It’s that time. Time for the obligatory “100th Post” post. Time to reflect on my blogging endeavors to this point.
Those of you who have followed my blog for a while know what must come first—a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has followed the blog, left a comment or a like, or just stopped by once (and maybe cursed at the search engine that led you here).
If it weren’t for all of you, I may have given up on this months ago. (I know, I know. That won’t look good to agents or editors if I’m ever going to get a traditional publishing deal.) Whether you realize it or not, you’ve all helped me keep writing when I’ve faced the brick wall, wondered if I could post something people would enjoy reading, and tried to suck it up and get revising after beta reviews. I cannot thank you enough for that.
The blog is 8 months old today, too. Those of you who post every day hit 100 a lot earlier (and my hat is off to you). But I learned twice a week is all I can handle if I’m going to provide anything more substantive than a Facebook status update.
I like to think I’ve improved my posts and writing during this period. The number of followers slowly grows and no one has formally unfollowed me yet. In May and early June, I thought I would breeze by 10,000 views before today. Instead, I just topped it late Tuesday evening. A lot of you apparently went on vacation together on June 10th. Views tanked that day and still haven’t rebounded. That’s okay—I’m not in this to break the world record for blog views. And if you’re off somewhere and don’t see this post, you aren’t missing anything earth-shattering. Enjoy your summer! Or winter for those of you south of the equator. But if you’re sipping mojitos on a beach and happen to see my muse, could you let her know I miss her?
So where will I be when I reach 200 posts? Hopefully much farther along with the novels. I’m slogging away at rewrites on Death Out of Time, and the Summer at the Crossroads characters are suggesting needed revisions to their story. A post on point of view is forthcoming based on their book. I hope you’ll offer your opinions on that one.
Most importantly, I hope you’ll all still be with me and following along on this writing journey of mine. You’ve made the trip so much more fun than it was before I started blogging. Thank you again!
From The You-Know-What Queue
“It’s exhausting to seek out educated individuals on this subject, however you sound like you realize what you’re talking about! Thanks” — How nice to be complimented. Someone thinks I know what I’m talking about. Well, I would hope so — this was meant for my “About Me” page. 
If you have any suggestions for topics you’d like me to post about, feel free to offer them in the comments!
subtlekate
/ June 30, 2012Congratulations! It’s a milestone in writing and reading and I’m happy to drop in and find what ever morsal you have left me. I always learn something.
Oh yes, june 10. That was international sleep in day
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Kate.
But how did I miss the memo on international sleep in day?! I would’ve taken part! I’m going to try to keep things interesting and varied. Time to try some new things, too.
Commander
/ June 30, 2012I’ll be proud when I hit 10- currently sitting at 9. I couldn’t imagine how elated i’ll be when I reach triple digits. Good job on the blog and reaching 100 posts. Keep it up.
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Commander.
I try not to get sucked into the stats addiction. 
Sometimes it’s hard, though. Of course WordPress wants us all to post often. But we shouldn’t try to do so much that we end up burning out. So stick to your own pace and what you want to post about. Frankly, as a reader, I can’t really keep up with people who post every day. I like fewer posts where it’s easier to leave better comments.
We’ll see what ideas I can come up with this summer.
mskatykins
/ June 30, 2012This is wonderful, JM, congratulations! You are doing extremely well with your blog and I think that you should write about the things that interest you, which you enjoy.
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Katy.
That’s the best blogging advice there is. I couldn’t post things that really don’t interest or entertain me. It would be too much like work instead of fun! I wish I was as multitalented as you — there would be so many ideas for posts! 
mskatykins
/ July 2, 2012I’m not sure about that… I’m constantly wondering if my randomness will keep people interested!
Thank you. I am just enjoying being creative. 
findingmycreature
/ June 30, 2012That’s great! Look forward to your 200th post
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, FMC
I can’t quite believe I’ve done 100!
Waldo "Wally" Tomosky
/ June 30, 2012You have had some great quality posts. Keep up the good work. Which is a better quote?; “Archaeologists Get The Point” or “Archaeologists Do It In The Dirt”. Forget both of them, my sense of humor is quite warped. Bottom line. I also am looking for #200 from you. Wally
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Wally.
