Blissdom Canada…here I come!

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I did this blogging thing wrong.

It happens with most things I attempt…I go out there full-tilt with little research and a crap-ton of passion (that’s like crap x 2,240 pounds worth of passion!)

I was told I should write…not just privately in my diaries but publicly…so others could see!

When the kids were babes, I’d send out these lengthy e-mails filling everyone in on their antics…I kept notes and calendars filled with stories. At Christmas, I wrote our family newsletter…from the dog’s perspective! Time and again, folks would tell me I should write a book…but I wrote for myself…with little thought about ever doing it professionally. I’d kind of thought that by giving up an opportunity to go to Carleton University for journalism after high school (I was scared)…that the writing ship had sailed.

So…I just wrote for personal pleasure and then one day…the writing stopped.

All of it.

The e-mails. The newsletters. The diary. All the words got jumbled in my head and I couldn’t find a way to get them out. I didn’t like the story being told. I was in a pretty dark place and the words…made it so much darker.

Eventually…as time begins to heal and life continues to mosey along, I reached a point where I HAD to start telling my story…HAD to as much as I needed air to breathe…HAD to in order to move myself forward…and Curtains are Open was born.

I found my voice. People started reading. I wrote with little thought about where it was going. Then, I was mentioned on a Mom Bloggers We Love list and I was shaken to my very core! I won a few contests…got someone kicked out of a contest (not really but she jokingly blames me anyway)…I won more stuff…I landed on Sea and be Scene’s COOL PEOPLE OF ATLANTIC CANADA list and I won Best Blogger in Halifax…TWO YEARS IN A ROW!

With each thing…I was equally shocked, thrilled and amazed and slowly…my confidence began to grow. Folks were picking up what I was putting down and then next thing you know, again, with little research but a crap-ton of passion…I wrote a book!

Still…as much as this blog is finding success and I’ve gained so much from it…I keep feeling like I’m doing it wrong!

So…in three weeks, I’m heading to Blissdom Canada for their amazing blogging conference where I’ll learn how to do all of the things I need to do to turn this blog into something even better. I’m not sure how it will look or what will happen…I just know there’s “more”…and I need to figure out how to make “more” happen.

I’m stepping out of my comfort zone. Spending the weekend with women I’ve only met on Twitter and at virtual parties. I’m going to meet bloggers who I’ve followed for the last four years and truly admired…who I’ve tried to emulate…who I’ve tried to learn from.

IT’S FINALLY MY TURN! I’M GOING TO LEARN HOW TO BLOG with some of the very best bloggers in Canada.

I honestly, couldn’t be more excited. I’m a little uptight and a little bit anxious…but mostly, just bursting inside!

Pssssttt… If you like my posts, click HERE to vote for The Coast’s Best of Halifax City Awards 2014 for Best Blogger! You guys are the best! 

20 Replies to “Blissdom Canada…here I come!”

  4. Queen, you are sending out lots of positive energy in this post! You’ve had some amazing things happen so far in your blogging adventures! Congrats. I too will be there as a first timer and fairly new blogger, although it has been 10 months since I entered the blogging world. I’ll be there, feeling the same way as you! Nervous, excited and ready to take it all in.

  5. I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been writing for years on and offline, enjoying, stretching, improving, but it never seemed to be quite right. I had a great time last year, my first year, at Blissdom. It really helped me re-focus on what I really want to do with my writing and I made some great friends/mentors. See you there feefifofunfaery

  8. I feel kind of like you… someone who just loves to share stories and ended up suddenly having my page seen by more then I ever attended. But I’ve made some many wonderful connections and LOVE the community! See you at BLISSDOM!!!

    • Such a cool community. I’m not sure how I could have gotten through the last few years without them!

  9. I for one am glad that you found your mojo and have decided to share it with us. You are one of those “Best Bloggers in Canada” that you write about.

    Looking forward to hearing more about your story at Blissdom.

    Besos, Sarah
    Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo

    • Totally awesome comment to make Sarah! Thank you very much. Looking forward to meeting you as well.

  10. Hope to see you there! This will be my second year attending. Last year I made the bold leap to stay with someone I never met IRL (only Twitter and FB). It was a fantastic time!