“Nearing 30 and trapped in a dead-end secretarial job, Julie Powell reclaims her life by cooking every single recipe in Julia Child’s legendary Mastering the Art of French Cooking in the span of one year. It’s a hysterical, inconceivably redemptive journey — life rediscovered through aspics, calves’ brains and créme brûlée,” so says the Amazon blurb for the book cum movie, both titled Julie and Julia.
The Philadelphia Inquirer pegged this book as “irresistible, a kind of Bridget Jones meets The French Chef.”
One of the scenes that caught my eye in the movie was that of the ingénue-cook Julie hatching the idea for blogging her cooking experiments. Persevering with her dream in a tiny apartment with a teeny-tiny kitchen, Julie travails for a full year, sometimes in triumph; other times dissolving in tears. Check out her resolve in this clip just over a minute.
I was way more than twice Julie’s age when I began blogging, and I didn’t hitch my wagon to a brilliant star like Julia Child, but I had strong reasons too for sharing my thoughts with the world back in February 2013 when I launched my website. Here are a few, some of which have evolved over time.
- Connect with friends regularly through my blog. Make new ones there. Expand my horizons by visiting others’ blogs to read and comment.
- Write to put my thoughts into words. Often when I write down random thoughts, new ideas emerge.
- Create raw material for longer works: Sometimes a blog post becomes a scene in my book. For example, A Moment of Extreme Emotion on my blog in 2015 was expanded to became Chapter 27, “Lunatic in London” in my second memoir, My Checkered Life: A Marriage Memoir in 2023.
- Sharpen my writing skills. I inspect sentences now intending to use fewer words. “How can I condense that thought, compress that idea?” I ask myself.
- Provide a permanent record of events from long ago or more recent happenings, for example, my EMC/EMU college reunion last October.
As a beginning blogger, I did not dream that one day I would publish a book. Along the way other bloggers/authors encouraged me to imagine my blog posts as raw material for creating a memoir, a legacy for my family–and more.
Many, many bloggers have inspired me. Shirley Showalter ignited my interest in beginning a blog. Some, like Robbie Cheadle, have recently listed her reasons for continuing to blog. If I read and comment on your blog, you goad me to continue. Thank you!
How a Recent Post Came Together
I began with long-hand scribbles on a tablet.
Then, I fleshed out the main points, typing them into WordPress and adding photos.
You can find the published post HERE.
If you are a blogger, why do you blog?
When blogging becomes stale, what do you do?
Advice to beginning bloggers?
All great reasons to blog. My publisher suggested I start a blog back in 2010 when my first book was published. It was the best thing I ever did. The connections I have made are incredible. I’ve learned so much too from other bloggers, all of whom I consider friends. I’ve even met some of them in person, how great is that! I wish I could remember who introduced us. Whoever it was, I say Thanks so much!
So, a publisher urged you to start a blog, which makes a lot of sense because blogging expands your reach as an author–still does. I know you’ve met several bloggers ini person and even had a chat with Sally Cronin recently. How great is that! 😀
Meeting Sally in Ireland was a real treat!
Good morning, Marian!
I’m not certain I had such clear reasons for beginning, but I’m glad I did. I’ve also met so many people–including you in person! When I began, I didn’t know I’d end up with a poetry blog, nor that I’d have a published poetry collection. My blog also serves as a reminder of my life and recent history.
I found it interesting to see your process, too. I write everything in Word docs, and then copy and paste into WP.
I like how you combine personal history with creativity, publishing new poetry several times a week. So cool, Merril!
Actually, I don’t usually start with a pen & paper unless I have a lot of photos. Then I can figure out how/when to insert them. Lately I’ve been using “Notes” on my computer too. When I transfer content to WP, there is no formatting to contend with like in WORD.
Thank you and you’re welcome, Marian. Interesting!
This takes me back to 2013, the same year you began. I had been waiting and urging our office to start a blog, but movement was not happening very fast. We had a young man speaking to our office team about something (don’t remember the overall topic now) but he mentioned blogging and I began to think, why don’t I begin my own blog at home on my own time. Hmm. So I just jumped in, working my way through prompts on WordPress, and was so excited to begin my thing, Jan 1. of 2013. Soon I met you online and 10 years later, in person!
