HELLO TO YOU TOO, DARLING READER and today I'm super happy because I GET TO WRITE A BLOGOVERSARY CELEBRATION POST!! *happy dancing*
I've wanted to write a blogoversary post forever ^-^
1.
Rewind back to one and a half years ago. That's when I discovered the blogosphere. Around December 2016/January 2017.
The first blog I ever landed on was Bookish Serendipity kept by a 15-yr-old Canadian called Jessica Bernt, and I found her because she'd been interviewed in The Writer Magazine in March 2016. If that blog still existed today it would be at the very top of the list. From reading it I learned what blogging really was, about different styles of book reviews, and I found you. I found this community.
But yeah, Jessica Bernt has pretty much disappeared from the face of the Internet, as far as I can see, and it is so sad *cries*
Anyway! The second blog I found was For The Bookish and from the "friends" page on there I found A Writer's Faith and Fishing For Ideas (plus others of course, but it was these two that stuck with me till now) and here I am.
So I started following blogs - not actually subscribing, of course, but checking back every other day in hopes of a new post XDD I read archives. Oh boy, did I read the archives. Every spare minute I had I was reading archives. Archives that I devoured WHOLE include Writer Emily Mundell, To The Barricade, The Left-Handed Typist, and Sunshine and Scribblings.
Then, in June (not July lol) I STARTED MY OWN BLOG. Called Inkwell (come to think of it, if I were starting my blog now I would give it a different name, but whatever. Inkwell means a lot to me you know XD)
And that's my story!!
2.
Here comes my favorite part of ever! THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. I adore reading book acknowledgements and I feel that I need to do the same thing for my blog, because I wouldn't be where I am without so many of you.
God, first of all, because I'm quite convinced You brought me here, and for that I'm eternally grateful ^-^
My amazing cousin, Syl, because it was your idea to "start a blog to showcase [my] work" and while I've been very bad at showcasing my stories like you suggested, I've certainly benefited in so many other ways. I credit this to you ;)
My family too! Because they are my biggest fans, critiques, and promoters - (my mom = my fan, my sibs = my critiques, my dad = my promoter :P).
I'd like to shout out to my role models in blogging (aka those whom I admired even before I began) -
Katie Grace, because you welcomed me with open arms;
Jonathan, because you also found this newbie my first Camp Nano cabin;
Emily, because you let me read an ARC of your book, and participate in your blog tour (two firsts for me at the time!);
Mary, because you were one of the first to see my blog in all its newness and you told me it was amazing (#mindblown);
Savannah, because your blog has taught me so much by being 100% #goals;
Cait at Paperfury (though you probably are not reading this), for teaching me about voice and how to write FUN book reviews XD;
Abbiee, because without your wisdom, I wouldn't be anywhere;
Rosalie, because you were the first flash fiction fan I ever stumbled upon (and that means A LOT lol);
Tracey, because you were the first TED DEKKER fan I found and asdfdfdfdkfjsalkfj words can't express how head over heels happy I was;
Abi, because you were my first author friend, and the first to allow me to beta read your work, and the first to put my name in the acknowledgements of a book
THANKS SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU, MY SUPER BLOGGER ROLE MODELS - all I've learned about this game, I owe it to you <3
3.
OK ALSO SO MANY THANK YOUS TO ALL OF THE AMAZING BLOGGERS I FOUND ALONG THE WAY -
especially -
Ivie - because ... because WHAT? HOW CAN I LIST EVERYTHING?? You're such a lovely human and one of my best blogging friends <3;
Karyssa - my one and only plotting buddy who rescues me from plot bunnies;
Sare - the author of MY SECOND FAVE BLOG OF ALL TIME;
Julia - my third favorite poet of ever and that's saying A LOT;
Kenzie - because actually it was your blog and your blog only that inspired my newest aesthetic (surprised? you shouldn't be);
Amanda - YOUR TRADEMARK HUMOR (your posts always make my day);
Ella - your PROFESSIONALISM blows me away (and as a fairly new blogger myself - *ahem* yes, I am older than you - I know what an achievement that is - and you inspire me);
Gray - I think you're the most real blogger I've ever seen (and I'm sorry that word cannot describe half of what it means);
and then there's Anna, and Catherine, and Lila, and Skye, and True, and Snapper, and Hanne, and Elaikie, and Ang, and Jem and Julian who deserve a BIG SHOUT OUT for being my squad (so to speak) - most frequent commenters and making me feel so at home where I am ;D
AND THEN THERE'S YOU. All of you who ever read, who ever comment, who follow - THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. I wouldn't be here without you <333 And I wish I could go on listing everyone I follow, and everyone who follows me - but that would take so much space. Still I'm going to feel endlessly guilty for NOT MENTIONING you in any other way than this :P
4.
