Welcome Back Joanna Young!

August 25, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

Joanna Young has been offline for two weeks. After moving her blog from TypePad to WordPress, she had to go offline for a house move. Needless to say, not two things I would want to tackle in a single month!

When Brad Shorr came up with the idea of a surprise Online Welcome Back party for Joanna, I was immediately on board. He recruited Robert Hruzek and like two elves, they set about planning a surprise. Daniel Smith (who is also moving) graciously pitched in to create a button for the day. So, you may be wondering, who is this Joanna Young and why all the hubbub?

I started my blog in 2005 but didn’t wrap my arms around it until January 2008. It was a godawful mess but lucky for me, no one was reading! That all changed in late February when I participated in one of Joanna’s group writing projects. Her link love sent traffic my way. For the first time, I had actual comments -yippee!

It did not stop there. Joanna came to my blog and brought friends. She started conversations and others joined. She encouraged me when I was down and coached me in my efforts. She embraced me into her community and suddenly I was not alone. Under her tutelage, I found focus and even (gasp!) did ordered lists.

Joanna, we missed you! We really, really missed you! Join the party, by popping over and saying hello. While there you can read one of my favorite writing inspiration posts, How to Become a Fire Breathing Writing Dragon .

If you’d like to join in on the fun, it’s not too late. Write a post and link to Confident Writing. We can keep the party going all week long!

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Posted by Karen Swim | Filed Under Inspiration, Writing

Comments

13 Responses to “Welcome Back Joanna Young!”

Ulla Hennig on August 25th, 2008 9:06 am

Karen,
Let me join in! Joanna played a big role for me, too: She encouraged me to write my blog in English, and by following her on Twitter, I got to know you, and Robert, and Brad, and – not to forget – Rosa Say. I missed you too, Joanna!

Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Welcome Back, Joanna!

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Brad Shorr on August 25th, 2008 9:10 am

Nice post, Karen! I never knew how you and Joanna got to be so close. I’ll be looking for more ordered lists from you in the future.

Brad Shorrs last blog post..Welcome Back, My Confident Friend

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Karen Swim on August 25th, 2008 9:53 am

@Ulla, I am so thankful that Joanna found you and shared you with us! Welcome back from vacation Ulla, we missed you too! Looking forward to the wonderful stories and pictures.

@Brad, thanks! LOL! Yes, I rebelled against ordered lists until Joanna gently coached me. It’s very hard to get the sound of a Scotswoman out of your head, you either give in or go nuts. lol!

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Rick Mahn on August 25th, 2008 10:11 am

Karen,
A great post to welcome Joanna back! It seems Joanna brings a bit of cheer, friends, and great advice everywhere she goes. Those ordered lists make for great posts!

Have a great day!

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Joanna Young on August 25th, 2008 10:17 am

Karen, what a wonderful post. Thank you so much. Your blog is fantastic, a treasure, and I love coming here and seeing so many people reading it and enjoying it, and joining the conversation. I’m very proud to have played some small part in getting it to here.

Brad – the other part of the equation is that Karen found me after I entered one of the copyblogger group writing projects. Which just goes to show the power of blogging to make connections.

Joanna Youngs last blog post..20 Things You Need To Do Before You’re Free To Blog

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Soultravelers3 on August 25th, 2008 10:33 am

Ooooh, how sweet and fun! I write on the move because we are traveling the world as a family, so I have been missing out on things, but glad I caught this!

Great post! I missed Joanna too…& we even made a quick stop into her home town when she was moving!

Soultravelers3s last blog post..Viana do Castelo & Vigo

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Robert Hruzek on August 25th, 2008 12:23 pm

I never knew that writing project was the first time you two had met! Isn’t it amazing how writing projects have actually brought us all so close together?

Cheers!
Robert

Robert Hruzeks last blog post..I’m a Confident Writer. Are You?

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Jeanne Dininni on August 25th, 2008 4:20 pm

Karen,

Thanks for sharing these fabulous reasons why Joanna has endeared herself to so many!

Thanks, too, for alerting me to Project Confident Friendship–and sending me the badge to make it official! It’s been a pleasure and a privilege participating!

Jeanne

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Karen Swim on August 25th, 2008 5:28 pm

@Rick, it is definitely a testament to Joanna that so many have been touched by her work and gracious spirit. Thank you Rick for the kind words and thanks to Joanna for connecting us too.

@Joanna, your words are music to my ears. I can never thank you enough for all that you’ve done. I am so very happy you’re back!

@Soultraveler, I really think you and your family are having the best time of all! I am going to hop over and read your post. What a wonderful adventure! One day I hope to be writing on the move too.

@Robert, those writing projects truly birth a community, see what good you’re doing.

@Jeanne, I’m headed off to read your post too. Being on the party planning committee gave me the opportunity to interact with all of you. I’m so glad you could participate.

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Jeanne Dininni on August 25th, 2008 7:14 pm

Thanks, Karen! I, too, am glad I could participate! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment on my “welcome back” post!

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Robyn on August 25th, 2008 8:10 pm

Karen, thanks for letting me know about the plan to welcome Joanna back. Interesting that both you and myself find Joanna’s blog on the fire-breathing dragon so inspiring.

It was great to see so many participate. Nice job to help organize it!

Robyns last blog post..Writing and Doing Like a Fire-Breathing Dragon

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Roland Hesz on August 26th, 2008 2:16 am

Glad you finished your moving Joanna. Hope the new house is everything you wanted it to be, and that you counted the corners of the ceiling after the first night

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Janice Cartier on August 28th, 2008 4:44 pm

Welcome back Joanna! Smiles across the miles.

Janice Cartiers last blog post..Purest of Paper, The Color of Night

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