One-Year Anniversary: Where a Year of Blogging has Taken Me

365 days.

250 hours of work spent.

40 posts.

2 websites/blog titles.

4 guest authors.

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I launched Be the Blaze (Shine Bright at the time). I just want to talk a bit about what a year of blogging has taught me, where I want to be by next year, and where sharing my writing with the world has gotten me. But before I do anything else, I just want to thank y'all for sticking with me this past year. If you're new to Be the Blaze, I'm so excited you could join me on this first year of my blogging journey! I also want to thank Olivia Tracey, who inspired me to start a Christian blog in the first place. Thank you so much, Olivia ❤️!

What I learned through blogging for 365 days

First, my relationship with God has grown immensely over the past 365 days. God is so great and has blessed me so much through having a blog. When I started, back in April of 2025, my goal was to show others, specifically young girls, how to shine bright for Jesus in a no-so-bright world. Looking back over all the posts I've done, I realize I've really strayed from that first message. That's why in the beginning of 2026, I did a complete name and website update. I kept the same Bible verse as my theme verse, but changed my perspective a little. Also, my content hasn't been focused specifically on girls anymore, which is okay. I hope my writing can reach everyone and anyone.

Second, looking at the first post I ever wrote and the last, my writing has improved a TON. My devotions/articles have become clearer and actually stay on topic. My story writing skills have hopefully improved (comparing The Eliza Rose Trilogy from 11-year-old me, and my six part Silverwood Academy series).

Last, I've learned that even if my blog doesn't have many views or if I'm stuck at the same subscriber count, it doesn't matter because I'm writing for Him above all. For God. Olivia helped me realize this summer of last year. I'm writing for Him first, then others, and finally, for me.

What I want this next year of blogging to look like

I want to focus more on my theme verse and on what I wanted with my blog when I started. But I know it won't be the same because I'm a year older, which means I'll have a different and (hopefully) wiser perspective on the Bible and the world.

As for a physical goal, I'm aiming for 50 subscribers by April 9 of 2027.

Where blogging has gotten me in my overall writing journey

I have such exciting news for y'all. I'm officially going to be a published author!!! I submitted a short story and poem on adoption to the small Christian publishing company The Skillful Pen Press. I submitted it middle of January, and about a month ago, I got the news that both my poem and story were accepted to be published in an anthology! The title was revealed to the public not long ago, and here it is: The Chosen Collection #3: So Far to Find You. I will keep my subscribers updated on the anthology details and possibly post the random update on this subject as well.

Another exciting step in my writing journey, is that I've applied to be part of a new magazine for girls coming out this summer called Crown of Beauty Magazine. Still waiting for a reply, but super excited!

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I hope y'all are excited for what the next year of blogging holds for you as the reader and me as the author. Again, thank you for coming along with me on this wild adventure!