Some of you, (mainly my new-best-friends-from-Twitter), won’t know my back story or that I started blogging 3 years ago today. I’d just finished In Search of Adam and G had designed a basic website with an extract from Adam on there. On the same day that I launched that site, I wrote my first ever blog post. I had absolutely no idea that a few weeks later my blog would be found by a cyber-scouting publisher. My life changed, in a moment, at 8:53pm, on a Saturday evening in September 2006:
“I love the extract on your site. Could you send me some more – I already feel involved with the characters and really want to see how they develop.
Do you really want an agent, or would a publisher do?”
And then, again, two days later, at exactly 10pm:
“… I really like this and have discussed it with my colleague who agrees. I’d like to publish it – is that OK?!…”
Three years on and there have been a number of dips and highs (I’ve blogged it all!), the dips we’re going to glaze over because somehow I’ve found myself with two published novels in the UK, an Italian publisher, I have a number of supporters who genuinely believe in me and my writing and I have a lovely agent. That agent is currently negotiating a contract for my next 2 books. It’s been in the pipeline for a number of weeks now and I’m waiting (anxiously) to hear if the deal can be done.
I realise how truly lucky I am and those who are close to me know that I don’t take any of this for granted.
I have no doubt that so much that is currently good in my life, well it’s all down to making that decision 3 years ago today, to write a blog post and to share my journey with a bunch of (then) strangers. I’ve learned a lot over the last 3 years, about the publishing world and also about myself. My biggest (hardest) lesson has been the realisation that I have to protect my children and myself in this online world. This is why my old blog was deleted a couple of months ago and this new blog is trying (yes, trying!). For me the last few weeks have been about a new start, with a new focus and new dreams (I’ll share them with you soon, I promise).
But today I just wanted to say something to those blogger friends, to those who have picked up my journey along the way and to those who have been there from the beginning – I will always be grateful. For every comment, for every squeal, for every time you’ve helped pick me up when it’s all gone a bit wrong… well, without you lot I honestly think that this journey would have been a bit rubbish. You know who you are, thank you.
It’s been quite a journey, so far.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
We should be thanking you for letting us share the journey on your blog and in your tweets. With so much online rambling, its great to find something readable and enjoyable and which gives encouragement to those of us who are nearly there but not quite.
Blog on!
Laura
http://www.accidentalguru.blogspot.com
PS. May I have a pink cup cake please?
Twitter: @bookslimitedLaura – thank you for such a lovely comment. I was hoping that if I put a picture of the cupcakes on here, then someone might just bake them for me. I can but hope
x
Happy blog birthday my dear friend. I hope you saved me a cupcake. x
Twitter: @DJKirkbyThanks for sharing your journey with us, Caroline. And happy blog birthday x
Twitter: @MandymandDJ Kirkby – you are a domestic glamour puss, can’t you make me some?
Mandy – thank you!
xxx
Hey, well done!
Happy Blog Birthday.
Twitter: @lisa107bAs one of your new friends on twitter – I’m looking forward to reading more about your back story and “In Search of Adam” — That story name really does ring a bell for some reason!
Ahhh, thank you. My new friends are so very welcome here! x
Congratulations Caroline, you’ve done so well and are a great inspiration to me. I wish somebody would send me an email like that! Protecting children when you blog is hard. When your blog is ABOUT your child and your personal life, it feels impossible. You do a great job
Em xx
Twitter: @MyShitty20sEm, don’t forget that it took me nearly 3 years before I realised that I had to protect my kiddies. And you’ve already made changes to protect both yourself and Tom. It’s all about finding a balance, isn’t it? And that balance is so hard to pin down. I’m sure I’ll continue to make a number of blogging mistakes, but I still don’t regret any of my posts. I love your blog and your writing – keep going! x
Happy Blog Birthday indeed my sweet dear Caroline. Indeed I recall those sweet happy years. You are my first blog friend ever and I don’t want to have any regrets now, I remember Blogworld! You made blogging so much fun, interesting and enjoyable. You will always be part of my blogging experience, thank you!
Happy blogging birthday to you Caroline. It has been fascinating standing in the sidelines watching your journey and rooting for you (with pom poms and everything). Looking forward to seeing how it all develops. x
Twitter: @helenreddersHappy blog birthday to you, Caroline.
I’ve loved your books and enjoyed following your blog. You are such an inspiration.x
Twitter: @DebsCarrHapples Birthdoir to you blog Lady Caroline!
