Q&A: Why did I choose this medium for expressing my creativity?

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 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. And as more readers reached out, 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.

One of the things that excites me 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. It just feels good to bring together several things I love in one place. 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. As you can see, I’ve grown into this project organically, and it’s evolved 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. Besides the book hub, I also launched my Tiny Bits Newsletter 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.

By now, this community has become a big part of this journey as well. The reviews, Q&A’s and book ratings from readers are what have shaped it into what it is today. Every new post, recommendation, or idea adds something valuable to the mix.

Looking ahead, I will continue to curate books that go beyond the typical bestseller lists, focusing on new voices, emerging writers, and stories that often get overlooked. 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. I’m also 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. There’s so much more to explore. Thanks for your question!

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:

• What is the most important skill to have at work?
• What is the part I love most about learning languages?
• Has my taste in books changed over the years?

» Explore more answers to thought-provoking questions from readers