I debated writing a Bloggy Boot Camp post, because I know a lot of my faithful readers are not bloggers. For my non-bloggers out there, I can see you rolling your eyes. I get it. I do. You know it won’t hurt my feelings if you stop reading now and return to your real life.
For the rest of you…
What this post isn’t: a list of things I learned on Saturday. But if you want to know what I learned, please email me – I’d be happy to discuss with you.
What this post is: some thoughts, appreciation, and a shout out or two.
The Thoughts…
Wonder, Friend is almost seven months old. In blog years, that makes me a veteran. Apparently the six-month mark is some kind of magic number. I believe making it past that arbitrary line in the sands of the blogosphere means you could be stuck with me for a while.
And yet…
Listening to the speakers and talking to other attendees on Saturday made me feel, frankly, like an underachiever. In less time, a lot of bloggers out there are scoring way more pageviews than I am, building thriving BlogFrog communities, blowing the Twitterverse to pieces, and more.
I walked away feeling both energized and conflicted. I am energized to grow my blog, but conflicted about the reasons why I want to grow.
All these many months later, I maintain my original goal: this blog is a writing outlet, and I’ll write it even if nobody is reading.
And yet…
Blogging is a lot more fun when people are reading. Finding a tribe, building relationships and discovering talented new writers is more enjoyable than writing in a vacuum. And we all love feedback. The blogging community makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something bigger than sitting around in my pajamas writing drivel.
And yet…
The conflict, for me, is that when I focus on growing the blog, my writing suffers (hello, The Red Dress Club? Have you revoked my membership yet?). When I focus on writing, my blogging relationships suffer.
Where does that leave us?
Here. It leaves us here: me writing, you reading, Wonder, Friend evolving.
My gut tells me to focus on the words first. I need to bring in things a bit.
Tighten.
Sharpen.
And then… then I can start utilizing the wisdom gained at Bloggy Boot Camp, allowing my words to travel more widely than they are currently.
Some Bloggy Boot Camp appreciation…
I’m shy. No, really, I kind of am. It takes me a long time to get to know people (and probably takes them even longer to know me).
I’m a writer, not a talker. My mouth and my brain work independently, leaving me tongue-tied or rambling or some weird ramble-tie combo.
What this means is, as excited as I was to be at Bloggy Boot Camp, I was also horrified. I broke into a sweat every time we changed tables. I talked myself out of walking up to people and introducing myself. And yes, I’m kicking myself for that now.
I did manage to eek out a few words to some new friends, and I’m so thankful for the people I met. I’m also thankful for my Austin-based blogging friends who kept me thoroughly entertained all day long. Instead of listing them all here, I am going to do a Bloggy Boot Camp-themed Blogroll Schmogroll this month, listing friends new and old (Blogroll Schmogroll runs on the last Wednesday of every month, so that means tomorrow).
People I wish I knew better…
The speakers were great and imparted so much – so very, very much – information. I’m still processing all of it.
Also? I may regret not being bold enough to ask them all to be my BFF.
For those of you not in attendance, I recommend that you pay a visit to these bloggers when you have time.
In order of appearance:
:: The very lovely and talented SITS Girl herself, Tiffany Romero of SITS: The Secret to Success is Support.
:: Laurie Turk of TipJunkie, Chic Chick Media, and Executive Homemaker
:: Jessica Gottlieb of the blog by the same name
:: Angela England of The Renaissance Woman
:: Amy Locurto of Living Locurto and iHeart Faces
:: Jessica Bern of Bernthis
:: Kerri Jackson Case of Damn You, Little Rock
:: LaQuisha Wright of Channing Tatum Unwrapped
Finally, a word from our sponsors…
Bloggy Boot Camp couldn’t happen without the sponsors, so please visit these companies and see what they have to offer.
:: Diaper Buds
:: Seagate
:: iGo
Lapsed homemaker. Looking to hire a full-time housekeeper who will work for the sheer joy of a job well done and free coffee. Interested parties, DM please. 
Once again, I agree wholeheartedly with what you wrote. (Particularly about the changing table sweats….I hate that kind of thing and I’m sure lost a lot of new friends because I’m such an introvert in situations like that.)
I left BBC Phila feeling a lot of the same things as you about being energized and wanting to grow but feeling conflicted….and I’ve not resolved anything yet.
But keep on keepin’ on, Sistah — in whatever form. Good writing finds its audience, and I’ll keep waiting for yours.
@alyson: common sense, dancing, Isn’t that a terrible feeling, that meeting-new-people-nervousness? I really thought I’d be better about it by now, but not so much…
If you come up with an good resolution to this inner turmoil, let me know. Until then, I’ll just be hanging out here trying to figure it out!
