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.
joehoughtaling says:
I’ve been enjoying the blog (via email) for a while now. Happy Birthday!
October 28, 2015 — 9:29 AM
Susan Mertesdorf says:
Happy Anniversary! May you keep us on the edge of our seats for many years to come…
October 28, 2015 — 9:31 AM
Derek says:
Here’s to 15 more years!
October 28, 2015 — 9:32 AM
Witchy Subversive says:
Congratulations! I have only recently started commenting but I’ve been enjoying and learning from your posts for years. Thank you for all the awesome words!
October 28, 2015 — 9:32 AM
beheinrich says:
Congratulations!
:eagerly awaits a parcel of damp leaves and beard trimmings:
October 28, 2015 — 9:35 AM
David Wilson says:
And I have been enjoying it for 2 years
October 28, 2015 — 9:35 AM
LMcCJ says:
I haven’t been with you for 15 years but, I have told my 17 yr old daughter, who has eyes toward a writing career, that she must follow you for the excellent advice. We can call her a 2nd generation terrible mind.
October 28, 2015 — 9:36 AM
Kayleigh says:
My friend made me subscribe to your blog and I was mad at her at first but now I’m not.
October 28, 2015 — 9:37 AM
entrebat says:
I know those days, Chuck.
My first computer that was all mine had a 2400 bps modem and two floppies. No HD.
Cheers!
October 28, 2015 — 9:37 AM
E.S. Henry says:
Yay for bloggy things being successful!
October 28, 2015 — 9:39 AM
Annie Howland says:
Chuck Wendig for President. “Leave no penmonkey behind.”
October 28, 2015 — 9:39 AM
Amber Fallon says:
Dude! The idea of a random, completely unexpected package sounds AMAZING! This is the best idea for a giveaway I’ve ever heard!
October 28, 2015 — 9:43 AM
jack lee taylor says:
Happy 15th! Love this blog! (Random prize: your old 486PC)
October 28, 2015 — 9:44 AM
Gabby Davoy Gilliam says:
Oooh! Pick me! I love packages of random things. May your zombie blog continue for many more years!
October 28, 2015 — 9:45 AM
J. Lannan (@jLannan) says:
Happy Blogrthday!
October 28, 2015 — 9:45 AM
Kevin Carpenter says:
Congratulations, that’s a nice milestone! Been enjoying your blog for most of the last 5 years, here’s to many more.
(Oh and free stuff is nice, too!)
October 28, 2015 — 9:45 AM
Meg says:
I didn’t realize that you ran all those precursors to this blog! I recall a few of them from my own temperamental teenage internet days.
October 28, 2015 — 9:45 AM
Fred G. Yost says:
So glad I found this blog through twitter and retweets. Such a wonderful community!
October 28, 2015 — 9:46 AM
brider01 says:
Congratulations. And with tomorrow being my actual birthday a care package from Mr. Wendig himself would really cap off my year.
October 28, 2015 — 9:46 AM
Vicious Pen says:
I am leaving a comment for I am the spirit of avarice and greed.
October 28, 2015 — 9:46 AM
Aden Pennington says:
Happy Blogrthday! So glad I stumbled upon you on Twitter and started reading all the fun here.
October 28, 2015 — 9:46 AM
C. L. McCollum (@C_L_McCollum) says:
I really enjoy the hell out of this blog, but I hadn’t realized I’d been enjoying it that long! I’m definitely up for a random box of who-the-hell-knows, too. Mystery gifts are the best gifts LOL
October 28, 2015 — 9:47 AM
theresaglover says:
happy blogrthday!
your posts are a delightful word vomit melange of wisdom, inspiration, asshattery, and badassery. 😀 thanks for being a kick in the pants. just next time, aim a little to the left. 😉
October 28, 2015 — 9:48 AM
Ame says:
Bruce Campbell? Congrats on him, and the blog, and many other successful Wendiggy things!
October 28, 2015 — 9:48 AM
Casea says:
You write one of the most entertaining blogs on the internet. For me at least. I always laugh when I read your posts. They mostly serve as entertainment though they are often very inspirational, especially when I need to get off my bootay and write. Here’s to another 15! Long live the blog.
October 28, 2015 — 9:51 AM
Jo Bankston says:
Wow, fifteen already! They grow so fast, don’t they? Love reading your posts!!
October 28, 2015 — 9:53 AM
Brian Basham says:
Happy Birthday Blog! I got you a gift. It is totally not an origami tuRANTula named Mindy in this crumpled box..
Ok fine! Since you don’t want her… *runs crying*
October 28, 2015 — 9:54 AM
Eva Bucknell says:
Happy blogrthday! Your posts have been helpful and hilarious. I would love to receive the random bizarre-o care package of mysterious giftness. As long as there aren’t any rage bees or zombie squirrels.
