Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today:
Louise - Fundy Blue , Jennifer Lane, Mary Aalgaard, Patsy Collins at Womagwriter, and Nancy Gideon!
February 3 question -
Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?
It seems like such a simple question. Yet I've been struggling with it all day! And, as you can see, I've done some research. I've been in situations before where someone was surprised to learn I thought of us as friends. 😖 That is not a good feeling. 😨 And what if I left out someone who feels like we're friends?
Yes, this month's question has found my insecurity and dragged it right to the anxiety surface.
That being said, I'm going to name some people who I check in with about once a month, and who generally reciprocate. That's as near to the definition as it gets. Also, these are bloggers who I met via blogs, not people with whom I'm friends with who also happen to blog. (No special order.)
https://asmile4ufromjanet.blogspot.com/ - Janet is one of the nicest, kindest, warmest people in the blogosphere.
https://asmile4ufromjanet.blogspot.com/ - Janet is one of the nicest, kindest, warmest people in the blogosphere.
http://positiveletters.blogspot.com/ - Hilary Melton-Butcher has a blog where I always feel like I've learned something, and I love that about her.
http://jemimapett.com/blog/ - Jemima is so creative. I love visiting her site and finding she has published yet another book.
Misha Gerrick - She hasn't blogged in a year. But I hope she'll come back someday. We've had a few good discussions.
Misha Gerrick - She hasn't blogged in a year. But I hope she'll come back someday. We've had a few good discussions.
https://www.ronelthemythmaker.com/blog/ - Ronel and I connected during an A to Z Challenge. I love her writing style and her insights.
http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/ - Arlee and I have vastly different opinions on politics, but we both believe in blogging and the strong community it can build. Plus, he knows more about music than I'll ever learn, and that's cool.
https://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/ - L.G. and I might be friends, or I might just be a fanboy who loves the books of hers that I've read.
https://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/ - L.G. and I might be friends, or I might just be a fanboy who loves the books of hers that I've read.
https://www.damyantiwrites.com/ - Damyanti Biswas has an incredible book out. I love her take on the world and admire her advocacy.
https://www.dlhammons.com/ - DL and I have talked about writing several times.
https://theoldshelter.com/ - Sarah is always fun to chat with and I love the research she puts into her writing.
https://www.cleemckenziebooks.com/blog/ - C Lee is always great to chat with. I love the pictures she shares.
http://www.karareynoldswrites.com/index.html - Kara I met through Operation Awesome. We've had many long chats online.
https://twitter.com/CrystalCollier1 - Crystal has been away. 🧀 I shall leave out this block of cheese for her.
And finally, our Ninja Captain Alex.
Check out the IWSG book club on Goodreads!
http://www.karareynoldswrites.com/index.html - Kara I met through Operation Awesome. We've had many long chats online.
https://twitter.com/CrystalCollier1 - Crystal has been away. 🧀 I shall leave out this block of cheese for her.
And finally, our Ninja Captain Alex.
Check out the IWSG book club on Goodreads!
I'm honored to have written the writing craft book that's being read for Dec/Jan/Feb.
I have friends on FB, but I haven't made friends on FB, nor Twitter (which I consider to be a cesspool), but that doesn't negate someone else's experiences. I have made connections with individuals through blogs and on-line forums that have led to friendships. The level of those friendships vary, as you point out, from acquaintances, to casual, to close. I think it is good to have them all.
ReplyDeleteI'm so honour to be considered a 'friend' by you, Lenni. I do reciprocate. You are one of the first bloggers I meant online. I learned from you, I connected with you, and we're still doing this after quite a few years.
ReplyDeleteI do believe this is a blogging friendship :-)
Awe thanks Lenni. I consider you to be a friend too. I'm hoping to get back at some point, but it's hard to say when thanks to all the twists and turns happening in my life at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI know most of those fine people. And look, there is Misha right above me! I miss her posts as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same. Social media sometimes gives me social anxiety. Awesome you have such a robust check-in list. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the mention on your list, and consider it an honor. In my blogging "heyday" I regularly conversed with most of these folks, but unfortunately I've discovered my writing (and therefore my pursuit of becoming published) suffers when I contribute at that level. I really miss the comradery and social energy it provided though. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you put some thought into what friendship is, and I like your conclusion. There may be a few more bloggers than I think who are falling into the realm of true friendship.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I totally share your insecurity about friendships.
Gosh! "Jemima is so creative. I love visiting her site and finding she has published yet another book." But you visit far more often than I publish books! I just talk about publishing my next WIP too much lol
ReplyDeleteI'm truly honoured. And I know what you mean by that awkward time when you realise that you think of someone as a friend and they don't. In fact, I came to the conclusion that someone I genuinely thought was a friend for the last five years really....wasn't... thanks to this IWSG. And as she doesnt write or blog, that's fine, I can move on.
I think your friendship is more real to me anyway. Thanks, J.
What a good thing I've said nice things about your book in my review one weekend this month.
What a lovely post, and I "know" so many of the wonderful people you shared, J. Lenni! I've been wondering about Crystal. I think of her many times when I'm choosing cheese ~ LOL!
ReplyDeleteI think the 'checking in' is a good way to describe the relationship I have to most of the blogs I follow. I check in to see what is going on in their world. I really don't expect a response if I leave a message, although it is nice. It is great that you have such a support group. :)
ReplyDelete"socialship"! That's a new word for me. It's fun when you meet fellow bloggers in real life after years of being friends online!
ReplyDeleteAw, J, thanks for thinking of me. I consider you a friend, too :-) Enjoyed the song!
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for IWSG day The Great Pretender
Thanks for the mention! I'm a fan of yours too!
ReplyDeleteI know I said something on Instagram about how honored I was to be considered on your list of blogging friends. I should also mention that partly because of you I have my theme for the A to Z this year! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Oooh, how exciting!!!
DeleteI've made a few close friends via the internet – and lots of casual socialship type friends too. I value both kinds of relationship.
ReplyDeleteI think there can be different levels of connection online - friends and acquaintances - and that's fine because that's how it is in "real life" too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the mention. The blogosphere has been so kind to most of us here.
ReplyDelete