Tuesday 11 October 2016

5 Year Blogiversary!


Yep, today I'm having a bit of a celebration on the blog because it's now been five years since I started on this initially daunting, but ultimately highly rewarding, journey! Half a decade is a good chunk of time, and I'm proud to have been part of some fantastic opportunities and adventures. The last Writers' Platform-Building Campaign; three A-Z Challenges; Write1Sub1; the publication of my anthology for Andrew's college fund with over a hundred fantastic participants; numerous other fun bloghops; three NaNoWriMos, an event I discovered through blogging; the launch of my own editing service; and last but definitely not least, the group therapy session that is the Insecure Writer's Support Group. I've met fantastic CPs and beta readers and made friends for life. I'm thankful for each and every one of my followers, and you're all welcome to come in and pour yourselves a drink!

It's fair to say that, like all social media, blogging is in a state of flux and I've seen many others come and go since I started. I've branched out to Twitter (and still working on Facebook), but blogging still remains my favourite medium, for the sense of personal space it offers and the freedom to expand on any topic that happens to be on my mind. It's also great to initiate a sensible discussion with intelligent people and keep up with others' happenings, achievements and troubles - the sense of community is palpable. I feel like we've got each others' backs and I'm pleased to say that I haven't seen a whiff of trouble or bad feeling over the time I've spent here. I'm definitely looking forward to the next five years and beyond!

No blogiversary would be complete without a giveaway and to that end it's a pleasure to announce that I'm offering free editing samples, of either an opening chapter or short story, up to 2000 words. There's no time limit, so don't worry if you don't have anything to edit right now! I'm keeping this giveaway simple, all you have to do is leave a comment to enter. Good luck! 

39 comments:

JeffO said...

Happy Blogiversary, Andrew! As a fellow member of the five year club, it's hard to believe so much time and so many posts have gone by. Though it's not yet near five o'clock here (and still nowhere near noon, even), I raise a glass to you and your blog--cheers!

Liza said...

Congratulations. Five years is a wonderful accomplishment. Like you, in my seven (gulp!) years blogging, I've seen so many people come and go, some of whom I still miss. Blogging takes dedication and time, and the results show it...thoughtful posts, helpful posts, creative posts, blogging offers so much more than a 147 word snippet on Twitter. Hooray for you, Nick.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations on five years!
Blogging is still my favorite and offers so many opportunities.

Julie Flanders said...

Congrats on five great years! I agree, blogging is still my favorite social media as well. It's the only social media where I feel like I can just be myself.

The Cynical Sailor said...

Happy blogiversary! Five years is huge!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - congratulations ... five years is a long time and you've had lots going on as well. Long may you carry on - and get to publish more books, articles and stories ... all the best - blogging suits me too ... cheers Hilary

Tamara Narayan said...

Happy Blogoversary! What a generous prize. I like blogging as well, even though Twitter and Facebook would be other avenues to market, so I should consider taking them on. Some day. But not today.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats and happy blogoversary! Blogging has changed over the years, but change is better than dying out.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Congrats on the 5er! Not only has blogging change, but our own blogging styles change. Which is fun to look back and see. As a matter of fact, I'm going to sneak a peak at your very first post!

Misha Gerrick said...

Happy Bloggerversary!

Time really flies, doesn't it? ^_^

Mark said...

Wonderful! I can't even remember when I started blogging, but I know it's been at least 7 years, if not longer. Keep up the good work! :)

J E Oneil said...

Congratulations! I think the internet is a better place for your presence. I can't wait to see what the next five years will bring.

Pearson Report said...

Congrats on making the 5 year mark, Nick. Yu deserve being toasted, so I raise my glass and do just that. Cheers!

I've been at this gig since 2010 and this last year has been a rough one as I try to get a post out now and then. A car accident derailed me - but, like you, I really enjoy this medium as a means of sharing a thought or two.

You hit the nail on the head when you speak of community and support. I've only ever experienced both without the negativity that seems to filter into Facebook (which I do not partake in) and other social media platforms.

I wish you continued good times with your blog.

Happy Thoughts, Jenny

betty said...

