It’s Been Five Long Years

high-five
A little birdie just whispered in my ear, “Check the date of your first post.” Sure enough. Today is fifth anniversary of that first post. It’s hard to imagine that it’s been that long.

For those who came in more recently, this blog began about the time I fully formed the intention of writing The Heart and Craft of Lifestory Writing, and the blog bore the same name as the book. By the time the book was published about eighteen months later, my interests had broadened beyond just story writing, and within a year or so I renamed the blog, omitting the “story” to arrive at the current title. 

Over the course of the five years in nearly 500 posts, I’ve covered almost every topic relating to life writing: story writing tips and techniques, working with your muse, journaling tips, elements of memoir, the nature of memory …  If all the archives were printed out, they’d fill about five volumes.

Some have asked where I get my ideas for posts. Sometimes my muse Sarabelle whispers them in my ear. But a majority are written in response to questions students ask or comments on forums and other blogs. Now and then I write about a book I’ve read or a news item. In short, they come from anywhere and everywhere. 

Through the five years I’ve become keenly aware of the power of Story and blogs to create community and connection among life writers. Many have told me my blog is a sort of coach (I’m also available for standard coaching). It’s been a nudge to my creativity, and hopefully yours. I’ve shared computer tips. 

More than a few times over the last couple of years I’ve felt like I’ve said it all, and perhaps it was time to post a “Finished” sign. But there is always more to say. I’m working now on plans for expanding the scope of the blog. Stay tuned for more details. 

Write now: jot down some thoughts about an ongoing project of your own. Take stock of your accomplishments as well as your plans and dreams for its future.

9 comments :

mjhellman said...

Happy Blogversary! I have enjoyed your blog a lot and am looking forward to more of your posts.

Have a great day!!

Mary

Sarah Allen said...

Congratulations :) Thats a gigantic accomplishment. I hope to keep at it for the next while as well as you have.

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

Teena in Toronto said...

Happy blogoversary :)

Sharon Lippincott said...

Thank you to MJ, Sarah, and Teena. How nice of you to help me celebrate!

Pat's Place said...

Happy Anniversary to you! And I looked back and discovered that it has been 4 years and almost two months since I began mine. Could not believe it had been that long!! Looking back over those years, I found lots of changes. Some of us have grown up, others have gone on and time changes lots of things! Musings!!

Sharon Lippincott said...

Pat, who would have thought we'd feel like old-timers at the ripe old age of four or five. But truly, there are legions of abandoned blogs much younger than that. It is fun to read back through what we've written. It's like a journal of sorts, yours more life oriented, mine a writing journal.

Linda Hoye said...

Happy Blogoversary! And thank you for sharing your tips with all of us.

Sharon Lippincott said...

You are most welcome Linda. Sharing what I learn helps me learn it more deeply. In my experience, it is definitely true that the teacher learns more than any of the students.

Amber Lea Starfire said...

Sharon, congratulations on five years of blogging! Wow. I'm looking forward to reading as you expand.