Jun 3, 2015 |
Aaron and I had our monthly business meeting the other day, and as one idea led to another, he ended up with a great new feature on his blog.
First Lines Friday asks, “What was the best first line you wrote this week?” You’ll have all weekend to contribute. Each Monday, Aaron, myself and a guest judge will select a finalist, and at the end of each month, popular vote will select the winner from those finalists.
Each monthly winner will receive a $15 gift card to their choice of Target, Starbucks, or Amazon.
Sounds like fun, yah? But wait. It gets better.
At the end of the year, popular vote will select the grand prize winner from the twelve monthly winners.
What’s the grand prize? I’m so glad you asked. How does a $50 gift card sound? Again, the winner can choose from Amazon, Starbucks, or Target.
That’s right. Just for writing one amazing sentence, you could win a total of $65 in prizes from Aaron D. Gansky. Not bad.
Starting this Friday, June 5, you can be a part of First Lines Friday on his blog.
And starting now, you can help spread the word and be entered to win an autographed copy of his book, Firsts in Fiction: First Line Hooks, Hints & Help.
Firsts in Fiction: First Line Hooks, Hints & Help
Of course, if you don’t want to wait, you can click on the photo link above and order your own.
But if you want to have some fun and maybe win an autographed copy, follow the entry instructions on the Rafflecopter link below. And don’t forget to enter Aaron’s First Lines Friday every Friday!
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Mar 25, 2014 |
Amazon is synonymous with sales, especially books. The great part is, Amazon makes it easy for authors of all sorts to share their stories. In particular, I’m in love with their Author’s Pages. A person can share as little or as much as they like, and link to their most important social media networks.
Publishing eBooks for Kindle download is just as easy. Once you have the finished draft, a quick upload is all it takes to get started.
You can check out my Amazon Author’s Page here. It contains all the aforementioned goodies, and more.
Now that I’m back in the swing of writing and blogging, I thought this would be a good time to promote my Kindle eBooks. You’ve read my posts as I started these writings, and you celebrated with me as I published.
It’s time to be rewarded for your cheerleading.
THE PENNY PARABLE will be free Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
The Penny Parable
A STUDY ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS will be price-reduced as well.
A Study on the Ten Commandments
It’s my way of giving back and saying thanks. Thanks for reading, thanks for cheering.
Just . . . thanks.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
“Life is Rough. I’m still a diamond.”
2014: BETTER.
The Friday Five – STORIES
Feb 18, 2014 |
I realize the title of this post may seem oxymoronic, given that my posts are few and far between lately. This is true, but it’s not true.
I’m not blogging as often as I used to, which means the posts I do write had better be of better quality. Notice the repetitive word, better? Flash back to my Word of the Year post. This is the year when I take what I already have and make it better.
Today’s post is going to be the start of a series on blogging. I’ve been honored to have several people ask for my advice in starting their own blog. There’s a plethora of information I can give, so before we both jump into the deep end, I’d like to ask: what are you asking me?
Check!
For today’s post, I’m asking you to let me know your questions, ideas, thoughts, concerns… What kind of blog are you looking to start? What is its purpose? Is it to educate, share a business, vent, or just be creative?
Who will your audience be? Are you hoping to make money through your blog? Do you want to save the world or entertain your corner of it?
Do you have formatting and start-up questions? Are you interested in the behind-the-scenes work or just the up-front writing?
I’m more than willing to share the journey I’m going through with Frankly, My Dear… but I’d also love to know the journeys you plan to take.
Blank Pages are the World’s Canvas
So here’s your chance. What are your questions about blogging? Leave them in the comments and I’ll curate them together for a series on building a better blog.
Remember: There’s no such thing as a dumb question. When I started blogging, I found that many others had the same questions I did. The research can be tiring and seemingly endless. I’d like to help. Tell me your questions. I’ll find you the answers. Or at least do my best.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jul 31, 2013 |
Recently I’ve been asked by several people to offer guidance on starting a blog. Apparently, I’m doing something right, if people are coming to me for inspiration.
Let’s face it: there’s a lot of blogs out there. It’s hard to know which ones to emulate, imitate, or eliminate. I like that Frankly, My Dear… is a “small” blog: by that I mean, it’s still personal. It’s a two-person operation. My web designer fixes the glitches and comes up with some amazing designs. I dream, create, cook, craft, photograph and write.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t love to have thousands of followers each month with more paid sponsorships, but I’ll take what I can get. Because I love being a Blogger. I’m in it for the love of the game.
Who can forget the Grand Reveal of the new blog design with this post just two months ago:
Field of Dreams
So yeah… I must be doing something right.
There’s a lot of advice to offer someone who’s thinking of starting a blog. The most important thing I can tell you is this: Take that first step. Ask yourself why.
My dear friend Chuck told me just tonight [paraphrasing here], “What are you afraid of? You have to put yourself out there. People aren’t going to hand you what you want until they know you want it.” And he’s right.