Congrats on making it to a 5 year blogiversary! And you are celebrating it on my 36th wedding anniversary :)

I'm on Facebook because of family, rarely dabble on Twitter, but I love blogging :) Such a sense of community!

Don't enter me into the giveaway because I doubt I'll ever have anything that needs editing, sounds like a cool giveaway nonetheless.

To many more wonderful years blogging!

betty

Crystal Collier said...

*high five* Yeah! Five years? That rocks. This is my favorite social media too, although it's slow in comparison to others. Maybe I like that it still functions the way it was intended. *glares at algorithm procedures*

Nick, I'm so glad you're part of my blogging community. You add so much. =)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I've never quite gotten the hang of twitter, and I love Facebook, but find it can really be a drain on my time. It's like a time warp over there!

Heather R. Holden said...

Happy Blogiversary! Five years is such a fantastic milestone, for sure. While I've had a harder time keeping up with the blogosphere lately, I agree, the community here is great. It's hard to find anything similar in other forms of social media...

Anonymous said...

Happy Blog Anniversary! I think I've been going just as long.

diedre Knight said...

Woot! Yay you, Nick! Doesn't time fly? Such nice things you've said about your followers - you do know it's mutual, right? ;-) The giveaway is a brilliant pitch for your editing business!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Happy Belated Blogoversary. I should probably look back and see how long I've been doing mine. :D Have a great weekend!

Sherry Ellis said...

Happy Blog-o-versary! Five years is a lot of time. I've been doing it six years. It's hard to believe. I've met some pretty awesome people doing this, too. The blog community rocks!

Suzanne Furness said...

Yay congrats on your 5 year blogiversary, Nick! I still enjoy blogging, even if I sometimes don't get as much time to visit and blog as I'd like. It is a wonderful community, so supportive of each other. Long may blogging continue. Now I'm off to check exactly how long I've been blogging, I think I might be surprised where the time has gone!

Nick Wilford said...

Thanks, everyone! Five years is a long time, but in a way I feel like I'm just getting started. Hope to continue for a while yet.

Michelle Wallace said...

Happy Blog-o-versary, Nick!
If I remember correctly, we started blogging more-or-less the same time.
I always say that, if I were forced to continue with only one social media platform, my blog would be first choice!

Melissa Sugar said...

Congrats Nick and Happy anniversary for your blog. You've accomplished a great deal in five years. Congrats on branching out into editing. I guess I'm entered into the contest with my comment. I hope I am, I didn't see anywhere that I need to do anything specific. It would be an honor to receive advice and tips from you.
You are right about this writers/blogging community. Such a terrific group of extremely helpful people and no trouble anywhere around. I think that makes this group rather special and unique.

alexia said...

Congrats! Five years is definitely a good chunk of time. I've been blogging about that long too... man, when did I start? Now I need to go look, LOL.

Liz A. said...

Congratulations on five years. That is a long time. Here's to five more...

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Congrats!! Five years is a great achievement! I bet it went by quickly too.

Cherie Reich said...

Happy Belated Blogiversary! I still prefer blogging over most of the other forms of social media. Here's to another five years and more!

Christine Rains said...

Woo-hoo! Congrats on five wonderful years!

Ellie Garratt said...

Happy Blogiversary! Five years is an awesome achievement.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Congrats on your 5 years, Nick. This slipped past me in my blog feed last week!

Sandra Cox said...

Congrats, Nick!!!!!!

Meradeth Houston said...

I'm a bit late to the party, but massive congrats on your anniversary!!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Happy Blogiversary, Nick! Five years is an excellent reason to celebrate. I agree with you 100%. IWSG has changed my life. Having a community of constant support is a true blessing. May the next 5 years bring you huge success and happiness.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Happy Blogaversary!!! Sorry I'm so late to the party.
I think you're right about the way bloggers have each other's backs.
I hope your whole month is awesome! (and the whole year, and . . .)

Patsy said...

Happy belated blogiversary!

Sandra Cox said...

YOU enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a pleasant productive week.

Unknown said...

Wow, 5 years is impressive! Congratulations, that's an amazing accomplishment.