#blogjune Post 3 - My History of Blogging

Ok so I am cheating a bit today and I'm a bit late with my post. I'm late with my post because I had bootcamp this morning at 6am-7am.  I then had to shower, eat breakfast and be out the door by 7.45am to drive to Grafton (1 hour and half away) for a team leaders meeting at library HQ. I'm cheating because I haven't got any other better idea for a post and I think it is actually an interesting activity to participate in anyway.  Thanks to @FiFyi and Multifarious Librarian for this "meme"

How long have you been blogging?

I first started blogging in 2005.  I used a blog to keep track of the research for my Dunn and Wilson Scholarship - you can read about it here.

I then went into hiatus and didn't start blogging again until 2011 when I participated in #blog12daysxmas.

Why did you start blogging? How many times a week do you post an entry?

So as I mentioned above, I started blogging to keep track of research.  But I went back to blogging to force myself to reflect and share my reflections.

My blogging regularity varies unless I'm participating in things like #blogjune or #blog12daysxmas.  Last year I went all out and also made my own #blogDecember.

This year I hope to continue #blogjune and post everyday in June.  I am also participating in #ANZ23mthings which I hope to post at the end of each week about, and of course, will do #blog12daysxmas.

I also try to do a couple of blog posts after I attend events/conferences/seminars.

How many different blogs do you read on a regular basis?

Gosh, I haven't really counted the blogs I follow on my reader - The Old Reader which I'm using now as Google Reader decided to close down.

I would guess there may be 20 regular blogs I follow and read.

Do you comment on other people’s blogs?

If I'm very interested in a topic or have an opinion I'd like to share, then yes I comment.  However, I seem to be commenting more on author's blogs I follow in order to win a copy of their books!!

Do you keep track of how many visitors you have?

I admit, I do look at the stats every now and then just to see if any of my posts have generated interest.  I can tell when I have posted about passionate or controversial topics by the amount of readership I get.  I also note that since posting posts to Twitter and Facebook, my audience has gone up a little.

Did you ever regret a post that you wrote?

I haven't ever regretted a post.  But I have felt nervous and worried about some posts.  Especially if they are borderline personal - but then I did do a post about that too.  I think for #blogjune I may venture more into the personal side because some of the topics that have been floating around in my head are more personal then professional - I wonder if this will affect readership!?!

Do you think your readers have a true sense of who you are based on your blog?

Hmm, this is a good question.  I'm not sure.  A lot of people who do read my blog, knew me before I blogged - but it would be an interesting exercise and I do hope to meet more of my virtual network in real life.

Do you blog under your real name?

Close to it.  SharonU is pretty close.

Are there topics that you would never blog about?

Politics, politics and politics.  Oh and probably some personal choices that people are emotionally caught up in.  I'd like to think I could test the waters but I think some people may be surprised and a bit shocked.

What is the theme/topic of your blog?

I think it changes a bit here and there.  Mostly it's about library things but sometimes, it goes into personal interests.

Do you have more than one blog? If so, why?

I have enough trouble regularly writing on one blog let alone two!!

What have you found to be the benefits of blogging?

Reflection, discussion starters and development of a good network of fellow professionals.  I also feel less isolated.

So, why do you continue to blog?

Because I enjoy sharing and am starting to enjoy reflecting.  I also don't mind "hearing" myself "talk"!!