I want to start off with a few wonderful words from an amazing person I meet way back before I came to blogging. And he was actually the one who brought me with him to this community.
Please welcome Ryan from Wordsmithonia, as he talks briefly of changes he's seen over his two years blogging too...
When Melissa first asked me to put my two cents in about the changes I've seen or have experienced since I've started blogging, it took me a while to think about what my answer would be. Like Melissa, I've been doing this for about two years now and my first reaction was, not much. At first thought, I didn't think I've experienced that many changes. Once I kind of sat around and stewed on it a bit, I did think of one change.
It's something that I never really knew was happening. In the past, I had always scoffed about people who claimed they had made great friends online. I didn't get it, I didn't see how you could be friends with someone you have never talked to with a computer screen between you. I thought they were just being, well strange would be a word for it. My views started to change, minimally, when I joined the Barnes & Noble book club forums. I got to know a few great people over there, people I found myself liking despite the fact I had no clue what they looked like. Once I started my own blog, my entire world view shifted.
In the last two years I've gotten to know some wonderful people that I'm more than willing to call friends. They are warm, friendly individuals who always seem to have the time to talk, even about things I'm sure they could care less about. They have helped me deal with personal issues, sometimes without ever knowing it. I can honestly say I can not imagine my life anymore without the wonderful friends I have me through blogging. It's one of the reasons I've kept blogging for the last two years. It's one of the reasons I can't even fathom a time when I may not want to blog anymore. I'm looking forward to many more years of having them in my life.
So how did I get here? What has changed in these 2 short years? Well...
It all started with me reading the Magician series by Raymond Feist. Yep, hard to believe. I got laid off from work and started reading (actually started with my son's book Eragon) and enjoyed it. My brother steered me to Raymond Feist's books. Loved them! So I went in search of a place to learn more about the books and books like them to read. What I found was the book chat forums at Barnes & Nobles. I found some wonderful people there and we chatted away on several books. Then a few of them started their own blogs, so in order for me to comment on their blogs I created an account. Still afraid of this new cyber world I was afraid to put my own thoughts out here for others to see. But curiosity got the cat and I started posting my self. These wonderful people I started with are still out there and still stop by often these days. :) I have to thank them for all their support and help as they really helped me get going. They are amazing people, so I hope you visit them and say hello.
But, I have to say so much has changed since I started. I've grown to enjoy a much broader range of books than I have ever thought I would. And the people here! I have made several close friend on the web and great people to chat with. And I'm surprised there are authors out there that WANT me to read their books for them and share them here. That is one amazing thing to me. I'm still shy at asking to read the books or interview the authors, but I'm starting to come around. I know everyone is so busy and time is of the essence for all, but I know in my mind what is the harm in asking? They can only say the worst of No.
I think the biggest change for me are the ebooks. I'm sorry to say I'm still in the old school of things and read the printed versions. I haven't gotten an ereader yet and not sure if I'm ready yet either. Sounds strange right. But it seems more and more books are coming out this way, and I'm missing loads of great reads not being with the times.
Nice post Ryan and I am glad you brought Melissa to this world :)
ReplyDeleteMagician, I love love love that book. The bes fantasy book in the entire universe :D
Magician - a book I simply cannot start reading. I think it is cursed.
ReplyDeleteNice post, Ryan - I wish I had some guidance when I started, Melissa is one lucky girl!
Melissa your blog is a really nice place to visit - I am so glad I've discovered it; a pity it took me soo long to get here. Way to go!
Thanks Blodeuedd and anachronist!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, thank you for asking me to do this with you as it allowed me to really look at why I'm still bloggin after these two years. You are an amazing blogger and person and I've been so fortunate to know yo, first on B&N then as part of the book blogging community.
Now I just need to learn how to review epic fantasy the way you do. I'm still in awe of that ability.
I'm looking forward to many more years of you and your blog.
Yes, you can find some great people on-line. Melissa is one of them! I'm just starting to get to know you, Ryan and I can already see you rock!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you, Melissa, have put your thoughts out there! I know my bloggy world is better for it!
Ryan - Oh, I had the same outlook as you did. And it's true to a certain extent, especially applicable to people who have a staggering 2,000 friends on Facebook. But book bloggers are a different breed. Bloggers like you and Melissa have been so warm and welcoming; no wonder I love blogging so much!
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd - Ryan is the best for introducing me to blogging and talking me into starting. :) lol. And Magician is the best! We always end up back on that book. lol Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnachronist - Why can't you get started into Magician? Thank you. Ryan was a great help along with the others mentioned here too. And thank you for the kind words. I'm so glad you finally found the blog too. But no worries about how long it took, you are here now and we will work forward for now on. :) Thank you!
Ryan G - Oh, thank you. It's been great chatting with you since day one at B&N. And so glad you enjoy chatting as well. You are really to kind to me. :) And I wish I had tippers for you to help with reviewing Epic fantasy. Truth be told, I don't know how I do it. lol. And to hear you enjoy the reviews so much. Wow! Thank you! I'm looking forward to many more years out here blogging with you as well. :)
Melissa (Books&Things) - Aww, you are always so nice! Thank you! And Ryan is a great guy. He is so kind.
StephanieD - Aww, I'm so glad we can help making blogging fun. :) That is a big part of the fun out here for me. I just wish I could do it more and chat with everyone all the time. :) Thank you so much!
Great post! I had the same reaction as Ryan when people would talk about their online friends, until I found the book blogging community. Then, I finally got it! Yes, you can be friends with people you've never met in person! And I'm happy that I've "met" Ryan and Melissa, sd they're both great people! :)
ReplyDeleteYou know I used to re-read it every year but then I started blogging and stopped :/ But at least I read it 7 or 8 summers in a row :D
ReplyDeleteAlexia - Thank you! And you know, years ago I would have thought people were crazy if they would have told me I'd be out here with such great friends I've never met. ;) So glad you have met you as well!
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd - You know what, I think I need to get caught up with my review books by the end of the year here and re-read Magician. :) It's been a while. Although I want to get further into the series too! :) Maybe next year...
Like Ryan, I've also found that the friends I have made through blogging are a large part of what makes it so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post! I'm always amazed at the connections I've made through blogging; it really does bring the world closer. Congrats, again, on a great two years and I wish you lots of success in the future :)
ReplyDeleteSimcha - The friends out here are amazing. :) And so neat to meet people all over the world. If it wasn't for blogging I'd never have met you Simcha. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJacki - Thank you. And the world does seem to be smaller now with being able to talk to people all over the world, that I couldn't do before. :) Very neat!