read” things? I don’t notice it much these days, it’s probably moved to something else rather than blogs, but I do remember nasty comments.

    If you write a personal blog, when the time comes to end it how will you do that? Oh gosh, I have no idea, Ally. Maybe I’ll just write my blog until I drop dead or WordPress drops dead, whichever comes first.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicole, I’m flattered that you think I’m colorful. I take that as a good thing, wouldn’t want to be considered beige!

      I can imagine how blogging would be a great way to connect with adults when you were at home with little kids. I remember thinking that blogs were wonderful because they were available to me 24/7… at my leisure… not on someone else’s schedule.

      I do remember those “hate read” things and didn’t take them seriously. I’m hardly a Pollyanna but I also refuse to go negative on the world.

      Excellent point about how WP could drop dead before our desire to blog wanes. We’ll have to wait and see who goes first. 😉

      Like

  57. First off, Ally, your blog is da bomb. Always fresh, interesting, witty, & informative. As a blogger, I’m only 4 years in, and still a newbie. I started writing my blog because it was becoming impossible to control all of the observational narrative and commentary that was constantly swirling through my mind. I had to let it out somewhere. I am pleasantly surprised there is an audience who will read my blog. And, for some reason, I get quite giddy when people from around the world check it out; that I have an international audience. What? My disappointment is just in myself–not having or making time to engage as much with other bloggers as I would like. I don’t feel like I always reciprocate appropriately–still figuring out how to juggle my blogging ‘responsibilities’ without getting sucked into an all-day deep dive into the internet. But, I always enjoy reading other people’s perspectives, articles, and comments. Not sure how or when I will end my blog, but I’m thinking I will go out in a blaze of glory.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Gwen, you said it about “becoming impossible to control all of the observational narrative and commentary that was constantly swirling through my mind.” I felt the same way when I first started blogging, I needed to unload my feelings about stuff. It can be healthy.

      I know what you mean about having a worldwide readership. I still find it difficult to reciprocate comments with everyone who follows me. I want to read more of what people write, but like you said it can be a full day of being sucked into blogland. In the winter that’s great, but the rest of the year it’s about balance while I go off to live my real life.

      Going out in a blaze has a wonderful ring to it. I’ll keep that idea in mind, should I pull the plug on this blog.

      Liked by 1 person

  58. “As with everything in life, your mileage may vary.” Oh yeah, so true, Ms Bean! Congrats on 2 decades of evolutionary blogging.
    I am in the process of migrating my website and once again wondered, “Do I really want to do this?” So many aspects are such a huge pain…but then when my website became broken due to issues with the host I’m migrating from and I could not access anything through no fault of my own – I realized I could not pull the plug on posting yet.
    My mileage is reaching the 11 year mark – so we’re roughly in the same generation of bloggers, if you include my history with internet forums/lists during the 90s.
    Congrats – you’re doing it **your** way and succeeding!
    😎

    Liked by 1 person

    • Laura, I didn’t realize you were moving your blog from point A to point B and that sounds like a BIG DEAL. I am pleased to know the experience is helping you understand that your blog is important to you now. But what a thing, eh?

      I agree that we’re in the same generation of bloggers. Anyone who has been messing around online in forums since the ’90s is old school. You didn’t happen to be in GeoCities, did you? I was there in the late ’90s.

      Liked by 1 person

      • No, mine were mostly related to music EarlyMusic, LuteList, cggroup, contemporarycomposersforum, etc (can’t remember their true list names anymore, sorry) – and I might add in those days, kibitzing with the ‘names’ in the business was part of the cool camaraderie in those places! At least in the ones I was a part of. Plus, only moderated forums for me, please!
        GeoCities looked like fun, though!
        😉

        Liked by 1 person

  59. Congratulations on 20 years. That’s a big deal.

    When you find out how you’ll know It’s Time, do let me know. Every so often, I’ve thought that it might be, but I come back, and the reason for that is murky as well. Maybe it’s just as simple as Writers Write, which is the reason I started.

    (Can you ever imagine Not Having Anything To Say? Oh, the horror.)

