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the-broken-truth · 4 months ago

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Love In Every Stitch - Vampire Vil Schoenheit x Darius Crewel [PROLOGUE]

SUBTITLE: In A Small Shop...

Summary: Darius Crewel is a talented young streamer who owns a shop in Pyroxene. He makes a living by selling his creations and taking commissions. However, for the past few weeks, he has felt anxious without knowing why. One day, he receives an unexpected visitor at his shop: the Queen of Pyroxene, the beautiful Vil Schoenheit.

Location: Shopping Outlet In Pyroxene

"Thank you for your purchase! Have a pleasant day and I hope to see you again!" The voice of a young man called out as he watched the customer who just purchased one of his more expensive creations walk out of his shop's door with their new purchase secured in a bag; the door closing behind them with the jingle of the bell above - a sound that the young man grew to love since he opened his shop.

And just who was this young man?

None other than Darius Crewel, Son of the Fashion World's Divus Crewel & Sole Heir to the Crewel Empire.

From the moment Darius was old enough to draw, he filled his sketchbook with every idea his young mind could conceive. Once he became skilled in sewing and stitching, he began to bring those ideas to life, with the support of his father, who funded his dreams. When Darius turned 15, he received his first commission request and dedicated three days to ensure everything was perfect. His keen eye for detail and swift sewing skills earned him the nickname "Prince of Cloth" among many in the fashion world who knew his father. His request log was constantly full, filling him with a sense of pride.

By his 18th Birthday, Darius asked his father for the ultimate gift.

"Papa, I want to open my own shop." He said before he even blew out the candles on his cake.

Divus smiled at his son's words, knowing this day would come. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a bank book and card, handing them to Darius. He explained that he had been saving money in an account for Darius, knowing that his son would eventually want a place of his own—a space for his business to grow. Darius hugged his father, blew out his birthday candles, and together they enjoyed the party. Afterward, they set out to find the ideal location for Darius to begin his journey as a streamer.

Upon arriving at Pyroxene's Main Shopping Outlet, Darius discovered the perfect location for his new venture: a small shop nestled between two buildings, priced at 50,000 Madols. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed the number listed on the information card. In just two weeks, Darius became the owner of that shop. He handled everything himself, from cleaning and repairs to purchasing all the materials needed to create his masterpieces.

The name of his shop: Palais des Draps - meaning - "Palace of Cloth", a fitting name considering what the fashion world knew him as.

On the first day Darius officially opened his shop, he received his first customer. The customer was drawn to one of the display outfits Darius had placed on the mannequins in the store window. Darius took the customer to the back, took his measurements, and made the necessary adjustments to ensure the suit fit comfortably without being too tight or at risk of tearing. Once the customer confirmed that the outfit was perfect, Darius pressed it and placed it in a vacuum-sealed bag before putting it in a store bag. He then handed it to the customer and wished him a great day. Little did he know, that customer was a well-known blogger who later featured Darius' shop, sparking greater interest in his services.

Three years had passed since Darius set out on his own, and Palais des Draps continued to thrive—business was booming. However, Darius chose to maintain his current location, believing that waiting for the right moment would lead to his big break. He was confident that if he remained patient, the opportunity would eventually come. What he didn’t realize was what form that big break would take until one day when he arrived at work.

Pyroxene Main Shopping Outlet Palais des Draps 9:00 A.M.

The high-pitched whistle of the tea kettle echoed through the break room of the Palais des Draps. Darius reached for the handle, moving the kettle onto a wooden pallet before turning off the burner and unplugging it from the wall. He then walked over to the cabinet to retrieve one of his canisters filled with homemade tea blends. Darius grew his own herbs to create these blends, specifically designed to suit his needs. This particular blend was crafted to stimulate the brain slightly faster than the body normally would, helping him stay calm and focused throughout the day.

Darius opened the canister and took out one of the tea bags, placing it in his favorite tea cup. He then retrieved the kettle with scalding water and poured it over the tea bag. While waiting for the tea to steep, he pulled out his phone to scroll through MagiCam, simultaneously opening a container that held two homemade muffins he had prepared for breakfast.

Once the tea was ready, Darius carefully removed the used tea bag and disposed of it in the trash bin. He picked up his cup, took a seat at the table, and continued scrolling through MagiCam while sipping his tea and enjoying one of his muffins.

Suddenly, the familiar sound of the bell rang out, prompting Darius to set his half-empty cup down. He rose to his feet, brushed out any wrinkles from his suit, took a calming breath, and headed to the front to greet his first customer of the day.

"Good Morning. Welcome to Palais des Draps. How may I be of service to..." The words died in Darius' Throat as his lavender eyes gazed upon the figures that stood in his shop.

A trio of males.

The first figure was a tall male, approximately 5'8" in height. His short blonde hair stopped just before reaching the end of his chin, and he had vibrant lime-green eyes. He possessed a fair complexion that was completely free of blemishes, enhanced by makeup that included indigo eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara that perfectly accentuated his lashes. He was dressed in an indigo suit, black gloves, and a unique indigo hat adorned with a large black feather—the kind that Darius remembered reading about in the storybooks featuring hunters.

The second figure was the smallest of the trio, standing at about 5'1'' from Darius' perspective. He had a head of lavender curly hair, fair skin, and aquamarine eyes that conveyed a sense of innocence. However, Darius noticed that the figure’s gloved fingers were slightly curled, leading him to wonder if he had a tendency to ball his hands into fists. Perhaps he had some fighting experience? Darius was not one to jump to conclusions; he was simply making a guess. Like the previous male, this one was dressed in a suit of the same shade of indigo and wore gloves, but unlike the other, he did not wear a hat.

Darius found it difficult to describe the third figure, who embodied absolute perfection. He was the tallest of the trio, although Darius noticed he wore 13-centimeter heels, making him about 6'3" without them. His hair was a lovely shade of blonde, lighter than the first male's, and tied in a bun; lavender tips at the ends added to his beauty. Darius guessed that if his hair were loose, it would reach his shoulders.

The figure's skin was flawless, adorned with indigo eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and indigo lipstick. His nails were painted black, and he wore an outfit similar to those of the other two; it was clear that they were mirroring his style, especially since he wore a crown.

However, what captivated Darius the most was the piercing gaze from the figure's indigo eyes. With just one look, he felt that he would comply with any command the figure might issue.

"Good morning. Are you the proprietor of this place?" The way he spoke - even his voice was laced with power; a power that Darius would willing to submit to.

"Yes, My Queen. How may I serve you?" Darius said, not realizing what he said before the flawless man before him smiled with a raised perfect eyebrow.

"Oh? I am your 'Queen', am I?" The question caused Darius to turn red instantly from embarrassment upon realizing his customers heard what was meant for his mind.

"Forgive me! I didn't mean to say that out loud!" Darius pleaded but it only caused the man to chuckle.

"So, you were attempting to think it?" He asked, causing Darius to blush even harder.

"I... Um... Forgive me!" Darius bowed his head deeply - praying to the Great Seven that he didn't make a complete fool of himself to such a beautiful creature.

"Calm down, dear. I’m not upset with you," the 'Queen' said before he approached. He reached out his hand to grasp Darius' chin and lifted his face to meet his gaze once more. "If anything, I am flattered by your praise. At least you recognize that you are in the presence of a Queen. Now, can you answer my question?"

Darius took a moment to recall what his Queen had asked him before responding, "Yes, I am the owner of this place. Allow me to welcome you three to Palais des Draps. I am Darius Crewel. How may I serve you today?"

"'Crewel'... Such a powerful name you possess." The gorgeous man said as he looked into Darius' eyes as if he was searching for something before removing his hand from Darius' chin and taking one step back.

"Are you by any chance familiar with my father?" Darius asked.

"Oui!" The man in the hat spoke in a very energetic voice, "The Crewel Name is well-known in Pyroxene, but Roi du Poison is more acquainted with the name than just knowing one person who holds it."

"Rook, do calm down your loud speech and properly introduce yourself." The 'Queen' commanded as he looked over his shoulder at the man in the hat.

"Oui, Roi du Poison." The man - Rook - turned his gaze at Darius and decided to test him. "Bonjour, Monsieur Chevalier. Je suis Rook Hunt."

'He's speaking in French to test me, hm? Very well. I'll play your game.' Darius thought before he responded with, "Bonjour, Monsieur Hunt. C'est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance et de vous accueillir dans ma boutique."

Darius' response caused Rook's eyes to light up.

"Magnifique! You are well versed!" Rook smiled.

"I'm Epel Felmier. Nice to meet you, Mr. Crewel." The lavender-haired boy - Epel - introduced himself.

"Pleasure to meet you, Epel, but please call me 'Darius'; 'Mr. Crewel' is my father." Darius smiled at Epel before turning his gaze to the man before him, "May I have the honor of knowing your name, My Queen?"

