It was a rainy, shut-in kind of day–the third in a row. Ordinarily, I don’t mind these days when I can cozy up by the fire, but after being a semi-recluse during the Covid year, I really felt caged in. I did a lot of pacing, eyed the wine rack (it was only ten in the morning), and considered tossing caution and heading out into the storm for a hike. But the wind was fierce and the trees were doing some very bendy tangos. I’d rather not have one of them crash on my head.
“Well, you could plant yourself in front of the computer and write something, you know.” The voice of the muse.
That was an option, but I was out of inspiration. That’s happened a lot this past year (see above re: semi-recluse and Covid) Then I received an image, and after a few wistful moments, taking in this picture, I followed my muse’s advice. I thought I’d share my writing prompt today in case anyone out there was in need of some cheerful nostalgia.
But now it’s time to rock the neurotic writing world! So shall we?
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
February 3 question – Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?
The awesome co-hosts for the February 3 posting of the IWSG are Louise – Fundy Blue , Jennifer Lane, Mary Aalgaard, Patsy Collins at Womagwriter, and Nancy Gideon!
When I first started blogging I knew no one. I didn’t expect anyone to visit my site, and–surprise–nobody did, not at first anyway. But I plodded along, writing short, but daily posts and my publisher kept nudging me with hints about how important networking would be for me if I continued to write for publication. She sent me links to some “movers and shakers” in the community, so I visited them, and every once in a while someone would stumble on my posts and leave a comment.
I can’t remember when I could claim to have a network, but it was probably my second year and after my second book came out. By that time I’d had a few trials by fire, met writers with similar experiences, and learned how to write a decent post. What I find interesting is that some of my earliest connections are still with me and I can definitely call them friends.
We’ve exchanged manuscripts, comforting shoulders (virtually, of course), book successes, and setbacks. We’ve exchanged hints and featured each other on our blogs during book launches. Some have called to talk when they knew I was going through a rough patch. Others send me cards with good wishes on holidays. One sent me congratulations and a bouquet of flowers when I did a presentation at a major conference. I remember how special that made me feel.
I’ve said this many times, but this seems a good time to repeat it. I wouldn’t still be doing this if it weren’t for the friends I’ve made here in the blogosphere, and I value each of them for their talent, perseverance, and kindness.
Quote of the Month: “And she loved a little boy very, very much. Even more than she loved herself.” -Shel Silverstein
Love love your prompt. Sweet and Innocent. The best!
We’re in the midst of a snowstorm which gives me time to hop around. Thoroughly enjoy visiting all my blogger friends, just wish I had more time.
Have a nice weekend, Lee.
Oh my gosh – a bare butt, boots, and a dog. So cute!
I’m glad to count you as one of my blogging friends. 🙂
It was windy here today, but sunny, so I went for a walk in the woods along a beat up road. It had been plowed, but still had a coating of ice. The woods might have been easier to navigate even with five inches of slushy snow. But navigating hills where the snow has been stamped down to ice can be tricky. Lake Ontario was an impressive shade of deep blue with lots of little ice islands floating near the shore.
That last bit is so true. Blogging would be no good without friends. I’m just beginning to realise that!
hahaha – I enjoyed your line about eyeing the wine rack (even though it was only 10 in the morning). Been there, done that. The little boy in nothing but his boots was a wonderful sight. Yes, I value my blogging friends and suspect I may have more of them than friends in the same city. And so many of the friends I’ve met in the real world have moved away. Something that doesn’t make a difference with blogging friends – because you can always stay in touch in the same way as when you first got to know each other.
An interesting comment, Kalpana. In life friends leave and you don’t have contact with them anymore. Online friends can stay in touch no mater where they roam and the connection remains the same.
It is great that you have such a network of friends through your blog.
Blogging started off as a chore for me, and then morphed into something I really enjoy. My network of friends are really important to me. And you’re right, it is great.
Uh, rainy day writing- what’s that? He he he.
I agree, blogging has kept me going so many times. It’s the people, not the platform, that really do it for me, but the platform is pretty cool too.
I love that picture you shared. Bet he’s not too happy you shared it.
Well, I thought that the little boy butt was anonymous enough to not embarrass him. Guess I’ll find out.
I got to know a lot of people through the IWSG and through my blog, but that was back in the day when I blogged regularly. Now I’m trying to build my net of friends back up again. It’s hard to start over again, but I know it will be worth it. Thanks for the inspiration.
My theory is that you can reduce your presence and still stay connected if you set up a regular, limited posting sechedulie. Wishing you the best in reconnecting.
Sorry to hear you’re so stir crazy. I hope things clear up and life gives you some freedom without windstorms.
The sun always comes out eventually. I just have to give it a bit of time. Hope you’re doing well, Loni!
I have to admit, I haven’t had good experiences in critique groups or partners. The comments were more on the critical side rather than suggesting ways to improve my writing. I don’t do it anymore, but it is nice to hear there is groups that work well together.
Thank you for sharing.
