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When did You start Your Blogging Journey?

One morning exactly six years ago, I started this blog, with the hope that it would be a place I would write daily. I wanted to begin my career writing fiction along with my blogging journey.

I do write daily these days, though not always on this blog. I’ve written bunches of stories, published a few. I’m not a success story in terms of publishing, but I’m happy doing what I do, and given more years of life, fiction, and blogging, I would do exactly what I do today: write, read, blog, spend time with friends and family.

The Colorful Folks of Rajasthan, IndiaThanks to this blog I’ve met some wonderful people, and that has more than repaid the sporadic effort I’ve put in to it.

Some of the best folks I’ve met are my A to Z Challenge team, Lee and Alex in particular. Half the reason this blog began to get visitors was the A to Z Challenge April 2011,  the first year I participated in it.  2014 will be my third year of hosting the Challenge!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has commented on here, I do try my best to go and comment back. It IS nice to go back and read my old posts, and find the love from my readers. I hope I can carry this blog another year.

But I love fiction reading and writing most of all, so blogging sometimes takes second place. My blogging resolution? I made 100 posts last year, and this year I would like to do the same. I would like to visit more bloggers, read more posts, leave more comments.

In the next few weeks I’ll be trickling in a few posts of my trip to Rajasthan, India, while keeping up with the usual reading and writing posts.  Been trying to work on my non-existent photography skills in the last year!

I hope to keep seeing you all, and visiting you more often.

Love to all, thank you to the readers and commenters, and here’s wishing everyone a lovely 2014 ahead.

When did you start your blogging journey, and how have you found it so far?

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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149 Comments

  • Started November 2007

  • I started a personal blog towards the end of 2015 then decided to create a public blog in June of 2016 hoping to inspire and empower young ladies and women.
    I enjoy reading your posts and I’m learning a lot. You have a new fan.:-)
    Thanks for the follow and for dropping by my blog..

    <3 BP

  • I just started a blog on my passion, writing. It’s going well. I love your site, so much helpful information for new bloggers and a lot of inspiration! Thank you!

    • I started in January 2013 and apart from Christmas 2014, I have posted every week, which was the initial goal I set for myself. Hooray! Just wanted to give myself a pat on the back for that. Blogging has made me a better writer and also helped me review the week, choosing the most significant event, journey or realisation for the week. Most importantly, Ive learnt so much from other bloggers, gaining insight into differnt people’s lives, concerns and travels. Blogging is a mind expanding process.

  • cherokeewind says:

    I started blogging Dec. 2013. I’ve been writing/journaling for a while and writing poetry for years. I don’t blog as much as I’d like to with all the other stuff going on in my life. I have got to learn to just set aside time to do that again. I’ve enjoyed the blogging classes that WordPress does and hope they do more. I have a long way to go to be near what you and many others are on here. I need to get back to writing every day or at least a few times a week. Love your blog and thanks for taking time to find out about the rest of us.

  • Tinesh Rajah says:

    I have just started blogging and I’m currently struggling with the lack of audience. Your blog would definitely shed some light on how to do just that. For that, I thank you very, very much. 🙂

  • GillHenry says:

    Thanks for following my blog. I am very new to this. My blog is only a few days old, but it’s something I have wanted to do for ages, so I am really enjoying it. Your blog is very interesting and you seem to have many of the same ambitions as I do. I will enjoy reading and learning more about you.

  • billmurd says:

    Hi Damayanti
    Good feeling to read your blogging & your journey I like it 🙂 awesome!

    • Hi
      Although I thought about it for a while, I have only started blogging grecently and find that I love it! I startec the blog on wordpress to record my thoughts, feelings and experiences on my house sitting lifestyle of travelling around Australia. I love to opportunity to express but also enjoy reading about others unique experiences

  • billmurd says:

    Reblogged this on CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER and commented:
    When did You start Your Blogging Journey?
    Daily (w)rite

  • Good to read about your journey :). Your writing is genuine and I like that. I just started blogging here a couple weeks ago, so still getting used to this blogging community but enjoying the process greatly. Keep well and keep writing 🙂

  • Pierre Lagacé says:

    I always read a blogger’s first post.
    It tells a lot about him or her.

    Read this first post on this blog about a war hero no one had heard about, let alone his squadron.

    Written in 2010…

    http://no23squadron.wordpress.com/about/

    256 posts later, there is always something new someone contributes to the blog.

    Read it from the start as you would read a book. This is not about fiction.
    A post a day? But you don’t have to. When you have finished reading it or when you get the message, then you can visit this other blog. It’s not mine. I could not stop reading her posts when I found her blog on Christmas Day 2012.

    http://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/everett-smiths-scrapbook/

    I hope you will like my comment.

  • jreidauthor says:

    I started about three weeks ago. I remember agonizing for 3 days before publishing my first post, fearful of broadcasting typos and other grammatical no-nos. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing, but at least I’m starting to enjoy this process now. I almost enjoy this as much as writing a novel.

