The Making of Kid Stuph

By guest blogger Kenneth Hopkins

I sat there for what seemed like hours, my finger poised precariously over the Enter key, reading the last few lines of my post again and again.

I was confident in what I wrote but still I hesitated . . . why? This was my continuing saga in my decision to start blogging. For the longest time, I dismissed the idea. After all, there were so many other good blogs out there. Witty, extroverted, funny, experts in their field, producing one great article after another. Blog after blog with so much great content . . . and then there’s me.

I convinced myself that even if I were to end up with one thing that people would like, I wouldn’t be able to maintain it.

I was pretty content to not blog, so I wouldn’t have to face my fear of people rejecting, or even worse, ignoring what I wrote. Adding an occasional comment on someone else’s blog was safe because people weren’t there to hear me. I could blend into the array of other people’s responses, and be mildly satisfied that I had contributed to the web scene in some small way.

Why start then? As always there is usually a catalyst. Mine came in the form of a tragic incident out of the otherwise peaceful protests in Egypt. I followed the events closely as did everyone else, finding the uprising fascinating. I celebrated the victory with the nation, and even used their 28-day success as inspiration for changes in my own life.

The tragedy? The attack on the reporter Lara Logan. When I heard of it, I was devastated. How could people take something so positive, so life-changing and inspirational, and destroy it and her by such a senseless and selfish act?

I was disturbed for days. I felt I needed to speak out, to talk to someone, anyone. I joined in with those on Twitter commenting on it, yet it didn’t give me the same satisfaction as when I would comment on others’ blogs. The soul in me was crying out, and wasn’t going to stop until I gave it voice.

I went through the process of setting up the blog, still thinking of the whole incident. By now, a couple weeks had passed and—just like every other piece of news—it had disappeared from most of the world’s thinking, but not from mine. I didn’t know what I was going to do with those feelings, even as I initiated the design of the blog. I wrote my intro, something to get my feet wet, and then it came back . . . the fear.

Somewhere in the process of creation, I stopped thinking about Lara and Egypt, and started focusing back on the reasons I had never done this before.

There it was, my first post, ready to be unleashed to the world. It spoke of my fear and conflict, my need to get my thoughts out even if no one listened. Truthfully, even that wasn’t entirely correct—I really did want others to hear what I had to say. My finger hovered over the Enter key, and then I took the plunge. Click. It was done. I jumped in with all my fears on extreme overload. Kid Stuph was officially born.

I found that this opened the door for more things to write about. I felt more comfortable writing, even though I still hesitated with each post. Eventually, comments started coming in. Then subscriptions. People wanted to hear what I had to say.

I’m excited about what Kid Stuph can become. I have since written about Lara and Egypt and, so far, it has been one of the most popular entries. Even if it wasn’t, it doesn’t matter, for I know it was the impetus for me to get past my fear long enough to do what was in me all along.

———

Ken-FoWKenneth Hopkins fell in love with writing at age six when he started creating comic strips. Since then he has expanded his writing to plays and poetry, and is currently working on his first novel. During the day, Ken spends his time managing a service team, and at other times he is cooking, playing guitar, or encouraging the music and dance endeavors
of his children. He blogs at Kid Stuph and tweets at @kidstuph.


12 Responses to The Making of Kid Stuph
  1. Julia
    Twitter: wordsxo
    April 8, 2011 | 6:52 AM

    A great post — and I know just what you mean because I waited a long time before starting too. I love your writing style, very easy to read and entertaining; so it’s great that you started! But I agree, every day when I blog, I have trouble with that Enter key, too. Great to meet another writer through Milli, and I will be checking out your blog!

    • Kenneth Hopkins
      April 8, 2011 | 11:43 AM

      Julia, glad to know I am in great company with people who battle with the Enter key :-). I appreciate your words about my writing style. Thank you so much.

  2. Kim
    April 8, 2011 | 9:14 AM

    The way you write builds interest and anticipation. Happy blogging!

  3. @fearofwriting
    Twitter: fearofwriting
    April 8, 2011 | 12:10 PM

    Ken, thank you for sharing this moving story with our readers. I’m glad that the sad news about Lara Logan could have at least one good outcome.

    I started blogging back in 2006, but for many years I was utterly ambivalent about it and there would be long gaps between my posts. All that changed when j arrived to impose some order.

    Ha – “imposing order” does not sound like a j-trait at all, does it? But from j I learned the value of having a blog schedule: it makes you do it. And j also brought in wonderful guest bloggers such as yourself – people I didn’t know that I’m now very glad I know.

    I’m honored that you wanted to return and have another go as guest blogger, and with such a meaningful and inspirational post. Thank you! And congratulations on launching Kid Stuph!!

    ~ Milli

    P.S. Your original FoW guest post, The (not so fine) Art of Procrastination, is still one of my favorites. 🙂

    • Kenneth Hopkins
      April 8, 2011 | 11:10 PM

      hi Milli,

      Yes, J is my blogging hero! Without her, we would not even be having this conversation, for I am sure I would not have ever ventured into the blogging world. I am learning from her about schedule, and can see how it is good for all.

      thank you for having me as a guest blogger. It is special to me. Oh, and your last comment… I am so humbled 🙂

  4. purplekangaroos
    April 8, 2011 | 2:00 PM

    Congratulations on your courage to start Kid Stuph Ken. I looked it over this morning and was glad to find a kindred spirit…a grown up kid!

    Yeah, there are so many blogs out there, but the world would miss yours if you hadn’t done it. You have a lot to share and a nice big smile! And it’s so well done you don’t have to hesitate on that Enter key.

    I had the same reservations about blogging for a long time and I came out in public on this guest blog a couple months back. I’m so glad I did. Now I’ve made blog and Twitter friends, plus I love putting my thoughts, recipes and creative projects in a place that’s like a diary.

    I like your April 4 post about your kids. You are lucky on both sides – you and your kids. It’s touching how you always say “Thank you” to them. 🙂

    Keep up the good work!

    catherine

    • Kenneth Hopkins
      April 8, 2011 | 11:12 PM

      hi Catherine,

      I think that is one of the things I am enjoying, making new friends, and I agree… having a place to put thoughts and other stuff is great. thanks for checking out Kid Stuph 🙂

  5. elaine
    April 8, 2011 | 2:42 PM

    You’re not alone in a) loving to write and b) having writers’ block. Nor are you alone in your continuing concern/obsession over the Lara Logan story. It’s a horrible, horrifying story.

    Glad I found your blog.

    • Kenneth Hopkins
      April 8, 2011 | 11:18 PM

      Elaine, it is good to know i’m not alone in this. It makes the journey that much more fun. and having support for stories like Lara’s is always a good thing.

      thanks,

  6. Tricia
    Twitter: Tricia_Sutton
    April 8, 2011 | 8:29 PM

    Tall Pajama Man, it’s you! I didn’t recognize you without your TPM name. I said, self, that face looks familiar. I went to your blog and I said, this looks familiar too. Then I saw your J’s Love Project badge and then it hit me: Dude, we are connected through J. And J is super awesome and so are her friends and I just woke up from a long nap and am full of rambling energy. Forgive.

    P.S. great post on what motivated your first post. Anger and injustice can be the fuel to get the ball rolling. Glad you are with us.

    • Kenneth Hopkins
      April 8, 2011 | 11:21 PM

      Hi Tricia,

      I’ve been TPM with J for so long, I forget that people don’t actually know my name :-). As I get closer to the end of my book, I’ll probably have to change that, but for now, the moniker sticks, hee hee. J is super awesome, and is totally responsible for me even being here (thanks J 🙂 ).

      See you in all the places we share

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