Here’s another addition of my 2nd year celebration. I would like to introduce you to Vikki Thompson from The View Outside. I first met Vikki on May 2, 2012. She commented on a blog post I wrote called Distracted, Again. Her comment:
“Hi I am sooooo distracted right now in my writing that I really am not one to offer advice lol. So I’m just stopping by (via the Insecure Writers Group) to say I know exactly how you feel There just aren’t enough hours in the day lol Good luck!!!!Xx”
She has been super support ever since. So, Vikki, why do you blog?
When Sydney asked me the question Why Do You Blog? I turned to Molly Greene for inspiration. These are the reasons Molly suggests as to why writers blog:
To connect to readers.
To practice craft, discipline, voice and style.
To form relationships with other authors.
To establish an effective platform.
To blog a book or 2.
To build an e mail list.
All valid “writerly” reasons, but none of these questions sum up WHY I (in italics BIG letters lol) blog (although the 2nd one is definitely something I’ve benefitted from).
At first I started to blog for my own selfish reasons, to keep a record of my writing journey. The things I learnt about writing, so that I could see progression (if there was any!) in my work. But what i discovered is that overnight, I became part of a community. A community of “writers” and i was accepted in with open arms. That was a bit of a shock. People commenting on MY Blog? Really? Why? It took me ages to get my head around that one lol.
You see, for me, Blogging = a community of like minded people who all share the same fears, hopes and dreams. I love the fact that chats, discussions and ideas cross oceans and time zones. I get support, a shoulder to cry on (when required) and a pat on the back just when I need it the most. In return, I do the same 🙂
So why do I Blog? Because no other social media gives me such a sense of belonging as my little corner of WordPress. I may not have thousands of followers, but i don’t care. Each and every one of my followers are part of writing family 🙂
My first 2nd year celebration post is from Tameri Etherton. I meet Tameri on April 4, 2012. She commented on a blog post I wrote during the 2012 A to Z Challenge called H – History of Australia (Criminals & Drunks). I’m sure the title had nothing to do with why she commented, but this is what she said, “I think ‘sculled’ is my new new favorite word (it was ‘goober’ until reading this). I’m assuming sculled means drank? If so, I’m totally using it in my next book!”
Thank you, Tameri, for all your support. So, Tameri, Who do you blog?
That’s a tricky question. As writers, we’re told we need to blog, that we must find our readers and cultivate an audience, but to me, that seems trite. Dishonest, even.
I don’t blog to court fame, I do it for the simple reason that I like people and I always want to know their story.
Through blogging I’ve met some amazing people, like Sydney. People I wouldn’t normally have the chance to know if not through their presence online. Some of these people I’ve had the extraordinary pleasure of meeting offline. Whether I know them in person or just through cyber space, all of them have enriched my life in a multitude of ways that not only could I never count, but never repay.
That’s why I blog. As a thank you to those other bloggers out there and as a way to connect with people.
If my words can touch someone, then I’ve accomplished something remarkable.
If my words make someone laugh, then the world is a bit lighter for their laughter.
Words matter. Whether they be critical and harsh, or positive and full of hope, they influence the way we think, feel, speak, and live. I blog because my words are a connection from me to other humans out in the nether reaches of the Internet. They connect us.
And connections are what make my heart smile. Because in the end, a connection made is a friendship formed.
Friendships formed are stories shared. People are fascinating creatures with the most incredible stories to tell and I like hearing them.
I am once again honored and humbled by the generosity and support from the blogging community. I have been award the Beautiful Blogger award by the very interesting Lightningpen’s Blog. His witty blog posts intermittent with random rants make for a fun read, so please check him out.
In regards to this blog award responsiblities, I will now fulfill them to the best of my ability.
7 Deserving Blogs:
Jeremy Powell – The Hopeful Author – He is a writer on a journey and has a great attitude about the process. Plus he has his priorities in order; family first.
Falls Into Writing – Jenn is a Southern girl from North Carolina and has been thinking about writing a novel for years and now she is doing it. I can relate.
The Phantom M-pire – Mark has great movie reviews and I love movies. But, he also has a few random post, that make you think. His latest; If I were in Charge
Wendy Lu – The Red Angel – She is a Chinese American who seems to have fifty different jobs (2 blogs, journalist, magazine editor, traveler and novelist) and I picture her doing all of them with the same smile on her face that she has on her profile photo.
