15 replies to this topic

[Antelope]

I have just been reading Vic's thread about her fascinating experiences since she moved to Turkey. I agree with those of you who think she should write a book...it's riveting stuff.

When I first moved here 13 years ago I kept a diary. I filled many exercise books with all the stuff happening to me, the ups and downs, the good and the bad. During one of our many house moves, the diary got lost so I didn't bother to start it up again.

However, a couple of years ago I was encouraged by some friends to start a blog. I think, like Vic, writing about all this stuff is actually quite therapeutic. It certainly helps me an awful lot to put things into perspective..and to get a lot off my chest.

If anyone would like to read my blog, and join my list of Followers, here is the link http://ayak-turkishd...t.blogspot.com/

Of course the most recent posts are first, but if you are interested in reading about some of the places were I've lived, then maybe start with My Turkey Journey... here... http://ayak-turkishd... Turkey journey

[Ken]

Hi Antelope,

You can also "import" your blog here, that is, there is a way you can write your blog on Blogspot and have it displayed on Turkey Central as if you were maintaining a blog here as well. Curkurbagli does it, and I think his actual blog is on Blogspot as well... He wrote some instructions on how to do it in the "using the forum" forums... might reach a larger audience that way.

You're blog is excellent, I think lots of people prefer to learn about living and traveling in Turkey from a personal style rather than a "travel guide" style.

[Cukurbagli]

Yes there's a "how to" in the post HERE

My blog is actually on Wordpress but the details of how to link to it from here are the same. Look forward to reading it.

[Antelope]

Ken...thankyou...you're very kind x

Cukurbagli: I'll have a look at the instructions and see if I can manage it...bearing in mind that I am an absolute technophobe

[Vic801]

I hadn't made the link between your screen name and your blog, but I follow your blog and have found it funny, uplifting, moving and much more. Please keep going, I'm sure many people learn a lot and get a lot out of it. I am always impressed by people who blog. I know I couldn't because I would feel the pressure of having to write regularly. Plus the fact I feel that what I shared here was a one-off. A bit like that huge zit that you keep fiddling about with until it is ripe enough to sqeeze and then in a mixture of pain and elation you splatter it all over the bathroom mirror. Then you come down to earth, wipe the yukk off the mirror and get on with more mundane things.

As for writing a book, I am far too lazy. I did start writing a book when I was 10 years old called (pretentiously) "My Life" but of course it never got past the first pages. I am looking forward to writing my Memoirs when I will be be old, cantakerous and a morphine addict. I will of course have to find a gentlewoman fallen on hard times who listens to my blethering and takes it all down in perfect shorthand.

[Antelope]

Yes there's a "how to" in the post HERE

My blog is actually on Wordpress but the details of how to link to it from here are the same. Look forward to reading it.

Wow! What amazingly easy instructions! Even I managed to do it...first time! Maybe I should have used my Blog username Ayak here instead of Antelope? Never mind...don't want to confuse anyone!

Thankyou so much xx

[Cukurbagli]

I know I couldn't because I would feel the pressure of having to write regularly. Plus the fact I feel that what I shared here was a one-off. A bit like that huge zit that you keep fiddling about with until it is ripe enough to sqeeze and then in a mixture of pain and elation you splatter it all over the bathroom mirror. Then you come down to earth, wipe the yukk off the mirror and get on with more mundane things.

But like your posts about your life it's the mundane things that interest people because they are different to their lives. Remember it's the people in Canada, Mexico and Australia that are reading these these things too. You should see the list of countries where people read my blog, nearly everywhere in the world. Don't worry about pressure, I don't mind if I only write one a month, it's when I want to do it. You don't have a deadline.

Antelope you're welcome, glad you found it as easy as I tried to make it.

[Antelope]

I hadn't made the link between your screen name and your blog, but I follow your blog and have found it funny, uplifting, moving and much more. Please keep going, I'm sure many people learn a lot and get a lot out of it. I am always impressed by people who blog. I know I couldn't because I would feel the pressure of having to write regularly. Plus the fact I feel that what I shared here was a one-off. A bit like that huge zit that you keep fiddling about with until it is ripe enough to sqeeze and then in a mixture of pain and elation you splatter it all over the bathroom mirror. Then you come down to earth, wipe the yukk off the mirror and get on with more mundane things.