SO WHAT NEXT??
MY SPECIAL CONTEST ^-^
I had this spectacular idea for a prize (*ahem* yes, you heard right XD) which actually involves my faithful minion toiling night and day to prepare it for you and since I was mistaken about the date of my blogoversary (#oops) the prize isn't actually 100% ready yet -_-
HOWEVER.
My Special Celebratory Event is to be a contest, and seeing as you need time to enter, I have decided to let it run for ONE MONTH before picking the winner. That will also give time for me (and my minion) to prepare the prize.
^^ What is the prize, you might ask?
Sorry, folks, the contest first.
At first I was thinking a giveaway. But I decided no on that because
- It's too easy for all of you while
- we still need to work hard on the prize
- and it's not very fun for anyone except the winner -_-
SO, that left the option of A CONTEST open! Since I adore short stories, I thought "why not a short story contest?" The answer to that is ...
- it means I have to read a lot of short stories and try to pick my favorite #tough
- it means you have to spend a long time (and yes, short stories take a long time) to write your entries
- it means I won't get as many entries as I'd like
Therefore, I decided on something in between. A MICRO-FICTION CONTEST.
^^ What is micro-fiction, you might ask?
It's fiction under 300 words.
I KNOW! YOU ARE EVEN MORE DAUNTED THAN BEFORE!
Don't worry! My main idea here is not to create award wining pieces (even though there is an award lol) but for you to have fun! (and for me to have fun and read your stories lol)
I have provided you with a selection of prompts and your job is to be inspired. Then, write your piece. Fast. Punchy. Only one point.
My tips for writing these kinds of stories are
- start very very short. you can always add more words later.
- stick to ONLY ONE main idea.
- show a moment. it doesn't have to be a full story. the idea with flash fiction is to show a conflict, and the character's reaction.
- have a conflict, like I said above. you don't need to show how it began, or how it ends. you will find it helpful to throw your reader right into the middle of the "action".
- show emotion. rather than resolving it, you know, you want to show how your character reacts.
- cut out adjectives and adverbs. "never use a long word when a short one will do" (or, never use a group of words when one will do).
- HAVE FUN. that's my main requirement.
- in essence - keep it quick, keep it intense, have fun.
Are you on board? Great! My rules are as follows:
- be inspired by the prompt
- keep your story as clean as possible
- keep your story under 300 words
- deadline is July 10th.
AND ABOUT THE PRIZE NOW. Since many bloggers are fans of GIFs (and they are hilarious after all) I am giving the winner a pack of GIFs. And no, not just any old GIFs either. Hand drawn (digitally) by my faithful minion (and/or me - who knows? I'm very busy -_-).
Here are a couple of examples to what we do:
This is the rougher version XDD
And this is one of my faves lol
Since the blog birthday crept up on me unawares, I am not yet totally sure exactly how many gifs that will be, but! It will be 50+.
And I'm hoping to be able to gift something to the second/third place winners as well. I'm not sure WHAT EXACTLY YET but we'll see ;D
And I hope to have the chance to publish some of these stories on my blog - so I'm giving you an option in my entry form to say "yes" or "no" to that ;D
Oh and never fear, if you win and don't like gifs, I can always send you some cool wallpaper painted/designed by me ;D
So without further ado:
Your prompt is this. Go to this amazing blog and choose any poem and write a story inspired by that poem. No, you don't need to quote or refer to the words in the poem in any way, so long as it was the inspiration behind your story.
