Blogger Recognition Award

I was thrilled when Cindy of Bird Flight nominated me for the Blogger Recognition Award. I have not been nominated for this one before and it comes from a lady who’s blog is one I admire and thoroughly enjoy. Cindy is open and honest about her battles with mental health and often gives advice that (I at least have found) is invaluable. As well, Cindy posts some lovely images and reflections on day to day life, as well as musings on the world at large. Bird Flight is a blog worth following and I highly recommend you pop over and check it out for yourself.

The Rules

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
• Give a brief story of how your blog started.
• Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
• Select 10 other bloggers you want to give this award to.
• Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them and provide the link to the post you created.

My Story

My blog began as ‘The Written Word’ in February this year and was intended as a place I could share my short stories, (bad) poetry and general musings. I also wanted to seek out writers and readers in the community and gain an understanding of what would be involved in self-publishing my own WIP novel, Guns of Perdition. My blog evolved, underwent many facelifts, became self-titled and grew to have regular themed posts and segments. And to my utter surprise, people seemed to be interested in reading what I was putting out there. I gained 100 then 200 followers and am now up to the staggering amount of 500. I am humbled every day by the lovely comments, advice and love given by this community and I can’t imagine life now without it.

My Advice

1. Don’t sell. Don’t be a blogger who posts endlessly about the ‘barrow’ you’re pushing (my book, my freelance services, my blog). It’s fine to mention your barrow in posts and perfectly fine to do some themed pieces or promotion every once and a while. But in between, keep your followers entertained with anecdotes, short stories, poetry, ranting, raving, whatever… just don’t make every post “Buy my book!” – your followers already know you wrote a book and if you shove it in their face every post, they’re going to stop following you.

2. You only get back what you put in. I take the time out of my schedule to read, digest and absorb the posts that are of interest to me from the bloggers I follow. Sometimes I leave a Like but if I really enjoy something I’ll make the effort to comment. People love comments. It’s how you develop relationships. It’s also a sign of respect and genuine praise for the piece you’ve just read. And if I see a post come up in my feed by someone I know who I respect and we have a relationship, you can bet your bottom dollar that’s a post I’m going to want to read all the way to the end!

A final parting piece of advice to new bloggers; because hey, I don’t play by the rules… be yourself! You can’t write under a false personality indefinitely. The real you will eventually come through so, don’t fight it. Be yourself. Even if that ticks off some people… it’s honest and true.

My Nominees

I am choosing people whom I may have selected for awards in the past, and others who may not participate in awards, however, I am choosing these people because I truly admire and respect these bloggers / blogs and believe they deserve recognition:

Mike – https://peacefulrampage.wordpress.com/

Mae – https://maeclair.net/

Penny – https://pennylanewrites.com/

Dave – https://karavansara.live/

Roda – https://growingself.blog/

Sue – https://scvincent.com/

Richard – https://richardankers.com/

Paul – https://mindfump.com/

Mohamad – https://mohamadkarbi.com/

Stevie – https://steviet3.wordpress.com/