This is a fun blogfest, short and sweet. Brainchild of Stephen Tremp, Mark Koopmans, Elise Fallson and C.M.Brown. It is refreshing to read an optimistic spin on blogging, seeing there is a 'blogging is a waste of time' movement gathering impetus as some find facebook, twitter etc a much quicker way to connect with people. Sure, blogging is a time commitment, but to me and many others, worth it, as long as you don't try to blog too much!
Click on the above badge to join up, read more entries...
To re-introduce myself--I've been blogging since 2008, very long lived in this virtual world. I've made so many blogging friends in that time, met some in person, and hope to meet more.
When I started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing, so have made many changes to my blog/s as I've discovered who I am in this blogging world.
There are many posts telling you what you should blog about, who should blog and that unpublished novelists shouldn't even bother, but I think there's a lot more to blogging than that--to your own self be true on this one...
When I joined blogger, I was a short story, non-fiction and travel writer...over the years I've been morphing into a writer of novella and novel-length fiction. I'm about to submit my first fully-completed novel, Fijian Princess, to Harlequin.
I founded RomanticFridayWriters with Francine Howarth (who is mainly found on fb these days), and now co-host with Donna Hole. This is a great way to keep writing fiction--flash fiction--from which many a full-length novel has been birthed. Every month there is a new challenge afoot, open to all! Check out our latest challenge in the right sidebar!
Did you get the message? I love blogging and meeting new bloggers and learning so much from everyone! Thank you bloggers!!
- Now tell me about why you're a blogger...I LOVE to hear other's stories...
And to back up my words, I'd like you to check out the latest from Aussie author, Jessica Bell:
Ever wondered how a five-year-old girl
perceives the world? Then you definitely need to get your hands on THE BOOK, a novella by Jessica Bell.
Check
out these awesome reviews:
"Jessica Bell’s surprising risks with language capture a child’s clear vision in a world of adult heartbreak. Indelible. Courageous." ~Thaisa Frank, author of Heidegger's Glasses and Enchantment
"THE BOOK is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It's going to rip your blood pump out of your chest, kick it around like a football, and then shove it back inside you, leaving you with a potently reinvigorated faith in humanity. A curiously captivating read that somehow manages to encapsulate the length and breadth of love and family in one slim volume." ~Josh Donellan, author of Zeb and the Great Ruckus
Here's the blurb:
This book
is not The Book. The Book is in this book. And The Book in this book is both
the goodie and the baddie.
Bonnie is five. She wants to bury The Book because it is a demon that should go to hell. Penny, Bonnie’s mother, does bury The Book, but every day she digs it up and writes in it. John, Bonnie’s father, doesn’t live with them anymore. But he still likes to write in it from time to time. Ted, Bonnie’s stepfather, would like to write in The Book, but Penny won’t allow it.
To Bonnie, The Book is sadness.
To Penny, The Book is liberation.
To John, The Book is forgiveness.
To Ted, The Book is envy.
But The Book in this book isn’t what it seems at all.
If there was one thing in this world you wished you could hold in your hand, what would it be? The world bets it would be The Book.
Bonnie is five. She wants to bury The Book because it is a demon that should go to hell. Penny, Bonnie’s mother, does bury The Book, but every day she digs it up and writes in it. John, Bonnie’s father, doesn’t live with them anymore. But he still likes to write in it from time to time. Ted, Bonnie’s stepfather, would like to write in The Book, but Penny won’t allow it.
To Bonnie, The Book is sadness.
To Penny, The Book is liberation.
To John, The Book is forgiveness.
To Ted, The Book is envy.
But The Book in this book isn’t what it seems at all.
If there was one thing in this world you wished you could hold in your hand, what would it be? The world bets it would be The Book.
Intrigued?
43 comments:
Jessica's book sounds like the kind of book that might make me cry. A journal that means many things to several people. Intriguing.
Nice to learn more about you, Denise!
Hi, Denise,
Such a treat to read about how you got started in the blogosphere. You ARE one of my favorite people in OUR world. I am SO thankful for our chats and for the time and care you take in your posts and critique. AND if it weren't for you and Donna, I never would have started my newest WIP. Imagine how many others you have influence over the years? Countless, I am sure.
