Sunday, February 04, 2007

Happy Second Blogiversary!

Happy Blogiversary to me!
Happy Blogiversary to me!
Happy Blogiversary, my-sellllllf,
Happy Blogiversary to me!

If I might be permitted a brief (and hopefully non-pompous) speech on the occasion:

*clears throat with a ladylike ahem*

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to visit, read, comment, link, or in other ways contribute to Brooklyn Arden in the past two years. This blog began as my continuation of a correspondence gone defunct; evolved into a journal and observational bulletin board for my friends and family; and, upon its discovery by writers in November 2005 or thereabouts, became a repository for occasional thoughts and comment-conversations on publishing and the editorial life. What all of these things have in common is that they offer me the very great pleasure of thinking out loud, on everything from September 11 to Jane Austen movies to submissions to (of course) pants and the funk; I've always loved E. M. Forster's quotation "I know what I think when I see what I say," and that's been proved true here over and over again. But just because I'm thinking out loud doesn't mean you have any responsibility to listen to it, so again, I appreciate your kind attention.

Another great pleasure of this blog has been the community that has grown up through the comments here -- the frequent posters I've gotten to know through their thoughts on my words, and the great blogs I've discovered through their comments. This is why I'm always glad when commenters sign their names to their remarks: It's hard to be part of the conversation without a name or a face! I understand the reasons writers might wish to remain anonymous, particularly if you've submitted something to me, but I do hope that if you post, you might consider using at least an alias (Natasha Badunov, Roonil Wazlib, Harriet the Spy), so we have a name to know you by. And if you lurk here and something interests you -- why not add your voice to the mix? I am a great believer in the power of creative energy: The more you say, the more you think, the more you create, the more you do -- always with thoughtfulness and passion -- the more people come together around you and the more possibilities blossom everywhere. But it starts by saying, thinking, creating, doing. This blog has proved that for me in the last two years, and I feel extraordinarily lucky because of it. Thanks again to all of you for being part of it.

25 comments:

  1. Cheers to Brooklyn Arden!

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  2. Happy anniversary!

    Linda Budzinski
    (who would so love to be Harriet the Spy)
    and
    (who is coming out of lurkdom just for this occasion)

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  3. Congratulations on your 2yr blogaversary! I've been reading your blog since you did the PotterCast with the "chipotle" thing. Yours is my favorite blog to read. Keep up the great posts!

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  4. Happy Blogiversary!
    What a wonderful post! I love how you said that. A great way to look at blogs. I know that I've enjoyed my experience with blogging. I started a Live Journal with encouragement from janni . I originally just wanted to lurk and absorb, but I have found a feeling of community there. I had my doubts about the virtual-ness of the whole thing, at first it seemed so cold and impersonal, but I found blogging to be levels above that. There is the friendship and support for those of us with only our cats to talk to, not that we don't enjoy our cats immensely (looks over at cats to gauge whether or not that comment offends them.) We also have quite a resource with the collective knowledge and the souls who are so willing to share their tools and toys.
    Cheryl, thank you for sharing all of your editorial goodness with us. I appreciate you and your bloggy.
    Angela

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  5. Happy Blogiversary! Thank you for helping us all grow as writers!

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  6. Happy Blogiversary!

    Your posts always offer such great insight into the world of publishing...as well as a behind-the-scenes peek at your forthcoming books.

    - Jay

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  7. Happy Blogiversary, Cheryl!

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  8. Happy anniversary!

    You have a unique and spirited voice that draws the reader back again and again. And you have a level of transparency that, despite the often-difficult position of Actively Seeking Publication many readers probably find themselves in, creates a warm atmosphere in which to learn not only your thoughts on books, editing, and the Publishing Universe in general, but Who You Are and How Your Heart Beats.

    I have learned so much, and am enjoying the many things you share here.

    Thank you!

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  9. Calloo callay!

    Julia Durango
    (ardent Ardenist since 2005)

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  10. Happy Blogiversary!!

    I decided I should comment to say that I have silently loved your blog since I discovered it last summer.

    And also you make me smarter lol

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  11. I feel like I should also come out say I've been reading your blog for a while now, and your blogs have always been entertaining, especially when you recommend books. I've been introduced to many new books because of your blog =0) So thanks!

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  12. Happy Blogiversary!

    Thanks for all of the behind-the-scenes skinny. :)

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  13. Happy Blogiversary!

    Year 2 is cotton, no?

    ::Hands you a giant cone of virtual cotton candy::

    Huzzah! :-D

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  14. Happy blogiversary, dearest!

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  15. I've been visiting your blog for about a month now. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Happy Blogiversary!

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  16. Happy Blogiversary to you!

    I've been sitting here, hoping the words will come, trying to say what I want to say as eloquently as you do. . . but, alas, there is no hope for me. Your style is all your own, and a lovely style it is. I hope you will write a book someday and I have opportunity to read it, because I know that I will love it.

    I would like to say how much I enjoy reading your blog. And how gracious you are to share your writerly expertise with all of us. It really does give us an insight into the world of publishing. An insight we might not otherwise be privy to.

    It also lets us peek into the life of a real live editor, to see that you have ups and downs, fears and concerns, and all those inner emotional workings just like we do. You put a face on the publishing world for us. . . thank you.

    The only negative aspect of all this, for myself anyway, is that I think of you as one of my cyber friends. Which is a good thing(!), but if I should by accident (hasn't happened yet but it could) get too familiar with you in one of my manuscript subs, please let it slide and chalk it up to Brooklyn Arden!

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  17. Happy Blogiversary Cheryl!
    It's been so helpful to read your thoughts on writing and the industry. Thank you for sharing!
    Best wishes,
    e
    dulemba.com

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  18. Forgive my words so cursory,
    On this happy blogiversary.

    I have to say
    It’s not a schlogg,
    Saying nice things
    About this blog.

    I thank Cheryl once,
    I thank Cheryl twice
    For all her clever, kind advice.

    The writer’s life, so filled with peril,
    Is lightened by our good friend Cheryl.

    She’s clever as Miss Lizzie Bennett.
    The world is better cause she’s in it.

    From those who post
    and those who lurk,
    We love you
    Now get back to work.

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  19. Happy anniversary--and thank YOU for your generosity and wisdom on so many topics! Looking forward to more in the future (as well as more books edited by you--I assumed you're involved with the Big One?!)

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  20. A Very Merry Blogiversary to you!
    (To me?)
    To you!

    And many thanks from a soon-to-be-ex-lurker who has learned a lot and (hopefully) will get to meet you Thursday before the SCBWI NY Conference!

    Hooray!

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  21. I've recently bookmarked your blog and have enjoyed reading your thoughts. Thanks for sharing.

    Marcia

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  22. Awww...what a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts and for helping us have a greater understanding of what you do. Noble work, for sure.
    Happy blogiversary!

    -Robin

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  23. I like the idea of coming up with appropriate Blogiversary gifts. "Paper" seems wonderfully ironic. The "domain name" anniversary? The "permalink"? Hmmm. I'll work on this. Or better yet, sell the concept to Hallmark.

    Congrats on two stellar years!

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  24. thank you for all your posts!

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