As a new Twitter fiend (sorry, that should read friend) I’ve loved following your journey even though I’ve caught the tail end. But as we all know stories don’t have an ending… I’ve had some good ol’ banter about the art of writing and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Here’s to more and here’s also to cake to which if we all had none, we would be nothing.
Kx.
Twitter: @KatieMcCulloughHappy 3rd Blogday! It’s been fab to follow your story. I’m currently inspired by your Bubblecow project. Best wishes for the future!
Twitter: @pbirch57I’m just glad that you ended the blog with ’so far’ chick
Good to be on board with you on your rollercoaster…especially if it is pink
xxxxx
It’s been a pleasure and a privilege, and in following your journey I’ve learned a lot about you – and also about myself.
Bloggy birthday hugs from me x
I can’t wait to see what the next three years brings you, C. Thanks for sharing and for being super.
Nik (Who also started blogging three years ago – where’d that go?!)
Twitter: @nikperringHappy blogging birthday, Caroline! This reminds me – I’ve missed my blog’s birthday. It is over 4 years old now.
You’ve done so well – and I shouldn’t worry about those contracts if that’s the stage they’re at. Most likely they’re all on holiday – I am sure everything will get sorted out when they’re all back. I reckon literary London pretty much closes down over August.
Twitter: @DuddyClare – wow, 4 years is really something. Contracts have been worrying me for weeks now but yes I think everything in the publishing world stops for August. I probably won’t be happy (or believe it) until it’s all sealed and signed (and then we must meet for cake and coffee!). I really feel that I need to get some focus back to my writing life.
Ces – oh Ces, we go back to the very beginning and you’re part of my blogging history too. I wouldn’t have it any other way
Helen – you’ve been very fantastic with those with pom poms of yours!
Debs Carr – that’s very lovely of you! Thank you.
Katie McCullough – thank you lovely Twitter fiend!
Peter Birch – thanks Peter. BubbleCow is nearly a year old already and I’m very proud.
Lplate Author – you are one of my blogging highlights honey. You and your shoes x
trousers – we’ve come a long way since the yellow duck pond meetings. It’s been my pleasure too honey.
Nik Perring – gosh where will we be in 3 years time… I’m hoping it’s exciting to counter the whole ‘me getting far too old’ thing.
xxx
Many happy returns of the blogiversary. For an onlooker, your journey has been fascinating, although I’m sure that from your perspective you could add a few other adjectives!
Happy Blogday Mrs
Twitter: @meganjstaylorand rather a giant lot of thank yous to You xxx
*grins* you are lovely. I could knit you a cupcake?
Happy blog birthday and thank you for being so inspiring x
Twitter: @janettejonesWow! What a great story. And happy blog birthday!
Twitter: @MarshawritesQueenie – adjectives just roll off the tongue… but it’s certainly made me appreciate the good parts!
megan – hugs honey!
JJ Beattie – Now you’ve offered and yes, I would SO like you to knit me a cupcake
Janette Jones – thank you!
Marsha – thanks so much.
xxx
Good luck with contract. It’s been good following your progress. Waiting with much apprehension for response on second book – hence angst filled emails.
Good luck with it! Remember to believe… x
Happy blog birthday, Caroline! Hope the new blog is working out for you.
Twitter: @JCCWilliamsThank you! In all honesty, I am still finding my feet with it and still have a few ideas to add to it. I’ll get there… hopefully! x
Awww, happy 3rd blog birthday lovely Caroline!! It’s been an absolute pleasure to share the journey with you and I’ll definitely give you a shout the next time we’re going to be in your neck of the woods as it would be lovely to see you again
C x
Twitter: @Mrs_B33your blog is one of the best out there. happy birthday hon. many more posts please xx
Twitter: @ClairererjCarol – oh do, please do. Cake and coffee and a chat… perfect!
claire p – you are very lovely!
xxx
Congratulations on the blogoversary, Caroline. You are very lovely (as are those cupcakes) and deserving of all the good things that have happened.
Aww, thank you! x
Late to the party as always but still very much on the journey with you:0) A long three years my dear but such larks too! Growing and becoming as woman and author quite enough to be going on with me thinks, but then you add to that with such things as wonderful Mum and cherished friend, not bad for lass from the North:0) Much love from us all.
My dearest Welsh bag lady – now you really have been a happy highlight of my last 3 years
x
Happy Birthday xxx
Twitter: @fiona_robynThank you! x
Oh I’m sorry I’m so late in wishing you a happy blogging birthday! It’s been great to share this adventure with you! Here’s to everything yet to come!
Twitter: @cloverness