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Monday, April 6, 2020

Enthusiasm #atozchallenge

#AtoZChallenge 2020 badge


The team decided our theme for this month's posts here would be "2020 visions of blogging." This set of weekday posts focuses on:

Memories from Blogging in the Past

#AtoZChallenge 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge letter E

I started my blog, The Sound of One Hand Typing, in 2012 so that I could participate in this challenge. I had been reading about it on other people's blogs for almost a year and finally decided to bite the bullet and start my own blog so that I could participate. I had a great deal of fun participating, so much so that when May rolled around I didn't know what to do with myself. Now I had this blog and a few readers, and I knew I had to keep going with it, lest I lose those readers and the enthusiasm I had for blogging. I tried writing about my nascent career as a fiction writer, but the more I wrote about it, the less I believed that I had a nascent career as a fiction writer, finally realizing that it's awful hard to be a fiction writer if you don't even like reading fiction.

So I started blogging about music, because I love music and I'm enthusiastic about it. I started writing stories about my youth, because the stories were funny and occasionally heartwarming and I liked telling them. I started participating in blog hops that gave me a prompt every week that I would have to write about (or, in my case, find a way not to write about while still using the prompt, which is often more fun). Now I was writing and posting every day, and having more fun than an adult should have with his clothes on.

My blog has taught me that I can be myself and still get people to read it. That's what has kept me going for 8+ years.

What about you? What got you started in blogging, and what keeps you doing it?

#AtoZChallenge 2020 badge

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42 comments:

Aditya Sinha said...

True Enthusiasm is a must , that keeps you going. And if the activity is of passion, enthusiasm comes along too. That's what has kept me moving in blogging too.

From E , I'll take you to North East. Try out this Eromba from Manipur.

https://facetsofadiregionalcuisine.blogspot.com/2020/04/e-for-eromba-from-manipur.html

kaykuala said...

Hank's E is for Eagle's Nest

Hank is here:
https://imagery77.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-eagles-nest.html

Hank

Narayana Rao K.V.S.S. said...

The prompts are interesting.

What about you? What got you started in blogging, and what keeps you doing it?

Can be taken up by all A to Z bloggers after April as they are now concentrating on their themes.

Jackie said...

I thought blogging would be fun but I quickly realized the white space on my screen was an intimidating factor that I struggled with. I don't have the same problem today but back when I started my blog, blogging was fairly new and I thought it would be cool to have one too. I learned everything I know about HTML and blog templates from blogging.

Mary B said...

I've always admired your ability to keep up with all of the bloghops. I barely know where to find them. One day, when I'm feeling better, I'm going to go on a massive pursuit and take on more challenges. Doing the A2Z for 2 different blogs is 'just enough' for right now.

~Mary
Literary Gold - #AtoZChallenge : Endless Vacation
Jingle Jangle Jungle - #AtoZChallenge: E

ladyleemanila said...

Happy Monday everyone!
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2020/04/05/thursday-photo-prompt-together-writephoto/

Gonz said...

If you look with a little enthusiasm in the depths of Esper, you can find a very bright material which you can use to build something truly magical: etherium!

http://codexanathema.com/2020/04/06/e-is-for-esper/

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Yes, "I can be myself and still get people to read it", I agree John, this is the magic of blogging and sharing with the entire world. Keep going!
E is for Embroirery

The Joyous Living said...

yay for week 2!! Good luck everyone w/ your posts.

https://www.thejoyousliving.com/a-to-z-challenge-how-prejudice-nearly-destroyed-the-eberle-family/

Susan Sanderson said...

Yes, John, to be an enthusiastic blogger, you have to be honest about what you enjoy. Then your enthusiasm is obvious to the readers.
My post for E is one of the ones I like the best - there is even music! E is for earthquake, everlasting (or eternal life and eucharist). https://suestrifles.wordpress.com/2020/04/06/e-is-for-earthquake-eternal-or-everlasting-life-and-eucharist/

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Wendy said...

