Deb Made Me

To blog or not to blog, that was the question. For years I have enjoyed writing. I usually fulfilled this enjoyment by sending emails to my friends and family. Many times my friends and family have commented about how much they enjoy my emails, how entertained they have been for years reading what I have written. I always wondered why, what did they see in my words that I did not? I am a very casual writer. I don't think I have a novel in me, I don't think I have focus to follow a single thought to its logical conclusion through 200+ pages. I am more anecdotal in style.

For years I have read other people's blogs, read regular contributors to magazines and newspapers, devoured books, and envied all people who write. I never thought of myself as a writer, as someone with something to say that may be of interest to someone else. I like writing, but what's the point if no one ever reads what you've written? My friend Debbie offered a new perspective. After sharing how much we both enjoy writing, sharing little "rants" with each other, and discussing other blogs we have read Deb laid down a challenge: 30 posts in 30 days. Starting October 1st we were both to accomplish 30 posts. Obviously, I didn't quite make the goal. I don't have 30 posts, but what I do have is immeasurable: a new energy for writing, a deep appreciation of the process of organizing my thoughts and putting them to "paper", an enjoyment of writing to anonymous readers, or no readers at all (I have discovered, to my surprise, that it really doesn't make any difference), a journal of sorts, a chronology of what's going on in my life, a new understanding of myself, and a log of how much or how little I am growing as a person.

October is ending. There isn't any challenge for November, this could be my last blog.

It won't be. I love blogging! I love the process. I love the product.

So...thanks Deb for making me.