Embracing a Unique Blogging Journey
- authorkerrihare
- Jul 19
- 16 min read
Introduction to author Kerri Hare's virtual mind.
Introducing "Divertique," a blog platform of author Kerri Hare's neurodiverse mind.
Introduction
My journey into the blogging world.
As a writer, I have had experiences with writing stories, poems, lyrics, screenplays, and many academic works throughout my writing career, but this is my way of dipping my toes into the waters of blogging. I have seen various blogs, many of which have a singular focus, which works for many. However, I do not function through a singular-track mind; rather, my thoughts reflect that of a rollercoaster, with ups and downs, twists and turns, loop-de-loops and corkscrews. And that is how I plan to build this blog: through intentional subject matter and posts that reflect the essence of my mind.
Setting the tone for a multifaceted approach to blogging.
Throughout this blog, readers can expect to find a range of literary topics, including book recommendations, updates on my work, and other literary adventures. Additionally, I will share travel experiences that take readers along on each adventure I undertake, as well as my experiences as a neurodiverse individual. Like the ball of creativity that I am, this blog will reflect a hodgepodge of ideas, interests, and subject matters, inviting all who wish to read.
A Daring Departure from Tradition
Explanation of traditional blogging norms.
Traditional blogging norms encompass a range of elements, including structure, stylistic choices, tone, and voice, as well as organization and structure. One commonality that I have seen emphasized in various blogging tips is that blogs should focus on a singular, specified subject matter that falls within an author's area of expertise. While I can understand how focusing on a single, specific subject can be beneficial in building credibility and differentiating one's blog from the thousands of other blogs across the internet, I am not a one-track-minded individual, a point I will explore further in the following sections of this post. Thesis statements are another norm of blogging and various academic and professional works, such as essays, journals, studies, and more. I, however, do not like thesis statements as much. I find them:
1) Challenging AF (As Fudge) and,
2) They stress me out (which this blog should be stress-free) and are not my favorite writing technique.
Another more traditional blog norm is the use of concise paragraphs to maintain reader engagement, increase the chances of readers staying until the end of the post, and not boring or overwhelming readers. Traditional blog structure and organizational norms also include the use of headings and subheadings, spelling and grammar checks, appropriate and accurate citations for any ideas, quotes, and other elements not the author's own, the use of lists and bullet points, and more.
My desire to deviate from these norms.
My desire to deviate from these blogging norms stems from my natural inclination to deviate from societal norms in my everyday life. My thoughts are simple: If I stray from many societal norms in my everyday life, then why should my blogging be any different? I choose to celebrate difference, not shame it, and that is my hope for my blog posts and website. There will be various blogging norms that I may utilize in my writing, while also tailoring them to fit my unique and intentional authorial style, tone, and voice, which means there will be some norms I may choose to follow: such as the casual and informal tones with a slightly professional structure, and other norms, such as singular subjects and themes, that I will stray from. I am unique, and I hope that is evident in my website and blog. As mentioned earlier, I am not a single-minded type of woman; instead, my mind has fifty or so tracks that all tangle with each other and are constantly active, searching for additional tracks to add to the chaos. This makes it challenging to focus on one subject, as after a while, there is a 99.9% chance that I will become bored with it (due to a sudden lack of dopamine), and voilà, my attempts at blogging are over. By working with my mind rather than against it, I have a higher probability of both overwhelming myself and simultaneously ensuring there is enough variation to maintain my favorite neurotransmitter, dopamine. After all, I have found that dopamine equals my success.
Justification for a more eclectic style.
