Happy 20th Birthday, SlingWords!

Twenty years ago today, I wrote and published the first post to this SlingWords blog. Yes, I've been blogging for you since 2005.

That post was an inspirational quote, a Japanese proverb that I believe wholeheartedly is a secret to success.

Since then I've blogged 4,388 times. That's probably not a record, but I'm proud of it because each post has been personal and meaningfull in some way.

At least that's what I intend with every post whether it's a bit of inspiration, a guide to authors, a recipe, a movie review, a guest author feature, or heartfelt thoughts about some subject. 

My blog has mostly had the same design for many years. I go in periodically and update the images on the sidebars, but the look of it—blue skies and bluebonnets—remain the same because I simply like those images. They visually represent optimism.

Every blog I've written can be found in THE ARCHIVES, and all of those posts are categorized in SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT.

When I mention a product, it's because I believe in the product. 

I use it myself, or I'm purchasing it for my own use. 

I don't receive free products of any kind, but if I ever do, I will disclose that.

NEW FEATURE

I have some standard posts, but I haven't posted many of those during the last year. I'll get back to that this year. Also, I'm starting a new feature, ASK JOAN, as a way to help beginning authors or maybe to explain to readers why authors do some of the things they do. 

If anyone reading this wants to know something about the art, craft, or business of writing or the bookss, or the writing life, feel free to ask just about anything.

I've been in the business a long time, and this is a way I can help those just starting out. I'll answer anything to the best of my ability.

STATISTICS

To this day, years-old posts are still being read. Here are a few stats about the readership of SlingWords.

Since 2005, this blog has been read 2,492,372 times. Here are the view stats which I culled on April 4. Views are unique, meaning not the same internet visitor reading the same post.

Yesterday: 2,548 views.  This month, April: 7,679.  Last month, March: 31,099

SURPRISING READERSHIP

Even more surprising than these big numbers are the locations of these blog readers. It's gratifying to know so many people worldwide, through the years, have read SlingWords.

United States - 1.34M

Singapore - 326K

Hong Kong - 109K

Russia - 67.4K

Germany - 54.3K

France - 52.2K

Israel - 44K

Italy - 33K

Sweden - 28.9K

United Kingdom - 25.6K

Ukraine - 23.6K

Türkiye - 23.6K

Canada - 21.7K

India - 20.5K

Netherlands - 18.3K

Brazil - 12.8K

Saudi Arabia - 9.89K

China - 8.34K

Australia - 6.96K

Other - 270K

Thank you, readers, I apprecciate each and every one of you.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

That's a wrap for looking back at 20 years of SlingWords. Keep reading, and tell your friends about this blog with original content written by a Human, not AI generated.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate your time and your Comments.

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