"You may. I am Vil Schoenheit. A pleasure to meet you, Petite." The Queen - Vil - spoke with elegance, causing Darius' heart to race; this man was utter perfection.

"A pleasure to stand before you... May I know what brings you to Palais des Draps on this fine day?" Darius asked.

"Yes... I was hoping that you would do a commission for me."

[END OF PROLOGUE]

#twisted wonderland #twst oc #darius crewel #vil schoenhiet #epel felmier #rook hunt #vil schoenheit x oc #vil schoenheit x darius crewel

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justinspoliticalcorner · 2 months ago

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Taylor Lorenz at User Mag:

Decades ago, women's media was dominated by print magazines that doled out fitness tips, marriage advice, and housekeeping guidance. Heteronormativity ruled, and a woman's place was at home, raising a family. These media outlets shaped the cultural landscape for women for decades, but by the turn of the millennium, the internet was making them obsolete. Mommy bloggers and feminist thinkers were using the internet to challenge societal norms and traditional notions of motherhood, while ushering in a new era of feminist media. Candace Owens sees herself as the face of the pendulum swinging back. She champions traditional values and “anti-feminist” ideology on platforms adapted for the digital age. Today, she launched a new website and media platform called Club Candace, where she will push content espousing these ideals. Owens plans to build Club Candace into a sprawling multi-platform women-focused media brand. Her YouTube videos and podcasts will be hosted on Club Candace, along with exclusive content available behind a paywall. In addition to the self-help, lifestyle, pop culture, and political commentary content on the site, Owens is launching a new book club and fitness app, which will provide women with community and ‘80’s-style at home workout videos. She aims to target millennial and Gen Z women, especially young mothers. In Owens' view, the digital media industry has abandoned these women. After the traditional women's magazine industry crumbled, a generation of digital media companies sold millennial women on female empowerment and girlboss corporate feminism—Lean In-style articles that encouraged women to climb the corporate ladder while juggling a family life. But recently, more women have become disillusioned by this promise. Owens recognizes an opportunity to sell them something different. "I think a lot of women are really unhappy, and I think they're unhappy because we kind of were raised in this culture—and I'm speaking for millennials and the generation below—to reject tradition," she said. "You're taught to think that tradition is a throwback to misery and we should be so grateful that we're in the workforce, and we can be like men and compete with men. I'm one of those people who does not believe that that is what fulfills a woman."

There has been a significant resurgence of anti-feminist media aimed at promoting traditional gender roles and a homemaker lifestyle to women in recent years. Tradwife influencers like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman have surged in popularity, amassing millions of followers across social media. Peter Thiel-linked Evie Magazine launched to sell far-right ideals to Gen Z women. And a growing network of podcasts and app-based platforms such as "The Homemaker's Club" encourage women to adopt conservative values. [...] To coincide with the launch of Club Candace, Owens is bringing back her popular web series "Shot in the Dark" which will air exclusively on her new platform. The first episode covers sudden infant death syndrome and vaccines. "Women have a spiritual power about us, we are more connected to our children than our husbands and men are,” Owens says in the first few minutes of the episode. “And yet, we'll listen to a quote unquote expert tell us something. We will take our child to something that is called a wellness appointment and we bring them home and they're sicker."

The appetite for anti-vaccine content among mothers is growing as widespread skepticism toward public health grows, especially among liberals. The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which seeks to defund public health protections and disease research and sell an individualized view of health that centers heavily around personal responsibility, has become popular through networks of suburban moms, especially those in upper middle class and wealthy areas. Owens called the rise of MAHA "fortuitous" and said that she's being "inundated with emails" from mothers seeking health-related content. "The women that follow me are making an effort," Owens said. "I'm not selling to women that they need to be a size two. You can be healthy and wear size 10 jeans. I know how difficult it is for some women to step back after pregnancy. But, if you know that you can set your alarm 50 minutes earlier and go for a walk, I'm your girl." Her new fitness app will target these women with ‘80s-style at home workout videos. The app will be available later this year or early next. "I'm constantly having children and so I've gotten into mom fitness culture," she said. "I decided I should create a workout app that's really geared toward the busy mom and moms that are postpartum."

[...] But while Owens claims to espouse a pro-motherhood ideology, she is against a slew of popular policies that support working mothers. She doesn't believe in any universal childcare or flexible work schedules for working moms. She is against hormonal birth control and has called it and IUDs “unnatural." She is also vehemently against any sort of paid maternity leave. "I'm a small business owner, why should I have to pay for my employee to stay home and have children?" she said. "No, my answer to that is no."

[...] And while Owens says she wants to cover mainstream issues affecting mothers and women today, she has found success in rallying her audience around conspiracies that attack women. She has railed against Blake Lively and Amber Heard. Her latest investigative series is focused entirely on French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron, who Owens believes was born a biological man. The Macrons delivered Owens a 100-page legal letter, disputing her claims and calling her content "defamatory and highly damaging in attacking the integrity and the credibility of a president." Owens has responded by doubling down. “You see, Mr. Macron–both Misters–in my world, I bank on the people,” Candace said in a response. “I always bank on the regular people. You have no idea the army of people we can unleash.” She called on mothers to leverage social media to investigate the French president and his "alleged wife." With Club Candace, Owens hopes to replicate what other conservative influencers like Tucker Carlson have done by going direct. "I don't think corporate media works anymore at all," she said, "even small-time corporate media."

Right-wing influencer Candace Owens launches Club Candace, an anti-feminist multi-platform and website featuring marriage, exercise, book club, and self-help and political content, designed to target Gen Z and Millennial women.

#Candace Owens #Club Candace #Anti Vaxxer Extremism #A Shot In The Dark #The Daily Wire #MAHA

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mirror-lock · 3 months ago

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Retro-Futurism And Me

Back in 2010, I played in a TTRPG campaign that was set in 2022.

If I had to categorize it into a genre, I would say it was a magical-realism campaign. It was set in Cambridge and Boston, MA, the same place that we were gathering to play the campaign. Our characters were not hunting monsters or negotiating with aliens; they were more or less ordinary people with more or less ordinary lives - except for one thing. They each had the power to selectively warp the probabilities of events that were sufficiently similar to a certain Inciting Event in that character's backstory. The more similar a situation was to the inciting event, the more power the character had to bend probability and prevent things from playing out the way they had in that original event.

(For all of you out there who immediately sat up wondering what system we were using and whether this was a diegetic power that could affect the dice we rolled - sorry, I don't even remember anymore whether there were any mechanics in the game besides "talk through what you want your character to do".)

The point is, for the majority of each session, we were roleplaying as the kind of people we thought would exist in twelve years.

It's funny what we got right. I played a genderfluid indie music blogger; I didn't have the term influencer yet, but that would have been a much more accurate term. My character's love interest was a self-pub author who worked part time in retail and supplemented his income with writing and selling print-on-demand books. It would be at least five more years before I heard the phrase side hustle on everyone's lips.

It's... not quite as funny what we got wrong. How, after all, were we supposed to have known? There isn't very much true amusement to be derived from the parts where we had insufficient information to come to the right conclusions.

-----

What did the real 2022 hold, for the real me?

There was COVID, of course, casting its long shadow over everything; that was certainly something none of us back in 2010 foresaw. There was the finale of Curse of Strahd: Twice Bitten, which I had joined in the first year of COVID as a long-shot creative outlet, and which had reached 500k total podcast plays by the end of 2022. There was the beginning of my foray into indie TTRPG design, starting with the release of Her Odyssey on January 7th, 2022, followed by Pearl & Provenance, Galatea, DIY Identity, Traitor Princess, and Untitled Moth Game all within the span of the year. (This is part of the reason I am doing this reflective retrospective at the end of 2024 rather than during 2022 itself. The extra perspective helps. I could not know at the time whether that would be the genuine start of a new journey or whether it would turn out to be a false start.)

There was a new permanent job, there was an inconvenient move, there was my fifth wedding anniversary. There were thirteen larps that I played in - more larps in one year than I had ever played before or since - plus one more that I helped run for local larpers.

The me of 2010 understood larps - she had played five of them by then - but would not have foretold how I would have come to be in California, or why I would have changed my mind about being on social media, or how I could have given up World of Warcraft, which had been such a major driving force in getting her through 2007 and 2008 and 2009 intact.

The me of 2010 had limited knowledge to extrapolate from. She thought I would be working in linguistics, the field she was applying for graduate programs in. She thought 2022 music blog websites would have approximately the same aesthetics as 2010 websites, just sleeker and shinier, with more prominent "click here for low-rez mobile site" buttons. She thought (hilariously in hindsight) that people would still be referring to those mobile devices as dataphones.

