A Ten Year Blog

Ten years ago I was writing regularly. However, I wanted a venue where I had to think about audience. I wanted to write as if someone was actually reading. Just writing was not enough. If I was going to be a good writing teacher, I had to really write. I had to go through the process like my students.

So I did what many people have done: I created a blog. It took me a year or three to figure out a focus, even if I depart from it once in a while. My parents read my blog. A few of you read my blog. More people read my blog if I post it on Facebook. Readership matters, but the practice is what really matters more.

So what about now? It has been ten years since I decided to write a letter to the void and talk to myself. Soon, I will no longer be a writing teacher. Do I still need writing practice?

My blog has become far more than writing practice or a way for me to share my ideas. It has also become a way for me to work out my thinking and try out ideas for writing in other venues. It has forced me to realize, as my old colleague Sally said often, that audience is everything. By publishing my writing on this blog, anyone may see it. What will they think? How might my words be received?

My daughter reads some of my posts and quips, “Dad, you are going to make me unelectable!” That is not my intention (although I am not sure how I feel about siring a politician). I never want to embarrass anyone, certainly not my family and least of all myself. Yet I don’t want to simply play it safe either. I want to test my skills and push my writing limits. I want to grow!

I have discovered that photos are important accompaniments. For the most part, all the photos on the blog are mine. There are a few that come from other sources. I have left a few posts photoless when I could not find a good match for them. I have sometimes written with photos in mind. Sometimes the photos come first!

I now schedule my blog posts. I have a calendar and a list of posts that are ready, those that need a little more work, and ideas to be developed. I have written timely posts (like this one) and posts that could be plugged in regardless of the date.

One of my goals is to “get out there” and get more readership for this blog. Frankly, that scares me a little. I am always humbled when someone says they read one of my posts. I don’t know my audience entirely. Hi, Mom! Hello, Dad!

When I am not in the classroom, how will that change this blog and my writing? I think I will go further out on the political limb. As I do in class, I have tried to limit my partisan discussions on the blog. I have made clear political statements about guns and schools and the standards to which we hold our elected officials, but I have avoided being overtly political beyond that focus. I am considering giving myself more latitude now.

I also have a new subject to write about: life after being a public school teacher. I don’t know much about it yet, but I am getting ready to learn! Writing will be a great way to explore and chronicle my new life.

I may increase my production. I have thought about posting some good articles, adding a third essay each month, posting works I am reading, or expanding other aspects of my blog.

I am retiring, but I am not retiring my “neighborhood.” Having the blog keeps me writing and thinking about how my voice is part of the chorus of public discourse. Stay tuned!