Tuesday, May 07, 2013

An Anniversary


A bit more than six years ago, I was reading an article about some famous blogs that had turned into book deals and thought Hmmm...

One of them was Girl with a One-Track Mind, the other one Wife in the North. There were others too. I didn’t think I could find something constantly interesting to write about, in my life or in the place where I live, nor have the stamina to do it daily, but the idea of writing a bit of my soul and let it float away on a tiny paper (or rather, electronic) boat on the river of the World Wide Web, felt kind of exciting. Scary, but exciting.

So, exactly six years ago today, I took the plunge. (Or maybe the first shaky step.)

A link from Wife in the North had taken me to the Inner Minx, the blog of Minx, aka Kate Bousfield, author of “Coven of One.” Minx was just blogging about some lions (not just any lions, but lions of Lyon) up for adoption at Seamus Kearney’s site. Go take a look, they’re still there and they are beautiful!

(Seamus is an Irishman from New Zealand living and working as a journalist in France. Also a short-story writer, novelist, musician, blogger…)

One could “adopt” a lion, name him, write a short poem or text about him, and become a member of the group of writers called The Shameless Lions WritingCircle, initiated by Seamus. Got it? Seamus – Shameless :-)

At the time, Seamus believed –I’m sure that he still does- that powerful writing can be found in many places on the internet. The Circle and the award “A Roar for Powerful Words” were developed by him to put forth that belief and to encourage writers to roar. I completely agree with this.

I chose my lion, which you can see on the right side bar of my blog (yes, go lower, much lower), wrote my poem, actually I wrote two because the first one was too long (also on the side bar, below Alexander’s photo) and Seamus very gracefully accepted me into the Shameless Lions Circle.

This is how I met a bunch of great people. Some have since retired from blogging, some have become successfully published authors, a few are still going on.

I guess I’m one of those still going on…

The Shameless Lions Writing Circle was the first leap for me. The second was The Clarity of Night. In fact, it was Minx again who suggested to me I should check it out. I’m so glad I did.

Jason Evans’s blog, the beauty of his writings, and the high quality contests that he held on his blog have all meant tremendously to me. The blogosphere is certainly poorer without them. I surely miss them. But although Jason’s isn’t an active blog anymore, the goodies are still all there, just a few clicks away.

It is, in a way, mind-boggling to see how paths open one from another, taking you to wonderful places where you can meet wonderful, incredibly talented, like-minded people, and how unbelievably enriching this experience, this communion can be. Not to mention the exceptional quality of the poetry, prose, photography, etc. –art in one word- that these people are posting on their blogs.

This is why I’m still here…


17 comments:

SzélsőFa said...

and how fortunate we, your readers are to still have you here.
and i liked you acknowledged Jason's blog. it was quite an inspiration, a friendly and honest guide for many of us, aspiring writers and readers alike.

SzélsőFa said...

wow, i lost counting mine. it turns eight this August.

Out of Sight L said...

You;re engaging and I can see why you writing is so good...now let me seen that lion...lol

Fireblossom said...

Congratulations on six years of blogging, girl!

Fireblossom said...

PS--did you know that Seamus is the male, UK equivalent of Shay? Yup.

Charles Gramlich said...

Wow. that long! Amazing how the time goes. I'm still going myself.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful to have met you via cyberspace and I am also so happy that you are still writing and blogging. It's been such a pleasure reading your work.

Your beautiful spirit shines through your blog posts too. I am honored to call you a friend.

Happy Blogging! Hugs, G

BernardL said...

It is fun. As long as bloggers remember it's okay to take a break once in a while - there's no penalty box. I do wish Bernita Harris is okay. She's from back then too. Anyway, Happy Blogger Anniversary, V. :)

Vesper said...

SzélsőFa, you're too kind! Thank you so much! Likewise! Yes, we learned so much from Jason. That 250 words limit was invaluable! :-)
8 years! Wow! Here's to many happy returns! :-)

Lorraine, thank you kindly! It's a pleasure to visit your blog and to have you here. :-)

Shay, thank you!!! :-) I had no idea about the names, but now that you mentioned it, and I'm saying them aloud, it makes perfect sense. :-)
xoxoxo

Charles, scary long, isn't it? :-) I'm glad that you too are still going... :-)

Geraldine, likewise and thank you!!! I feel overwhelmed and blushing... :-) We've met through one of Jason's contest, haven't we? I'm so glad we did, my friend! xoxoxo

Bernard, thank you! I do remember everybody... I wonder if they do remember me... :-) I think about Bernita, every now and then... I really hope she's fine.

SzélsőFa said...

just today i've learned that Shay/Seamus/James (the wow!) are similar.

Out of Sight L said...

I looked him up the lion, Oh I could just hug him, but ahh stay close lol

the walking man said...

Odd who we connected easier through words than we ever would face to face. I think it's because we trust words without body language easier. Either way Stay The Course kiddo.

Brian Miller said...

wow pretty cool...almost as long for me...coming up in october...and a friend made me do it at first....and pretty cool as well to see people that you first started with as well and where they have gone...

Marilyn Brant said...

Happy Blogiversary (sp?!), Vesper!! Here's to the next 6 years ;).

Vesper said...

SzélsőFa, James too? I didn't realize.

Lovely lions, Lorraine... LOL

Yeah, I know, Mark... It's somehow strange and yet very reassuring... I hope we can truly feel kindred souls. Thanks for being here always.

Brian, then we shall thank your friend... :-) He did a very cool thing.

Marilyn, thank you! I hope so, why not? :-) :-) :-)

laughingwolf said...

yay v! :)

if google had not killed my previous blogsite, this would be my 7th year here... by deleting my writings and stuff i wanted to keep/share from other online posts, google pounded out of me any interest to post anything on the net...

to make it worse, they also changed the way changes are made on blogspot pages, from relatively easy to ridiculously difficult - i had to request help from a knowledgeable and talented young blogspot friend, who generously created my current page... my hat's off to her, always, as she keeps helping me out!

TALON said...

Blogging truly is an adventure...and, as you say, it's incredible the like-minded and intriguing people you get to meet and the friends you make.

Congratulations on six years, Vesper!