Kaiya [redacted] Mon, Nov 15, 2010, 10:11 AM to [redacted] I'm makng [sic] a mockup of the Dezebel site. What do you think would be the most common desktop resolution in 2022? Or do you think websites would be heading towards the smaller sizes because everyone's using dataphones?

[redacted] Mon, Nov 15, 2010, 4:13 PM to me Websites probably design to 1280x800 as a minimum, and have a separate low-resolution site by default. Note that traditional websites are (already, and certainly by 2022) just a small part of a standard Internet presence; the latest version of Twitter/Facebook/etc. is just as important if not more so.

-----

The older I get, the more I think about retro-futurism as an inevitability rather than as an aesthetic. This is what things would have looked like if we had taken what we knew at this point in time and extrapolated that forward, forever, without any other outside influences swooping in to change the course of things.

Here: this is my life trajectory brought forward twelve years in time, without the unseen future collisions of breakups and new dates, or recessions and job offers and relocations, or disillusionment with academia and finding new passions. Here: this is music discovery blogs like Said the Gramophone and MuuMuse brought forward twelve years in time, without the obsoletion of music recommendation and review sites and the growing domination of streaming services. Here: this is the shape of our current hopes and our current anxieties and our current fears, drawn forward into infinity, and disappearing far far above the curved horizon of the inevitable gravity-bound real future.

The world has changed immensely since 2010. It's easy to forget, because we were there. It's easy to forget, because we've changed too.

The world will change immensely again, and it will never lie perfectly within the shapes we project against the sky.

#lengthy reflections #antinostalgia

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theblackauthorhub · 4 months ago

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Book Launch Checklist: Everything You Need to Make Your Release a Hit

by: Ricky Patterson

12/28

Alright, family—your book is finished, it’s polished, and it’s time to share your hard work with the world. The excitement is real, but let’s keep it 100: a successful book launch isn’t just about publishing and hoping for the best. You’ve got to plan, prepare, and make noise so your book gets the attention it deserves. If you want your release to be a hit, here’s the ultimate Book Launch Checklist to guide you every step of the way.

1. Get Your Manuscript Right

Before you even think about launch day, make sure your book is tight. You don’t want to drop anything less than your best.

Edit and Proofread: Don’t skip this part. Whether you’re working with a pro or doing it yourself, editing is crucial. Get your grammar, structure, and flow on point. You want your readers to be hooked from the first page.

Formatting is Key: Your book’s look is everything, whether it’s digital or print. Make sure it’s formatted professionally so it reads smoothly and looks sharp on every device and page.

2. Design a Cover That Pops

Your book cover is the first thing people see, and trust, they’ll judge it. Make sure it’s on point.

Work with a Designer: Unless you’re a designer yourself, it’s a good idea to hire someone who knows what they’re doing. Your cover needs to speak to the heart of your book.

Get Feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions. Show it to friends or fans who know your work to see if the design matches the vibe you’re going for.

3. Pick the Right Launch Date

The timing of your release can make a huge difference in how your book performs.

Avoid Busy Seasons: Don’t drop your book in the middle of a bunch of big releases or major holidays. Find a window where your book can shine without being overshadowed.

Give Yourself Time: You don’t want to rush it. At least 6-12 months of prep is ideal to get everything together, from marketing to reaching out to influencers.

4. Build Your Author Platform

Before you drop your book, you need a strong foundation. Build that platform so you can easily connect with your readers.

Create Your Website: Your author website is like your home base. Make sure it’s clean, professional, and showcases your book. Include a buying link, your bio, and media info.

Get Social: Update your social media profiles to reflect your author brand. Post regularly and interact with your followers. This is where your tribe will come from.

Email List: If you don’t have an email list yet, start one now. Offer an exclusive preview of your book or behind-the-scenes content to get people to sign up.

5. Get Your Marketing Materials Together

A book launch needs a solid marketing plan. Don’t just post one picture and hope for the best—be intentional.

Create a Press Kit: Have a press release ready, plus images of your book cover, your author bio, and a few sample interview questions. This makes it easy for media outlets to talk about your book.

Write a Killer Book Description: You need a description that grabs people’s attention and makes them say, “I need to read this!” Keep it tight and to the point.

Social Media Content: Plan your posts in advance. Share teasers, sneak peeks, and quotes to keep your followers engaged.

Book Trailer (Optional): A quick, professional book trailer can go a long way in getting people excited. This is optional, but it could help get your book in front of a larger audience.

6. Reach Out to Reviewers and Influencers

Reviews are the lifeblood of a successful book launch. You need to get people talking about your book, and you want to do it early.

Send Out ARCs: Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) are critical. Send them to bloggers, reviewers, and influencers in your genre at least 6-8 weeks before the release date.

Connect with Influencers: Look for influencers on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Offer them a free copy in exchange for a review or shout-out.

Collect Testimonials: Reach out to other authors or people you admire for testimonials to include on your site and promotional materials.

7. Engage Your Audience

Your readers are your biggest supporters, so make sure they feel included every step of the way.

Run Giveaways: Giveaways are an awesome way to get people excited. You can give away free copies of your book, swag, or exclusive content.

Host a Launch Event: Whether it’s virtual or in-person, a launch event is a great way to connect with your readers. Do a live reading, Q&A, or panel to celebrate the big day.

Create a Launch Team: This is your squad. Get a group of your biggest supporters to help promote your book by sharing posts, leaving reviews, and spreading the word.

8. Invest in Paid Advertising

Sometimes, a little extra push can go a long way. If you’re serious about getting your book out there, paid ads are a smart move.

Facebook/Instagram Ads: These platforms give you the ability to target your ideal readers based on interests, demographics, and behaviors. You can create custom ads that fit your budget and goals.

Amazon Ads: If you’re selling on Amazon, use Amazon’s ad platform to increase your book’s visibility.

Google Ads: This is a more advanced option, but Google Ads can help you reach a larger audience, especially if you want to promote your book beyond social media.

9. Stay Active During Launch Week

Your book is officially out—now it’s time to make noise and keep the momentum going.

Promote Every Day: Don’t go silent after launch day. Keep posting, sharing, and engaging with your audience on social media and through your email list.

Respond to Comments: Interact with readers who post reviews or comment on your social media posts. Show them love, because they’re showing you love.

Monitor Sales and Reviews: Track how your book is doing in terms of sales and reviews. If things aren’t picking up as expected, try adjusting your marketing strategy.

10. Post-Launch: Keep That Energy Going

The launch isn’t over just because the book is out. Keep pushing!

Ongoing Promotion: Continue to promote your book through social media, newsletters, and ads. You don’t want the buzz to die down too soon.

Schedule Future Promotions: Think about running promotions like discounts or bundles to give your book a second wave of attention.

Keep Collecting Reviews: Reviews are important long after launch day. Keep asking for reviews, testimonials, and shout-outs.

Final Thoughts

A successful book launch is a marathon, not a sprint. With the right plan in place, you can turn your book into the next must-read. So take your time, get your marketing materials together, and always keep the focus on your readers. Your book is a reflection of you and your hard work—now it’s time to let the world know. Let’s get it!

www.theblackauthorhub.com

#publishers #authors #writing tips

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returnsandreturns · 2 years ago

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my library jobs have both been one hundred thousand times better than my retail jobs and less stressful on a customer service end because we don't have to take nearly as much bullshit but retail was SIGNIFICANTLY more boring. there's something every day. somebody is hiding our queer kids books. somebody is hiding one specific queer kid book with so much purpose that it was hidden within 24 hours of us putting it back on the shelf. i have been a part of two police stings. i have had to tell four people this month alone that they can't leave their children alone in the building (NO, not even to go out to your CAR, that's plenty of time for them to be STOLEN). i told a man that he needed to turn off the music he was blaring from his phone inside the library and he said, "OH, well i guess I'M THE PROBLEM," which was just a factually true statement. we found a weed grinder hidden in one of those under floor outlets in our teen room and have to assume it's been there prior to it becoming a teen room because none of them are cool enough to smoke. i have had to deal with snakes, rats and a concerning amount of dead birds. these fucking skateboarders will not listen when i tell them that i don't want to be this kind of grown-up but they HAVE TO STOP GRINDING ON THE BUILDING. there's a group of teen girls who always make loud sexual noises when they leave. a lot of drug deals. adult men fighting. children fighting. i've made three reports to cps. we have had fifteen books challenged since december. i've been personally targeted by a rightwing blogger for being gay and doing my job. i have had two secret admirers who sent cards directly to my work address and never revealed themselves so they could be ANYONE ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME. one time a toddler accidentally pepper sprayed himself because he got into his mom's purse.

this is mostly just from this year because i have a bad memory but it's every day there's something.

still better than retail and extremely rewarding but EVERY DAY.

