So, here’s a thing that happened:
This blog turned 15 years old this month. On October 19th, actually.
Blink, blink.
Holy crap, this blog is old. It’s a surly teenager now. It’s slamming doors and stealing my whiskey. It just ran up the stairs and yelled down at me, YOU’RE NOT MY REAL DAD.
Oh, but I am, blog. I am.
If you’ll take a momentary trip with me in the Wayback Machine, you will discover that once upon a time, when Cavepeople rode to work on Pteranodons, I ran a BBS — a bulletin board system. (I had various names for said BBS: BizarroWorld, ShadowLands, UnReality.) It was like the Internet before there was an Internet, except my fucking shitty 486 computer ran it and you had to use a screamy dial-up modem to connect to my house. And there online I offered networked forums and games and warez and ASCII art and all those Cool Jamz, and I had a little writing group called WAR (Writers Against Reality, a weaksauce title but shut up, I was a teenager). I’m not even sure my parents knew I ran the thing? And one time, Bruce Campbell dialed in? Whatever.
When it came time to establish an online presence post-college and in the dawning era of the Intertubes, I decided that I needed a BLOG — which as I have noted before is like, the worst name for anything ever. Blog sounds like the onomatopoeia of my dog horking up a wad of ill-eaten grass. (Actually, vlog may be worse than blog, because vlog sounds like Dracula’s idiot relative. “Hi, I’m Vlad the Impaler, and this is my little cousin, Vlog the Inn Tailor.”) My initial plan when it came time to plan out this blog was that I wanted to have it serve as an online writer’s community, much as I did back when I was a SysOp running a BBS. Thus the name terribleminds — it was meant to evoke that feeling of, blah blah blah, a bunch of gloriously terrible creative minds getting together and shooting the shit about wordsmithy.
Except, that sounded like a lot of work and I also didn’t like people at that time so instead I said, “Fuck that shit, George,” and then I decided instead to just do a blog about me, me, me.
OH GLORIOUS NARCISSISM
As such, my programmer roommate at the time did a static HTML page — she did a cracking good job and set me up with rudimentary HTML skillz and an FTP client and I did all my updating the old fashioned way — by yelling code into a donkey who carried the blog up a mountain to the Internet.
And it was fine and nice and it was me yelling at me about me. Often about writing, sometimes about other rantylicious topics. But it had no metrics. It had no comments.
I had no idea who was listening.
Around 2009, Will Hindmarch suggested I be a big boy and actually get a WordPress installation, and I nodded and smiled and pretended I knew what he was talking about. Thankfully, he coached me through it, and next thing the world knew, I had metrics, and comments, and sweet hot hell people were actually reading this blog. It was like opening the curtain to your front windows and finding a bunch of people staring in through the glass.
The blog numbers have gone up considerably over the last several years, too.
2009: 35,000 views.
2010: 435,000 views.
2011: 1.5 million.
2012: 2.7 million.
2013: 3.2 million.
2014: 3.6 million.
And this year we’re on target to match 2014, with the added bonus of having daily subscribers — over 8,000 people who get these blog posts in their mailboxes, daily.
All the while, I’ve done it without soliciting money or posting advertising or any of that. I fuel the existence of the blog with the money I (ideally) make with my writing.
(Oh, I’m told blogs are dead now. But terribleminds will keep on, zombie-like. /braaaaains)
It’s been an amazing journey, and while I still hew roughly to the same style of blogging I did way back when (yelling at myself about myself), the original and seemingly forgotten goal of terribleminds actually circled back around and became a true thing: this really is, I feel, a community of and for writers. It exists because of all of you, so thanks for being here and being awesome. It’s mind-boggling that so many of you care to listen to the froth-mouthed gabbling of a freakshow like myself, but I really, really appreciate it.
AS SUCH, it is time to do a giveaway.
I initially though I’d give away my books, but meh, who wants that?
Then I thought, maybe I’ll give something bookish — a Kindle or what-not.
Even then, I feel like that runs counter to the spirit of the weirdness that is this blog.
