Styles: Finding Your Blog Voice

I started blogging about a year ago. It has been an interesting learning experience. Finding my own blogging voice has been difficult and frustrating for me.

I've experimented with templates and widgets and gadgets. I guess I like change more than I like writing. My artistic inclinations take over and I'd rather use my right brain. Writing is a left brain activity, one I'm not very good at--but I'm learning to express myself.

Most days I'd rather just read other blogs than write my own. Most days I don't have anything important to say, but I have important things to hear.

The VOICES of other many bloggers are clear, unique and compelling. My voice is weak and insecure. Rather silly really.

Styles a

TravelinOma is as steady as a rock. Her voice is dependable and confident. You can always expect to be entertained and enlightened when you read her blog. Her format is simple, easy to read. You'll always leave her blog feeling satisfied. Her VOICE is wise and reliable.

me gusta is as young, modern and hip as Kate, the ebullient author. My darling niece-in-law writes exactly like she speaks--bubbling over the top! Life is a kick to Kate. She gushes about her precious baby Henry, her cute hubby Chris and life in Philly. Her VOICE is fresh and youthful.

Imagine is both funny and profound. Kenju is creative, witty and wise. She has a huge following for good reason. Everyone goes back once they've read Kenju. Her VOICE is spirited and constant.

Other voices I hear each day inspire my creative heart such as My Only Photo, Coloring Outside the Lines and Photography by Leedra.

Soaring Impulses stirs and moves me. Kerith always makes me laugh, even about vomiting!

All these blogs make me want to be a better person.

I believe that's what blogging is about--improving and enhancing your life--through expressing that INNER voice.

This is what I'm seeking.

Find A Grave

I have a great new hobby. It is the web site Find A Grave. I finally found a place on the web to put all my photographs of family gravestones! The site lets you add the grave photo along with information about the person, the obituary, photos of the person and you then you can add virtual flowers or tributes to the grave. It is fun for family historians and genealogists. And anyone can search the site free. Anyone can become an area volunteer by taking photos of graves in your area. Some volunteers have added thousands of graves!!

My sister-in-law (now deceased) took pictures of my husband's family graves in Maryland and Delaware when she moved to Maryland. She sent me copies many years ago (long before digital photography), but what was I supposed to do with photos of graves? Now they have a home and I am so excited.

I've also found photos and information about family members which I didn't have. This is a guiltless hobby which helps others who might be looking and lets others help you!

The above is only one reason I haven't been blogging lately. Other reasons include:

• I'm trying to get caught up with work projects in order to be paid.
• I'm taking care of other minutiae (i.e. getting new glasses, driver's license, etc).
• I'm suffering from a lack of blogging confidence.
• I've had too many things I want to write about and can't organize my thoughts, photos.

My lack of confidence stems from the fact that no one reads what I have to say. I feel so unimportant:( My words are falling on deaf-ears. I realize that most of the time, my words are not important, but occasionally I do have a brilliant insight or story I want to share--and this is my only outlet.

Already I'm having more responses to my postings on Find a Grave and that makes me feel good.