Putting your ideas out there is scary. Hitting publish is test of your nerve. Showing up most days involves commitment. Making room. Letting go of something else.

You don’t, as (Seth would say), expect applause… but it’s lovely when you get it, and even better when it sounds like this.

“Here’s a blog that succeeds brilliantly in balancing the expertise of the blogger with valuable, original, engaging content. Arresting headlines, considered imagery and a clearly nurtured and active readership make The Story of Telling a blog that’s easy to get into and hard to escape.

One of the commenters on the blog likens Bernadette Jiwa to ‘a female Seth Godin’ and I have to agree. A terrific example of a business blog that must do so much for the author’s business.”

—Robert Gerrish
Best Australian Blogs Judge

This week my blog won The Best Australian Blog Business Category.

I’m blown away, thrilled and humbled of course. There were so many great blogs on those lists. But here’s what I want to tell you.

Without readers there are words, but no story.

If there was no you with your big ideas on the other side of this monitor, then there would be a fair few words, but no real story to tell. You and your stories are what make my writing better. So thank YOU for showing up here too. For making my ideas matter and my headline hunting head, hurt. Thanks for caring and for making me care even more every day.

Image by Photosynthesized.