Happy belated blog anniversary

So…my blog has been around for a little over a year (I completely forgot to do anything for its actual anniversary in October oops) and, while it’s still a little baby of a blog, looking back I’m thrilled about how far I’ve come. I went into blogging with the intention to simply write things I wanted to read, even if that meant whispering into the void. I’m only human, of course, and I still remind myself not to obsess with views or SEO or ‘results’, but nevertheless I’m really happy with how things have turned out. In 2020, I had 136 views. This year I have over 3200 and sixty followers! That’s chump change for many of my fellow bloggers but honestly I’m just thankful people want to read my ramblings. So, if you’re someone who has taken the time to read my stuff, thank you. I’m not really an emotional or emotive person but I truly appreciate all the times people have chosen to engage with my writing. I value every kind comment, every challenge issued (promise I’ll get round to all of them eventually!) and every shout-out received. I struggle to connect with people (don’t get me started on Twitter) or really put ‘myself’ in my writing but I’m working on it! I hope next year to talk to more of you 😊.

This year I published thirty-four posts. The Foodie Fanservice ones are always fun and I’ve never been more on top of releases than when I gush about positive news in my Good Goings posts but the project I’m most proud of is undoubtedly the behemoth that is my recent deep dive on the state of otome games. I’ve written three articles for it so far and planned several more to analyse this relatively niche genre. It’s taken months of research (the first three parts were almost as long as my MA dissertation 😅) and my god I’m tired but it’s been very fascinating and much needed brain-stimulation. The otome genre is gaining ground in the West but I don’t think many people have looked into it quite to the extent that I’m attempting to, so wish me luck!

What are my hopes for next year? Well, still chugging away on the Big Fat Otome Project^TM. I’m currently working on exploring the OELVN otome/amare scene, which deserves far more attention than it gets, and let’s just say that I’ve compiled a spreadsheet with just under 500 entries. I also plan on making a compendium of OELVN otome/amare developers for reference and several other posts that I’ll keep secret for now 😬…

Broadly speaking, I want to develop this space. I’ve been considering going self-hosted and sprucing up my blog for a while and I want to take the plunge next year! Other than that, I guess, developing better writing practices? I want to diversify and create more short-form stuff. I have so many ideas and too many words so if I can strike a better balance between my usual death-by-word and a good amount of depth that’ll be nice. Some stuff just needs to be said though so we’ll see… 

I’ve been a bit bummed lately since I haven’t had much time for other creative endeavors. I really wanted to get more of my original novel done. It’s been a work in progress for gods know how long and I started off pretty well this year but things tapered off towards the summer. I find it particularly hard writing for the novel and blog simultaneously so I definitely need to get better at that, besides avoiding the big existential writing crisis that knocks on my door like clockwork. This month I really want to get back to my roots and make actual progress on my story and I think being kind to myself is the way to go. Nothing will write itself so I need to shut out the noise, get my head down, and I will get the darn thing done (eventually). I’m also in a fairly good place personally – exercising more (and actually enjoying it weirdly enough), eating well, enjoying going out again etc. I had a lot of trouble with my family a few months ago but it’s kind of blown over? I don’t know – maybe not – but at any rate, I’m going to focus on improving myself in the meantime.

Anyway, cheers for reading my first proper blog/personal update! I hope you stay safe and have a wonderful time as 2021 putters out and hopefully makes way for a better year. I probably won’t get a new post out until 2022 but until then, have a good one.