It’s evening. The time of day when I’m usually working (other than during the day, when I’m at work). Working, over the past few months, has been editing and formatting and writing, leaving not much time for blog posts or visiting around. I did write a short post the day before yesterday, with some updates on things I’ve been doing, and as soon as I did so comments appeared, people wishing me well, smiles from across the blogosphere travelling to my little space.
I love this blogging community, I honestly do. Blogging has, without exaggeration, changed my life. When I wrote my first post, about three and a half years ago, I had no idea of the journey I was beginning.
I called this blog Journey to Ambeth because it was going to be about writing. All about writing. About me writing books, about the things I learned about writing along the way. But, like so much in life, it has grown and changed into something more, encompassing travel and short stories and ideas and dreams, a space where I can express myself however I choose to do so.
But the biggest thing, the absolute best thing about blogging, has been the people I’ve met along the way. People from across the globe, many of whom I’ve now met in person. Others with whom I’ve had only virtual conversations, yet I know that, when I meet them, it will be like seeing an old friend. I’ve NaNo-d with them, celebrated new releases and publishing deals and life’s milestones, tramped hillsides and stone circles, blogged and bashed and learnt so much, experienced incredible generosity and kindness. I’ve made friends for life, friends I would probably never have met if it wasn’t for writing those first few words.
And I am grateful every day for it. So I just wanted to say thank you 🙂
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Helen Glynn Jones 
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I so agree with you Helen. Blogging has changed my life too. In fact just two days ago I had a blogger friend visit me in my home and we shared an afternoon together, with me playing guitar and singing a song that I’ll eventually record on my blog. Who would have thought? Such an expanding, wonderfully consuming pastime that only us bloggers can truly understand. Love it! Happy blogging Helen. 💜
Thanks, Miriam, happy blogging to you too 🙂 Just a few weeks ago I went to a fellow blogger’s wedding – which was just lovely. The connections I’ve made from doing this are far beyond anything I could have ever imagined 🙂 So glad we’ve ‘met’ too!
So very special.
I share your thoughts 🙂
Thanks, Jane 🙂
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
Thank you so much for sharing! Love this community
I do too, we’re a pretty good bunch, I think!
Definitely! 😊
We are so glad we started, too! And grateful for all our friends and supporters…
Yes! It’s been such an amazing experience 🙂
Blogging really is its own animal. It’s available when we need to promote something, but its so much more than that.
So much more! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and everyone else in this virtual world 🙂
It’s been a joy getting to know you too!
Thanks, Allie, same here – I love that I actually got to meet you this year! 🙂
This spring I went to the bloggers bash in London. There i was, face to face with bloggers that I had only ever virtually met. It meant the world to me knowing that even after spending time with me, they still chose to comment, connect and support me and my writing. Bloggers I decided are posibly a new species, a race of kind, caring, tottally bonkers beings. Yes I agree, thank you, is too small for such a huge sentiment. P.S. I thank you too.
Oh Ellen, it was so lovely to meet you at the Bash this year 🙂 I agree, bloggers are their own special kind of people. It’s a great group to be part of – I don’t think I’d be the writer I am without them 🙂
I am pleased you remembered me ..
It would have been awkward if you hadn’t haaaha!
😀 😀 It would have indeed! As if I would have forgotten x
Thhheeee!
You’re so right – blogging is a lovely thing to do. And I think it’s really helped my writing too, forcing me to write to schedule, making me learn succinctness, as well as forcing me to come up with a thousand words a week when I was writing my Gothic serial The Devil of Moravia.
Blogging is a positive experiences. Though highly addictive! 🙂
Such a positive experience – I also think it’s improved my writing. I’ve certainly learnt a great deal! 🙂
I’d recommend it to anyone – just as long as they can get the blog/WIP balance right!
Definitely! Me too 🙂
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Here, here. We have spent many a night lolloping and I’ve enjoyed every single lollop 🙂
Me too, Steve! One day I’ll meet you at Eurovision for a proper lollop 🙂
Oh you’ve just mentioned the magic word. Did you know it’s ONLY 6 months to go until the final?
Only six months to go! Ooh, can’t wait! I will definitely get there one year – probably not the next one, but maybe the one after…? 🙂
I’ve got my flights, hotel booked for Lisbon. Just need to get tickets to the final now. Fingers crossed! I want to be in the fan zone this year. How awesome would that be. I could be on tv. Mind you I was on tv last time – did you see us on BBC breakfast news lol
I didn’t! I looked for you on the night though 🙂 Hope you make it into the fan zone this year – I’ll be watching!
❤ I feel the same ❤
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