  • swanview says:

    I started blogging at the beginning of December. I had followed a few writing blogs for a year or two but always felt that everyone else had more interesting things to write about writing than me. But, I love camping and am now about to get a camper van which I am blogging about and will record my adventures with the children. People often ask me how do you camp on your own with children, so here it is, or the beginning of it. My eight year old daughter was my first follower. It’s lovely to know someone has faith in me. Your blog looks lovely.

  • jamietah says:

    Awesome! I just started yesterday but I’ve been writing for awhile throughout my teens and now I’ve picked it up again in blog format which is so exciting to use as you document experiences in life.

  • oops.. late to the party .. *slides in on the spilt drink and food*
    Happy 6th. I’ve just had my 2nd.. a modest do compared to your whopper. Wonder how many people start blogging in January.. One of those ‘this year I’ll do it’ things maybe? I’m a year behind you in A-Z terms and am always in awe at the effort you put into hosting, you make us all feel very precious to be part of it. I’ve got a 100 posts expectation this year too, so here’s to us all having a spiffingly good blogging year.

  • Alison Juste says:

    I started blogging 10 months ago!
    In the beginning it was a thrill, even though followers and comments were scarce (sort of working on that). But now, it’s kind of a struggle, mainly because I spend more time doing job-stuff than writing in general, so sometimes remembering I haven’t blogged in X # of Y is just discouraging.

    Still though, in the long run it was probably a great decision. 🙂

  • hybridZone says:

    I started my blog over a year ago, although it took me quite some time to gain a couple of followers, and I struggled with posting consistency, I find your posts uplifting and inspiring, keep up the good work.

  • Dixie Minor says:

    Thank you for sharing your writing as well as your journey with us. I am really looking forward to following your blog!

  • Hi Damayanti,
    Happy New Year,

    Started blogging right towards the end of 2011 right after my father passed away. Writing served as a redemption. A form of comfort.. It’s been an enjoyable ride thus far.. Right now blogging with a vision, a purpose.. Hopefully I am able to achieve what I have in mind.

    Keep blogging.. U rock..

  • Started my blog in December (1 month ago) as aplace to a. Practice writing b. get some stuff out of my head in an effort to get some peace and quiet in there and c. to share any small gift I have by allowing people to learn a bit from my mistakes/experience. Thanks for your blog I enjoy coming back to it.

  • I started my blog in the Spring of 2010. It was born from a need to record somewhere public the daily challenge of caring for a loved one with a terminal illness, in this case motor neurone disease (ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). There are times when I am too exhausted or down to bring myself to blog and I always feel bad about the gaps. Reading your post reminds me about why I started to blog in the first place and gives me the impetus to carry on. I write short stories and poetry when I can. I hope someday to publish a book!
    I’m proud of my blog although lots of people tell me they find their comments don’t get published and I’m not sure why this is?
    Anyway onward fellow bloggers and thank you Damyanti!

  • I started a blog in the Spring of 2010. My blog was born from the urge to set down somewhere public the challenges of caring for a loved one who has a terminal illness. Sometimes there are gaps in the blog, mostly when I am too down or exhausted to take myself there, but hey reading your post today has reminded me of the reasons I began my blogging journey. Aside from my blog, I write short stories and poetry. I can lose myself in my writing. Some day I hope to finish my novel!

  • Jim McKeever says:

    Started last spring with the merging of career frustration, end of a long-term relationship and renewed urgency of telling other people’s stories before it’s too late. It’s been extremely gratifying.

  • Monster says:

    I will start with a thank you for the follow. Then I’ll wish you nice times in Inidia, Rahjastan was the same place I visited a year ago, and it was amazing! Next I’ll tell that I’ve been blogging for years, but just recently started the one you followed and it is so much fun ˆˆ

    As a finishing thought I would like to wish you happy writings, both in blog and in books. May you always have something interesting to tell!

  • I had to look it up, and it turns out I started blogging in 2009. I’d been writing on one of those Internet freelance sites since 2007, and heard blogging was all the rage. Turns out they were right. Now all I do is blog, and I couldn’t be happier. Thanks for sharing this link on your other blog. I’m looking forward to following both blogs now 🙂

  • Amy says:

    I am so glad I found your blog as I have enjoyed reading it very much, and I look forward to your future posts. I understand how difficult it is to blog on a regular basis, especially when other writing projects need attention. I am dedicating this year to revisions on my book, yet I don’t want to neglect my blog in the meantime, especially since readership is beginning to pick up a bit on there. A goal of writing something every day is what I am aiming for this year, whether it be on my book or my blog (or, ideally, both). I will just have to trust my gut each day to lead me to what needs my attention the most.

  • MTJames says:

    Thanks for following “The Well-Dressed Branch.” It comprises 683 posts, beginning with 2004/10/21. It is the product of my compulsion to communicate. My other blog, “No Down Payment,” is my one completed, but otherwise unpublished, novel of spiritual warfare. I suppose I aught to post my short stories as well, as they all stem from my Biblical world view.