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nance, thank you. I’ve thought about how to end this blog, any blog, since I realized that I’ve been at blogging for 20 years and that seemed like a long time [because it is]. Murky, that is a good word for my motivations too.

      I’m still here so as long as blogging is fun enough and I have something to say, I’m staying. Still there will be an end to this sometime…

      Like

  60. Congrats on twenty years! And your tips were spot on. Personally, I was most pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get to know other bloggers, and how nice and interesting they are. I was unpleasantly surprised by how, when I first started my blog, a few of my friends told me they weren’t going to be reading it…..

    Liked by 1 person

  61. Thinking about personal blogs in general, how’d did you get hooked on them?

    I actually stumbled upon an article back in 2001 about this new trend. Intrigued, I started a blog of my own…and haven’t stopped since.

    If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger? And what has surprised you the most in a negative way?

    Positive: the enduring friendships I have made through blogging. I’ve met up with a dozen and a half bloggers, dined with them, vacationed with them, even married them.

    Negative: the few who have been total douche nozzles. Luckily, it’s been a very few.

    If you write a personal blog, when the time comes to end it how will you do that?

    When I die.

    Like

    • Mark, I remember reading an article about blogs at about the time you did and realizing I’d seen some around but didn’t know what they were. Like you, once I started my first one I was hooked.

      You’ve met a lot of bloggers and I am pleased to know they were positive experiences. I didn’t know you met Tara via blogging. As for the douche nozzles who blog and cause trouble… they happen and I figure make the good sincere bloggers seem even more wonderful. 

      You have a clear idea of when you’ll end your blog! Some of us are a little less certain.  

      Liked by 1 person

  62. Hi Ally – I so enjoy your blogging advice blog posts! Your words of wisdom are inspiring. 

    Thinking about personal blogs in general, how’d did you get hooked on them? (My youngest daughter encouraged me to start a blog when my mom passed away and said daughter was about to leave me with an empty nest. She was the one to say, “Mom, didn’t you know that you have to go read and comment on other blogs in order to get into the blogging thing?”)

    If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger? And what has surprised you the most in a negative way? (The answer is the same, the community of other bloggers – the friends and the foes). 

    If you write a personal blog, when the time comes to end it how will you do that? (My first blog was the most freeing blog (on Blogger), I left it behind to go big with my 2nd blog title on WP, and my current blog is the one I spent the most $ to have and the most time trying to make work within the WP.org WP.com arena so I’ve stuck with it because it was a HUGE hassle to get it to the mess it is currently in and I now need to fix again. Sorry, that doesn’t answer your question…🤣) Guess I’m not ready to throw in the blogging towel yet. Plus, I’d miss the blogging buddies like you if I did! 

    Liked by 1 person

    • Shelley, your youngest daughter is a wise girl! I’m glad you paid attention to what she said.

      Yes, there are friends in blogland and there are foes. I get what you’re saying there. I hang with friends, ignore the foes.

      You’ve been through a few iterations of yourself as a blogger. I started on Blogger, too. I also went onto to other platforms but never tried WP.org. I know you’ve been having difficulties with your blog and that sucks. I’m glad you’re going to continue on with blogging despite your current problems. Not time for you to end your blog quite yet!

      Liked by 1 person

  63. Ah, yes, she’s a wise girl and loves to encourage her mom to do brave things. 

    I had forgotten that you had a Blogger blog too. It sure was easy to start a blog on that platform when I gave it a whirl. 

    Your comment on my blog about your WP frustrations helped me realize that my lack of the WP.com functionality (aka, Reader) will add to the labor of love for my current situation. I have to go to a new level of trying to discover where comments go or how to find out how to monitor comments. For example, your like of my comment here on your blog only shows up as a reply in an email to me that I need to click on to come back and see what your reply on your blog was. Can you imagine being a newbie blogger and not knowing all the nuances and hoops it takes to communicate with our beloved blogging friends?  Oy! 

