Happy 2012, and happy birthday to my blog! Exactly a year ago today I created Regency Delight. I gave my Janeite story in my first post, so today, in honor of this occasion, I am going to relate the history of making this blog.
My oldest sister, who had been blogging for a few years, was staying with us for Christmas. I don’t remember how the subject first came about, but she suggested/encouraged me to make a Jane Austen blog. I had been interested in Jane Austen (which began when first I learned about her) for less than two years, but already knew more on the subject than anyone in my family; who were, I think, becoming rather irritated by my endless prattle. The only Jane Austen blog I was really acquainted with was Jane Austen Today. I’d seen, though, how many Jane Austen fans were out there, and thought it would be great fun if I could go on and on to people who would actually want to hear (er, read) me doing so.
The original idea came from a “magazine” I was making. I’ve always liked writing, and I used to make a family newspaper; but as that had never been very prosperous, I was moving on to something else.
I’d only actually completed one Jane Austen novel (shocking, I know), but I planned to feature one as the focus for each issue of the magazine (which I was hoping to produce once every two months - I intended this to be good motivation for reading all the novels before too long). I’d also include other tidbits about Jane Austen, the Regency period, other literature, etc.
I took most of my ideas and used them here instead. I used the picture I was planning to put on the front cover, drawn by my other sister when she was my age, as the header, and ‘Regency Delight’ was one of the names I’d been contemplating; I added ‘Jane Austen, &c.’ (&c. is just an old-fashioned way of saying etc., in case any of you didn’t know) at the end so my blog’s theme would be perfectly understood.
Now I’ll back up a little. As soon as the idea/possibility of a blog arose, my head was spinning with ideas, and I began a list of possible posts, as well as planning to have ‘sections’ featuring each Jane Austen novel, beginning with Pride and Prejudice, since that’s the one I’d finished. I’d have a post about the book, a review of the movies, quotes, and more. The book and movie reviews for P&P I had already written, and if you look at them now you’ll see that they are much shorter than the ones for other books and movies, which I later wrote. I might actually write new ones for those one of these days…
My goal was to finish reading the next book by the time I was done posting for the other. I usually did, and was even a couple books ahead of myself by the time I finished the 6th.
I decided January 1st would be a splendid time to start my blog; and so I did. It was all said and done much faster than most decisions I make!
After a nerve-wracking ‘making-the-blog’ period and I had everything set, I think I found some blogs from people who followed/commented on Jane Austen Today. I remember looking at other people’s followers too; going to their blogs, finding the blogs delightful – and the writers so much like me! – following, and leaving a comment. The first three were, I think, Old-Fashioned Charm, Austenitis, and Elegance of Fashion. I also remember thinking how similar the names were to some I had been considering!
I was so delighted to gain my first few followers – three of which were, in fact, the ladies who write the blogs mentioned just above. I am still very excited when I get a new follower!
2011: blogging year in review
These stats and such are as much for my own future reference as anything else; lately I have learned to keep minute records of things, so I won’t forget particulars that I wanted to remember.
Followers: 55
Total Pageviews: (approx.) 14,682
3 most popular posts:
-(I never would have guessed!)
Top 3 referring blogs:
36 direct searches for my blog (“regency delight” or “regency delight blog”)
Giveaways I’ve won
Guest posts
Blog events
Now that I’ve finished with all that boring stuff, I have a question for you, if you are interested: how do you remember finding my blog? I'd love to hear if you happen to remember.
Thank you to all my followers and commenters! I’ve learned so much this year, and am eager to learn more! It’s been truly amazing to find out how many people there are whom I have so much in common with! I hope during the following year, my blog will bring you much Regency and Jane Austen delight!