  • Cassandra says:

    Thanks for popping in on my site. It’s a little scary to be the new kid. Not so much so when there’s a little company. 🙂 I’ve blogged since ’09, a family blog, then, just recently my mother asked me sweetly if I was still going to be putting up grandbaby pics. Was the shove to get a little nook of my own… just to tuck my writing into. It’s been fun so far, tons of great writing on just the few sites I’ve been able to visit. Excited to settle in a bit more as time allows. I’ll be poking back in to read some of your work! Have a great week! 🙂

  • ladybren says:

    Happy Birthday/Anniversary
    I started February 2011 to help have a voice while recovering from a stroke

  • I started last week. My motivation is to improve my writing and actually be brave enough to put something out in the public domain. Your dedication to your blog is inspiring and I’m delighted to have discovered it.

  • 6 years? Wow — way to go! I started 4 years ago, and the online community of fellow writers keeps me going. Here’s to another 6, right?

  • P. C. Zick says:

    Hello there – I started seriously blogging two years ago, but it wasn’t until this year that I noted an increase in traffic and the linking of friendships through the blog. Featuring other writers has been a way to form strong symbiotic relationships and to reach a wider audience. I too write fiction, but when the muse isn’t moving me there, I know I have a friend in my blog. Thank you for asking and my best to you in your travels, your writing, and your goal of 100 posts for 2014.

  • kevins15pots says:

    Just wanted to say thanks for following my blog it’s really cool to see that other people like my content too and that I’m not just amusing myself. Hope you like the other stories I come up and I’ll try to keep on keeping on.

  • Hi-

    I first began blogging in June 2010 which was my initiation and learning about blogging. I did this until June 2011. I stopped to prepare to go teach in Asia and did a short attempt when i returned in November 2011. Then I started again in September 2013 and have been doing it more seriously and with more focus. I have been meeting some extremely interesting people and reading incredible stories from around the world. I love blogging but it does take away from my novel writing time. I need to balance.

  • Wendy says:

    I began blogging about two years ago as a way to embrace my life motto of Living Life in Crescendo. It has turned out to be an immensely satisfying endeavour, especially as one builds a community. A community not only consisting of those who follow me, but a community with others who blog. Blogging is interconnected community with communication, sometimes even better than reading a book! Look forward to reading your posts in 2014.

  • Rich Allan says:

    I usually start blogging about the same time every month, sometimes after a large meal, but not always. I find that writing, along with GasX, brings almost instant relief, especially with a well-turned phrase that will clean out my troubled thoughts, leaving me flush with excitement. Write on, brother.

  • waywood says:

    I started my blogs back in 2007 when I realised that people seem to enjoy what I had to say.

    Most of my posts are my observations on life. However, I tend to live a varied life so posts can cover a wide range of things that I think people will find interesting or helpful.

    I enjoy reading other people’s blogs too.

    Happy New Year to all of your readers 🙂

  • rvraiment says:

    I really started blogging in December 2013. The WordPress blog has been up longer than that, but the initial response was so poor it didn’t appear to be worth the investment of time. I think that was probably a mistake. Now I’m trying to run two blogs, one here and one on Tumblr, am on Facebook too, mostly as a result of the encouragement of the publisher of my next novel.
    I have weathered some pretty hefty storms, from being bullied as a child to losing my father to divorce – he disappeared from my life after it happened, from losing my first born daughter to her massive handicaps before she reached her fifth birthday to burying my mother last year, glad that dementia had softened her but sad that I cannot grieve for her. And that’s only the ‘highlights’.
    But I have weathered them. I’m not looking for sympathy, ever. The pain has become gain and I understand far more than ever I otherwise would have.
    I’ve had an ultra-demanding day job, supporting autistic youngsters in education, though for reasons I can’t explain that work has suddenly become rather easier, and that’s likely to leave me with more energy for the writing which is my first love.
    Thus I shall be around, I guess (and hope) for a while.

  • smerav says:

    i started blogging just last month. havnt found the time to blog everyday but i do when i can 🙂 After getting some feedback on my previous posts ive been more encouraged to write.

  • I started blogging in May 2013 while I was unemployed. My original thought was to use it to promote a book I was writing, but that quickly fell to the wayside because I enjoyed writing posts about stuff I’m learning, or stuff I wish people knew, or just stuff. :). It’s been a slow start, but I recently was featured on Freshly Pressed, and that has been a good push.

  • I started blogging about a month ago as a way of promoting by books and art, but I find myself now trying to come up with blog posts that have nothing to do with either of those, just so I can give people something good to read. I suppose I’ll know in a year or so how successful I’ve been. Congratulations of making sex years, I’ve read that most blogs are abandoned after the first few posts.

    Also, your photography skills are more advanced than you give yourself credit for. All the best.

  • Hi. I started blogging in 2011, mainly because I wanted an outlet to do more creative writing and literary analysis. I am a technical writer by trade, and I love what I do, but I longed for the days of poring over lines of poetry and discussing books. Hence I started bloggin and have had no regrets. Cheers!

  • selouk says:

    Happy 2014! Love your posts!

