My Terrifying First Blog Post!
For a writer, the scariest part of any story -- whether it’s horror or romance -- might just be the very first line. For a blogger, the Frightening First comes in the form of the obligatory introductory post.
Also: I’m Working On Getting A More Interesting Blog Background (Very Important!)
Firsts” are hard, and I’m not the first to say it.
First day of school? Terrifying, if you’re an introvert. First job interview? Intimidating in a my-palms-could-water-your-plants sort of way. First date? Exciting enough that your stomach transports itself to someplace where gravity doesn’t exist, then pops back into your body suffering from free-fall nausea.
For a writer, the scariest part of any story — whether it’s horror or romance — might just be the very first line. For a blogger, the Frightening First comes in the form of the obligatory introductory post.
So, my dear reader. This is where we find ourselves: smack dab in the middle of my first post, with you watching me flounder about as I try to overcome the nervousness, the fear, the — dare I say it? — angst* threatening to paralyze everything from my brain all the way down to my fingertips.
I’m still typing, though. And you’re still reading. Good, this is good.
Where does the fear come from? I’ve blogged elsewhere for years, so I know I’m not worried about what others will think of my blogging (which, *ahem* is not to say that I don’t want to hear about what others think of my blogging [which, in turn, is a brazen request for comments. Yes, I’m finally learning to be wanton. Huzzah!]). I’m not ashamed of my writing, as People In The Know have boosted my ego enough that I believe I actually have some idea what I’m doing. I’m not concerned about fallout, backlash, backstabbing or any of that deplorable ilk.
No, I think what distresses me is this: When I ask myself what I should write about in my first blogpost, the answer is, “I don’t know.”
Should I talk about myself? Should I delineate the whats, wheres, whens, hows, and whys of my life? Surely nobody wants to read my Autobiography In 1000 Words or Less Fewer. Maybe a “thesis statement” of the purpose of this blog? Nah. And I’m pretty sure that you, dear readers, wouldn’t want to listen to me blather on about the latest antics of my cats as a cover for not knowing what I should write about.
Although, if you do want to hear about the antics of my cats, I’m sure I can oblige.
It’s funny how just the act of writing can clear the mind and crystallize the purpose. In writing out these questions, in sharing my ponderings with you, gentle readers, I’ve come to a conclusion: I don’t need to give you my curriculum vitae, and I certainly don’t need to fall back on the academia of thesis statements. None of that is why you’re here. And I know that.
I guess what I really want to tell you is that this blog is going to be about writing. My writing, as well as writing in general. If you read me regularly, you’ll find out about me in due time — maybe more than you wanted to know! If it’s less than you wanted to know, I am always open to questions, comments, concerns, and encouragements.
I especially love cookies. Chocolate chip or shortbread, please. 
Oh, and if you want a little more incentive for spoiling me with said cookies, I tell a Courtney story on my About page. 😉
* I don’t like the word “angst.” In English, it has philosophical connotations that go beyond a simple state of fear. But the German word “Angst” means nothing more than “fear.” It’s not some kind of psychological superlative. And yes, I’m annoying myself by using it that way in this post!
** The photo of me is by the fabulous Julie V. Personal Style Photography.
I’m SO excited for this new venture! Keep writin’, I’ll keep readin’ 🙂
Thanks, dahling! I’m excited, too — and it’s lovely to know others are excited with me!!!
I agree with you that writing helps “clear the mind and crystallize the purpose.” The very act of putting pen to paper (or fingers on a typewriter) has always been refreshingly cathartic—a limerick on the back of a grocery receipt, a beautiful thought on a piece of paper, your daily journal, a few lines of poetry. So go ahead and write down whatever`s coursing through your mind, and watch your true self unfolding before you on this journey of self-discovery. I’m excited to see where this journey takes you.
P.S. Don’t worry about grammer. Just write.
Ahh, limericks on the backs of grocery receipts…I like. Robert, you remind me that sometimes, just the act of changing media (such as from typing on the computer at home to scratching out witticisms in the grocery store) can inspire whole new realms. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and encouragements!
(And no worries — I generally don’t fret about the grammar stuff. But I’ll admit I rarely let it slide, either! 😉 )
“Me! Me! Pick me to be the first commenter on your first blog post!” (Raises hand wildly.)
Congratulations on your ‘first act.’ Glad you shared what your blog is about in your first post. Most people are so giddy they don’t think to do that. : )
Best wishes for an exciting journey.