It is a tricky matter to find the right group. You don’t want the “everything’s perfect” kind or the “everything’s wrong” kind either. Like you, I need readers who help me make my writing better than it is. Thanks for the great comment.
Does your son read your blog? 🙂 Great photo. And I, too, have met some good people through blogging.
I’m not sure any of may family reads my blog. I have great latitude with what I write here. 🙂
Hey blogger friend, that snap is adorable! Blogger friends make all the difference. Speaking personally, I’ve learned so much from reading and watching, introvert that I am. I hope you take a hike soon!
Yes to the hike. I’m planning one in tomorrow. As to the snap, I hope the boy can be as adventurous in life as he was on the day this was taken! You may be an introvert, but your a nice one.
The blogging friends sure keep me going too. That and the cat likes to be mouthy lol
Now there is a pic to get the muse going hahahaha
I’m sure blogging keeps most of us going. Glad to have met up with you and the cat! Keep rhyming.
I have a photo of my youngest wearing the same boots! Go figure. Boys are special; that’s a certainty. Happy IWSG day, Lee. Glad to know you.
It’s a classic look for those 2 something year olds. Such a free time in life! Glad to know you, too! We’ve been hanging out for a while now. Hope we can continue a while longer.
I can relate to that feeling of being caged in. We need to get out more to refill those creative tanks. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible. I do love that photo, though. I’m glad it inspired you.
We’ll all have stories to relate about this Covid experience. I’m sure kids will remember everyone looking like bank robbers. Thanks for the visit, Lynda AKA Elle!
Naked and cowboy boots–a new fashion trend!
Very true that blog friends are essential for writing.
There are only a few who can carry off that look. This guy has it down.
Lol that picture!
I think it took a lot of time and a lot of visiting other people’s blogs to finally get some interaction on mine.
It does take some energy. It’s not a one-way street for sure! I wish I had more time to visit more people, but everyday wisks by and I’m bleary-eyed from so much screen time as it is. I do have good intentions, however. :-0
Fantastic picture! So cute.
I also didn’t know anyone when I started blogging. Now, 9 years later, I have regular visitors to my blog. Not many, but those that are there are friends and supporters, and I treasure their presence in my life.
We don’t need a lot of visitors, do we? We need those who really connect with us.
Love the photo! When I started blogging, I didn’t know anyone either. The blogging community was so welcoming. I consider all of you my friends.
And you’re a great friend, Carol. I remember loooooong ago when I first visited your Tiki Hut and had so much fun.
I know what you mean about early blogging. I don’t think I met anyone blogging until I started doing challenges and blog hops. If only we knew that earlier, eh 😉
Live and learn, heh? Well, we have and I think both verbs are great ones.
What an adorable pic! I’m often inspired by visual prompts.
I’ve found so much support and friendship through IWSG. It’s kept me going when the urge to chuck it all slithers through my brain. I keep chugging along, inspired by the successes and struggles of our members. And I’ve been known to eye the wine rack when it’s not 5 o’clock in my time zone yet! 😉
It seems we have much in common! So glad you keep on chugging and that we can do it together.
Okay, now I want to write a story about a boy and his cowboy boots. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the inspiration, and for sharing your journey.
Please write it and let us read it!
My comment disappeared, so if you get this twice…
I have a similar picture of my daughter at that age, except at the beach and wearing nothing but a seaweed necklace. Ah, the memories. LOL.
That’s the cutest picture ever! I have one of my daughter at a similar age and pose, but at the beach wearing nothing but a seaweed necklace. What a great memory!
You have to treasure these pictures, don’t you? They’re so quickly replaced by much more mature ones.
That picture of your son is adorable! Blogging has been a wonderful way for me to connect with other writers like yourself 🙂
It’s exciting, isn’t it? I mean meeting people from all over the world who you can share this writing experience with. Glad we bumped into each other!
trees doing very bendy tangos — I’ve seen that, ya, better to stay in. It’s funny what little things can be so inspiring.
Trees are beautiful, but having one on your head is not!
What a cute picture of your son. It’s gotten hard with the different strains of COVID out there and having to stay in so much. I just hold onto that hope is on the way to get me through it.
I’m so glad we’ve become friends through blogging. I’ve made many good, supportive friends through it.
You’ve been an amazing supporter for writers, Natalie, and–I along with so many others– truely appreciate it.
Adorable prompt! I remember when my son went through his rainboots and nothing else phase. He’s big and scowly and working on a mustache now, but I will always have that photo! Ha.
Thank you for the smile today.
Big and scowly comes so quicky, doesn’t it? The memory of that little naked backside never goes away. Thanks for the visit today.
So many comments about how friends keep us blogging. And that’s the truth. I never realized how much I depended on all of you to keep on keeping on. Your wisdom, comfort, creativity and sense of humor is something I depend on. Thank you!!
That photo is darling, Lee! What a special muse! And that Shel Silverstein quote fills my heart. Silverstein was a staple in my classroom. Over the years my students and I shared countless poem, and they became a foundation for many writing and art projects. I so want to be beyond a Covid recluse! I hear you! Please stay safe and healthy!