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carolinemillerbooks · 1 year ago

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New Post has been published on Books by Caroline Miller

New Post has been published on https://www.booksbycarolinemiller.com/musings/perils-of-the-high-ground/

Perils Of The High Ground

A month before leaving public life, I published a critique on the media. At a retirement gathering soon after, a reporter asked why I’d waited until leaving office to share my views. Previously, I’d written other papers –one on property taxes and the other on Grand Juries. The last appeared in December 1988. The Media: Who’s Watching the Watchers? I wrote the piece because I’d been looking into the viability of Press Councils, citizen groups set up to review people’s complaints about the media. Few of these organizations existed, largely because news outlets lobbied against them. Several academic studies did support the idea, however. The reasons varied: The symbiotic relationship between the media and the power structure was too great Having wrapped itself in First Amendment claims, journalism had rendered the courts powerless against it. Its business interest competed with its public duty, leading to a temptation to manipulate the audience. Said one academic, “Democracy cannot survive if we are to be the targets of hidden persuaders.“ (News Media Locked in Established, Rigid Structure,” by Robert Shara, The Oregonian, Forum Section, October 31, 1988, B7.) * Having felt the sting of editorial criticism while in office, I gave the inquisitive reporter an honest answer. “No politician is insane enough to take on the press as a public figure.” The reply drew laughs, even from the reporter. Times have changed, of course. Fear of the press is diminished and the term “fake news” is part of the vernacular. The media has earned some of the criticism it receives. More than one reporter has made up a story to advance a career. Nonetheless, I concur with Thomas Jefferson that a flawed press is better than no press at all. To “err” is human and journalists make mistakes like the rest of us, though those I’ve known would never admit it. Even so, their mandate to inform the public is vital to a democracy. NBC no doubt had the best intentions when it hired the former chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), Ronna McDaniel as a contributor to its news roster. Absent a Fairness doctrine, management’s decision to inject a conservative viewpoint into what many see as a liberal press was a bold one. The Fairness doctrine, a creation of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC,) was established in 1949. It required broadcasters and the print media to air all sides of issues that were in the public interest. The policy worked for a time, but the advent of electronic media changed the landscape. The near-monopoly news sources of the past became less worrisome when social platforms with commentators and bloggers mushroomed. Eventually, the FCC allowed the Fairness Doctrine to fade away. As no good intention goes unpunished, NBC’s decision to hire McDaniel put the managers at odds with their brightest luminaries, including affiliate anchors. MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell excoriated the recruit. They accused her of lying and attempting to undermine the media’s legitimacy. Geraldo Rivera, a correspondent with NewsNation disagreed. He called the objectors a cabal of aging hosts. Rivera, who was born in 1943, is older than those he attacked, which gave his remark whimsy but no substance. Even so, his protest raised a question. What gave the dissenting journalists the right to claim the moral high ground? Admittedly, McDaneil’s case is moot. Cowed by their staff, NBC fired her. But was the decision fair? The debate seems to lie more with opinion than fact, something we humans exercise in abundance. Other primates have norms that serve as social laws. But human opinions are personal truths, usually impervious to information. How else could chauvinism exist over the centuries? In Politics, opinion holds sway over truth much of the time. It’s axiomatic that the appearance of impropriety is as bad as having done the deed. In McDaniel’s case, whether she lied or unwittingly served as Donald Trump’s pawn probably can’t be established in a court of law–which is why, unlike her former boss, she was never charged with a crime. Still, her NBC firing was a punishment and based on perception. In my opinion, McDaniel should have been allowed to strut her hour or two upon the public airwaves. Voters might have learned something. Or, maybe not which would also be telling. But a “cabal of journalists” shouldn’t decide what the public hears. That’s my two cents worth, anyway, though I don’t expect anyone to live off the proceeds. For a gratuity, I’ll add one other personal truth. Never in my 87 years has my decision to take the high ground led anywhere but to a precipice. *Anyone interested in the sources for these statements, let me know.

#Donald Trump #Fairness Doctrine #Geraldo Rivera #Lawrence O'Donnell #NBC hires RNC Chair #Press Councils #Rachel Maddow #Ronna McDaniel #Thomas Jefferson

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happylikeasadsong · 1 year ago

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"About the Blogger" meme

Thank u sm for tag @cruciomione!!

Star Sign(s): Cancer sun, Libra moon and Leo rising (i couldn't explain it i you asked, tho)

Favorite Holidays: Christmas and New Years i love how crazy people go about decorations and seems like there's no end to imagination. Also it's that time of the year i have the most delicious food and share quality time with my family. And New Years's so special bc i get to celebrate with friends and usually the parties are lit.

Last Meal: A strawberry delight crepe as a 'well done' gift from me to me or not dying during my exams and finishing them all, yayyy

Current Favorite Musician: i always find it hard to just mention one, so here goes my top three rn: coco jones, the maine and rbd (latin pop band).

Last Music Listened To: back to life by lawson. this one scratches my brain like no other.

Last Movie Watched: me and one of my closest friends do this list of christmas movies every year bc we love christmas movies, no matter how awful and cringe they are. last night i watched 'exmas' with leighton meester and robbie amell and i was surprised that it wasn't the worst, so it's a win in my book.

Last TV Show Watched: it was this week's episode of fellow travelers. jonathan bailey and matt bomer are breaking my heart in a million little pieces, but i think it worth it?? it's so so so sad and tragic but they do such a great job portraying hawk and skippy's story.

Last Book/Fic Finished: i wanted distract myself from my daily problems so i reread 'remember me, remebering you' by amiera_saphire on ao3 last weekend.

Last Book/Fic Abandoned: i prefer the term 'hiatus'. i have a jatp fic that i never really finished and the thought of it hunts me.

Currently Reading: a very boring article on managerial finance i have to write on by friday (my last assignment of the year, yay!). i hated it, so i came here to get enough endorfins to go back to it.

Last Thing Researched for Art/Writing/Hyperfixation: ships in the 1800's, also dresses of that time period so i can better my shitty description in my period fic. i only had an idea and a dream on that one.

Favorite Online Fandom Memory: uhh i think it was back in the cursed years (2020, eww) and after i watched julie and the phantoms i found some really good people here and on twitter. our day consisted in checking every news outlet about the show and pics, videos about them. also the fics were so incredibly good!! those were fun times.

Favorite Old Fandom You Wish Would Drag You Back In/Have A Resurgence: arrowverse when it was good, maybe? idk but olicity had a choke on me in a concerning way. but then it went bad, so bad, and i suffered through until arrow ended and stopped watching the shows.

Favorite Thing You Enjoy That Never Had an Active or Big "Fandom" but You Wish It Did: felicity. it's mainly bc it's such an old show and bc of that, no one is really talking about it anymore, but it was my shit when i 'discovered' back in college.

Tempting Project You're Trying to Rein In/Don't Have Time For: i'll quote @cruciomione about the multi chapter fics, i feel you! one shots are better for me bc i can just write my idea down.

i've been working on a multi chapter about a second chance/lovers-to-strangers-to-lovers. i love the angst i have panned out in my head lol maybe during the break it could revisit it.

loved doing this!!

tagging some ppl to do this too, only if you want!

@imliterallyjustablackgirl, @ethxocore, @laryssamedeirss, @vacationship, @ruethrills

#about the blogger #asks #i'll finish reading the article now byee

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littleapocalypsekitten · 3 months ago

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Ex-Evangelical CONVERT here. Can confirm. Granted, the churches I attended weren't extreme, but there was a vibe there. I mostly absorbed this stuff from televangelists. I also read about half of the fictional Left Behind series, which people took a realistic new future-depiction of what's coming! If you want to familiarize yourself with Left Behind but want an abridged version (because they really are horribly-written books), I got a blog for you: Slacktivist Example of one of his weekly Left Behind posts. He covers the first thee books on repeat because there is too much going on in his life to finish reviews. Blogger is a Progressive Christian Ex-Evangelical who started out making it his MISSION to tell the world how badly-written and theologically messed up these books are. His blog eventually morphed into American politics and occasional personal stories. The commentary community is delightful. (I am Shadsie there). Left Behind has a lot of fanfiction of the hate and fix-it variety. Like "Interesting concepts, horrible world, let's explore this" including stories of humans willingly going with the Luciferian faction at the end of the novels even though they know they will be doomed to Hell because they feel the need simply to fight and retain their fundamental humanity. Anyway, my point is that there is an entire generation of American Christians who grew up on watching eschatology preachers in the 1990s who created the "roadmap" these authors used and who read these books early on. They were some of the very few "approved thriller fiction" of the subculture. (Back when I was reading them, I liked them because they were violent - I could read something actiony and violent without the guilt I was supposed to feel for watching / reading similarly violent worldly things). I'm not trying to paint myself as a violent person here, I just enjoy action movies and action and horror manga. I've always needed a bit of an outlet, something exciting. American Evangelical / Baptist / Conservative churches don't allow "exciting" unless it is approved. I was trying to find a list by Progressive Christian blogger, Benjamin L. Corey where he made a checklist of how, Trump, ironically, ticks all of the classic boxes of being the Antichrist, but it seems to have disappeared from the Internet. (Said blogger does not believe in a literal Antichrist, he was just trying to make a point, but it still stands).

