I’ve been posting for 3 years now, and most of you savvy bloggers might assume I learned a thing or two about this art and craft during that time. The wretched truth is, until recently, I floundered in a quagmire of cluelessness. I blogged for the sake of blogging, because someone (my publisher, probably) advised me it was mandatory. Every month, I dragged myself away from my latest writing endeavor to spend a full day laboring over a few hundred words that maybe someone would read.
Now, you have to understand that back in the olden days we had typewriters…yep. Computers existed, of course. They hummed in the secretive cellars of IBM and flashed on Captain Kirk’s console. Don’t get me wrong, there was life before cell phones, microchips, and social media, but it wasn’t wired. Social, in my day, was trespassing at the reservoir with a bonfire and keg on Saturday night and hoping the police didn’t break up the party and send us home.
Once I graduated from keg parties, I toiled in business where keeping up with technology was routine. I spent my waking hours on spreadsheets and typing with all ten fingers. After that, a switch to mental health counseling, followed by a decision to write, began a rather rapid descent into technological fossilization. The social media thing, when it reared its monstrous head, felt overwhelming. It didn’t come with instructions. I was supposed to learn it by osmosis without a teenager’s eye-rolling guidance.
Then this great thing happened.
Nicholas Rossis, awesome blogger and author from the far side of the planet, read one of my books and reached out through social media.
Huh. Tiny synapses flickered in my primordial brain as I pondered this curious event. You mean…social media is supposed to be social? Yeesh. Took me long enough to figure that out.
Rossis offered advice on blogging and writing, as well as other features that intrigued me. Determined to climb the evolutionary ladder, I started following his blog (http://nicholasrossis.me/). This was a giant leap forward. Up until this point, I didn’t know how to follow blogs without provoking cryptic computer-generated warnings riddled with exclamation points.
Well, I clicked the button and nothing crashed. I dodged the chilling meltdown anticipated by the technologically primitive, and propelled by this remarkable feat, I started poking around. I discovered blogs that shared invaluable information and was swept up in the sublime words of immensely gifted writers. Who knew?
It’s been several months since my mini blogging enlightenment, and I still find the left-brain advice on how to market through social media somewhat overwhelming. I read it and tuck it away for later, content to just be me and offer you a peek inside my writing and my head.
But, I follow lots of blogs now.
I read your stories, pour over your advice, share your trepidation, laugh aloud, and hoot for your victories. I “like” often and comment when something strikes a chord. Who wouldn’t marvel at the talent out there in the blogosphere and want to be part of the vast, supportive community of writers, artists, and readers? Little by little, I’m making those connections. I found an island of solid ground in that quagmire of cluelessness, and I’m leaving a few muddy footprints behind me…finally.
Happy New Year!
Myths of the Mirror 
I hardly think you’re so new to it now! 🙂
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That was a while ago, Chelsea, and I was soooo clueless. Ha ha. Have a fun week, my friend, with lots of reasons to laugh.
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You, too! I’d love to know as much as you do one day.
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Hmmm. lol. I don’t know A LOT more than I know.
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This is a lovely piece D and so relatable. From nervous beginnings I’m now confident I can’t crash the Internet from my humble keyboard and your last paragraph sums up my last few months beautifully. Thanks : )
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It’s a learning curve, Phil, and seems to take us all a while to figure out. I hear the same stories of clueless beginnings from highly successful bloggers. So glad your enjoying yourself. It really is a lovely community 😀
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I’ve gone through about five of your posts. I just started this venture a few days ago… I’ve rooted around, and this is the first blog I’ve stumbled on that has kept me around! Very impressive work! I look forward to really diving into your head… And it’s perfectly fine if you haven’t washed your hair!! Chances are high, mine is in need of professional attention too!!!
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Ha ha ha. You must be a writer (I’m guessing). Thanks so much for the lovely comment. This place is a mixture of things related to writing (most of the time) and the occasional promotion (because it’s required). Welcome to blogging! I’ll be over soon to say hi and see what you gotten yourself into 😀
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Great craic on the owl blogosphere all the same isn’t it?😉
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It’s been a journey certainly. It took me a long time to figure out, but eventually we do. 🙂
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[…] clueless about blogging and about social media in general. How clueless? Here’s that old post Confessions of a Clueless Blogger in which I fess […]
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Happy to find a reluctant luddite like myself, dragged kicking and screaming to social media. THank you for visiting my one blog. Having read a few pages and gleaned something of your philosophy you might enjoy this one more http://involution-odyssey.com/ The blog is currently dealing with a Court case. The book is indicted under several charges! Happy to swear you in to the Jury!
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I’ll take a look. Thanks for the recommendation and for stopping by!
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Diane,
I began learning WordPress at the end of October, 2014. As a new blogger, I, too, found Nicholas C. Rossis (http://nicholasrossis.me) to have an excellent site for authors. (He’s also great to learn code from if you right-click with your mouse and choose “Inspect Element”!)
