Monday, August 3, 2009

Once Upon a Time...


Artsy Mama is having a party! The theme is "Blogging for Bliss." As part of this fun event, I would like to share how Unshelved Words came to be. Perhaps, your story is similar to mine.

First of all, the title of my blog was created many years ago....long before blogs. In the early '90's I taught a summer program for high school students in creative writing. The students created a newsletter at the end of the class, and that newsletter was called Unshelved Words. It was only published once for the parents to have a chance to read their wonderful essays, poems, and short stories. The title stayed with me for many years. It was a fond remembrance of a "blissful" teaching summer.

Fast forward to the year 2007. One morning I found myself on a "blog" after doing a search for shabby chic decorating. The blog was totally drop dead fabulous! I wish with all my heart that I had made note of its name. In my rush to visit others, I failed to bookmark! (Sigh) From that moment on I searched for writers who were blogging about my own interests. I so wanted to just invite each one into my kitchen for a cup of coffee or tea. I knew from the words that we were kindred in spirit. Every morning I would check in with my "favorites"...sometimes "lurking"...other times commenting. I was always click..click..clicking on their favorite sites. If I didn't get my morning cup of blog surfing, I felt "out of the loop" all day.

Then one cold afternoon in January of 2008, I was visiting my daughter. I mentioned to her husband... who loves all things about computers... that I wanted to create a blog. BINGO!!! He directed me to blogspot.com. You might say the "rest was history." When I came home that evening, Unshelved Words had a "renaissance moment." My first post was published in a matter of minutes. Now it was "showtime." I made myself a pledge from the first post that I would have discipline to share everyday a bit about art, decor, writing....a fruit salad of what I had come to love while visiting others' blogs over the last year.

I started out going strong. Then in the summer and early fall, I rarely posted. I missed it though. It was like not seeing a close friend for a very long time. In January of 2009, I renewed my pledge to blog as much as possible. Seeing the phrase "blogging without obligation" on other sites took the pressure off. I didn't have to post everyday. Every post didn't have to be newsworthy. Blogging is not an all or nothing adventure. BREATHE!!! I have so enjoyed getting to know my readers through comments, swaps, and parties!! Thanks for stopping by for this great event. Come again soon! Now I share with you the post that started it all! It actually became the side bar text that explains to new visitors the title of my blog.

Welcome, 2008! Welcome to my new blog! What are unshelved words? They are thoughts that we carry in our hearts hoping to one day share on paper with the world! We all have them. Some have dreams of writing that best seller. Another may pen a poem in solitude that shatters the silence when read by another. For this lady, I want to write books that share the wisdom of the one room school teacher! Please visit often to browse the pages of Unshelved Words.

9 comments:

blushing rose said...

Beautifully stated ... TTFN ~Marydon

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

I like that! "Blogging without obligation". My blog name was with me long before my blog too.....always thought it would be the name of my dream brick and mortar shop...when I started blogging in February....I already knew the name...
Thanks for sharing this post!
Laura :)

Valerie said...

thanks for reminding me that blogging can be bliss. it (actually both blogging and the thought of "blogging without obligation") helps to free the mind from all the stresses of life. aren't there more than enough daily, from work, the environment and people around us?! hey, there is certainly one common thing between us, i was a classroom teacher too. happy blogging! :)

barbarasaintjacques said...

Marilyn,
Thank you for visiting and for the compliment you left! It is really interesting to read about how one's blog began. Thank you again for the notice on your blog. That is how I found out about the "Blogging for Bliss Party!" If you go back to my blog and scroll down a bit, you will find your blog name with an award banner. Please add it to your blog, as you are so deserving! Always, Barbara (Basia)

Claudia said...

Thanks for sharing your blog story - I love hearing about why other bloggers started blogging!

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Your posts may very well become your BESTSELLER one day! Save them all; you just never know! And have fun with it!

Kari said...

What a great post! Love the title. Thanks for sharing your story. Your blog and your words are beautiful. Keep it up!!!
Cheers
Kari

Tipper said...

I liked learning how you got started in Blog World-neat!

Nerissa Alford said...

You have a wonderfully visual blog. I enjoyed reading your story. I've bookmarked you to visit again.
Happy Blogging
Nerissa