My justifications for a more eclectic style for my blog reflect my personality. I have spent my life trying to fit within society's boundaries, and it has never worked out well for me. As I try to live my life, I want to approach my blogging with the same mindset. I am not a "typical" writer. I go on tangents and make points after first slowly venturing down the more scenic route, or thoughts and points that seem unrelated, but eventually prove to help deliver my main points. I bounce from topic to topic, and I enjoy sharing my personal stories as both a means to demonstrate my listening and comprehension skills, to help myself make connections that will be easier for me to understand, and as a way to help enlighten others and provide my truths in a world that tends to shame difference. My question to you, my readers, visitors, and friends, is this: Why not have a blog that covers multiple topics rather than just one? A multi-subject blog can be a platform that potentially caters to diverse audiences and interests. And of course, there are various potential reasons against a multi-subject blog, but I will do my best to maintain organized chaos and relevance in my blogging and posts.
Personal Life: A Window into My World
Sharing candid stories from my personal experiences.
When I think about blogs, the first thing that comes to mind is personal stories. Authenticity and my truths are a significant part of both my authorial brand and my everyday personality, and now my blog. All posts written by me will always be from my perspective, sharing my thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and experiences, unless otherwise specified. I am always open to discussions regarding my posts. If others have similar experiences, questions, or corrections to the more academic posts, or if they feel that my research is not as credible or appropriate, please reach out. If I post any research or supporting evidence, it will be verifiable, credible, and properly cited. Opinions are allowed and an essential part of discussions, as long as each side respects and listens to the other without shame, blame, or accusations.
Insights into what makes my life relatable and unique.
There are many ways in which my life might be perceived as relatable and unique. The best policy, besides honesty, is authenticity. If people do not like you for who you are, then they are not your people. So, in the spirit of this belief, I promise to remain authentic, meaning I will write what I believe needs to be said, not what I think others want to hear, and instead write what I feel needs to be written, what I want to share, and what I want to convey through my perspectives. I choose to live my life authentically after years of trying to be someone I am not. I may seem "biased" in some areas, as much as I will have some posts where I try my best to be objective. It is only because I am speaking from my perspective, my experiences, and my mind. This doesn't mean that I believe my perspectives are better than or more accurate than others' or that other perspectives don't matter or hold any weight. One thing I have learned during my time as an undergraduate at SNHU (Southern New Hampshire University online) is that perspectives are necessary, beautiful, supported by many factors, and all matter, whether we agree or not.
I believe everyone has a unique life and story to tell, as we are all different, and no two of us are the same. However, there are ways in which we are all the same. Everyone struggles. Everyone rides the waves of life. Whether or not one can relate to or learn from my perspectives and experiences, my blog is a place for all.
I hope that my blog posts can elicit safe and deep discussion that shows respect and politely seeks to challenge or support the way we all think, as I believe there can be at least one thing to gain from every perspective, and what that one thing is… is up to each of us as interpreters.
The importance of vulnerability in connecting with readers.
Vulnerability is key in general connections and with readers, as opening yourself up to others can encourage them to open up to you and form genuine connections. Vulnerability can encourage thoughtful communications, encourage in-depth discussions, openness, and authenticity. I would never want to give my readers content that is not true to myself or anything inauthentic, as that only leads to false connections and potential distrust.
Professional Literary Life: Navigating the Written Word
Exploration of my experiences in the literary field.
I have been telling stories my entire life, loving to create worlds and characters that would go on adventures. I first "published" storybooks in my third-grade class, where we were given the activity of illustrating, writing, and assembling stories that we could then read to the class as "published" authors. Since then, I have always found myself lost within a book or my imagination. I received my B.A. in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in fiction writing on May 24, 2025. For the past five years, I have been studying all forms and genres of the literary world, writing poetry, screenplays, fiction works, and nonfiction works. I am currently working on professional publications with literary agents, journals, and magazines, while searching for internships at various publication houses. Until then, I will self-publish my blog and other literary works through my central platform, my website Kerri Hare.
The intersection of personal passion and professional pursuits.
