It’s been a great year

As 2024 comes to a close, I think I’ll look back at my blog posts for the past year.

According to WordPress, I’ve written 366 posts. I posted twice on January 15, so today’s post is number 367 (remember, it’s a leap year). I published a post every day in 2024. As of yesterday, I’ve posted 462 posts in a row. This is number 463.

So what have I learned this past year? What have I learned from posting every day?

WordPress tells me that most people read my writing early on Thursday mornings. During that time my writing has had 1,420 likes and 60 comments.

In the first half of the year, I had many more readers than in the last six months. I started writing “through the bible” devotions in June. Maybe I lost readers because of that.

To be honest, I was running out of ideas. I decided that I would just write devotionally as I rad through the bible for the umpteenth time. I was inspired. But I guess my readers weren’t.

I don’t have a niche for my writing. I write about life, experiences, observations, and scripture. I write mostly for me. I want to be a better storyteller.

I wonder what would happen if I put my writing out there on Facebook and Instagram?

My most popular, most read post is from 2018, “After Prayerful Consideration.” It had 234 reads in 2024. This short piece almost has 1,000 views. I wrote it in a moment of frustration when a good friend and faithful member suddenly withdrew from congregational life. Since then, it has been my most read post. You just never know what will resonate with readers.

For the year to come, I’m thinking about putting links to my writing on Instagram and Facebook. But then I’m thinking I shouldn’t do that and just continue writing for me. I’m pulled between the pursuit of readers and the security of secrecy.

My goals for the new year

• Publish something every day.
• Publish a short story (at least 1000 words) once a week.
• Join a group who can critique my writing.
• Stop looking at the numbers and just write.

Thanks to all who follow and read my thoughts, devotions, and stories. I promise to put a lot more out there this new year!