    Thank you for persevering too, you’re a treasure to the blogging community! PS – congrats on 20 years of doing so! 🏆💐💖

    Liked by 1 person

    • You’re right about how complicated it is to use any blogging platform now. Blogger was ezpz to understand and, within the context of that timeframe, reliable.

      That’s how you get informed of replies to your comments, via email? Then you have to return here? I pretty much stick with the desktop version of WP and stand in front of my computer for all things bloggy. No email. I get into my account and see who has commented &/or replied &/or liked something. I never use my cell phone for blogging but occasionally use my iPad with Jetpack… whatever the heck that is.

      Thanks for the compliment. I still feel a little weird about how long I’ve been blogging, but also don’t see any reason to stop… so ever onward.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I miss the ezpz days. 

        Yes, in the current state of my blog, the only way I know that you liked or commented back on a comment I shared on yours or any other blog is to see the ‘like’ email and the reply comment can be seen via clicking on the button/link in the email. I sent you an email in case my reply here doesn’t make sense. 

        I’m a at my PC blogger too. My occupational lenses/glasses work best at my computer. 😉😊

        Yay for forever onward – your presence here is one of the best things about the overall blogging experience! 

        Like

        • I can’t solve your wacko commenting problem but I can say I appreciate you commenting here, in spite of how ridiculously difficult it is for you to do so. And I appreciate you continuing to write your blog so I can see what you’re up to. 😊

          Liked by 1 person

          • Aw, Ally, your years of blogging experience have given you the gift of being able to wisely discern and know that blogging issues are just part of the game here in WP! Thank you for your patience and encouragement with me and my blogging blunders and my blog posting too. I’m getting closer to figuring out commenting (albeit slowly). I just discovered how to find this comment in my feed on my blog that I thought I had lost! 😊

            Liked by 1 person

  64. If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger? I was so surprised by the amount of true friendships blogging has given me. I’ve met many in person, or chatted on the phone/email/texting; these are real relationships.

    And what has surprised you the most in a negative way? That some people are so small minded and can’t see other peoples views. (Generally this is politically motivated and I don’t want any part of it)

    Congratulations on keeping a blog up this long my friend! In a world where people come and go, (usually because of boredom or no attention span) you’ve persevered!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suz, just about everyone who has answered has said that blogging has lead to some real relationships and that this was unexpected.

      I know what you mean about small-mindedness. Some people cannot, or intentionally will not, see other people’s points of view. Like there is only black or white, no shades of gray allowed.

      Thanks for the compliment. I didn’t set out to blog this long, but now that I have I feel it’s a good thing. I’ve learned loads along the way, about myself and about others.

      Liked by 1 person

  65. Congrats on the milestone. Your final question makes me think you might be taking down the shingle of The Spectacled Bean and I hope not as your posts are funny and sometimes sassy and seem to go down like a cold beer on a hot day. As to your questions you pose. Well I started a house move/restoration blog back in 2006 and if I didn’t post the link on Facebook very often friends would say “you aren’t writing often enough, what’s up” so because I didn’t want to muddy the house story I decided to start my own personal blog. I think that was 2011 but I am not sure. The surprising thing — is that very few of those IRL friends ever hit follow and when WP made it difficult (a few years ago) to link to FB they just all faded away and never read it again (unless I now cross link it which I do occasionally but not very often as I dislike FB a lot). The great surprise is that I eventually found a community on here and they (including you) are awesome people. I actually started a third blog called 3six5snap where I did daily photos and haikus and while i don’t have much of a community there I like the “record”. How to end it — hm. Well I follow an 80+ year old quilter in The Maritimes and when she doesn’t post for a while I always wonder if she’s ok. So I think, perhaps like my professional job, that when the time comes I will do a post and walk away so that people don’t wonder if I am ok. But hey I can’t even seem to pull the plug on work at 65 so I could still be here in another 30 years blathering on. OK – you asked and I answered! I think that is the best lesson I have learned from your blog and Donna — ask a question at the end and try to engage your audience. That and a catchy title. Bernie

    Like

    • Bernie, this is just about the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me about this blog: your posts are funny and sometimes sassy and seem to go down like a cold beer on a hot day. I can do no better than that. Thank you. At the moment I plan on staying around blogland longer, but at some point it’ll be over. It has to be.