The intersection of personal passion and professional pursuits lies within my love of storytelling, which has evolved into a career. I had a professor for two of my English/Creative Writing courses who challenged me to truly consider a career in writing, a girl who in high school could barely write two sentences and can now hardly stay within the maximum page limits (it's a work in progress) never initially considered she might have the skills, imagination, and abilities to write stories for a living… until Abbie Rose-Marie(a published author and English instructor for whom I will forever be eternally grateful for). My years of writing for fun have now evolved into works that I will edit, revise, rewrite, and add to my website, with the hope of securing future representation by a literary agent for publication consideration.
The lessons learned from writing and publishing.
Writing Lessons:
Perfection is never an option— only striving for perfectly imperfect
It is always important to write
Whether it is a section of a story, a free write, a prompted write, never stop writing, or it can become harder to do
Drafts are drafts for a reason.
You are allowed to make mistakes, use drafts to flesh out ideas, and write before returning to revise, edit, and polish.
Publishing Lessons:
Never underestimate the amount of work and steps in the publication process; it is not a quick and easy journey.
Research, research, research
Research publication houses
Literary agents versus editors
Publication process
The specifics of what potential editors or literary agents are looking for
The contents of magazines, journals, and newspapers
Just do research, as it will help in the long run
Be prepared for rejection
Something I have been told by many professors, musicians, and authors is that you will be rejected; however, how you perceive and use those rejections will either set you up for success or failure.
Do not be discouraged, as there are many reasons you may be rejected (I cannot recall who said this, but I have been told this many times and read this/heard many well-known professionals in the arts fields who have this)
Travel Adventures: Stories from the Road
Highlighting unforgettable travel experiences.
With hopes of traveling the world, I have taken road trips to Puerto Peñasco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, and I have also taken many flights to Oahu, Hawaii, as well as a small farming town in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. I spent about a month (June 12 - July 8, 2023) in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, staying with family and exploring the culture, traditions, and life in the shrimping city. From trying chorizo with family in Mexico, to learning family recipes for "rock soup" (a.k.a. potato and veggie cream soup) in Wisconsin, and my first jello shots on the Vegas Strip, my travel adventures have always been centered around the memories made, places visited, and the people I have interacted with along the way. My most recent trip was a four-day celebration of my graduation and a 10-year friendiversary with my best friend, my mom, my nana, and a family friend who is like a second mom to me. I travel for fun to Hawaii, for family to Texas, Wisconsin, and Nevada, and have become a frequent traveler for concerts.
Lessons and reflections drawn from different cultures.
Examining reflections from different cultures, I reflect on my experiences in Mexico and how language truly placed me in the shoes of former students who are non-native English speakers. As someone who has taken eight years of Spanish and yet somehow always seems to forget everything I know as soon as a native speaker is around, I felt utterly helpless and ashamed that, as someone in another country, I struggled to communicate even the slightest of phrases properly. I am not the type of person to force others to speak English to make me feel more comfortable, so I use translation apps to help bridge my language skills, as I believe that no one should be forced to speak English to accommodate me. I am capable of learning languages, and my inability falls solely on my shoulders.
I have always found learning about others' cultures and traditions to be fascinating, as they can intersect and diverge in various ways that tend to be overlooked simply because they are perceived as "feeling too different." I firmly believe that differences are beautiful. I love experiencing and learning about culture through travel and firsthand experiences, as there is just something "je ne sais quoi" about it that I feel cannot be adequately captured through reading and research.
How travel influences my writing and perspective.
There are many ways in which my travels have inspired my writing and perspectives. I have used my travels to Hawaii to help inspire my Young Adult Romantasy work, Drops in the Ocean, for the characters, ways of life, names, food, and various self-care activities, such as face masks and body scrubs, which I usually treat myself to only on vacation. My travels influence my writing and perspectives, as each experience I learn something new, attempt to try something I have never done before, and embrace the adventures that each trip offers. My experiences remind me to cherish and celebrate the world around me and never shy away from curiosity and the discovery of what the world and others have to offer.
Neurodiversity: My Perspective
Discussing my own journey with neurodiversity.