I love the history it offers me, my family, and anyone else who cares to drop in. Recipes have had a lot of clicks and some comments–and just plain fun. I write because I like having a history. I recently read some of my journals from 50+ years ago and I am so happy that I have the stuff I have (even though I shudder at some of that journal history!)
Melodie, I remember when reading your recent book, Memoir of an Unimagined Career, how willing you were to plunge in, persevere through the challenges of editing for MennoMedia, formerly known as Herald Press. Those admirable qualities have stood you in good stead in blog land too.
Yes, I remember how hard it was to transition from typewriter to computer, and then to learn various programs, including WordPress. I probably still have somewhere in my files the manual for setting up a WP blog. And, Yes, I too value the history and some recipes I tried. The post that routinely gets a lot of hits: “Do Real Men Wear Aprons?”
I saw Julie and Julia years ago. So good! I also started blogging in 2013. My younger brother and a guy at church challenged me to blog. I didn’t know what I was doing. I still can’t say I know what I’m doing. I’ve thought about quitting many times. But I like the consistency of showing up to engage with those who read my blog who are now friends. I love encouraging people to read and to write if they desire to do so.
YES! “I like the consistency of showing up to engage with those who read my blog who are now friends.”
You are so good at featuring variety on your blog. It may be current events or something writerly, always an appealing topic illustrated with photos. Thanks for showing up here regularly, L. Marie–so appreciated! 😀
And I appreciate you! 😊
Hi Marian, thank you for the shout out. I am glad you find pleasure in blogging. There is a lovely, like minded community here on WP.
I definitely agree. ROBBIE! And I am amazed that you keep more than one blog going– along with book authoring and baking, all of which you excel at, that’s for sure. 😀
Dora Dueck, a Canadian writer and friend first encouraged me to blog as a way of enhancing my writing skills. I began blogging about the same time you did, Marian, and was introduced to your blog through Shirley Showalter. Have really enjoyed it over the years, as well as your book for which I wrote an endorsement. I too have been encouraged to make my posts into a book but have not yet attempted to do so. I blog monthly and usually begin by jotting my thoughts, as they occur to me, onto the notes section on my phone. I always enjoy writing them once I get myself motivated to begin!
I know a bit of your blogging history and admire your website for its insightful content, often featuring family happenings. You persevered through Hardy’s illness and home-going, which certainly has been very taxing. Thanks for being a steadfast blog friend here, Elfrieda! 😀
I know a bit of your blogging history and admire your website for its insightful content, often featuring family happenings. You persevered through Hardy’s illness and home-going, which certainly has been very taxing. Thanks for being a steadfast blog friend here, Elfrieda! 😀
Marian — Long-hand with pen and paper on a lined tablet. My hat is off to you! I’d be afraid of misplacing the tablet or spilling coffee on it, or …
Word processing is my friend, Laurie, but on occasion a pen and paper feels just fine to begin. 😀
I started on a whim the day after buying an uncharacteristic pair of green boots at a second hand store. I wanted to push myself to try new things& go new places. I wanted to spend the second half of my life laughing; I’d spent too much time crying. I have fewer adventures now but I enjoy storytelling the ordinary with humour. Advice: write for your pleasure. Ignore the critics and the tally of “likes”.
Dear Jenn with the Sassy Green Boots, an act of will started you on an incredibly creative journey. I do admire that! 😀
I had no desire or intention to start a blog, but when my debut novel was accepted for publication, the conventional wisdom was that a writer needed one to “build author platform.” I’ve stayed with it because being a part of this online literary community has enriched my life more than I can ever say. In addition, I have ventured into new reading and writing forms that I never would have without the bloggers who prompted the ideas. Pretty humbling!
I believe our stories have evolved in reverse: You publishing a book and then blogging to build an author platform. Yes, I agree, the process is pretty humbling, but it’s also elevating.
