Splintered Reflections

Yesterday I read an article that Catherine Sanderson is retreating from the world of blogging and is concentrating on the world of fiction. Catherine is famed as one of the first bloggers who developed a worldwide audience that resulted in her winning an amazing £450,000 book deal, based on her memoirs.

I started following Catherine’s blog somewhat later than most; however, I have been able to draw parallels in our lives. We are both ex-pats integrating into a foreign country (though, of course, I suspect that as she has lived in Paris for some time now, she is more successful than me in this regard), we share a love of writing, we are both mothers and our writing style is surprisingly open and brutally honest.

Whilst I would not claim to being an avid follower of her blog, I have kept the success of it in my peripheral vision since I started Splintered Reflections, especially as some writers are implying that “blogging has had its day”.

It got me thinking; if my days as a blogger are truly numbered, then perhaps a little “shake-up” is required to attract a wider audience to Splintered Reflections, before this “genre” peters into insignificance.

From now on, you will see a few changes taking place here. Firstly, I will be using my blog a little more “correctly” as an online diary and a place to air my thoughts. I will include links to ALL of my writing, so for instance, if I write a creative short story for another website, you won’t have to miss a thing.

I am pleased to say that I am getting some very artistic friends involved; Angela Mcfall is a close friend living here in Villeneuve and she is the most truly amazing painter you will ever find. She has two very successful studios here in Switzerland, in Leysin and Vevey, and has kindly agreed to lend some of her sought-after artwork as imagery for my blog; particularly as much of her work centres around our beautiful environment that is the Swiss Riviera. Nothing could be more perfect! Check out her recent artwork for a beautiful book of poetry; “Coming Ashore on Fire”, that she painted for close friend and successful poet, Michael Dennis.

I also will have Simon Clarke on board, an excellent photographer, who will be lending his photographic eye and creating lovely images of my little family walking by Lac Leman and hanging out at home.

I am excited about these changes, as I have been struggling with the format of my writing and the approach to use in attracting a readership. I have found myself travelling down so many different avenues simultaneously, and as a result, I am feeling a little “scattered”! This approach already feels easier and a little more “organic”.

I hope you continue to enjoy my reflections.