    I started a topic on Pngine to get to know thoughts and insights of other bloggers’ on how they see social media affecting the blogging experience. It would be great to hear your opinion on this!

    http://www.pngine.com/topic/42/Blogging-In-A-Status-Box

  • The first post on my current blog went up in March 2012. My blog is primarily writing related (I am a technical writer by profession). At first I did a little ‘light political’ blogging, but eventually decided to just stick to book reviews and writing related topics. I have posted quite a bit of poetry in the past few months. I enjoy reading your blog, and I admire your commitment to blogging every day.

  • Jemima Pett says:

    It’s just coming up to four years since I started my first blog, then eighteen months later I started my author blog and really got going. I found the AtoZ Challenge a huge help in getting me into the blogging community and getting people to discover my world, too. I’ve ‘met’ great people through blogging, many of whom I’m proud to call friends. I’m not as good as I should be at certain parts of social networking, but hopefully my blog will always be there.
    Thank you, Damyanti, for blogging away and welcoming us newbies into the fold. It’s really appreciated. I hope you had a great time in Rajastan – I’d love to go back some time!

  • I started my blog on Blogger, around 2009, when I was still living in Australia. I continued it a bit erratically until I came to North Cyprus. Here I’ve started on blog on my book as blog. People have nagged me about writing about my life and experiences (I don’t call myself The Crazy Crone for nothing!) but I really didn’t fancy a book. Then someone commented my blog was my book so I decided to keep going with the writing that way and create a blog just for the book. I’ve practised art for quite a while but I got onto a couple of e-courses in late 2013, and suddenly my blog’s developed into an art and photography blog, which has surprised me no end. I love writing and art – I have fibromyalgia and life’s a bit erratic but the blogs provide a stable part of my life. My book blog I do twice a week and my art blog I’ve been doing daily, but I’m cutting back to every other day as I was putting too much pressure on myself. I love WordPress now I’ve got to grips with it and I love the blogging community – mostly positive, supportive and so interesting with the range of blogs. It also impresses me how creative people are and how the internet has enabled this explosion of creative works.

  • hectorkayel says:

    I have almost the same goal as you do. I also like to write in my blog and I intend to publish fiction stories and my musical pieces. Good luck with your writing and keep up the good work with the blog.

  • lausannedc says:

    Please do tell us about your trip to Rajasthan. I spent some time there in 1996 – fascinating place. And, 100 posts a year is quite a feat especially if you are also writing fiction, etc. No apologies needed for 100 posts!

  • Well I have started several blogs, but have not been able to commit to either one, my work schedule is crazy and I work very long hours. But I can’t put it all on my job, I’m a home health aide, and with a few of my clients I do have some free time, but I use this time to read, which is my first love. But its a New Year, so I’m going to get back into the swing of things, but I do enjoy reading your blogs when I get the chance.

  • Wow You’ve been blogging for a long time. I started my blog in 2011 but have been blogging continuously for a year.

  • marieabanga says:

    Dear Damyanti,
    Thank you for your post and blog. I am a novice to so many things including blogging; I started In November 2013 but from the look of things l am not doing badly.
    l blog as one of my many passions and well hope to inspire too, sort of give back what I get from this amazing world.
    I changed worlds last January, relocated from Cameroon Africa to Belgium Europe and in 2 days I will blog on my first anniversary here.
    I wish you all the best in 2014 🙂

  • I have two blogs. I started the first one almost 18 months ago as somewhere to do a writing project. The second one came about because I enjoy blogging so much. I had started it just in time for the A to Z challenge, which I only heard about a few days before it began! Looking forward to the next one and planning for it! Sue

  • Jill says:

    I started my blog in April last year but I decided on 2 January 2014 that I would do a blog a day for a year. It’s been relatively easy so far, as I’ve been stuck trying to recover from a sore back. We’ll see how I go when I’m back at work. I think that the act of writing everyday on this blog may prepare me to continue writing everyday in other ways, like working on a novel, developing my acumen for academic writing, and encourage me to research so that I’ll have stuff to write about.

  • Rajiv says:

    Congrats on the bug 6! I have three blogs, largely because these represent different facets of me, apart from the sorta fun book that I am writing for my kids. The book grew out of a blog that I was writing for them.
    So, I have my travel blog, my “corporate” blog, and one which represents my darker writing.

    Incidentally, I did photography that old man at the Amer Fort a couple of months back!

  • Happy anniversary! I started in July to complement the launch of my new business and my fiction found it’s way to paper soon after – just the act of writing gets the creative juices flowing 🙂 I have juuust about managed my plan of a post a week… one of my resolutions is to visit more blogs now that I’m in the swing of things!

  • Ashutosh says:

    Congrats on the sixth anniversary. and looking forward to read more stuff written by you.

    cheers
    Ashutosh

  • You seem very passionate in what you do! I admire that a lot.

    • Damyanti says:

      Thank you. Yes, I’m very passionate about my writing– it’s the only way and how and why I live some days.

  • I started in June, and it’s definitely a labor of love. Sometimes it’s a daily thing, others I realize I’ve gone a couple of weeks without posting. I find it to be a huge stress reliever, as well as a tool that allows me to review the way I’m writing. I’m not sure I’m the best judge of my own work, but at least having many samples to review keeps me conscious of it.