I’m sure I have pushed harder because of inspiration from others, including you. I’ve noticed more poetry coming from you now. And I’ve been more experimental with haiku. Now at Robbie Cheadle’s suggestion, I want to try the “HyNaKu” form, devised by a Filipino poet: Total of Three lines
o Line 1: one word;
o Line 2: two words;
Line 3: three words
Now that you mention it, I am writing (and reading!) more poetry now than I ever have.
Delightful!
🙂
Beautiful and sound reasons for blogging, Marian. Another reason, apart from connecting with friends, for me it was making new friends like you. Keep blogging. 👍
Fatima, just the encouragement I need now. You and Peter are an inspiration too, in a different way: from an itinerant lifestyle and now living at home. I admire your lovely handwork that I see occasionally on Facebook. 😀
I can identify with all these points, Marian. The blogging community is much more genuine than other forms of social media. The freedom to write about whatever is on my mind is a powerful elixir as connecting with others across the globe. I often think to myself, “Politicians could take a lesson on civility from the blogging community.”
I could add your reasons to my own here: genuine, civil, and a powerful elixir of connection. In this election year especially, “Politicians could take a lesson on civility from the blogging community.” Thanks, Pete! 😀
I love that you write longhand. I do too, and I find that the mind-to-hand connection really allows creativity to flow.
I’ve been taking an unintentional break from blogging – one week of not posting led to another, and so on … I have a goal of returning to posting next month when my life settles down a little. I like the community and the connection with like-minded people.
Yes, “community and connect with like-minded people” pretty much sums it up for me too, Arlene!
And when you’re ready, I’ll look forward to your blog posts again. 😀
You are such an inspiration, Marian. You have been consistent with writing your blog for so long and always come up with fresh and interesting topics. That is really commendable. Reading this post nudged me closer to reviving my blog. I’ve been thinking about it!
Blogging is work even when it’s fun. Thanks for filling up my inspiration tank today with your kind words, Lorrie. 😀
Loved reading this Marian. I so enjoyed blogging when I was active with it, for much the same reasons as you. Connection in a word. I’ve lost my verve for it though. I’m unsure why. Maybe it’ll return.
You hinted at a good point when you mentioned this: “I’ve lost my verve for it though.” I believe bloggers need to take breaks–weeks, months, maybe even a year. Your readers will still be here if/when you want to return. I know I will, Susan! 😀
Nov 12th 2014 was when I published my first blog post…for reasons similar to yours we had embarked on our Thailand adventure and I wanted to keep family and friends up to date with our journey…what a journey I had never even read a blog having led such a busy home and working life or even dreamt of how many wonderful people I would meet from all corners of the world…People could learn a lot from bloggers about kindness and inclusion, and sharing… the blogging community has exceeded any expectations I might have had… 🙂
Carol, you have certainly jumped into the blog world with both feet since 2014. And as a culinary blogger, your posts almost always feature something you’ve cooked or baked. Wow! I notice that you too have followers from all over the world and have often teamed up with Sally Cronin, who supports so many writers. Thank you!
Almost as soon as I arrived in Florida and spent time with my mother, I felt the urge to write down stories of what it is like to live along side an aging parent’s issues. I started with her driving and keeping a checkbook. In hindsight, I am so grateful that I caught the long arc of my mother’s gradual cognitive decline over many years. I started writing about her a year before I realized I could start a blog about it. I thought it was a worthy topic to share what I was learning. The blog evolved from there, but those were its roots. Even the blog title (Leaving The Door Open) was based on a story where she insisted locking the screen door thus, prohibiting us from having access to the main door and my mom! That became a real issue. Anyway, I am truly impressed that you lay out thoughts, quotes and images before you write. For better or for worse, I just write and sort of fill in the blanks from there. 🙂 Thanks Marian for a thought-provoking read.
