Basil & Butterflies

Today is the last day of November, which means that it is the last day of National Blog Posting Month. My November challenge was to write for this blog every day, no matter how the day went. So, I posted when my 4-year-old was sick, when I was sick, when we were on a trip, when I was tired, and on a holiday. Here are a few things I learned.

First, there is something to be said for the discipline of writing every day, regardless of how inspired I feel. In many ways, I grew with this blog as I considered new styles and subjects on which to post. I strived and struggled to make almost every post this month something of substance that I hoped would be worth reading. Some of my favorite posts (like “Stillness in Chaos: The Practice of Centering Prayer” and “On Squeamishness and Being a Boy Mom”) came about at the end of a long day when I didn’t feel like writing. A few posts (like “On Dreaming”) experimented with new writing styles, an exercise I found it to be freeing. I also enjoyed a new rhythm by offering Wednesday Night Poems…which challenged me to pour over poetry to find gems to share.

A second lesson is that sometimes it’s good not to post. There were a couple of days (like when I found out my dog is sick and when I was on a date) where I posted only so that I would meet my quota. On those occasions, I felt like I was doing a disservice to my readers. I didn’t start this blog to be a life confessional (although I have read some excellent blogs in that genre). I started it to share ideas and thoughts…and to gain inspiration from others. However, when I post every, every day, a few of those posts end up being in the “this-is-about-me” style, and I get tired of my own voice. I hope that such posts were kept to a minimum for readers.

My biggest surprise was the massive popularity of “Geoff’s Famous Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie.” That post garnered almost twice the views of my next-highest-read post (on centering prayer). My personal favorite post this month was “The Autumnal Art of Being Cold.” This post was inspired by some other blog readings (linked in my post) and my reality. For some reason, transcribing those experiences onto the screen made them more concrete for me. And, as the season has gotten colder, I have been even more conscious of the art of creating warmth for my family than I was before I wrote the post.

In the end, one of the hardest aspects of blogging for me is the uncertainty of reader response. Does my writing make sense? Does it challenge readers as something new, familiar, or disagreeable? Which sort of posts do readers prefer and why? In short, does Basil & Butterflies overall resonate with an audience? These are questions about which I have little insight.

One thing I do know is that Ba&Bu has a core group of readers (Feedburner statistics, comments, and emails indicate that). This is gratifying knowledge that inspires me to keep writing for this blog (and to hold out hope that someday my book will find an audience).

If you have the chance and inclination, I would love to hear back from readers about this month. Which posts work(ed) for you and which didn’t? Why? Ba&Bu is a work in progress. I am excited to watch (and participate in) its evolution. I hope you are too!

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