I started blogging for a couple reasons: to connect with the writing and writers of my native Rust Belt and for fun. Two years later, and a couple other things have happened along the way. I’ve improved my personal essay-writing skills (that is what so many of our blog posts are, really) and I got “out there.” Not “out there” in a huge, platform-developing way for the nonfiction book that’s coming–because, of course, I’m a fiction writer–but out there connecting with you awesome people who keep coming back here. Not sure why, but I love you for it. So…I’m excited to share my news. I hope you’ll check out Parhelion Literary Magazine. Now, it’s your turn. What have you gained from blogging? I’d love to know your take. More soon. ~Rebecca

Parhelion

I have big news, folks! Today I’d like to introduce you to our new Features Editor, Rebecca Moon Ruark.

Rebecca Moon Ruark

I’ve wanted to add more “regular” content to the magazine for a while. I’ve probably been thinking about it since last summer. Darren and Leeta and I have talked about this with great enthusiasm, but because we were so busy, we never seemed to come up with any of this imagined content despite our good intentions.

Rebecca submitted a story to us back in November 2018 that we published in our February issue, called Scooter Kid. And then I started stalking her online (yes, I look at the links people send me). I started connecting Rebecca with this content idea. I thought about contacting her for a long time—since the end of last year, and she stayed stuck in my head, swirling around in there, so finally, I just asked…

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27 thoughts on “Welcome Rebecca Moon Ruark!”

    1. Thank you, Aggie. I am thrilled, and I’ll say it’s been super interesting–already–to be on the other side of the desk, receiving submissions. Learning a lot! And I will say that blogging is great training ground for good literary citizenship–and for writing.

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    1. YES to that post of yours. Don’t know if I read that one last year. If you enjoy the act of blogging, that can be enough. People used to letter-write, long, winding letters about daily goings on–basically blogging, right?

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  6. Hi Rebecca, My story sounds a little similar to yours. I started blogging because I have just written a novel and I am trying to connect with the writing community and develop a social media platform. I am doing a series of blogs with extracts and storyboards from my novel, and after that my blogs will be more general. I am still figuring out the technical side of things, like how to link my social media pages and website. Still learning and finding my way. Cheers, Naomi.

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    1. I’m so glad you found me here, Naomi. I’m interested in hearing more about your novel–and how you find the blogging community for publicizing it. I will certainly check out your blog! I am definitely a writer first and a blogger second. I’ll just never be savvy enough to have a major online platform–and that’s OK. It wouldn’t feel genuine to me, and also for fiction it’s not really necessary, not going the self-publishing route. Plus, it does take a lot of time, especially when you’re not too tech savvy (ME!). Fingers crossed for much success for you!

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      1. Hey Rebecca, like you I’m a writer first and a blogger second. I’m lucky that my son and my husband are tech savvy because I’m certainly not. I didn’t go to work yesterday so I spent all day blogging, but that is certainly not something I can keep up. Yes, it’s time consuming and frustrating at times but at least you get to meet other writers. We are lucky to be in a community that wants to share and help each other along. Happy blogging and writing!

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  7. Congratulations, Rebecca! Parhelion is so lucky to have you onboard with your great talent! Blogging truly is amazing. Though I don’t do it anymore, when I look back at the last few years I realize that it was all because of my blog that I came back to my writing — and — you meet some incredibly wonderful people along the way! Deb

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    1. Thank you! I agree wholeheartedly about the blogging. And, I think it’s funny that there is sometimes some disagreement between “writers” and “bloggers” on the merits of blogging. Really, we’re all writing! And regular practice makes us better. I’ve never met a nicer group of people–not to lump everybody together, but there it is–than bloggers. I wish I would have known your blog. I bet it was great!

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      1. Geez, I guess I’ve been out of blogging too long — I didn’t even see your comment until just now (for some reason, comments don’t come into my email the way they used to)! Yes, I agree about blogging folks being kind — unbelievably kind, I’d say. Ah, my blog. I do miss it. It started out about animals (I was going to be an “animal blogger”) but then morphed into my own creative work, and pretty soon I confused myself and cut and and ran. LOL Maybe some day I’ll jump back into the blogging waters, but for now I’m really enjoying reading blogs, like yours! Deb

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  10. I am so incredibly happy for you! I believe you will be a great addition to the Parhelion team – they’re lucky to have you. Congratulations!

    As far a blogging goes, I began blogging to share parts of my great-grandfather’s memoirs while I connected his words with my family’s experiences on the family farm; the farm he grew up on. Blogging has grown to be much more than sharing my grandfather’s stories. It’s a way for me to share things I’m passionate about, and it has introduced me to wonderful people that have become friends – like you!

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    1. Ah, you’ve got me all misty-eyed now, Erin! One of these days, I need to rent an RV and just travel all over and catch up in person with blogging friends–like you! Thank you. I’m already enjoying my work for Parhelion. It’s so interesting to be on the other side of the editorial desk!

      I have to say it’s been such a joy to see how your blog has grown. I believe we both started blogging around the same time, and it’s been awesome to see your talents unfurl through your writing and photos. I mean, your paintings. OMG–you know what a fan I am! So, when bloggers talk about constraining themselves to one “niche,” I think of you, and I think–just look at what can happen when we don’t clip our wings! (I guess I’ve got chickens on the brain because of your last painting–ha!) Thanks so much for being here!

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  13. How neat. CongratZ!
    What have I gained? I would like to think that I am sharpening my creativity, figuring out what people like and dislike and learning new things that I can only find out about from people on the other side of the planet.

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