Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Happy Birthday Tea Stains

Today is my 2nd blog birthday.

Before I started tea stains I’d been lurking on Kate Harrison’s blog for several months but I didn’t dare to comment; I’m not sure why. I kept looking at blogger’s front page and wondering about it. Sometimes I’d click on their info to find out how to do it. It all seemed so easy – too easy. What was my name? What did I want to call it? I didn’t know and I’d press back, back, back.

Of course I was reading Kate’s blog because it was about writing. I didn’t want to blog to blog; I wanted to blog to write.

I wanted to write. I couldn’t say that out loud back then.

My first post, Cyberspace-Penpal, was a bit ‘Dear Diary’ self conscious. My fourth, Uncle Paper and Oesophageal Reflux is less embarrassing and I’m beginning to find the voice I recognise.

Then Kate Harrison and Lucy Diamond started the idea of a novel race: that turned out to be the Novel Racers. I lurked some more and then at the beginning of February, I wrote Dithering. I continued to dither for many months but you know what? I did get there eventually.

I’ve tried to write diaries all my life; and failed. Eventually, I learned I was a letter writer. I think it’s because I received feedback. So now I’m a blogger for the same reason - and not to forget – I’m also a writer.

Thank you to everyone who comes by: commentators and lurkers.


Update:

Daughter has made some cakes.

These are the blogbirthday cakes. Please join me in a cup of tea and a cake to celebrate.

26 comments:

Ange said...

Happy Blog Birthday! 2 years goes by fast!!

Jen said...

You see, people slate blogging as egocentric bluster but it's not, is it? It's proper writing that necessitates finding our voice and a certain element of stickability.

2 years is pretty awesome, especially as you've been so prolific lately. Hurrah! Here's to the next 20!

Anonymous said...

Happy blog birthday! I'm very glad you started to blog two years ago as your blog is brillant! :) I really enjoy it.

Fiona (aka a lurker!)

Jenny Beattie said...

Ange, it does. I remember seeing a few months of posts, and wishing I'd discovered blogging earlier. Still, better late than never.

Jen, it's not, no. I do think I was a bit ... prejudiced about what kind of people blog. (egocentric blusterers?) However, either I don't believe that or I don't care!

Fiona, hello, welcome to the comments. Thank you very much for your lovely words. I lurked for a long time so I'm happy to have lurkers but it's lovely when they pop up to say hello too.

Queenie said...

How can you be late when I've only been blogging for three days??!! "What was my name? What did I want to call it? I didn’t know and I’d press back, back, back." - that is so resonant, it's exactly what I've been doing. Many happy returns of the blog birthday, and I hope there is going to be cake. (The word verification word is pratt. I'm sure that has no significance whatsoever.)

Leigh Forbes said...

Happy Birthday Tea Stains!
Just think...if you hadn't clicked that button...?
I'm oh-so very glad you did, missus.
x

Caroline said...

Happy blog birthday. 2 years! Blogging is magic!

Jenny Beattie said...

Queenie, welcome. Thank you. There's always room for new starters ... that's one of the things I love. (And I love your crown too.)

Leigh, Thank you. And ... oh, me too.

Jenny Beattie said...

Caroline, you snuck in there. Thanks my dear. It is magic ... I so love it.

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

Happy blogiversary!

Chris Stovell said...

Happy birthday! Tea and cake sounds good too.

Lane Mathias said...

Happy Blog Birthday JJ. Lovely cakes!

Had to laugh at your very first commenter calling you Teabag:-)

sheepish said...

Happy blog birthday. I also started blogging because of Kate and the Novel Race. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun.

Sue Guiney said...

Happy Birthday Tea Stains! It's fabulous and a real pleasure to be one of your avid readers. xo

CL Taylor said...

Happy blog birthday JJ! You blog is just a few months younger than mine! I cringe when I read my earliest posts (which are mostly very boring ones about entering the Eurofiction comp with 0 comments!) but, like you, I think I've found my voice now. Here's to many more blogging years for us both :o)

Marcie Steele said...

Happy blog birthday, JJ. I'm afraid I missed my first blog birthday as was poorly ill.

I too lurked around at Kate's blog and then the NR before joining. It is a great group to be part of.

May the next two years be just as much blog fun! x

PS love the cakes!

Yvonne said...

Happy blog birthday JJ! To many many more great posts.

Susie Vereker said...

Happy blog birthday and congratulations!

HelenMWalters said...

Happy Birthday. I also blog to write.

Karen said...

Happy Blog Day! Lovely cakes :o)

I used to be a lurker too, and so glad I finally joined in x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

A very Happy 2nd Birthday Blog to you, JJ. I'm thrilled that I discovered your blog, it's always so interesting and fun. So here's to many more.x

Rose Red Art said...

What yummy looking cakes!

Happy Blog Birthday! xx

uphilldowndale said...

Tea, cake? count me in and a very happy blogday

Anonymous said...

Happy Blog Birthday!

Oh those cakes look fabulous :)

Jenny Beattie said...

Thank you all for all your birthday wishes. It's been lovely to see so many of you here!

I also have to say that I continue to love blogging. As long as it's fun, I'll do it.

Liane Spicer said...

Happy blog birthday, JJ! Those cakes look fabulous!

(And I didn't know that you were one of the original Racers - unlike some late-arriving interlopers - namely me!)