Tea at Trianon: The Joy of Blogging

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Monday, April 30, 2012

The Joy of Blogging

Blogging is something I actually resisted for quite a long time, although my husband and others encouraged me in that direction. I cannot remember anymore what my objections were. I guess I thought it would be too hard since I was a dunce when it came to computers. However, I saw the need to defend the stances I took in my novels by sharing my research and discussing my sources. When I finally decided to take the plunge, I was surprised at how many people actually came to read the blog. My book sales picked up, and I began to meet dozens of interesting individuals. Life would never be the same again.

This blog has been a means of reaching out to others, since it starts a lot of conversations. It has led to some wonderful speaking engagements, the most exciting of which was the trip to New Zealand in 2009. It has been educational, for myself and others. I have had to read many books not only for book reviews but to check on my own historical conclusions. The blog has been a source not only of pleasure and entertainment but it has encouraged me to reach a little farther, work a little harder, overcome shyness, and discipline myself into a routine of writing and researching a little everyday. In the six years since the blog started, I feel more and more blessed in many ways, especially as a writer. And isn't that what happiness is?

Please visit BlogHer's Life Well Lived page to see how other women feel about blogging. And if you are interested in one of the great BlogHer sweepstakes, please visit HERE. Share

7 comments:

julygirl said...: Your Blog is a blessing to your readers as well. There has been many a time when reading it has given me a lift. Glad you made the plunge and took chances.; April 30, 2012 at 12:15:00 PM EDT
Allison said...: ditto to what Julygirl wrote!; April 30, 2012 at 5:09:00 PM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: Thank you so much, ladies!!!; April 30, 2012 at 7:21:00 PM EDT
May said...: I am very glad you took the plunge:)

Some of my family were very concerned when I started Cross of Laeken, while I was in college, three years ago. They were very worried about the security issues involved in blogging, and as a result I was almost on the point of deleting everything! But that was resolved. Now, they encourage me to blog, with normal precautions, of course.; April 30, 2012 at 9:39:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...: Thank goodness for all the rest of us that you did decide to take the plunge! Your blog is a beautiful blessing to your many readers. Thank you for all the hard workon it in these six years so far :); April 30, 2012 at 11:21:00 PM EDT
Gio said...: I agree with the others. I'm glad you decided to start the blog. It is a delightful read and I have learned a lot from it.; May 1, 2012 at 4:42:00 PM EDT
Jordy Liz said...: i agree with what you said! writing is such a blessing. and your books look great!

jordy | jordy liz blogs | jordy liz edits; May 6, 2012 at 11:59:00 PM EDT