      I understand your aversion to FB. I’m not there, but it is disappointing that your friends wanted to know more about your house story then didn’t bother to read what you wrote on your blog. People are not always sincere.

      I tend to think that when the time comes, if I am able, I’ll have a formal goodbye post. Many commenters have said they’ll just fade away, but I’d not want anyone to worry about where I’d gone. Maybe that’s just me, us.

      For a long time I resisted putting questions at the end of posts, but eventually got over myself when a few people told me how much they liked the questions. Even if the questions were a bit goofy. So on most posts I ask questions now, unless I’m not in the mood to ask.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Yes I definitely think an “end” is preferable to just fading away. The original house blog will become an actual book, perhaps next winter. We want to record our efforts. 2 copies, one to stay when we sell and 1 to go with us. My main blog, perhaps I will print some of it, for my grandchildren. I have loved every minute of crafting those words, which is why I write. Thanks for being there to read.

        Liked by 1 person

  66. Hmm.. how did I get hooked on personal blogs? For a long time, I was only reading infertility blogs. I was in college at the time so not planning on kids for a VERY LONG TIME, but I was fascinated by them. And then I got a comment on one of my posts from someone my age who wrote a personal blog and found a whole new world of blogging!

    Surprised in the most positive way: The connections I’ve formed through blogging! Some of my dearest friends I met through blogging.

    Surprised in a negative way: The mean comments people will leave – and they are ALWAYS anonymous.

    I don’t want to think about ending my blog! It’s so precious to me. I will say that I never imagined I’d still be blogging (I’m in my late mid-30s) but I have so many blog friends who are older than me and still blogging, so it gives me hope that I will, too!

    Like

    • Stephany, I’m convinced that personal bloggers find each other through the comment sections, like your experience. I’ve done blogging challenges, and they were fun, but the people I met through them [for the most part] vanished after the challenge was over.

      Just about every commenter has said that it’s the connections with other bloggers that have been the surprise. I understand that. I also adore your observation about the negative surprise: The mean comments people will leave – and they are ALWAYS anonymous. True dat 🤨

      I know that no matter what your age you can write a blog. In fact that’s part of why I think it’s so cool. It’s not about your generation, it’s about your attitude and willingness to reach out to other people.

      Like

  67. Very helpful guidelines. I agree with all of them, especially about being authentic. If you’re not yourself then why bother to make the effort?

    I started my blog out of anger, re: alimony issues. I pivoted quickly because I didn’t want it to be a negative experience (“Be kind” as you suggest). By following other bloggers, I learned there’s a whole world of possibilities to discuss. That’s also the positive — so many different topics to explore. The negative for me is stopping myself from saying the same things over and over (i.e. being repetitive). I think about ending my blog quite a bit, but I’m wondering if I haven’t because I don’t how to do it! 😆 – Marty

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marty, I suppose some people put on a personality when they write their blogs, but I’m too lazy to do that. I lean into authentic.

      I didn’t know why you started your blog, but it makes sense. I adore the various ways in which bloggers present themselves and what they’re interested in. I’m with you in that I consider variety a positive. I hear you about being not being repetitive, I feel that way, too. I want to keep this fresh but I don’t live a wildly exciting life so I repeat myself.

      I’m smiling about you not knowing how to end your blog. I’ve no answer which is why I asked the question. There hasn’t been a consensus about what to do though. 🤷‍♀️

      Liked by 1 person

  69. 20 years! Wowz and Congrats, Ally!

    I’m approaching year 8. I’m not sure I underestimated how long I’d be here. I just didn’t think. I jumped in the pool and kept on swimming.

    If I were to quit, I would probably second guess my decision and post more sporadically…twice a month…then once a month…

    I like that you’re here—showing us how.

    Like

    • Crystal, 8 years of blogging is a long time in blogland. Congrats to you, too. I get what you’re saying about second-guessing my decision IF I was going to quit. That sounds like me, too. Another blogger, Dan, mentioned slowing down how often he’d post, like a merry-go-round coming to a halt. I like that metaphor.