So! Instead, I’m going to giveaway something TOTALLY RANDOM. Unexpected. A bizarre-o care package sent to one lucky commenter. Here’s all you gotta do:
Go leave a comment beneath this post.
Oh, and be from the U.S. — I know, that sucks, but international shipping is a terrible thing.
Then, on Thursday, I’ll pick one of you randos to receive MYSTERIOUS GIFTNESS.
*poof*
EDIT: We Have A Winner
The winner of the birthday fun is:
JEN.
Someone named Jen, no last name!
Jen, who wrote the comment, “Happy happy!”
Jen, I’ve got an email address for you, so I’ll try it, but if the one you signed in with is incorrect, ping me at terribleminds at gmail dot com so I can get a mailing address from you.
MYSTERY PACKAGE INCOMING.
Moriah says:
Happy Blogiversary – I would love a random box of chaotic awesomeness!
October 28, 2015 — 1:46 AM
Julie Griffith says:
Congratulations on 15 years! Thanks for sharing your experiences as a writer with us. Finding your blog, which never fails to make me laugh out loud, makes me feel like a winner already. But if you’d like to give me a prize, I wouldn’t object.
October 28, 2015 — 1:50 AM
Jennifer Brozek says:
Be sure to check your blog’s window for footprints on the side of the house and damage to the ivy–it’s probably sneaking out of the house. Who knows what it gets up to.
Happy Blogthday!
October 28, 2015 — 1:52 AM
quiwibird says:
Well played, Mr. Wendig. You’ve lured me out of my habitual, invisible lurking with the possibility of shiny things. Or not-shiny things. Things if unspecified sheen. AND THEREIN LIES THE SNARE. There’s only one way to find out exactly how shiny those things are. So here I am, for the first time, lurking visibly. You win. I hope you’re happy.
Also, happy St. Bloggins day.
October 28, 2015 — 1:57 AM
St.Louis says:
Happy Blogrthday! Congrats on keeping up something that is dead, without advertising. Your blog is now old enough it could have its own blog. You could be a grandblogerpa.
October 28, 2015 — 2:05 AM
cherrytime says:
Thank you, Chuck! 😀
October 28, 2015 — 2:13 AM
Mendy Kittner says:
Congratulations! I found this blog about a year ago or so when looking up fantasy writing tips. I wasn’t able to go through half the list before I nearly passed out from laughing so hard. I was hooked. Thank you so much for all your great content and here’s to many more years of your works blowing up my Gmail inbox!
October 28, 2015 — 2:17 AM
Kris Lynn says:
I am in awe of your blogging prowess. I know your mystery giveaway must be awesome as well. So go ahead and award it to me. I am deserving and do live on the continent of choice.
October 28, 2015 — 2:21 AM
andrea s. says:
Happy blogaversary! I still recommend tghis site to fellow writers whenever I can. It is good soup.
October 28, 2015 — 2:22 AM
drjunkie says:
Wow. 15 years sounds so old for an internetospheric web page. Then I realize that it only goes back to 2000 and I feel old. Then I realize that I still cannot forget what all the http, html, ftp letters stand for and OH MY GOD GET ALL THESE LETTERS OUT OF MY MIND.
October 28, 2015 — 2:24 AM
Doreen Ann Queen says:
What an incredible run you’ve had – in addition to yelling at you about you, you also have inspired other writers about this incredibly tough job of writing. Rock on, oh Great One!!!
October 28, 2015 — 2:34 AM
Lindsey says:
Sees the chance to receive awesome randomness. Waves hand exuberantly in air. Whacks self in face with hand. Lies down. So tired with newborn. Dreams of winning and more sleep.
October 28, 2015 — 2:49 AM
S.R.Bogart says:
I shouldn’t have asked for a refund…sigh.
Here’s to another 15. I think the anniversary gift for that is a solid gold writer monkey w/ optional brass monkey poo for book ends.
