Jul 10, 2012 |
I made a few alterations to Frankly, My Dear… and I think it’s a much better fit now!
I’m so excited at the way things are going; and they’re just going to keep getting better. Last week the planets aligned to put me in a better attitude and from those events (which I’ll blog about later this week), a new self-confidence was born!
I’m always at my best when I’m writing. I mean, really writing. Not just making notes but really working on getting a project closer to being finished. In the last week, I’ve grabbed that bull by the horns and worked.
A few minor projects were slight changes to the Blog, and I’m hoping you’ll approve:
*I posted a new blog hop: BLOG*HELP*BLOG*HOP. The full title is HOW TO WRITE A BETTER BLOG: I have questions. You have answers. It’s an ongoing Blog Hop where I’m hoping other blog writers and readers will comment and link up their own questions, ideas, and information about writing a better blog.
*I put a BHBH badge on the sidebar of my blog, so no matter what post you’re reading, you can click the BHBH badge and it will take you directly to the original post. I’m kind of excited about this, because (a) I designed the Badge all by myself, which is a HUGE accomplishment, and (b) I’ve received some nice feedback on it. I know it take a while to get noticed, but I’m hoping others will find this to be a great source of information and ideas to make each blog uniquely individual and inviting!
*I have partnered with ZipList.com for my recipes. ZipList is an online recipe-sharing site that also provides you with a grocery list and meal planning options. It’s completely free. You should give them a try!
*This excites me, because when a reader clicks “print” or “save to my recipe box”, ZipList makes sure that the recipe credits back to Franky, My Dear… and New Inklings Press. Right now, I don’t have many recipes saved to ZipList, but I have used them to format some. I’m looking forward to providing more, for both my readers and ZipList users.
*There’s a ZipList badge on the sidebar. If you have a ZipList account, or if you just want to see what it’s all about, you can click the Badge and you’ll be taken to their website.
Those are the major changes to the Blog. I’m looking into ways to attract more readers and subscribers, and in the last month I’ve discovered that my Giveaways have garnered some great attention. I love planning Giveaways, but I’m not always sure what would be a great prize. I’ve won some great prizes: Scharffen Berger Baking Chocolates, a Le Creuset Utensil set, even a Kitchen Aid Blender! I’m looking into trying to get some great sponsors, but right now it’s Me, Myself, and I… and we’re not really sure what kinds of Giveaways you might be interested in. Feel free to offer up some suggestions!
*Each Wednesday through the following Tuesday I post the “What’s the Word?” Wednesdays, Blog Hop. It’s a place for people to comment and link up whatever they feel like talking about. Many thanks to Ann from Doodles and Jots for always linking up some of her great posts! If you haven’t checked out her website, I urge you to do so. She’s so very creative, and always has some wonderful suggestions for children’s books and arts.
*For the past two Mondays I’ve been posting a Weekly Theme: that one mantra I cling to through the next seven days to build on. Whether it be something creative, smart, inspiring, or just fun, I plan to have a new Theme every week.
Those are all the up-and-coming changes right now. But as I am ever changing, so will Frankly, My Dear… I hope you’ll enjoy the new directions, too.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jul 4, 2012 |
Happy Independence Day! It’s time to celebrate!
What does Independence really mean? Well, for America, today, it means we stand on our own.
But in general terms, “Independence” means freedom, liberty, self-reliance.
It can also mean ability, qualification, aptitude. I like that! I like that freedom doesn’t necessarily mean being separate from others; it just means being an individual.
For me, today is about creativity, learning to make-do with what I have. Being able to take care of myself and my family without wholly relying on others to do so.
There’s no shame in needing other people. But there’s a great satisfaction in being Independent.
There’s a certain pride in being able to say, “Look what I did!” and “See how far I’ve come!”
There’s also a joy in being able to pay it forward.
I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the support of my family, friends and readers. And while collectively I love you all, I appreciate each of you Independently.
Have your own stories to tell? Leave a comment or link up your blog posts and share!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
What’s the Word? Wednesdays is a linky that allows other bloggers to share whatever is on their minds that 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 linky 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!
- If you add a link, please put the badge on your post as well.
- 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?
Jun 27, 2012 |
Wow, can you believe it’s the last week of June already? I can’t! I thought once Dot graduated that it would go by slower. Truth is, we’ve been enjoying so much family and friends time that the last month has flown by.
In other respects, it’s also been very slow. I keep waiting for any job opportunity to come my way. So far, no joy. I thought having so much time on my hands would lead to some great writing, but the truth is, it had an adverse affect. I’ve felt a little useless lately. A little non-contributive (is that a word? It is now!). But that stopped a few days ago. I really started reading and writing again (Have you entered to win your own copy of Louis L’Amour’s Short Story Collection? Click on the first link under this post to do so!).
