image from http://www.tumblr.com – Fox Mulder from the X Files
“Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.” ― Mark Twain
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There have been times, and more than a few, when I wondered if I was doing something wrong. I mean, I love to write, there are rarely times when I cannot think of something to say, but then I wonder if what I’m saying has any relevance for anyone except me. I’m sure there are many people who write, prose of poetry, simply for their own fulfillment and enjoyment. It must be a wonderful feeling to write and not be in the least concerned whether anyone likes or will read what you have put part of yourself into.
Perhaps there are people out there in the blogosphere, the land of poetry and the world of stories whose joy at seeing their thoughts and feelings on a page is sufficient gratification for them. However, I am now equally sure that there are many more who would be more than delighted, not simply gratified but reassured when their labours of love are recognised by another. Sadly it has taken until now for me to realise I’m not strange in wishing for a little recognition. Adulation would be a bit much but I’m sure there are those who ache for that too.
I have wondered what it takes to be part of the tight-knit Writing Groups I hear so much about. The wonderful support networks who buoy each other up if they don’t get much support for the blood, sweat and tears they’ve expended, and applause for those whose every utterance seems to garner accolades at every turn, even for the most trivial of things.
I’ve read the blogs which give the hints at tips at enlarging your following, the likes you receive and I’ve been amazed and somewhat disappointed. If you ‘like’ me, or enough other people then you may start to get the ‘likes’ in return. If you promote my blog or product and form a network then you’ll get reciprocation for your promotion. Pardon me, but that doesn’t quite ring true if you are writing for pleasure and entertainment. Sure everyone would like to think that one day they may write something more substantial, a short story or even an epic, but not by buying the audience. Perhaps I have it the wrong way around?
image from http://www.fromupnorth.com
“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to
succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.” ― Abraham Lincoln
I could do just what has been recommended. Find the people who are writing about the things which interest me, which is not a narrow field, and like and/or follow them in the hope they will come to my blog and like and/or follow me. There are thousands of us out there. If I ask for someone to review what I’ve written and I get a crushing response will it affect how I write? Holy Cow but it smacks of being back in school again having to conform to some arbitrary curriculum.
So today, I’ve done something completely different. I’m making a statement that I may not find all the blogs I would like to read, who have amazing content FOR ME, but I appreciate the effort each and every person puts in and if I could ‘like’ you all I would, just to let you know you are not “insignificant”. In point of fact if i could locate everyone who has something I’d like to read I would never get a chance to write anything at all. Some of you may say “Well that’s no loss” and you’re entitled to your opinion.
You see, if there is one thing I learned from my love affair with the X Files it’s that “The Truth is Out There”. I may not find my audience. I may not have the Midas touch with getting the right Categories and Tags and therefore be lost somewhere in Cyberspace. I may never get to find or form a group who will mutually support each other, and that’s OK. It might hurt now and again when I’m feeling fragile but I’ll survive.
Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called “The Tipping Point” where much hard work has to be put into an endeavour before momentum is reached. Once that critical mass (the Tipping Point) has been achieved then the endeavour takes on a life of its own.
image from antranik.org
So for all those solo bloggers who are feeling unrecognized, take heart, one day, when you reach the Tipping Point, you will also be well recognised, applauded and lauded for your ideas and writing. Until then, it’s one word at a time.
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“Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
May all your ideas be great ones, may all your writing be seen.
Bright days. Susan x
Owls and Orchids 
Just write. It takes time – the blog world is a really big place to wander around. Meanwhile enjoy the writing – that’s what’s important anyway
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That’s true. Perhaps it’s the very size of the blogging world which is daunting. You can literally feel like a footnote, sometimes noticed and often not. It truly is the urge to write which gives meaning to the process. Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment.
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Don’t get discouraged. There’s always a lull of readers this time of year. Just write.
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Thank You for your response. It’s a sad indictment on me that it’s taken a year before I got to grips with how the intricacies the WP family worked. So I’m still writing and now paying more attention to what happens after I publish…. some days just getting the time to post is a miracle. Many thanks.
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I don’t think you have it wrong 🙂 Keep writing.