    In a perfect world, I too would write, and blog and hopefully ultimately finish something and get published.

    It’s fun to follow other people’s journeys, too.

    Debbie

    • Damyanti says:

      “In a perfect world, I too would write, and blog and hopefully ultimately finish something and get published.”

      That’s what I thought for years, till I realized that the only one standing in the way of that was me.

      Wishing you all the best with your writing and blogging– may you have much success with both!

  • (found your post through #amwriting Twitter hashtag)

    I started my LJ (which I consider to be my website, my blog, my online journal) in April of 2001. I’ve written in it sporadically with periods of putting forth more time & effort into it. I like to share my writings, my personal thoughts, photos & videos and such. It’s been a stable place to call home over the years, especially with all the changes in the internet world.

    I think my experience would have been much different if I’d started an actual blog and approached it from the social media / blogosphere / specific topic / branding way that popular and successful blogs have taken but perhaps there is still value in the fact that I’ve put myself out there and written over the years.

    • Damyanti says:

      Your journey sounds remarkably similar to mine. thanks for taking the time to stop by, and here’s hoping the years would bring more writing and blogging from both of us.

  • M.Gate says:

    I started on the 22nd of December, 2013. Still new, I know. But I hope to be able to keep posting daily at least for one year to improve my writing quality. I wish you the best.

    • Damyanti says:

      Daily posting for a year is a tough thing. I’ve certainly never tried it. Thanks for your wishes, and I wish you the very best, too. Will look out for your posts.

  • disperser says:

    March 2010. I had two prior blogs on sites that were hosted by forums that eventually went away. The first time I lost a couple of years worth of posts, and the second time I lost three years worth of posts.

    For a while I tried using Facebook, but that basically sucked (people there have the attention span of gnats on crack).

    I did some research and started blogs on Blogger, LiveJournal, and WordPress to see how they each worked. WordPress suited me the best.

    I then did research on the best way to have a successful blog, and did pretty much opposite of what I read.

    None of my family reads my blog, and that matches the population at large. Peculiar, I’m called by them who like me, and the rest call me “nuts”, usually preceded by a word referencing the act of reproduction.

    Relative to the work I put into my posts, the return is rather small.

    However, my number one fan loves what I do, and reads and rereads everything I write, looks at the photos over and over, and never gets upset when I spout this or that opinion..

    Amazingly, he agrees with everything I write, loves my fiction, and is reasonably pleased with my photos. I really can’t ask for any more, and anything else above and beyond is just gravy. Not much gravy, but gravy just the same.

    How’s that?

    • Damyanti says:

      I think all the effort you put in your posts is worth it, even if your audience is your number one fan and lurkers like me. You write well, with a great voice, and it is a matter of time before you find a larger audience.

      The first year on this blog I had less than 10k visitors, and I just kept going because I liked to, and liked having the two comments I usually got. I would have loved more, but wasn’t dying for them.

      Now that I get more visitors and comments of course I’m happy to have them, and insanely grateful, but I guess I’ll still keep blogging if I got 1 visitor a day, or none at all.

      Nowadays my posts are a lot more about listening than talking– because I find I like listening to people talk, rather than hearing my own voice. Which is why for my blogiversary, I wanted to know all about each one of your blogging journeys.

      Thank you for stopping by for a chat– I’ve enjoyed hearing about your blogging, and look forward to more of your posts.

  • Well, Friendster was just really for communities and not yet for blogging (that came later when it was trying to save itself from virtual death), so that doesn’t count. I really started with LiveJournal and it was a boring life there, then I had a very short-lived Hi5 blogspan (Ooh, I just coined a word! he he). Then Multiply, that’s where I really blogged for several years (one private, one public…why two is another story), and even created a Broadway group that grew in terms of members and, at a time, even in terms of member participation. But then we all know what happened.

    So I thought I’d try to be a more “serious” writer that’s why I began my WordPress blog more than three years ago. I didn’t really warm up to it that easily so you could count the few months I wrote in it. I don’t really blog now to grumble, grumble, grumble about life. I grew tired of that already. Now I write fiction, post some poems when I feel like it, review stuff, and write in a more general sense. The only reason I now have a Blogspot account is because i transferred stuff from Multiply. I haven’t even really worked on that blog AT ALL.

    So far, I really like WordPress. It gives that professional “feel” even when you are not really a professional blogger who gets paid. And I like the features. I really would like to write as much as I can. I’ll try to this year. 🙂

    • Damyanti says:

      Thank you for sharing all about your blogging journey with us– it has certainly been long and involved.

      I started this blog with a particular goal in mind– that of using it to grow as a writer, and I believe I’ve grown somewhat.

      I look forward to reading your poems and fiction, and wish you success in your writing as well as blogging.

  • Jeuron says:

    I began my first blog in 2005, but quit soon after not seeing the results I wanted. I took another stab in 2009 and quit again. In September 2011 I decided to give it one more try and put forth my best effort into making it work. After publishing 163 posts I can say that I made the right decision.

    • Damyanti says:

      Here’s to 1000063 more :)– the only secret to blogging is never giving up, and you’ve got it down pat.

