I’ve been blogging for about 21 months and I’m proud to say that I’ve only experienced what we call “blogger’s block” a couple of times. But I’ve learned that those blogger’s block existed because I wasn’t blogging for myself. Because I was blogging for an audience, and I was having a difficult time determining what was it that my readers wanted from me.
But overtime, I’ve managed to pick myself up and I started blogging for myself. I started putting my thoughts and experiences down. I started blogging more about myself — my childhood, my past, my relationships, my present and my aspirations — because this is what it should be. My blog should be written for myself.
But, of course, I wouldn’t be able to blog about myself without people who constantly remind me who I was, and who I hoped to be one day.
For example, I’ve been a loyal reader of The I’mPerfectMom eversince I found it, not only because Jenn’s got two very beautiful girls, but also because her girls reminded me so much of my sister and I, when we were younger, and I could almost always relate to whatever she wrote about her girls. An example that stood out was one of her conversations with her daughter on the podcast that reminded me of the recording I did with my Mum (back in 1985, we used the radio and cassette, no podcasting yet, heh) when I was four. Her daughter’s eagerness to listen to the podcast after it had been recorded was similar to my eagerness to listen to the cassette after my conversation with my Mum ended.
Hence, it’s safe to say that I connect a lil’ more with my blogger friends whom I’ve met (e.g. Angie and Bart, Moz Monster and Yvonne, to name a few) or who happen to blog about topics that I could relate to, as well as topics that I’d like to learn a lot from. There are no guides whose feeds I monitor to keep up with the news in my blogging industry, because there isn’t an industry in the first place. With that said, there are mentors whose feeds I pick just so I could learn more about blogging and writing, e.g. Lorelle (both on WordPress.com and The Blog Herald) and Liz Strauss @ Successful Blog.
So who are your guides/mentors? Who, and what are your news resources that help you write your blog’s content?
This is written in response to Lorelle’s Blogging Challenge, and is published automagically because I’m away and will only be back in 2 days.
If you think this post might benefit other bloggers:
Thank you for including me in the list. I’m a huge fan of Liz Strauss who gets me thinking ALL the time.
Wah … thanks for having me included in your list of people you’ve met .. =) .. I’ve been travelling, so I haven’t been bloggin as often as I should, or commenting as regularly as I ought to.
i have blogger’s block today!
Hi Pelf!
You’re a generous person to find so many who have contributed to your growth and your direction. I feel honored to be a part of your quest, and I love it when you have a chance to visit my blog and tweak my direction as well. I think Lorelle is a good choice for learning about blogging — I’ve been reading her myself for a very long time.
LOL, I have to admit, after so many times reading ur post about ur mentors, finally i end up landing on their blogs today subscribing. Haha, another few more mails in my mailbox. =)
Anyway, I’m so glad that I stumble upon your blog and through it I manage to get more than I expect…
You are one of my latest additions in my RSS feeds and I have no regrets whatsoever! Keep up the good work!
man… if i were to list down my blogging guides, i think my parents would disown me hahaha
I should start reading lorelle!
Lorelle: Thank YOU for teaching me heaps about blogging and writing!
moz: Actually, I’ve learned a great deal about life from you too, Moz, and thank you for those lessons
wuching: You know where to go to, don’t you?!
Liz Strauss: I must admit that I’ve learned a lot from you too, Liz, as much as I’ve learned from Lorelle
ColourfulWorld: I’m glad you’re “benefiting” from reading my blog!
Giddy Tiger: Aww.. Thanks for the kind words
merv: Is your list of blogging guides 3-miles long? LOL. And yes, you should start reading Lorelle. And Liz Strauss
aiyak… I lost a student liow!!! lol
glad to see that u can relate to blogs. Like u, perhaps I’m blogging to much for my ‘audience’ hence I run out of ideas quite quickly. Time to step back and blog for myself eh? 
Sometimes we all need a wake up call…..
Yvy: Yeah, we all need wake-up calls, and I’m waking you up!
wake up already, wake up already!! lol