October 28, 2015 — 3:01 AM
Lacy Muircastle says:
Happy belated bday. Here’s to many more. I guess that will be at the blog master’s discretion though. The blog is the quintessence of writing advice and information in an otherwise murky pool of crap ….
October 28, 2015 — 3:13 AM
Astrid says:
So great! So now that Surly Blog is 15 she/he can say stuff like like and seriously and Like. I. Can’t. Even. Believe. I’m. So. Old.
She’s a smart Blog! Thanks for the poo and other prizes!
October 28, 2015 — 3:33 AM
Kaylen says:
Yours is, by far, my favorite blog and the first email I open when I log on for the day. Thank you for sharing your witty, hilarious and insightful musings with writers/seekers such as myself.
October 28, 2015 — 3:37 AM
Mekkin says:
Happy Blorthday to terribleminds, which is only 7 years younger than me, and I think therefore qualifies as my snarky little brother.
October 28, 2015 — 4:12 AM
Katy Mann says:
Happy Vlog/Blog Day, Chuck! 15 years, woot woot!
October 28, 2015 — 4:19 AM
fadedglories says:
I was gonna send you a Happy Blogday card, but you know international shipping is a terrible thing.
October 28, 2015 — 4:35 AM
cblack says:
Happy blog birthday and well done you. I don’t live in the US, so boo for me. But your blog makes me laugh, makes me realise that all writers really are nuts and your books are not so bad either.
October 28, 2015 — 4:49 AM
Melissa T (@kiaras) says:
Blogrthday is also a horking word. Congrats. I think I’ve been reading here almost as long as it’s been on WordPress. Continued success to you!
October 28, 2015 — 4:51 AM
Leigh Duncan says:
A belated Happy Birthday to you and The Blog!
October 28, 2015 — 5:08 AM
Tiggs says:
Congratulations on 15 years of sheer unadulterated bloggery.
(Please don’t send facebees. Sweet God, not the facebees, again.)
October 28, 2015 — 5:20 AM
Elan Auman says:
This made me very nostalgic and missing the days of things like Geocities (and the chat that went with it), though that was longer than 15 years ago (it never seems like that long).
I love blogs, I actually sometimes prefer them to facebook and the like. Grats on 15 years!!
October 28, 2015 — 5:46 AM
M T McGuire says:
I’m not really commenting because I’m international, but congratulations…. That’s sodding old for a blog. It makes you, practically a living treasure! Phnark.
Well done anyway. I’m one of the 8,000 daily subscribers. I’m even more impressed, now, that you answer any comments, ever at all.
Cheers
MTM
October 28, 2015 — 5:50 AM
Romina Nicolaides says:
Does this mean that next year your blog gets a car?
October 28, 2015 — 5:54 AM
addy says:
happy birthday terribleminds!!!!
unfortunatly i live in scotland so… 🙁
October 28, 2015 — 6:06 AM
N.E. Montgomery says:
How about we trade if I win – you can have my prize, but I get your place in Scotland? Loooove your country…. (Note: you also get my house, three cats, a dog, one oversized man, an undersized teenager, and my elderly parents…)
October 28, 2015 — 9:12 AM
addy says:
Hmm. Tempting… but I am only a 20 year old male. Allergic to most house hold pets. Straight and very inexperienced with teens 😀
Thanks! I love this place too. Although cold and wet especially now lol.
Good luck winning 😀
October 28, 2015 — 1:26 PM
ezellohar says:
Honestly I look forward to this in my inbox every day…. really brightens my morning.
October 28, 2015 — 6:09 AM
tuppybee says:
Happy Birthday Chuck x
October 28, 2015 — 6:20 AM
Mark Matthews says:
Pick me! And please know that I really appreciate your blog and your efforts. I read it with enthusiasm and encourage others to do the same.
October 28, 2015 — 6:22 AM
Joelle Reizes says:
Congratulations! It makes my baby blog hopeful that she can grow big and strong like her older cousin someday!
