By guest blogger Ann McElfresh. Photos Copyright © Ann McElfresh.
I WAS LUCKY enough to attend the Food Bloggers Forum in beautiful Walt Disney World recently. As I walked into the welcome reception, I thought, “Who am I to be among such giants?”
I knew I had a lot to learn – I had no idea how much I would take home with me!
I can tell you that each and every one of those giants looked at me and said or thought, “I am YOU!” Every one of them started where I am now: a new blogger with ideas, a desire to achieve and stars in my eyes.
Soup and salad at the Food Blogger's Forum
Dessert at the conference!
There were two recurring themes that I took away from this conference. It was stated over and over and over by each speaker, each presenter, and each blogger. They are words of wisdom.
Are you ready?
Be true to yourself
Tell YOUR story
Everyone has a story to tell . . . what’s YOUR story? If you’re gonna write – tell YOUR story. No one else knows it! You know what you want to say. So say it!
Be true to yourself. This goes hand-in-hand with telling your story. It can only really be your story if you are true to it and yourself. Write what you like and what interests you.
From a blogging perspective, imagine writing about something that you didn’t really like, but you knew you could crank it out and sell it. So, here you are, chained to your computer with a subject you don’t like . . . or **gasp** what if you chose a subject that bored you? UGH! Is there anything worse?
The lovely Jaden of Steamy Kitchen headed up this conference. Jaden is a firm believer in sharing knowledge. If there was ever a woman who was true to herself, tells her story and understands where a new food blogger comes from, it’s Jaden.
I am true to myself! My favorite subject? Cooking! I could talk about it, write about it, photograph it and share it all day long! Cooking is MY STORY.
What’s yours?
———
Ann McElfresh
Ann McElfresh, an enthusiastic home cook, has an extensive “bucket list” of places to see, foods to eat and dishes to cook. A recent physical required that she focus her attention on cooking healthy foods and living a healthier lifestyle. So far, she has lost 20 pounds. When asked how she lost the weight, she tells people, “By cooking like mad! Who knew losing weight could be so much fun?” Visit her healthy (and tasty) cooking blog at www.cookinghealthyforme.com.
Twitter: wordsxo
Love this Ann — and you’re so good at telling your story, love your blog! My story is…. in progress, just like me and my writing. I’m not sure what it is, but I love writing to figure it out!
Julia I am having a great time on the journey with you. I love your writing and your blog!
Ann, I didn’t know you went to a bloggers forum! How cool is that! I bet you really enjoyed it!
I don’t think there is anyone more true to themselves then you. You and cooking just go together. If I see a recipe I think, “I wonder how Ann would make that”. If I see a great picture of food I think of you. Yep…Its you and cooking and cooking and you! Which is a good thing, as you do it all so well!
Great writing, and pictures!
I loved this! Thanks!
Hi Betsy! I had a GREAT time at the Bloggers Conference and I learned SO much! Thank you for your amazing comment – it made my day….you are the sweetest!
Very nice, Ann. I am still trying to put together all that I learned at the conference. Slowly, things are falling into place, becoming habit. It was so much fun to attend with you.
Kristen you KNOW I had a GREAT time with you!
I’m loving your story so much, Ann!
Mine is… still in the draft pile, but I’ll try not to do too much editing 😉
I love it….still in the draft pile! You certain have an interesting story to tell!
Very nice story Ann! You are indeed an inspiration to us for being a good writer…Of course we all have a story to tell but it always depends on how we narrate it…
What a sweet comment, Adhriene! Thank you – I can’t wait to read your story!
As a “closet foodie” who slurps up great food writing — like yours, Ann! — I’ve always wanted to go to that blogging forum! It sounds like an amazing experience. And yes, Ann, you have definitely found your story and inspire others by telling it. Good for you! My story is multifaceted: I write about translation for my profession, I write about Peru and food, people and places, life experiences for my soul. I’m pulled in many different directions and feel the need to focus… But there’s so many stories to tell! 😉
Lisa, I’ve enjoyed reading every one of your stories! Who knew that a foodie and a translationist (is that a word? it is now!) could connect! …I guess we have Milli and stories that draw us together!