Friday, September 2, 2011

Blogging Changed My Life


I sit in my favorite recliner, laptop propped just right, staring at a blank Word document. Many ideas running through my head but none seem to be right for this particular writing prompt. I just checked my stats and they are really low from yesterday and today. I’m thinking I need to come up with something fantastic. Unfortunately I just don’t have anything fantastic today.

Less than a year ago I would never have been thinking about such things. I wasn’t even familiar with the concept of blogging. My life was rather simple but I needed to find a part time job and I wanted to do it from home. My sister-in-law told me about an online company she freelanced for doing various jobs so I signed up.

I looked at the different areas of online work available and found the only one I was interested in was freelance writing. Why, I don’t know. Up to that point the only published writing I had done was a few poems placed in the county paper by my elementary teacher when I was eight years old.

My writing experience as an adult was limited to weekly Bible studies I wrote for the women’s classes I taught. But I put a bid on one freelance job that felt right. Remember I have no clue what I’m doing here. Can you believe that the job I bid on had already invited me to bid on it before I bid on it?! Does that make sense? It boils down to this, I got a freelance writing job contributing to an online women’s magazine once a week. Immediately it turned into a weekly column called Moore On Life. Not that I’m that good but I believe things happen for a purpose to lead us down the path for which we are intended. This was the beginning of my new journey.

My next job was writing a biography for an Italian family. I interviewed a couple who lived through the Depression and World War 2. It was written as a children’s book so their grandchildren would always know their family heritage. Amazing story and it created in me a love for American history that I’ve never had before.

There were other jobs from this online source but once I began blogging it consumed my time. I have spent hundreds of hours researching the internet trying to discover how to build a successful blog. I’ve read tons of blogs over the last months getting to know bloggers. My husband does not know what has happened to me because I am a computer junkie now. It takes a lot of time but I so love it.

I write all this to say my life has been changed since I entered this world of internet and blogging. I am learning to balance my time, make friends, and how to be myself to the world. Accepting that what I have to say doesn’t matter to most people has been hard at times. However if I have the chance to influence a few people that should be enough right? I truly want that to be enough for me.


Prompt from Write on Edge
This week, with Labor Day and the end of summer rapidly approaching, we asked you to write about a season of change for your character or you. It can be literal or metaphorical.



Check out my other place Grace Full Women. Inspiration from God to women.



16 comments:

The Drama Mama said...

I know what you mean. I'm consumed in this whole blogging world too. I'm interested in starting a freelancing gig too, but not sure where to start. I think you did an excellent job with this post.

Julie said...

Thanks Drama Mama. There are so many ways to go with freelancing it is hard to know where to start.

Valerie Boersma said...

I started my blog a couple years ago to try to promote myself as an Etsy seller, and I was clueless. I never knew what to write, and no one was reading it anyway. And then one day I just had this urge to write-and I started looking for an online writers group-and here I am.

I don't know where this blogging or writing journey will take me, but it's allowed me to meet so many wonderful people-and if I can write something that makes a difference to even one person then that will be enough.

Glad you wrote this-it's inspired me:)

Anonymous said...

I guess we are what could be called Blogging Junkies. I, too, am hooked. It reminds me of writing in my diary when I was a young girl - only there are no secrets here. My life is for the world wide web. Who woulda thought! I started mine 5 years ago writing for my weight loss ministry. Two years ago I picked up my first dslr camera and now it seems as if 90% of what I write about is photography. Whatever the subject, there is just something about voicing your thoughts and thinking that just maybe, someone, somewhere will find benefit. So thankful for my bloggin' friends - especially you!

Katie @ Chicken Noodle Gravy said...

Oh, Julie, I definitely can relate. It's been almost a year since I started blogging, and it's really grown into one of my many obsessions. Writing fulfills me in a way that makes me very happy, and blogging is a wonderful outlet for that passion.

I'm so glad you started blogging and so glad to have "met" you through it :)

Galit Breen said...

Oh Julie, this so resonates. Writing fills me up in a way that's hard to explain. And blogging does,t oo, although the time! Ohmygoodness the time that it takes!

You came up with an excellent, relatable topic for sure!

julie said...

I love you ladies! It's good to know there are other women who feel the same about something I so love to do.

Each one of you inspire me in a different way and I appreciate your kind comments.

Nicole Querido said...

God is doing an awesome work in you Julie! :)

julie said...

Nicole! So glad to hear from you! You must be back in town.

Thank you so much for your sweet comment. That is what i want most in my life.

Chris M. said...

I think you have definitely found your niche Julie. :)

Nancy C said...

Ah, that quest for balance within the never-ending whirlpool of the Internet. Knowing how much is enough. When is enough. It's a challenge, but the rewards of hitting "publish" keep us coming back.

So yes, I get it!

Julie Moore said...

Thank you Mr. McLeod!

Lance said...

Yeah, blogging.writing has been a healthy habit for me too. I subscribed to this blog too. I look forward to more of your blogging dreams.

Julie Moore said...

Thanks Lance and I look forward to reading about yours too.

Emily @ My Pajama Days said...

I felt like I was drowning in the silence at my house after the kids were in school all day. Writing/blogging has kept me sane, for sure. I am so glad that you blog so that we get to be a part of your vision. You are a blessing to your readers and to the people in your life.

Susan said...

I will echo My Pajama Days and say you are a blessing to your readers! Good for you for going after online jobs. I've thought about doing that, but I worry that I might actually get one! LOL! Seriously, your words need to be heard, and the more outlets you find for them, the better for us.