In my neck of the woods, it was “in the field.” But any old colleagues and fellow students don’t need to worry—I wouldn’t incorporate any of those stories into my books. 
I can’t think about #200—I’d get writer’s block worrying what 101 to 199 would be about!
The Wanderlust Gene
/ June 30, 2012What an achievement, JM – you’re right to celebrate it! (It’s actually very inspiring to hear a writer speak about the difficulties of maintaining enthusiasm and relevance, so thank you for that insight too.) Keep up the good work!
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, WG
Like a lot of writers, I suffer serious self-doubt about my abilities and talents. I don’t know if I could keep up the efforts without this wonderfully supportive corner of the blogosphere! We’ll see what I can come up with over the next 100 posts…. 
The Wanderlust Gene
/ July 1, 2012Human beings are strange creatures, aren’t we? There are the insufferable ones with dubious talent but 100% conviction and the talented ones who doubt every word. Silly.
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012So true. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could balance them out a bit more?
4amWriter
/ June 30, 2012Wow! 10,000 views. That’s incredible. I’m not quite there yet, and I feel the drop in views for the past month also. I am blaming it on summer and not my content
I love your blog, and I always look forward to Tuesdays and Saturdays because I know you’re posting. I enjoy the range of posts you write and I really appreciate your dedication to give back to all your followers.
I hope you enjoy your weekend and you have relaxing plans for the 4th
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Kate.
And yes—that drop-off in views is summer’s fault, not your content’s! Yesterday, I had all of 13 views. It hasn’t been that low since my first few months of blogging. But I see a lot of long-term bloggers saying summer is always slow. Then things pick up again in September. Fingers crossed! 
I’m trying something new in next Saturday’s post, so we’ll see how that goes over. It’s a bit unnerving to do that—we never know if the experiment will take off or fall flat. Either way, I’ll learn something from it.
Weekend plans are to try to stay cool — we hit 100 yesterday and we’re supposed to be in the upper 90s today and tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll get a few more scene revisions done on Maddie and Jack’s story. I’ve got some new ones written, and I hope I can send you an initial revised draft later in July!
4amWriter
/ July 3, 2012Great, looking forward to your revisions. I think about Maddie and Jack sometimes when I’m off doing something like washing the dishes. So, obviously you wrote a book that resonated with me and I care about the characters enough to think about them off-duty, lol.
jmmcdowell
/ July 3, 2012Well, that’s a great sign, thank you!
They’re happy to hear that. (But they’re not happy I’m spending some time with the other book…. 
)
Ally and Ben keep popping up in my head, too. I hope that means you’re making progress on the final polishes and will be querying their story soon!
bentehaarstad
/ June 30, 2012Congratulations with 100, JM!
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Bente
I’m looking forward to many more of your great posts. 
Julie
/ June 30, 2012Congrats of both 100 posts and 10k hits! Well done.
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Julie.
It was a nice “double shot.” Time to get my second wind and think up more ideas for the next 100!
crubin
/ June 30, 2012Congrats on the milestone. I always enjoy stopping by your blog to pick up words of whim or wisdom. Your beta-reader series was terrific. Happy blogging!
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Carrie.
I’m glad to say the beta reader series still picks up new visitors from time to time. As do my social-media-is-hard-to-keep-up-with posts. 
Now, if I could just make it look as effortless as you do….
crubin
/ June 30, 2012You’re too kind. Besides, it really doesn’t take too much effort to talk about toilets.
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Ha! and you’re too modest. There’s much more to your blog than testosterone-influenced humor.
And doing that well (to appeal to an audience of more than 13-year-old boys) takes skill. 
crubin
/ June 30, 2012robincoyle
/ June 30, 2012Party at JM’s house everyone!!!
You should be proud of your accomplishment. Very proud.
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Robin
Bring your personal-cooling systems to the party—we’re melting out here! 
To make things worse, big storms came through last night. Half the people in the grocery store this morning were stocking up on ice and bottled water. And we’re supposed to be near 100 again. Hopefully the power company does a better job than normal getting them up and running again.
robincoyle
/ June 30, 2012So hot AND humid, right? Stay cool!
