Photo Credit: HoneyBearz Designs
I have a letter for you all today. And you can read it as if it were written directly to you, because it is.
Dear any one of my 1,000 WordPress followers,
I started this blog in June of last year. I figured that since I had no idea how to go about tackling the task of writing a book that I might as well give myself an outlet for my thoughts on the matter. I gained a relatively small following during the months it took me to write my first book. I think on its release day I had maybe 60 followers. But that didn’t really matter, right? Because I’d already gone crazy for this whole blogging thing. I didn’t care about getting new followers. I didn’t care if I wrote posts that got no views on the day they were published. I also didn’t care if I went weeks without any interaction from other bloggers. I wasn’t doing it for anyone but me, and I loved sitting down to write a blog post. Which back then would have always been about my writing.
Let’s fast forward. In the first couple of months of 2014 I decided a change was in order. I wanted this blog to be all about books and not just my writing. This was done because my posts about my writing had become more sporadic, but also because I felt there were a lot of topics related to books that I could discuss. Then you all happened. It took nine months for me to reach my first 100 followers and now less than three months later we’re at 1,000.
I just said up there that I don’t blog for anyone but me. Well that’s now changed. I post because the topics I write about are interesting to me, but also because I’m near certain that I’ll get a great response from a few or a great many of you. I now get to talk to some really great people just about everyday, and what could be better than that? I’m trying to decide whether or not to name any of you, BUT what the heck.
Amy, or Writerly Amy as I call her, comments on just about every one of my posts. Amy, you and I both know my posts aren’t THAT interesting, so I’m starting to think you’re a little crazy. π But really, it’s great knowing that I’ll have someone at least read everything I write on here. And guys, she knows SO much about writing. And when she’s not threatening me with violence she’s so nice about motivating me to write and to be proud of what I write. Amy, you’re pretty great. And writerly.
Mahrukh. She’s about to finish grad school, so she doesn’t come around these parts as often as she used to, but we still talk just about everyday. And I don’t think I’ve ever had any single person believe in me the way she does. I honestly can’t even describe it now. If you all could see what she’s told me then you’d know. But you can’t because that’s between the two of us. Mahrukh, I’m not going to tell you that you’re this or that because I’ve already told you before and will in the future.
I swear there are many more of you I enjoy interacting with, but those two ladies stand out from everyone. So if you are one of those people who comments once on a post and then leaves it, that’s perfectly fine, but if you’re like one of these two I mentioned above who will literally comment throughout an entire day, well I think I like you just a little more.
Last thing, I don’t want to bore you guys to death. I have a giveaway for you all! You have to actually be one of my WordPress followers in order to be entered, but you also must Like and comment on THIS post. You’ll be getting a signed copy of my first book! I’m not going to sit here and act like it’s the greatest book ever written, but it’s mine and it’ll be signed. Just Like and comment! Sorry, only US people can win because international shipping is insane.
And I get to cross this off my Bookish Bucket List!
All in all, you guys make blogging the enjoyable experience that it is. So I sincerely thank you.
-John
Congratulations on 1,000 followers! I’m at like 25, so 1,000 is unfathomable to me and definitely worth celebrating.
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Thanks! π 25 is a….nice number. Haha but it makes no difference how many followers you have as long as you have a great blog. Which, you do.
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b’aww thanks! And I absolutely agree with you. Started just to have an outlet for writing.
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π it’s the perfect outlet for it. Cause you’ll find people who are experiencing the same thing you are or who have knowledge to share and it’s just great. Every writer/author should have a blog.
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Thank you for following us at writing group at the farm. leave a comment next time, tell us about your work and we’llcomment back. Break a computer key! Tom
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I don’t want a gift. I just want to stop by and say, “What an ingenious idea.” π
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Wellllll if you didn’t want it then you wouldn’t have commented AND Liked. Haha thanks!
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I was liking the concept. I use a text reader to read and have no use for hard copy. π
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Hmm. I remember you telling me that. A million years ago when you actually read my blog. Haha.
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Wow. You’re good. Could I interest you in visiting the cyberbuddy website? Great text reader–and it’s free.
I still like the concept of a give away for likes. It’s so…corporational. π
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Well how else am I supposed to know if anyone is interested? It’s perfect.
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I’m a relatively new follower, but I look forward to all your posts. Your blog is one I actually have found I am reading on a regular basis over all the other 100 or so blogs I follow. And I have been blogging for over 4 years and I’ve yet to even reach 400 followers. It would probably help if I blogged more than once a week. π
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Well I’m glad for that. π well I just realized that I don’t follow you. So now you’re one closer! π
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Well, thank you very much! π Sometimes it’s about the content more than the followers, but at the same time, it’s really nice when you know what you are writing is getting out there.
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I think every blogger would say that, but everyone definitely wants someone reading their blog.