      Liked by 1 person

  70. Two decades? Amazing! Congratulations! I’m at 5.5 and already I’ve seen so many blogs go under. With one exception (a random guy who took the time to write me a long email saying how I should change the name of my blog because people might get confused and think I was an actual architect and how in some states that might be illegal because it could be considered impersonation or falsely portraying myself yadda yadda yadda…) everyone has been so nice on the blog. I haven’t experienced “tetchy” yet. What has surprised me the most is how many bloggers I’ve met in real life in just those 5.5 years of blogging. I just completed my 7th meet-up and I’ve had meet-ups in 4 countries on 3 continents and this summer I’ll add a meet-up on a new continent. I NEVER imagined that when I started this writing hobby. Not really any negatives, other than sometimes it can be stressful keeping up the reading of others’ blogs when I get behind when life gets busy. No idea how I’ll end it – I can’t see that far down the road. Congrats again, Ally.

    Like

    • The Travel Architect, I had no idea how long you’d been blogging so long and am glad we connected along the way. You’ve met a lot of people irl, too. Very cool.

      Your random email guy sounds like a froot loop first class. What an odd thing for a stranger to worry about. Lovely of him to mansplain to you how what you were doing was wrong. He knew things, right? 🙄

      I agree with you: it can be stressful keeping up the reading of others’ blogs. I find that, too, and do my best to check in at least once a week with my bloggy friends, but there are weeks when I just can’t. Always hope people understand that real life sometimes has to trump blogland. 

      Liked by 1 person

      • Yes, he was a froot loop. Good description. I had a very long and eloquent response ready in my head that explained all the reasons his ideas were wacko, but the husband talked me down and told me not to engage. Good advice that I’m glad I took (if a little unsatisfying that I didn’t get to eviscerate him with my arguments).
        Once a week? Wow. If I get even 3 days behind (and I often do) I’m snowed under trying to catch up. However, I now give myself permission to skip blog-reading entirely when I’m traveling. (I didn’t in my earlier blogging days.) Like you, I hope my blog buddies understand.

        Like

        • While I’m sorry that you didn’t get to eviscerate the guy because that would have been fun to read, I’m sure your husband was right about not engaging but dang. 

          I wasn’t clear. I follow lots of bloggers, some post twice a year, some post twice a day, and everything in-between. A few years ago I decided that I’d read at least one thing everyone wrote each week. I check into blogland almost daily to see who has said what, but usually only comment once a week unless time permits more interaction. Makes sense?  

          Liked by 1 person

          • Oh, got it. That makes much more sense. That’s a good plan. Other than Rivergirl, I only follow people who post once a week or less. I never considered your idea. Hmmm… next time I see someone I think I’d like to follow, I may not discount them out of hand if they happen to be frequent posters. Thanks, Ally!

            Liked by 1 person

  73. Congratulations, friend. I am so excited to hear it’s also your 20th blogaversary… and while I (sadly) haven’t known you from the beginning, I sure am glad you stuck around and our paths crossed. ❤

    Like

    • San, I feel the same way. Those of us who started way back when and kept with it are a group of tenacious folks. Glad we met along the way, even if it was recently, too.

      Like

  74. Pingback: Blogging Bomb Diggity: 20 Beguiling Years, 5 Basic Guidelines, & 3 Breezy Questions – smartworld.com

  76. You’re my favorite cuckoo banana pants, Ally, which is why I scrolled and scrolled through the Reader to find this post that I knew I’d missed. :) You have good guidelines and adhere to them very successfully. 

    One of your little otters. :-)

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janet, thank you, my little otter, for taking the time to find this post and comment. I appreciate that. I try to embody my guidelines, but if I screw up there’s always another post to write, or a way to delete the screw-up!

      Like

    • In my current lethargic state, there are few blogs I search for, and like you, Janet, this spectacled one is definitely one I regularly come back for, specifically for.

