Thursday, February 12, 2009

THE ACCIDENTAL BLOGGER


I never meant to be a blogger. After all, I write books. Then a couple of years ago my daughter told me I needed to update my website more often. Back then my blog page was set up as a What's New page, a place where I could announce upcoming events or book releases.

Meanwhile writers' blogs popped up everywhere. I remember a conversation with Helen Hemphill about how I didn't see the sense in that.

"Why don't they just write their books?" I said. What happened to the little girls who kept locks on their diaries? It seemed they grew up, threw away their keys and revealed the contents for all to see.

But when my daughter scolded me for my rare updates, I decided to give blogging a try. At first, I tiptoed into blogworld. Was I breaking some writer rule. Maybe writers should stay hidden behind their books and glossy pictures on the flaps. I feared I would say too much, show too much, and maybe even hear too much from people who didn't like my work.

What happened surprised me. I realized I loved blogging. Aside feeding into my work, it gave me a place to examine process. As the number of posts grew, I realized many of the posts tied into the importance of home to my writing. Now, a year and a half later, I've decided to concentrate more on that. The blog won't change drastically, but writing and home will remain the main focus.

The first post following this one is a repeat to some of you who may have read it last summer. But I believe it's an important post because it defines the beginning of my writing journey and my relationship with this home.

I've also posted a new essay on writer's block and laundry. They may not seem to have much in common, but they do.

A Pen and a Nest will also introduce you to other writers and artists and what home means to them while exploring their craft. We'll find out where they like to write. I want to know. Don't you? And lucky us, my pal, Kathi Appelt agreed to be the first.

You will have a chance to post comments. I hope you will because for the last eighteen months I've wondered about you, the readers of this blog. I want to know what you think. I'm looking forward to some good conversations along the way. Will you come along for the journey?


(Note: The banner above was designed by Dale McLain.)

19 comments:

  1. I love your blog! And I love your house. It is so welcoming, warm, and bright. Happy blogging.

    Jenny

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kimberly, this is just wonderful. It's just like you--warm, friendly and full of heart.

    Thank you so much for letting me be first. I feel like I'm in your living room.

    And guess what? I have one of those same "see no evil, etc." monkey things in my house!!! Exactly the same. Bronze and all.

    xo
    K

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like fun, Kimberly. I follow your work, and when I read what you are doing and thinking, I always wish I could sit down to lunch with you! This is a substitute! Thanks for the invite! Enjoy, and I'll be along for the ride.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kathi, I'm honored that you are my Author at Home. Thank you, thank you!


    Jo, we need to go to lunch sometime soon. Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kimberly: I love the blog! I'll sign up so I won't miss a post. Thanks for sharing your own story about the importance of home...I've always been a big baby about missing home when Neil and I travel. Now I can say it's perfectly normal. Helen

    ReplyDelete
  6. With one sleepy eye open and my first sip of morning coffee, I logged on HERE and my day has already been made! Thank you! This is so exciting!
    What a wonderful blog this will be - and you can bet I'll be here OFTEN!! You inspire me so much..
    Love,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kimberly, Thank you for inviting me to share in your debut. I am new to this techno-arena, and am not quite sure how it fits into my writing life. I still handwrite every draft! I also live in a log cabin! My concern centered on merging that element of home, so important in my creativity, with the sterile surreal world of technology. I was very pleased, and very reassured, to read your blog. Your blog oozes with the same comfort of an old quilt. Thank you for the tea!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a lovely, heartfelt blog, Kimberly! Thanks for inviting me to share in the debut of A Pen and a Nest. I enjoyed reading your posts. Having just moved recently, after fourteen years in the same home, I'm feeling keenly the relationship between writing and home as well.

    I will definitely add your blog to my expanding list!

    Ingrid

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, Helen. I love what you and your team do over at the Tollbooth. I appreciate you stopping by for the debut.

    Kim, Thanks for stepping out of the cottage to visit. I appreciate your support.

    Bobbi, I love log cabins. I'm amazed that you write every draft by hand. I do the first draft by hand and I still haven't caught on to editing on the computer. I've tried, but I end up deleting something that I can't get back. I have to hold the pages in my hand.

    Ingrid, thanks for the kind words. I hope your new house begins to feel like a home to you soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful blog, Kimberly! I'm so glad you decided to get into blogging. I am sure this will become one of my regular reads each day!

    All the best to you in your writing endeavors--online and off!

    Love and prayers,
    Gette

    ReplyDelete
  11. The blog looks great Momma. It will be so nice to come home everyday to it. : )

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks, Gette and Shannon. I appreciate your nice remarks. Thanks for stopping day.

    Shannon send me a picture of you in the pink top. Have a Happy Valentines, Sweet Pea!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm really glad to be able to comment now. Just this week I put a new house under contract and I will have my very own writing room so I'm eager to discuss the home and writing aspect as well.

    And if you do any more my neighborhood Monday posts, please drop me a line so I can get the links up. I always read your blog but sometimes I am days late and therefore untimely in getting links up.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you, Martha. I hope your day is better today.

    Thanks for stopping by Travis. I'm so glad you have a new house to move into. May it quickly become a home.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Best of luck here, Kimberly. I've added you to my blog reader.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks, Roger. I appreciate you stopping. Enjoy your Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the gentle nudge into the bog world. I have been standing by the shore for a while now... I look forward to checking in regularly!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks, TexMetsFan! I hope you will.

    ReplyDelete