The Art of the Blog

I can't believe it. Here I am on my first serious foray into the blog world. Nine years ago, my friend and true visionary, Stephanie, asked me what I thought of the idea of an on-line journal. She knew I was a writer and wondered what I thought of this new concept. Blogging? Really dumb, I told her. Why write private thoughts for the world to read? Private writing, I am all for it. A public presence on a web page, a good idea so people can find you, but why mix the two together?

What can I say? The world proved me wrong. The question I now ask myself is: does the planet need another poet-blogger? What is my reason for being here when I could be writing poems or planning a trip to Tahiti? Writer friends who blog, Kelli, Midge, Diane, and Peter, tell me they appreciate the community, the exchange of ideas, and use blogging as a way to express ideas - without pressure.

So here goes. And one confession. I have been practicing the art of the blog over at Red Room - a community of writers. You can check out my post on the Elliot Bay Book Company by clicking here. The Bookstore that Changed My Life ~ Elliott Bay Book Company actually won the weekly blogger award. And so begins my tale ...