Alas! Judy, I swear I moderated your comment first, but they all showed up in chronological order. (I didn’t even realize I’d enabled comment moderation — how pesky! But I’ve fixed that now!) Still, I did not ignore that wildly raised hand! 🙂
As I was writing this first post, I remembered a a few times when I read someone’s blog and got interested enough to want to find out just what the blog was all about. I went through the archives and read the first post…and, indeed, there was much excitement and rejoicing, but nothing to tell me what they wanted their blog to accomplish!
I guess I haven’t said what I want to accomplish, either…but I at least wanted to let everyone know what the blog will be about. Judy, thanks for visiting and encouraging!
I just bookmarked your blog! So excited to read more. 🙂
Aw, thanks, Mer! Your support means a lot to me! 🙂
Great first post Courtney! I always enjoy your use of language 🙂
Thank you kindly, sir! It’s fun to find ways of using words that spark people’s interest!
Followed you over from Aaron’s place and looking forward to seeing where you go. Love the Dr Seuss reference in your tagline too. Made me smile, lots 🙂
Lovely to see you here, El! The tagline happened almost by accident: a joke from my webmaster as we were setting up. I liked it and ran with it. I was thinking more along the lines of “Dick and Jane” — but Dr. Seuss is a continual and forever favorite. He makes me smile, too!
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!
Hey Court, glad to see the new blog up and running. I’ll have to get around to linking it properly to my blog. I’m a HORRIBLE blogger…I think I’ve had one longer than you!…but I write neither frequently nor very well and it’s a relief to read yours!! Keep up the good writing~!
LOL Bri, there is absolutely nothing wrong with your writing, and I’ve always enjoyed your blog! I’ll be most glad for you to link to me when you can. No worries! And here’s hoping I can keep delivering something you want to read! 🙂
Huzzah! The first of many great reads! Thanks for the link on your site too 🙂 Let’s rendezvous and discuss this background situation…
Dahling, you are most welcome! Thanks for dropping in for a cybervisit! And I am totally in for a background rendezvous. Ooh la la! LOL (But yes — let’s talk! In person, I mean!)
Way to go, Courtney! I like you’re thinking aloud approach to this “first” and you’ve picked an evergreen topic with plenty of material. Best wishes 🙂
Jon, thanks so much for visiting and letting me know you were here! I’m glad the thinking-aloud approach works, at least for this first post. From conversations I’ve had with friends and family, people seem to enjoy seeing writer’s thought process…as long as it’s not too convoluted! LOL
Addendum: Not to imply that a writer’s thought process is more complex than anyone else’s! It’s just full of too many random tangents sometimes. 😉
I’ve just found your site and enjoy your blog. In 2011 I just joined social media, started a blog, website, twitter, after so many years of writing that filled only my own shelves and story telling that fell on only friends ears. I’m loving it! Thanks for sharing the bright open writing on your new site. –Jennifer
Thank you for visiting and taking time to leave a comment, Jennifer! I appreciate the feedback very much. Wow, that’s a lot of social networking to start on all at once! I am impressed. My entry into such things has been very gradual — as in, over the course of 5 or 6 years! Does it feel at all overwhelming to you? Or is it just unadulterated excitement?
Also, kudos to you for getting your writing out there. I know just how intimidating that can be!
Hi Courtney, It’s kind of a rush and yes, exciting. A common thread I hear is being overwhelmed but it’s not something I experience intellectually, only in things like, well, cleaning stuff. I have about a half hour in the early morning hours to surf and write before my day job, and maybe an hour every other evening. I’m fascinated by the raw honesty of news twitter links and blogs, and feel really liberated by getting my news this way now. The unadulterated crazy passion of fresh new writers is such an unexpected pleasure, like your site. Thanks for sharing your writing –Jennifer
Jennifer, I’m blushing! Thank you so much — I take “unadulterated crazy passion” as a very high compliment. That’s the kind of raw, gritty honesty I aspire to, and I usually feel as though I don’t quite get there. I suffer from chronic Comparing Of Myself To Others, and when I read writers who are so very daring in pouring out their hearts, I fear I’ll never reach that level of vulnerability.
I’ll keep working at it, though! When I get comments from readers like you, who let me know that I’m achieving some of that honesty, it really pushes me to keep going. Thank you so much for reading!
I really think you are a good writer only by reading this article already. I just want to wish you the best and I’m looking forward to your next article. Thanks for sharing!
Welcome, Peter! I hope you enjoy the blog. : ) Thanks so much for reading and for the compliment!