As for writing a book, I am far too lazy. I did start a book when I was 10 years old called (pretentiously) "My Life" but of course it never got past the first pages. I am looking forward to writing my Memoirs when I will be be old, cantakerous and a morphine addict. I will of course have to find a gentlewoman fallen on hard times who listens to my blethering and takes it all down in perfect shorthand.

Oh thanks for already following my blog Vic. I'm glad you enjoy it. Are you in my list of followers? If so, let me know the name you use there so I can say "Hi".

Oh I think you would produce an excellent blog. I love your sense of humour. You don't have to feel pressure at all to write regularly. I do because I like to...but there are times when I just don't have anything to say...so I don't. Some bloggers go for months without writing anything. It's doesn't matter. What's most important is that first and foremost you write it for yourself, on your own terms...then if people want to follow, that's fine. If they don't it's not important.

As for writing a book...I feel much the same as you...I know I couldn't stand the pressure...unless as you say you could just reel off loads of stuff to someone to take down in shorthand. But they'd also need to edit and edit and make it sound perfect.

Recently I have been asked to do guest posts on other people's blogs. I find that puts me under pressure because I don't want to let them down.

I've also been asked to guest post on a blog produced by Easyjet. Ah, I thought, maybe I'll get a free flight! No chance...but I have been awarded a badge for my blog which calls me a "Local Expert"...I roared with laughter at the thought. Me? Expert? How can I be a local expert living in this remote village away from civilisation? Well I suppose you could say I'm an expert now on cows, sheep, goats, donkeys and chickens but that's about it!

[Vic801]

Cukurbagli, Antelope: thank you for the comments about blogging. (Cukurbagli: love your blog and the photos in particular). Gives me food for thought. Certainly if there is no pressure to write every day it could be fun. It is weird thinking of the lengths I would go to to hide my diary from my sisters (including using a complicated code involving wrapping the text aournd a stick!) and now I am contemplating writing a diary which would be seen by all!

[Cukurbagli]

Cukurbagli, Antelope: thank you for the comments about blogging. (Cukurbagli: love your blog and the photos in particular). Gives me food for thought. Certainly if there is no pressure to write every day it could be fun. It is weird thinking of the lengths I would go to to hide my diary from my sisters (including using a complicated code involving wrapping the text aournd a stick!) and now I am contemplating writing a diary which would be seen by all!

Thanks for your kind words Vic. Had to laugh about the code to confuse your sisters. The rule I use is to never write anything that I wouldn't like the Imam to read out over the mosque's loudpeakers. If you stick to that you won't be giving too much away.

[Vic801]

I am now thinking seriously again about starting to write a blog. Having got that hurdle over, I now have the added one - a hugh one - of fınding a name for it.

I can't think of anything witty or pertinent or original - any suggestions? For those of you who do blog, how did you choose your name? or for those, like me, who enjoy reading other people's blogs, what are the names of your favourite blogs?

[Cukurbagli]

I wouldn't make too big a thing of the name Vic, Vic's blog, Victoria's blog, Kapadokya on Toast? anything will do really, it's what's inside it that counts.

More: Cave Chats, A Cavewoman Speaks, Tales from a Cave, From Civilisation to Cave Dwelling, The Cave Dweller's Almanac, Cave Dwelling for Dummies.

You do still live in a cave don't you?

[Vic801]

You are right, I'll think a bit more about the content. (Though I do like Kapadokya on Toast)

Actually the novelty of the cave experience wore off a little bit(!!) so I now live in a normal flat, well, as normal as they get, anyway.

[Ken]

I need to get the word out, somehow, about how people can display their blogs here when they are actually hosted elsewhere. It would increase bloggers' readership quite a bit I think, and also give other Turkey Central members the chance to read about bloggers' lives. I hate to send out a blanket e-mail about it because I don't know which members are bloggers and which are not. Perhaps I should do it anyway.

[Cukurbagli]

I think sending an email is probably the best and easiest since you are up to your eyes with everything else.

[sunny]

I agree.