And here's your entry form:
Note: a huge huge thank you to my faithful minion Retse Dragon for inspiring and helping with the prize XDD
SO. THAT'S THAT. Hopefully you enjoyed this blog birthday post *throws confetti* and hopefully you'll find time to enter this :D
Also, I'd be super grateful if you shared this around, just cos the more the merrier! But no pressure, of course XD
so, happy blogoversary to inkwell,
and what did you think of my contest idea? will you be entering? how long have you been blogging?
1. HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY, GIRL!!!! You have inspired me with aesthetics and style and graphics and ALL THINGS VISUAL!! It was our collab that got me to want to do better style because you are JUST SO GOOD AT IT! <3
ReplyDelete2. COULD ANY OF US SURVIVE WITHOUT ABBIEE'S WISDOM, THOUGH?? Lol, I totally related to that one. XD
3. YOU ARE THE SWEETEST!! I consider you to be one of my best blogging friends, too. You've always been so kind and encouraging! Thank you for being you! <3 <3
4. THIS CONTEST SOUNDS AWESOME! Definitely going to try and enter. We'll see how things go. All craziness considered in my life, I'm going to try. I make no promises, but I love writing little fiction tid-bits to practice and stretch my brain and I WANT TO DO THIS!
Here's to many more years! <3 <3 <3 YOU'RE AMAZING! Thank you for being my httyd buddy and a great friend! <3
1. THANK YOU THANK YOU AGAIN AND aaaahhhhhhh you are too kind - I'm so humbled by all your compliments. It means so much to me, I wanna cry ^-^
Delete2. HAHAHA NO, quite sure she's essential to our survival XDD Our local sage, to quote her words lol
3. NO YOU ARE THE SWEETEST. *hugs* thank you for being you too <3
4. I AM SO HAPPY YOU THINK SO! I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN ENTER! YOU MIGHT EVEN GET A NEVER ENDING SUPPLY OF HTTYD INSPIRED GIFS!!
*clinks glass* Same to you, my dear!
HAPPY HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY! *showers you with confetti and sprinkles* Here's to many more amazing blog posts! =D I've been blogging for about three years, but my current blog is only one year old, the little thing. I absolutely love your blog's name, it's so creative! =D
ReplyDeleteYour contest sounds like lot of fun! Definitely going to enter. =) And those gifs that you designed are SO CUTE. <3 Again, happy blogoversary! =D
MICAIAHHHHHH THANK YOU GIRL <3 Your blog is absolutely lovely and so inspirational too! Since I forgot/didn't have space in my acknowledgements can I just say THANK YOU to you here for being a fabulous blogger, and friend, and A FELLOW SHORT STORY ENTHUSIAST :DDD
DeleteAll your compliments <333 Thank you again, lovely human!!
Happy blogoversary! I've enjoyed your blog so much, and Inkwell has grown so much over these months it's amazing the aesthetic creature it's turned into to. AND OF COURSE, YOU YOURSELF IS AMAZING, I feel very very blessed to have "met" you on here. <3
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't even know what to say, thank you so much!!! That is so sweet of you, and words can't express how much that means to me!!! <3 <3 <3
Those gifs are mega cute, and this contest sounds amazing! :DD
To many more years to come. <3
THANK YOU IMMENSELY GRAY <333 I am blown away that you think so ^-^ AND INKWELL THANKS YOU TOO.
DeleteSAME BACK AT YOU GIRL. I am so blessed to have met you and I have no words either :DD
My faithful minion will be honored that you like the gifs XD *high five*
HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!! Your blog is seriously amazing! I know I’m really knew around here, but seriously I love your blog posts and the AESTHETICS!! Wow! Can’t wait to keep seeing you around!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely entering the contest! This is going to be EPIC!! And you have some serious art/GIF-making skill, Lisa!
