The internet showcases some brilliant talent. I love discovering gems and really delving into peoples' thoughts and creativity. I've been reading some blog posts that I'd like to share with you. Please take a read. I hope you love them like I do.
The first one is by a friend of mine who hasn't been blogging long. I shared this on Twitter and Facebook and a number of friends have loved this post and shared it too. Beautiful by Jess at 91 Odd Socks.
Jess's writing is amazing. The metaphors and imagery she creates heals the pain she writes of and feels every day. She sees the world differently. She sees beauty everywhere. And she's wise beyond her years. Look at this passage:
"From a very young age, I have known that not everyone is normal. Some of us have scars, burns, tubes, and prosthetics, wheels, tracheotomies, no hair and oxygen tanks. Some of us can’t walk, breathe or even eat like you can.
But we can still hear your whispers, see your pointing tips, feel your stares, taste your smiles of pity.
For once, pretend that we look like everyone else. Treat us as you would the giggling girls in high heels, the boys with their hats on the wrong way."
It's a fictitious series with some real-life wisdom about the blogging community. Anna, the series' protagonist, goes on a journey to find her place in the InterWebs. I like the idea of bloggers being in a community, yet doing their own thing.
Still sort of on that topic, Miscellaneous Mum writes about finding the right voice when blogging, the homogenisation of blogging, and that blogging can become competitive. And these factors may take the fun from blogging.
I went to an Emerging Writer's Festival session today and one of the messages I took away was to appreciate your fellow writers, belong to the community and cultivate relationships with them. Writing is not a competition, it's a community. I like that idea.
And despite what critics say, I love fashion bloggers. I love their passion for clothes, and their creativity. Fashion blogs inspire me. I love that fashion bloggers don't often write much (but still write well) still inspire me. I came across Rose Petals in the Rain a few months ago, and her dreamy outfits make me smile and sigh simultaneously. I adore the purple dress she wears in the screenshot below, and also this grey and pink beauty.
The Aussie Bloggers Conference. Wow. So many attendees have already written about their experiences. I was going to write an epic post earlier, but unfortunately I've been so tired this week, and fell sick. So you can read the epic posts and elaborations of the speaking panels in the link I've provided above.
Words alone can't express how excited and passionate (and thankful) the conference made me feel. I loved it. So. Very. Much.
(Disclaimer: I met so many wonderful bloggers that I can't recall who was who, and so I apologise if I leave you out of this post. But please leave a comment and say hi so I can find you. I also plan to email those whose business cards I have.)
The conference was held on Saturday 19 March in Sydney. Around 170 bloggers, advertisers and media reps attended. I wish it was over two days because I wanted more discussions about blogging, and more time to get to meet and know people.
To be honest, I was worried about going - worried there'd be cliques. I talk to everyone, but in the back of my mind I feared it'd be like highschool. I don't have a blogging circle, and I didn't 'know' more than about five bloggers attending the conference. But I am relieved to say that the conference was filled with nice, kind hearted, inclusive and caring people. If you want your confidence to be boosted, I recommend attending a blogging conference.
The conference featured a number of discussion panels covering blog content, social networking and building communities. I got some useful messages from these discussion panels, a lot of things I do already:
Good content is key - we can pretty up our blogs a lot, but readers come back for the content.
Twitter is best the marketing tool to use - and not just to promote your blogs. Interact with your followers, engage in conversation, and this will help draw people to your blogs.
Be careful online. Don't post pictures of children. Don't tell other peoples' stories.
Be authentic with your writing voice. Be honest. Don't advertise products that don't fit with your blog or beliefs (and say nice things about your sponsors all the time - they may just be sitting on your table - hi David from Nuffnang!)
Blogging creates wonderful communities and friendships. It's a little like online activism.
There was a lot of tweeting through the conference. To some (me included) this may have been considered as rude, but it was also a good way to get instant messages from the conference recorded and out there. I did partake in tweeting, especially about the attractiveness of a certain male panelist.
I didn't get as much out of the panels as I got out of the personal story readings. I think if the next event is over two days, it'd be good to have some more practical workshops - how to promote blogs, how to write a certain style etc.
The personal stories blew me away. I was asked to speak in the My Blog My Story feature.
Their stories were very moving. Everyone who spoke showed strength through adversity. They've experienced hard times. Kim and Karen have posted their stories on their blogs so you can read them for yourselves.
My speech was about the way my blog has afforded me so many opportunities. I did it off the cuff, but read out two blog posts: When my face is this sore I find it hard to look in the mirror, and the DiVine version of In control telling my story. The off the cuff bits covered what I do in my life, what my illness is, what support my blog has brought, how I have helped others, my achievements since blogging, and giving out my room number to any men in the room. And I spat my lolly out on stage! Keeping it real!
Thanks to Kim from All Consuming for recording this, sorry for the sound. You will need the volume up high.
I received so much good feedback. Four big claps, lots of laughs, some tears, and so many people came up to me to thank me for my speech. It was a honour. I felt very loved.
When I returned to my table, I received so many tweets of wonder. Wow. Seriously, wow. Thank you. This bit will be rather self indulgent. But I want to record it for prosperity. And it makes me feel so proud and accepting and loved. Awwww :)
So much honesty, raw detail, confronting topics, interesting stories and humour in the My Blog My Story and Crowdsourced Keynote features. It's this sharing of life experience which resonates with me and makes me want to blog and read blogs.
I met some wonderful new friends. And found wonderful new blogs.
I got to know all the speakers in My Blog My Story who sat at my table, plus Veronica Foale from Sleepless Nights. And I chatted with Veronica and Kim Foale, plus Magneto Bold Too at the airport on Sunday.
Meeting Bern was a blog idol moment. I was seriously excited.
I also met Rick Morton, blogger and Mama Mia staffer, who I tweeted across the room for his attention.
I enjoyed speaking with Del from Relish, My Relish - looking forward to catching up in our 'hood, and Eden and Beth from Baby Mac during the breaks. I met a really nice Queensland journalist at lunch too - but I can't recall her name, sorry - I hope she reads this and reminds me. Edit - she commented, and revealed herself as Belinda from Save Mum Sanity.
And I was so lucky to win some Moet and Chandon.
After the conference was the ball. Hello princess skirt, sparkly shoes and unlimited champagne!!!!
Dinner was good. Caesar salad, fish and risotto, and strudel.
The ball allowed me to meet lots more people.
I met Corinne and Ann Paterson - lovely ladies. Corrinne kept me entertained with her tweets during the conference.
One of my favourite people I met at the conference was Michelle from Farmer's Wifey. She was so nice, funny, and immediately made me feel welcome. And I loved her dress.
Bern took these. I was a bit tipsy.
And this is me, a bit star struck again with Bern.
I spoke for ages with Suzanne from Aussie Writers - she was great to talk to and we have a few things in common.
I danced - no photos of me here but you can see dancing pics on my blog's Facebook. I swished my skirt like it was nobody's business. Particularly during Khe Sanh (and my plane buddy Magneto Bold Too was not impressed with my love for bogan rock!)