I am fascinated with your process–nothing wrong with writing as thoughts pop into your thoughts. In writer’s lingo, you are called a Pantser (seat of your pants!), and I guess I’m a Plotter. Either is okay if that’s your style. (I too wrote about my aunt’s cognitive decline. You can find one of these posts here: https://marianbeaman.com/2017/02/22/aunt-ruthie-diary-long-goodbye/)
You have all the attributes of a dedicated writer, Melanie. I predict you will come up with your own memoir in the coming years. It’s fascinating to discover themes evolving on your blog even now. Thanks for your entertaining stories today! 😀
Haha, I have never heard of a Pantser, but there you go. I will say that I could never write a mystery thriller without plotting. I’m pretty sure that’s impossible. And of course, even with writing a memoir, I started and followed a line of thinking. I realized, however, that I wasn’t starting in the right place, so I’m working on that now and I like it much better. Pantsers won’t get it right the first time, but I’m totally fine with that. It’s just a process. Have a great weekend Marian! 🙂
Good reasons for blogging that mirror my own. At this point I blog for fun more than anything else. And’s that cool beans by me!
Fun shows in every blog post, Ally. And sometimes, read that “often,” you’re funny too, and your readers eat that up, for sure! 😀
Thanks 🥰
Marian, it’s been a joy to follow, read, and comment to your blog, meet you in person, and read your books! You are influencing so many people with your writing and amazing personality.
I started blogging in 2007 (on Blogger back then) to document our sailing adventures in text and photos – for myself and for family and friends. I’ve been blogging for so long (now on WordPress, which I like much better) that I can’t stop. I enjoy the interactions that are created through comments, inspiring others, and sharing our less than ordinary lifestyle.
Since I am always traveling, I’ll always have material for my blog, so it will never become stale. I do feel like I could use a break now and then, though. Blogging for 17 years at an average pace of once a week, has taken a lot of effort, energy, and commitment.
It’s true, you are much younger than I, but still blogging for 17 years takes tons of stamina. How I admire you, Liesbet. Thanks for giving me a lift with your kind words. I see you are in northern Chile now. Time to catch up with you over on Roaming About! 😀
Sorry I took so long to respond this time, Marian. We were in NYC having a grand old time. So, of course, I will probably blog about it. 🙂 Blogging has morphed several times since I first began mine in 2009. Now everyone seems to be headed to Substack, despite some recent controversies. I would probably go there if I were just starting out, but I am in a stage of only posting when I want to record ideas publicly for others and for my own sake. I love being able to search through 15 years of evolving thinking, the evolution of two books, and my current interests. I am so glad to read a handful of other blogs and that I have made many friends and supported other writers through this medium.
I was overjoyed when my beginning blog intersected with yours and admire the long arc of your blogging career.
Like you, I have seen the move to Substack, but I’m also reluctant to join them. When I reply on Substack posts, I often get tangled up in the verification process along with constant appeals to become a paid subscriber.
Get some rest now. It’s invigorating to be with the younger set, but exhausting too. Thanks for checking in, Shirley! 😀
These are all great reasons to blog, Marian! I’m impressed by your sketched out blog post – you’re not a pantser! Hope you are doing well 🙂
No, I’m not a pantser, but sometimes I feel as though I’m flying by the seat of my pants–my life in general. Thanks, Barb!
Haha – yes I think we all do that to a degree. I live with a bunch of planners 😉
😀
I love this, Marian – such a beautiful look at blogging and its on-going benefits. The liveliness of your comment section testifies to blogging as a wonderful expression of community. I don’t post on my blog as much as I used to, and don’t comment much on other blogs, but I still value blogging as a way of connecting with others. Thank you!
My heart did a happy leap when I saw your face in comments today, April. I know how thoughtfully you put together blog posts and checked the current one today. Happy to meet another writer from near my childhood home in Pennsylvania, Jenny Gehman. Readers, take a look at April’s website: https://aprilyamasaki.com/2024/03/04/peace-me-together/
Thanks Marian. I seem to need the inspiration. After being sick for months, dealing with computers feels hard and frustrating. I appreciate your persistence and beautiful blogs. I’m not sure what I’ll do, but my mood might change if butterflies arrive.
Sometimes it’s better to take a break than to feel angst. I like blogging but have had to persevere through significant back pain. I plan to take a hiatus in April. Self-care is SO important, but I tend to neglect it sometimes. :-/
You have loyal followers, (including me) who will be there when you return.