I blame my cousin - she introduced me to blogging many years ago. There have been ups and downs but I'm on my 6th A-Z Challenge and I look forward to it each year.

Viyoma said...

Wow - my E pmompt is about E Writing. And is somewhat similar to your thoughts. All about how i started blogging and what i use to do prior blogging.

1 thing I have noticed- when people start blogging [ including me] the tone of posts is more preachy. As n when more posts happen- its gets to more casual tone. Not sure if my thinking is right- but this is what I have observed.

The mommy blogger said...

I also participate in blog hops and blog trains they keep me glues to continuity and discipline.

enthusiasm is what keeps us all going, enthusiasm to learn something new everyday, 8 years is a long time and you are doing great.

my today's blog - http://mywordsmywisdom.com/eerie-nightmares-who-has-freaked-you-in-your-dream-last-night-atozchallenge/

Nilanjana Bose said...

I know I got into blogging because a friend suggested I should. But why do I keep at it? Gosh, I have no idea!...I'm going to have to think about that...

Aditya Sinha said...

And enthusiasm is what keeping go for more each day.

Check this just 5 lines with a message.

https://facetsofadishortstories.blogspot.com/2020/04/e-for-ex.html

Joy Weese Moll said...

I chose Enthusiasm for E, too! It's the best.

E is for Enthusiasm

Sharon E. Cathcart said...

Facts About Pompeii: E is for Eumachia

vesseys said...

The things you learn about people while blogging.

I was trying to get several things published for myself and friendship I created a blog - well several. Blogging for writers was still in the early dawn. What I learned I learned about blogging was from geek friends.

my joy in blogging comes from meeting people. People keep "it" fresh.

cheers y'all.
~moonie

The letter E

Cathy Kennedy said...

I began blogging in 2010 just before the release of my first and only children's book which I intended to use the blogging platform to self-promote. That was dismal failure but I discovered a fun community in the process and decided to keep going with it. Like you I went from away from my original intent to sharing music more or less which I continue at least once a week and sometime more on my site these days. It was with the A2Z Challenge that pushed me to kick start my love art and I'm delighted that I didn't back down. Thanks for being co-hosting this amazing annual event, my friend!

Cathy's Pinup Girl #AtoZChallenge Art Sketch Series ('E')

julie said...

I started in 2016 and have to admit sometimes my enthusiam wanes. But I do love that I continue to learn and my posts have improved over time. Today we have an Etoufee recipe.

https://www.screwyism.com/louisiana-style-crawfish-etouffee/

Charan Deep Singh said...

Enthusiasm is a great reason to have a blog.

Today from letter E I write about three E's that are important in these lockdown times. Read my post titled "Entertain/Engage/Enrich during Lockdown to know what is keeping me sane.

KatyTrailCreations said...

Fear of Alzheimers lol Is that a good reason?? Probably not but I'm going with it.
My link for letter E
https://katytrailcreations.com/2020/04/06/enormous-need-for-exercise-letter-e/

Andy said...

Move on from that pesky political post or fearmongering tweet -- it doesn't do you good.

You have to develop and exercise emotional competence, a digital-era skill and strength needed to navigate the wavering and woeful world wide web of today.

Read more about my latest #AtoZChallenge entry, right here: http://coolkidandy.com/2020/04/06/atozchallenge-pandemic-journal-exercising-emotional-competence-during-the-outbreak/

Angie said...

This challenge is what makes/keeps me enthusiastic about my current blog! I had lost that spark with my book blog, and I miss it, but that's okay.

https://whatwouldangiewatch.blogspot.com/2020/04/evermore-season-1-episodes-1-4-2014.html

Kjj said...

Started to blog when I was a student of ISiM. I was introduced to A to z challenge by my friend who reads blogs. Maybe it's the enthusiasm that's making me write again :)

Dr Genevive Angela said...

Nice to know that you have picked up the word Enthusiasm - which is so very important to sustain oneself in blogging. I was introduced by a friend, and started with enthusiasm somehow this was challenging as I had a full time work and with family.. was tough.. am still trying to keep going, A-Z is an opportunity for me to revive and renew.