October 28, 2015 — 9:55 AM
Michala Tyann says:
OOOhhhh. Free stuff, goodies, and surprises! Oh My *We’re off to see the Wendig…the wonderful Wendig of all!
October 28, 2015 — 9:56 AM
Shane says:
I’m relatively new here, but I’ll be if you didn’t succeed. You have a wonderful little oasis online of good vibes and I couldn’t be happier to have stumbled into it.
October 28, 2015 — 10:02 AM
Elisabeth Staab says:
I’m hideous enough at updating my blog that I almost believe I shouldn’t have one, so I congratulate you on managing to update consistently with relevant content. I’m one of those 8,000 email subscribers, so I appreciate the effort.
October 28, 2015 — 10:03 AM
Lydia says:
Happy Birthday, blog! You are by far one of my favorite blogs in the history of blogdom. Congrats!
October 28, 2015 — 10:04 AM
Anna says:
Aahhh, this blog is the best. Can´t believe you´ve held up for 15 years, that´s crazy. Thank you and congratulations!
(And hey, I´m typing this from Sweden, but I have an address in Boston, should I be the lucky winner…)
October 28, 2015 — 10:08 AM
Sara says:
I find myself weirdly intrigued by this mystery!
October 28, 2015 — 10:11 AM
Deborah Dorchak says:
Thanks for all the fish, and them writerly thingies too. Here’s to another 15 years!
October 28, 2015 — 10:11 AM
Sam Brady says:
Happy Blogrthday, and thanks for all the great words!
October 28, 2015 — 10:11 AM
Tia RAGEFACE MCAVOY (@tiakall) says:
I love surprises!
It’s funny to think you’re from the same internet generation I am. I still have my dumb little corner of the internet, though I haven’t updated it in, uh, a few years….
October 28, 2015 — 10:12 AM
Killerpuppytails says:
Happy freaking birthday to this beautifully profane clump of 1s and 0s!
October 28, 2015 — 10:13 AM
Cassandra Neace (@CassandraNeace) says:
TerribleMinds is truly what I think a blog should be. It’s the example that I point my friends to when they are thinking about blogging (well, one of the examples) and I think it serves you well. Congratulations on keeping it going all this time.
October 28, 2015 — 10:13 AM
Serena Saint-Marceaux says:
Congratulations on 15 years of awesome yelling; happy birthday to your teenage blog! I always enjoy reading it. 🙂
October 28, 2015 — 10:14 AM
Elizabeth says:
Happy Blog Birthday! The world would be a much more dreary place without Terribleminds in it.
October 28, 2015 — 10:14 AM
Josh Neff says:
Happy Blogiversary! *vomits up a bezoar* *wraps it in leaves* *ties it up with a pink ribbon* I GOT YOU A PRESENT!!
October 28, 2015 — 10:15 AM
gallifreyan1218 says:
Terriblemindsmas is all about presents. I like presents! Happy Terriblemindsmas!!!
October 28, 2015 — 10:17 AM
Corey McKinnon (@cmckinnon) says:
Thanks for writing this blog for so many years, Chuck. I only discovered it a year or two ago, but it is a constant source of wisdom and amusement (and face-bees, of course).
Keep it up!
October 28, 2015 — 10:20 AM
Sabine Priestley says:
486 computer, BBS….holy crap I’m old. Almost as old as you 😉
October 28, 2015 — 10:21 AM
Rachel says:
I just received an autographed copy of Zer0es from the refugee donation campaign/giveaway (thank you!!!) so pick another weirdo but I wanted to say happy blog irth day! My fiance often sees me giggling or straight up laughing my ass off and asks why and I just go “oh Chuck wendig!’ 🙂
October 28, 2015 — 10:21 AM
conniecockrell says:
Congratulations on having your blog for so long. That’s quite an accomplishment in itself.
October 28, 2015 — 10:24 AM
JL Jamieson says:
Oooh. Mysterious. Is it going to be something magical, or a box full of mismatched socks? No one knows.
October 28, 2015 — 10:25 AM
caszbrewster says:
I stumbled on you while losing my mind in the corporate world in 2009 a couple of times. By 2010 I was a regular reader/subscriber. One of your first flash fiction challenges told me I needed to jump off that cliff and grow wings on the way down. Screw those that say blogs are dead. This one has life. Since the blog is 15, I fully expect a hole to be punched in a door or wall, yes? We’re all here with the newspaper and Spackle, fear not.
Oh, and thanks.
October 28, 2015 — 10:25 AM
Paula says:
Aww c’mon-international shipping ain’t that bad! I am in Canada and have been Mailing Obama stuff to my republican uncle in Nevada to torment him for 8 years!!
Congrats on your 15th-I read your brilliance every day on my lunch break…which gets me through the afternoon without killing anyone!
October 28, 2015 — 10:26 AM