Kathy, I do so admire your self-restraint. If only I could practice such good habits…

Brandon, your comment about not being Bookslut is interesting and smart. When I first made the decision to start this blog, I really considered what I wanted to be (and it’s changed since those first few posts…oh, how awful they were!). As I’ve never had an opinion I didn’t want to express, this was natural. As there were few blogs equally comfortable discussing literary and genre fiction, that worked in my favor. As I write like me and nobody else has the same style, it worked out just fine.

Building traffic is a long, hard process, but I firmly believe that doing it in an organic manner (as you are) is the best approach. And community is critical. I cannot stress how important community is. I have been very lucky in that regard, and I cannot say enough about the generosity of the online literary community.

By the way, the pajamas were indeed too cute for words. But instead of bears, they were adorable little skiing kittens. I wore those things until they (quite literally) fell apart. Never underestimate the amazing power of great pajamas. But (almost all of) your vision is pretty darn close. Except the age thing, but you know how that goes.

The article was funny, but the comments were sad, especially the commenter who wondered if she should learn how to make a website so she could start blogging and make money in her sleep. Because, you know, you can just write about your child eating cereal and everyone will flock to your site!!!

Oh crap, I’m laughing again. Must. Not. Spew.

I’ve found that networking is important, too. The blogosphere is a community, and I’ve found that I actually love posting comments on other blogs. And if someone leaves me a comment, I pick an interesting post of his or hers and I say something about it. I don’t have a massive readership, but I understand that building a blog takes time.

I’ve been coming here for nearly two years (I think) because I often find an article, like this, that is worth reading. Even if I don’t, I always enjoy listening to your “voice”: your funny asides about the husband and traffic on the LA freeway, to name a few, are a bright spot in my day. And since I live in the midwest, those days can be very long and dark and gloomy come winter.

After reading this post, I think I’ll use my time at this #@$& computer to write, occasionally sneaking peaks at entertaining blogs like yours. (Occasional is a such a lie.) I believe my time will be better spent.

Thanks.