  • words4jp says:

    I began my blog in February 2010. I was encouraged by a friend who recommended to give it a try since I told him I have always enjoyed writing and if I ever have the chance, I would love to go to school for writing. I enjoyed my blog and wrote for a few months them stopped, began again and stopped and began again then stopped after a close friend unexpectedly died. Then last January I felt compelled to write. I had fallen to the lowest place I could fall emotionally and I felt like writing. I have been doing it non-stop ever since. I wish I could do more, but time is limited and life gets in the way. For awhile I was in the pooter all the time – I was neglecting other things but I have cut back. I have tried to keep my posts as a daily occurrences.

    I love blogging and what is even more important to me is the community I have adopted and has adopted me:)

    • Damyanti says:

      I’m sorry to hear of your loss.
      I’m glad blogging helped you, and that you’re part of a thriving community now. That’s what I like about blogging.

  • Congrats on your 6th anniversary! That’s an awesome milestone.
    I began blogging last April. I was frustrated when I couldn’t discuss literature like I wanted in my classroom (too busy with quizzes, tests, students not reading, etc), so I started a blog where I could gush, unapologetically, about my beloved classics.

    Looking forward to your upcoming posts this year. Thanks and congrats again!

    • Damyanti says:

      I love your blog name and profile pic. Thank you for your kind wishes, and I look forward to your posts too!

  • kwizoe says:

    I’m just starting out with blogging (Oct 2013), and trying to have some fun with it, even though my content is super personal. I try to post a few times a week, but I am finding it a bit challenging, and like my posts aren’t good enough. I’m glad I got back into writing though, really loved it as a teenager.

    • Damyanti says:

      Our writing is never good enough, no writer worth his or her salt is perfectly happy with everything he or she wrote :).

      I myself have no writing talent, just perseverance, and a relentless desire to improve. My blog always comes second to my fiction writing, and if my blog has survived, it is not due to my own great effort, but the great kindness the blogging community has shown me.

      All the best with your journey!

  • Six years? That is amazing. Congratulations!
    It is the awesome people we meet a long the way that make the journey worthwhile. Honored to be your friend and part of the A to Z Team.

    • Damyanti says:

      Thanks Alex, and my blog is nowhere as amazing as yours :). Thankyou for your support, and am pretty thrilled to be friends with the Ninja Cap’n.

  • I love you too Susan. Your successful, I wish for that too someday before I die. My commitment began in Friday Harbor, a promise to Lee Roddy that I would write every day and publish. I owe him and RD Larson a big thanks.

  • deanie2013 says:

    I’ve been blogging for a year. I enjoy it and have met some very nice fellow bloggers, who have been extremely helpful and supportive. Now I have a new website, as well. Wishing you the best and Happy New Year to everyone.

    • Damyanti says:

      Most of the blogging community, other than a few trolls, are a very supportive bunch indeed. Thanks for stopping by, and wish you a great 2014.

  • I’ve only been blogging for several months, and sporadically at that. I’d like to do the 2014 A to Z challenge. I subscribed to the blog at http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/ so I remember to sign up!

    • Damyanti says:

      Linda, it is awesome that you wnat to sign up. Look out for the announcement somewhere around Jan end! 27th, if I’m not mistaken.

  • Dalo 2013 says:

    Happy New Year, and it is wonderful to know that you will be showing us some Rajasthan photos/thoughts in the future. Started this blog at the beginning of ’13, and it has been such a great release for me creatively ~ especially seeing & reading all the talent that is in the WP community. Cheers and best to you in the new year.

  • Good to hear the A to Z works so well. I’ve had mixed results with those efforts, altho I love the one I’m involved in right now. I like how they force me to think in directions I haven’t before.

    • Damyanti says:

      It has really helped me Jacqui…I do find AZ gives back what you give it, that shorter posts get more AZ comments, and that visiting a few and making relationships is more fruitful than trying to hit everyone. (Ironically of course, as a co-host I have to try and hit max numbers!)

  • bamauthor says:

    I agree with you, Damyanti, that there are so many wonderful opportunities to meet people and share opinions while blogging. I do mostly book reviews that are family oriented. It’s been just about one year now. My life as an author and reader has been enriched.

    • Damyanti says:

      Blogging is all about enrichment. One year is a fantastic milestone, I remember how dazed I was by it– here’s to more blogging from you and me in the coming year and more.

  • Hi there 🙂 I enjoyed reading your blog. I am a brand NEW blogger that just started. Thanks for your inspiring words! I look forward to reading more of your stuff and become acquainted with this online world of blogging. Cheers to a blessed 2014 year!!! ~Then She Knew

  • D.G.Kaye says:

    Happy New Year! 🙂

  • Damyanti, happy 6th Anniversary. Keep at it. You’ve got a good thing going. Oh, and good luck on your photography skills too. 🙂

  • I met you through the A to Z challenge and am glad. You always have interesting posts.

  • I love seeing your passion for writing and for travelling. It does open our minds. I look forward to your posts on Rajasthan. I was on my way there from Istanbul in 1971, and turned back when war was looming. I hope to make it there one day. Safe travels, and happy blogging!