My neurodiverse journey began at a very young age, with self- and professional diagnoses, leading to my current goals of being professionally tested and diagnosed with my self-diagnosed ASD (autism spectrum disorder) soon. Additionally, I know others who are neurodiverse and love to share and connect on our shared yet unique experiences. I hope to convey my experiences and societal perceptions, both the positives and negatives, through my blog and work, as it is essential for me to share my truth and depict the realities, both the ups and downs, of living with neurodivergences. Within my website's Education and Resources tab under the Mental Health Resources section, there is a section entitled "Kerri's Experiences with Mental Health" and a blog category called "NeuroColorful" which will highlight my mental health journey, experiences with therapy, the trial and errors I have gone through throughout my life thus far, medication experiences, and more. I hope to continue to be as transparent about my mental health as I hold myself accountable for. I also plan to share and recommend various entertainments that I have found portray deeper and accurate characteristics of different mental health topics, such as OCD, anxiety, and depression, with the hope that these works enlighten or bring some comfort in knowing that you never have to struggle or face challenges alone. Furthermore, I plan to put my newly earned minor to use from my May 24, 2025, college graduation to use in these sections of my works, website, and blog as I minored in Psychology (It would have been a double major, but math was involved in making it a major and I said a firm "nope").
The importance of inclusivity and representation in blogging.
There are many reasons why inclusivity and representation in blogging are essential:
1) Diversity is a beautiful fact of life.
2) I believe it is long overdue for everyone to have the opportunity to read, watch, view, or hear something and say, "Hey, I can relate to this!"
3) I am new to the blogging scene and have yet to research the various types of blogs available. Still, I firmly believe in being the change I want to see, which means I cannot merely wish to find others who speak of inclusivity and representation; I must take action. I need to participate directly and become one of the many footsteps venturing on the path of change I most want to see.
The importance of inclusivity and representation in literature spans across all entertainment and resource platforms. The feeling of validation and visibility that comes from representation can make considerable differences in how we view and reflect on ourselves and those around us. For example, works like Kaylie Smith's Phantasma, a book that follows the darker aspects of OCD with the protagonist, are influenced and inspired by Smith's own experiences living with OCD. Her character and storytelling felt very validating as someone with OCD myself, as most portrayals I see sum up this difference with the typical cleanliness and organizational skills, leaving out the darker and other intense symptoms that haunt individuals with this difference. I have read many portrayals of characters by individuals who may not have had firsthand experience with neurological differences, and I feel that statistics, research, and verifiable, credible information can only go so far without considering firsthand or even second-hand experiences. This is one of the many reasons I love author Kaylie Smith's novel Phantasma as not only is her protagonist's portrayal of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) a side that is often overlooked for the more commonly referenced organizational and cleanliness symptoms, but the author herself lives with OCD and discusses how her personal experiences helped influence her authorial decisions within her work.
Overall, the importance of inclusivity and representation in general is vital for the growth and acceptance of humanity and society. We have voices, and I believe it is long past time to use them.
How neurodiverse experiences shape my worldview.
Growing up feeling like I was living on the outside looking in or the only person without an actual copy of the universal life rulebook "How to Life," I learned much of how "different" I am through often unpleasant experiences where I honestly believed that what I experienced was "normal" and couldn't understand why many said it wasn't. Due to the unique hardships and experiences that have shaped my reality, my worldviews have always been shaped as mirror images of differences as "normality." Along with physically living in a diverse community, being a Southern New Hampshire University alumnus, and being a member of the neurodiverse community, I have come to realize that my worldviews are constantly adapting, shifting, changing, and expanding. I like to say that I have always seen the world in colors that have been brightened, sharpened, and enhanced to brilliant hues.
Blending Topics: Creating a Rich Tapestry
Explanation of how varied topics will interweave in my blog.