I’ve been working on a new short story set in New Orleans. Except I know it won’t be a short story. Because it took me three pages just to introduce the protagonist (main character). Yup. That’s a big word. I’m trying to use bigger words, to grow my vocabulary. I’ve been perusing the web and finding that, while I enjoy the chit-chat language and vernacular, I also enjoy reading that which makes me feel smarter, that which challenges my language skills. If I have to use a dictionary at least twice a week, I like it. More than that, and I’m in Heaven. Every day, though, and it’s too much. So. Yes. I’m creating a smart protagonist. And I’m loving it.
I’m also coming to terms with my emotions. Dot’s a high school graduate. She’s practically an adult. It’s weird to see her going out with her friends so much. And for me to stay at home. We used to do family dates. Now, she’s got her group, and I’ve got… my chair. Not that I don’t have friends. I just don’t go out as much. She goes to movies and dinners. My friends and I just hang out at each others’ houses (mostly theirs, since most of my friends have cat allergies). I don’t mind. It’s just different. I’m not as social as I used to be.
May brought about the death of Dot’s boyfriend, and the end of my beloved FLASHPOINT, and several job opportunities that didn’t come through. I was pretty angry at God for a while, and I had to come to terms with that. I’m not ready to write it out yet. But suffice to say, that as always, I know God is God and I’m not so any time I think I know better… I’m an idiot.
So you can see I’ve a plethora of emotions that I’m still working through. I’m so thankful for my wonderful family and friends. They put up with me, keep me in check, and just nod and say, “I know…” when I start to cry. I’m also learning that just because I cry a lot does not mean I’m weak. I’ve already started a blog post on that, but I want to make it better before publishing.
I’m looking forward to someday soon being able to give back to my family and friends as much as they give to me. To tell Jaye, “Heck yeah, let’s have coffee!” and to give Megan a workable manuscript. To try new recipes with my mom. Just to let everyone know, I love them. I’m a people-person. And as Jaye told me today, “I’m your peeps.” I like that. I think that should be our motto whenever we see someone we know.
You never know what someone’s going through. And we’re all going through something. Nobody’s life is perfect, is stress free, is truly fine. Everyone has something. Wouldn’t it be neat to know we’re not alone? When we’re going through life, wouldn’t it be great if someone stepped along side and said, “I’m your peeps.” Even if they don’t know, even if we can’t share the load, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to walk with? Wouldn’t it be great for others if we could say it to them?
“I’m your peeps.”
Yeah. I think the world might be a better place.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
What’s the Word? Wednesdays is a linky that allows other bloggers to share whatever is on their minds that 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 linky 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!
- If you add a link, please put the badge on your post as well.
- Be sure to check out what others are posting, and even leave a few comments.
After all, a great coffee date is one where everyone gets to chat, dontcha think?
May 2, 2012 |
It’s the second day of the month and I’m happy to announce I’ve kept up with most of my monthly goals so far. I’ve blogged every day (twice yesterday!) and I have another one in my head for today already.
I made a list of monthly goals, and what short term goals I need to achieve in order to reach the bigger ones. This is due to some great advice I read in my books from Institute of Children’s Literature. It’s so inspiring, informative, and instructional. I really can’t wait to read more today!
I don’t have any theme for this week’s “What’s the Word?” blog hop, so feel free to link up whatever posts you’re proud of, what you read, hear and see that you want to share. Next week [May 9] will be dedicated to the upcoming Mother’s Day. So get your stories ready to share about the women in your life. Your mom, your children, your friends, your mentors. Whoever/whatever comes to mind when you hear the word “MOM”. But that’s next week.
Today… sit back, relax. Have a cup o’joe or whatever you’re drinking… come on in and join the conversation.
What’s on your mind?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Apr 25, 2012 |
Welcome to the second “What’s the Word? Wednesday” blog hop!
This week’s discussion is, well, anything. We’re all just getting to know each other around here so go ahead. Link up, share, post, and tell your friends to join the party!
Are there any blog posts you’re particularly proud of? Any get-to-know-you statements you’ve shouted? Spill it (the story, not the coffee!).
I’ll link up a few of my favorite posts from the past few months to give you a taste of my writing styles. I’ve been lucky enough to be featured a few times on BlogHer.com, so I guess I must be doing something right!
Come on in, sit on down, grab your coffee or other favorite beverage, and let’s cyber-toast this great community of bloggers and commentators.
Remember, you don’t have to have a blog; you can leave a comment instead.
Ready? Cheers!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