You know ALL about me, but I have an entry as well coming up as soon as I write it... LOL. You know me, I wait for the VERY LAST second.
I hope things are cooler for you. Today we had THUNDER HAIL... a NEW experience for me. the sidewalks are like a sheet of ice. Such fun. I wonder which is worse INSANE HEAT or FROZEN TUNDRA? Such a decision.... right?
I will TRY to convince"Amber" to send some cool winds your way, I'm not sure if she is powerful enough to send it around the world... Maybe? LOL.
Hi denise - I'm glad to see your post went up - so those massive Aussie rains aren't causing you any 'damage' .. they sound very challenging after all the fires.
I think our blogs do morph don't they - we realise what we like, and what readers like ... but I totally agree those connections are quite extraordinary and I'd have hated to miss this experience.
I love meeting people in and around our world and sometime hope to meet a few blogging Brits or visitors to our shores ... but I love the learning and education on life - be it story writing, grammar, how to cope with various troubles .. I'm so grateful I'm blogging ..
Cheers and keep safe this week - Hilary
Hi Denise .. forgot Jess' book - definitely one to be bought and read .. sounds a very essential read. H
Hi Denise, it's nice to learn a little bit more about you, especially that you started blogging in 2008. I find technology quite scary sometimes but it's nice to know all the people who blog are more than willing to help us newbies out. I love being part of the RFW group as well.
And you definitely SHOULD continue to write fiction. The piece you sent to VL was fab. I'm so sorry it didn't make it into the antho. We had some tough decisions to make! But I hope you submit again this year?
Thanks so much for featuring my book!
Why do I blog? To meet other writers of course!
I love blogging, too Denise! And I LOVE meeting bloggers like you. Granted, I'm not around as much as I want to be, but you will always hold a special place in my bloggy heart.
I could not imagine life without blogging. Thanks for sharing!
And best wishes to Jessica Bell and her new release!
You have been blogging a long time. I've only been at it two years. I do enjoy blogging, and the connections I've made have been wonderful, but it's getting harder and harder to think of new things to write about.
Congrats to Jessica on the release of another book!
Good luck with your submission, Denise!
And I had no idea what I was doing when I began either. I found my groove when I decided to just be me.
Nice to meet you again Denise, and The Book sounds -- WOW!
I'm like Alex, I'm just me, desirous of learning, and the RFW offers such unique challenges. Thank you for that!
Jessica's writing is--wow. Thanks for your support of RFW Yolanda. We love having you write for us. D
Thank you L.G. Two years is a long time too these days!
Me either Stephen!
You, my bloggy friend, are one of the best writers I know. Hope that novel is coming along!
My pleasure Jessica. And thank you for the kind words.
And we love having you Sally. Your work is superb.
Hi Hilary. I am battered and frustrated by the heatwave, followed without any breather, to the cyclone and floods, which are ongoing. I'm not really affected, but it rips me apart seeing my beloved country burning up, then drowning...but we survive...or most of us do!
Your blog is truly inspirational--puts paid to the 'blog posts should only be 300 words' advice. I love visiting you! Like you, I love lifelong learning, which is one of the reasons I continue to teach.
This is one of the sweetest comments I've ever had--makes me feel very good. I do love this blogging world, most of the time.
When RFW has a slump, or her members are slow getting started for a new year, I do think about all the stories it has birthed in me and many others--and whole novellas and novels! That's pretty awesome.
Now we have cyclones and floods, MIchael. School was cancelled today--was the return to school after the long summer holidays! Oh 'Amber', send cooling winds from Chicago!
Denise
so many of us started out blogging totally clueless. You've come a long way.
Looks like I hit your blog at the right time - reintroducing yourself is a great concept. As for why I blog? Well, it started out because of something I kept hearing: 'You're a writer and so you need to blog'. Stupid reason IMO, but I dipped my toes in anyway.
I can't say I've actually found my feet in the blogging world yet, but I can say that it's been very rewarding - with most of that reward coming not from the stuff I've been posting, but actually meeting so many incredible and supportive people.
I wish I'd discovered that a few years ago. It's certainly where the value rests for me.
Dear Denise,
Always touching our hearts (smile). I Blog because of my poetry. Thank you for visiting and for all the encouragement. All the best my friend.
