Well, since everyone else seems to be doing it (well, by “everyone” I mean Chris Schilling and Rhiarti) I guess it’s time for a post on the subject of #oneaday itself.
Numbers have been dwindling since the project began. Right now we’re down to just a few people. As Chris says on his post today (or more accurately, yesterday, since – oh look, it’s 2AM) it would probably be generous to say that there are ten writers still thanklessly scribbling away for no discernible reward save a sense of self-satisfaction. And, of course, the happy smiley comments that people post when they see something they particularly like.
When I first started blogging a few years back – I had several attempts prior to settling on this particular little corner of the web – I felt that it was a fairly “solitary” experience. I mean, sure, you have the comments section. But not everyone bothers to comment. And that’s fine in this instance – as I’ve said several times, I’m writing for me here. Thinking out loud, if you will. If you, the person reading this right now, happen to enjoy it, so much the better.
What #oneaday has taught me, though, is that blogging doesn’t have to be that solitary experience. It can very much be a social experience where writers can group together, take ideas from one another and discuss the things that they have written about. As the #oneaday collective has become smaller and smaller, it’s become closer and closer. When the project first started, I didn’t have time to read through the fairly daunting list of daily-updated blogs. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by continually updated content, particularly when it comes from a large number of sources. But now, I feel that I can easily get through the people who are still working hard on their blogs. I can read their posts, digest the content, post a comment, check back for comments later in case I sparked a discussion, and then do the same with the next site. And the next one. And the next one.
Since we’ve started talking to each other more, there’s a lot more in the way of discussion and reposting on Twitter, too, potentially opening our respective audiences up to more people. Again, as I say, it’s not about huge audience figures – but it’s always nice for any writer to know that what they’re posting is being read and appreciated by others. So if you’re reading this, thanks. You’re pretty great, you know that?
The biggest thing it’s done for all of us, though, is give us the opportunity to express ourselves regularly, along with teaching us all some pretty rigorous self-discipline. Churning out a post a day which has to be nothing more than a paragraph if we can’t be bothered may not sound like much, but it’s a big deal for any writer to be able to conscientiously get on with doing what they do every single day. So a public congratulations to those who are still beavering away like me, and a welcoming hand to those who are contemplating joining us. Mr Kokoris, I’m looking at you.
And no, it’s not compulsory for you to write posts at 2AM. I’ve just sort of fallen into the habit. Whoops.
On that note, I am yawning my head off. Good night!
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Way to defy the odds, sir! I’ve been following your blog since I started taking an interest in my fellow GwJ’ers writings. 🙂 Your interweb-home is very entertaining. Just think of how much tighter your writing will be by the end of a whole year? Keep it up!
Also quite an insight into what it takes to be a professional writer. Gods, I have a tough enough time making myself squeeze a <1000 post into my day!
Lovely post.