Clicked over from Kludy Mom cause the picture of you with Pursey Galore was too funny!
Thank you for being willing to pose with such a tacky, tacky thing! That’s really taking your reputation in your hands!
And I actually left Bootcamp SF sorta feeling the same way. Holy cow! I’m not doing enough! Holy cow! I’m doing that wrong! Holy cow! I need to quit the damned day job to do all this!
And yet…it’s so, so fun.
Nice to “meet” you, Ms WonderFriend!
@Lori @ In Pursuit of Martha Points, I loved getting to stalk Pursey. What a great way to raise money! If that purse could talk…
Nice to meet you, too. Gigi tells me you’re a must-follow, so I will! 🙂
When you have the answer to your conflict, please let me know. I stopped trying a long time ago to blogfrog and join communities and the rest. It was all too overwhelming. I, too, am here for the written word and the beautiful friends I’ve made. Trying to balance out writing a novel and keeping up with the blog world, has been trying indeed. And actually, I’ve never said this out loud before, but to be honest, lately I’ve been feeling a little burnt out on the blogging. But the writing pulls me back every time. I’m totally feeling you. I know and yet I don’t have an answer, either.
@joann mannix, I have the saddest start to a novel. I have to put some structure in place and I have a feeling that will mean cutting back on blogging. Ugh. Not leaving it entirely, but paring down here and there.
You are not alone in feeling burnt out. I’v heard that from several people lately. I think it needs to be okay to step back now and then – when it stops feeling like fun, it’s time for a break!
If I find the secret to all of this, I’ll let you know. I have a feeling there’s no hard and fast answer… don’t you hate that?!
I get everything you said and feel a lot of the same things. I felt like I was doing well, and yet, the assumptions made about working with sponsors made me feel completely underachieving.
I don’t know. I will probably just keep on keepin’ on, for now. 🙂
I’m glad you were there too!
@gigi, Thanks, Gigi! 🙂 And yes, I think we do just keep moving forward and we’ll find our way. Won’t we?!
I love that what this means is that you, and your blog, is evolving…that’s what we’re supposed to be doing right? I still blog a lot about my day-to-day life, but really, I see my blog becoming more about the art of writing. Maybe it’s a phase, maybe not. But the point is that I want to write AND blog, and I can’t figure out how to do them both…not enough time in the day!
I’m going to BBC in San Diego in March, and I can’t wait. For me, it’s more about networking than anything else. I know I’ll never be a “big” blogger, but I want to see what I can do to help get my blog out there more.
@Natalie, There is absolutely not enough time in the day… The kids, with all their neediness really cut into my writing time. 😉 But seriously, I think great writing takes focus and dedicated time that I don’t have a lot of right now. This phase of my life is temporary, so I’m trying to do what I can for now and hope to expand on it when I have more available time. I need to do a better job with time management, though!
You will have some great networking opportunities in San Diego (plus, a great location… maybe I need to go to that one!).
Well said Missy. I hear ya on the conflicted part. Now that I am writing more, I have discovered the same thing. It is mighty tough to burn both ends of the candle well.
@Christina, Thanks for the tweet, by the way! Much appreciated. 🙂
And I was kind of lame this week and forgot to tell you – there’s an award for you on Monday’s post. 🙂
Well, I am just now getting around to the bloggers from Boot Camp. I can’t seem to remember which face went with which card and obviously, didn’t get everyone’s cards. But, I followed from Twitter and I read every word. I am an artist and started my blog for artist reasons but found out that I enjoy writing. The blogs I really read are writers. Some days….I just want to look at photos….but my favorite bloggers are good writers. Keep being you and meanwhile, do a little work on getting yourself out there. The world needs to read it. I came away feeling the same way. I had to analyze what is important to me….and then do that. Good post.
@Susan with Permanent Posies, Thanks for the encouragement – it’s always nice to hear!!
It is nearly impossible to remember all of the names and faces from Saturday. I definitely relate to that. There was too much going on! Thanks for coming by. 🙂
It was great being able to sit next to you during the second session and during lunch at BBC! I didn’t think you were quiet or shy or any of that, but then again, I think I tend to get like that in large groups too so that might have been the reason. I do know that I loved getting to know you and I look forward to reading more (I like you, I really really like you!!) 😉
@Nicole at Mommy Moxie, Thanks for stopping by!
See, I didn’t think you were shy either. Are we too hard on ourselves?!
I loved meeting you, too. Hopping over to your site and facebook page right now. 🙂
That’s why the people that come here love you: your honesty and vulnerability.