Thanks Andy. That means a lot! D
It's great to meet you Chris. It takes some of us a long time to find our place. I"m sure you will too! Thanks for visiting!
2008...you're a blogging 'ole timer'! :) You've carved out a nice little niche for yourself here. Its great getting to know you better! :)
Hi Denise! It's been awhile since I came by for a visit. Alas, blogging takes a backseat to editing (my day job) and marketing, my full-time obsession which I hate, hate, hate. Congrats on your submission! I hope they scoop you right up! Then you'll be doing marketing non-stop, like me. *sigh*
That book sounds like a teat jerker for me and I have been reading your blog for a long time now............and still enjoy coming for a visit......
Nice to see you again, Denise!
erica
Hey, Denise!
I'm a new blogger, who used to cringe at the idea of having one, but w/every post, I'm liking it more and more, so I don't think I'll be leaving the blogosphere anytime soon. Congrats on finishing Fejian Princess! I wish you loads of success! It's great meeting you. :)
It has been my pleasure to partner with you Denise :)
I know what you mean about changing your blog perspective, I've done that a few times myself over the years.
I'm so excited you're submitting to Harequin. I wish you all the best of luck. what an amazing journey you've had, and I'm glad to have been following you for so many years.
I hope you have continued blogging and writing success from here on out.
........dhole
Great to re-meet you Denise.
You are a blogging veteran... and congrats on the submission.
I've seen Jessica's book all over. It sounds awesome and heart-breaking...
I've added her poetry collection to my growing TBR pile... and The Book will definitely be added too.
Def intriguing premise for Jess's book. That's a lot of books. ;)
I agree with you Denise that blogging is well worth it. Realistically, if you write a bestseller you get a platform handed to you. But for those of us who are trying to get by til then, blogging is an amazing source of friendship, support, and networking that has proven to be invaluable to me. So so glad I take the time to do it, and truly, there's a force here on the web that can't be denied.
I think blogging is like writing, we have to find our own voice and that can change over time.
Nice to remeet you! I don't think blogging is a waste of time just because there are quicker options for networking available. I think it allows for a greater depth of connection. Would a night out with friends for drinks and setting the world to rights be considered a waste of time?
Definitely intrigued about Jessica's book! Sounds very different.
Blogging has not just changed my life, it's changed my world. The globe has become much smaller and friendlier because of blogs. The internet stills fills me with awe in a way I don't think those who've grown up with it can ever understand. I love my blogging friends and, of course, especially you Denise! I'm amazed and thrilled that we've read each other's blogs from different parts of the country, then by chance, met in a writing workshop, and now meet in our writers group every week. How awesome is that?!
I also laugh at the 'experts' who have opinions on who is allowed to blog and who isn't. The same type of people that complain about 'amateurs' reviewing books/films/food. Just the other day, on the radio, I heard chefs complain that customers shouldn't be able photograph their meal and put it on instagram. Why? Because they're not professional photographers and the meal may not show in the best light. What??? If I pay for a meal, the food is mine and I eat it, photograph it, or wear it as a hat if I want. Some people get too precious about their art and I think that's where the selective entrance to the 'blogging club' comes from. I love reading the journey of new writers becoming new authors.
And your blog is looking great now!
Oh, I absolutely agree about being true to yourself. I don't think you can keep it up any other way. Good luck with your Harlequin book!
So much changes from that first blogging experience. In April I hit 7 years, and it's been so long, I don't even remember what I blogged about back then.
I love blogging too, and I don't listen to what other people tell me I should blog about. I just go with what feels right. Also, I would never listen to anyone who claimed unpublished writers (me) shouldn't bother. ha.
It's been great knowing you via your blog :)
I love blogging too, especially about writing.
The Romantic Friday Writers is such a great idea!
you love blogging? me, too! weird how we have that in common, right? :D
I love blogging because of the people too. It's so wonderful to meet all the supportive bloggers out there. I haven't met any yet in person, but I hope to.
Hi, Denise,
I met you through blogging. For a while I didn't quite understand how the whole thing worked but I learned over time. I've met some really great people.
Jessica's book has my fascinated - just thinking about a story written from the perspective of a 5 y/o.
Blogging since 2008? That's impressive! I'd choose blogging over Twitter any day. ;)
Thanks for the good rec with The Book. ;)
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