Top Posts for 2015

Chosen by you, here are the top 10 posts for this year.

10. To get us going is this post about Heather B. Costa, an aspiring writer who, like many indie authors is incredibly talented.

9. This post came about thanks to a fantastic person, Gene’O. I was thrilled to be part of the idea and still think it was a wonderful initiative.

8. From the awe-inspiring, we’re heading to the plain weird. This post came when I made a strange little discovery in my own home.

7. A definite reader favourite, Posts I loved this week was a definite hit with readers and this one toped the list.

6. This one wasn’t just for laughs, it was true! The horrors that can happen when you lend those precious books out. Readers could definitely relate to my list.

5. Number Five is a post that keeps resurfacing. People just can’t get enough of it and it pops back up in this count down year after year.

4. Though this post is definitely an attempt to make readers laugh, the list is, sadly, a true account of what I did. Sigh.

3. I was just ranting in this one…but somehow readers loved it.

2. This one is another huge hit this year. I did this little post trying to help out those bloggers out there and they certainly paid attention. A huge thanks to Gene’O at Sourcerer (again!) for that great post.

1.The number one post this year happens to be my favourite as well; for the #1000Speak for Compassion. As posts go, this one was a tough one to write. I had no idea what to say…then I just knew.

Before I close off, a huge thank you to everyone of my readers, without whom, I’d be writing to my dogs…and they don’t read that well.

 

Those awesome posts!

Another rush of those amazing posts came my way and I couldn’t resist but to collect a few of them and line them up for you. See if you like them. My hope is you find a couple useful or at least interesting.

I haven’t kept my writer’s block a secret from anyone. If you have this, you know how painful it can be. This post is from Nathan Bransford on the subject. He has his own version of a break through. If Nathan Bransford doesn’t do it, here is the latest help on that subject from The Write Practice, by Marcy McKay. Finally, Tiny Buddha has this great post on how to keep dreaming when others have discouraged you.

Free right now, in Amazon, this book is a great help to Write better. Check it out and get it…free! And a HUGE thanks to Winter Bayne for this tip!

We had a ton of announcements this week. Here’s Rose B. Fisher’s, an update from Natacha Guyot, Sourcerer has this one for self-promotion, here’s Infinitefreetime’s, Amos M. Carpenter had a big announcement here, Brittney Sahin has hers here, Chris McMullen has found a ton of awesome Math Blogs here and Ronovan made some changes here.

Looking for a way to improve your stats? Here’s a great post from The Positive Writer with 7 Great Blogging Tips.

If you need a laugh, check out this post from Elfkat I found thanks to Chris the Story Reading Ape.

And, finally, a little something to make you smile,

(credit: amazon.com)

Posts I loved this week

A wonderful week in posts, these posts made me grin, smile and be grateful I’ve started blogging and have found them. What a wonderful set of posts. A huge thank you to every author for their talent and wisdom!

If you’re thinking of advertising to boost sales or even just create awareness about your book, check out this fantastic post by Chris McMullen. It has the pros, cons and all the choices you need. A huge thank you to Chris for all the research that went into that post!

Are you editing? Here’s a great post with 5 steps to edit your manuscript from Nikki Woods, a Global Visibility Expert.

Having trouble getting motivated? Try this post with 8 suggestions on how to get going from Sage Weidner or this other one by Mazie Bishop both on Writerology.

Just adorable, this post on what writing and dog training have in common made me laugh. A huge thank you to James L’Etoile for the laughs!

Mystery vs. thriller? Urban fantasy vs. paranormal romance? If you’re having trouble classifying your WIP or have ever wondered about the difference between some genres, this post is for you. From Writers in the Storm, a great, clear way to know which is which with answers straight from agents! And while you’re there, check out this other fantastic post with 8 Tips on Writing faster!

Trouble formatting from Word to Createspace? Here’s a post with a video showing the steps on how to do just that. A huge thank you to Steve Vernon for that great post!

Julie Lawford has 10 tips to instantly improve your writing. They’re precise, easy to follow and hold a lot of sense. A huge thanks to her for the post and to The Story Reading Ape for finding this gem!

Need a little help getting your blog writing and other activities balanced in your life? Check out this post by Ronovan Writes: Blogging Personality: The Key to Success. Ronovan Writes is a fantastic blog full of great positive ideas like BeWow.

Overwhelmed with the WordPress Dashboard? You can customize it! Check out this YouTube video showing you how to do just that. A huge thank you to Barb Drozdowich of Bakerview Consulting and to Molly Greene for the great post that had this tip in it.