      I do have one objection… To the word “dinosaur”: it implies that you’d be going extinct, Ally, which we can’t have. There are many adjectives from Artful to Zany that I’d go with, please not dinosaur 😀 (which felt like an adjective in that context…) ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      • EW, thanks for checking in here to read my blog. I appreciate it. I’ll try to not think of myself as a dinosaur, even if some of them are darned cool. When it comes to being a dinosaur I was thinking more along the lines that I’ve been blogging since the dawn of time, like when dinosaurs were roaming.  

        Liked by 1 person

        • For sure, they are very cool, and intriguing, and are continuing to capture our imaginations. All things applicable! But there’s another context to “dinosaur”, which is the one I was trying to eliminate … But as cool as dolphins or owls are, they don’t work as well in a sentence? 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  77. HOLY COW, it took me forever to get to the end of the comments so I could comment. (I’ve been looking for it since the 16th) — I kid, I kid! Seriously though, thank you for this post. It reminded me of why I blog. It’s not just about the challenge and to get comments, it’s about sharing who we are inside. What we think, what we do, how we feel. It’s having that outlet when talking to someone in person doesn’t work. I love how much I’ve grown through my blogging over the years (started in 2008). Before I blogged I put everything in journals. I still do that because a lot of times I don’t take the time to blog like I used to. (This thing called a JOB really interferes with my hobbies). But any hoot I wanted to come over and pay you a visit and say THANK YOU for what you do! You are very much appreciated. 

    Cheers!

    Barbie

    Liked by 2 people

    • Barbie, thanks for scrolling through the comments to get to the place where you can leave one. I know that takes effort and I appreciate it. I’m as amazed as anyone by all the comments here.

      I know wha. t you mean about growing personally because of blogging. I feel the same way. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I started [did you? did anyone?] and feel fortunate that I’ve lasted this long.

      I’m sorry your job is interfering with your blog time, such a *ridiculous* thing to happen. 😜 Again thanks for stopping by to say “hey!”

      Liked by 1 person

    • I’d even go as far as saying as it helps to clarify who we are: until something is in writing, it’s a little fuzzy in the sense that it can change to suit whatever passing notion we may have. Once it’s down on paper, it’s “solid”, not unchanging, just that it has taken form. Do we like it? If we don’t, we can work to change it (and ourselves). If we do, we can enhance it. In a way, writing helps us to clarify things about ourselves.

      Liked by 1 person

      • EW, good point about how writing something can help clarify who you are or show you who you aren’t. Part of the reason I like blogging is how I’ve learned about other people and how I am, or am not, like them. Self-awareness, ‘ya know?

        Like

  78. There was a forum attached to one of the dating sites I used some 15ish years ago. It was highly active when I first joined, and I stayed there on a networking basis for a while, never thinking it would change. But trolls took the place over, the owner was all for non-intervention, and people got put off by the trolling rubbish, so it died a slow death. I spent a while looking for something else, and eventually fell across personal blogs, so decided to give it a go.

    The biggest surprise was to discover how much I love writing. I’d probably only stop blogging if that situation changes.

    I love the names you give us, your happy band of followers. Many congratulations on your 20 years Ally, and long may you feel moved to bring your particular brand of blogging to the blogsphere!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, interesting how the fall of your forum lead to a personal blog for you. It makes sense that a blog could take the place of the forum [sort of].

      You make a good point about writing, wanting to do that first and foremost. Blogging is an excellent way to write and publish on your own terms.

      When the muse strikes, I make up the names I give readers. It’s a little cornball, but so am I. Happy to know you approve.

      Liked by 1 person

      • It was an unusual forum, with a lot of discussions – sort of like Twitter when it was good, but on a much smaller scale of course, and without the character limitation. The other forums I tried didn’t hold space for longer form writing, and I came to realise that while I wanted community and engagement, I also very much enjoyed the writing, and a blog began to look like the answer.

        Your skill for making up names for your band of happy readers is one of the most charming aspects of this blog 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • Thank you… but I will tell you that over the years a couple of commenters have lambasted me for the names. Telling me they didn’t like it. I said “I believe you” and went right on making up names. Like a rebel. 😜

          Like

  79. Thinking about personal blogs in general, how’d did you get hooked on them?

    I had a couple of friends who were blogging back in 2013, plus I had the so-many-things roaming around in my head…fodder for posts…that I leapt in and immediately felt it as a release and fun thing to do. And I met some very cool people.

