Blogging: Why, When, How and How Come?

This is Chilihead. And her family, I'm guessing. Chili is hosting a carnival. The carnival is all about the why, when, how and how come? of blogging. So...

How did you start blogging?

The short answer is that I thought I was going to die, and tragically someone else did.

I discovered blogging after a tragic car accident outside Houston two years ago claimed the lives of a family of 4 that I knew: a mother, a father and two of their three grown children. The college-aged girls in the car used to babysit for us. In their local paper in Amarillo, the younger's blog address was printed as an invitation for all to read.

Months later, I would suffer the loss of a second pregnancy that year, this one requiring a d&c. Having never been "under" for anything other than having my wisdom teeth pulled as a teen, I was just. so. sure. that I wasn't coming home from my early morning surgery. When I did in fact, awaken, return to my girls, and recover, I started this blog to be my voice should I ever be called Home early. Having my memories and impressions written down in one, orderly place has been a tremendous relief to me.

Did you intend to be a blog w/a big following? If so, how did you go about it?

No way. My main focus was getting stuff down for the girls. But, I kept it public and even joined the CWO blogring hoping to be blessed, and perhaps be a blessing because in years past I had naively placed myself under the teaching and influence of women who would later reveal themselves as something other than the Godly example they thought or pretended themselves to be. If ever I'm not here when my daughters begin their families, I do not want them falling under such spells! Read my blog, girls! I'll give it to you straight!

What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog? Have you been successful? If not, do you have a plan to achieve those goals?

It's cathartic. That was one of my primary goals, and I'm constantly achieving it.

Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?

My motive is mostly the same, but my focus has broadened. I have met some wonderful women whose lives I'm sincerely interested in, and praying for--and I sense the reciprocity.

What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?

Labels (or tags). I'm glad that blogger upgraded and now I have labels. And I think I've mostly caught up with my 360 some-odd posts.

Do you make money with your blog?

No. For the glory of God, I need complete control over what appears on my blog. That goes for comments, links and most certainly ads. I'm guessing that taking on advertisers costs a blogger some control.

Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why?

All of my family knows. My husband reads it fairly regularly. My oldest daughter reads some posts with permission. My mother found it by covert methods. She's not a believer, and was pretty disappointed at my conversion a decade ago, and for that, I didn't think my content would bless her.

What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?

1. Speak in first person more often than second person unless you are Ann V. from Holy Experience or Oswald Chambers.
2. Do not use real names. Ever. And if you do, certainly don't post pictures and names.

Thanks, Chilihead! You can visit more blogging testimonies here.