Recently I asked my readers, “If you had to get a tattoo today that was one word or picture that would sum up your life or personality, what would it be?”. The post generated a fair amount of conversation, and the comments alone were worth writing the post. What stood out to me however were how many people wrote that it was actually a hard question to answer. At the time I didn’t think so. My own answer would probably be a tattoo of a phoenix, a mythological creature that dies and then is reborn of it’s own ashes. Aside from it being one of the symbols of my Scorpio astrological sign, I’ve always felt drawn to that visualization of pulling from one’s own inner strength. Nothing difficult there, or so I thought.
Fast-forward to a Skype call yesterday in which Paul O’Flaherty and I were working out plans for the blogger meetup FuelMyBlog is hosting in Chicago to kick off the SOBcon weekend. As part of the planning, we emailed various local bloggers in Chicago, and one of those happened to be the leader of a Chicago bloggers meetup group. After receiving our email, she replied that she would be happy to pass the info along to her meetup group. Additionally, she asked a question that just truly floored me once I understood the meaning of her wording- who was I on that list and what was my relevance of being there?
Wow. It’s not often someone flat out asks who are you and what business do you have being here? (My interpretation of her words, not a quote.)
If you looked at the list of attendees and their credentials, it’s probably a fair enough question. Kevin, obviously, CEO of FuelMyBlog…Liz, founder of SOBcon…Paul, CEO of Bloomer.dk…and then little ‘ole me. Truth be told I feel I a bit over my head with this group as it is. Having it pointed out to me that way was nothing short of humbling.
Yet at the same time, a part of me began to get annoyed. Who am I? Who am I?? I am a blogger, and a damn good one thankyouverymuch. I have a supportive community and a readership that while not in the thousands, is wider than the majority of bloggers ever reach. I am part of a great group of ladies who get together for a hilarious podcast that touches on the issues affecting our readers, from sex toys to breastfeeding in public. I am just starting to join the FuelMyBlog team on the vidcasts, and hope to be doing that a lot more as we get the technical issues worked out. All this is in addition to raising three kids and all that entails, working on the PTA board, and substitute teaching at my kids preschool, all while my husband travels frequently for work.
I work hard, and even if I don’t have a fancy title, I am every bit as worthy of respect. As rude her email was, its made me think and answer the question of who am I as a blogger, and what I bring to the table, something I think every blogger should answer at some point.
So my fellow writers, who are you, and what makes you worthy?
My name is Daddy Papersurfer …… and I am a blogaholic *claps and a round of ‘Hello DaddyP’* and I am not worthy, never have been and never will be.
[I'm a Scorpio AND I used to be a supply (substitute) teacher - how spooky is that ..... but I don't have any fallopian tubes as far as I am aware)
Who am I?
That is a tough question. I’m more than a mommy blogger.
What makes me worthy? I’m passionate. I’ll either be the one fighting tooth and nail to make sure you win, or to make sure you fail.
It’s funny I actually have a work title that sounds very impressive, but I don’t feel all that impressive. I can hardly say it most times without letting out a chuckle at the same time.
I keep wondering when the world is going to figure out that I’m really not deserving of any of the titles that I have and that I’m just a teenager in disguise–cause that’s often how it feels.
DP sucked the wind out of my sails on this one, it was the same thing that came to my mind.
)Why is he texting out of character? Are we role playing ourselves role playing ourselves while roleplaying someone other than ourselves when we do that?(
))Why are my parentheses backwards?((
Your parentheses may be backwards but it seems to have skipped a generation.
Sara, you are there because you are a great blogger in your own right, with your own audience, your own opinion and a natural talent for expressing yourself in an engaging way.
You’re a host on a great podcast and now you are breaking into video work with us here at Fuelmyblog.
All in all I’d say you’re kick ass professional blogger and a kick ass person as well and I’m not even starting to consider all the other stuff you contend with on day to day basis (mother of 3 etc…)
BTW. I’m looking forward to meeting you in Chicago and we need to Skype some more this week to figure out where else we can promote this
We are all worthy in our own little way!
I guess the lady that sent out that message is not good at communicating via the written word. I have seen many misunderstandings erupt needlessly over e mail exchanges.
Seems a bit ironic though as blog is about writing ???
You are most certainly worthy to be there
I’m still trying to figure out who I am…don’t ask me anymore hard questions!!
I love the phoenix, btw, great answer.
Who am I? Who am I???
I am Renal Failure, the right hand of vengeance and the blog that’s going to rock your brain so hard you won’t remember how you ever lived without it.
Now get me a drink before my awesomeness sets you ablaze.
Sara, I am looking forward to reading your posts, these boys will also need
monitoring at all time lol!
Sara the more you achieve the more people will question how you got there. It is the way it goes, remain focused and give yourself the full credit you have earned and deserved:)
I am a mommy blogger. I hear we are not liked by many bloggers. I think we help other mommy out there. Though occasionally we may scare them, we truly try.
Who was she to ask who you were and why were you there? You are a great blogger and you have a great bunch of followers, ‘nugh said.
I am Elizabeth, and I am a blogger who works very hard at remembering what it means to be a part of the blogging community.
I can see how her email was rather abrupt, and how she would wonder who you were because you don’t have a fancy title like CEO of something or other.com. I think it’s great that you are taking on this responsibility with FMB! You are SARA, roar! lol