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Very true. I think we are all lying to ourselves if we say we write just for us. Come on, we write because we do want the accolades. At some point at least. Be it blog or book, we want people to notice. The blogger dieterrogiers of 300 Stories has this as his mini Gravatar bio : Egomaniac with low self-esteem (otherwise known as ‘a writer’)
That is so true. π
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That is so true! Pretty sure he follows my blog. I can’t remember if I follow his.
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If you don’t, you should follow him. His stories (flash fiction) are great. I haven’t read all of them, but every single one that I have read, I love.
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I just started my blog in February, I believe. I’ve only recently begun to post. I’m still new at blogging, and I’m “green.” I would love to have more traffic, more followers, and more comments. I know it’s a work in progress.
Congrats and Best Wishes for your continued success with your writing and your blog.
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Thank you!
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This is a great idea, too bad I’m from Canada.
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That’s no bueno.
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Wow!! I got a personal mention! Thanks, Wordsmith!! And yes, your blogs are interesting. And as for my state of mind, we already know I’m a little off my rocker. In a good way, of course. π
Congrats on 1,000!!! You deserve it, friend!
I have a good daily story for you, as well.
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Haha of course! You have like double the number of comments as anyone else. So yes, you get a personal mention. π
Thank you!
Tell me. Right now.
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Okay. So it was in eighth grade when I was on the basketball team. I was the center because I was tall. I was sprinting to the end of the court to slap a ball back into play before it could get out of bounds. I’m tall, but fast. I get the ball back in bounds, but I was going so fast that I couldn’t slow down quick enough and ran into a set of bleachers, giving myself a bunch of bruises and a bloody nose. But I kept playing. Remember the Wii story? I don’t know how to give up, even when I’m hurt.
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Hmm. So you were Derek Jeter running into the stands at Yankee Stadium before Derek Jeter ran into the stands at Yankee Stadium? Haha I hope you get the reference.
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I understand the reference, but I haven’t seen it. I know you love baseball, but I’m not a big fan. And I’m SO much cooler than Derek Jeter. I’ve been setting trends about a decade before my peers. Probably why I was teased so much in school.
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WHAT!? I don’t think we’ve discussed this. Baseball is the greatest thing. Ever! And Derek Jeter is kind of one of the best players ever. You’re just Writerly Amy. Haha π
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Yeah… I’m more of a hockey fan. I’ve been to baseball games and watched them on tv, but I just can’t get into it. It moves too slow for me. When it’s exciting, it’s really exciting. But mostly, it’s watching them stand around waiting for something to happen.
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I think we talked about this a little before. But is there a window or some glass or a nice hard desk where you’re currently sitting/standing? Bang your head against it. And never say baseball is boring again. Ever.
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I’ll try to remember not to. And I have enough problems without adding a brain injury to the pile. Jeez man, have some compassion.
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No. You talk bad about baseball, I no like you. Until the next day when you tell me a new story. Haha
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Haha! Man, you’re awfully fickle. π
Since I’m not a fan, I probably won’t bring it up much. So if you bring up baseball, it’s your own fault.
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π I just wrote out a really long baseball comment about some of the top stories that I knew you wouldn’t know about, but then someone commented on this post and my comment deleted. So now you get this. Oh well.
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Awww… You would have only laughed at my ignorance of them all. So I guess that’s a few laughs down for you. Bummer.
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That was the point! To laugh at you. π
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Aha! I knew it! But I’m cool with it. π
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Well now I just have to laugh at you without you knowing. Eh. I’m cool with it too. Haha
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Ooooo…. Man! I just thought of a really good story for tomorrow!
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Tell me now, please! Exceptions aren’t so bad. π
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All right, but don’t be surprised if I run out of stories in a month. Or my senility will kick in and I’ll repeat myself.
I worked as a nanny during the summers of grad school. It was for a German family with two daughters, one 7 and one 9.
On my very first day, the mother wanted me to take the girls grocery shopping. So I did.
What I forgot was that their mother never gave me a key to their house. The girls and I tried everything to break back in without breaking anything. Of course, it didn’t work, so I was resigned to walking around the neighborhood, asking anyone I could find if they had a ladder to reach the only open window. On the second floor.
So there I am, hauling a massive ladder with two little girls trailing behind who I barely knew.
We did eventually get back inside, but it was an ordeal. The weird thing is, instead of scaring the girls off, we bonded like crazy and I nannied for them for three years.
And their parents had a good chuckle over our adventure.
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Hahaha that’s a nice story. Breaking into people’s houses. Haha
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Don’t worry about entering me, but I just wanted to say congrats on 1000!!!! Before long you’ll have 10,000! π
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I’m already sending you yours! π And thanks!
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π I’m super excited!!!