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Thanks for dropping by and the advice. As long as the words want to come out I’ll be writing. It’s that inner drive which makes it possible, my mother would have said my desire to want to know the ‘why’ is the reason I question everything. Happy blogging 😄
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If comments and replies are what you seek it takes interaction and finding the types of people that not only have the time, but also the energy and will to comment. WordPress has such a large group of poets and wannabe poets (like myself) that it is EASY to find people that are willing to give input if that is truly your desire. Wish you the best, -OM
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Thank you for taking the time to reply. Since I know you are an “Opinionated Man” I’m sure you understand that finding the right path through WordPress is not a walk in the park.
I have been writing for about 12 months on here and my post was based on my observations thus far. Perhaps I bear the fault for not asking for help, but as you pointed out, many are too busy to do that. I value any opinion/comment I receive but hesitate to feel I might be “selling out” if the like or follow is just to receive one in return. Perhaps that is splitting hairs but a sincere appreciation is better than one simply for numbers.
I still find it unfathomable why one blog can have hundreds of ‘likes, when there is almost nothing to it (a picture quote for example) whilst another, sincerely written receives not one. My need to understand drives me to question.
Susan
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That is because the person with the one picture or quote has taken the time to either gather a following or has a lot of facebook friends lol. I have no facebook account, all my followers are from 6 months on WordPress. Interaction is key, even if you write the greatest articles no one will care. No one will “discover your site” because people are generally of a similar mind as you, why should they go out and explore if no one visits them. It creates a circle where no one gets interaction and everyone feels like their sites aren’t worthwhile. I constantly see many bloggers, such as yourself, that write very well and obvious have a flair for writing. The audience is thus not the fault of your writing, it is because you are not extending a hand out.
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I see your point. At least the lack of interest may not be lack of interesting or worthwhile commentary lol. Tending to be ‘a solitary’ has its drawbacks it appears. Lightening the mood, I will risk getting bitten by extending a hand in friendship, blog style.
Many thanks for your comments, I have enjoyed your posts for some time 😊
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Thank you and know that I only share this information because you write very well. I hope you get the recognition you seek. 🙂
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Susan, perhaps I am too close to be objective, but I believe you have a talent, a gift that is rare. The same gift can be found in many of the great authors’ works. For example, when you read Matthew Reilly, the fear is palpable and the echoes of gunfire reverberate around you, as you feel the wind whistling past your face while you ride the Maghook with Scarecrow… Or when you read WIlbur Smith and his African epics, you smell the fetid breath of the lion on your neck, and taste the dust as the elephants thunder by.
Regular readers of your blog will know the experience you give them when with a turn of phrase, you transport them to another place, another time, into an experience that becomes etched into their reality also… You create pictures with words that become reality for the reader…
It is a rare gift and I cannot wait for the world to discover it, as I have. No, it’s not the only reason I fell in love with you, but it’s great to be this close! LOL
Ray XX
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Great post and I totally agree – writing at its best is from the heart, not the ego! If you love it, do it, regardless of who ‘likes’ it or not. I think your wriitng is wonderful and you touch a lot of people with your experiences and feelings, but if it works for you that is what matters.
By the way, I absolutely love the X Files and your pic of Mulder put a little smile back on my face this morning!
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Sorry, I also meant to say that I feel the same re recognition and you’re not strange for craving that. I’m the same. I think it’s a need to feel appreciated and welcomed, even simply as part of the blogsphere. It’s perfectly okay to need that but I guess what I’m trying to learn (from childhood) is that my writing comes from the heart, that’s when I was happiest, if that makes sense.
Sorry my concentration is really off today.
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Yes, I understand. Writing when I was younger (much) seemed so much easier. The words seemed to flow of their own accord. Perhaps I wasn’t censoring them as much as I seem to now, checking to make sure everything is right. The important part perhaps is that I write and let things fall out as they will. The pointers I’ve had today will certainly help. Time, which I think is one of your difficulties, will prohibit the amount of time I can use to attend to follow up quickly. Tonight is a classic example. Ten minutes for five lines! Such is life 🙂
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