I love Silverstein’s writing, so glad you introduced your students to him Back at you with my best for being safe and healthy. It’s a great wish to give others these days.
I didn’t know anyone, either, when I started blogging. My second year it did start to pick up. My first year…crickets. lol The third year, I think, is when I found IWSG. 🙂
I heard crickets for a while. Pleasant, but not too rewarding. Like you, I appreciate IWSG so much. It has brought a lot of people together, and as we know, there’s comfort as well as strength in numbers.
Adorable photo! I’ve been spending time with old family photos (a project for my mom) and that would fit right in!
You made me think back to how I got anything like a network, and hops and groups were it–but those early events generated few people who’ve stuck. Maybe they don’t still blog, maybe there wasn’t enough connection in the first place. Those who are still dropping in to check on me from the early years are really appreciated!
I hope the IWSG never goes away, because I need all of you!
Thanks, Rebecca. This photo will be included in the family history for sure.
It’s the people who help you get started and then stick with you that really make a difference, isn’t it?
I adore that photo – and the memories it sparks.
The friendships I have found in the blogosphere blow me away and are a significant part of the reason I am still here. Learning, laughing, weeping with and for other bloggers.
How true. We do go through the entire range of emotional experiences with our blogger friends, don’t we?
I agree, Lee. Short, pithy posts. I did one a day at first–to develop the backlog–and then settled into a more reasonable schedule. I always enjoy your posts and especially the updates on your writing.
We have to start somewhere, right? Thanks for always checking in. Next time I might have some writing updates. It has been a slog these past few months.
A lot of my blogging buddies from the first half of the 2010s are unfortunately now only irregular bloggers, or have left the blogosphere entirely. It’s kind of sad to have lost contact with them. I’m still trying to find an active new crew in their place.
I’m sure you’ll do it. It takes time, especially after you’ve got a good set of connections and then they leave. Kind of like life in general. I’ve lost so many of my close friends in the past two years, and while I have new friends I enjoy, it’s sad not to be able to share the “good old days” the way I used to.
Hi Lee – yes I certainly wouldn’t be continuing on with blogging without the people on the other side of their blog – their style, their approach, their replies et al … I personally love that I learn so much about different ways of life, learn extra knowledge … etc … it’s been a great (and continuing) blogging experience …
And I LOVE THAT PHOTO … great memories you must have of those days … stay safe and all the best – Hilary
We do agree, Hilary. It’s all about people and engaging with them even if it is online.
I love this photo. And it’s actually a recent one. This a new kid in our family.
I’ve read your comments, and you are loved. Thank goodness you took up blogging. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Good morning from California, Anna! That is sweet of you, indeed. My friends who don’t blog, don’t understand. Their loss!
LOVE the photo!!!
I agree – the blogging world has given me so many friends and so much knowledge! I treasure both 🙂
Yes, the information exchange has been invaluable!
We all need friends like those.
LOL – I wonder what your son thinks of his photo now.
This is one of those iconic images that says so much about us. I think he’ll understand.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
One year into the pandemic game changer, I think we are all beginning to feel pinned down and boxed in. I know how important your brisk daily walks have become to your fitness routine. Surely that string of rainy days forced you out of the pocket, if you will pardon the football analogy. However, sometimes that works to one’s advantage. Some of my proudest accomplishments have come about as a result of a “broken play,” if you will excuse another football analogy.
I am in my 13th year of blogging. As was the case with your blogging career, it took a while for mine to get rolling. It seemed to take forever before I received my first comment. By the two year mark I had developed a respectable readership. In the years that followed, many followers came and went. Some that I regarded as friends simply vanished on me. The few that have remained are the ones I regard as genuine friends and I am thankful to have them.
A boy and his dog. All is right with the world.
I wish you a safe and happy week and month, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
Football analogies are always welcome here, Shady. It’s interesting how we find and keep certain people close to us in our online “family.” Personality and compatibility are obviously conveyed through the written word quite effectively. I guess that’s why letter writing has always been so important. If you can be with someone in person, the ideas on paper–and now via the internet–suffice.
See you at your special music site later today!
Oh, Lee… You’ve been such a good friend to me and I’m struggling so…
Let’s talk, shall we? It seems time to connect and share what’s going on.
I’m grateful for the connections and friendships I’ve made through blogging, especially IWSG, and through our publication with Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime. I mentioned you on my blog today. Thanks for being a supportive writing friend.
Mary at Play off the Page
Hi Mary,
We’ve shared some special moments, haven’t we? I’ll be by to say hello today on this 1st Wednesday.
I agree! I wouldn’t still be doing this if not for the friends I’ve made over the years.
Funny prompt.
It does help to have people who understand without explanation.
That’s downright inspiring. Thanks, Lee! I needed a little nudge.
Hey there! I’m glad you got the nudge here. Great to hear from the other side of the continent.