If you’re still debating having a blog or website, check out this post by Anita Lovett on that subject.

Looking for a great book to read? Check out the Top Ten Tuesday post from Part Time Monster with its choices for Spring Reads. What a great selection!

Both true and insightful, this post by the Crimson League hits them all, Six reasons why writers can’t write.

The Story Reading Ape is an incredible blog full of resources for authors, bloggers, book reviewers and poets. Now, even better, it has updated its resources. Check it out here.

If you’re looking for a great blog to follow, check out Sourcerer, a fantastic blog with a wide range of interests. Here’s a great post from this site telling you just what’s coming up and what you can look forward to!

Finally, a quote that I particularly loved.

(credit: worsonimages.com)

 

 

5 Awesome Blog Features

I love finding references to other blogs and Blog features. I know I’m in this one (and truly grateful to be there!) but there are others who are amazing blogs (like Sourcerer!) and certainly deserve a look. Why not check them out? I’m off to do just that! 🙂

Sourcerer

We are in a lull with our Monday content this week, and I had a crazy weekend of chattering on threads so I don’t have anything substantial loaded. But I don’t want to publish just a photo on a Monday, so here are five regular features at other blogs that I just love. And by the way, regular features are very helpful for keeping a blog rolling and developing a regular audience.

Taylor Grace’s “Posts I Loved this Week” is great for finding new blogs to read. It always features excellent blogs, and sometimes my own posts make the list.

Therefore I Geek’s “Around the Web” always includes a collection of geeky and interesting stories from (you guessed it!) around the web.

“The Comic-Verse: Awesome Art and & The Top 15 Featured Links” at the Speech Bubble combines a roundup of comics links with high-quality…

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Posts I loved this week

It’s February and freezing around here. Still, these posts make my day, cheer me up and enlighten me. What would I do without you guys? A huge thanks to everyone for their fabulous posts!

I’m so excited about this initiative. I’m so impressed with the numbers it has already generated. There is so much kindness in the world and this is just a small demonstration of it. A huge thank you to The Qwiet Muse for this post. While you’re there, check out this post. It’s absolutely beautiful. It’s an honest love story and, like most of them are, it’s both wondrous and so true, it grabbed my heart and didn’t let go. I can’t recommend it enough. *Sigh*

Those wonderful If We Were Having Coffee posts are incredible; I simply love them. Check out this awesome one from Write On Sisters and, if you’re curious about the idea, they came from the one and only Part Time Monster.

I was waiting eagerly for Rose B. Fisher’s debut at Sourcerer. That blog has the most impressive group of writers and contributors ever, so I was thrilled to see that Rose F. was going to join them. She didn’t disappoint. What an excellent post!

Check out this beautiful post from Open Hearted Musings on smiling for inner peace. From the amazing quotes to the cutie babies, I just loved it. What an uplifting post!

Interesting Literature has this post with 10 Free Online Resources to Improve your writing. They’re truly great sites so I recommend checking them out. For example, Positive Writer, one of those sites, has this great post on the Top 50 Writing Blogs for 2015. That’s just one of the sites recommended.

If you’re considering starting your own blog, check out this site. The Blogstarter takes you gently though the steps on getting a blog set up with pictures and free videos. If your cup of tea is a website, check out this site with step by step instructions for webs on WordPress by The WebsiteSetUp.

If you’re looking for writing resources, might I suggest Adirondack Editing? Check out this resources page and see if you can’t find what you’re looking for there. They have everything from scams to top blogs for authors.

I certainly needed this post on 10 Ways to Declutter Your Mind For Clarity, Focus and Peace from Tiny Buddha. What an amazing blog!

Looking for a new site full of writing, advertising and cover resources? Check out Chris Mcmullen‘s site. Just an example of why it’s great, here’s his link page!

Looking for a site with blogging resources? Try One Cool Site. It’s got WordPress blogging tips, tools, tutorials and so much more!

Finally, a little quote,

(credit: goodreads.com)

P.S. Did I miss a post that you adored or do you know a blog that’s amazing? Let me know! I’d love to hear about it!

Posts I loved this week

This week was absolutely incredible in posts. I try to keep these posts manageable because there’s a limit to ridiculousness but these couldn’t be kept out, ridiculous length or not. Like teens say, they’re absolutely ‘Tha bomb’.

The 100 best websites for Writers is an awesome post that I immediately added to this list. A huge thank you to The Write Life for that great resource.

In April, there’s a great Blogging challenge to blog topics from A to Z. It’s awesome and not just because of the letters but because truly great posts appear. Check out the schedule for Sourcerer and a little intro on the challenge. This is going to be soooo good! I can’t wait.

