Saturday, April 21, 2007

TANTI AUGURI AL BLOG

My blog is one year old today! Prior to starting it, I knew about blogging, of course, and was reading news and political blogs in order to keep up with events in the UK. Then I read an article about blogging in Mslexia magazine, to which I subscribe [I recommend this magazine to all women who want to write] and began to think that maybe this was something I could do. I looked at all the blogs mentioned in the article and, well, you know what it's like; one blog leads you to another and before you know it, you're hooked! So I decided the only way I was going to find out if blogging was for me would be to give it a go!

I perused all the blog hosting sites I could find and concluded that blogger had the clearest instructions and the most help topics for a technical nitwit like me [and for all its faults, I still think this is so] then finally, with some trepidation, I wrote my first post. It was with even more trepidation that I uploaded my first photo; I didn't even know there was a zoom thing on the digcam! [OK, I could have read the instructions but I do like to imagine that I have a sense of adventure.] It was all trial and error at first and I didn't really expect anyone to read my blog, though of course I hoped that they would! I was terrified and thrilled at the same time when I received my first comment and it was a while before I found the confidence to comment on other blogs myself.

Later I joined blogpower and that was the injection of adrenalin that my blog [and I] needed: I've found so many "daily reads" among its members and also so much support, both technically and emotionally. I've also found blogs that have changed my mind about various issues, for blogs, like travel, have the ability to do that.

I am not a very disciplined person [except when I'm out at work or have a deadline] and blogging has disciplined me into writing something every day, or nearly every day. Because of the need to write, I feel I observe my surroudings more acutely than I would otherwise.

But the best part has definitely been finding, meeting and corresponding with so many interesting friends, all over the world.

Now I am wondering where this blog goes from here. I know I have veered off the topic of strictly Sicily once or twice lately, though I have tried to confine myself, in such posts, to writing about events that have led me here or affect me here. I have contemplated widening the scope of the blog and writing not just about Sicily but about the world as I see it from here, for when you move to another country your perceptions of your own and of the world change: it's as if an "extra layer" is added to them. [It's rather like the time I went, with friends, to a Chinese restaurant here: for them, it was a Chinese restaurant in Sicily, which was novelty enough; for me, it was a Chinese restaurant in Sicily which is different from a Chinese restaurant in Britain, so my experience of it and the judgements I was making were very different from theirs. ]

But I don't want to alienate or lose readers. I suppose it depends whether what you all come over here to read about truly is a slice of Sicilian life. My guess is that it is but I'd love to know what you think.

Meanwhile, thank you all for reading and commenting during the past year: you keep me going!

25 comments:

Sally said...

Complimenti e auguri al blog e anche a te cara Welshcakes. What an achievement to have done a whole year - to have kept it going, found things to say, thought about how to interest your fans, shared so much with us all. It's the first thing I turn to before I start work and for me, it's only partly because it's a blast of Sicily (which is how I found you in the first place - good ole' Google) but also because I love hearing your views on all manner of things - all spiced with a definite touch of Sicily. So please keep going, keep us up to date with how things are with Modica and your life and friends there, but let us know too what you're thinking about other things. Speaking personally, I love the whole lot!

Tom Paine said...

Congratulations on your anniversary. You have a distinctive writing "voice" and you shouldn't be afraid of exploring other subjects.

Just my $0.05

James Higham said...

Happy Blogbirthday, Welshcakes. Now, why does it have to 'go anywhere'? It's not a public conveyance. What about masterly consistency and keeping us happy chappies?

Lee said...

My thoughts are, Welsh, it is your blog and you can write what ever you wish in it. That's how I treat my own blog. I know when I look back to the beginning of my "blogging career" and read my earlier postings, I see I've changed, too, from those early, "innocent" days. Like you, at the start, I was just "testing the waters"...a toe at a time. I don't know about others, but I think it's a personal, individual thing...write what you feel like writing about, when you feel like writing about it. I don't think there has to be a hard and fast rule.

You only beat me by a couple of weeks...my first anniversary comes up in May! Congratulations, Welsh...I'm glad I discovered you and have joined you in the ride. :)

Shades said...

Happy Blog Birthday!

Ian

Ian Appleby said...

Many happy returns, Welshcakes; My £0.025 (I think that's roughly the current exchange rate) on your thematic choices echoes what Sally and Tom have said; I like your analogy of the Chinese restaurant, and think it contains much truth.

jmb said...

Tanti auguri a te, Welshcakes. Il tuo blog mi piace molto.

I think this post is interesting. Although contrary to your experience, first I was a reader like you, but then a tentative commenter and finally a blogger. So my very first post got a comment from a doctor whom I had been reading for ages. I had joined mybloglog, so he noticed me reading his blog and popped over because he knew my initials as a sometime commenter.

