Disney Blog Hop – How Did I Get Here & Where Am I Going?
This week’s theme on the Disney Blog Hop (hosted by Babes in Disneyland), is “why you started your blog and…anything special you have going on in regards to it”. There is a real danger here of this running too long. I’ll type very carefully…
I’ve always been inclined to write ever since I learned how. I’ve kept daily journals and dream logs. I wrote lengthy notes to classmates and 10-page letters to distant family.
I’ve always been a writer…I always will be.
After becoming a member of DVC in spring of 2007, I discovered my first Disney fan site, Tagrel.com and was introduced to the concept of a trip report. I knew immediately that I wanted to write one of my own.
On my next vacation, I tried my hand at it, but failed. It was much harder than I anticipated. I refused to give up…I knew I would try again.
In September 2008, I completed my first full Walt Disney World trip report. I wrote a detailed account and included lots of fun photos. I was so proud of what I created and I still am.
I started actual blogging on myspace. I wrote about Disney and I wrote about dreams. I wrote about my mother’s cancer and her dying.
I wrote about whatever would cross my mind…with no particular audience in mind. I assumed no one was reading anyway. I wrote just to write. I was totally surprised by the number of views my posts received…which inspired me to write more.
My attempts to obtain a seat on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel motivated me to go further with my blog. I moved from myspace to free blog services. I published on blogger, live journal and wordpress…settling in finally with wordpress for aesthetic reasons. I found it easier to format and I really liked the way it looked.
After that…came the 2010 Disney’s Social Media Moms Celebration. It was my first ever blogging conference and what an eye-opening experience it was! I had no idea how big blogging was until then. It’s amazing…astounding really, how many bloggers are out there. And with so many different kinds of blogs. This is not going to go away…and I hope to continue with it as it grows.
As for the future of my blog…I have no long term expectations for it. I am currently working on a series of how-to posts that involve some vlogging. This is a big deal for me because I am somewhat TERRIFIED of speaking on camera and sharing what I’m saying with the world. I want to get over this, so I’m forcing myself through it.
Moving forward…I think I can.
I love your blog, Lucinda and I’m so glad you keep doing it! Sometimes I feel like I’m not sure who I’m writing for and then all of a sudden I have a few comments and it makes me so happy! :)
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother… I know that’s not what the focus of your blog was, but having lost my mom also, I tend to hone in on things like that…
Anyway, good for you for forcing yourself out of your comfort zone! I bet you’ll do great!
Your blog is fabulous – you are doing wonderful! I know that you are a terrific writer and that your blog will go in amazing directions. It was such a pleasure meeting you at the 2010 Disney Media Moms conference. You have no reason to be afraid of speaking in public, you were so outgoing and helped me so much at that convention. HUGGLES!!
I wish you nothing but succces in the future.
It was so nice to get to “know you” better- I’ve learned so much from your blog! Thanks for letting us in… D
I can’t wait to see your vlogs – and I’ll be hitting you up for advice! I have another blog project sitting on the back burner because I’m terrified of the camera too. Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself. It nice to get to know you a little better.
I love the comments too Jackie. It’s nice to know who is reading and even nicer to interact and build a relationship with readers and other bloggers.
I know what you mean Bird. When someone mentions the loss of their mother, it grabs my attention too. I’ll never stop missing Mom.
Thanks for your vote of confidence regarding vlogging. Looks like it’s going to be a long process for me.
Hi Lorie! You know what? You are actually in the 3rd photo on this post. It was taken mere seconds before we met.
You can’t see you behind the group of people standing in the front left…but you are there. I was walking into the press conference very nervous…and afraid to look too out of place.
When I saw your gorgeous eyes…and your amazing camera, I felt welcome enough to ask if I could sit next to you. So glad that I did!
Thanks so much for all your kindness to me this past year. I hope our friendship continues to grow. :o) Sincerely.
I enjoy getting to know you too. I’m so glad to have my new Disneyland blogging friends. I had no idea that such a group of bloggers existed. That really sounds stupid “out loud” because why wouldn’t there be Disneyland fans? I guess I’m just too isolated here in my Midwest bubble. It’s nice that I can get out at least virtually.
Thanks Tricia. I just hope I don’t chicken out. Which is kinda why I put it “out there”. It becomes more of a commitment if I publicly proclaim my intention.
Good luck to you with your camera shyness and The Crunchy Writer. Can’t wait to read your Monday interviews on Return to Disney. :o)
oh, I’m so glad you stopped by. I totally remember our conversation about losing our moms and everything that went along with that over at the Contemporary.
So glad to catch up with you again! Have a great weekend!
Hope all is going well! I’ve been keeping up with A Frugal Friend on facebook. When I saw you listed on the Disney Blog Hop, I just had to say, “Hey!”
I enjoyed reading about how your blog started. I can’t wait to read more blog posts from you.
Thanks Karen. I’ll be reading yours too! Have a Disney day!!!