EM Castellan – I meet during JuNoWriMo and had the privilege of interviewing her for my site. Her blog is full of fascinating post and she lives in an English castle, which is just cool.
Amanda Fanger – Another new discovery from JuNoWriMo, she has a smart and fun point of view on her writing process.
New to Facebook, Again
Well I did it. I set myself up on Facebook . . . again. I like Facebook. I really do. And with the sharing capabilities connected to everything you read online it makes it easy for others to see what you find interesting.
The reason I took a long break from Facebook in the past is because it got to consuming and to overwhelming. It is hard to keep up. I mean, one of my friend went on a trip to the Grand Canyon and posted a gazillion photos, I went to the Great Wall and felt obligated to share a gazillion and 1 photos. It took the fun out of the real life activities I was participating in because I had to make sure I had the best pics, stories and antidotes for my Facebook friends. It was exhausting.
But, I am back and will be smarter about it. If you would like to be my friend, go check me out. I am the Sydney Aaliyah in China. Head on over, but just don’t make me feel guilty for not posting 400 photos of my visit with my nephews.
Besides, I only took 350.
New Followers
Before I get to my new followers I would like to pose a questions to everyone: What would you rather have new followers or comments on blog post? Let’s discuss.
Wednesday – What Would You Do that if it Could Get you This – Cosmo Article Inspired Blog Post – can’t wait to share.
Friday – Junowrimo Participant Interview – Morgan Hyde
Sunday – My Weekly Update
*Continue to check out Sydney Aaliyah Writes for my daily JuNoWriMo updates. I hit 50,000 words last week and then some. I hope to have over 70,000 words by the end of June.
It looks like I better be careful. They might be getting ready to shut me down. It is happening all over China. Rules took effect recently that create a censorship point system in order to curtail any offensive content on social media sites in China. Now, we are not talking about Facebook and Twitter. Both are banned in China. In addition, the government has and utilizes the power to shut down internet access, cell phone access and satellite TV access anytime it sees fit. For example, the government decided that the anniversary of the terrible earthquake that happened a few year ago, but be honored by not allowing English channels to broadcast for several days.
China provides it’s citizens their own social media networks. One of the most popular mini blog sites, which is similar to Twitter is Sina Weibo. And over 300 million users post and comment on Weibo every day.
Each Weibo user receives a user contract with a starting score of 80 points. For every bit of content posted your score can go up or down depending on the nature of your content. Over 100 points, you are golden. Drop below 60, you are in trouble. Loose all your points, no more access for you.
Who decideds who stays and goes? It has everything to do with the content.
Censorship Central
I image a room like this with a 1,00o computer terminals and shifts working all day and night to rid the internet of objectionable content. It probably feels like a sales call center. These men and women probably have quotas and get bonuses for banning people from Weibo. Ban a user, ring a bell and you get a little extra in your check that week.
This article got me thinking. If I was a Weibo user, how would my current blog content fair. According to the article, my post must avoid the following:
Offensive Content: Serving McDonald Big Macs at a Appreciation Party. That offended me.
Content that called for a protest: I thought is was my duty to protest against people taking off their clothes at a public resort pool. Especially if that person is my employee. There were children present.
Content that promotes cults or supersitions: Chinaism, is not a cult, it is a way of life.
And finally, content that impunges the Chinese honor: Well hell, that is my whole blog.
I have written a lot of post on China. And as you can see, I have violated a few of these rules myself. But, since I have an app that makes my computer looks like it is in California and I don’t believe those crime shows that show the cops can pinpoint a persons location from their IP address, I think I am safe for now.
My questions to you is, do you stand behind your blog content? What if you were threaten to either remove objectionable content or be shut down completely? Would you risk death to defend your blog material? (I know, a bit extreme. The worst I might fair is deportation or a Chinese prison)
Btw, I have had the most technical difficulties in writing this post then any other. They might be on to me already.
I am sooooo distracted right now in my writing that I really am not one to offer advice lol. So I’m just stopping by (via the Insecure Writers Group) to say I know exactly how you feel 
There just aren’t enough hours in the day lol Good luck!!!!Xx” 
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 