The Beauty of Networking

Oh Boy, Ben from Instigator Blog has no idea what he is getting into when he challenged us with this question!

If I’m going to write a list of things I learned in 2006 alone, it would be best presented in an ebook rather than a long post. Believe me, the list is so long that I might even fall asleep writing it. Don’t worry, I won’t bore you to death. I’m just going to pick one thing that has the most significant impact on me.

Being me, I have to start with this little story…

January 2001, I had my first cyber communication. Even though I was a heavy Internet user 2 years prior to, I was not brave enough to communicate with strangers through cyberspace. I always felt it was weird to be talking to strangers let alone faceless people. Curiosity got the best out of me, and I began to communicate with writers in yahoo groups.

Begin an eager learner and wanting to be a published romance writer, I posted many questions, shared my thoughts, and even submitted a few short stories for critique. Some feedbacks were constructive; others were down right brutal and cynical. I felt hurt. Gradually I left the groups.

Instead of writing for public viewing, I wrote my thoughts, poems, and stories in emails and sent them to myself—from Hotmail to Yahoo Mail. I was a hermit writer. During my dark and lonely journey, I met a great editor who was willing to work with me. He polished up my work, and through his encouragement I managed to get one published.

Although I overcame my writing fear, my past wounds were not completely healed. I dare not post queries in forums or comment on blogs no matter how inviting the blogger was. Then in May 2004, I had my first personal blog at blogspot. It was so terrifying experience for me that I contemplated to turning the comment option off, but I didn’t. About a year later, I had a few comments there. Since the comments were pretty neutral, I managed to make connection with my readers (some of them are bloggers). However, I still struggled to comment on their blogs.

Just before this blog was conceived 8 months ago, I knew I can no longer be a hermit blogger. I have to start networking. Early this year, I decided to conquer my fear face on. And the outcome wasn’t as bad as I thought out to be. As a matter of fact, it was a sweet experience. I made many wonderful supportive friends along the way. Their words are always positive, uplifting, and encouraging.

It used to take me about 4 to 6 months of reading one’s feed before I dare hit the comment submit button. I can’t say my comments will be immediate but definitely the duration is much shorter.

So what had I learned in 2006? Although there might be some nasty people lingering in cyberspace, it won’t hurt me a bit to risk getting to know more compassionate and giving people. So catch more of Renée in 2007.

Oh btw Ben, I promise not to bombard you with a sleazy sale copy on dog training!8)