Today it’s my pleasure to offer my most heartfelt congratulations to Liz Strauss, who’s celebrating her 2nd “blogiversary” today at Successful Blog with a day-long “Open Mic Night“.
Liz has been a blogging mentor to me, ever since I discovered her back in June of 2006. I remember the exact post that hooked me – “6+1: The Ferrari Analogy for Organized Writing”.
It only took a couple of sentences to know this was a special person:
“A messy desk is like a garage — it’s where you keep your tools. It helps if it’s organized, but your car will run fine even if it is not. But messy writing is a sign of messy thinking. it’s proof that our ideas are not under control. “
That post really zeroed me in as to what kind of blogger I needed to be. I was so inspired that I came up with an analogy of my own on a comment to the post:
“Liz, I love this car analogy (and your blog too, I just recently discovered it and this is my first comment). I do a LOT of driving in the Rocky Mountain west as part of my job, so I can get these images in my mind very easily. To me, a good blog is like a good Interstate Highway in the mountains – many signs and guideposts, much visual stimulation, lots of room to maneuver and not get slowed down (4 lanes instead of 2), and easy access to other crossroads and viewing points. A not-so-good blog is like a straight 2-lane dirt road that’s flat for 50 miles – bumpy, boring, no signs or guides, and God forbid you get behind a tractor. I always try to stay on that mountain freeway when I blog. It’s a high (pardon the pun) standard that I hope with more practice I can consistently hit. Thanks for the advice!”
Liz and I have gone down a few more roads together since then, most notably with a labor of love, SOBCon07, back in May of 2007. What a weekend that was! I can’t think of a better way to conclude this post than with my introduction of Liz at the event:
“Liz Strauss likes to write. And many SOBs like myself are beneficiaries of the clarity, originality, and kindness that flows from her virtual pen at Successful Blog. She often says she lives “in” her computer, and judging by her amazing ability to respond to comments on her blog almost immediately no matter the time of day, I don’t think that’s very far from the truth.
Before she took up residency on the blogosphere, Liz accumulated over 20 years experience in the publishing world, working with writers around the world. Now, Liz shares her insights on the craft of good writing and presentation every day on her blog, and we’re especially honored to have her here today to help us take our blog writing to the next level”
Yes Liz, you have taken my blog to the next level. I will be eternally grateful.
Much love to you, my friend. Happy Birthday Successful Blog!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Every word, every thought is so mutual. I have so much respect for you and the work that you do. It has been an indescribly fine friendship and I smile just to think on it.
Labor of love. Yeah.
Double Yeah! Look forward to more of that as we journey to SOBCon08.
All the best!