The Beginnings Blogfest!

Today's the day of the Beginning's Blogfest, L. G. Keltner's first blogfest!


I love the idea for this one, and knew what I was going to write about straight away. I want to write about the beginning of my writing journey.

A year ago, I had no direction. I had no blog, I didn't write, all I did was work and play games. I had no motivation because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I had wanted to be a teacher, but after two failed PGCE interviews I was losing faith in the idea - maybe teaching wasn't what I was supposed to be doing.

Then, last January, an idea struck me, seemingly out of nowhere. What if I tried to get into Journalism? I was good at writing, spelling, and editing, and I thought I would enjoy it. So I looked into it, and decided that it sounded like something I would want to do. I got some work experience at a volunteer magazine, writing articles for them, and most importantly, I started my blog. I thought it would be a good way to practise my writing, and if you look back to my earlier posts, I think you'll agree I needed the practise!

My blog in its earlier stages had no direction, and the posts were awful, but at least I was writing. Then, I joined the A to Z challenge in April. I met a lot of new bloggers, and as a result discovered the writing community in the blogosphere. I entered writing blogfests, did a couple of flash fiction challenges, and I was hooked. I discovered that not only did I love writing creatively, I was also fairly good at it. This led to me taking part in Camp NaNoWriMo, and eventually winning. After this, I applied for a Creative Writing Masters, and to my utter astonishment, was successful!

And that brings me to where I am now. I have no doubt that if I hadn't started this blog, I wouldn't be where I am today. A lot has happened in the last year, and I'm hoping this year takes me even further in my journey.    I'd still like to pursue a career in Journalism, although I'm also curious about a career in Publishing. I'll have to see what happens after I finish my degree!

Comments

  1. Outcast9 January 2013 at 11:34

    It's amazing to see the change that you've went through Laura. Oddly I would be in the exact same position you were just working and playing video games with no clue if it wasn't for blogging. It's so amazing how you went from nothing too much going on at the start of January to realising how you could use your passion for writing and turning it into a career in say journalism or creative writing and I feel so proud of you Laura, great idea to write this and in all honesty I find it inspirational as well because it shows how quickly things can change if that makes sense.

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson9 January 2013 at 11:38

      Thank you! I'm glad you find it inspirational, and I know exactly what you mean, I never would have thought so much could change in one year.

      Delete
  2. Kyra Lennon9 January 2013 at 11:44

    I can totally understand what you mean about having no direction - and it's a horrible place to be. I'm glad you found what you wanted to do, and that blogging helped you with it!

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson9 January 2013 at 12:13

      I'm glad too, it really is a horrible place to be! It's nice that I know what I want to do and how to do it, now :)

      Delete
  3. Rob Z Tobor9 January 2013 at 12:08

    Onwards and upwards Miss Laura the world is your Ouster; that is meant to be really good and is meant in a really good way. I am not implying your world should be a shell full of squidgy stuff and that you are trapped under the sea in the tidal currents of Cornwall.

    One day when your best selling book is a blockbuster Movie I will say to folk I knew Miss Laura when she was just a young blogger, well OK I didn't know her and we never met but she did tell to to go away and stop writing rubbish on her blog. Look I still have the court injunction framed on my wall.....

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson9 January 2013 at 12:29

      I look forward to that day very much! You're right, the world is indeed my oyster :)

      Delete
  4. Jolie du Pre9 January 2013 at 12:27

    Good luck with everything! Yes, I found my participation in A to Z to be extremely beneficial as well.

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    1. Laura Clipson9 January 2013 at 12:29

      Thanks! Yeah, I can't wait to do it again this year :)

      Delete
  5. Timothy S. Brannan9 January 2013 at 12:48

    I agree with Jolie (hi Jolie!), participation in the A to Z did wonders for my writing and my blog.

    Great story about where you have been and where you are going. Keep it up and I am looking forward to more.

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson9 January 2013 at 12:50

      Thank you! I loved participating in it, can't wait for this years :)

      Delete
  6. Ermie9 January 2013 at 13:23

    It's amazing how much can change in one year. Sounds like you're in a good place now. Enjoy the ride! :-)

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  7. Julie Flanders9 January 2013 at 14:22

    Hi Laura! I've just discovered your blog thanks to the blogfest, I enjoyed reading about your beginning. The A-Z Challenge was what really got me hooked on blogging too, it's such fun! I'm glad you've found your niche and are enjoying writing so much, it's great to meet you. :)

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:23

      Nice to meet you too, thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you liked my beginning :)

      Delete
  8. Amy Jarecki9 January 2013 at 14:57

    Wow! What a difference a blog makes. Congratulations on your masters--Write on!

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  9. Tyrean Martinson9 January 2013 at 15:18

    It's really cool to hear all the amazing things a blog can do for each writer. I'm so glad you are here, and that you are loving writing!