You are the ultimte MILF: mom I’d like to friend. (did I make you gasp for a minute?)
You are very, very sweet: and this post shows it.
Don’t worry about a thing;;;just keep posting, or writing, or commenting, or connecting: whatever YOU want.
I don’t follow my numbers, I just write b/c I love it. Then I hope around and visit.
We do what we can, how we can, right?
Loved the sincerity in this post.
@Alexandra, Ha – I totally gasped! I like your definition much better than the standard definition.
Thanks for such kind, encouraging words. You’re right – we do what we can.
I’m so jealous you got to be there – I wish I could’ve swung the ticket price 🙂
@B, Wish you had been there, too!
How did everyone sleep last night? Did you call the doc?
Thank you so much for including me in this post. I hope Bloggy Boot Camp was helpful for you, I know I learned a lot from the speakers I was able to listen to.
@Jessica Gottlieb, You bet! Thanks for your presentation. I am now combing the internet, working on resolving privacy issues. Just a tad overwhelming…
I’m still at a loss when it comes to the ins and outs of blogging but I really appreciate your honest take on it.
I’m loving writing and sharing stories for now, that’s about as far as I’ve gotten. I love reading what other Moms like yourself have to say and that’s why I’m sticking around. Thanks for sharing!
@Melissa (Confessions of a Dr.Mom), That really sums up how I feel, too. I don’t get a lot of the ins and outs, either, but I love reading – and writing – so here I am!
I’m with you on the writing better than talking. Perhaps a bloggy boot camp where we still write at one another would be better?
@Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds, I love it. You organize it, I’ll be there!
I am with you on all counts and am now more torn than ever. I really enjoy doing what I’m doing. Even if I don’t have 10,000 page views a month. And not that I wouldn’t like 10,000 page views per month. I just think it would start being a job. And I don’t want a job.
On the other hand, I am motivated and over-flowing with ideas. I’m considering starting something new and going in a completely different direction.
Jekyll and Hyde.
It was great getting to meet you on Saturday. It is fun to put a face and voice with a blog. And you didn’t seem terrified or sweaty.
Finally, thanks for not laughing when I consumed my cheesecake in 3 bites!!
xoxoxo
@Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop., Well, it would have been really hard to laugh at YOU, since my mouth was full of cheesecake, too!
If you decide to go in a new direction, I’ll follow you all the way! Keep me posted.
Wow. I had no idea that 6-month bloggers could be so accomplished. It amazes me that blogs can get such huge followings in that amount of time. I have to admit that reading all this made me feel like throwing up a little — an OMG I’m so behind type of nausea. I may have to email you if you don’t mind, to learn what you learned at Bloggy Boot Camp!
PS, You’re a great writer and I <3 your blog.
@Jennifer G., Thank you so much. Email me any time!
I totally get where you are coming from. I’ve been blogging for two years and I see people that have started after me that are totally blowing it out of the water and I get a little jealous. But then I have to sit back and think. You know, maybe their goals are different than mine, maybe they have marketed themselves differently (better?), maybe they have more time than I to devote to building their blog, or (gasp) maybe they are just better at this than me. I’ve (kind of) learned to be content with where I am and just let my blog grow “organically” (sorry, but I had to throw that in there). If I’m meant to do big things then I believe everything will fall into place and it will happen. Right now I do what I can and that just has to be enough.
@Jennifer, Well said. Reading the comments on this post has made it very clear that we all need to do only what we can, when we can – we need to keep it fun for US. That’s what matters!
Great meeting you and having dinner together!
I hear you lady. I’ve been blogging for nearly 4 years and A LOT has changed since then. I mean when I started I didn’t even know that other people were really doing it that much! HELLO!!!
I have some of the same feelings you do but I always try to remember that the MAIN reasons I blog are for myself and for community. I’ve met some truly amazing people since I’ve been doing this. People I call good friends. It really is quite the phenomenon.
I’m sorry we didn’t get to connect while in Austin. Maybe next time… 🙂
@Elaine, Four years! Wow – impressive! The community is amazing. It’s so much more fun than I ever imagined.
I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet, too. Next time, for sure!
Great recap!
I can really relate to you on many levels here. While I am a pretty social person, there was defiantly a fear that Saturday. The cocktail party was really hard for me because I was late and it was hard to break into a group without feeling like I was being obnoxious or rude. Who the hell cares who Crystal of Crystal & Co is… kwim? (I did not do a good job developing relationships before the confrence which I should have done.)
Anyway, I really gained a lot that day. I do want my blog to be a business for me while being a resource for mom’s. Ballsy for me to say I am sure, but hey, what are we if we are not honest?
Excited to be a part of The Blogging Mavens!