    • Damyanti says:

      Thank you so much for your kind words and that little bit of history. Rajasthan has lost a lot of its charm in the last 15 years I’ve been there. More touristy. They’ve basically butchered the Jaisalmer fort, put placards and restaurant and shop signs everywhere. But India is a fascinating country, and always worth a visit.

  • Maskur says:

    it about 7 years

  • tokyoaaron says:

    Fifteen (!) years ago I started my first blog, Exit Booted, as a way to stay in touch with friends and family as I started what was MEANT to be a three-year adventure in northern, rural Japan to launch my career as a writer and teacher.

    I took a long hiatus from regular blogging due to the ever-increasing demands of a burgeoning teaching career. Then, about a year and a half ago, I took a sabbatical from full-time teaching to start writing again in earnest. I’ve carried on ever since, with three blogs – including a revamped Exit Booted – as I work my way back to writing articles again for publication and – some day I hope – stories.

    Thanks for asking!

    • Damyanti says:

      3 blogs! wow that’s a lot. 15 years ago, I’d barely heard of blogging– I wish you success in your blogging and publication journey!

  • About… 3 months ago 🙂

  • kateposeyphd says:

    I started my blog on children’s and ya literature and spirituality in June 2012 with a friend of mine who has published several fantasy novels. It has been a wonderful experience so far, and I am looking forward to what 2014 holds! It is fabulous to read about the experiences of other bloggers, and the book review blog community is great. You have inspired me to post something on my travels this past summer. I spent a month in Israel and would love to share with my readers a little about my trip. Looking forward to your posts about India!

    • Damyanti says:

      Thanks, Kate. I do look forward to your posts on Israel. It is a fascinating country. Your blogging journey sounds wonderful so far– and I hope you keep enjoying it for many years to come.

  • I began my blog because an agent told me to. The agent and I later parted ways, but I still blog. I write fiction and nonfiction and, before I blogged I had essays published on a regular basis. Now most of my nonfiction material goes in my blog; I’m not sure I will ever again submit an essay to a literary journal. I started a second blog to support (both figuratively and technically literally) my short story collection that I released in audio. I enjoy the blogging, which I do whenever I have something I need to say. My most popular posts—odd, odd, odd—have had to do with events of death in my life. I am very grateful for the other blogs that have found me so I can find them, including yours.

    • Damyanti says:

      Elle, I won’t even go into which ones are the most popular posts on my blogs over the last 6 years– the net is weird, and I’ve left it at that. Thank you for dropping by, and I look forward to exchanging comments.

  • Laura Hilger says:

    I started my blog after my trip to Peru in the summer of 2012 to write about that trip, and kept going. It turns out that I love blogging! It has become a big part of my writing life and I enjoy the community it brings out as well.

  • Bill Shadle says:

    I started my blog just 2 – 3 months ago. I had been making some nice comments in Facebook, and someone suggested a blog would be a good place to write more expansively. I am a paraplegic polio survivor, and my original intent was to talk about the highs and lows of growing up with a physical impairment. However, I then found myself sharing some old short stories, and one or two new ones, as well as some poetry. I am 70 years old, and I was forced to retire 3 years ago because I started losing my hearing (Meniere;s Disease). As an elderly, paraplegic, nearly deaf man, I had difficulty finding ways to challenge and exercise my mind. This blog has helped do that. I hold no delusions about publishing. If a few friends can find some enjoyment in my writings, that is my reward. Thanks for following me, and I look forward to reading more of you.

    • Damyanti says:

      Bill, you definitely have a lot to say, and I hope you keep saying it. As to publication, everything is possible. My friend who turned 90 this Jan published her first book of children’s stories this week.

    • Hi! Just want to say kudos to you 🙂 keep writing!

  • D C Sekhar says:

    Hi Damyanti, I started blogging two weeks ago, I am still understanding the various ‘buttons’ on the site. I started because I have something to share and I believe you did the same when you started blogging. I have all of 6 followers now and can understand in perspective the number of people who found your thoughts interesting enough to follow you. Keep it up, your blog is very interesting !!

    • Damyanti says:

      Welcome to the blogging world!

      I didn’t even understand anything about followers for the first 2 years of my blogging, so you’re way ahead of me in your curve 🙂

      I’ve never done giveaways etc to increase followers and so on– but I do follow a fair number of people, cos I happen to like their posts. WordPress has improved as a platform in the last 6 years, so I find it easier to read and comment on blogs of my interest.

  • I commenced my blog in August 2013, so a little under 5 months ago. I post everyday, sometimes more. I started as I was advised it was a good way to get a presence as a writer. Whether it is or not I have found it fun, met lots of wonderful people and enjoy the challenges.

    • Damyanti says:

      I blog for fun, too, because I enjoy the sort of interaction I get. I don’t know if it has helped my presence as writer, but I feel more confident in my blog voice these days. All the best with your blog!

  • I began blogging a couple months ago. I was working on two blogs, but it took too much time from my novel writing. In the new year, I will focus on one blog and stay on track with my other writing projects. I enjoy reading your posts and look forward to more in the new year.