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Don’t get excited. Then you can be disappointed. Just be….aware it’s coming. Haha
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Ahahaha I’ll be ready! Just for your information I wrote more today and I have an hour before I have to leave so I’m writing away! π
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YESSSSSS! I was going to ask you in a few hours anyway. Then what the heck are you doing on here!?
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Showing you I read your blog today!
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Haha you were supposed to set an alarm. Hmm.
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Congrats on 1,000 followers and what a sweet shout out to those two ladies that have been supporting your efforts! I hope I win the book π
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Thank you! π
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Congratulations on 1000 followers. I’m new to your blog, but interested in interacting with you and all your followers. Looking forward to more interesting posts and wouldn’t mind a peek at that book either! π But if I get it, I’ll review it on my blog, so be prepared. π
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Thanks! You’ll review it? Well I know who is NOT getting it now. Haha
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Way to go on all the followers! Just so you know I do make a point to read your blog everyday whether or not I have a comment to make! For being so boring you are an interesting kid and you entertain me all the time! Thanks for being so awesome!
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1000 followers is insane! Congrats!!
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Thanks! But I still haven’t gotten the trophy from WordPress.
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that’s a great accomplishment π congrats.
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Thank you!
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Ooooh pick me! I want a copy! Congrats on the book, first of all, but also on the 1,000 followers! I better finish the Gone with the Wind I’m reading so I’ll have time to read your book, and all of the others that are patiently waiting on my kindle for free time this summer!
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Thank you! Yes, get to reading. Haha
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Oh, so this is how you do it. π
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I’m no expert or anything. π
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π congrats!
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Thanks!
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Congratulations John, that’s a real achievement! SD
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Thanks!
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Congratulations. Just to say I really love your posts – they are the only ones I read regularly but shhhhhh…. They always entertain me and make me laugh so thank you π
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Well that made my day. Glad I can entertain you. π
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I’ve always wanted to tell you that, but have never had the guts to do so.
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You’re crazy! I’m no one. π
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Maybe crazy, but painfully shy
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Well that’s what blogging is for, silly! π
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Maye so…
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Congrats! I hope to get to this same level one day.
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Ooh, pick me, pick me! π Super huge congrats on 1,000! That’s awesome. The writing community is pretty great…and I hope one day to be on your level π haha
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Welllll you’re lucky, cause I haven’t picked anyone yet. On my level, oh please. I’ve read snippets of your writing and you’re like eighteen levels above me. π
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Aw, shucks…but I’ll be the judge of that π Oh yay! I should get VIP treatment then haha.
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Give me one good reason you should get preferential treatment. If I like it, then it’s yours. π
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Because I will read it, and treasure it, and love it, and give it good reviews π
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Victoria, I said ONE reason. You gave me 84. So, last chance. Give me just one reason. You have one minute before the deal expires. Go.
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I live close and shipping is cheap π haha
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I think that counts as two. Sorry. You lose. Game over. Thanks for playing.
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NoooOOOOooooo….it’s okay, I never win anything π¦
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π Wellllllll maybe I can give it to you because we talk on Twitter sometimes and on here. I have to look over the other commenters, but I think I only talk to two of them regularly. One already has it. And the other I’ve already told I’d give her one. How’s that?
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Yay π I feel special! You’ll get a signed copy of mine if I ever get published! Haha
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Oh I was already getting a signed copy from you anyway. π DM me your address and I’ll probably mail it Tuesday.
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Oooh yayy! π Awesome
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I just thought of something. No reviews! Haha but you can like email me what you liked and didn’t like.
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Okay! Sounds good π Why no reviews? Scared I won’t like it??
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Honestly, yep. A few other bloggers have read it and they all liked it, but none of them reviwed it. They did email me.
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Honestly, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t leave a bad review, because that’s just mean. I don’t think that will happen, but I’ll email you regardless π
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Well you’re nice. Okay. Perfect. π
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Hii. Awwwwwww. OH MY GOD. You mentioned me two times in your posts. Oh my gosh. Thank you… Awwww. You made me smile. π Also. Congratulations on reaching 1000 followers. π So cool! You’re, like, super famous now. π haha.
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Haha oh be quiet. How’s it feel to be my favorite out of the 1,012 followers I have? π
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Congrats!!! Also I’m back in the US and really want your guest blog post.
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Thanks! Yeah, I’m just a bad blogger bud. That’s for like a million years ago.
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Okay so I’ll set a solid deadline to make it more official.. Hmm .. Have it to me by Friday and ill post it sat?
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Okay. And if I don’t you can pinch me.
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Hey! Deadline day is coming up! I think..
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It’s not Friday yet!
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Lol just friendly warning!! Have a topic yet?
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Wellllll of course I do. Maybe. Haha
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Hey! Email me your guest post asap! ked5269@psu.edu
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I shall have it for you before the end of the day. π
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[…] this day in 2014 I published 1,000 WordPress Followers and Giveaway!. Currently sitting at 2,813 WordPress followers. Not too […]
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