Thanks for entering my Book Giveaway throughout the week, and for following me on Facebook and Twitter! If you didn’t enter, keep reading because there’s still a post after all the excitement and fanfare die down (there’s also a blindfolded pig–that alone is worth forging ahead). The votes are tallied, the Pig has spoken. He promised me he didn’t peek.
The Pig has special Giveaway training. He’s a professional.
Without further ado…
Technically, that should say “And the Winners Are” but it
Congratulations, Julie, Marsella and Little Navy Fish! You’ve each won a copy of “The Casual Vacancy” by J.K. Rowling. When you have a moment, please shoot me an email at: thetruthandcake [at] gmail [dot] com. Let me know whether you’d prefer a hard copy or an ebook, and (if the former) please provide me with your mailing address!
Thank you so much to everyone who followed, liked and welcomed me with really sweet messages over the past few days. I have to be honest: self promotion makes me uncomfortable. We’re so inundated with “stuff” all of the time–ideas, emails, spam, requests for our resources. All of these demands for our attention make us wary, quick to hit “delete,” quicker to close a browser.
But behind those requests to like something or retweet something or read something is a person. And that person is going out on a limb, hoping someone will click the button or read the post and say, “Hey, that’s cool.” Every opinion we voice, every tweet we send, every time we click publish/submit/post, we’re putting more of ourselves out there for scrutiny. Some people will like what they see and others will say, “That’s not for me.” It’s hard not to take it personally, but we musn’t.
It’s so important to get out in the world, to not hold back or, worse yet, totally abstain because we’re worried what people will think of us or that we’ll mess up. Because we are going to mess up. Sometimes royally.
But our lives only grow in proportion to the risks we take. And blogging is risky, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Anyone who sends their ideas out into the universe on a regular basis for the world to scrutinize is taking a big risk.
When I first started blogging, I had trouble sleeping. I stopped auto-posting for a while because I would magically wake up at 4 or 6 am when my post went live to worry about a misplaced comma. Now things are a lot easier (and I’m sleeping more soundly). I know that I won’t always hit a home run. But regardless of what people think, my blog is a reflection of who I am. And who I am becomes clearer to me every time I hit “Post.”
I hope you have something like that, something that pushes you to get out into the world and be more “you.” Whether it’s a blog or a club or just posting your thoughts on Facebook. Whatever the forum, keep speaking up, keep climbing out on that limb. It really does get easier the more you do it.
As I continue to blog, I’m trying on different hats: I’d never sent a tweet in my life before last Sunday. It was a brand new hat and I thank you for humoring me and telling me it looked flattering. I hope more of you will join me on Twitter and Facebook as I settle in and get comfortable with Social Media, Truth and Cake style.
The contests are over for a while. It’s back to writing for me. That’s my preferred method of climbing out on a limb. What’s yours?
Tagged: blogging, Growth, risk-taking, Self Promotion, Social Media, Trying New Things, Twitter
Rian – as ever, wonderful post, and so generous, in many ways, not just the books for the lovely winners. The graceful way you nudge and encourage all of us to get out there, and “get out in the world, to not hold back” both in your words and example!
Right back at ya, Bonnie ;) Have a great weekend!
That pig just made my day Rian. But your point about risk did too. I recently got a comment on the blog (which, admittedly, I am still quite shy about putting too many personal thoughts on) that has put me in a bit of a blogging funk. Add to that the fact that work has been taking every ounce of energy I have out of me and I find myself in a rut. But reflections like yours above make me want to “get at it” again this weekend. There are so many things I want to say. Sometimes we just need a little “push” from those we trust who are also saying it. Have a great weekend, Jess
Hey Jess–I’m so sorry to hear you received a negative comment. It certainly comes with the blogging territory but that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow when it happens. There are tons of us who love what you do, so take heart. I also had a tough week–you know one of those “nothing goes the way you want it to” weeks. So I’ll be jumping back on the saddle beside you. Here’s to a fun, restorative weekend and a productive week! Take care. xx
I am lazy today – but ibid the above two commenters who were not so lazy
I love your comments about putting yourself out there, Rian. It is a constant tension for me as a blogger. I regularly worry, not so much about the commas, but about the content. Is this too personal? Is it too self indulgent? And then I’ll receive a comment from somebody who reaffirms for me that maybe, in my own little way, I’m making a difference for somebody. And this taking of risks goes far beyond blogging! Thanks for a very thoughtful post.
I have all of those thoughts–and then I disguise them with grammar anxiety ;) It’s so true what you say, even if many people don’t “get it,” that one person who is deeply affected and can relate makes it worthwhile. I’m glad you’re out there taking risks–that’s awesome!
Once again, I agree with you, Rian. Blogging, tweeting and even just uploading a photo to Facebook really is going out on a limb. Whenever a friend of mine contributes something of value to the mass of information we can find on the internet, I try to show support as much as I can because I know how it feels. And I want them to do it more, to get better at it. Some people just watch; they never ever participate. Those Facebook friends who never update their status, never share anything about them, never leave a comment or even click “like” but spend their days peering at other people’s life. Those tend to irritate me because they’re often quick to judge and mock what their “friends” share…
Oh and I also stopped posting late at night because I wasn’t able to sleep soundly afterwards- the curiosity to see the comments and the anxiety to have forgotten a typo.
I love your thoughts on this Cecile–it is interesting how some people don’t actually “socialize” on social media but rather sit back and observe. It’s easier to criticize when you don’t regularly put yourself out there b/c you don’t know what it feels like to be criticized yourself. I think it’s great that you make an effort to be so supportive of those who do share–I’m really trying to keep this in mind when I’m out in the social media world. We must remember that word–social. I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. Take care!
Happy six months girl! Congrats on making it this far and sticking with it :)
I didn’t even realize–thanks for the reminder :) xx
Oh thank you so much blind piggy for your special training!! I love you so. xxoo
I write as well to get the life-kinks out, it’s my favorite form of self expression (dancing a close second). I just bought this book, “The Casual Vacancy”, and am excited to begin. It’s quite large so I’m thankful I carry a handbag that rivals carry-on luggage. You should have a review blog where we can all chime in with our thoughts, lol, hmmm, maybe I just need to find a book club ;) Hope you’re well, Rian!
I manage to get lost in blogging and in my Wizard101 game online. It’s not that I lose track of me; it’s that I am somebody to others. In blogging, I have become “expected” and even liked; I have friends and enjoy helping some. It would hurt to have to give up blogging. In my Wizard101 game, I get to be a powerful wizard, but keep my personality and still help all types of people.
Thanks to all of you who read my blog, comment or not,
Scott