Um, so, I'm having an anniversary? || #MyFirstPostRevisited

"What??" I hear you say. "Jem's going to be posting on Friday! She can't be posting today - she only posts once a week!"

Well, yes. I only post once a week (maximum) because I don't want to go raising your expectations. But today is special! so of course it's 7pm and I've just remembered I needed to actually write this post.

........

Everyone in the blogosphere (it seems) has been having an anniversary. Several blogs reached one year old over the last few months - and they're so lovely-looking for baby bloggers that I'm in awe - but one of note is turning seven. Seven. Wow. (Go congratulate Christine, okay?)

Anyway, I'm jumping on this trend: I, too, am having a blog anniversary! Blogoversary! Blog... birthday?? 

One year ago today, I started this blog. I didn't have any huge ambitions for it, or even any idea what I was going to do with it, but my TAFE studies required me to start a social media platform (just to show I could), and the alternative was Facebook.

I've seen my grandmother's Facebook feed. It frankly scares me. 

So! It's been one year. I gradually developed a kind-of aim, although I'm still pretty scattered in my topics, and I joined the community of young Christian writers. It was intimidating at first, because everyone knew each other and the blogs all seemed to be huge famous things that wouldn't want me there.

(I have since discovered that's a crazy way to think and that everyone here is welcoming and a lovely person.) But I still get intimidated. *sighs at self*

I now have 43 followers on the Blogger gadget, and at least 12 email followers! You all are amazing and quite possibly slightly crazy. Thank you for reading what I have to say. <3 And to everyone who reads and/or comments, whether or not you're following, I extend a huge thank you as well! Every comment is special to me, however short or long it is. (or: however formal or scream-y.)

*throws lamingtons and TimTams at you all* *no confetti, because that would get in the food*

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And, back in December, Melissa Gravitis tagged me for the #MyFirstPostRevisited hop. I decided to save it for this particular occasion, because there's really no better way to celebrate than by looking back at your past self and cringing, right?

The Rules for the hop, originally started by Sarah:

• No cheating. You must highlight your first post. Not your second post, not one you love… the first post only.
• Link back to the person who tagged you (thank them if you feel like it or, if not, curse them with a plague of ladybugs).
• Cut and paste your old post into a new post or reblog your own bad self. (Either way is fine, but NO editing.)
• Put the hashtag #MyFirstPostRevisited in your title.
• Tag five (5) other bloggers to take up this challenge.
• Notify your tags in the comment section of their blog (don’t just hope they notice a pingback somewhere in their spam).
• Feel free to cut and paste the badge to use in your post.
• Include “the rules” in your post.

Thanks, Melissa! *starts scavenging for a few friendly ladybugs because I'm not sure how to feel about this tag*

'kay, here we go.

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So I seem to have a blog.

?

Well, at the moment you can probably expect casual posts about writing - including encouragement, the details of a few points of grammar, occasional rants on the writing life, and hopefully some flash fiction prompts. Also, I'll probably write about reading and libraries, and no doubt there'll be fandom references.

Of course, there will be deviations from the writerly theme when I find a new favourite thing, so please excuse. (Mug cakes. So cool. I'll stuff them under 'writing life', actually, because they're quick and easy and gooey and there's just something about eating cake out of a mug that has me enthralled.)

........

(Sadly, the mug cakes sort of... died.)

That was not as bad as I'd maybe anticipated?? *sends Melissa happy yellow ladybugs* It was also not very exciting. But to be fair, my only known audience for my first post was my TAFE lecturer. See if you don't think that would cramp your style.

Tagging:

1. Cait Drews
2. The author of that debut YA novel titled "A Thousand Perfect Notes" (it won't be too unprofessional of a post, I'm sure??)
3. Paper Fury
4. The Dragon Queen who's planning on taking over earth from her base on Jupiter
5. ...guess who?

Look. I can't find the archives, okay? And once or twice she's threatened terrible things to anyone who hunts through her old posts. She's such a successful blogger, considering she routinely threatens her audience, and I want to see where she started from.

I dare you, Cait. I daaaare you. *puppy eyes*

........

So... that's my blogoversary. I'd have done a Q&A, but I'm too secretive I wasn't very organised. Or organised at all. So, since you might have to wait for next year's blogoversary, I hope there was nothing dreadfully urgent you wanted to ask me!

(If there was - "what are your opinions on pineapple on pizza", for example, which is obviously a very urgent question and is also one I stole from Evangeline's recent Q&A - you would have to ask me in the comments. I promise I would answer. As long as this hypothetical question was urgent. And important. Like "would an alpaca or a goat be a more dangerous ride for a small child". Urgent questions, see.)

How long have you been blogging? Don't there seem to be a lot of blogs turning one in the last few months? If yours was one of them, tell me in the comments! Also ask any urgent questions you may have. If you're a follower of Paper Fury, are you anxious to see her first post? (answer: yes.) Have you found the young writers circles of the blogosphere to be wonderfully welcoming? (if not, tell me, and I'll give you more lamingtons. as a welcome.)

Also, shoutout to Miss March (who runs a beautifully classic/period drama appreciation style of blog) for being my first ever commenter (and the only commenter on my first, oh, five posts?) It meant a lot to me. <3