    If you write a personal blog, what has surprised you the most in a positive way about being a blogger? And what has surprised you the most in a negative way?

    I learned that I loved to write (and not half bad at it). Being Freshly Pressed years ago was a cool and unexpected surprise, but it validated my writing abilities. I still feel some days that I sound like a Hallmark card or Dr. Seuss, but that’s only because I am too hard on myself. The negative – not much here other than it surprised me how much time I can spend writing/blogging when I might be (should be) doing something else.

    If you write a personal blog, when the time comes to end it how will you do that?

    I am not sure, but I hope with grace and dignity and providing a humorous farewell to all.

    Twenty years is awesome, Ally, and you are one of the bloggers that I am grateful to be connected with here and on social media. I passed 11 years blogging in March without realizing it, but I agree with your five blogging points. Here’s to a few more years of blogging and internet friendship!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mary, a couple other commenters have said that they had friends with blogs and that’s how they got started. I find that charming.

      I adore your “Hallmark card or Dr. Seuss” assessment of your writing style. You make me laugh. You can be those things but also so much more. We contain multitudes, as Walt Whitman said.

      You’re right that blogging can eat up a lot of time. I try to balance being online with being outside, but there are weeks when all I seem to do is write and blog and comment and repeat.

      I like how you envision how you’ll end your blog. After 11 years you’ve been at a long time and that’s cool, but eventually we all are going to get to a point when we say it is over. Just not yet!

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      • I don’t know how you find the time to always respond to one million (okay, maybe 200) comments every time you post. And you don’t skimp on your responses. That is totally cool, but I do hope you take plenty of time for self and the other fun things you like to do.

        Liked by 1 person

        • I don’t know how I manage it either, but I do. I now only post on days when I know I can be at home all day, not that I wait in front of the computer ready to jump on every comment. But I do post when I know I’m going to be Suzy Homemaker for the day, so that I can start and stop what I’m doing to reply to comments without any difficulty. Planning I guess is the key to it.

          Liked by 1 person

  81. I’m skipping ahead a bit since I’ve been gone again and feel like I’ve missed most of this conversation and don’t have the energy to completely catch up. But there are a few thoughts I’d like to share.

    I’m envious of your blogging style. I’m jealous of your unique take on life and experience and the way you make life so interesting and also universal. I truly always find you worth reading.

    I’m not saying I want to be you. We don’t need a Ms. Beans copycat. But I do think we could all use a little more flapadoodle combined with unique thoughts and interesting perspectives. You do it particularly well.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Zazzy, you flatter me with your kind thoughts, I’m a bit overwhelmed. I didn’t start out to become who I am, although I was who I am then, it took years to learn how to express who I am like I do here now. [And wasn’t that a convoluted sentence?]

      I’m pleased to know you find what write has value because as you know I sometimes wonder if my flapdoodle and twaddle serve any purpose. Thanks for reading along over the years and commenting frequently. I appreciate that and you. 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      • Stagnation. My readership was never terribly impressive, and has dwindled the last few years to where there were just a handful of ‘regulars’ around. I know there are those who say that’s not the reason to blog, that the writing should be its own reward, but after ten years, when a post gets all of 12 views and 5 comments, it can be a bit disheartening. If no one reads it, what’s the point?

        Liked by 2 people

        • I get what you’re saying. I don’t know that I could regain my readership if I left for a while either. “Wherewithal to build it up…” is right, it takes time and effort to have a following.

          Liked by 1 person

        • Personally, I’m happy with my smallish followship and appreciate those who take the time to comment. I think the conversation is the best part. I’m struggling with finding things to blog about and put off writing, however, because who wants to read about medical stuff? It’s time for me to catch up those people who are interested.