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Definitely both. Summer in the Mid-Atlantic. It gets a role in one of the books.
robincoyle
/ June 30, 2012So your novel is “steamy,” eh?
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Only in the literal sense of the word.
I couldn’t write a good sex scene if my life depended on it! 
Brigitte
/ June 30, 2012Yay JM! Congrats and here’s to 100 more.
.
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Brigitte.
Now I have to think of more ideas! Whew, how do daily bloggers keep it up?
Elliot
/ June 30, 2012Congratulations and keep it going!
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Elliot.
I’ll do my best!
Christy Farmer
/ June 30, 2012Congrats on the 100, JM! Now, here’s to a million more and a nice book deal, too.
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Christy.
A million more? At two posts a week? I need to live forever! 
The nice book deal sounds great, but if it doesn’t happen, I’m happy with e-publishing, too.
And now, back to work on those books for me! 
Lisa Ann Hayes
/ June 30, 2012Wow 100. A great number!
Glad I found your blog and I always enjoy your posts – here’s to you!
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Lisa.
I’m glad you found it, too, because I’m really enjoying yours. Thank you for sharing your amazing experiences!
annewoodman
/ June 30, 2012Yes, I second the idea of a party at your house to celebrate! ; )
Congratulations! I always enjoy your posts, whether they are writing or archaeology-related. Here’s to 100 more!
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Anne.
Virtual food and drinks are on the house. 
There’s definitely more writing and archaeology in store, and hopefully some new things, too. Gotta keep things fresh for those next 100!
Kourtney Heintz
/ June 30, 2012I firmly believe there is a June Gloom and a summer slowdown in the blogosphere.
My numbers always dive in June/July/August. And I’ve been blogging for 3 years now. Congrats on the 100th post. And bravo for knowing what you can manage and sticking to your blogging schedule! 
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Kourtney.
It’s painful to see the numbers on some of my non-posting days this month. But when even established bloggers like you have drops, I don’t feel so bad. 
If I get any ideas for really good posts, I’ll probably save them for fall when the audience increases!
Eight months in, I think I’m comfortable with two posts per week. And I am trying to follow the advice to be consistent with the days.
Even if I can’t keep up with some of the other advice about social media, I can handle scheduling. 
char
/ June 30, 2012I’m glad you know what you’re talking about (at least according to robots). Congrats on this mile marker; it’s a big one! Sorry I’ve been sporadic at looking at posts. I’ve only managed one day at home in the last week and a half. Sigh. “There’s no place like home.”
jmmcdowell
/ June 30, 2012Thanks, Char.
Don’t worry about hitting all the posts—I can’t spend as much time as I would like with yours and other bloggers’, either. Somehow summer gets busy with so many things to see and do. And can you believe the Fourth of July is Wednesday? How can we be halfway through the year already?! I wish we could add a “free” day to everyone’s week where we all get to do whatever we want. Sigh. Maybe in retirement. 
char
/ June 30, 2012Ah! 4th of July. That will give me a breather. Yea!
RescuedFromTheBottomDrawer
/ June 30, 2012Congrats on your 100 posts and 10,000 views! Gotta love those milestones!
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Thanks, RFTBD
I know some popular bloggers would laugh at those numbers, but I’m amazed I’ve reached them at all!
Margarita
/ July 1, 2012Congratulations! Nice marker!
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Thanks, Margarita.
It’s been fun, and I’m looking forward to doing more.
kindredspirit23
/ July 1, 2012I am one of those strange people who do post every day. I am not certain whether you should be happier about the 100 or the eight months. I have a way to go on that one (I have done 5). Just keep us (me) informed about the book(s) status(es) as I would enjoy purchasing and reading, at least, one of them. Love science fiction / loved time travel.
Scott
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Thanks, Scott.
I will indeed keep you up-to-date on the books. In fact, next Saturday’s post will be about one of them, and I hope I’ll get some reader insights…. 
renokingswordsnpoetry
/ July 1, 2012Glad to be here. Love the reads and the friendship!
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Thanks, Reno.
