Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of daily posts. To start off I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has read any post, subscribed, or commented. I truly and deeply appreciate it. This time last year as lockdown was slowly ending and cinemas were reopening I started writing film reviews. Mainly because it was something I’d always wanted to do, and also because I wanted to post on here regularly. When the local cinema re-opened, I went to see everything I could and wrote notes that turned into full reviews. At first there was no intention to post daily, with just every so often as the aim, but then I wanted to go for a week, then the rest of the month, just to challenge myself. As June finished I just kept writing, and the end of the year started to creep up, so that was the aim. Now the aim is 12 months of daily posts, and after tomorrow, I’ll just continue on for as long as I can.

This last year has been something special to me, I’ve had so many opportunities that I never thought I would have. I’ve covered film festivals, had people reach out to ask me to review their films and books. The number of people who subscribe to this blog has doubled in the last year. I started the blog in November 2012, and in the last 12 months I’ve received almost 6 times the views that I received in the first 8 and a half years. Last week after posting the Obi-Wan Kenobi review I received more views in that day that I had in some years.

One of my favourite things about doing this is finding new things. I love receiving recommendations and every time someone comments with something they would like me to review, I add it to my long list and I will get around to everything. I’ve found out about so many cool film and books, even if I’ve not reviewed them on here.

I’ve also received my first few hate comments, which feels like a stepping stone. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but still amazes me how my opinion can annoy somebody that much. I like people disagreeing with me, and have enjoyed discussing certain things with people in the comments. It’s always interesting to see someone else’s view on something, but some people don’t put their viewpoint and just throw insults.

Looking forward, I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t have many plans, beyond writing more reviews, short stories and then hopefully books. I’ve proven to myself that I can do something if I put my mind to it, and want to keep that up.

Again, thank you to everyone reading this. It means the world to me. Until next time,

Ashley