Aug 22, 2012 |
It’s been a great week around here. Mary tells me that all my housecleaning was actually the result of a virus, for which chocolate is the cure. Well, now I know for next time. The cleaning having been already done, I guess all I can do is indulge in chocolate now as a preventative measure for later.
I’ve truly stuck to this week’s Theme to Write It Out! There’s a direct correlation between me keeping a journal and how much other writing I accomplish. I like being able to note each night what I’ve worked on, and make a list for the next day.
I bought a box at the local craft store yesterday. It matches my house decor. I intend to use it to hold the many scraps of notes and whatnots I collect as a writer. Paper, magazine clippings, drawings. Those little bits and pieces I need to reference but have no other place to keep them in. Apparently, it also makes a great cat pillow.
Tuesday I mailed out my first ever short story submission, as well as emailed an inspirational essay. I’ve entered contests before, but these are my first ready-to-go, researched, unsolicited manuscripts. Ever. And I finally got the nerve up to send out two in one day.
I know. Exciting, right?!
I’ve a job interview next week (postponed from last week). I also took a typing test for the local school district. Can you believe their requirement is only 30 wpm? Of course, that’s because the position I’m applying for is classified as “Substitute Clerical”. Apparently, I did much better than the others because my score was the only one to merit exclamations and a shout-out from the test proctor. “Molly! You can TYPE!” *Insert happy face here*
Well, that’s Life at Bedford Manor this week. Time for you to link up and share your world!
On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who links up. You’ve all been diligent about adding the blog badge to your posts, and that has helped streamline and direct traffic back to these posts. So thank you very much for not making me require backlinks. Y’all rock!
You can also click the bottom link “Get The Code Here…” to add to your blog and the list will appear with your submitted posts as well. I encourage you to do so, so that all our readers can have the benefit of all our posts! And you can add more posts through your link and every post will show on every list. Nifty, huh? I think so!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
What’s the Word?” Wednesdays is a link-up that allows other bloggers and readers to share whatever they want to talk about. Think of it as a virtual coffee date with some great friends. What’s going on in your world? Tell us all about it!
A few things to remember:
- Each week’s link-up is valid from Wednesday through the following Tuesday. So if you link a post today, you can still come back and link another post tomorrow! In fact, you can link up as many posts as you want.
- If you add a link, please put the badge on your post as well.
- Each week has a new link-up. Please make sure you grab the correct Badge Code.
- Be sure to check out what others are posting, and even leave a few comments.
- You can now show your “likes” by voting for your favorite links.
So, c’mon. Join the conversation. After all, a great coffee date is one where everyone gets to chat, dontcha think?
Aug 21, 2012 |
I don’t have as many blog followers as I strive for. It makes it a little hard to get sponsors for giveaways and such. But I keep at it. And little by little, great things are coming my way.
Nearly every day, I can count on comments from a core group of supporters. And nearly every day, I can count on spam comments urging me to sign up for the Quick and Easy Way to get followers. “Over 1,000 followers each day!” “It really works!” These spam messages tell me I’m not doing as well as I could be in my ratings. That I’m hard to find on google. That they know the answer.
But here’s the thing. Their answer is wrong. For me, anyway. Because followers isn’t the same as followers. And having a thousand readers because I filled out some form isn’t the same as having two hundred readers because they like what I write.
So here’s my promise to you: I won’t ever compromise just for ratings. Of course I’d love to write That Post that garners attention. That brings sponsors to my page and readers to my doorstep. But I refuse to join a club or write fluff to get me there. I write, because it’s what I do best. I write because without words, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
I’d rather be rated on my merit than on some sign-up program. Sure, I don’t show up on google immediately. I’m okay with that. And so far my giveaway participants don’t number in the hundreds. But isn’t the lower competition better for you?
And if my authentic writing gives me a small group of authentic readers, I’d rather that than sell out to a large system that doesn’t really care. I’m not saying I’d turn my back on advertising and sponsorships. Heck, no! I’m saying, I want those companies to have faith in me. I want them to say, yeah. I know what I’m doing. And I want my ratings to improve authentically.
This is where you come in: If you like reading Frankly, My Dear…, would you tell your family and friends? A lot of great things are starting to happen and you don’t want them to miss out, do you?
- The Unemployment Cookbook (2nd Edition)
- Holiday-themed Giveaways, and plenty of them!
- Updates on my writing projects
- Shared stories from other bloggers
Did I mention corporate sponsorships? I’m hoping to partner again with Aroma Housewares for another Rice Cooker. I’m currently reviewing Scharffen Berger’s new Artisan chocolate bars.
And yes, other companies are noticing me. Thanks to your responses so far, I’m getting noticed.
So it’s not like winning the Lottery all at once. It’s more like earning it, one drop in the bucket at a time.
And I’m okay with that. Because that’s how This (Real) Girl rolls.
Share the word, would ya? Thanks.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Aug 20, 2012 |
I haven’t forgotten my goal from two months ago to have a new theme to aspire to each week. I just haven’t had the chance to document my ideals every Monday. I have a few ideas, and I’m hoping to blast my way through several within the next ten days or so to get “current”. So here’s a start.
This one is near and dear to my heart, and fitting for any purpose. Whether it’s journaling thoughts that you don’t want to share, working through a creative writing issue, or hammering out this week’s grocery list… you can’t go wrong when you put it in writing.
Writing helps me keep organized and remember things I’d otherwise forget. It helps me work through my thoughts and plans and keep track with my goals.
Writing keeps me healthy.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also like:
Why I Write. Every Day.
What’s Your Writing Style? Creatively Overcoming Writer’s Block
