I started my blog because …

We asked Birmingham bloggers to finish this sentence: “I started my blog because …” (We’ll add their answers as they come in.)

Sometimes, when you’ve been blogging for awhile, you forget why you’re doing it in the first place. Or you need a reminder as to what got you excited about having your own site to begin with.

My story

For me, I started my first blog, Wade on Birmingham, in 2005. My company had just folded, and while I was looking for work, I wasn’t looking very hard.

I wanted to keep writing, though, but I needed deadlines to push me forward. No deadline, no motivation.

So I figured I try out blogging. I had been working with an exploratory committee at my job, and we were thisclose to launching, so most of the homework was done. I had even done some practice blogging on the clock.

And with help from my friend Kenn, I set up the site and started writing, nearly every day. For the last four years.

Since then I’ve created blogs for myself, my employers and my friends. It never ends.

So I started my blog because I wanted to continue what I love doing most: writing.

Your stories

Food Revival: “I started my website at first to be a resource for other folks in the community looking for local food resources and information and my website ended up being a gift to me — keeping me sane through a layoff, keeping my interests alive, and fostering an amazing sense of independence and creativity.”

Lessons from an 80’s Alumna: “I wanted to blog about personal and professional issues related to women. I am trying to get a book published that includes these topics.”

giornalista, Skirt Birmingham: “I have ideas. … I like to share. … I’ve got to keep up with my craft.”

Kenny Smith: “I write about things that interest me — and much interests me — in the hopes that some of these things will interest you. That’s what you should do too. If you’re not writing to your own joy and for your own reasons you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. Passion shines through. Your audience will see it.”

The Horse: “It boils down to a few reasons for me: Blogging can bring in a small profit if done professionally, you know what you’re doing and you’re willing to stick it out for a year or so. I’ve always been on a quest for new knowledge. It gives me a certain satisfaction to know that I’ve helped someone learn something new that they can use to improve themselves or their business. I also use my blogs as a personal journal or diary.”

My Scoop: “Recognizing that there was not a website out there targeting southern women, I felt it was important to stay true to their needs and wants.”

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If you’re a Birmingham blogger who’s posted an answer to this question on your site, share it by sending the link or adding a comment below.