I don’t know where I first heard the term, but I’ve always rather liked the idea of asking people to delurk. If you haven’t heard this term before, the Urban Dictionary says it means:
Entering an online discussion after a time spent lurking, esp. if suddenly prompted to do so.
In other words, if you’ve been reading this blog regularly, but I don’t know about it because you’ve never commented or contacted me, then this is your big chance to delurk. I love interacting with readers and if you make some comments here and there it can be helpful for you, me and everyone else!
So here’s how my delurking challenge goes:
- If you read this blog, even just semi-regularly (heck, I’ll settle for “This is my first visit”, I’m so greedy to know who reads my blog!), then this challenge is aimed squarely at you. If you’ve just read this sentence, you qualify as someone who reads this blog. Read on.
- Scroll down to the bottom of this page (and go to the real page here if you’re reading this through a blog reader or Facebook link) and write a short comment. I’d love to know who you are, why you’re interested in this blog, perhaps how you found it, and especially if there’s any topic you’d like to read more about. Feel free to leave a link to your blog or website so we can all take a look at what you get up to, too. If you don’t have your own blog, no dramas. We still love you.
- Here’s the clincher: today is my birthday. So it would be kind of rude to read this far and not at least leave a message saying “Happy birthday, Amanda!” Right?
- Stop reading now and leave a comment. Then you will have successfully delurked. And made me very happy, on my birthday. Thanks!
Tags: delurk
Hi! I must have subscribed to this blog ages ago but my google reader quickly got out of control and i never followed it. So today is actually the first time since back then that i’ve read one of the posts. Happy Birthday! I obviously signed up for a reason in the first place so will be following along to see how it goes – probably until my google reader is swamped again and i give up reading blogs in frustration, and start the whole cycle again.
I’m not a lurker, but happy birthday!
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..Feeling human after all =-.
Thanks Kristan, you’re definitely not a lurker
Chris, that coincidence must mean something that on Delurking Day you happened to read the blog! I know what you mean about blog readers getting out of control, I culled mine a while back … thanks for reading and hope to hear from you again!
Happy Birthday!
I’m Carlie, an Australian living in Japan. Can’t quite remember how I came across this place even though it was only recent, and I added you to my feed reader.
Will probably mostly stay lurking as that is my nature, but will read 
.-= GoddessCarlie´s last blog ..11.jpg =-.
Hi Carlie, and thanks! Nice to meet other Japan-loving Aussies, I guess you came across some posts about the novel I’ve written that’s set in Japan. I had a look at your blog, it was really interesting for me! Arigatou
I’m delurking to wish you a happy birthday.
I’m an english ex-pat in Canada and finished my first book last fall and am querying it now. Which is harder than writing it was, but you already know that, I think.
Thanks for the blog, I’ve found useful stuff here. I usually read via a reader, so can’t promise to be a regular commenter, but I’ll be there, lurking.
Thanks for the delurk and birthday wishes, Paul. Good luck with the querying, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you … let us know when we can see your book in our local shop!
Hi Amanda,
This is the first time I come on your site and I like it. You seem to be dynamic and funny! I am a writer (not published) from Quebec (Canada) and I love browsing on sites authors. I have a personal blog and I work at a friend’s blog author (romanenchantier.blogspot.com). I also wanted to wish you a happy birthday! Hope to read you again.
I just wanted to say Hi! and Happy Birthday, better late than never, I guess. In my defense, I can say that I’ve just seen your post today
I must confess I’ve only started reading your blog now, but I think it’s very interesting and positive and I just love the ballerina introduction, it’s just great and a good start for a book.
Congrats again!
Marta
.-= Marta´s last blog ..Love and dragons in Tarragona =-.
Thanks Marta and Isabelle, and welcome to Becoming A Fiction Writer – hope to see you round here regularly.
I stumbled upon your blog from a link to “100 Best Creative Writing Blogs” on some random website. I like it. Your blog, I mean, not the random website. Also, your kid is super cute. Happy Belated Birthday!
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..Oh snap. =-.
Welcome Teresa and I’m glad you like it. And I’m also glad you think my kid is super cute. I do too
You’ve got a cute dog. Only what is it about dogs named Zoe/Zoey? There are so many, and my poor sister – whose name is Zoe – is always quite distressed by it. Happy writing!
Hi!!! I’m reading this on my b-day (3/19/11), and thought I’d wish you a happy early b-day (or late, if we’re going by the date of your delurking post) and not be a lurker.
Well, have a great one.
V.
Thank you! And a belated happy birthday to you too V!!