YOU ARE SO SWEET - THANK YOU RACHAEL. I don't know how to respond anymore except I AM SO HONORED YOU ENJOY MY BLOG AND THANKS A MILLION DEAR <33
DeleteI would love to have you enter the contest! And I'm so happy you like the GIFs (I shall tell my minion and she will be pleased XD)
DAHHHHHH HAPPY BLOGOVERSIVERYY! (did not spell that right, lol!) I don't actually read your blog as frequently as I could *cough cough* (It's nothing personal - I don't even read my own sister's blog, lol!) BUT I LOVE READING YOUR BLOG WHEN I DO AND YOU ARE A SUPER AWESOME HUMAN, LISA! *hugs*
ReplyDeleteOh, and I think I'm going to enter the story contest! *giggles gleefully* Sounds like a ton of fun. :D CONGRATS AGAIN GIRLFRIEND!
SARAH GRACE!! It's terrific to see you here though, whenever you do pop up! I am forever grateful to you for Google-plus-ing my posts and teaching me the basics of blog buttons and I SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED YOU IN THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS but oh well. Just know that you mean a ton to me ^-^ especially as a hangouts buddy XD *hugs back*
DeleteYES PLEASE DO ENTER I'D LOVE TO READ YOUR WRITING!! tHANK YOU SO SO MUCH DARLING <3
I just realized that I've never actually subscribed to follow your blog which is why I never see you in my feed which makes total sense now. XD I am a terrible human.
ReplyDeleteThank you SO MUCH for all the sweet mentions! It gives me all the warm fuzzies. Also, CONGRATS ON YOUR BLOGAVERSARY! That is an awesome accomplishment! Your contest idea is super cool, btw! :DD
No no don't worry you're a beautiful human!! You followed my blog via email a very long time ago except I messed up with Feedburner and you happen to be subscribed to the Feed which no longer burns anything, if that makes sense XDD Thanks for the re-follow though lol
DeleteTHANK YOU FOR BEING THERE WHEN I BEGAN. You were so ridiculously friendly to this newbie, I will never forget it. THANK YOU FOR THE CONGRATULATIONS! I would be delighted if you entered, but no pressure, if you don't have time ^-^
CONGRATULATIONS, LISA :D
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU SO MUCH FAITH <333
DeleteHappy birthday to your blog! Congratulations on one year! Great idea for a contest too - I haven't written fiction for ages, but this might've inspired me to give it a go again. All the best with your coming years of blogging! xx
ReplyDeleteAWWW THANK YOU JESSICA! This means so much to me ^^ I am so happy you like the contest, and I WOULD BE SO SO HAPPY IF YOU ENTERED IT AND I COULD READ YOUR WRITING <3 you're the best ;D
Delete<3 thank you for the mention!!!!!! Love ya, Lisa! I'm hoping to enter the contest...we'll see how that goes though. :P
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE SO SUPER WELCOM! love you too, Elaikie lol YES PLEASE ENTER IF YOU HAVE TIME, but no pressure, ok?? Thank you girl!
Delete*welcome
DeleteHappy blogiversary!!! One year is a HUGE milestone!! And I'm glad I could be part of launching your awesome blog! Remember me when you're famous XD
ReplyDeleteThose GIFs are soo cute!!! You (and your minion ;) are awesome artists!
EEEP THANK YOU HANNE! It really is, isn't it?! Me too, I'm so happy I met you as a little baby blogger XD And haha, quite sure it's you who's famous before me, but whatever. I could never forget you, for sure :D
DeleteSO HAPPY YOU LIKE THEM! MY MINION WAS VERY HAPPY ABOUT YOUR COMPLIMENT XD
HAPPY BLOG ANNIVERSARY!! and ajdslkajlalddskll girl. thank you SO MUChHH that is such a huge compliment <33 you are rocking this blogging thing - keep it up!! <3
ReplyDeleteawww your high praise <333 You're making my blogoversary as happy as can be, for sure ;D THANKS A MILLION SARE!
