Wednesday, September 24, 2008

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.

45 comments :

Scunge said...

Happy Anniversary Bonnie! Although I have only been coming here since June I must say I love this blog! I check it every single day to see what is new,and one day when I have time I might even get a chance to read some of your stories! Please keep up the great work oh and I love the virtual food the only delicious food with no calories!

Ms. Cassandra (Sandy) Park said...

Congratulations, Bonnie. It gives me hope to continue on my blog, even when I think I have nothing meaningful to say and no one is reading it. Since starting my blog, I've tried my best to keep up with others. Yes, I need to comment more.

sandy

Anonymous said...

I've said it before, Bonnie: Your blog is the scene's epicenter, with a seemingly unstoppable flow of valuable, validating entries, vignettes both erotic and humorous,
polls and surveys, and ever-present evidence that you genuinely CARE about your readership. Congratulations on your third anniversary and may there be many more to come! JJ

pmduo said...

Congratulations Bonnie! I'm very thankful you've stuck with this blog. It is wonderful to have a place like this to come to. Keep up the good work!!

sally4lvp said...

Happy Anniversary Bonnie! Your blog was the first one I found on the subject that sounded normal. I loved your perspective and your stories were just awesome, I could not read them fast enough. Thank you for providing such a GREAT interesting and informational site. I know you have helped many on their journey to making their spanking desires known to their mates. You helped me let mine know over 2 years ago and we continue to grow closer. You have also helped many a young blog blossom and grow, which has helped this community grow. Best Wishes for many more anniversaries to come!

Hugs, Sally

SPANKEDHORTIC said...

I wish I knew that spanking blogs existed 3 years ago, so that I could have been there to see you start up. Congratulations on your blogaversary and thank you for helping to bring the online spanking community together.

Prefectdt

Anonymous said...

Bonnie, Many congratulations, 3 years, wow!!! and you have gone from strength to strength, with your unique blend of sexy stories, fun, laughter commonsense, sound advice and encouragement....
You are unrivalled in the field of spanking, our true Queen B !!!!

(Randy, give her a REALLY good celebratory spanking tonight... hahaha! ;)
God bless, hugs, love from Daisy xxxxxxxxxxx

Cassie said...

Bonnie,
My first sane find on the topic of spanking. I was hooked from the moment I found MBS. When you answered my original email (only the third email I had ever sent) I was elated. When I was able to share the first story I ever wrote here, I was amazed! You have led me to friends I would never have met otherwise.

Because of this blog I eventually began my own which has brought me boundless happiness. As for Tom's view of all this, well lets just say he would probably also like to give you a gift of leather, or perhaps ivory!

Much love and thanks for all you do.

Cassie

Hermione said...

Bonnie,

Congratulations on your third anniversary. Your blog has made a huge difference in the lives of so many people, including my own.

It's a privilege and a pleasure to help out around MBS in any way I can.

I treasure our friendship.

Hugs,
Hermione

Anonymous said...

Dear Bonnie,

Thank you so muchfor this blog and for your encouragement. It was here that I found realistic material, great stories and a lot of common sense. I emailed you and you emailed back with encouragement and sound advise. It was here that I first realized I wasn't weird but had a need and that there were safe ways to pursue getting that need met. As with so many other posters and commenters I am into what for me is a bumpy journey and am realizing that I may not be able to get my need met right now but that there is always hope.
I wanted to let you know I've read all of the stories,tutorials, and brunches and most of the comments on them along with having checked out many of the sites under kindred spirits. I liked some and was appalled by others but that's just where I am not a criticism of others. I check you out often and wish you a Happy Anniversary indeed and many happy returns. Am looking forward to the account of what you and Randy will do to celebrate. Happy spanking and keep on having fun adventures.

Anonymous said...

Bonnie,

I only discovered your blog a few weeks ago and I was hooked from then. I especially love the stories and the Sunday bruch. It was so nice to have common sense intertwined with a great sense of humor (road trip over his lap)!! I hope you have no intention of hanging up your keyboard anytime soon...you truely contribute so much to the online community.

Suzanne

K said...

Congrats, Bonnie! I wouldn't be spanked if it wasn't for your blog. Thanks for continuing.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary, Bonnie! I found your blog just after starting my own. I couldn;t have done it without you.

Much love to you!

Paul said...

Bonnie, Congratulations, is it three yearsalready.
You are such a good example to others, sane, sensible informative, humourous and well weiten.
You are a keystone of our community, may you and we enjoy may more years of your blogging.
Leather makes a fine anniversary present may you enjoy yours.
Warm hugs,
Paul.

Brambleberry Blush said...

Bonnie~

Let me add my congrats--three years is a long time to keep at it. I can honestly say the day I found you changed my life significantly. Think of all the happy people in the world because of you!

cheers!
Carly

Justine said...

Congratulations! It's actually my blogs second anniversary today :D

Still love your blog!

Kisses from Justine

Anonymous said...

As a long-time reader & first time commenter, let me just say that you set the spanko standard for the first person, real life blog form.

Congratulations & keep up the good work

Anonymous said...

Queen B -- I love that!

Bonnie, everyone has said it for me already, so allow me to reiterate what an inspiration you've been for us all. Long may you blog. :-) -- Erica

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogaversary Bonnie! We remain big fans of MBS and hope you don't change a thing.

:)
Todd and Suzy

ps
*someone* should get a spanking for big #3... right?

Zelda said...

Happy anniversary Bonnie! Although I am new to the blogging world, I know I speak for many others in saying that you are a true inspiration. It was blogs like yours that led me to come out with my own blog. Thank you for introducing me to such a creative outlet!

Zelda

Terpsichore said...