October 28, 2015 — 6:31 AM
Amber J Gardner says:
Mysterious….lol
I remember finding this blog a few years ago and it was much smaller back then, before you published Blackbirds, before the site update. I remember the first flash fiction challenge and when I won second place with a story that may one day become a comic series, and my prize got you to read 2.5k of my completely not ready novel and tell how not ready it is (and it’s still not ready sigh.)
Now this site is huge! And you’re ten times more celebrity! It’s such a great thing this place, full of writerly gold nuggets, and I’m so happy and grateful that it’s here. Thank you.
October 28, 2015 — 6:31 AM
C. Row says:
One of the best things to show up in my inbox the last year or two. I’m late to the party, but appreciate your teenage surliness. 🙂
October 28, 2015 — 6:32 AM
Katie says:
Just found you yesterday and subscribed right away! Love your voice!
October 28, 2015 — 6:32 AM
PJ Friel says:
I’m one of those 8k subscribers and you crack me up on a daily basis. You also teach me things. So, thanks, Chuck! And happy blogrthday! 🙂
October 28, 2015 — 6:33 AM
Gail Marsella says:
Congrats on keeping it together this long! Many more years
October 28, 2015 — 6:34 AM
Corey Peterson says:
Well, Happy Blogrthday! And thanks for the chance at winning a mysterious box of goodies. Will the box contain a pony? No, wait. Don’t tell me.
October 28, 2015 — 6:41 AM
writefirster says:
That’s impressive! Congratulations
October 28, 2015 — 6:47 AM
the foob says:
so did I win?
October 28, 2015 — 6:51 AM
Jaye Marie Rome says:
Thanks for the morning chuckle. (Okay, I have a 15 year old. I LOL’d). Congrats on the success of your dead blog. It’s the only one I read (nearly) every day.
October 28, 2015 — 6:52 AM
Ice says:
That’s amazing! Well done! It’s not easy to keep a blog regular (mehehe), especially over such a long period of time. I had no idea it was so old! Oh and I just came to say congrats. I’m not from the US *le sigh*. Please ask the winner to post a photo of the goodies! I’m curious to know what is in it.
October 28, 2015 — 7:02 AM
Shelbi says:
Love your ramblings, they warm me cockles….
October 28, 2015 — 7:09 AM
Katherine Hetzel says:
Happy Blogrthday! 15 years is an awesome achievement… If terribleminds is a stroppy teenager, then my Scribbles are somewhere around the potty training stage!
October 28, 2015 — 7:15 AM
Andrea Stanet says:
I’m very grateful that your blog is still around! You often have me cackling at your posts. Literally cackling. In public. Please keep it up! Happy blogrthday!
October 28, 2015 — 7:28 AM
coachhays says:
Happy “Entering Adult Phase” Terribleminds! Come, join the revolution of getting old. Watch out for the painful knees and failing eyesight, though. They’re a real pain in the ass.
October 28, 2015 — 7:31 AM
jamiechavezJamie Chavez says:
I haven’t been with you for all 15 of those years, but I am one of your email subscribers, and I was reading regularly before that. Thanks for reassuring me that blogs aren’t dead. (I blog too.) Write on!
October 28, 2015 — 7:32 AM
Coco says:
“I did all my updating the old fashioned way — by yelling code into a donkey who carried the blog up a mountain to the Internet.” This line is pretty much gonna make my day.
Oh, and happy birthday, blog–and many more.
October 28, 2015 — 7:34 AM
Susan says:
Please give me a birthday present for all the work you’ve done over the last 15 years!
P.S. I love your rantyness.
October 28, 2015 — 7:34 AM
Melinda says:
Hi Chuck,
Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for being so awesomely you. You’re no shit no fuckery straight talk has helped keep me motivated through some dark writing times.
October 28, 2015 — 7:43 AM
sporkdelis says:
Wow, congratulations!
And holy cow did the first commenter say Geocities was more than 15 years ago? That’s like those click bait articles reminding you that the cute kids from 90s tv are all drugged out or accountants or something.
October 28, 2015 — 7:44 AM