Why am I Reinventing my Blog?

It was my birthday (back in March) that got me serious about reinventing my blog.

There's an old African proverb that says: When a man dies, a library burns to the ground. It got me thinking about how much knowledge old people have and how we kind of disregard them (until we need them).

I've had friends come over and marvel at how I did something--something so totally old fashioned it must've looked new and innovative to younger people. To me, it was nothing, but to them it was like I had opened their eyes. 

I had begun to wonder if I wasn't like an old library. I have no children, so who was there to pass on my experience? I've done a little sharing here on this blog, particularly with my homesteading articles, but I wanted to do more.

Other times I had learned something all by myself, and again there was no one to share it with. That seems a sad fate for hard-won knowledge.

The details on how this blog will evolve are still a little nebulous. I know I'll be blogging a lot more often. Sometimes it'll be just bargains I'd found (including books). Other times it'll be real articles about DIY projects, saving money, gardening, or (gasp) even cooking. 

There'll be more pictures. Eventually I might put out a call for guest bloggers if they have a good topic in one of the above subjects.

Regardless of whether I stay on Blogger or go to WordPress I'll cough up the money to have my own domain and web host. I want to do this as professionally as I can.


My (blog) voice will remain the same, so expect the same folksy anecdotes and occasional dog dramas. Who knows? I might even make Nana my mascot. She's always hamming for attention. Might as well put her to work.




None of this will happen until 2016, but I'd like to hit the ground running when I do.

Do you have any big plans for 2016?  Is there any one thing you'd like to accomplish next year?

 This is part two of a two-part post. Click here for part one.

Comments

in business, change can provoke improved performance in your people...but change for you customer isn't necessarily appreciated. (just thinking out loud)
I'm glad the "voice" of the blog will stay the same. :)

2016? I'm just trying to hang on for the end of 2015!
B.E. Sanderson said…
As long as I have a link to bookmark, I'll be happy wherever you are. =o)

Ugh, I am so not ready to think about 2016 yet. But I have to think about it. I'm trying to figure out right now which book to publish first next year. Getting cover art set up. Finding a place in my editor's schedule. Otherwise, my brain is all tied up in next month's launch, getting new art for my urban fantasy, trying to hang onto my sanity. Ya know, the usual. LOL
Maria Zannini said…
Mac: Well, this blog isn't really a business, but the next one will be.
Maria Zannini said…
Madeleine: In person I'm a little more snarky and mischievous but I try to tone it down in public. LOL.
Maria Zannini said…
BE: 2016 is looming like a mountain now. It seems the year is rushing to leave.

All will be done in good time. Don't kill yourself.

Thanks for following me.
Melissa McClone said…
I'll be reading no matter what you do. I don't always comment, but you have a loyal reader here! <3
I've learned a lot from you and we're probably about the same age! I know you have more to teach, so I'm looking forward to hanging with you wherever you take your blog.
betty said…
It does sound like a great adventure with what you will be sharing in the new year here on your blog! I look forward to reading it! I think Nana would be a wonderful blog mascot myself :)

betty
Stacy McKitrick said…
Big plans for 2016? Hmmm... Submit my second Ghostly book. Start writing the third in that series (once I figure out WHO the book is about -- haha!). Look for an agent. I've already committed to 3 conventions. Might throw in a 4th. Gee, I hope I SURVIVE 2016. It's already busy. :)

As for your blog--I'll follow you wherever or whatever.
Mike Keyton said…
'When a man dies a library burns to the ground' got me thinking , like who the hell died when the Alexandrian library burned to the ground in 391AD? Seriously though, I'll still be hanging around like a bad smell picking up tips I'll probably never use 😀
What an excellent idea, Maria, and I can see where WordPress would work very well for that idea. I love it!
This is interesting. I've been having similar thoughts about my blog, WordPress, and having a site name. I like blogger, but I've had some odd problems with it lately and I think having my own domain name would be smart. Still, I haven't decided and I don't have time to truly research it at the moment. I'll be waiting to see what you do. :)
Jenny Schwartz said…
Great idea! So often we take our knowledge for granted. You have me totally curious ... although at the speed 2016 is approaching, I don't have long to wait!
Rebekah Loper said…
If we lived closer, I would totally adopt you as my homesteading mom.
Maria Zannini said…
Marlene: It's all relative though, don't you think? The other day I was trying to figure out how to do something in a (phone) text. My sister admonished me for not knowing how to do it.

I reminded her that she had teenagers teach her. :) I was on my own!
Maria Zannini said…
Betty: Nana would agree with you! She's my constant shadow. Even if she's lounging peacefully with other people, she will jump off and follow me if I leave the room. It's almost embarrassing.

What does she think is going to happen if I go off by myself?
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: At least you can cross off any surgeries. I'm happy for you for that.

PS That's a lot of conventions!
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: Think of it this way. I'm probably the most interesting person you've never met. LOL.

Re: Alexandria
If I ever got the chance to time travel, visiting the library at Alexandria would be on my bucket list--hopefully before it burned down.
Maria Zannini said…
Karen: It'll mean a lot more time in front of the computer, but I like to blog--as long as someone is there to read it.
Maria Zannini said…
Tyrean: Except for the occasional and minor snafus, I've had very little problems with Blogger. I'd like to stay, but I think WP will be a better vehicle for what I want to do.

PS I gave you a shout out in yesterday's post. Hope it helps.
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: The affiliate marketing probably won't be of much use to anyone outside of the US and Canada, but I hope to compensate with other articles that are more globally helpful.
Maria Zannini said…
Rebekah:
Re: If we lived closer, I would totally adopt you as my homesteading mom.

LOL. Finally. I have (2 footed) children!
Shelley Munro said…
That sounds like a great idea, and I look forward to your posts. Well, we have a trip to the UK and Norway planned for 2016. Travel is always fun. Other than that, I'll just keep ticking on with writing.
Maria Zannini said…
Shelley: You could write an entire blog on traveling. You're definitely the expert there.

PS If you ever make it down to Texas, let me know.
I'm glad we'll still hear from your dogs! I would hate to lose touch with them. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: I have to share the occasional dog drama. Though today, they're dogs non grata. Very bad children, indeed.

With all the rain we've been having they've been cooped up in the house too long.