tell yours

I got an email tonight requesting information on how to start a blog.  This is the third of the sort in the past few weeks, and the fifth or so overall, so I thought I would do a "how to." 

For starters, if you are doing a personal blog, like mine, ask yourself "Am I really ready to face my own reality, be honest with the world, and own who I am?"  This isn't so important if your blog is about scrapbooking, knitting, or pictures of cats.  Blogging is journaling, and if it's fake your readers will figure it out really quick.  Not only will your readers figure it out, but you will, and you will lose interest...it's just too damn hard to keep it up when you are trying to be something you aren't (like funny all the time).  I fight that now, as I try to balance being real and honest with being too open.  When I start writing about random stuff (like flinging poo, for instance) and leave out the personal stuff, I free myself from having to answer questions and face realities that I sometimes would rather not.  I also cheat myself, and my readers, of the good stuff...the stuff that binds us all together, makes us human, and makes us real.  Ultimately, writing about life enables me to see it in a better light, which helps others, who can identify in some way.  Some days I answer the question with "Nope, not today..." and that is ok, but if the answer for you is "Nope, not ever..." then find yourself a nice leather bound journal that you can keep on your bedside table.  When your answer is "Ok, I think I can..." proceed.

I happen to like www.blogger.com no surprise there...but there are others.  For me blogger was easy.  It is pretty user friendly, when they aren't trying to update it, and it walks you through, step by step.  You can start writing a few minutes after setting up.  You will need a Gmail account, but the rest is up to you.  You can set up a profile, or not.  There are all kinds of pre-made templates that you can choose from and customize or you can make your own.  If you are a writer, and not an artist, the templates are great.  If you are creating a professional blog you may want to take it to the next level, but for personal ones, I say: sign on, pick one you like, and start writing.

The next step is determining who, if anyone, you want to know about and read your blog.  I have three blogs, two are private.  Originally one of the other two I had set up for a few people to read, but I have since closed it...it is my daily pour my heart and soul out, no editing, no holds, balls to the wall, diary, and also serves to house the many posts that have been deleted off of this one (that I refer to as "the crazy blog").  The third is my "dream" blog.  It houses ideas, dreams, thoughts, stories, questions, and ramblings.  Account settings are VERY important if you don't want random strangers reading your stuff.  With Blogger (and I couldn't tell you how it works with others, but I gotta assume very much the same) you can have it open, closed, or custom.  With the custom you can allow only certain people (and you have to put in their email addresses) or only blog authors (again I think you have to put in their email) or both.  The custom is great if you are just starting and want input from a few people, but want to control who those people are.  I would also suggest the closed in the beginning, just so you can get the hang of posting, editing, etc.  You would be surprised how brilliant you think you are when you are typing away at 2 a.m. only to come back the next day and think "Oh dear God, why did I write that?! and what the hell point was I trying to make?"

If you want to start a professional, political, business, or technical blog you probably want to keep things modest.  Stay away from curly fonts, crazy or trendy colors (unless your blog is about fashion or trends) and off color language.  If your blog is just ranting about being a single mom feeling completely out of place in a crazy world that spins way faster than you think it should, go crazy...bright colors, random fonts, a few f-bombs...or not...the point is, it's your blog, make it yours, but if you are trying to win voters or make money, play it safe.

Regarding a name...big sigh.  A name can make or break your blog.  I admit, I read, or don't read, blogs JUST because they have, or don't have, cool names...what keeps me reading is if they make me laugh, cry, think, or change...but I'm sure there are plenty out there I never gave the chance because it was titled something like "My Thoughts on Life."  I happen to be a fan of geographical names (ya think?) because they clue you in to where they take place, and plays on the writers name are good too...if you want your name out there.  Don't let not being able to figure out a name hold you back from writing, despite how important it may be down the road.  A name can always be changed or added.  Start writing, worry about the name later.

Not just the name, but the format, style, layout...everything can be changed.  Don't let perfection paralysis stand in your way.  When I started I just wrote.  I had a few stories in my head that I wanted to get down on paper and MiMi suggested I start online; I didn't even know what a blog was at the time.  I googled it when I got home from my session that day and that is what led me to Blogger.  I think there were 3 templates to choose from at the time.  The name came after the second or third post...telling people (Smash) came a few weeks later...telling the world (ok, my little tiny corner of it) came about a year after that.

Starting, and continuing, my blog has been a great way for me to process my thoughts, tell my stories, face my own fears, keep in touch with others, and create.  There have been a few bumps in the road, and it is nothing if not humbling, but I highly recommend it. 

Everyone has a story...tell yours.