Three Years ...and Still Counting

It was three years ago today that I took my first tentative step into the world of blogging. I remember it well. It was an overcast Saturday. I was slightly tender from a trip over Randy's lap the night before and I was feeling inspired.

I had followed spanking blogs for months and found several I really liked. It occurred to me that I too had something to say about the subject. I thought that my perspective, as a long-time fan of recreational spanking, wasn't very well represented at that time. I also knew that I had a store of spanking stories that I wanted to share with like-minded readers.

Randy and I had a long talk about blogging before I ever began. We discussed issues such as privacy, safety, decorum, and my general approach. He agreed to help me set up a blog, but after that, it would be mine to manage.

I took the big jump and then... Nothing. For the first several weeks, I barely had a single comment. I posted some of the very best material from my archive, but almost no one saw it and even fewer commented. I nearly gave up and moved to a new creative project. Randy encouraged me to persevere. He said he knew that lots of people would like my stories, once they were discovered.

He was right, of course. Angelbrat found this blog and graciously shared the word. Soon, most of the major spanko blogs had my link and curious readers began to make their way to MBS.

This blog would not exist without the generous support of many friends over the past three years. I make a point of aiding new bloggers because I want to see their blogs grow and thrive as this one has. I believe in paying forward and embracing the natural progression of life. It's reassuring to know that when I hang up my keyboard, friends will be here to carry on.

In the world of blogging, as with most creative endeavors, there are few truly original ideas. Most of what we do is in some fashion derivative from what came before. I've been able to add a few nuances and I am gratified that some of them have been adapted elsewhere. By sharing freely, our entire community grows stronger. Three years in, this vision remains unchanged.

Managing a busy blog can be strange, interesting, and fun. I'll be highlighting the strange part in an upcoming mailbag segment (insert eye-roll here). The interesting includes the privilege of meeting and talking with so many great people. The fun lies in the paradox that while I may think I am completely in control, I seldom know what is going to happen next.

I think it's worth mentioning again that I could not manage this blog without assistance. Hermione has been particularly helpful in terms of managing my blogroll and providing much-needed common sense. In addition, I've had hundreds of contributors, guests authors, and e-mail correspondents, thousands of commenters, and hundreds of thousands of readers. I am humbly grateful to all of you.

Then there's Randy. This is a man who claims he isn't involved with the blog, but dispenses his two cents worth in dollar increments. His instincts, while quite different from mine, are usually on target. He tells me that a third anniversary calls for leather (he's right, I looked it up!), so I guess I have some idea what sort of celebration to expect tonight.

I have no plans to make major changes around here, but I do tweak things periodically. As always, I welcome your suggestions. Some of my favorite posts originated with a reader's great idea. I'm glad that you allow MBS to be a part of your life and delighted you are a part of ours.