Blogger has suited me just fine too. I'm very grateful to the clever people there and at other host sites who have given voice to so many bloggers who wouldn't otherwise have the skills to do it.

I think you must go where it suits you, topicwise. Your readers will ignore that particular post if they are not interested. Of course they won't comment either.

I do come here to read about Sicily and life in Italy and your take on living there as a foreigner. But the more you read a blogger the more you have a connection to them as a person, so whatever they write about is usually interesting since they reveal more of themselves, whatever the topic.

I would find it strange if you suddenly started blogging about US politics for example, although not British politics. But then I wouldn't know the players except the main ones, so wouldn't find that post interesting unless it had some other hook.

I'm sure you've got something in mind, so why don't you just do it and see what happens. Just throw in what you have in mind, say once or twice a week and let the dust settle.

Sorry Welshcakes, I'm hijacking the comment section and rambling on nonsense.

Your blog, your decision.
regards
jmb

jmb said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Previous comment deleted by me as it somehow published twice - please don't take offence, dear jmb!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Congratulations WL....and what an interesting blog it is!!! Keep it up. x

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Grazie, Sally. Tanto sei gentile! You have really encouraged me and I appreciate it. TP, thank you. That is a compliment indeed. Your dollar $0.05 on the matter is much appreciated. Thanks, James. I suppose it doesn't have to "go" anywhere, come to think of it! Hi, Lee. Thank you, too. When is your blog anniversary exactly, then? I'm very glad I discovered you, too, and enjoy your blog and your comments very much. Thank you, delicolor! Grazie, IA. Glad you liked the Chinese restaurant analogy as I wasn't sure if I was making any sense there! Hi, jmb. It's interesting to know how you got into it, too. I must join mybloglog but again, I'm scared of the technology. I think you're right - I'll throw in what I feel like over the next couple of weeks and see what happens. You are not hijacking the comments section or rambling at all. Thank you for your always perceptive thoughts. Grazie, Anne.
You are all very kind.

Maria said...

You could never alient nor loose me! I enjoy reading all your stories Sicily or not... one thing though... please don't stop sharring recipies and keeping us updated on Simi! :)

Thanks!

All the best!
M

Maria said...

PS! Congratulations on your Anniversary! Here's to many more years!

Love,
M

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Grazie, M. I promise on both counts! Love from Sicily.

Ruthie said...

Buon compleanno, Welshcake's blog.

I'll echo TP: "You have a distinctive writing "voice" and you shouldn't be afraid of exploring other subjects." Very nicely put.

I love to read about Sicily through your eyes, it's very interesting, especially as someone who has heard about Sicily her entire life but has never seen it.

I'd read your blog even if you stopped blogging about Sicily, because you're a good writer with a distinctive voice, like TP said, apart from your exotic location. :) Some of your most touching and interesting posts are very personal and unrelated to Sicily.

Lee said...

I started my blog on the 11th May 2006, Welsh...scared, shaking, trembling, fearful! ;)

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Ruthie. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I think I'll keep the mix, then. Good to know I wasn't the only one who was nervous, Lee!

elleeseymour said...

Welshcakes, persistence paid off and I can now say congratulations and happy anniversary, just go with the flow and write on any subject you wish, you have your faithful following.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Ellee, thank you so much. I really appreciate your persistence, given the trouble you are having posting comments here. I have looked on blogger help and everywhere but I just can't work out why this is happening. Your encouragement is just what I need. Love from Sicily.

Liz Hinds said...

Welshcakes, you are a wonderful writer and your blog is always entertaining whatever you write about. I enjoy it all.

I look forward to seeing what the next year brings in your posts!

Love to you and Simi from Harvey and me in wet(!) Wales.

Anonymous said...

My wife and I have been out of town for a few days. My congrats on going for a year. It will take a few days to catch up with everyone. I enjoy most everything you post. Except perhaps the things for the ladies. I can't relate to those very well. Grin.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Liz and Steve, thank you. I appreciate your kindness and encouragement. Steve, you always make me smile. Liz, love from Simi and me to you, Harvey and family x

SicilyGuide said...

Hi, Welshcakes!
I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your blog. I even listed it on my reviews of blogs about Sicily as one of the most authentic. I love your writing. I am a young Sicilian living abroad: a sort of reverse trip from yours. This is the post where I mentioned you: http://sicilyguide.com/blog/?p=34.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

TaT, I can't find you! I'll try again tomorrow.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

TaT, I've found you now! Great site. I will add it to my blogroll tomorrow and visit it often.

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