Have you ever considered why you’re blogging? Especially you writers out there. Why are you blogging? To build your platform, perhaps? But why?
Something I believe in strongly is the philosophy of karma. Those things you send out are returned to you. If you fill your world with negative energy, the negative energy returns. But if you fill your world with positive energy, it’s positive energy that will ultimately surround you.
I think for many of us, perhaps blogging begins as a way to build a platform, but then we realize (or at least I came to realize) it’s being a part of a community. And helping those you can along the way.
Which brings us to today’s quote, via your favorite green philosopher, Yoda:
Always pass on what you have learned.
Something I try to do with my blog is share all the experiences I’ve had on my writing journey. I want to impart all the knowledge I’ve gained, hoping it helps someone in a way I would have liked to be helped earlier in my journey. And the great thing is that because I’ve connected with a lot of you, I learn things I didn’t know or gain new perspectives I might not have otherwise thanks to you doing the same.
There’s room enough for us all in this industry, especially these days with our technology. We should always cheer when one of us reaches success and encourage each other as we strive for our own successes. Part of the way we do that is passing on what we’ve learned.
I encourage you, if you haven’t already, to look at your blog not just as a platform for yourself, but as a platform to help others. Help your fellow writers. Make it about what you can do for everyone else, and focus less on what everyone else can do for you.
We can typically tell when a writer’s blog is meant solely for us to admire them. The blogs I tend to check regularly are the ones where the author interacts with their followers. Many of you have become pals and are a big part of the reason I keep going with this blog.
Those are the kinds of bloggers we should be—ones that encourage each other to be our best selves in every way.
Be those bloggers, my friends. And I’ll do my best to be that kind of blogger to you.
How are you passing on those things that you have learned? Why do you blog? Do you benefit from being a part of this writing community? What do you like about this writing community?
Lit and Scribbles with Jae 
I need more like buttons!
I try to share what I learn, but I always feel that I need to frame it in an “in my personal experience” way, because I really have no authority in any sense of anything. Personal examples of what I’m discovering about writing, rather than objective “10 Things Every Writer Should Do, Or You’re a Moron” type posts. I actually like other people doing those, I just can’t (like your series on covers and all of those- you totally have the authority to do that, it was awesome). I like to think I’m contributing something, though. I learn so much from everyone else, and the community is amazing and supportive.
I hope that when I do have something to promote on my platform, I’ll remember that it’s not all about that. As of right now, I’ve got nothing. I’m here because I like writing and telling people about random things.
Also, I contribute Engrish. That’s probably my most important contribution to the writing community. 🙂
I wouldn’t be shy about just posting things you’ve learned. It’s your blog, so obviously it’s in your personal experience. I don’t know, I guess I’m saying, give yourself more credit. 😀
And your contributions of Engrish IS the MOST important thing ever! I’ll say that with all the authority of Lit and Scribbles. 😉
My contributious of ENgrish is some of most infinite wonderful pleasure making beauty! Making value for writers an consumer alike! Joy!!!
It makes inspiring for writer of dreams dreaming! I find infinite space to joy in most reading!
I blog because I want to show my readers beautiful but unknown places 🙂
Mission accomplished. That’s the whole reason I follow your blog. 😀
I started blogging to make a writing platform, but I eventually joined the writing community. So, now I just like making friends and the writing platform will come along naturally. The WordPress writing community is very deep and varied, so you can make friends from every walk of life and genre.
I try to use my experiences to help other people and spread the word of what has worked to help with my writing career. I keep a page of the advertising sites I used with a blurb about my experience, I reblog a lot, and I’m going to start hosting guest blogs this Thursday as a weekly thing. I think a big thing with supporting other bloggers is to simply comment with that support when you can. A nice word goes further than silence and negativity.
Fantastic comment Charles. I think you’ve summed up exactly the reason we should all be doing this!
Thanks. Any tips on how to do a guest blog? I have the first two weeks set up by asking my guests a question that deals with their blog and interests, but I’m always looking for advice on something like this.
I try and ask people questions I would have wanted to know in the early stages. Ask things that prompt thoughtful answers, maybe something like: is there something you struggle with in your writing and how did you overcome it? For example, say a person sucked at writing descriptions. What did they do to improve it?
I think readers like to see how they’re similar with a guest and see how they overcame any challenges.
That’s a good one. I’m going for more than authors, but that can work for anything. My first one is a friend who does Amazon reviews, so he’s written one about his experience and opinion as a reviewer. Trying to work it like hearing the words of the ‘enemy’. The real goal of all this is to try and get other blogs some followers and attention they deserve.
I think what amazed me the most when I started blogging (and I’m still very new at this) is the wonderful, supportive writing community. That’s what makes me want to visit each blog and comment or at least ‘like’ to show my support. Of course I can’t visit them all but I definitely want to give back.
And YOU definitely do. It’s why I keep coming back for more! 🙂
Aw thanks! I agree, it’s all about the writing community here. And our writing community is pure awesomeness. Thanks for being part of it. 😀
This is so true! Kati and I started our blog because we were going to our first writing conference and felt like we should have one, but we’ve kept blogging because we discovered how much fun it was to be a part of this whole writing community. Everyone is so supportive, and I’m constantly learning new things from the blogs I follow, whether it’s writing advice, book reviews, or just funny/beautiful/amazing pictures.
As always, Yoda had the right idea… 😉
True that is. Knows much Yoda does.
Thanks for this post, Jae! It’s such an important message and no one exemplifies it as much as you do. As for why I started blogging: My husband has been an active legal blogger for five years and encouraged me to start my own blog. I wanted to talk about books, and there aren’t many outlets for doing that in real life. I could never fit in an evening book club, not unless it met after 11 PM! So, I wanted a community, and I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by how many people are willing to drop by and share their thoughts with me. It’s been a great experience. I do hope to use my blog to help others, whether it’s by connecting them with resources and information (such as in my gender violence posts) or by promoting their blogs or writing.
Yikes. You really do have a crazy busy life! I’m glad we can all get together, even if it’s only virtually. Thanks, as always for just being you. 🙂
Thanks for making a point of this. Just when I think I don’t have anything fresh to offer my followers, I stumble across my past and realize I might have something to offer as well. I write two blogs. I started with one that was strictly for environmental and gardening pursuits to establish my platform. But I kept wanting to write about writing as well so I started the second one. I eagerly look for the comments each day and try to respond quickly. I love the relationships that have evolved through both my blogs and through reading other thoughtful writers, such as you. Thanks again, Jae.
Sometimes I think too, it may not be something fresh in and of itself, but a fresh perspective. I’m sure there are things you understand differently now than you did even a year ago, right? Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
I like getting book recommendations for things I wouldn’t pick up normally..and ending up loving the book!
Me too. I’ve run into quite a few books that way. 🙂