          I think you have to ask yourself how much energy you want to put into it and be okay with whatever it is that works for you. No one says we all have to have 100s of comments. I couldn’t keep up with that and for a brief period when I was getting hundreds of visits per day from another blogger who wrote about me? I was completely freaked out by all those strangers wandering around my space.

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          • Zazzy, I agree that the conversations in the comments are where the fun is and that you don’t have to have 100s of comments. Not that all conversations are fun but that I adore seeing what people have to say about what I write. Often the conversations go off in directions I didn’t anticipate.

            I know how you feel about having strangers wandering around your blog. It can be unnerving especially when you see a series of “Likes” one after another knowing the person, or the bot, just hit a button constantly and didn’t read a thing. To what end, I wonder?

            Liked by 1 person

            • There used to be some benefit to commenting if you linked to your site as it increases your SEO numbers, or something like that. I don’t know if there’s any benefit to liking a comment other than perhaps trying to drive traffic to your site but most of those don’t even link anything lately. I just know they luuuurve my comments about Zoe’s death.

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  85. Ally, is wonderful to hear that you are blogging dinosaur! Wear that mantle with honour! Your post made me think of my blogging journey. My first blog was on that I started in high school on Blogger and it was a place where I ranted about my life 😄 Had a few other blogs after that and then came my current blog where I write about all things culture and everyday habits.

    I remember following your blog for a bit a while back. Then not sure what happened. Then so glad I stumbled on your blog again 😄

    Out of the five basic guidelines you shared, I’ve always found ‘Be specific’ the hardest. A lot of the time I just want to talk about everything and anything! And that would lead me to rambling and not make much sense. I’ve found that talking about one topic or grounding your post around one event that happened really helps in being specific and unpacking what you want to say. What surprised me about blogging is that it helped me to connect with others and have online blogging friends ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mabel, I started on Blogger, too. Like you I moved onto other platforms and blogs. I like your current blog, the topics of your posts are fascinating and timely. And clearly you’ve figured out how to be specific, I don’t think of you as a rambler.

      It is surprising how writing a blog connects you with other people. I didn’t understand that either when I began, but now I do. Happy to count you among my bloggy friends.

      Like

      • I think Blogger was where the cool kids started, Ally 😉 I hear now that Substack is a popular way of blogging too. I have not caught on…happy here for now. Lol you should see how much of a rambler I am when I draft each blog post. I have to try really hard to not get carried away 😄

        I am so glad to have connected with you, Ally. Here’s to many more blogging years ❤

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  86. Best list of blog hints ever!
    Impressive blog career with “chatty” that is just right
    Loved this: “I’ve come to realize that writing this blog keeps my brain clicking and my heart open. Also, my no-fuss approach to blogging means it is, for the most part, fun.”
    Ah, the good – great- bloglife. Cheers and well deserved applause to you

    Liked by 3 people

    • philmouse, thanks for the compliments. I hesitated about posting blog guidelines because I don’t like to tell people what to do, but decided they were merely suggestions so I could post them. Rationalization, I got it.

      So pleased we *met* along the way. You’ve been supportive from the git-go and I appreciate it.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Realization, not rationalization. Those are hints – not mandates. Take what works for you (and if anyone has good sense, they will consider all of them HAHA)
        Funny how “helpful hints change from time to time. One veteran blogger suggested to me that the best time to post was during the first hours people got to the office and were drinking their coffee and getting in gear. Now so many work from home. I still think just before big holiday travel days, people like to read blogs as they wait in the airports.
        Fly with WordPress – suitable tagline HAHA
        Cheers and onward

        Liked by 1 person

        • I post in the morning because that’s a good time for me. People comment all day long [usually not much on Saturday though] so who knows when is the best time to post? Or maybe more to the point, who cares! 😉

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  90. Well done Ally for reaching this far in the industry of blogging. I really respect the determination that led you here. Congratulations and keep blogging your passions, it is crystal clear that you and blogging are the same thing.

    I am really inspired. I have been blogging for 4 years and I plan of going strong🙏🙏💯💯💯

    Liked by 1 person

  92. This sentence, I’ve come to realize that writing this blog keeps my brain clicking and my heart open, I like it

    Like

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