DeleteCongrats on your blog anniversary! And also for consistently keeping up your blog. Blogging isn't as easy as many might think, especially when you want to bring a lot of change to your blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd I find it interesting that you hand draw your own gifs! I'm only good at copying and pasting YouTube links xD
WOW I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF! Definitely tough work ;) I am certainly not the expert at gif making - it's my minion lol I'm not too big on using gifs on my blog, as you have probably noticed XD
DeleteTHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMMENTING AND FOR THE CONGRATS ADESUWA!! means a lot <3
Such a good idea to celebrate your blog anniversary!! And those are seriously the cutest GIFs I have ever seen <3
ReplyDeleteMADDY!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVELY COMMENT!! I'm so pumped that you like the ideas <33
DeleteALSO I just saw I'm on your 'favorite blogs' page - GIRL you are literally the sweetest!!! Your blog is amazing and your comments are amazing so keep up the good work. I hope you have another great year blogging!
DeleteHappy Blogoversary! Your blog has been such a bright spot for me. I think that is such a cool giveaway idea. Love the gifs! :D
ReplyDeleteYAY AND HURRAY THANKS SO MUCH SKYE!! Awww it's so good to here that and I'm glad you like the idea <333
DeleteHAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!! Lisa - you've been doing this for a year now, and oh my goodness, your blog is so, so pretty and you always have such amazing posts. You're doing great things here, and I hope that your second year of blogging is another amazing experience for you!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for the mention! Oooh - those GIFs are so, so cute! I can't believe that you made them, but they are masterpieces. The writing challenge sounds like a fun way to celebrate your one-year!
~True atruewriter.blogspot.com
EEEP!! THANK YOU THANK YOU TURE <3 I wanna cry I'm so touched oh my goodness. This means so much to me ^-^ I'm so happy that you like it all.
DeleteYES YOU DESERVE TO BE MENTIONED! Thanks for being such a lovely follower and blogger <3
ack my faithful minion will be delighted by that compliment! And I really hope you have a chance to enter, cos your writing is absolutely magnificent, girl <333
THANK YOU SO MUCH ONCE AGAIN!
okay. at the moment, I AM BLOWN AWAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletelike girl. I kid you not, close to sobbing blown away. I am 100% honored to be listed and then you moved on even further and are having people use my poems as writing prompts?!?!?!? HONESTLY. BLOWN. AWAY.
i really wanna see the stories now lol (also can I enter even tho I wrote the poems? XD)
juliaaaaaaaaa you completely 100% made my day by showing up! and I'm delighted you APPROVE OF MY IDEA cos it was like a last minute light bulb moment and I went and changed my prompt idea after writing the post and making the entry form lol
Deleteyour enthusiasm is contagious XDD oooh I totally didn't think of that - BUT UMM ... YES! I'll do my best to try and make sure you can read the stories! And ... YES YOU CAN TOTALLY ENTER EVEN THOUGH YOU WROTE THE POEMS. Lol. that's actually funny to think about XDD
Happy Blogoversary!!! That's such an exciting accomplishment. And I love how you're using Julia's poems as prompts <3
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU SO MUCH SOL!! *nods* it's true, it is an accomplishment XD and YAAASSSS JULIA'S POEMS ARE SUPER INSPIRING AREN'T THEY??!! ^-^
DeleteFirst off, happy blogiversary! I have stumbled on your blog once or twice before, and haven't actually subscribed, but Julia linked to you and I wanted to say
ReplyDelete1. Congratulations!
2. HTTYD GIFS, awwwwww! I don't use gifs, but my sis does and I love Toothless, sooo ;)...
3. I submitted a story. I saw your post yesterday, and started writing a story last night. I'm never this spontaneous, like, I have no idea how I let this happen. I hope I don't regret it. I mean, I rarely write, not because I don't have ideas, but because I don't want to do injustice to the stories I see in my own head, and I never share the stories I do write, so I don't know why I did this time, haha. But I seriously thought it was the neatest idea! (My story was like 541 words though. Do you KNOW how much it hurt to cut it? Like, the whole first entrance paragraph is cut out. And the "bookend" opening and closing. Gahhhh. It was hard.)
Anyhoot. Congrats again on blogging for a year!
