One Writer’s Wonderful Week (As Viral As I’ll Ever Be)

This past Thanksgiving week decided to bring me more reason than usual to be thankful.  In addition to a delicious Thanksgiving meal and a wonderful visit with my brother’s family I also experienced my highest week of traffic since starting my blog in September.  As I told my husband, “I’ve gone as viral as I’m ever likely to go!” (Well, unless I do something incredibly stupid that winds up being recorded and rockets me to instant YouTube fame.  The odds are good so stay tuned…)

I had two more views just seconds after this screen shot, sending my best views in a single day to 557!

Last Tuesday I posted my observations on the police officers that I know.  My intention with that post was not to make a political statement, but rather to remind people that these officers deserve our appreciation for all of the good that they do.  The response to the post was nothing short of overwhelming for this writer.  They say that timing is everything, and in this case I do believe that I posted the right subject matter at a relevant moment.  The result was a huge spike in my blog traffic.  I had my best ever views day on Wednesday with 557.  As of today the post itself has been viewed 987 times, and my total page views have jumped from just shy of 2,500 to over 3,800.  The most surprising part to me was watching as the link to my post was shared 63 times on Facebook!  I do know that it was shared by police officers and their families, friends, and friends of friends all across the country.  Due to privacy settings I cannot see everyone who shared it, but please know that you have my gratitude.

Adding to the excitement, my post was published as an article in Shield Magazine, an online national magazine published by Wives Behind the Badge, Inc. If you are not familiar with them, Wives Behind the Badge, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources and emotional support to law enforcement families, and to serving as a positive voice for law enforcement in the community. The magazine can be viewed here, and my article is on pages 14-15.  I can now say those wondrous and wonderful words that most writers live for, “I am published!”

My gratitude is far-reaching.  I thank the people who for years have been telling me to WRITE!  I thank the police officers who provided the inspiration.  I thank the friends and family members who encourage and motivate me to go where I am led.  I thank the blogging community, and the special subset within it who read every post (no matter how bad) and leave their comments and feedback.  I thank you for reading this right now.

I know that soon enough I must come down from this writer’s high and work on my next piece or project…but not just yet.  I’m going to ride this wave to its crest!  Cheers, Karen