I plan to make some changes to my posting on this blog. Usually when I write here it’s because of something I’ve seen and photographed. Readers tell me they appreciate my chronicle of what’s happening in central Christchurch. If nothing inspires me I don’t write, and that’s okay. My poetry group provides a fortnightly theme which sometimes gives me material for a blog post. Lately I’ve felt my writing’s gone stale and needs a change. For more than twelve years I’ve been writing mainly about what I’ve observed and experienced. A very few of my 1495 followers leave comments (thank you!). Often there is more reaction from friends on Facebook than on the blog. My average daily views for the whole of 2018 is 38, compared to 49 in 2017, even though I’ve gained 70 new followers this year. I enjoy blogging, especially the contact it gives me with those readers who respond.
My New Year resolution is to experiment with writing first, and illustrating afterwards, rather than starting with a photo. Lately I’ve experimented with illustrating some posts with flat lay photos, which are creatively satisfying. My writing in the last few months has been mainly poems, and I plan to try more prose, probably still ending with a rhyming couplet (because I enjoy them). I also plan to write on paper first, rather than straight on computer, as I think that allows more creativity and thought. I have a book of writing prompts 642 Things to Write About, which I sometimes use to spark ideas, and I have daringly decided that I will actually start writing on its pages. This seems almost sacrilegious, but it’s what the book’s intended for. I will try to follow one prompt every day.
It’s impossible difficult to take a selfie of me writing because I use my left hand for both pen and camera.
‘I trust my readers are agog
anticipating my changed blog.’
Question. Your daily views count – does that include reading the email? I receive all of your blogs in my in-box at my G-Mail account and enjoy reading almost all of them – the exception being the very occasional book review of a book I am not interested in. Having said that I have been encouraged to look out for a couple of books based on your reviews. I usually delete them once read – knowing that I can go to your wordpress blog page to read them again if required. Some I keep for quick reference to – like your comments on “Roma Renewed” and “Good Habit” as a reminder to go and visit at some time. I have also kept any that mention Oxford Terrace Baptist Church.
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David, I don’t think it counts as a view unless you click on the email and go through to the blog. I’m delighted to know that you are still reading regularly. Also delighted to see the cafe at the OTBC will soon be open to the public every day.
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… So thank you for your blogs over the years, I am looking forward to any changes next year. Happy New Year Ruth (and to Stephen & Ziggy too).
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Thank you. Best wishes to you and yours for 2019.
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L0ve your blog Ruth and read them all. My apologies for not responding more frequently with comment. I look forward to the developments 2019 will bring. Blessings and good wishes for the new year. Ann
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Thanks, Ann. Happy New Year to you, and I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.
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I am one who really enjoys your chronicles, but I think it is wonderful that you are going to experiment with new styles of writing and blogging. All the best for 2019.
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Thank you, Gallivanta. You are my most frequent commenter, and I appreciate it! Hope this year is a good one for you.
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Hope so, too. I am having a play with Instagram this year. It’s good to have new challenges.
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I’ve never looked at Instagram, and don’t want to at this stage. Blogging and Facebook is quite enough for me.
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I’ve read every blog but I think I’ve only commented once.. it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reading them! Half my family live in NZ but you keep me more up to date with what’s going on than they do! Happy New Year from London
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Aligoli, it’s wonderful to hear from you. Both my daughters live in or near London, and I know the importance of being connected! Happy New Year from Aotearoa.
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