Porch #171 ✍️ I'm quietly easing on into my 18th year of writing
6 valuable tips to nurture your online creativity & build your own unique community over the long haul
Good sunny morning to you, dear reading and writing friends!
Back in the deep mid-winter of February 2008, I took my first extremely tentative steps into the blogging world. The anniversary of my quite unremarkable debut tip-toed up quietly again this week, tapped me on the shoulder, pulled at my heartstrings. In some ways I'm surprised to still be pecking away at the keyboard after all these years, dreaming up something of value every week or so to offer you.
But when I think about it for just a bit, it's not at all a surprise.
I just love what God has nurtured and grown.
Back and forth you and I have chatted, weaving a tapestry of stories, some fairly inspirational, others more than a bit unsettling. We've been nudged forward, gently soothed .. and shaken up a bit. We've reverently cradled surprising outcomes, unexpected disasters and over-the-top blessings. We've offered each other desperately needed hope, more than a few virtual hugs ... and plenty of links and resources.
Tears have spilled onto virtual pages. And other times, we've laughed til our bellies ached.
Community. Relationship. Encouragement. Accountability. Love.
Contrary to popular belief, most of us are not published writers, podcast whizzes, instagram gold, or paid subscription newsletter editors.
We're simply folk who love the experience of fingertips tumbling over keyboards, dialoguing in the comment section (where the best stuff happens!), visiting other writers, championing their work, learning from their creative wisdom.
It costs something to produce thoughtful stuff that matters, to share relationship albeit from afar, to be in the place in your head and your soul where there's actually something of value to offer others.
Along the way, as we’ve connected back and forth, I've become an attentive student, a grateful beneficiary of all your wisdom, life experience, creativity, humor ... and most of all, your passionate walk with our Lord and Friend, Jesus.
Over time, writing online (aka blogging) has become as natural as the air I breathe. This cultivated rhythm, this weekly cadence has turned out to be a God-given steady companion, a comfort of sorts during unwieldy transitions, seasons of grief, and random uncertainties.
I am so very grateful for this gift of grace and space God has given us to share together.
I've learned much along the way, like writing when I have something to say and not because there's some kind of life-draining schedule mandating it. I've learned that mentoring others and having others mentor me is a terrific blessing. I've become more aware of unpleasant emotions like fear or jealousy that can raise their ugly heads at the oddest times. And I've learned what to do with those unwelcome calling cards.
SIX VALUABLE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED (usually the hard way) -
1. WRITE WHEN THE SPIRIT STIRS
Pick up that pen when you're compelled to. Write when you can't not write. Tap away on that keyboard when there's a fire in your bones that refuses to be extinguished. Speak when you're bursting with words that you believe will deeply impact your reader.
You're the boss of your online home. You'll feel freer and lighter and a whole lot more creative when you discover and embrace your most productive rhythms and pace yourself accordingly.
2. WRITE WHAT YOU WANT TO
Many online creatives have a specific niche, an area of expertise. And over time that works for them. They are known for their wisdom and insight on a specific subject and faithful readers regularly head over to their place, knowing they're going to get another heaping portion of good stuff on a particular topic.
But if you don't have a niche, no problem. We're multifaceted beings so it makes sense that our posts will reflect that reality. Know the needs of your readers and appreciate your own bent to head in a certain direction. Aim to encourage. Cultivate and share your own unique giftedness.
3. TRY TO AVOID THE NUMBERS
Nothing steals our joy or squelches our creative energy more than an ever-present eye on stats. Obsession with our / someone else's hits, comments, shares, likes, followers, and subscribers can siphon off our exuberance and our ability to relax into what we're producing.
Or fill us with a rather unattractive pride.
Go ahead and be aware of what those numbers are. But don't let your day rise and fall because those babies will most certainly fluctuate. Claim the truth that we are not defined by our stats, we are defined by our Savior.
4. PUT YOUR ARCHIVES TO WORK
It's ok to rustle around through your posts from some years back, rediscover the goodies, dust them off, give them a face lift ... or a total redo. And then hit that publish button yet one more time.
This tidbit is one of the coolest things about being the boss of your own online space. It’s your material and it’s your call on what to do with it.
5. RELATIONSHIP IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS CONTENT … MAYBE MORE SO
You can have the sharpest writing skills and style in the world, but if you're not choosing to cultivate relationships, your readers might not be with you for the long haul unless your content is spectacular in some way. Responding to comments, visiting your reader's online homes, and cheering each other on are lovely graces.
And it's not a you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours scenario. Over time, the actions we take in growing our online spaces end up giving us something much richer and more significant than we imagined ... supportive kindred spirit friendships that somehow span the miles and the test of time.
Bottom line - aim toward being a mentor. And being mentored.
6. DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE A BREATHER
Let's face it, some of us are a bit hesitant about taking time off even when our creative energies are waning or we're feeling a bit crispy around the edges.
Will our stats drop while we're gone?
Probably.
Will our readers return?
Most likely, especially if the relationship and encouragement you offer resonates deeply ... and if they've subscribed.
Is there life away from our laptops?
Most certainly. And our writing will most likely reflect that reality when we return refreshed, revitalized, and renewed.
Who am I if I unplug?
If we're asking ourselves that question, it's most likely past time to discover what that might look like.
We do best when 'we make it our goal to please Him' (2 Corinthians 5:9). Because He's the ultimate boss of our souls and our days and the work of our hands. And isn't that a truly awesome partnership?
Here's to many more years of writing our hearts out, doing life together, one encouraging / wise / witty / godly / intuitive conversation at a time. May we listen to each other well in the process. And may Jesus Christ be praised.
Now let’s talk about the challenges and joys of your online life. What’s the most meaningful lesson you’ve learned along the way …
Linda
PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits
In this night of brutal pain
and the cold and choking fear,
I find that I still remain
because there are some lessons here
that really should not be lost,
so I try to pass them on.
Yes, it's sometimes at a cost,
but there are things yet to be won
like the balm of eastern light
that heralds darkness I survive,
or knowing that it's not just fight
in me that's keeping me alive,
but rather it's the love within
that simply won't let cancer win.
This was so great Linda. Thanks. As a person who has just dived into writing publicly, I find so much wisdom in this. I recently began to evaluate, once again, why I came to Substack. I came to learn from others and to connect with others. I have found such great conversations and community here. I cherish this. I’m unknown but I’ve decided it doesn’t stop me from sharing what God is showing me in my own life. Maybe others will connect with that and I know some will not. It’s all okay. I’m not here to build a particular platform or become “famous”. Haha. I’m here for community and am so thankful for what I’m learning from so many others life experiences. The best thing for me is my kids are reading my stuff and they are learning parts of their mom and mother in law that they may not have understood before. That for me is success.