My inbox after being freshly pressed. And that’s only the first page, after deleting all of the “like” and “follow” notifications…
I planned my victory. Write a slightly controversial rant targeting America’s favorite past time, publish it under the guise of an innocently idealistic teenager, and sit back and watch the WordPress editors do their job. It was almost too easy. After two years of toiling away, I have finally won.
I’m kidding (for the most part.) I’m so grateful to WordPress for choosing my post about sports and the American education system to publicize on their front page. I’ll do my best to respond to the comments in a timely manner, but it’ll take at least a few days due to all of the insightful responses people have posted.
How does it feel to be freshly pressed, you inquire? It’s sort of like being a super awesome famous mega star writer stumbling upon $200 in your back pocket. There’s a rush of views and comments and follows as well as a nice little ego boost, but after it’s over, you go back to your day job and get right back to work. I’ll still focus on appealing to myself and to my regular readers, but we’ll see how many of you new people stick around. Meanwhile, here are three reasons you might not want to follow my blog!
Yesterday set a new record! Today might break it too. Also, yes, my analogy was rather off-kilter.
Reason #1: I have no niche.
Really. As a high school senior who’s still growing up and learning about the world around him, I write about everything – the books I read, the music I listen to, personal experiences, and societal issues. I’ve written about why high school relationships fail and how I dealt with my grandparents moving away. Heck, I came out on this blog. Don’t expect posts solely about education or about controversial issues. I try to write about a variety of topics but I always stick to what interests me and what I’m passionate about.
Reason #2: I am consistently inconsistent.
Blog once a day to keep the feeling of failure away, they say. Write a post every Wednesday, they say. Publish only in the mornings and wear socks to solidify the warmth of your writing, they say.
I say, no. While I rarely go more than once a week without publishing a post (not sure if I’ve ever done that, even) I don’t do a book review every Wednesday or a gay pride post every Saturday. I try not to publish more than once a day, but other than that, my timing is spontaneous. I write when I have the urge to – which is often – but not to satisfy any self-imposed deadline.
Reason #3: I’m weird.
Not sure what the reasoning behind this one is because weird people are the best. I guess I’m just saying that you shouldn’t always expect 100% sane things from this blog. I cry over books constantly, I have a strange penchant for self-actualization and intellectually stimulating activities, and I like liking things on Facebook… even when I don’t really like them.
I’ve always wanted 999 followers. I’ve reached that goal – and I have proof.
Summary of this post: thanks for being beautiful everyone, don’t expect me to follow you back just because you liked my post or followed me (I actually read/comment on the blogs I follow), and please floss because it’ll let you live longer. Until next time!
the quiet voice 
I love the humour! 🙂 ……I commented on your post so is that enough to get you to follow me?! 😉
Thanks Huffy! Ah, yes, I checked out your blog and I like it so far – so, a follow is in order!
Ah, why thank you kind sir!
Wow, I’m so happy for you Thomas! Finally, more of the world has been introduced to this amazing/funny/odd/lovely blog! And hey, I can name three reasons why people SHOULD follow your blog:
Reason #1 You always write thoughtful posts- whether they are serious of not- and you are not afraid of expressing your own opinions. Your posts are always written with great care and a witty sense of humour that just make them so fun to read!
Reason #2 YOU are a fantastic writer. You’re daring but never push too far, you’re wise but you never over do it. Your vocabulary and word choice are top notch, and you write with such ease.
Reason #3 You are one of the only well known bloggers I know that still responds to every one one of your comments with a great interest. Thank you for responding with such thought-out comments, I know it must take time.
-Grace 🙂
Ah Grace I’m so glad I stumbled upon your book blog that one day, I love your comments! You’re so kind – I’m glad that I have someone who appreciates my posts like you do. Responding to comments does take time but I love engaging with those who read my writing and facilitating thoughtful conversation. Thank you so much for this wonderful tidbit.
Congrats, Thomas! I’ve come to accept that there isn’t a super secret formula to lead one on the road of Freshly Pressed glory, it’s the quality of the content you put out there for the all to see, and the chance that a WP editor happened upon a certain post. It was inevitable you’d get there, so I’m not totally surprised 😉 Keep on writing the way you are.
What a way to ring in the new year, huh? I completely agree with every single word Grace had said!
Thanks Devina! You’re right, being freshly pressed doesn’t mean more than 1) the Editors stumbled upon your post at the right time, 2) they liked it enough to choose it for FP. It must be of a certain quality, yes, but there are myriad people who write better posts than me who haven’t been FP. Anyway, it has been a great start to the new year, though I am much more thankful for my regular commenters like you. (:
Congrats, man! I’ve only been reading your blog for about a week now, but I can say confidently that you totally deserve the notoriety that being freshly pressed got you. Keep it up – hope to read many more good posts.
Thanks Tyler! I love your use of the word “notoriety”… makes me feel much more infamous than I actually am. I will try my best to please.
Congratulations Thomas! You write so well on controversial subjects I’m surprised you weren’t Freshly Pressed sooner. 🙂
Thank you Carrie! Yeah, I feel like the editors gravitate toward subjects that they know a decent amount of people will be interested in. I hope one of your book reviews will be freshly pressed, though being FP doesn’t indicate anything regarding the quality of your reviews themselves – they are amazing no matter what!
Right now, I can’t make you feel any better than you already do…Rightfully so. However, if you continue writing, or regardless of what you do, do yourself a life-long favor, please continue to remember the 3 rules you listed above. That is the kind of thinking that leads to original thoughts, I emphasize the word original, instead of just revamping what someone else said and then regurgitating it. That way, you will always be you and not what somebody else wants you to be.
Now that I look back on it, you’re right – there are pros and cons to the way I blog, but it’s worked for me and it does allow me to bask in the glory of original creation. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Very well deserved. I hope that you’ve still got time for me as a long time follower now that you’re famous ;0)
Of course I’ve got time for you – I am by no means famous, and like I said, my regular commenters are still closest to my heart. Thanks for reading and commenting as always, Sam.
Well deserved. Congratulations!
Thank you Ruth!
Congratulations! It’s definitely an amazing achievement for a WP blogger.
Thanks Brittany! It does feel rewarding, but it’s not the biggest deal ever.
Congratulations! And if you did decide to take over the world I think it would be safe to say that you would help the world get better 😛 You deserve being Freshly Pressed!
Aw, that’s so sweet Lottie. Thank you so much!
That was a funny post title. Congratulations for being Freshly Pressed. You deserved it. And yes, weird people are the best. 😀
I meant every word of it… just kidding, sort of. Thank you, and I agree 100%.
“…floss because it’ll let you live longer.” Truth. I died a little inside when I found out cavities could exist between my teeth. Congrats on all your new followers!
I know, who knew a practice that took such little time could have such lasting effects… thank you!
Congratulations! I didn’t even realize you’d been freshly pressed, lol. How bad is that as a follower? 😛 Since WordPress has moved the freshly pressed from the homepage I don’t check it much these days, I always forget!
But congrats again, you deserve it.
However, I will never floss. 😉
No, I understand completely – I don’t check out the freshly pressed blog posts that much anymore either. I’m surprised my post got as much attention as it did.
Thanks! I used to never floss either, but trust me, it takes very little time once you make it a habit and it has proven health benefits! Maybe make it your next New Year’s Resolution? (:
Haha maybe, maybe. 😛