Tamara said...

Interestingly I started to blog in 2012 as well.
My debut was I had something to tell to my Facebook friend, but it was going to be too lengthy for a FB post, so I signed up to Blogger without even thinking about it. I wrote down my story (it was about purchasing a handbag, hahah) and that was my first blog post.

What keeps me going are the numerous writing challenges I take part in.

In 2020 my A-Z theme is SWITZERLAND, my home country. E is for Equality.

https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-z-2020-switzerland-equality.html

asha said...

We have often heard about the phrase – majboori ka faydaa uthana – in Hindi, meaning people taking advantage of the situation you are in. These people are like leaches, they squeeze your blood out till the last drop, while making you do voluntarily. They understand that you are in need, and they exploit it to the brim. https://hopelesslyyhopefull.blogspot.com/2020/04/how-to-identify-exploiter.html

Dihiwi said...

I like that you chose Enthusiasm as your word. It's so important to have enthusiasm in our lives but especially now. Thank you for helping to host the 2020 challenge. I chose environment because although we have to shelter in place, I'm enjoying the view from my kitchen window, where I have my "home office" set up. https://www.dianeweidenbenner.com/environment/

Crackerberries said...

I'm very excited about this challenge...it brings me a lot of eager enthusiasm to see what eccentric and exceptional articles everyone has to write about! Cheers!

Aditya said...

And full enthusiasm I submit my third in a day, the hindi poetry
e - is for ehsas

https://facetsofadihindi.blogspot.com/2020/04/e-ehsaas.html

Enjoy

Aditya said...

And this one is last fr today with E

End is the beginning

https://facetsofadienglish.blogspot.com/2020/04/end-is-beginning.html

Hope you enjoy.

Janet said...

You always have such interesting blog posts, John. Glad you decided to keep doing it!

Janet’s Smiles

Anjana said...

Good read on Enthusiasm! I started blogging due a dear friend's motivation. She encouraged me to write blogs and is till date constantly helping me to take up various blog hops, challenges etc. Even this A2Z challenge was introduced to me by her. Thanks Shilpa!
My post of the alphabet E - https://anjus.home.blog/2020/04/06/eye-care/

Buttercup said...

Enthusiasm got me started and friends I've made have kept me going.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

It's important to enjoy what you write about on your blog -- otherwise it starts to feel like work.

An A-Z of Faerie: Vila

Pr@Gun said...

Well said to write one certainly needs to be enthusiastic about the topic.
Enthusiasm to express yourself and keep challenging. nice post.

My E post - https://praguntatwa.com/the-letter-e-and-what-it-brought-with-it/

scarlett79 said...

I went back to when I started blogging after I read you post. This is my 10 year anniversary since I started blogging on wordpress. I can't believe it was 10 years. I went to my 1st post on wordpress and let's just say I have come a long way on my knowledge of blogging ( ;) that's putting it nicely ). Always love visiting Mr. John Blessings to you oh and you are really one of my heroes and my Chicago Blogger friend. That's what I call you so the husband knows who I talking about ;) . We do have a connection and that feels good <3

CRD said...

Post 5 in the series 'Idiosyncrasies of a Covidiot'

E for Exceptionally Coarse


Cheers,
CRD

Ashmita from Chaoticsoulzzz said...

This year I thought, "Will I be able to complete the A-Z challenge?" That's when the idea struck to me that why don't I blog about things I am enthusiastic about. SO i came up with Food and Fiction.

E for Egg's Sunny Side up - https://chaoticsoulzzz.com/2020/04/06/eggs-sunny-side-up-self-story-with-a-bang/

Ashmita from chaoticosulzzz.com

Seeking Serenity and Harmony said...

I started last year working at my blog because I felt I wanted a creative outlet to express myself. I had always wanted to write but was afraid to share.. I also wanted to find a way I could advocate for others. I am hoping that I can do that through writing and my blog.