Congratulations on your third year anniversary of your blog. I discovered your wonderful website about this time last year and it has opened a whole new adventure for me and given me permission to be true to me. :-) Happy celebrating! Hugs, Terpsichore

Anonymous said...

Bonnie, I am so very glad Randy persuaded you to persevere! I know you were one of the first blogs I found that I could relate to, and you were also the one who convinced me that maybe I could/should consider blogging myself. I am so appreciate of all you present here, and all you do for the online spanking community at large! Happy 3rd anniversary!

CGF said...

Congratulations, and thank you for the support you show to other writers and the honesty and humour your display.

dg
xx

ThomasIII said...

Happy Anniversary, Bonnie. Since I'm still working on my second year and only get comments here and there, I can relate to the disappointment of checking your messages and finding that no one had anything to say about a topic that I've posted. Somehow, though, you keep them coming back, which is a talent that I'm still working on. :P

Adam's Angel said...

Congrats on your 3rd Bonnie! Yours is a blog to aspire to! I found y'all through Angelbrat, and once I did I was hooked - hooked on reading, hooked on reading more, and finally hooked on blogging myself! I love, love, love this blog - it's a keystone - and I'm so thankful for it's presense in the spanko/DD world! Hooray! Danielle

Southern Angel said...

Hi Bonnie,

Happy 3 year Bloggiversary! Hope you have many more. :)

Jessie said...

Happy anniversary. Your blog has been fun, informative and gave me courage to look at a part of myself I was afraid of!

Take care,
-Jess

AngelBrat said...

Happy Anniversary, Bonnie! It always makes me feels so warm and fuzzy when you say I helped spread the word. :) But you're made such a roaring success of this blog that I know I was just lucky to be one of the first to find you here. You have a wonderful creation in MBS, and I'm proud to call you a fellow blogger and friend!

Hugs,

Tracy

PK said...

Bonnie,
I give you and your blog nearly all the credit for taking my marriage from fine to fantastic!!!!

I would have thought of blogs as fun and entertaining but I would't have thought one could have changed my life like it did. Thank you so much!

Hugs,
Lynne

OliviaManners said...

Dear Bonnie

Visiting your blog does feel like the hub of the community. Other many wonderful and interesting blogs span(k) out from here with different tastes and insights but the tone of yours is impressively wise, candid, creative, humorous and affirmative.

On top of that it is educational too, and the blog that I direct all of the new Pink Cheek Mademoiselles to when they are setting out on their spanking journey's.

What a masterstroke ;-)

Many thanks, and many congratulations.

Olivia
x

fanny said...

Bonnie-
You set a high standard that other blogs strive to match. The result is an amazing collection of quality spanking blogs out there thanks to your example. Printing out items from your blog to show to my husband made it so much easier to come out to him. I was having a hard time putting into words what I wanted and needed, so I let you do it for me...Thanks BTW!
Happy Anniversary and many more I hope!

MacGirl said...

Happy blogging anniversary! I love reading your blog and it's so informative.
I started blogging when I was 14, just an online journal really. 7 years later I am still blogging but on an extremely different subject!
Here's to many more years of blogging!
Macgirl

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Bonnie! Everyone has already said everything I'd like to say. From all the stories and gentle guidance on your blog to the personal emails you exchanged with me when I finally decided to do more than just lurk, you've made a huge difference in my life and happiness with my husband. Thanks for the joy and humor you bring!

Heather said...

Congrats Bonnie. That's really something to celebrate. I wish you three more years of wonderful blogging. I always love your content and look forward to much more. Since I discovered your blog back in February I have visited almost every week whether I post or not.

Heather said...

By the way, I have now started Thursday's Thoughts on The Bottom Line (my blog).

Serpent's Embrace said...

Bonnie,

Happy 3 year anniversary! Thank you for all you have done. You are a beacon for everyone within the spanking community, including myself. Thanks to you, The Switching Hour saw its 1 year anniversary. It would have been deleted long ago had you not given the help and guidance you did at the time.

I would also like to thank you for Keyword Chaos and In With The New. Keyword Chaos brings needed humor into my life. Life can be so stressful, and I can use all the humor I can get. In With The New brings new blogs to my attention. Without you, I don't know how I would have found many of the blogs I have come to enjoy. Even though I don't participate very often, I enjoy your Sunday brunches as well. Mailbag, Ask Bonnie, and The Spanko Files are also great! In short, everything at MBS is awesome!

Thank you for sharing your special blend of wisdom, creativity, and humor!!! It has been a pleasure reading here, and I look forward to doing so for as long as you see fit to continue blogging.

Very thankful and happy for you,

Marcus

Bonnie said...

Everyone: Thank you so much for your congratulations and well wishes. You're the reason I write.

Hugs to all,
Bonnie

Dr. Ken said...

Bonnie--Happy blogiversary! I appreciate all the effort you put into making this one of the best spanking blogs out there. And I thank you for that time, not too long ago, when you added me to your list of "Kindred Spirits" and listed Spanking Minnesota as a new blog worth taking a look at.
Here's to another wonderful year!

Dr. Ken

Anonymous said...

Congratulations for your excellent and creative blog!
¡Muchas felicidades y por muchos años!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Bonnie! I found your site six months ago and it is just a wonderful read - it's real, has a really grounded perspective, and is very appraochable to people like me who are still finding their way and wondering and worried...
Slowsong

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary Bonnie.
I think of what you have here as a precious resource that is helping me find my way in a sane, smart, funny & thoughtful way.
Long may you run
roissy

Anonymous said...

She is the greatest spanking blogger of them all. S & D

Anonymous said...

happy aniversary......is that like a birthday.....as in birthday smacks?

R

mthc said...

Happy anniversary..Everything's already been said.. you are the reason a lot of us admit to this way of life.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary Bonnie

Jean

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