It was this blog’s 7th birthday yesterday. Below is the picture from my first post and another I took on Saturday to put side by side and illustrate just how much has changed over this time.
(Saturday’s photo took some pleading to get as Keira is a sick little chook at the moment.)
But isn’t she gorgeous? She’d roll her eyes if she read that, so I’ll move along.
Back when I talked about updating my Living List there was one thing I didn’t mention. Those of you who’ve been around long enough will know that every year I have chosen one charity to support in my Profits Promise. To that end, I have held a Christmas Card Challenge where for each commenter on this blog I will donate the amount of a postage stamp for an email of greetings instead. That pot of money then went to the charity. In my Living List, I have one goal which is ‘To provide money for a study scholarship’ and I’ve decided that this will be my main focus now. The same email will go around, but the funds will be saved until I have enough that will make a significant difference to someone.
Another thing I’ve been pondering: the results of a survey I conducted earlier in the year where I asked people to tell me their thoughts about the blog. These results have been running around my mind ever since. In it, I asked people to rank in order their preference for the main topics I talk about here on the blog: parenting, books/reading, creativity/writing, publishing/publishing industry, ‘Living List’ and Pop Culture/Humour/Miscellany.
The top two rankings were overwhelmingly clear, as was last place (the middle was pretty evenly split). I know you’re probably curious to know, so don’t worry, I’ll spill: Parenting and Creativity/Writing were on top. Publishing was last. To be honest, this is kind of what I was expecting, but it was still fascinating to see.
Does this mean I’ll be focusing more on parenting and creativity posts? Not necessarily. Why? Because in the field where people were invited to leave further remarks (if they had any) I kept getting comments like DON’T CHANGE A THING. It’s a lovely thing to see, and statistics can only tell us so much, of course.
(And if you have particular take or thought on what I’m writing here, do speak up and let me know!)
Another nice thing that from among those who responded, two-thirds have been reading this blog for over a year. I know how many blogs I’ve subscribed to – and then unsubscribed from – in less time than that over the years, so I’m taking that as a virtual pat on the back too.
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One last thing – the most important! My new look! What do you think? Kelly has been hard at work and has done a great job. And this isn’t the end, just a step in the transition to what the end result will be: I’m calling it Phase 1. But being birthday time calls for being dressed up, looking pretty, and different.
Because seven years feels different. It’s a long time to be at this caper.
Come and let me know what you think! I have virtual cake for all to hand around! x
