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Is Your Blog Your Story?

Forestwood

Whether you are new to blogging or have been writing for some time, blogging is, or can become, a personal branding story, a legacy of self. What does you blog say about you and the personal brand behind the blog? These six questions helped me unpack the purpose behind my blogging journey.

Mt Pilatus
Yay for blogging!

Why write A Blog?

Q: ” The best posts and stories make the audience’s benefit amazingly clear. What is the real benefit of your writing?”

A: I read to learn or gain knowledge, and I write to share information, for education or entertainment. I also write to document things that are important to myself and hopefully others. It makes me happy to write and I feel compelled to put words down on paper or in blog format.

Conveying Relevance

Q: How does your story fit into the world? Is your blog helpful to someone?

A: Is my writing relevant to others? I don’t know but I hope my words are useful or entertaining, in some way. I write with the objective to share knowledge and to further my own self-inquiry. Perhaps writing stems from an inner urge to find meaning with external matters. The spinoff for me, is the surprising development of a nurturing and positive blogging community.

My story – take a seat and join me.

Structured posts

Q: Do your blog posts walk readers through a learning curve of information and share how issues discussed might impact them?

A: That very much depends on the topic of the post. This sort of blog posting is more suited to a tutorial style, and I tend to speak generally about potential impacts in posts. I gain a lot of inspiration for topics from the blog community.

As blogger Marlene from InSearchotItAll posted: “A negative mind will never give you a positive life.” How could a positive life spring from a negative mind? I like to think positivity is infectious.

Positivity is infectious

Emotional connections

Q: Beyond education, the best stories forge a bond between the story-teller and her audience. Whether through vulnerability, candor or shared experience, stories where the audience walks away with heightened emotional intimacy are the stories that win. How do you foster an emotional connection with your readers?

A: I do hope the tone of my posts is personal and conversational but I am no story teller. Writing a blog post is like confiding in a dear friend, but a friend that lives far from my location. By being honest, thoughtful and thinking hard about situations we might all find ourselves in, I’d hope I relate to and connect with those who read and comment on my posts.

Tin Can Bay
I would hope I promote an emotional connection with those who read and comment on my posts.

Past or Future?

Q: Is your blog about the past or where you are headed? Does your writing examine the past whilst reflecting the future, in terms of dreams, hopes and the future?

A: Both. There is so much we can learn from the past it would be stupid to focus solely on the future. In particular, I enjoy discussing traditional proverbs that have sageful advice anyone can use. no matter their stage, or walk, of life.

Differentiate You

Where am I
Where are you headed?

Q: What makes your blog stand out from others?

A: I think that is a question for the readers of my blog. I could not be objective at all in answering this, and thus I’ll politefully decline.


How would you answer these six questions?

You are welcome to re-post with your own answers, but are under no obligation to do so.

Here are just a few blogs, (in no particular order), who’ve been inspirational to me, in my blogging journey. Thank you WordPress community!

Yvette from Priorhouse Blog

Pooja from Stories from Europe

Moon from ACacophonous life

Manja from ManjaMexi

Snow from TheSnowMeltsSomewhere

Donna from Retirement Reflections

Lorelle from A Mindful Traveller

Ineke from Scrapydo2

Sabine from InCahootswithMuddyBoots

Chris from lifeofrileyow

Ally from Thespectacledbean

Mydustyflipflops.com

Ju – Lyn from AllThings Bright and Beautiful

Anne C – from To See the World in A Grain of Sand

Mabel Kwong

Climate Change Australia

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Published by Forestwood

A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.

39 thoughts on “Is Your Blog Your Story?”

