One Year of Blogging

One year ago today, a nervous young woman going under the pen name of Miss March pushed the publish button on her newly acquired blog and sent her very first post out into the world.  

And in this case her expression was like that of Maria's, not Lizzy's.

Because you must understand this was a very drastic measure for her. She had never blogged before, nor even commented on anyone else's blog.  She was a total novice and very nervous about having complete strangers read her writing.  And yet, she pushed that button anyway.  (Ask me not why.  For I cannot say.)

She wasn't scared.  Not at all.  Just a little nervous. 

...And terrified.  And panic stricken.  And "I can't believe I just did this!!  Hide me, someone! Quick!"  (Okay, so it wasn't that bad.  But you get the idea.  It was very nerve-wracking.)

Miss March had been reading blogs for quite some time, and having discovered that there was a fun community of girls with similar interests and values as herself, she began to think it might be fun to join the group and have a blog of her own.  Not that she felt confident about actually becoming a part of the group.  That would have been silly, considering that her confidence level was--and is--extraordinarily low.  But that being said, she  must have scrounged up some courage somewhere, for she managed to overcome her fear (momentarily, at least), and clicked that dreaded publish button...running off immediately afterward and banging her head against the wall in disbelief at her own daring.  (Just kidding.  She didn't actually do that.  I made that part up.  But she probably felt like doing it.)

However, that's not the end.  The story of Miss March's bravery is not yet over.   

Being an unreasonable sort of lass, though she dreaded the thought of anyone ever reading what she had written, still at the same time she very much wanted someone to read it (talk about fickleness, and inconsistency, and all that), so the very day after publishing her first post she went and did something which was equally momentous.  She commented on another girl's blog!  I mean it!  She really did!  She felt that she must do it or risk losing her chance of ever becoming a part of the blogging community, so she clicked on a certain blog which she had been reading and enjoying for quite some time, and with her heart pounding furiously typed out a hesitant comment introducing herself.  The dear sweet girl to whom she addressed this comment (who was, of course, none other than Naomi Bennet) replied within the hour and was so kind and welcoming, that Miss March was quite overcome.  And then get this!  Naomi went and left a comment on Miss March's blog and...and immediately become her very first follower.  (I know!  Like, what?  She'd only ever read one post!  How did she know she was going to like it?)  But, oh!  It made Miss March very happy indeed.

And then our jittery, new blogger was further blown away by the receipt of two more comments--that very same day!--from two lovely young ladies named Natalie and Olivia.  And they were so kind and welcoming, too, and...ahhh!  Words fail me.

I'm going to have to switch to first person because I can't do justice to this subject talking as some strange unconnected individual.

First, I just want to say thank you so much to Naomi, Natalie, Olivia, and Evie.  All four of you hold a very special place in my heart, because you were the first to comment on  my posts and gave me that encouragement which I so needed to start out with.  I probably would have given up long ago if it hadn't been for you!  :D  Thank you, girls!

And then to all the rest of you who have commented on my posts, followed my blog, and encouraged me in so many ways.  Cordy, Emma, Rosie McCann, Miss Meg, Jillian, Rae, Heidi, Rose...and so many more!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  You all mean SO much to me!  And I'm so glad I met you! 

And now, I'm going to include a few stats, because I think they're fun to look back on later.

Pageviews:  8471  (Most of which are probably mine.  I have a bit of a twitch when it comes to checking my blog.  ;))

Number of Posts Published: 44

Number of Posts in Drafts:  18 (...because I have a problem with not finishing things...)

Most Viewed Post:  Memory Nest with 153 pageviews (Heehee. I'm not sure if that was on account of the popularity of the post, or simply because Rosie and I were having too much fun conversing in the comments.  :)  Me thinks these stats can be rather deceiving.  ;))

Followers: 18 (Nothing deceiving about that!  I have eighteen followers!  Wow.  Thank you all so much!!!!  I can't tell you how encouraging it is to know that people actually like reading what I write!)

So.  That's that.  One year gone, and another year before me.  While I'd like to say that I've grown a lot and have gained a good deal of the confidence which I lacked when I first began blogging, I'm afraid that wouldn't be strictly true.  There are still far too many days when I feel like a little nobody--the new kid on the block--scrambling to find my place.  Worried that I'm failing at this whole thing.  That my posts are boring.  That if ever there was a blogger who had no idea how to do things properly, it's me.

But I know those thoughts are just my insecurities and lack of self-confidence speaking, because I have never received anything but overwhelming and heartfelt encouragement ever since I began this little blog.  And so thank you all again...so very, very much!

And, uh, while we're on the subject of boring posts and whatnot...do any of you have suggestions for posts which you would like to see more of (or less of) in the coming year? 

Here's a small list of possibilities:

1. Movie reviews

2. Book reviews

3. Games

4. Random life stuff

5. Humorous/Sarcastic posts (like this one for example) 

6. Favorites posts (such as favorite heroes, heroines, and the like)

7. Or something totally new that I've never done before.  Got any ideas?  I'd love to hear them!

Okay, I guess that's all I had to say.  So long everyone!

(And now I shall go and worry about what a horrible post this is, because, well, it's tradition.  And one must never mess with tradition.  ;))