Everyone has a story to tell. Writers write it. There are lots of ways to do it. With today’s technology, it’s quite easy to write. For some, it becomes more of a compulsion. You just don’t feel right unless you’re writing.
Guess I’m one of those. I used to procrastinate until last week, then I decided writing my blog to meet my deadline without stress would need some revision on my part. |
You learn who’s read your “story”, which actually only involved you uploading a photo you found interesting. Or you might tell all your hundreds of “friends” what you’re planning for dinner tonight. You’ve never met them. You’ll never know much about them, unless you actively follow them. Other than that, they’re proof you have a whole lot of folks who can follow instructions. Now they’re following you.
The interesting thing about online followers is, you seldom have any data on them. You don’t know anything about them other than their comments, pictures or their posts.
They’re level 3, for the most part, if you want to categorize where they belong in friendship.
We’ll call it level 2
There’s an unpredictability about neatly classifying these friendships though. You can feel amazingly close to a small number of online friends. Over an extended period of time you develop family-like relationships with them.
You learn about them, their families, what they like or dislike, and how they function in everyday life. You share their joys in life, and commiserate with their pain. You’re with each other, in sickness and in health.
We have to call this level 1--it’s prime!
You learn so much. Basic technology becomes your friend, and often your annoyance, when it lets you down. When you’re older, like me, people seem amazed you’ve come to grips with the business of having a blog. In turn, I’m amazed I’ve been writing on my blog here for 10 years. There’ve been occasional blips of course, but in general once a week my writing has appeared.
Niche writing
Nevertheless, random can be good too. Last week, I wrote about my struggles as a great procrastinator. Writing about it clarified what had been just an uneasiness and turned it into a solid self-commitment to writing every day. It’s micro-stepping my way into becoming better at my chosen craft.
There’s a lot of reward in becoming a successful blogger. I haven’t reached that pinnacle of success yet, but after ten years of trial and error, it’s slowly happening. I could kick myself for the mistakes I’ve made along the way, but that’s not worthwhile. The learning is constant. The camaraderie is priceless.
Team work
Technology, folks. Distance means nothing in the global village.
My webmaster and I are diametrically opposed when it comes to our ways of thinking. Also, we don’t share the same religious beliefs. But somehow, our core philosophy transcends this. Our sites are about helping and teaching through experience. The rest simply doesn’t matter. We collaborate on a daily basis now, as we both work through the months of her present, serious illness.
She’s written about it here. What a great contribution to others who face daily illness. It’s comforting to know more about treatment that others endure, and the latest research on it. We laugh, we cry. We exult with every positive thing that happens. This is true support of each other.
Mind work
Mesembryanthemum
We’ve had quite a deluge, but still not enough to replenish our water supply. Still no outside watering allowed on level 4. But the plants for the most part are saved. They’re all looking quite perky.
We had not a drop of water for about 110 days, yet the beautiful, hardy mesembryanthemum still managed to stay green and thrive on its rock bed with hardly any soil. It’s an amazing ground cover, and eye candy all year.