I’m not good at making friends. I have always been an introvert. Meeting people has never been easy for me. I would never be able to talk to anyone face to face about the things I have the courage to post on my blog… the more serious personal posts, the fiction, and even the humor. I’m just not at ease with actual humans near me the way I can be sitting with a screen in front of my face.

This is why I am stunned when something like this happens. Of course, maybe I should reign in my bout of triumph a bit since the lovely Wandering Soul is responsible for honoring me with this recognition award… and a previous one! Somebody loves me!

But I know she’s not the only reader here… and I appreciate every one of you. For years, all I have wanted is to write. I’ve squeezed it into my life when I had little time… and I’ve let it take over when I have more. And knowing that what I write is enjoyed, liked, or even read at all by eyes other than my own, is something I never really believed would happen.

Every like, every comment, every follow gives me more courage to share and more confidence to believe I might actually be making people happy.

Now for the official bits…

Rules

1. Select 15 other blogs you want to give the award to. (Oh, this is a huge number for me. I admit to writing more than I read. I do have some blogs I love that have inspired me, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to list 15. I’ll do my best.)
2. You cannot nominate yourself or the person who has nominated you. (But again, thank you Wandering Soul for thinking of me.)
3. Write a post to show your award.
4. Give a brief story of how your blog started.
5. Give a piece of advice or two to new bloggers.
6. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
7. Attach the award badge to the post (right click and save, then upload.)
8. Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them
9. Provide a link to the original post on Edge of the Night 

I started blogging for the reason above: I love to write. It’s something that has helped me through every stage of my life, from adolescence to adulthood to marriage to parenting. I have found that even on a day that feels irredeemable, writing helps me [and humor — must have humor]. I want to give others the benefit of my fantasy worlds, my experiences [pleasant and not so pleasant], and my ability to make jokes [and curse a lot] even when things are dark. And I have no fucking idea why I waited so long to start.

The most important piece of advice I have for new bloggers [and I’ve been at this for only 2 months, though I’ve been writing for many many years…] is to write anything and everything no matter how crazy you’d feel publishing it. Save drafts. Revisit them. And I bet you’ll realize that your words are publish-worthy. Everyone has a unique voice. And you should share it with me by commenting often and pulling me out of my shell. Thanks in advance! ♥

My Awardees: 

• Ben’s Bitter Blog – This guy is hilarious. I love reading what makes me laugh. And also, I’m pretty bitter. Even his About page is hilarious.
• The Tawdry Tales of Tess – I aspire to be as bravely, openly naughty as she is. I think she’s my idol. The Good Girls Guide to Talking Dirty
• Stephellaneous – I love this girl’s attitude and lack of self-censoring. Her About page sucked me right in. I think we are soul sisters even though I barely know her.
• Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha – I enjoy his Musings.
• Justin Meckes – The Micro section is my favorite, but overall just a great writer.
• The Geek Couple – Just always a good read.

Phew. I know it’s not 15, but trust me, these blogs are excellent. Hope everyone checks them out.

xoxo

There are many other such blogs who are making a real difference. Anyone you know who has impacted you and deserves to be nominated, let us know in the comment box below.

Look forward to all the comments and feedback. Lots of comments… talk to me! [And leave feedback?]