  2. HI, Amanda – Thank you for the shout out. I greatly appreciate it
    I have only been following your blog for a short while, but let me take a stab at the question you declined. I believe that your blog is filled with very provocative puzzle pieces, some on philosophy, some on art, some on travel, some on cooking, some on photography….but all designed to make us think. Always these pieces probe us to go deeper, which makes your blog very aptly titled. I am already a fan!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you Donna. That is so very kind of you to say. I think you have covered the menagerie of topics I write here well! It was always very observant of you to note that I am often questioning. Marlene has also commented on this searching tendencies of mine! Sometimes I don’t even realize it. But when all is said and one, it is other bloggers like you and the blogging community that is the backbone that give us support and makes blogging worthwhile. After all, if no one was out there reading or listening, who would we be “speaking” to? I am very glad our paths have crossed!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Thank you so much for the mention, I really do appreciate it! I have to agree with Donna from Retirement Reflections, your posts often make me think, they ask questions which I can reflect on and that makes your posts interesting and entertaining. I am very glad that I found your blog and I look forward to reading many more posts in the future 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Mydustyflipflops. I am very glad you found Something to Ponder About. It is also reassuring to hear that my humble blog babblings are interesting and provocative (in a good sense). So kind of you!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Some good reflections there, Amanda! And I agree with Retirement Reflections as to why your blog stands out – and it does! Thank you so much for the mention as well. Hope you have had a great Easter – i have had family and guests all the way, so I am rather tired now. Not much blogging done. ♥

    Liked by 2 people

  5. What makes your blog stand out Amanda is – your writings show thought, are insightful, show empathy, aren’t judgemental or self righteous, and are thought provoking. Reading one of your blog posts is like meeting up with a dear friend for a cup of tea and a chat. Thanks for mentioning my blog too. I may even re-post those questions….

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for saying that, Chris. And particularly for comparing my blog scratchings to a chat over a cuppa, with friends. I feel like that that is the way I like to write and it warms my heart to think that others feel that too. I do try to be non- judgemental but slip up IRL. Writing down thoughts allows for more time to process them fully and think about the others’ rationales. We don’t always have the luxury of digesting’ time during spoken conversations.
      I would be interested to see your answers to these questions if you did re -post.

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      1. I think people often don’t hear what you say, so they never really get to know you. The written word is often much easier to hear. That’s why I thinking the blogging world forms such a wonderful fellowship – we really hear each other, and consequently we really get to know each other quite quickly.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Excellent! Thanks so much, Chris. I am excited to pop over and read what you have said. I am sure there won’t be any injustices at all. They are your words and opinions, that is all.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I am so honored to be listed here- made my day and brought a smile.

    and I can help answer this one for you
    Q: What makes your blog stand out from others?

    My reply for your blog
    first, I agree with the reader CR above who said: “is like meeting up with a dear friend for a cup of tea and a chat.”
    so true
    –
    and second, you have a nice pace – and you take the time to read between the lines – without getting too deep. But going deep is sometimes what you like – but you can switch gears and keep it light.

    and it is fun getting to know you more

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Yvette. You are perceptive because sometimes Marlene, or Mabel and I do get carried away examining the many layers of quotes and proverbs. But it is greatest compliment to me when you agreed with Chris (CR).
      I once had an awful online experience with an old friend over a social media post and I severed our friendship after that. So I guess that lingers in the back of my mind when I have some doubts about the tone of my writing. It is a good thing it happened though, ( not the loss of an old friend but the disagreement), because it forced me to check my written intentions, and look at them from a different perspective. I think it needed to change and that was the catalyst to make me realize that. I think both of us like to spread positivity and kindness everywhere and a blog is a fun way to do that. Thank you again, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Ahh, how lovely to see my name among your inspirations, Amanda! ❤ Very much likewise!

    These questions are a bit too hard for me right now and not something I think about much at all. Why am I doing it? I'm just doing it and the blog does its own thinking. 😉 Thank you so much for thinking of me along with these wonderful bloggers, many of them familiar.