Rejoicing in Hope,
Bri
THANK YOU SO MUCH BRI! It's awesome that you are a fan of HTTYD! AND I AM SO SO HAPPY THAT YOU SUBMITTED A STORY! <333 DOUBLE THANKS. THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. I am so so honored that you took the time to write a story for my contest. and gah, I get you on the word count girl! It's happened to me so much -_-
Delete<333
OHHHHH MY GOSH LISA HI HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!!! You deserve all the cake and hugs *showers with confetti*
ReplyDeletexoxo Abigail Lennah | Ups & Downs (but now at Story-Eyed!)
ABBY THANK YOU THANK YOU *devours cake* *returns hug* *dances in confetti* THANK YOU you mean so much to me <333
Deletealso your new blog is stunning!
DeleteA thousand apologies for being so late!!! I'm so excited for you - HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAwwwww - thank you for the shout out!! I love being on your squad - it makes my day to see a post from you Lisa!!
GASP - your GIFS look A-MAZ-ING!! I may try my hand at that contest just for that second one...
Catherine
catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com
YOU ARE NEVER LATE - you arrive exactly when you should ;D THANK YOU SO MUCH DEAR CATHERINE. I adore having you on my squad too ^-^
DeleteI AM SO HAPPY YOU LIKE THE GIFS too XDD
Ahhhhh happy blogiversary!! Happy to have you here in the blogispere. :) Also those GIFs are so cool!
ReplyDeleteNabila | Hot Town Cool Girl
NABILA NABILA THANK YOUUUUUU
DeleteAllllllsoooo I love your blog design so much!
ReplyDeletethis means so much honestly *cries*
DeleteAWWWW thanks for the shout out, Lisa! *hug* CONGRATS ON YOUR BLOGIVARSARY! You rock. ♥♥
ReplyDeleteTHANK ANG *hugs* you rock yourself ;D
DeleteAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!!!!!!!!! This post is amazing and sweet and so so meaningful! I've been reading your blog for a long time, and it warms my heart to be able to read and comment all your fun, awesome posts. <3
ReplyDeleteWHOA, FUN CONTEST!!! I will definitely consider entering!! Your prize is so unique - I love it. <3
Again, happy blog birthday, Lisa!!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH LILA!!! *cries* I'm so happy you liked the post and my blog and you warm MY heart so much every time you comment and every time you post on your blog ;D
DeleteSO HAPPY YOU LIKE THE PRIZE IDEA DEAR. I had a spark of genius if I do say so myself ;D
Okay, so first of all....HOW DID I NOT SEE THIS POST UNTIL NOW???? I mean, I know I've been busy...but I thought I'd been able to keep up with blogs??? *facedesk*
ReplyDeleteEPIC CONGRATS on your bloggy birthday! I've enjoyed reading your blog and getting to know you and honestly, I would love to enter the contest except I'm suddenly crazy busy again and I figure I'll just let everyone else have fun. Will the winning little story get published on the blog? :)
I AM SORRY IF THE BLOGOSPHERE HID THE THING FROM YOU Julian XDD It's toally okay!!
DeleteEPIC THANK YOUS TO YOU. I am so delighted that I've gotten to know you too, and you're such a beautiful human . It's ok if you can't enter. I understand busy. Like I so often don't even have time to enter giveaways lol I think I shall publish the stories on my blog if possible!! thanks again so much <333
HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!! I love you and your blog so much! (Also I just now saw my blog on your favorite blogs page and I am so flattered <333 THANK YOU!)
ReplyDeleteThe contest is a brilliant idea! I'm only just now commenting because I got horribly busy but I wrote some entries anyway and submitted them, just for fun. :) If it's fine with you, can I send one of them through Goodreads? The formatting isn't working. If not that's totally fine too.
Can't wait to read the winning story!
ZANE DARLING THANK YOU - I love you and your blog enormously too <333 YOU BLEW ME AWAY WITH THE NUMBER OF STORIES YOU SENT IN, so hey, apparently you made the time. THANK YOU BC IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. Send me the one through Goodreads, or my contact page if you prefer, bc I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT TOOO.
Delete<333 you just totally made my day :D
Aww I'm glad I made your day <333 I really wanted to do it, and I love Julia's blog and her stories, so I was inspired to do multiple ones. :D They're not very good but at least I wrote them, right? xD
Delete