Although the blog topics may seem varied, they are all interwoven and interconnected in various ways. My work often covers mental health subjects, and my perspectives are influenced by my experiences, knowledge, and more, which include the differences in how my brain functions. I travel a decent amount and have found a great deal of inspiration for my various works through my travels, as well as how my perspectives may shift, change, and expand over time. All pertain to my literary ventures and personal and professional experiences.
Benefits of exploring diverse subjects to engage a wider audience.
Various subjects will, more than most, have their target audiences, which means that exploring diverse subjects offers opportunities to reach other prospective audiences outside of the primary readership, but can also potentially encourage specific target audiences to explore beyond the comforts of what they already enjoy, as they might be pleasantly surprised at how everything connects.
Setting the stage for unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated themes.
Throughout my academic undergraduate journey at Southern New Hampshire University online, I have learned many things, one of which has resonated deeply with me. The beauty of writing is that seemingly opposite subjects can find connections and relevance through the written word. One thing I have learned throughout my studies is never to assume a lack of connection. For example, the use of lenses or perspectives when writing or studying can incorporate science, history, statistics, music, art, and more to explore a subject, thus creating connections that bridge subjects or themes.
Engaging with the Audience
Encouraging reader interaction through comments and discussions.
As discussed throughout this blog, comments and discussions are a great way to engage with my content, making discoveries, challenging or expanding current perspectives, and connecting with others who share similar or different thoughts. I believe the world needs more healthy communication, not the kind in which we are at one another's throats and bullying others for some perceived dominance or assumptions, but rather, discussions that take serious consideration of each other's perspectives. I hope that readers feel comfortable in voicing their perspectives, posing questions to what I write or others' responses (in friendly and respectful manners, of course), reach out with any concerns or points that may challenge, or support my posts that I emphasize are more research based than personal opinions and perspectives, and altogether find unity and respect in such divided and uncertain times.
The value of community and conversation in blogging.
There is significant value in blogging communities and conversations, including the potential for unity within diversity, the opportunity to raise awareness, and the rediscovery of more efficient and impactful ways to discuss various subjects. Community and conversation can further connect me to my audiences and visitors, which don't result in one-sided speeches that prevent further discussions. As I am a strong advocate of sharing voices and engaging in conversations, especially those that society might still shy away from, I hope that my blog can become another platform where thoughtful discussions are had and single-minded speeches are balanced. From a more professional perspective, communities and conversations in blogging can lead to reader and viewer loyalty, as well as opportunities for promotion through respectful and safe discussions, and the building of a valued community.
How readers' perspectives will enhance content.
Readers' perspectives are essential in enhancing content, as they can help guide the type of content produced and promoted. It is a great way to engage and interact with audiences, whom I affectionately consider my literary and blogging family and friends, in ways that allow them to have a more interactive and valued role in the production of the website, blogs, and literary content as well. Readers' perspectives are one of the key elements that can lead to either the success or failure of a platform, like blogging, and genuinely feel like the heart of what helps bring a platform to life. A blog is nothing without its readers, a website is nothing without its viewers, and an author and a work are nothing without their consumers.
Conclusion: An Invitation to Join the Journey
Summarizing the unique take on blogging, I aim to present.
I aim to present a blogging platform that explores a variety of subjects and themes related to my authorial works and the person behind the content, while remaining authentic to myself and celebrating the beautiful chaos of my mind. My blog will be a combination of professional and personal thoughts and posts, with a balanced focus on audience engagement that celebrates the efforts of both writers and readers.
A call to action for readers to embark on this adventure with me.
I invite you to open your hearts and minds and explore this crazy thing called life, alongside me. Together, let's look towards a brighter, more open, and communicative future that we build as a united society.
Looking forward to what lies ahead, together with the audience.
Looking forward to what lies ahead, together with my audience, please expect beautiful chaos, authenticity, and genuine posts, along with the occasional research- or academically based post that shares my life's journey, unfiltered, unapologetic, and perfectly imperfect. I look forward to meeting and growing with you all very soon!
With Love,
Kerri
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