One of the best things about blogging is the great people like you that I’ve met on this journey. And another round of Poetic Archaeology is on tap for Tuesday. A little shorter post given how close we are to the Fourth of July. 
renokingswordsnpoetry
/ July 1, 2012Look forward and thanks for that “great people” comment. It really blows me away to be here with so many bright, astute, ambitious souls. There is a lot that is contagious in this community, I use it like steps to climb on and up. Thank you!!
jmmcdowell
/ July 2, 2012This blogging community is such a refreshing change from so much that we see on the news. It’s a good reminder that not everyone is greedy or a psychopath!
Jeannie
/ July 1, 2012Yay for you and your blog! I thoroughly enjoy reading what you have to say and am so glad that you are one of my favorite writing friends online. Here’s a toast to you for staying the course!!
xoxox Jeannie
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Thanks, Jeannie.
That is so sweet of you to say! I hope you’ll continue to enjoy my posts as much as I do yours. And I hope you’re staying safe. Those western fires look horrific on the news.
Jeannie
/ July 1, 2012We don’t have any fires where we are BUT the fire danger is so high we have fire bans out. The Forest Service said our chance of ignition is over 90% so keep your fingers crossed nothing happens. Many of us are going ahead and packing an emergency bag and getting our home inventories in order just in case.
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Wow. Hopefully no one is careless and you don’t get any lightning strikes. This is a rough summer in so many places.
susartandfood
/ July 1, 2012Hey congrats! This is a good thing and keep it moving so I have something great to check in on. Susie
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Aw, gosh, thanks, Susie.
I’ve got some ideas for future posts to hopefully keep things fresh without losing some old favorites. 
Loved your house-hunting post—seriously, I think you could turn it into a TV series!
annewoodman
/ July 1, 2012Hey, JM… I was reading over some recent Writer Unboxed posts, and I thought you might be interested in this one, if you haven’t seen it already… it’s about what to do after you get notes from a beta reader: http://writerunboxed.com/2012/06/26/how-to-tackle-critique-notes/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WriterUnboxed+%28Writer+Unboxed%29
Shoot. Well, you can just search for: “How to Tackel Critique Notes” on the Writer Unboxed blog. Quite good.
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Just checked it out, and it’s good advice. I keep meaning to add helpful links to the beta reading page, and this is a good place to start. Thanks, Anne!
sixpuns
/ July 1, 2012I like how you mentioned that you thought of giving up. It’s a tempting thing to do when there seem to be few followers, or when all one’s ideas seem exhausted. Congratulations on your 100th!
jmmcdowell
/ July 1, 2012Thanks, sixpuns.
I had a very slow start. Some family and friends carried me through at first, but it took a while before others started following. My numbers rise slowly, but it’s a pace I can handle. 
Thanks for stopping by!
IntrovertedSarah
/ July 1, 2012Congratulations. As one of the first blogs I followed, I’m a happy return visitor.
jmmcdowell
/ July 2, 2012Wow, thank you for that honor, Sarah!
There are so many great blogs out there, so I’m happy you enjoy mine! Now, if I can just finish these two books and get them published…. Hopefully, readers won’t be disappointed. 
eatwithfatjoe
/ July 2, 2012Great job!! Keep it up….It’s amazing to get to this point….I’m always amazed that people read what I write…..I enjoy your blog!!
jmmcdowell
/ July 2, 2012Thanks, Joe.
I think blogging shows us that we all have something to say and that there are people who enjoy hearing about it. I may never reach thousands of people or write a best seller, but I’m happy where I am now. 
You keep blogging, too! (Some of those foods you find are incredible 
)
Subhakar Das
/ July 2, 2012Congratulations and well done!!! A century of posts and may there be many more!!! And I am still in my seventies…
But we owe you a bigger thank you too for making our blogging journey worthwhile, for stopping by regularly, for your kind comments and for letting us know you are out there.
jmmcdowell
/ July 2, 2012Thank you so much, Subhakar, for those kind words! And I look forward to the day when news of your 100th post reaches my email inbox. Because I know that, when your posts arrive, I have an interesting, entertaining, educational, and thought-provoking read awaiting me.
Ileandra Young
/ July 26, 2012Great milestone.
well done and congrats! Looking forward to the next 100 posts and beyond!
jmmcdowell
/ July 27, 2012Thanks, Ileandra! I hope I can keep the ideas coming.