by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Today is a milestone in the life of The Write Conversation,
and in my own blogging life. This post is number 1500.
I read that and I just need to take a minute and let that
sink in.
When I shared this information with my husband, his comment
was, “Wow that’s over 4 years of posting. I thought you’d been at this longer
than that.”
Well he’s right, and he’s wrong.
If I’d been posting 7 days a week from the very beginning of
this blog, it would only be 4 years a few months. But I didn’t start out
sharing a post a day. I started slow—giving myself a chance to succeed—posting
only once a week.
The first post on this site went live on December 11, 2009.
Those early posts were rough. And many of you may think I’ve
long since taken them down. But the truth is, as bad as they were, I’m proud of
those first posts. To me, they represent my public claim as a writer.
I knew I had a long way to go.
But I also knew that I’d never get there if I didn’t get
started. If I’d waited until I was polished and perfect . . . well . . . I’d
still be waiting.
Funny thing is, that’s what the first post is all about. I
wrote about Mastering Your Dream.
As much of a beginner as I was, I still knew that getting where I want to go
takes work.
Enough about me.
The title of this post says what I want to focus
on—celebrating YOU.
Each of you is taking time right now, investing in your
dream. You’re making the effort to learn and grow as a writer. You’re reaching
out and encouraging one another as we come together to follow the path set
before us.
I wish I could give each of you a gift. It would only be
fitting because this blog would be nothing without you.
What I’m doing instead is offering the chance to win one of
3 $15 Amazon gift cards. You don’t have to do anything to enter the drawing—no tweeting or sharing or liking required. All you have to do is leave a short
comment. Then check back on Thanksgiving to see if you won.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
Oh, in case you’re curious, here are some links to the
earliest posts, along with the stats (and you should notice I didn't even know enough to use images to illustrate my posts). They're untouched. I've left them just as they were when I first put them up.
Monday, December 11, 2009
Page views before today: 40
Monday, December 21, 2009
Page views before today: 21
Monday, January 25, 2010
Page views before today: 12
Gah! This is why I read you each morning. I have been blogging for almost 5 years. Been transitioning the past two with a slightly different focus. My page views are about what yours were in your early days. I'm doing something wrong. Thanks for posting such useful content, Edie. I look forward to seeing what you and your excellent guests have to say. I've learned so much.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving!
Kathy
Hi Edie, I like where you ended your post with we all are taking care of ourselves by investing in our dreams. Isn't that the truth! I too have kept all of my post up; the ones with misspelled words, improper grammar and run on sentences. I go back from time to time and just shake my head and thank God for the learning curve He gives me. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and congrats! Beth
ReplyDeleteEdie, congratulations on your 1500th post! Looking forward to many, many more years of learning from your blog.
ReplyDeleteSo thrilled for you! Thanks for all you do. I just keep learning from you, my friend. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Edie for your blogs. Also for all you have taught me at the conferences and being a friendly, listening friend. God's blessings. Jann
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS! \0/\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/ Praising God with you. Your blog have been part of mydaily routine for the last year. I just celebrated 1 year writing. Your honesty, talent and advice have kept me going. Thank you. I was wondering if I should go delete my old posts one day. I will not after reading this " I’m proud of those first posts. To me, they represent my public claim as a writer." You are amazing, Edie. Here's to 1500 more!
ReplyDeleteI love your first post. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for being available to writers. I appreciate all you're doing to link arms with us and help us march forward. Thanksgiving blessings . . .
ReplyDeleteEdie, I'm most grateful you have this blog. There are nuggets daily. It's like continuing ed. And your most important message to me this year was to invest in myself, my development as a writer. I have taken it to heart in 3 ways: 1) investing in the time to read several writers' blogs each day; buying resource books recommended on those blogs; and I've attended one writing seminar and two webinars. There were money outlays for each of these and I have not one regret. Your advice to invest in my success was the best I've received in years. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteHappy 1500! You're an inspiration to me. I appreciate your efforts and hope you're around for a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has nothing to do with winning a gift card -- and everything to do with celebrating you! Congratulations on this amazing milestone, my friend. You are an amazing blogger -- an example to us all about giving back to others with every blog you post!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Edie! I am so glad to be one of your readers. This blog has been truly encouraging and helpful to me. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Edie! Your blog is one I always recommend when I teach. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I loved your first post. Such good advice and timeless. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Edie. You have worked hard and been very giving and open in sharing with us from the heart. Thank you for sharing what it takes to be a writer with those of us who are beginning. You are a great role model. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 1500, Edie! I've learned so much from you. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to #3000! Thanks for taking the time to invest in us, writers who need what you write about!
ReplyDeleteYour posts have been instrumental in helping me fine tune my writing. Although I have miles to go, I'm further ahead thanks to your posts. I appreciate your willingness to host this site. Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Edie! Love your transparency in this post. And congrats on #1500. Your honesty about just getting started and learning along the way hit home with me. All the while working on your dream. Inspires me to continue to pursue my dream as I pursue Christ with my whole heart. Happy Thanksgiving and grateful for this blog, writing tips, and you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the milestone and thanks for sharing the early posts. It's a celebration for me to find such helpful writing advice so I am thankful you stayed with it and encourage us to pursue dreams.
ReplyDeleteYou knew a dream and where you want to in life was important....even back then!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for being so faithful all these years Edie, to help others become better bloggers and writers! My blog has grown because of following your advice! Thank you. And for your friendship!
Congratulations Edie! Thanks for being so transparent and offering up those first posts. We all had to start somewhere! I am so thankful for you and your blog. You've been a tremendous help to me as I get started.
ReplyDelete1,500 is impressive. 1,500 in addition to everything else you do is supernatural. And since I know you love the Lord and seek to serve him through your writing and teaching, supernatural makes perfect sense. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your milestone, Edie. And thank you for all the great information you share. I turn to you first for my social media questions.
ReplyDeleteThank you all! The contest is now closed. Check tomorrow's post to find out who the three winners are! Love & Blessings, E
ReplyDelete