    • Damyanti says:

      Thanks!

      I run two blogs too, and I write two posts a week on each. The other is on blogger, for all my blog friends who seem to love blogspot for some odd reason.

  • I actually have two blogs; I’ve been sporadically writing a cycling blog, for a little over a year, which is currently very neglected; it is linked to my “real life” social media, it’s written in my own name. In December of this year, however, I began to write this blog, anonymously. I needed to write from my heart as I fought to avoid being swept under by life’s currents. The blog, tho anonymous, is the real me, it is where I get to speak from my heart. The support and insight I’ve received from the blogging community has completely blown me away, and I will be forever grateful!

    • Damyanti says:

      I sometimes wish to write an anonymous, personal blog. But I journal instead, and some of the insights and experiences go into my fiction.

      • I really struggled with whether or not to blog, and just journal; the heightened level of thought that I put into blogging, because of my awareness of a potential audience helps to push my thought process further along than what journaling would accomplish. I wasn’t sure, when I started writing, if the nature of my blog would lead to angry and judgemental feedback. Instead, I’ve been supported, challenged, and encouraged; the interactive nature of blogging has been a critical part of my healing.

      • My first blogs, one of my Multiply ones in particular, was an anonymous, personal one. I got to write my opinions–and I could be very opinionated–and more personal stuff. I made a lot of effort to not just come out as someone who just loved to rant and go all angst-y to feel good about herself. I made sure I really had something sensible to say, regardless of whether you agreed with me or not.

        Sometimes I could be very passionate in explaining my views, though, that people had to tell me not to be angry. It was hard to explain that there’s a difference about being passionate and being angry at the world. I did have my angst-y moments, though.

        The only reason I created a more public blog bearing my name was because I worked for an NGO and thought that people would trust me more if I presented myself as myself.

    • Hardest thing to do in life is starting something new. The bravest thing ever to be done is starting new thing. You have been so brave, not allowing the feelings to die neither closing up mouth when needed to be heard. I will forever borrow courage from numerous people like you. Ride on, people are following your good steps.

  • I started back in 1995, but it was just a collection of text files I called my “public journal.” The interactions that sprang from that opened my horizons, so that I was–and remain–hooked. 🙂

    • Damyanti says:

      Deborah, I doubt I knew what a blog was, nineteen years ago. I was barely scratching the surface of the internet.

  • misfit120 says:

    Damyanti. I started in January of 2009 with a goal of writing strictly current event humor. I write each and every day, and like you, have also met some wonderful people who have commented on my blog. I’ve written two books, one an autobiography, the other a mystery novel. None of which sold beyond a few copies. However, I’m proud of my novel,
    “The Covert Chamber” because of my accomplishment…..regardless of the lack of sales. So I continue with my blog, and humor, and for those that faithfully follow it each day. Good luck with your blog as well.

    • Damyanti says:

      Thanks for your wishes, and I believe writing is its own reward. I try to better myself each day, but other than that, I send stuff for publication cos that’s part of what a writer does, publish stuff. Some of the feedback I’ve received from editors has been invaluable.

  • I began blogging only about 6 months ago. I began it because I had been given a book on WordPress and was simply following it through. Then a month later I broke my ankle. It was a “lucky break” – the blog I mean. Because I had to lie with my leg in the air and blob out with the blog. It helped fill in the time beautifully. Now that I’m recovered, I still do the blog, but unfortunately don’t get enough time to thoroughly enjoy in detail the blogs of others.

    • Damyanti says:

      So good to hear you’ve recovered. I’ve had my leg in a cast, twice, and it wasn’t fun. All the best for your blogging journey ahead!

  • nectaryne says:

    Happy 2014! I enjoy reading your words.

    I began blogging as a way to keep in touch with family and friends all over the country. Now I write mostly to take note of the small moments in my day, the tiny things that catch my attention and make me stop to think. My auntie is happy when I remember to post pictures of the children!

    • Damyanti says:

      Thanks nectaryne.
      I don’t put any personal pictures and stories on my blogs, but I guess the personality trickles through. I do make small notes on my day, but most of that day finds its way into my fiction.

  • My blog started as a Caring Bridge blog when I started chemo treatments in July 2010. At the end of my chemo treatments I started my current blog in December 2010 on Blogspot and then switched to WordPress in May 2011. I haven’t missed a day of posting a blog since July 10, 2010.

    • Damyanti says:

      I blog for 28 days each April, and that shows me how tough daily blogging really is. I applaud your effort. Some members of my family underwent chemo as well, so I’ve seen how much courage it takes to go through those . Wishing you all the best in the coming year, Timothy.

  • Dan Antion says:

    I started a technical blog in 2009 and then joined a community blog later that year. I wanted to do something personal, but I didn’t start that until 2011. It’s fun, I enjoy it and it seems to be gaining readers. I enjoy reading yours.

    • Damyanti says:

      Thankd Dan, both for sharing your journey and your comment. I like the voice in your blog, it is tongue-in-cheek and long-suffering, a mixture I admire 🙂