I’m a big fan of magical thinking. But the problem is just that: it’s only thinking. And I don’t really believe in magic. So. Back to the basics. Remember the TGIF: One post? It all starts with One. One idea. One step. One goal. One accomplishment. One foundation.
For those of you thinking of starting a blog, my first question to you is
WHY?
Never mind if others don’t get it. If you can satisfy yourself with the answer, you’re on your way.
There are many reasons to write a Blog. Some want a creative outlet or a place to vent. Others are looking for recognition or perhaps another avenue to promote themselves (writers, especially). Large companies and small mom-and-pop operations blog now and then to personalize their business.
There are Food Blogs, How-To Blogs, Craft Blogs, Family/Parenting/Mommy Blogs, Political/Religious/Viewpoint Blogs. Is the sky blue? There’s a Blog for that. Why is the grass green? Do you want the physical, environmental, creative, or religious perspective? There’s a Blog for that.
Knowing why you want to blog will guide you in designing your blog and how you promote it. But don’t feel you’re limited to just one theme. One overall idea, yes. One theme? Stagnant.
A traveler can blog about so many things: the different foods, customs, jet lag, environment.
Food blogs not only have recipes, but great kitchen product reviews and giveaways.
Photographers share their images and the stories behind them.
There’s no wrong reason to want to blog.
Do you have something to say? You can blog it!
But if you want to blog for fun without a sense of a Blog theme, I caution you to think about it first. Your Blog name will be your Brand. And if you don’t have a direction for your Blog, what you name it on a whim may end up not being at all what it’s about.
When I first started “Frankly, My Dear…” everyone expected me to write with an “I don’t care” attitude. And I can honestly say, that’s still me. Yes, the Blog has transitioned from a social experiment to a personal “here’s my day” recap to something much more fulfilling and substantial: my tales of Faith, Family, Food, Fun, and everything in between. But it’s still Me. And I don’t sugar-coat much (ask my best friend Julie. We pull no punches with each other). So whether it’s a new recipe or a movie review or a video of my cats, I blog because I’m a writer. And I can’t not write. I was born with ink in my veins. I have to write. Does it make a difference if others like my posts? Of course! I love the likes, shares, clicks and comments. Who wouldn’t? But I write what I write the way I write it. Because that’s me. And if I didn’t write the way I am, how could I authentically ask you to read my blog?
Blogging can be an adventure. A daily diary of your journey through life even if you never leave your chair. It can be an eclectic collection of poetry and prose that you’ve dusted off from the corners of your mind and want to share with the world at large. Or it can be a story, your story, on a continuing basis. Because you have something to say. And each day that you’re alive, you have more to share.
In future posts I’ll discuss ways to start a Blog and basic design options as well as posting Do’s and Dont’s. So if you have any questions about blogging, leave them in a comment below. Share this post with your friends who you think would make great bloggers. And be sure to subscribe to both the Blog (look in the column on the right) and the monthly email newsletter (click here) to stay updated with Frankly, My Dear… and New Inklings Press.
Here’s a Bonus Bit for today: Don’t be afraid to share yourself with the world. Whatever you write, write it authentically. Readers know what’s trite and what’s true. Don’t underestimate the worth of how you tell your tales.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading these blog samplings:
TGIF: A-P-P-R-E-C-I-A-T-I-V-E-L-Y
TGIF: One
Kitchen Craft: Aromatic Mason Jar
Destination: Mission Inn, Riverside, CA
Feta Tomato Spinach Salad in a Jar
Writing Prompt: Songs
When I Get to New York
Mojo Movie Review of the Week: “Eat, Pray, Love”
Jun 4, 2013 |
Last winter, I offered the occasional email newsletter. With the Blog being recreated, I’m back on track with that idea and am hoping to now offer it on a monthly basis. June’s will go out shortly, and I’m already formatting July’s. The newsletter will offer content exclusive to subscribers.
If you already receive Frankly, My Dear… blog updates via email, you’ve been added to the newsletter subscriber list. But if you’re just stopping by and not yet a subscriber to the Blog or the newsletter, why not give it a try?
To subscribe to the Blog (receive emails each day there’s a new post or other new content), simply add your email address in the SUBSCRIPTION box in the column to the right of this post.
To subscribe to the monthly email, CLICK HERE and you’ll be taken to the sign up link. All you need is an email address. Aww, heck. Click it anyway. I designed the link and I’m kinda proud of that fact. Cuz, as you know from reading TGIF: A-P-P-R-E-C-I-A-T-I-V-E-L-Y and other posts, I’m not exceptionally talented in the design department. Dammit, Jim, I’m a writer, not a designer! (Five points if you get the reference…)
June’s email newsletter will be going out in just a day or two, so be sure to sign up now. Remember: you can always unsubscribe at any time. I promise not to disown you if the Newsletter isn’t your Cup o’ Tea.
But I also promise to do my best to give you amazing content. Each newsletter will have photos, a food post (usually a recipe or perhaps just some suggestions for changing up a recipe), reading suggestions, and other great stuff.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
