Every month, I publish an answer to a reader’s question. Here’s a transcript of my answer to the reader’s question about blogging.
Why did you choose this medium for expressing your creativity?
My blogging journey began with a fairly simple idea: I wanted to share the books I loved with more people than just my family and friends. Books are generally great conversation starters, and over the years I had built up quite a collection of books. So in those early days I created a page online that I later called ‘my bookshelf,’ and filled it with my suggestions.
For the first couple of months, the only visitors to my site were my supportive mother and a few random bots, but over time I started getting more and more messages from people who had picked up one of my book recommendations and shared with me what it had meant to them.
I can’t quite put into words how special it was to receive those messages. I was still writing from my small studio apartment in Amsterdam, and it felt surreal to have people reaching out from literally the other side of the world. With each email exchange, I began to see more and more that books have an extraordinary power to unite people, no matter where they are in the world. In others words, it was a turning point for me, mainly because I became increasingly aware that the small space I had created could be used to bring people together. That sense of connection and community inspired me to keep going, build the platform, and work on cultivating a community around books and the conversations they spark.
What excites me most about this journey is that I’ve had the freedom to add all the things I love in the way that felt right to me. As I’ve continued building this space, I’ve noticed that it’s not just about books anymore—it’s about curating an experience that reflects who I am and what I’m passionate about. Therefore, I’ve truly grown into this journey organically, letting it expand in ways I hadn’t initially planned.
One of the things I’ve learned about this medium is that the sky is very much the limit. I launched my Tiny Bits Newsletter, for example, to create a moment of calm and introspection into people’s lives, and share what’s on my mind beyond just the books I’m reading. I’ve added personal reflections, little snippets of my thoughts, and occasional glimpses into my life outside of reading. I’ve shared favorite quotes, writing tips, and even a few projects I’ve been working on. It’s all become a patchwork of the joyful things that reflect what I care about and want to connect with, and that, to me, is the most rewarding part of this journey.
As time went on and this blog continued to grow, I started to feel the urge to expand the stories I share on my platform. I’m very passionate about innovations and scalable solutions to tackle real-world problems. Whether it’s new approaches to education, breakthroughs in child health, or initiatives supporting vulnerable communities. These stories inspire me, and I’m always happy to learn more about the work people are doing in the world to help others—especially those who aim to keep children safe, healthy, and thriving.
It feels good to shine a light on the individuals and organizations making a real impact on children’s lives, and it would be cool if more people get to hear more about them. It also feels good to bring together several things I love in one place. The platform is no longer just about my personal recommendations; it’s also about celebrating those working to create a better future for the next generation, and finding ways to affect positive change.
By now, this space also doesn’t feel like it’s just mine anymore. This community has become a big part of it as well. The reviews, Q&A’s and book ratings from this community are what have shaped it into what it is today. Every new post, recommendation, or idea feels like another piece of the puzzle slowly coming together into something uniquely my own.
Looking ahead, I’m committed to curating books that go beyond the typical bestseller lists, focusing on new voices, emerging writers, and stories that often get overlooked or underrepresented. Also, I’ll occasionally highlight a classic that helps shed light on more contemporary work. It’s about creating a space where we can discover, discuss, and grow together, one story at a time.
Which medium do you use to express your creativity? Let me know in the comments.
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Thank you for reading. This reader’s question is part of the Ask Me Anything series. Feedback from you, the reader, is important to me. Want to ask me a question for next month? Send me your question via team@lisanneswart.com
Here is a list of the last 3 readers’ questions I’ve answered:
» Explore more answers to thought-provoking questions from readers
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