    I like to visit you because you are a smart, thinking, serious woman with a funny side, full of interesting info, thoughts and aspects. I wonder why you say that you're not a story-teller though. Don't you think that each post is a little story? Your previous post about the Japanese lady and your MOTH (hilarious nickname!) is a perfect example of an excellent story. Think about it! 😉

    In any case, let's carry on and the why will find its own answer.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The why will find its own answer! I like that philosophical statement. I am so happy to have discovered your blog especially when you contribute to the blogging community in such a integral way. I guess it is no surprise that we have similar bloggers in our own blogging communities. Similar values. And thank you ever so much for your kind words. That is indeed encouraging. I never thought of myself telling stories, like Millie Thom for example who writes a blog or used to and have moved into writing books. The wonderful writing who complete the Friday fiction short stories. I do not have enough fictional inspiration for that. It is challenging and fun to find some humour in the posts I write on life. Perhaps they are little stories, after all. Where are we if we cannot find something to learn and/or giggle at?

      Liked by 1 person

  8. What an honor, Amanda! You are a wonderful person:) I am so very new to this and you mentioning my blog means a whole lot. THANK YOU. Your posts have been inspirational and thought provoking and make me feel like I somehow know you. I am quite an introvert but it feels so easy to ‘talk’ to you. Keep writing and keep guiding. Looking forward to more art that delights and at the same time leaves readers with ‘something to ponder about’!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That is indeed a beautiful compliment, Acacophonouslife Can I call you Moon or ACL or something else for short?
      I also like visiting your blog and sometimes we connect better with one blogger more than another. Sometimes it is serendipity that our paths cross.
      And funny that you say that you are an introvert – there are quite a few of us here. I think a lot of bloggers feel more comfortable with the written word than the spoken one!
      So happy we found each other! Despite wordpress stopping me from visiting your site by gravatar link! Lol!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You can of course call me Moon! I like ACL too… you pick😄 You are right… it is serendipity!And , I have to do something about you not being able to visit my blog… I would hate it if you could not do so. I checked my domain as you suggested but acacophonouslife.com is my main page name. I will tweak around a bit more and see if it helps the situation!
        Also, as you suggested once, do you think we can set up a challenge for others? If so, do let me know and it would be exciting! Looking forward to doing something with you😊
        ( I wrote the same thing while replying to another comment but since WordPress isn’t making it easy, I wrote this again here… so ignore one, in case you get to see both 😅)

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I was thinking about something to do with food- sharing recipes (does not have to be original). Food has always being a wonderful way of cultural exchange and it brings people together…..think about ‘breaking the bread’! Do you think this might work? You have much much more experience than I do in the blogging world! I have always been curious about food from around the world and so is my husband and we cook something from a different part of the world few times every month:) Our love and appreciation for food has increased so much and I am curious to know more and share too. It could be anything from family recipes to local cuisine to anything that the wonderful folks of the blogging community like….something as simple as a grilled cheese sandwich! Let me know:)

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      5. Thanks Amanda! Would next month be a good start time? How do you propose we begin this? I know your hands are full so no rush in replying back! Now that this idea can work out, let me think about this a bit more too and we can share our thoughts are proceed from there. Sounds okay?

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  12. I had just found this post among the hundreds waiting for me to catch up on and then I lost it again for a while. I’m so glad it reappeared! I really enjoyed reading this and very much appreciate the pingback. I think you captured many of my own reasons for blogging. I do it to start a conversation. Sharing of yourself and being vulnerable helps others open up and share. I learn so much here and so many inspire. You are so articulate in how you express this. Thanks for being the perfect you.

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    1. I so love hearing that you think me articulate, Marlene. As I don’t feel articulate at all face to face. That us why blogging appeals, I guess. It gives one time to formulate the thoughts properly so they can be understood more easily. Conversations are a wonderful aspect to blogging. They add another satisfying dimension to writing.

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    2. Furthermore, don’t get the idea I am perfect but I am very thankful to hear it. Yet I am far from perfect. I think aiming to be better is what makes us search for more information and analyse life. I won’t ever reach that destination, but I think it is a never-ending and enjoyable discovery process along the way.

      Liked by 1 person

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