I love If We were having Coffee posts. Just eat them up. I think they might have started off in Part Time Monster. They’re intimate and personal and I feel like I get a little update of the person and how they’re doing. Check out this one by Winter Bayne. Isn’t it lovely?

This week, Positive Writer posted the Top 50 Writing Blogs for 2015. A fantastic post you can check out here.

Okay, this one is a little self-serving but Just Gene’O came out with this wonderful new feature to share some blog love around. It’s just like him because he’s truly a very kind person. But don’t go too far. Check out this other post on the same blog with some very cool ideas and news coming up in this awesome blog!

If you’re looking for a little promo for your book, check out this post by Ch’kara Silverwolf. Isn’t that an awesome gesture of kindness? A huge thanks to her for that wonderful gift to all authors.

I found this post through Steve Vernon. He often reblogs awesome posts and this one is one of them. 6 Reasons why you should be reading books by Alana Munro. I had no idea reading was so beneficial!

If you’re trying to contact a literary agent but don’t want to go the traditional ‘query letter’ route, try this post on 4 different ways to do so from Writers In the Storm.

The 1000 Voices Speaking for Compassion is doing awesome. Check out the brand new blog at WordPress supporting this great project.

Natacha Guyot‘s debut post on Sourcerer was a thing of beauty with a wonderful message. Check it out here.

I’ve spoken about The Story Reading Ape before but this blog is amazing. Not only is it full of every resource an author could want (everything from places to get reviews, to covers, to editing help), it also has reviews of other books so you can find your next great read.

Okay, don’t miss this post. I absolutely loved it. It’s got humour that made me laugh, a beautiful story, pictures and fantastic writing all in one post. A big, huge thank you to Just Ponderin’ for this one…and…have you ever thought of writing a book?

For all those fans of Melissa Barker-Simpson (like me!) out there, here’s a very special bit of good news! She’s taking part in the A to Z challenge this April. Her writing is fresh, funny and so captivating. Those posts are going to be awesome!

Looking for a good book for February? Check out this post from the BookChick with all the upcoming releases in that month and covers to tempt your taste buds!

So true, Wise Ink has these 5 Myths about Self-Publishing.

On a completely different note, I loved this post by The Tiny Buddha, 10 Things to Stop Doing If You Want to Be Happy. So wise and true!

Melissa Barker-Simpson is looking for contributors to the Writing Room 101. Check out the post and see if you’re interested.

A beautifully written post on Feminism, Gene’O explains the whys and reasons in such a kind, fluid way that it reminded me of Emma Watson’s speech at the United Nations on the same topic. A huge thank you to Part Time Monster for that wonderful post.

The Story Reading Ape reblogged this great post with five videos of Real Editors giving Writing Advice. A great resource in an amazing blog.

Finally, a friendly quote from a famous doctor. 🙂

(credit:earlymoments.com)

Posts I loved this week

This was a phenomenal week online. Everywhere I looked there was another outstanding post. As a result, this post is a little on the long side. Don’t look at me. You guys are the ones who produced these amazing gems! 🙂

A Writer’s Path has a great post on what to do if you’re stuck (like me) and have trouble writing (or editing). I found this post (and blog) via Steve Vernon who reblogged it, so he deserves the credit because the post is awesome. Check out this Writer’s Toolbox and see why.

A wonderfully uplifting post, Think Positive reminded me of just how difficult writing is for everyone, including the Greats. A huge thank you to Callum Mclaughlin for that wonderful post!

Much is said about trolls online. Here’s a wonderful post with confessions from a former troll with tips on how to deal with them and maintain your serenity. Learn from one who has been there on the fantastic blog 99u.

A huge congrats to Natacha Guyot for the release of her book ‘A Galaxy of Possibilities – Representation and Storytelling in Star Wars’. Long awaited, it looks awesome!

A wonderful blog with great writing and beautiful initiatives, Part Time Monster is one of my favourite blogs for good reason. Check out this post and see why.

A very exciting blog, Sourcerer now has new contributors and features. I, for one, never miss a post on this blog. And while you’re there, check out this book review by  Rebecca Bradley. Its the first of a series. Isn’t it awesome?

Sick of hearing bad news? Try this incredible true story by Suzie81 Speaks. And while you’re there, check out these hilarious posts: How to know when you’re a teacher and 21 ways to annoy your teacher or these blogging tips. This blog is awesome!!

Writeonsisters has a great post with tips for Authors on their site. And while you’re there, check out another amazing post this time on editing. Another incredible site!!

