A few months ago I found a site called Copyblogger.
I want to get better at blogging and the fastest way to do that is to become a better writer.
I think the next step is to understand the structural elements that make a blog ‘user friendly’.
I’ve started paying closer attention to the design elements many of you here at WordPress incorporate into your blogs.
You inspire me.

I recently saw an Essay Contest on Copyblogger and I decided to submit an entry.
I forgot to embed the code announcing that I was participating and now that the entry period has closed I can’t access the special Blog Button.
I’m bummed.
I did the next best thing and used a photo.

So, it’s out there.
My essay.
I wrote it and sent it to Copyblogger.
It makes my palms sweat just to think of a ‘professional’ reading it.

I did it to push myself out of the little comfort zone of my own mostly invisible blog.
I remember learning to play golf and wishing I could do it in private to spare myself the humiliation of whiffing the ball with others watching.
I think blogging is like golf, you have to learn to do it publicly.
No hiding until you get it all down pat.

Would you describe yourself as a blogger to someone who asks what you do?
I can’t quite get up the courage to say it.
It seems like a stretch to me, at least now.

We’re going to Africa again for about 7 weeks and my goal is to move to a self-hosted WP site before January 1st.
On our trip last year blogging was a great way to tell the stories of the ministry and the people in Ghana.
I’m hoping that once I get it set up it will give me more control over how the site looks.
There is so much I have to learn and so much room for improvement!
I’d love to hear any advice you have to offer.

How did you learn to blog, to write, and to make it all look good?
Did you find sites or books that were helpful?
What do you think makes a really great blog?

Talk to me bloggers, I’m all ears!