I had checked my e-mail earlier tonight, as a matter of habit. I know I’ll probably have about 15-20 e-mails waiting, the majority of which are from retailers whom I’m too lazy to unsubscribe from their mass e-mailings.
I nearly shit a brick when I saw over 125 unread e-mail messages. What the…? I assumed the worst: that I’d been spam attacked again. But Hotmail has been very good about preventing that sort of thing from happening, and even though it’s a free e-mail service, it’s my personal e-mail, and I’m very choosy about what kind of e-mails I get. In other words, no e-mail solicitations from wealthy Nigerians wishing to bestow me their fortune, or offers for natural penis enhancement drugs.
What I saw was 125 unread messages from WordPress. This blogger likes your post. That blogger is now following you. Please moderate new commenter’s comment. Why all the attention to my blog, all of a sudden. At first, I thought it was some new traffic coming from Michelle Jayne reposting the interview she and I did together. But I noticed then all the views were in relation to a blog I posted earlier this week, “Should a Debut Novel ‘Play it Safe’?”
Then I wondered…had this blog been Freshly Pressed?
I won’t lie. I’m enjoying this attention. I’m watching my Stats, watching my Views and Visitors numbers skyrocket. I’ve earned 25 new readers today alone! And it’s not like I set out to write a Freshly Pressed blog. In fact, that blog featured on Freshly Pressed took me six days (!!!) to write! So maybe I did set out to write…no, I didn’t. I kid. My blog is simply a reflection of the things I’m working on in becoming a published writer, and the steps I’m taking in becoming a better person.
At any rate, it’s been a pleasure knowing that a think piece I wrote has gotten this much attention, and has earned me some new readership. Thank you WordPress for featuring my little think piece in your Freshly Pressed section. And thank you to the many new readers who are now subscribers of Out Where the Buses Don’t Run. I’m glad you’re here, and please don’t be shy; fire away with your comments, and I’ll likely follow your blogs in return.
Soon enough, there will be more blogs featuring me gnashing my teeth over the writing process, and bitching about more bad books I’ve read, peppered with an extremely liberal dose of profanity. It’s how I roll here.
Out Where the Buses Don't Run 
And it’s why we love you!
Congratulations! It’s not a surprise, though…your blog is some fresh press. One of my faves. Great voice to it.
Been sick with that bug that you had. You must have given the virus to your computer, that, in turn, passed it to mine when I was over here, which then passed it along to me. It’s been hard to write or even think.
So for the past few days I’ve half-heartedly fiddled around with my WP blog, trying to get it the way I want before spreading the word that I’m moving. It’s coming along, but there’s no rush. Maybe I should watch the tutorials and really learn!
Congrats again! How in the world did they find you? What’s the process? There are a lot of blogs out there, so it is quite an honor.
I have no idea what the process is behind the choosing of blogs for the FP section. I’d be curious to find out. I know some bloggers around here that have had several blogs chosen for this honor.
Congrats, Gus!
Congrats!
And I love how you roll!
Much deserved, Gus, congrats! One day I’ll be able to say, “I knew him when…”
“…he was off his meds and howling at the moon, cursing a world that failed to realize his genius. Until his first novel was published…”
Thanks, Christy!
Never change, Gus. Never change.
Not even my underwear.
Well, okay, maybe my underwear.
Congrats on being freshly pressed indeed! I just discovered this blog and I’m now a subscriber. Reading the few posts so far has inspired me to write more. Great blog and look forward in reading your stuff!
I’m pleased to know I’ve inspired you to write more. Keep it going!
Kick-ass news Gus. Congrats on the FP.
Congrats on being FP! I’m glad you were so I could come across your blog! It was great to read the post, and look forward to reading more about writing process and whatnot!
I never really thought about the “play it safe” idea, though it makes sense that some would consider that approach valuable. I would agree with you that sometimes the best writing can be because of not playing it safe. It’s good to roll with ideas and see where they go sometimes!
Keep up the good work! 🙂 I think reading your post today was part of me deciding I should start writing more regularly again, as I haven’t been for a matter of months.
I hadn’t ever thought about “playing it safe” until that person in my writer’s group made mention of it. Now I’m determined more than ever to not nor ever do so!
Glad to hear this piece was able to inspire you to start you writing more regularly again!
Congrats on FP! I am glad that post was pressed as I quite enjoyed reading it. I’ve never really considered the whole concept of playing it safe vs. not playing it safe. I’ve just been writing something and thinking if it works, it works, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. By “works” i mean getting it published. I’m thinking positively though.
I just started following your blog when I set up mine, and man. I love your realistic tone and the fact that you swear 😛 I do that too. Honestly, it was the title of your blog that caught my eye first and I’m having fun reading your previous posts and your newest ones so I can get to know you!
Hi Sarah Jayne, I’m glad you found me. Thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to stop by more often for more blogging shenanigans.
Hey Gus, congrats for all the attention. You’ve earned it. Scrolling through the Freshly Pressed section as a new blogger, it was the name of your blog that made my click on the link to find out more. It suggested a voice and sense of humour I thought I’d like. The blog itself reinforced that … irreverence goes down well with Australians. As it happens I’m 2 posts into a blogged novel … and shitting myself! It actually helps to read about the musings others have on a similar journey. All power to you!
Hi Mick, thanks for stopping by. Irreverence is exactly what I’m aiming for. Perhaps I’ve found some kindred spirits in Australia? Maybe I should move there?
Best of luck to you in your writing as well!
Well, irreverence is written into the constitution. When applying for resident status, people have to swear allegiance to the flag and promise to adopt an irreverent approach to life. That, the sunshine and the quality of the beer lulls the population into accepting higher taxes. Nah, that’s all rubbish, clearly – no lulling achieved. But feel free to check out my blog. Maybe there’s scope for mutual appreciation?
I’ve known Australians have a healthy respect for irreverence, so I’m sure I’d fit in quite well.
I’m checking out your blog right now.
Thanks Gus, hope you enjoy it
Just wanted to add: I’m proud to know you. I wasn’t before this, though.
No, really…good show! You’ve inspired me to write some better shit on my blog. Or shit some better writing.
I can only inspire you to write better shit. I can’t inspire you to shit better.
Reblogged this on M.L. Swift, Writer and commented:
If you haven’t checked out this blog, Out Where The Buses Don’t Run, you’re missing something special. There’s a reason why I follow him—although my mother warned against it—and I now feel vindicated for my blind faith. He’s good. Damn good. Which was recently reiterated by the recent “Freshly Pressed” status of his article, “Should a Debut Novel ‘Play it Safe?'”
Out of all the gin blogs in all the towns in all the world, I had to walk into his…and I’m becoming a much better writer for the experience.
Run, don’t walk, to the place where the buses don’t. You may get stranded, but you’ll love every minute of it.
Wow. Congrats!
(Why wasn’t I following you before? LOL)
The stars weren’t aligned, I suppose. But better late than never, so thanks for following!
Congrats! Great blog you’ve got here. New follower.
Wonderful! Glad to have you along!