Eight years ago today I posted my first blog at Outside My Window. Back then I wrote three times a week, then increased to daily for the past 5+ years.
People sometimes ask me, “What does it take to write a successful blog?” I don’t know the answer for everyone, but here’s what I do:
Every day I get up at 5:00am to write for three hours, usually longer, finalizing today’s post and prepping tomorrow’s. When I’m outdoors I note topics of interest for future use. If I don’t have any ideas at 5:00am — yes, it happens! — I dip into my notes and hope for inspiration. My Muse is really good during Peregrine Season but she loses interest in the winter. Don’t we all!
This year the Muse inspired some lively posts and discussions. Her statistics show …
- Number of posts since Outside My Window began: 2,858
- Total number of comments: 12,374
- Most prolific topic: 599 entries on peregrine falcons. (I should have written one more to make it 600 today.)
- Top viewed posts in the past year:
- This year’s Pitt peregrine chick: This Is Not Normal, He’s Staying With Mom, Another Piece Of The Puzzle, On His Way To Rehab, and Sad News of his death.
- And, amazingly, two days of fascination with the hickory tussock moth: Don’t Touch!
- Most commented post in the past year (not including Facebook comments): 86 comments at This Is Not Normal.
- I always learn something when I write. This year I was most amazed to learn that lobsters are biologically immortal and male mice sing to attract the ladies.
Thanks to you, my readers, for 8 years together. You keep me going every day!
And a very special thank you to the many photographers who allow me to use their photos and videos on the site.
Happy 8th Bird-thday to all of us!
(party crows by Joan Guerin)
p.s. Today is my blog’s birthday; my own birthday is in May. 🙂
Best wishes to you and hope to see many more interesting blogs. Thank you.
Happy 8th Bird-thday, Kate! My day starts with your blog and I look forward to seeing each day’s topic. Thank you so much for sharing your enthusiasm and for letting us learn along with you.
Thank you, Kate! Love reading your blog each morning. May you have many more years of happy blogging!
You are a wonder, Kate. So happy you came our way! Happy 8th!!!!!!!!!!
Vicki and Chuck Dinsmore
Happy 8th Bird-thday! Best wishes for many more. Thank you, love your blog.
Happy Birthday , Kate.. Love this blog which I read every morning. Thank you
Congratulations on 8 years! Woooooot! I love your blogs and learn so much with every entry. Thanks for all you do!
Happy Bird-thday! If only you had biological immortality! Thanks for creating much pleasure!
Kate thank you for providing such interesting and educational information. I always feel like I learn something new or learn of new places to go. I look forward to reading your blog each day. Congrats!!
So the “how” is good old hard work and dedication. I’d also be interested in the “why”. What keeps you most motivated? Whatever it is, thank you.
Janet, the Why is an interesting question. I’m curious about Nature & I like to write but I would have given it up long ago if no one read/responded. Loyal readers like you keep me going. Thank YOU!
Thank you, Kate, for your prodigious efforts–they have helped so many people to know-tice nature!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Kate, to you and your blog. You know that I love it, and it is a part of my daily routine. I have learned so much from reading it every day. Thank you so much for your dedication. Especially that 5 a.m. thing. Bless you for that one! I look forward to at least 8 more years.
congratulations on 8 years! i read your blog every day and always learn something new.
Happy 8th birthday Kate. You inspire me with the topics and the dedication to nature that shows in your blog. I have learned so much from your entries. I read it every morning. Keep up the good work. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s entry.
I’ve learned so much about birds and nature since I subscribed to this blog. Thank you!