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:23

      Thank you! It really is amazing, how far a blog can get you :)

      Delete
  10. M.J. Fifield9 January 2013 at 16:08

    Congratulations on your Masters. That's a great achievement. As is winning Camp NaNoWriMo. I've only every done the November NaNoWriMo. It's a wild and crazy ride.

    Best of luck to you!

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:24

      Thanks! I'm hoping to do November NaNo this year :)

      Delete
  11. L.G. Keltner9 January 2013 at 17:21

    Good luck as you continue with your Masters. I love reading your blog, and I know you're a great writer! I've started previous blogs that failed because of a lack of direction. Once you find your direction though, blogging can take you a long way!

    Thanks for participating in my blogfest!

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:25

      You're welcome, and thanks! Blogging really can take you far, I think it's a very important thing for a writer to have :)

      Delete
  12. Tami Von Zalez9 January 2013 at 17:48

    You go girl! See ya at this year's A to Z?

    Visting from the Beginnings Blogfest.

    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Al Diaz9 January 2013 at 18:10

    Good luck with your masters. It feels good when you discover you are good at something and even better when you enjoy it. Good for you!

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    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:26

      Thanks! I know, I even love doing assignments now, it's crazy!

      Delete
  14. Alex J. Cavanaugh9 January 2013 at 22:31

    And look where you are today!
    I started blogging after I signed my first book contract, but it was the very first A to Z Challenge that really launched my blog. So it's very cool to hear you say it made a difference.

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:26

      It really did make a huge difference, I'm so glad I decided to participate :)

      Delete
  15. A.J. Frey9 January 2013 at 23:28

    The blogosphere community is a great one. My writing has improved leaps and bounds, because of the support, advice, and friendship. Nice post.

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:28

      Thanks :) It really is a great community, I'm so glad I'm a part of it.

      Delete
  16. Jennifer10 January 2013 at 00:38

    The A to Z Challenge was definitely the thing that got me going, as I'm sure it did for a lot of people.

    Good luck with your masters.

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:28

      Thanks! It really is a great challenge for helping people.

      Delete
  17. Azara10 January 2013 at 07:36

    Wow - what a year! Congratulations. I'm trying the A-Z challenge this year for the first time. I hope it goes well.

    Visiting from L.G.'s blogfest. Nice to meet you.

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:29

      Thanks! It's a great thing to be a part of, I'm sure you'll do fine :)
      Nice to meet you, too!

      Delete
  18. DWei10 January 2013 at 10:46

    Nice to see that blogging help kick off things for you. It did the same for me, if I didn't start blogging, I probably would never have considered any of the projects that I'm doing right now.

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  19. Trisha10 January 2013 at 12:52

    If that's only what's happened in a year, I'd say you're making great progress! :) Nice story!

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    Replies
    1. Laura Clipson10 January 2013 at 13:29

      Thanks! Let's hope I continue to make progress :)

      Delete
  20. Nikki10 January 2013 at 20:02

    I'm so so happy for you Laura, and so glad to have known you for so long to see you progress :) I hope something similar happens for me soon too, you're inspiring me!

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  21. Tamara10 January 2013 at 20:44

    This was an awesome post, Laura. It's really great that you found your direction in life at such a young age. Very inspiring!

    I'm doing the A-Z challenge for the first time this year. I've only had my blog since...I think right around the beginning of September, so I wasn't even around last year for it. I'm really looking forward to it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mina Lobo10 January 2013 at 20:57

    Congrats on your journey! Sounds like you've been having a blasty-blast! :-)

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  23. Melissa10 January 2013 at 21:43

    Agree. Starting a blog wasn't easy, but I'm glad I did. :)

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  24. Allison11 January 2013 at 02:57

    That is really neat that you discovered something you are passionate about! Way to go for it.

    Allison (Geek Banter)

    ReplyDelete
  25. David P. King11 January 2013 at 14:27

    I missed the fest, but thought I'd pop by to see how your beginnings went down ... not too different from my early bogging days, either (please don't read my first entries - yick!). :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Melissa Sugar11 January 2013 at 23:26

    Hi, I am a new follower and enjoyed reading your story. It sounds like you are headed in the right direction. I missed this blogfest, but I agree with you that participating in them is what helped me get my blog started. Of course, participating in the A to Z blogging challenge, really helped me become more involved with this awesome writing community. I probably owe the most gratitude to Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group, monthly blogfest. Once I joined IWSG, I gained hundreds of new followers and I learned so much from all of them. Between A to Z and IWSG, I've made countless blogger friends who I feel very close to. It is nice to meet you.

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  27. Misha Gerrick13 January 2013 at 16:15

    See? All things happen the way they're supposed to. Good luck with your writing journey!

    ReplyDelete

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