Building Babel
There are two reasons I haven't posted anything on this blog for a while.
The first is this: my computer hates me. I have tried at least five times in the last month to upload cute videos and photos of the kids and do an update of how they are doing, but have given up after 20 minutes every time, succeeding only in breaking the internet (or a small part thereof). I will persevere. There's a lot of cuteness that needs to be recorded before my brain sieves it all into its foggy (forgotten) recesses.
The second reason is that I've been writing on the other blog. And along with that, I've been trying to figure out exactly what I'm trying to accomplish with this writing. There is so much advice out there for junior bloggers: read a lot and comment a lot! boost your posts! create traffic by tweeting! Network, network, network! Read online magazines and submit pitches for articles!
I have found all the information more than a little intimidating. I have never, in all my life, aspired to being a WRITER. Making my name as a writer never once crossed my mind as a life ambition. I will own that while I was at bible college I did feel like I was clearly being led to be a SPEAKER and Bible Teacher, and have wanted to be faithful to make the most of those opportunities where they presented themselves - but writing? that was a by-product. a tool. not a skill.
And so when a strange set of circumstances led me to separate out the "public" and the private aspects of this blog, and all of a sudden interest in the public blog BOOMED (or bloomed?), I was a little stunned. What does this mean? Should I be a writer? Do I want to be a writer? Do I want to write a book (no)? do I want to be famous (sometimes, but mostly no)? Should I try to get published?
*sigh*
Lots of indecision. For the first few weeks I followed the blogging pundits advice and wrote a few articles and submitted them to online publications. I felt awful doing it. Vulnerable, scared, unsure of what I was doing.
I paid $5 for facebook to "boost" one of my posts, to see what it would do. I felt awful doing that. (in fact, I am NEVER doing that again. It felt like hiring rent-a-crowd)
I read a bunch of blogs and commented on them (even when I had little to add to the conversation). I felt fake.
And so, about ten ago, I was chatting to a friend and I was surprised to hear the truth stumbling out my mouth: "I hate this feeling of "trying" to get published. It feels like I'm building the tower of babel, trying to make a name for myself. Self-promotion feels awful and I don't want to do it. It feels idolatrous. I feel sleazy."
And right then, with crystal clarity - the solution arose before me. I decided I would just WRITE for the love of writing - no trying to get published, no submitting articles to magazines, nothing. For 6 months I'm going to write whatever gets stuck in my head. And that is all.
I felt wonderful.
But friends, wouldn't you know it? Within ONE WEEK I got THREE (count 'em - 1, 2, 3!!!) invitations to publish with online magazines? THREE! I laughed out loud. I love how God works these things sometimes.
And so yes, I am writing on my blog for the love of writing, but will also be a regular contributor to startmarriageright.com. My first publication went up yesterday and I'm so excited. The other two are in the wings, but I'll link you up when they go up!
Woo hoo. No more building towers of babel.
Just babbling along at my computer - and if God wants to use it, SO BE IT!
The first is this: my computer hates me. I have tried at least five times in the last month to upload cute videos and photos of the kids and do an update of how they are doing, but have given up after 20 minutes every time, succeeding only in breaking the internet (or a small part thereof). I will persevere. There's a lot of cuteness that needs to be recorded before my brain sieves it all into its foggy (forgotten) recesses.
The second reason is that I've been writing on the other blog. And along with that, I've been trying to figure out exactly what I'm trying to accomplish with this writing. There is so much advice out there for junior bloggers: read a lot and comment a lot! boost your posts! create traffic by tweeting! Network, network, network! Read online magazines and submit pitches for articles!
I have found all the information more than a little intimidating. I have never, in all my life, aspired to being a WRITER. Making my name as a writer never once crossed my mind as a life ambition. I will own that while I was at bible college I did feel like I was clearly being led to be a SPEAKER and Bible Teacher, and have wanted to be faithful to make the most of those opportunities where they presented themselves - but writing? that was a by-product. a tool. not a skill.
And so when a strange set of circumstances led me to separate out the "public" and the private aspects of this blog, and all of a sudden interest in the public blog BOOMED (or bloomed?), I was a little stunned. What does this mean? Should I be a writer? Do I want to be a writer? Do I want to write a book (no)? do I want to be famous (sometimes, but mostly no)? Should I try to get published?
*sigh*
Lots of indecision. For the first few weeks I followed the blogging pundits advice and wrote a few articles and submitted them to online publications. I felt awful doing it. Vulnerable, scared, unsure of what I was doing.
I paid $5 for facebook to "boost" one of my posts, to see what it would do. I felt awful doing that. (in fact, I am NEVER doing that again. It felt like hiring rent-a-crowd)
I read a bunch of blogs and commented on them (even when I had little to add to the conversation). I felt fake.
And so, about ten ago, I was chatting to a friend and I was surprised to hear the truth stumbling out my mouth: "I hate this feeling of "trying" to get published. It feels like I'm building the tower of babel, trying to make a name for myself. Self-promotion feels awful and I don't want to do it. It feels idolatrous. I feel sleazy."
And right then, with crystal clarity - the solution arose before me. I decided I would just WRITE for the love of writing - no trying to get published, no submitting articles to magazines, nothing. For 6 months I'm going to write whatever gets stuck in my head. And that is all.
I felt wonderful.
But friends, wouldn't you know it? Within ONE WEEK I got THREE (count 'em - 1, 2, 3!!!) invitations to publish with online magazines? THREE! I laughed out loud. I love how God works these things sometimes.
And so yes, I am writing on my blog for the love of writing, but will also be a regular contributor to startmarriageright.com. My first publication went up yesterday and I'm so excited. The other two are in the wings, but I'll link you up when they go up!
Woo hoo. No more building towers of babel.
Just babbling along at my computer - and if God wants to use it, SO BE IT!
posted by Bronwyn at 2:22 pm
3 Comments:
I love this!! It's so cool how God works! And yes, the blog world is crazy and it's easy to get caught up in things...but when I first started I realized, I'm writing and sharing my life because I love to write! It helps me process and I love connecting with others! Going into it with that attitude takes away any pressure to do or be something! I'm so happy you are getting published, and are going to contribute to online magazines! You are such an amazing writer, and I can't wait to read all the posts you write! LOVE YA, Katie
So glad it worked out. Speaking and writing require similar gifts, don't they - and writing is certainly easier for a mum of littles to do. Besides, I expect that all your writing will develop skills and understanding that will complement your speaking gift, and also open doors for speaking when you are a little more available in the future! Sending a big hug across the ocean xxx
Just wanted to say hello.
How amazing is it that God sometimes has given us gifts that we don't even recognize as "gifts". How wonderful to be able use a gift to glorify Him, encourage His church and spread the Word.
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