Welcoming all to join the conversation on important topics which affect us as millenials, bloggers and humans
For me, hands down the best thing about blogging is connecting with the passionate, talented and magnificent minds that make up the blogosphere.
I've had my fair quarrels and internal bickers with the idea of social media and being a blogger, often getting so ~over it~ that I contemplate quitting, but what has always pulled me through is the support and reassurance of other kind-hearted and creatively beautiful bloggers - those well-wishers who tweet their support, those who can relate and are stuck in the same situations, and those who've been there and come out the other side, to preach that it does get better.
There's genuinely nothing else like it - especially in an environment as notoriously hostile as the web.
But these people do not just have value in times of need - I'm constantly astounded by the talent and humility with which they run their online worlds, and the truth and beauty they weave into their pieces.
I started this year with 'The Cyber Sisterhood' to highlight the wonderful bloggers and writers I believe are changing the face of the blogopshere, and are going to change the world. But now I want to go one better, opening my own little space of the internet to invite and encourage intelligent debate about a range of important topics which affect us as bloggers, millenials, and humans. (Also, this is not limited to just women!)
So I'm ecstatic to announce The Bloggers Say, a monthly column, if you will, in which a topic will be raised, and 3 guest bloggers will contribute their two cents on their opinions, perspectives and stories around this idea.
Although perhaps I may have a meagre reach in comparison to other huge bloggers, I'd also love this as a way to help gain exposure for new bloggers - a mini platform for those who have a genuine, passionate and perhaps undiscovered voice.
I already have in mind the first topic and some writers I'd love to invite to participate, but my Twitter is always open to people wanting to get involved with The Bloggers Say, and if you have any ideas of things you'd like to see discussed, don't hesitate to get in touch and perhaps your topic will be chosen! (with due credit to you, of course).
To ensure a positive environment there will be some basic rules such as: No hate/unnecessary slamming of any thing, person or idea, be open-minded and accept that everyone has their own opinion whether you agree or not & debate does not mean argument or slanging match!Also some tips for submissions: be creative and concise with your pieces, add a personal anecdote or life experience etc, try and think outside the box & truly display the essence of who you are, what you stand for and the tone of your blog in your answers, try and keep your pieces under 500 words.
Once confirmed for a guest spot, I'll ask ya to send over all your social media links etc and they will be featured at the bottom of your posts!
If this works well, I'd love to expand this into a larger cyber-conversation too. Me and some other admins over at the twitter account Thought Bloggers came up with an idea of starting a twitter blog chat from the account (but then who doesn't these days right?). We wanted this chat to be inspiring, honest, important and inclusive - free from the same old circulated things you see discussed in other chats, and not limiting to bloggers, but all other writers too.
I shared the idea of The Bloggers Say with Tori, Lauryn, Shannon, and together we agreed it would be amazing if perhaps after each month's topic, it could be followed up that evening with a broader conversation upon that topic in a Twitter chat under the hashtag #WeWhoWrite from Thought Bloggers. The best tweets from that chat will then be featured at the bottom of the following month's post under 'Last Month's Highlights'. This is all still in the beta phase so I'd love to hear what you all think!
I'm really excited for this project and to get so many more wonderful people on board.
For nearly a year and a half now Scarphelia has been comprised of just the somewhat self-indulgent ramblings of the inside of my mind. And now I couldn't be more excited (sorry overkill on that word ha) to throw open these doors to the wider world, to connect, share, inspire and grow together.
If you have any feedback, ideas for topics or wish to get involved in any way, don't hesitate to shoot me a quick comment below, email me at [email protected] or tweet me over at @scarphelia ! I'll be keep a lil log of everyone and be in touch :)
