Please welcome Linda Hewett today to the Life of a Blogger series to share her blogging story! Linda’s blog, over three years old, is over here! Take it away Linda!
My life as a blogger has been magical from day one. It was my perceptive son who suggested I start a blog, 3 years ago, as I was looking for a new writing project. I had never entered the blogging world before, not even to read one, so it was an eye opening experience.
‘Widgets, plug-ins and categories’ – all were a mystery to me but with my trusty magic wand I soon got to grips with the jargon and with butterflies fluttering in my tummy, ‘published’ my first post in February 2010.
I hadn’t expected the whole ‘magical’ effect! Blogging means I’m in touch with bloggers and readers worldwide, and to my delight, everyone, without exception, is eager to help. When I get stuck and need some advice or guidance, all I have to do is email a blogging friend and the solution flies magically to my in-box.
I’m a Confidence Coach and love interacting with my clients. By writing about confidence issues on my blog I aim to help readers solve their confidence problems in a practical, down to earth way. My blog has become a focus for my writing and I believe my writing skills have improved hugely since I started.
I spend most mornings at my computer-
- writing and editing,
- reading helpful blog posts,
- following on-line help from the many amazingly talented and experienced bloggers who have traveled along this road before me,
- commenting and interacting with my readers,
- commenting on blogs I follow.
I’ve added a Forum and Chat Room and I’m hoping these will encourage even more interaction between readers.
I can honestly say that the excitement and magic is still there, every morning, when I switch on my computer to see who’s arrived in my inbox or on my blog. The magic of the ‘blogosphere’ has transformed my life and my writing.
If you love to write and have a subject to write about that people want to read, I’d say give blogging a go! Dig out that dusty magic wand and start planning your first post.
Do you have an expertise or passion to blog about? Which blogs fascinate you? Tell us about your absolute favourite blog (apart from this one, which comes top of your list, of course…) and why you love it.
See other posts in the Life of a Blogger series here! We would love to hear your blogging story! Email me and I’ll send you the Guidelines for submitting your contribution.
Article by 
Hi Linda! Thank you for this interesting post and your posts on 'Positive Spin'. It's an affirmative idea to change the blog title to 'Confidence Cafe' because this title has more inviting connotations and associations than 'Positive Spin' has, as the word 'spin' reminds me of 'spin doctors'; P.R. and marketing hype and the self vested interests of politicians with their often misplaced confidence and trust.
Aiming to meet the needs of people who read your posts via feedback and comments, is a useful and necessary attitude and approach to maintaining and creating more meaningful and positive connections to those in need of help to get through this often demanding and challenging life.
Blogging can be a shared learning process of two way communication when comments are included with do able solutions that enable us to go skipping down the road of life with more life enhancing enthusiasm and confidence whatever our age and life circumstances.
So blog on at the 'Confidence Cafe' and I'll meet you there for a cup of brimming confidence, good cheer and sunshine of renewed life invigorating hope and well being.
@Paul Sanyasi Hello Paul, Thanks for endorsing the idea of changing my blog's title. My instincts tell me it's the right thing to do but I'll wait for some more responses first.
I agree about the word 'Spin', I think that's what prompted me to consider a change.
I like your words 'a cup of brimming confidence' - I need to write that down!
I'd like to copy your reply to add it at the foot of my post on Positive Spin, as an example to my readers, I hope that's OK?
@LindaMHewett That's OK. Best wishes in helping people to restore their confidence.
hi Linda, for those of us who love to write and interact with people, blogs were made for us. I share many of the same reasons for blogging as you do. I think for me it's also being inspired and changing my thinking, perspective from others say. I try to apply the lessons learned by my blog friends to my life. Nice meeting you and getting acquainted with your blog.
@Vishnu's Virtues Thanks for joining in, Vishnu. I can't think of any other way of life that would enable us all to make so many friends. Every day's a magic day when I look at my Inbox.
Hi Linda,
Fantastic story and positivity all the way. Good luck with it and I hope we can connect more often. I too write about personal development and inspiration.
Aditya
@adityasam I'd like to take a look at what you write, Aditya.
@LindaMHewett @adityasam Linda, you may already know this but for anyone who doesn't, you can click on anyone's photo and see their links there.
Linda - thank you for sharing! I agree that making friends though blogging is so great for receiving instant help when you need it. The principle of reciprocity is definitely at work!
Although a lot of the big blogs come to mind, I love reading what the lesser-known bloggers write (vishnuesvirtues.com and lifestoogood.net). I've formed friendships with these bloggers and intend on meeting them in person one day. How great is that?!!
- Razwana
@razwanawahid haha thanks R!! I enjoy reading yours too and interacting with my readers and yes, I think that in-person bloggers meet-up (you're going to be coordinating) in Paris sounds excellent. thanks for the invite. haha
@Vishnu's Virtues @razwanawahid Can I come!?!?! ;-)
@Lori @razwanawahid Lori, considering it would the life for instance first annual Paris blogging meetup, you'd have to be there! :)
@Vishnu's Virtues You say that in jest - I'd be happy to co-ordinate a meet-up in Paris. It's you that will have to make the (8? 12?) multiple hour flight my friend!
@LindaMHewett @razwanawahid @Vishnu's Virtues If y'all are serious, I will get the meet-up sorted for sure :-)
@LindaMHewett @razwanawahid @Vishnu's Virtues Lucky you - it's a bit too far for me to make this time!
@razwanawahid @Vishnu's Virtues Count me in! Paris is on The UK's doorstep!
@razwanawahid Yes razwanawahid, I had no idea I'd 'meet' so many lovely people! I'd love to meet some in person, I wish...
Hey! Perhaps my magic wand can make that happen...!
Thanks for expressing how wonderful it is to share our writing this way. It is incredible how the internet lets us meet people around the world - friends whose paths might never have crossed ours. This post links to the one on Serendipity recently: We just need to put out there, and what we are looking for might turn up. Good luck with the blogging!
@Jane Bailey Bain I believe that's true, Jane. All we have to do is ask, and there it is, right under our nose, in the blogosphere.
Thanks for commenting!
Hello from the UK, Lori!
It's a delight to be part of your series and I'm looking forward to chatting on your porch with all your visitors.
Thank you for the chance to share!
@LindaMHewett Hi Linda! Thanks for sharing your story here! I love that you've been blogging for three years and you still find it magical! It's a wonderful feeling.
I've got to run out this morning but I have a question for you. Did it turn out, so far, the way you thought it would when you started?
Btw, I would have edited out this line at the end: " (apart from this one, which comes top of your list, of course…)" except that it was only this morning, after it was published, that I realized you were talking about my blog and not yours! LOL
The porch is yours - plenty of tea and coffee and cookies! See you later!
@Lori Did it turn out the way I thought it would?
I had no idea what to expect, Lori. As I've settled into my niche and can see my readers like what I write I just smile to myself and bless the day I started!
Now I'm hoping to re-design my site and focus totally on readers' issues, rather than adding features that might deviate. Exciting times!
@LindaMHewett Hi Linda,
Surprises are nice! I love how the blog evolves over time, as if it's a living organism. It's a constant work-in-progress, isn't it?