Y’all.
You guys.
Omigodomigodomigahd!
Y’all. Seriously. Y’all.
My little light? It’s getting a big chance to SHINE!
Every year at the BlogHer conference, there’s an evening party called “Voices of the Year.” Last year, Queen Latifah was the host! It was one of the highlights of my first blogging conference–a joyful celebration of writing, because good blogging always comes down to good storytelling. Last year’s VOTY stories ran the gamut from discovering one’s gayness at Jesus Camp, poisoning yourself in the effort to craft a perfect pine cone wreath, fighting to save a suicidal child when the medical establishment isn’t listening, chasing pin worms with a flashlight, being mistaken for your child’s nanny, living on the thin edge of poverty, and explaining race to your mixed race son. I laughed. I cried. I was inspired.
Any blogger can submit a piece to Voices of the Year. This year, over 2000 stories were submitted. The selection process went through round after round after round. From that pool, one hundred blog posts are selected. Then from those 100, a dozen lucky bloggers get to go onstage in front of the whole conference and read a story.
Y’all…I got selected as a Voice of the Year.
Squeeee!!!
And I got selected to read.
Hot Damn!!!
Or to quote Carlos’ favorite new phrase: Seriously, dude.
I am thrilled. Delighted. Honored. Scared-Shitless-But-Gonna-Do-It-Anyway.
And I’m proud. Proud of myself. Not for getting chosen by a panel of reviewers–I didn’t have any control over that–but for choosing myself. Back in February, when the submissions were opened, I chose myself. It took me a couple of tries to get up the nerve. I made a few visits to the website before I had the guts to hit Submit. I overcame my doubts and said, “This is something I want to shoot for. This is something I have the right to try. This is something that would be really really really fun to do.” I gave myself permission to want it. I gave myself a voice. It was heard!
I am tickled pink.
So today’s message is: Put yourself out there.
Oh, and here’s the funny part. I’m at a bit of a loss. If you go to the announcement page for 2014 Voices of the Year, there are links to these wonderfully entertaining posts. But the ones that get read on stage? They don’t have links–they’re a secret. Y’know, gotta keep the suspense up. So the link beside my name is just to Baddest Mother Ever, not the specific post that got selected.
Wellllll…unfortunately, I can’t remember which story I submitted! Duh. So after a couple of days of playing it cool, I will have to email someone at BlogHer and say, “Thank you SO MUCH for giving me this opportunity to read….now, can you refresh my memory on what exactly I wrote?”
So today’s message addendum: Put yourself out there, but jot down where you put yourself.
YEAH YOU!!!!!!
Soooooooooo excited!
Congratulations Ashley, a well deserved recognition of your awesome talent!
Thanks, Susie!
Ashley! I am so excited for you!!! Great things happen when you put yourself out there,and you do it everyday. This is well-deserved. I cannot wait to find out which story you get to read. Congratulations!
Me, too! Thanks, Stephanie!
Amazing but not surprising in the least! Congratulations!
Thanks, Michelle!
No WONDER you were squeeing!!! (I’m sure that’s a word.) You totally deserve it because no one entertains the masses like you do. And it doesn’t matter which one you submitted: they are all worthy.
“And I’m proud. Proud of myself. Not for getting chosen by a panel of reviewers–I didn’t have any control over that–but for choosing myself. ”
Do you have any idea how much POWER there is in that statement? DAHHHMMMMN! GIRRRRRRL!
OK so this was worth the wait, even though I was giving you a hard way to go last night with all your ‘teasin’. SO VERY PROUD that you CHOSE YOU and that they were smart enough to select you! WHOOO WEEEEEE.
Hugs Hugs Hugs!
The “choose yourself” idea is taken straight from Seth Godin…and I believe YOU were the first person to introduce me to him!
SQUEEEE… then I would like to thank the BLOGCADEMY, too!
Thanks, Christy! I’m squeeing, so I guess it’s a word.
Holy Moly! Wowza! Yippee! You. Are. AWESOME!
Takes one to know one!
This is both exciting and hillarious!!!!!. You can’t remember what you submitted?? I have just used up my year’s supply of exclamation points and used 2 question marks. That’s how important it is. As you’ve said many times, “You go, Girl!’
hahahahahaha…you’re going to get PUNCTUATION DEMERITS.
Congratulations, Ashley! As a devoted follower to your wonderful blog, I am not surprised that you were chosen.
You’re so kind!
My Hero! How exciting! I got the “try again next year” e-mails yesterday but still happy I put myself out there.
I’m so glad you submitted something! Are you going to the conference? I’d love to meet you!
No, gosh, sadly. Again, very impressive, you!
Dang it!
I am not surprised; you are so talented! Congrats to you! You are going to rock it!
Thanks, Becky!
I saw your nomination on BlogHer. Congratulations! So well deserved! I pretty much love everything you write. Wish I was going to be there to hear your read in person. Have a great time. 🙂
Thanks! We’ll meet in real life one of these days!
Well, can’t say I am surprised but sure do want to send congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not on the review board but I would have chosen you over all the rest. Who gave you a white bathrobe years ago?
Heaps of love
YOU gave me a white bathrobe and it WORKED! I am now A Writer.