I reviewed his children’s book Runaway Smile and did an interview with him on my site. It was my first and, thus far, only author interview, but he was great at giving me everything I needed in terms of images, etc.
You have an excellent page, yourself. I don’t blame you for being wary of Twitter, but it can be kind of fun. The hashtags (#) are a lot like your categories and tags in WordPress. You do want to be careful with what any type of social media wants to know, though, especially if they want access to your contacts!
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Thanks Connie! I appreciate the advice. I’ve started learning a little more about Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+. It seems that there’s something new every time I turn around though:). One of these days I’ll that those guided tours that the sites offer!
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Some days I just want to avoid the computer altogether, but I’ve met so many good folks in the blogosphere.
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Where is the Twitter button that will let me share your humour even further?
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Hi David, Thanks for the visit. Yeah, that Twitter button. I tried to set it up, but it asked me questions that made me nervous:) I need Twitter for Dummies. I still don’t know what those # things do. I wasn’t kidding about being clueless.
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Love it. I’m still trying to find my very own Nicholas C. Rossis! I’m thinking maybe you are my him. Ha. Does that even make sense? I’ve only been blogging on WordPress for about three months, but I’m finding it…fulfilling so far. Your posts are really great–and there’s so many. Will keep me occupied for quite some time…
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Thanks Bill, that’s a big compliment. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’m just figuring it out, so you’re way, way ahead of me. I find myself taking deep breaths and repeating my mantra: “Relax, Diana, do the best you can and let it go.” Thanks so much for checking out my site. I thoroughly enjoy your blog and will be a frequent visitor. Keep writing.
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Thank you. I am trying to get better at this thing. Now I spend way too much time reading and commenting on blogs! It’s a constant struggle to find that perfect balance.
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what a fantastic account! Absolutely loved it !!
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Well, thank you for the follow! I’m humbled by what I read here and wonder what brought you to my neck of the woods. But I’ll be happy to read more of what you write. It is good for the soul to smile often and you provide that to mine. Thank you.
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Thanks so much. How did I find you? We must have another blog that we both follow(?). I’m exploring and finding a wide variety of sites. It’s an adventure.
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Yes, I saw you on Better not Broken…
It is an adventure indeed! Makes life more interesting 😉
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Blogging is so much more fun when we realize the community that exists within this world of writing here 🙂
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It’s great fun. I have to limit myself or I’d spend all my writing time browsing and reading.
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Writing is often painting with words:)
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Hi Diana … Your writing flows like musical notes from the pied piper and I for sure am following … thank you so much for your kind visit … I’m grateful for your connection …blessings ..xxx
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The sentiment is mutual. I just checked Amazon to see if you have a book out there…not yet?
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I just started writing a year ago while on a pilgrimage and the urge to write overcame my desire to paint and draw … And it all surprises me still ! … Hugs
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Ain’t it amazing? When my child bride asks why I’m still at the laptop I could either be writing actual sentences in “PROJECT D” (secret, classified, coded and disguised working title of the current novel) or reading and responding to fellow bloggers. “Working” I tell her. She gives me the look.
But it is work for me. I can’t know or understand all I need to write good fiction. My meager public school and state university education left big flapping holes in the knowlege tent. I’m just a small town kid from rural Pennsylvania trying to communicate. I need all the help I can get. I get some of it here.
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I feel the same way. I don’t know what I don’t know, right? Light bulbs go off in my pea-brain every day. Sometimes I feel like a dope, but I love those AHA moments. And thanks for browsing!
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In my past life I had to confront and deal with all sorts of people. Many were a lot smarter and better educated than me. But there is something a bit satisfying about slipping the handcuffs on a Harvard graduate and introducing him to his new friends in the holding cell.
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Everyone, even the Ivy League grad, can learn something new!
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Diana, thank you for visiting and following Before Sundown! I’m happy to follow back and read more of your writing. So far, I like your descriptive, humorous writing style. And the stream/trees header is delightful! Happy Writing 2015. Christine
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Thanks for following. Happy Writing as we cross paths.
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I’m glad you have discovered the world of social media and blogging. I really enjoy your writing.
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It takes a lot of time, but I’m enjoying making all these connections. Thanks for checking out my site.
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… and I followed a ‘like’ and found a series of intriguing titles I’ll have to explore… and a trepidation I recognised 🙂
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Thanks Sue for stopping by. I look forward to reading more of your writing as well.
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My pleasure 🙂
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Thank you, Suzanne. I hope you enjoy it. And a Happy New Year to you too.
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My daughter sent me your book, Diana. I’m going to begin reading it and will review it on my blog. Have a great Happy New Year, 2015. 🙂
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Wow, thank you so much for your kind mention! I reached out to you because I loved Sunwielder and felt the need to get to know the person behind the excellent writing. I had no idea this would help you embark on your social media journey 🙂
I hope the new year brings you nothing but success. May everyone love your books as much as I do! 🙂
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Surprise! I had to give credit where credit’s due. Have a great new year.
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