Amazon discontinued the ability to create images using their SiteStripe feature and in their infinite wisdom broke all previously created images on 12/31/23. Many blogs used this feature, including this one. Expect my archives to be a hot mess of broken book cover images until I can slowly comb through 20 years of archives to make corrections.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Seven Years Of Bat Cave Awesomeness

And you all thought today was just like any other Sunday.

Today marks the 7th anniversary of The Misadventures Of Super Librarian. Yes, I have been blogging for seven years. Some of you might be wondering what it takes to blog for seven straight years, with no major interruptions (I don't blog every day, but I've also never taken an extended leave of absence). Well, I'm here to let you in on the secret.

It helps to have an inflated sense of self-importance.

Tee Hee.

Over the years my blog has most certainly been a work in progress. I've never had a clear plan. I've never been the best at self-promotion. No, really. I haven't. I tend to keep myself holed up behind the computer screen and...well...just blog.

Certainly over the years this blog has allowed me to do some pretty awesome stuff. I've met wonderful, fantastic people (online and in real life - you know who you are). I've gotten to work, however marginally, with one of the largest publishers in the world. I've given presentations. I've answered e-mails. I've read a lot of really great books.

I'm not sure what the secret to me doing all this great stuff as been - but I'd hazard a guess that it's just the sheer steadiness and longevity of the blog. Also, voice. I cannot stress enough how important "voice" is. I know other bloggers wrestle with this idea, and the only advice I have to offer is be yourself. Don't hide behind the idea of what you think you should be. Be who you are. Some readers will love you for it. Others won't. And that's OK. Not everybody likes me, so they don't visit the Bat Cave. That's fine. There are blogs out there that I'm not wild about - so I don't visit them. Not everybody can be a rock star, and frankly I'm not convinced anyone truly is. Like books, no blogger is universally loved.

Well, maybe KristieJ. She's the closest we got at any rate.

All you can do is keep on keepin' on. Put one foot in one of the other. Find your rhythm. Find what works for you. And be yourself. Don't fake it in the vain hope you're going to "make it." Because genuine is a lot more interesting to read than phony.

I've had to remind myself of this recently because after seven years of blogging, and ten plus years hanging around the online romance community (yes, I know I have no life - thanks for asking though), I had been getting more than a little fed up lately. Tired, if you will. But I did what I always do. I chalked it up to a raging case of PMS, not enough chocolate, too little caffeine and I kept on keepin' on.

There is no supah-secret handshake to blogging other than consistency. Keep on keepin' on. The community is certainly a big and interesting enough place for all sorts of readers and writers. And the more of us their are, the more interesting as a whole we are. Even those personalities that can get on my last good nerve (here Wendy, have some more chocolate!). Because that's what makes us interesting. That's life. Nobody is going to love everybody. Not everybody is going to love what you do. Not everybody loves what I do. And it's OK. Trust me. I've got seven years in to prove it.

31 comments:

Unknown said...

I love your voice. Rock on, woman. Rock on. --Keishon

Kristie (J) said...

Only in blogland can you be older than me *g*. Happy Blogiversary. This 'place' just wouldn't be the same without you and I'm so glad your ennui was due to raging PMS and not the beginning of the end. Getting to know you - online and as roomies - has been just the best

SarahT said...

Seven years! Wow. Major congratulations!

I love your blog precisely because of your "voice". You're the real deal with no pretensions and I appreciate that.

Here's hoping you'll still be keeping on keeping on in another seven years. :D

lisabea said...

Happy Blog Day, Chicky-boom. MWAH!

Anonymous said...

cor blimey! 7 years?!? i knew you were prolific, but that is seriously impressive! so glad you've kept it up, i love visiting the bat cave :)

limecello said...

Hee! Your blog would be in second grade! ;)
Happy Blogiversary, Wendy!

Chris said...

Happy blogiversary to YOUUUUUUU!

Hmm. I think that good chocolate (and perhaps alcohol) should be the gift for every blogiversary, no matter the year.

KT Grant said...

Definitely, keep keeping on.

Here's to 7 more years of Bat Cave goodness!

Leslie said...

7 years - holy crap, you're old! LOL (hey, I rarely feel young in blogland so I'll take it when I can get it.)

You have a great voice - I don't have to wonder how you really feel or what your real motivation is.

Happy blogiversary! Here's to many more years of awesomeness!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the anniversary! I've enjoyed your blog for many years and have appreciated the few times you've helped me out with book questions. Here's hoping for many more years of Super Librarian goodness. :)

The Romance Girl said...

Wow that's amazing! Congrats and happy blogiversary.

C2 said...

Happy Blogiversary to youuuuuu! :-D

mslizalou said...

Happy Blogiversary Wendy! Love visiting the bat cave each week.

Joanna Chambers said...

I can't believe I only started reading this blog regularly a few months ago - love your voice. Here's to 7 years more.

JessW said...

Happy Anniversary, Wendy.
Very glad your blog is true to yourself.
Wishing you many more years of happiness and good reading.

Rosie said...

Wendy, Wendy, Wendy, seven years is a pretty significant milestone. It's even more mind boggling to know I've been coming here close to five years.

I'm always "hearing" your words of wisdom when it comes to posting. I've needed them a time or two. Your thoughts on voice are certainly apropos to anyone who struggles, and I do.

So? How are you celebrating this most auspicious day? The USA vs. Canada hockey game, I'm guessing?

Phyl said...

Congratulations, Wendy. That really is a neat accomplishment. While I haven't been reading you for all 7 years, I'm certain it's close to 4. It's still worth coming back here each time. Thank you for all you do.

Karen W. said...

Congrats on the anniversary! I enjoy your blog, and here's to 7 more years and beyond! :)

~ames~ said...

Congrats on 7 years Wendy!!

Keira Soleore said...

Congratulations on your Seven Full Complete Years! What a feat!

(Are we now counting our ages in blog years? In that case, I'm a veritable toddler.)

Amy said...

Happy 7th, Wendy! And many more!

azteclady said...

Holy crapola--SEVEN YEARS???

Wow--wonder and amazement. That's like... like... like a whole lifetime of blogging! Probably equivalent to a geologic era, in blogging terms!

So happy to have met you--both virtually and in real life. You (and Kristie, of course) have made me laugh and think and sigh--often. Thank you and huge congrats on your bloggiversary!








Do we owe you some sort of bloggiversary present, Wendy?

nath said...

Happy Blogniversary, Wendy! and Congrats!! Seven years is a major accomplishments!

Kati said...

Happy Blogiversary, a day late (as usual).

Yours is one of my favorite blogs, Wendy. Thanks for all the years of brilliance and librarian goodness!

{{HUGS}}

Lynn Spencer said...

Congratulations! I've only been commenting for about a year or so (lurking much longer, though), but had no idea it had been 7 years.

Am curious to see what you think of Pieces of Sky now...

Tara Marie said...

Happy Anniversary!

You're my first stop whenever I'm blog hopping :)

BevBB said...

Congrats! It does take something special to keep at it. ;-)

Tracy said...

OMG Wendy - 7 years! That's amazing! Congratulations to you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! Congrats on blogging for seven years! :D

Wendy said...

Thanks for all the nice comments everybody! To answer a few questions:

Yes, we celebrated the blog's birthday in grand style - watching Olympic hockey :)

The blog is 7 years old, but wasn't really getting "read" until around 2005. That's when I started getting "found."

And I JUST started reading Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner. Need to get more read on my lunch break today. Really looking forward to it.

sybil said...

better late than never.... happy blogiversary *g*

And it helps? LOL blogs are all about self importance silly rabbit, well except for kristiej *g*