Hey so I still see people utterly baffled by how religious fundies (still a majority in America and moreso its senate) react on certain issues so uhhh is it actually not common knowledge what the antichrist is all about? You guys know his defining characteristic is ending war, right? That he’s foretold to unite the world under his leadership by preaching global peace and solving basically every single problem in the world? So you know when you try to talk to these people about equality and togetherness they literally believe that’s what makes you an agent of the devil right???

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tameblog · 26 days ago

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March 18, 2025 Heading into my 20th year of blogging, I’m still here. Hello, y’all! February 14th marked Digging’s 19th blogiversary. I’ve outlasted many of my early garden blogging peers, although most of them are still gardening, of course, and posting on apps like Instagram. But long-form sharing no longer calls to them like it still does to me. Why do I still blog? It’s sure not for money. (I wish!) For better or worse, monetization of the blog is not something I ever pursued, disliking the idea of cluttering my site with ads or putting my content behind a paywall. Perhaps I should have figured something out though. Hosting and subscription costs to keep my blog running add up. Then there’s the opportunity cost of time spent photographing, writing, and editing — sometimes up to 20 hours per week — to create blog posts, time that could be (should have been?) directed toward paying work. So why have I kept at it for 19 years and counting? Maybe it’s my obsessive nature — obsessive about documenting this endlessly interesting and beautiful world of ours. While using a camera may prevent you from living in the moment, it also allows for lingering over a moment long after it’s vanished. I love composing a scene with my camera, making art from the living art of the garden, and then poring over it later, long after I’ve come home. Processing — examining photos, editing the best ones, and reflecting on the place or moment they depict — is deeply satisfying. I’m grateful to blogging for this creative outlet, and as a vehicle for sharing with others who appreciate such things. The blog also serves as my memory. At least once a week, I’ll hunt down an old blog post to recall a detail about a garden I’ve visited, a park I’ve explored, a plant I’ve grown, someone I met, and so on. The blog is also a portal to real-life connection, a way to step out of the isolation of contemporary life and connect with fellow gardeners, nature lovers, plant obsessives, and garden writers who don’t mind being alone but enjoy finding community. Some have become treasured friends. Blogging has opened unexpected professional doors. After an early stint in print publishing, I embraced stay-at-home motherhood throughout my 30s, a home-focused period of my life when I started gardening. By the time the kids were in school, I’d built a blog following that allowed me to pivot to operating my own garden design business. It also gave me an entry point into writing for gardening magazines and websites, which led to writing three books, speaking engagements, and a public role as “garden expert” that I never would have imagined as a baby gardener or newbie blogger. I often joke to family and friends about needing to feed the blog. But all along it’s been feeding me. Veteran bloggers tell me why they still blog As I embark on my 20th year of blogging, I thought it would be fun and perhaps enlightening to chat with a few other longtime garden bloggers who still regularly post new content, sitting behind a keyboard when they could be out in the garden. I asked them how their blog was born, what drives them to keep cranking out blog posts 15 or 20 years later, how the blogosphere has changed, and how blogging has enriched their lives. I recognize my own motivations and rewards in many of their answers. Here’s a sampling: “There have…been doldrums, where it feels like I’m just going through the motions. But I kid you not, that’s when I’ll get an email from a reader, typically someone who’s never commented, and they’ll share a story about how my passion inspired them in some way. It’s not always that specific scenario, but something like that will happen, and it gives what I’m doing meaning once again.” – Loree Bohl, danger garden “It’s magical to think that bloggers send out their posts like scattering seeds of inspiration and information that germinate when the ground is receptive…” – Denise Maher, A Growing Obsession “My blog is a cohesive chronicle that tells the story of my garden and the places I’ve visited.” – Gerhard Bock, Succulents and More “Blogging has created lasting connections with other bloggers.” – Lee Miller, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening And for a chuckle: “I assume I would be that crazy gardening lady in the neighborhood even without my blog.” – Carol Michel, May Dreams Gardens If you’ve read this far, dear reader, you obviously appreciate a longer-form discourse in this era of the eye flick, of swiping and scrolling. So thank you for being here as we keep the blogging lights on. In a metropolis of dizzying, flashing neon, a blog offers a small, steady glow in a homely window. Come on in. Carol Michel – May Dreams Gardens, 21 years blogging Indianapolis, Indiana Pam: How long have you been blogging? Carol: I started in 2004, so I’ve been officially blogging for 20 years plus! P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? C: I always wanted to write articles about gardening but didn’t know how to go about finding editors, etc. So when I heard about “web logs” from someone at work, I decided to try it to scratch my writing itch without giving up my day job. P: How often do you post and why? C: I always post on the 15th of the month for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, which I started in 2007. I post other times whenever I feel like I have something worth writing about, so there is no set schedule. And if I don’t know what to write, I let the garden fairies take over and write for me. I think some readers like “their” posts better than mine! P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? C: The comments I got from others. Before social media, we all probably got more comments than we do today. I’m still happy when people comment or see me out and about and tell me they love my blog. As for doldrums? Hmmm, that’s when garden fairies take over! P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? C: The major change has been social media. It’s easier for people to scroll than to stop and read an article. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? C: I’ve kept going because I still love writing about gardening. Plus, I turned many of my blog posts into my books, which contain adapted blog posts plus new material. I also like that I can throw a blog post out there that’s a bit experimental and see what resonates with readers. Also, after umpteen years, I moved my blog from Blogger to my own website, so it feels more like I own it rather than rent it, and I want to take good care of it. In the last year or so, I’ve also started writing on Substack with a weekly newsletter about gardening (caroljmichel.substack.com) and a series I’m doing on forgotten garden writers (lostladiesofgardenwriting.substack.com). I keep to a schedule with those two newsletters. The blog is more ad hoc. P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? C: I once tried Google ads but had my own browser set to hide them. Then a reader said I might not like the ads they were serving up, so I dropped it. Other than turning blog posts into books, I’ve never tried to monetize my blog. Honestly, I don’t want to and am blessed that I don’t have to. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? C: Many speaking opportunities and some lifelong friendships with other bloggers I met in the early days! I met Dee Nash at the Austin Fling in 2008, and now we do a weekly podcast together, The Gardenangelists, which is in its 7th season. I’ve also had the opportunity to write magazine articles and for online sites. (That was my original goal pre-blogging, but they aren’t nearly as fun to write as blog posts!) Plus, my first book based on my blog, Potted and Pruned: Living a Gardening Life, was so well-received (awarded a Gold Award from GardenComm in 2018 for Best Overall Book) that it encouraged me to publish four more books of “humorous, yet helpful” gardening essays and two children’s books. All of the material for those books started in some way as blog posts. P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? C: I was always an avid gardener, and I think that comes across in my blog. I assume I would be that crazy gardening lady in the neighborhood even without my blog. P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners or more of a personal space? C: Honestly, I think of it more as a personal space, though I do have some regular commenters. Community spaces seem to have moved to social media. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? C: I’d tell them to just start. Hit the publish key. You never know where it will take you. P: Looking back on your blogging journey, what are you most proud of? And how long do you think you’ll keep blogging? C: I’m most proud of having a body of work, now published in books, that will hopefully be around for my nieces and nephews and their kids to read and enjoy. As long as I’m gardening, I don’t see an end to blogging about it. Susan Harris – GardenRant, 20 years blogging Greenbelt, Maryland Pam: How long have you been blogging? Susan: I started a blog in July of 2005 and moved to GardenRant a year later. P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? S: I’d been writing a garden club newsletter – not a creative outlet by any stretch – when a friend told me she’d started a blog and that it was easy. I started my first garden blog the very next day. I was attracted to the creative freedom and the chance to share photos. P: How often do you post and why? S: In the early years I posted several times a week. Now it’s just weekly, but GardenRant has eight regulars and frequent guests posting there too. P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? S: Only brief doldrums, like during winter when I sometimes give myself permission to go a bit off-topic if I have no on-topic ideas. What keeps me motivated is finding topics I’m excited to research, to share and bounce off readers, and also photos to share. P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? S: I miss the original days when there were few of us and we all read each other and commented, and the Flings began (thanks, Austinites!). Google Reader made it so easy, and there’s never been an adequate substitute, that I know of. Lots of see-my-garden blogs have migrated to Instagram and elsewhere, but people who like to write are still blogging. I tell people that blogging is far from the old stereotype of stoners blogging from their parents’ basement. Every topic has people blogging about it, including some of the smartest and most influential writers on that topic. I’m thinking here of some journalistic, medical, and legal blogs. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? S: I like meaty content with text and photos, and blogs are best for that. P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? S: After GardenRant’s first ad service (Blogads) ended, we went for years with no source of income. Now we’re in the Mediavine network, which brings in enough to pay our tech/design bills and a little extra, so we’re good. Making money has never been the goal, thanks to all of us having other sources of income. So we’re fortunate that our content is free from monetary influence — no paid posts or links — and our ads are automatic and mostly unrelated to gardening. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? S: Too many to list! Dozens of new friends and acquaintances and fabulous group experiences like Garden Fling. Blogging has brought me into a professional community, something I’d never experienced before, with a pride of accomplishment that was new to me too. Partnering with professional writers (Amy Stewart, Michele Owens, and Elizabeth Licata) was intimidating at first, but I eventually got over it, mostly. And becoming a member of garden media has resulted in some super events, like press junkets and invitations to special events. Just recently, I was the only media invited to the PlantPop Film Festival in Norfolk, Virginia, a weekend I’ll never forget! There are so few garden media, so bloggers get treated pretty well. And blogging also led to my second career, writing for garden centers, which combined with garden coaching allowed me to end my first career in DC. P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? S: I’ve done things in my garden just to write about them. For example, I replaced my lawn with perennials about 15 years ago because I thought it would be fun to experiment with and then cover on the blog. P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners or more of a personal space? S: Hmm, it’s definitely not a personal space, and I wish there was more connection with the readers – more comments, like in the good old days. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? S: I always advise blogging only if you have things to say. And not to underestimate how much time is involved in posting. P: Looking back on your blogging journey, what are you most proud of? And how long do you think you’ll keep blogging? S: I was sure proud of the feature story about GardenRant in my local newspaper, the Washington Post. And the early blogging contests were lots of fun but also about bragging rights. Who doesn’t want “award-winning” before their blog name? Today I feel proud of GardenRant’s longevity, its unique role in the gardening world (mostly news, features, opinion, and humor, with almost no how-to), its independence, its current roster of regulars, and its new, improved design. I’m also proud of the nonprofit citywide website and blog I started in 2011, GreenbeltOnline, using everything I’d learned from garden blogging. It’s where I’m liberated from the strictures of the gardening topic, covering anything remotely related to my town, even day trips from here. A local blog/news site brings a whole different set of opportunities and friendships with it. I see no reason to quit something I enjoy as much as ever. I have a long list of post ideas, and they keep coming. The college courses I’ve been taking in plant sciences are a great source, as well as travel. Dee Nash – Red Dirt Ramblings, 18 years blogging Guthrie, Oklahoma Pam: How long have you been blogging? Dee: I started in October 2007 with a post imaginatively titled, “Why a Blog?” Hahaha. I was inspired by you and Carol Michel, actually. P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? D: I went to my first GardenComm conference (called GWA then), and Dave Perry, Debra Prinzing, and Kathy Purdy talked about blogging. Mary Ann Newcomer was the moderator. Dave said something about using blogging to write about what he wanted to really say instead of just his regular work. I was writing regularly for a regional magazine and locally, and I wanted to say more than I did in these publications; the editors had their messages they wanted published. I also followed and interacted with you and Carol, and I thought I would try. Debra Prinzing encouraged me and loved the name of my blog. Now I know I should have put “garden” in the title for SEO [Search Engine Optimization]. P: How often do you post and why? D: I don’t have a schedule. If I have something I want to delve into, I post. It’s probably once a month. I often post on Instagram, and if I have a series or get good feedback, I know it’s something to explore. P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? D: I have the doldrums sometimes because I feel like I’ve said all I can. However, I can usually find an interesting topic no one else is discussing. Also, I have wonderful, loyal readers (and now listeners through my podcast, The Gardenangelists), and they help me stay engaged. P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? D: It’s practically dead. Just kidding. I see the blog as a place of expression for me and a gift for gardeners in Oklahoma. Many blogs have been converted into websites. I just moved my website to my blog and did a forwarding link. I think people don’t realize it costs money to host your own blog. It’s rather expensive when it has so much data and photos. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? D: I try to share something of myself and my experiences. I think that resonates because it is honest. P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? D: I used to try, but it was a lot of work. I just try to make enough to pay for hosting. I found so much of the advertising dissatisfying. Either the ads didn’t work for my content or were too flashy. I don’t judge anyone else for trying though. You do you. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? D: Oh goodness! Blogging did so much for me! I wrote a book, The 20-30 Something Garden Guide. I speak regularly (at least until I got Alpha-gal syndrome). I’ve been on panels. I got to travel all over the U.S. I made tons of friends in the blogging community and from readers. It helped me with Instagram, YouTube (if I would work it), and Facebook. I wrote for companies, national magazines, and websites. So fun! P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? D: I did a lot more gardening and tried more things because of blogging. It’s good to have fun things to write about. P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners or more of a personal space? D: Mine is a more personal space, but my readers feel like it is theirs. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? D: I don’t know if I would suggest blogging now. I mean, you have to be very persistent no matter which medium you use. P: Looking back on your blogging journey, what are you most proud of? D: I believe I’ve left a body of work about gardening in a very difficult climate. Gail Eichelberger – Clay and Limestone, 17 years blogging Nashville, Tennessee Pam: How long have you been blogging? Gail: I’ve been blogging 17 years. February 8, 2008, was my first post. I remember being so nervous and so excited to click on the publish button. I knew absolutely nothing about blogging. P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? G: I was following Digging and several other blogs and loved the information shared, as well as the communities that blogs created. Austin Spring Fling in 2008 inspired me to finally click the publish button. I met many other bloggers at that first gathering, bloggers who are now my friends. P: How often do you post and why? G: In the beginning I posted 3 times a week. Now I blog at least twice a month, on a schedule: Wildflower Wednesday on the fourth Wednesday of the month, and the Taking Care of Wildlife Challenge on the first Wednesday of the month. P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? G: My love of native plants and the critters they help has been my motivation. It was discouraging when readership/comments began waning, but I decided that there were enough people still reading it on Facebook that kept me blogging. P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? G: There aren’t as many bloggers or readers of the kinds of blogs I love. I especially loved the personal aspects of those earlier blogs (and some that continue now). We celebrated our gardening triumphs and commiserated over our failures and did not feel alone. I adjusted by joining social media and using it to share blog posts and native plant information. Now I have an even larger community. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? G: I am still learning and growing as a nature watcher and writer. Researching a topic or plant is still so cool, and I love happening upon an unknown or underappreciated wildflower that I can share with readers. P: Have you adapted your blog or blogging style in any way for relevancy? G: One thing I did was create the Taking Care of Wildlife Challenge. I challenge readers to do something for nature as often as they can. Then I share information on a topic that has broader environmental issues with suggestions on things we can all do to make a difference. For example, I’ve written about the effects of outside lightning on birds, insects, and other animals. P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? G: Absolutely none. I am okay with being an educator and advocate. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? G: I have met the best people, learned an incredible amount about the environment/nature. I am now a certified Tennessee Naturalist, and I am asked to be on committees and speak at local garden clubs, conferences, and seminars. P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? G: I still love this garden, but it’s now more of a habitat. Meaning, the plantings are more naturalistic and incredibly animal and insect friendly. I still keep my garden agreement [on my blog] that I wrote in 2010: “I promise to honor my garden; to not fall prey to comparisons and the dissatisfaction they breed; to not for a minute think a gorgeous flowering face is enough to base a gardening relationship upon[;] and to never, ever disparage the garden to another gardener.” P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners? G: Yes, it is to many gardeners in middle Tennessee. It’s ironic, but I interact with most of my readers on social media sites more than on the blog. We end up having more interaction and deeper conversations than one gets with blog comments. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? G: I write because I love writing and love sharing about native plants and the environment. So I suggest that folks write about things they love or that truly interest them. P: Looking back on your blogging journey, any regrets? And how long do you think you’ll keep blogging? G: I regret not switching to another blogging platform. The one I use, Blogger, is not as flexible as I wish. Will I continue blogging? I will as long as I feel I have something to contribute. Loree Bohl – danger garden, 16 years blogging Portland, Oregon Pam: How long have you been blogging? Loree: Sixteen years. I started in March 2009. P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? L: I’d been reading garden blogs for a while and decided to take the plunge and become part of the conversation and community. Of course Digging was a huge influence! Beginning the blog also worked great with my job at the time. I was the marketing coordinator at an architecture firm, and my boss thought it would be a powerful guerrilla marketing effort if a few of us started blogging on topics we were passionate about and linked back to the company website on occasion. At home our computer and internet connection were both pretty pathetic, so being able to get my start at work made it possible. P: How often do you post and why? L: Up until early 2021 (for 12 years), I posted 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. Then I cut back to 3 days, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with a few extras thrown in now and then. I am schedule driven. By posting on those days, it’s a reflex, and I don’t have to think about the “when.” P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? L: There is so much I want to share! I have a “danger garden” file on my computer with subfolders on topics I want to blog about, some already filled with photos, some with just ideas. Currently there are over 30 folders, and more are created all the time. There have definitely been doldrums, where it feels like I’m just going through the motions. But I kid you not, that’s when I’ll get an email from a reader, typically someone who’s never commented, and they’ll share a story about how my passion inspired them in some way. It’s not always that specific scenario, but something like that will happen, and it gives what I’m doing meaning once again. P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? L: There are a whole lot fewer active bloggers, both in the greater blogosphere and also here in Portland, where we used to have a very robust blogging group. Instagram has picked up some of that slack for me, and of greater importance is the in-person community that blogging has built for me, both locally and in the bigger world. Visiting a new city and already knowing a gardener there (whose garden you can visit!) is huge for me. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? L: I’ve kept going because, as with gardening, I can’t imagine not doing it. It’s become a huge part of my identity, and it’s a habit that would be very hard to break. I’ve always processed events and things that happen in my life by writing about them. I revisit and analyze the gardens I’ve visited by editing the photos I took for a blog post. Like I said, I cannot imagine not doing it. Plants and gardens are what make me whole. Sharing that with others just feels natural. P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? L: I have not monetized my blog; it’s never been a goal. That said, money has flowed into my life because of the blog, through selling photos or through writing opportunities that have come up. And I’ve received a lot of plants from readers who’ve become friends or (rarer, because I’m very picky) from companies that want me to trial something. Free admission to events that I’d otherwise pay to get into is nice too! My only issue with other bloggers’ monetization efforts is when it involves ads that diminish the blog-reading experience. I’ve stopped reading a few because there were more ads than actual writing/photos. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? L: First of all, the friendships. I have met so many people through blogging, and I treasure those relationships — although I guess they’re not completely unexpected, since the community is a big part of why I started. Participation in the Garden Fling has allowed me to visit gardens in other parts of the country, opening doors to private gardens that I never would have seen if not for the efforts of the on-the-ground organizers. At the same time, the Fling has connected me with even more bloggers who have become friends. When I started blogging, I never dreamed I’d take part in the Fling, let alone help plan one. The professional opportunities that have come my way through blogging have been completely unexpected and hugely rewarding, from being asked by Timber Press to write a book (Fearless Gardening) to writing for the Oregon Association of Nurseries and magazines like Fine Gardening, Better Homes & Gardens, and Pacific Horticulture. Having my garden appear in other people’s books and in magazine articles (usually because they saw it on my blog) is always a thrill. The opportunity to speak to gardening groups and share my ideas — many times traveling to different cities or even another country (Canada) — has been a wonderful experience. Finally, while I left the organization several years ago, being a founding partner at plantlust came about because of my blog. Helping to grow that company and acting as the liaison with contributing nurseries was such a rewarding experience. P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? L: I take a lot more pictures of my garden than I would if I wasn’t blogging! Blogging has definitely helped me to appreciate my garden design and creative skills more than I otherwise would. I mean, positive feedback from readers is bound to influence the way you feel, right? P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners or more of a personal space? L: It’s a personal space, or at least that’s how I treat it. My style is conversational, and I share things that are personal — that’s just who I am. I see my blog as my plant- and garden-focused public diary. That said, I do want to have a connection with my readers. I answer their comments and questions both on the blog and by email. Sometimes I will post on a topic if someone has requested it. I visit their blogs and comment on what they’re writing about. That connection is a huge part of why I continue to blog. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? L: I’d tell them to just jump in and get started. Don’t worry about everything being perfect at the beginning, but do take the time to come up with a blog name you can live with for years. P: Looking back on your blogging journey, what are you most proud of? L: Without a doubt, I am proud of my consistency. I’m proud of all the gardening passion that I’ve shared with the world, the people I’ve inspired. I am proud of the fact that I’ve said yes to invites to speak publicly. Writing about gardening is very different than speaking to a group about gardening, but some folks seem to assume that if you do the first, then you’ll be capable of doing the second. I said no for many years but finally worked up the courage to do it, and I’m glad I did. The talks aren’t always great (some have truly sucked), but when the stars align and there is a good rapport between myself and the audience, then it’s magic. Denise Maher – A Growing Obsession, 16 years blogging Long Beach, California Pam: How long have you been blogging? Denise: My first post went up at the end of November 2009. I started with the platform WordPress due to its ability to handle large photos and relatively easy user interface. P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? D: I think a frustration with garden media at that time, coinciding with the explosion in blogging and the ease in getting started, made it seem like a good fit. The photojournalism aspect of blogging, allowing lots more photos and discussion, made it distinct from traditional garden media. Ironically, technology and possibly readers’ temperaments ultimately disfavored the long format [of blogging]. P: How often do you post and why? D: I’ve never kept to a schedule, and although I’m now retired, the frequency of posts has definitely dwindled. When I started the blog in 2009, I was still working full time, although a good part of the work was remote. Intermittent blogging was a welcome respite from my day job, and as my office literally looked out on the garden, it was easy to get distracted and think up posts! I do try to post at least a couple times a month now, especially to mark seasonal changes. P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? D: As long as I have a garden, I generally want to talk about it! I love the unintentional conversations bloggers have with each other. For example, in starting a new garden in rainy Zone 8-9 on the Oregon Coast, there was a wealth of information available to me from garden blogs, stretching back over years. It’s magical to think that bloggers send out their posts like scattering seeds of inspiration and information that germinate when the ground is receptive, as mine was a few years ago. P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? D: Initially I was hoping my blog would be a platform to include local designers, plant nurseries, stuff I felt was under-covered or ignored. As social media became easily available to everyone and self-promotion became possible, this focus naturally fell away. Consequently, the blog became less of a vehicle to spotlight and discuss others and more of a journal of a personal garden. In the very brief period when the blog included the goal of promoting others, I worried about expanding the readership so I could attract the talent I was interested in showcasing. Now that it has turned into more of a personal journal, expanding readership is no longer a goal. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? D: I have an Instagram account but haven’t posted for at least a year. I just never clicked with the shorter format. But I still get a kick out of rereading my old blog posts, so I guess I’m still writing to my future self! P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? D: I’ve never had a business model for the blog, but I find this subject fascinating. Remember when Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge did those heartfelt posts on the difficulty of monetizing her huge readership? I still check in on a couple of blogs that I think are handling the business aspect successfully (and gracefully). The lifestyle blog Cup of Jo is one. And watching Floret build up its business has been fascinating. And now Substack seems to be the vehicle of choice. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? D: I did some design work locally via landscape architects who found me through the blog. It wasn’t something I wanted to develop. The personal connections with other bloggers and readers are the biggest reward. And the sense of accomplishment after committing a garden moment to paper, speaking digitally! P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? D: Having an archive readily available is an invaluable tool. It’s easy to check on plants that may have already been trialed as well as garden practices that maybe didn’t come to fruition as envisioned. P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners or more of a personal space? D: We can see [blog visitor] stats, so it’s apparent a lot more people read than comment. So there’s a community in that sense, even though it’s mostly invisible to me. I find it easiest to proceed when I don’t think about a particular reader and focus on what I’d like to see and read – not everyone’s cup of tea, for sure! But there is a small group of bloggers that steadfastly supports each other with comments, the occasional plant offering and meetup, and I treasure this group. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? D: I would simply encourage anyone to write the blog they want to read and see what happens. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in current technological and cultural trends. P: Looking back on your blogging journey, what are you most proud of? And how long do you think you’ll keep blogging? D: As a parent, I was thrilled when other publications picked up on [my son] Mitch’s photos that first appeared on the blog – even if they didn’t always give credit! Looking forward, I will probably continue to blog as long as the overhead stays relatively low. Gerhard Bock – Succulents and More, 15 years blogging Davis, California Pam: How long have you been blogging? Gerhard: Almost 15 years. I started in October 2010. P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? G: I set out to chronicle the evolution of my garden over time. When I realized that other people were interested in what I was doing, I began to post regularly. An early influence was Loree’s blog, danger garden. P: How often do you post? G: I don’t follow a fixed schedule, but I try to post two or three times a week. P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? G: My blog simply keeps pace with the changes in my garden. Any doldrums are usually seasonal; in the winter, for example, there isn’t as much happening in the garden, so I don’t have as much material as I would in the spring or summer. Somehow, I always seem to find something to write about. That’s why my blog is called Succulents and More — I’m not restricting myself to a specific topic. P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? G: Many bloggers have switched to short-form media like Instagram or TikTok. The views I get on my blog may have decreased over time as fewer of my posts are re-shared, but I feel that the followers I do have are more loyal/passionate than ever. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? G: Instagram, TikTok, etc., are fine for instant consumption, but their format doesn’t allow for any kind of consistent narrative or effective searching. Try to find something somebody posted on Instagram six months or a year ago! My blog is a cohesive chronicle that tells the story of my garden and the places I’ve visited. I often link to older posts to tie everything together. P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? G: Monetization has never been a factor. I’ve never made any money off my blog. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? G: I’ve had opportunities to meet people and visit gardens that I would otherwise never have had. These encounters have been a huge inspiration, often steering me in directions I would not have found on my own. Conversely, I’ve derived tremendous satisfaction knowing I have been able to inspire others. This kind of cross-pollination, if you will, has been the most important thing that has come out of blogging. P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? G: I’ve become a more consistent, efficient, and mindful gardener. Knowing that I will blog about almost everything I do in the garden puts pressure on me to think things through and do them right. That pressure has been very good for me. P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners or more of a personal space? G: Sometimes one reader may post a reply to another’s reader comment, but I don’t actively try to create a community per se. My blog is definitely a personal space, but since I share it with the world, it’s both personal and public. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? G: Be patient and consistent. And above all, do it for yourself. If you derive personal satisfaction from your blog, it’s far more likely that you’ll keep going. Creating generic content (especially using AI) may be a way to churn out more posts and get more followers, but it will never feed your soul. P: Looking back on your blogging journey, what are you most proud of? And how long do you think you’ll keep blogging? G: I’m most proud of the fact that my blog is still very much alive and that blogging still gives me satisfaction. There’s no reason to stop as long as I have things to do in my own garden and other gardens to visit. Beth Stetenfeld – PlantPostings, 15 years blogging McFarland, Wisconsin Pam: How long have you been blogging? Beth: 15 years in October. My first blog post was on October 25, 2010. P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? B: I’ve been interested in plants and nature since grade-school days. I started garden writing for some online publications in mid-2010, and then a couple of editors and colleagues suggested I start a blog. It seemed like a natural progression. P: How often do you post and why? B: I tend to post two to four times per month, sometimes more, sometimes less. During holidays and the winter months, I post less. I don’t really follow a schedule. I think I’ve had at least one post per month since I started, even when life threw curve balls. I always have ideas but sometimes not much time. The things that motivate me the most: I enjoy blogging, photographing plants, learning about plants, and learning from other bloggers. P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? B: It’s fun! I love gardening and blogging and learning about plants. I haven’t really experienced blogging doldrums. The winter season is a little slower, but during those months I tend to blog about indoor plants, starting seeds for the next growing season, and happenings from the warmer months of the prior year. P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? B: There aren’t as many garden bloggers now. It seems some other social media platforms have become more popular over time. I enjoy some of those platforms, too, but I still enjoy blogging. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? B: I’ve continued blogging simply because I enjoy it. Over time, I guess I’ve adapted my blog a bit by keeping the word counts a little lighter, although I still enjoy incorporating many plant and gardening photos. P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? B: I don’t allow ads. My blog doesn’t directly bring me income. But I think it’s fine for bloggers who want to have ads/make money. PlantPostings has, however, introduced me to other writers and editors and helped open doors to being published on/in several online and print publications. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? B: Where do I start? The biggest joy has been making so many wonderful friends over the years, both through online publishing and regularly visiting other blogs, and through attending events (including the Fling!) with other gardeners and garden writers. P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? B: I’ve learned so many things about plants and gardening, both through research and from other bloggers I regularly follow. P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners or more of a personal space? B: I think my blog is both part of a community of bloggers and also a space for personal expression and tracking my garden’s evolution over the months and years. It’s an honor, a privilege, and a joy to fulfill both of these roles. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? B: I’d encourage new bloggers to stick with it. If you’re in it because you enjoy it, just keep going. Take a break now and then, as desired. P: Looking back on your blogging journey, what are you most proud of? B: I’m most proud of all I’ve learned and shared. In addition to learning more about plants and gardening, I’ve learned from my own little gaffes, and I’ve tried to improve over time. Lee Miller – A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, 15 years blogging Long Island, New York Pam: How long have you been blogging? Lee: I started blogging in 2010 after watching the movie Julie & Julia about a blogger writing about the life of Julia Child. I thought to myself, “It could be fun to start a blog and write about gardening!” I did, and now it has been 15 years of blogging. P: What inspired you to blog about gardening? L: I have been a gardener all my life. I taught high school science and started up a landscape design business in 1996. Friends, family members, and clients kept pushing me to start writing down all I knew about gardening and design so that it could be shared with others to help them learn and create gardens of their own. I started writing, and after several years of creating posts for my blog, the publishing of my first book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer, came about. P: How often do you post and why? L: I have a set schedule of the 1st and 15th of each month. It makes it easier for followers to know when to expect posts. P: What has kept you motivated? Have there been doldrums, and if so, what got you through them? L: There is always something new to learn and experiences to share, and the longer I work in the horticultural industry, the more there is to write about. Sometimes I need to contemplate a little longer to produce an idea that would be of interest to readers, but eventually it comes to me. P: How has the blogging landscape changed since you began? L: With all the different types of social media, I try to keep current and adjust my posts for other platforms and to reach different audiences. P: So many blogs have been abandoned since the rise of Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Why have you kept going? L: Blogging has created lasting connections with other bloggers. I began following Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day by Carol Michel [of May Dreams Gardens] when I first set out, and she encouraged fellow gardeners to post pictures of their garden on the 15th of each month. Creating Bloom Day posts quickly became part of my monthly schedule. I then started following Digging, where I learned about Foliage Follow-Up, a meme which I continue to honor monthly. Blogging becomes an important part of your life when you have been involved in it for so long. P: What role, if any, has monetization played for you? L: I never really thought about monetizing my blog. Blogging for me is mostly about sharing experiences with other gardeners and the thrill of seeing them comment on my posts. P: What unexpected opportunities or connections has blogging brought into your life? L: Because of blogging, I was asked to join GardenComm in 2018. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, opening communications with the gardening world and getting to know a wonderful community of like-minded individuals. Being a member has brought opportunities for writing, media appearances, and speaking engagements. P: How has blogging influenced your gardening practices or feelings about your garden? L: Blogging has only enhanced my gardening practices and connection to the garden. P: Do you feel your blog is a community hub for other gardeners or more of a personal space? L: My blog is meant to be a community site where gardeners can unite and share experiences. I always make a point of interacting on the blogs of those who visit me. P: What advice would you give to new bloggers? L: Blogging is all about the connections you make with others. Post relevant material, stick to a general theme, and try to post on somewhat of a schedule. Encourage readers to ask questions and post comments and engage on their blogs as well. Most of all, just enjoy yourself! P: Looking back on your blogging journey, what are you most proud of? And how long do you think you’ll keep blogging? L: I feel that becoming more creative and tech savvy with online writing has been an accomplishment for me. I hope to see myself blogging for many years to come! I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading in an email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. And hey, did someone forward this email to you, and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered directly to your inbox! __________________________ Digging Deeper Come learn about a visionary xeriscape and pollinator garden called SummerHome at my next Garden Spark presentation on April 10th at 7:30 pm! Tickets are on sale now. I’m excited to welcome Lisa Negri to my Garden Spark speaker series and introduce her to a Texas audience of appreciative native plant lovers. Hear how she transformed an empty lot into an oasis for wildlife and neighbors. The talk will be held at Leaf Landscape Supply (north location), and tickets must be purchased in advance. Join us for an evening of learning, inspiration, and community with fellow garden lovers! Shop the Spring Native Plant Sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center each weekend from March 28 to April 27, 9 am to 1 pm (last entry at 12:30 pm). The first weekend (March 28-30) is open only to Wildflower Center members, but it’s easy to join. Plant sale admission is free. Bring your own wagon or cart to transport your treasures. Come to the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society Show & Sale at Zilker Botanical Garden on March 29-30 from 10 am to 5 pm. Includes a plant show with specimen cacti and succulents, handcrafted pottery, daily silent auction and hourly plant raffles, and expert advice. Admission is included with paid admission to Zilker Garden. Tour 5 unique Houston gardens on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 4 pm, during the Garden Conservancy’s Open Day Tour for Houston. Tickets must be purchased online in advance through the Garden Conservancy. Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Read all about the Season 8 lineup here! All material © 2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. Source link

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ramestoryworld · 26 days ago

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