This one is reading at its best. I found Compassion in Action from The Qwiet Muse via Sourcerer in Twitter and I can’t thank him enough. What a lovely post and a wonderful blog! I love this quote: “sometimes we choose what to write, sometimes we write what chooses us.” I will definitely follow this one!

If you’re wondering about joining #1000Speak, check out this incredible post on the subject by Drifting through My Open Mind. Beautifully written, it’s inspirational. A huge thank you to Drifting Through for that wonderful post! And that’s not all on this wonderful project, Melissa Barker-Simpson has started these Monday Posts that are an amazing way to lead up to Feb 20th. And EVEN more great news, check out the blog that was born out of this idea, #1000Speak for Compassion. What an amazing demonstration of the goodness in humanity!

A huge congratulations to Crystin Goodwin for that awesome cover for her second book, Fire Blessed. I’m so pumped for this book!

For a laugh and sheer enjoyment, try this post by Inside The Life Of Moi. I laugh so hard at the posts on this blog!

Finally, a little quote from someone you might recognize.

(credit: viacharacterblog.org)

A fantastic idea

I don’t know if you’ve heard me ramble about Sourcerer or Just Gene’O. They’re these two blogs I absolutely adore. I find their posts inspirational and the content amazing. But, if I was to sit and think about it, the most powerful part of those blogs is Gene’O and how incredibly kind and compassionate he is. He just blows my mind.

So, turns out, he’s come up with a great idea, on Compassion. After the rally in Paris and the way the world unified against terrorism, I think compassion is more important than ever.

(credit: historybyzim.com)

So I’m definitely up for this idea. On Friday, February 20th, all I have to do is blog around the idea of compassion. Not too tough. He’s hoping we get 1000 people to do it. What a beautiful idea.

Personally, I have found the internet to be an incredible source of amazing, compassionate people. They inspire me to give back. Gene’O is one of them. I’d love it, if there was more compassion in our world. What a beautiful thought.

(credit: wordsonimages.com)

Wanna join us?

Posts I loved this week

10 Amazing Pictures of Libraries was a post that I adored. Not only was it a countdown (something I love) but it had great pictures and they were of books! The only thing better would be to be there in person. A huge thanks to Interesting Literature for that wonderful post!

All About Romance, one of my favourite book sites, picked the top books of 2014 and they’re not to be missed. Here is the post if you’re looking for the best of last year in romance. And if you’re looking forward, here’s their post on Eagerly Awaited January books.

The annual report from WordPress for this humble blog. I loved all the stats and numbers.

Another countdown of romance books comes from Book Chick With Kick and it counts down the best 20 from 2014. If you’re like me and can’t get enough great books, check it out. She’s also included the cover, links and summaries to help you find another great read!

Margarita Morris shared what she read in 2014 and I loved it. One because I love hearing what someone likes to read and also because it gives me ideas for books. Yeey!

Need to waste some time? Check out this site with free Jigsaw puzzles that you can do on your computer. For free!

I love annual reports and none is more thorough than Sourcerer’s. It describes how the year went, then analyzes it with graphs and goals for the upcoming year. And while you’re there, check out this new announcement and this one and this one from Sourcerer! My favourite authors and bloggers are all in Sourcerer! This is going to be sooo good!

A fantastic take on those tough reviews, this post by D. Emery Bunn made me admire him even more. What an absolutely awesome point of view!

If you, like me, love coffee, reading and meeting new bloggers don’t miss this great share link-up from Part Time Monster. Good times coming our way!

Check out this book review by Infinitefreetime and see exactly why reading this blog is an obsession for me. When I write a review, I think about the book and that’s it. Infinitefreetime manages to bring his quirky humour into it and turn the review into a story I can’t stop reading.

And finally, here’s hoping 2015 makes your dreams writing or reading or blogging come true!

Top Posts for 2014

I was pretty curious to see what the best posts were for my blog. I wondered if there was a theme or a common thread through them. Turns out, what the reader wants is not always predictable.

10. Coming in first is this post on the Active voice for authors. It has a series of links that I think readers appreciated.

9. This one was for bloggers and cautions about staring at those mesmerizing blog stats. I fell into that trap early on and it was a hard habit to break. As well, there are a group of links from other sites on the same subject.

8. This one is for authors again. Its on plotting with tips and links from other sites.

7. This one was a total surprise hit. A must read list if you’re getting a puppy. It was an instant hit with readers.

6. More tips for authors, this time on editing. I had very little idea on how to do this right, so I researched those authors who do know and added their links to the post. Readers loved the links.

5. Of Mushy Peas and Olives was an instant hit that kept getting attention. It’s a funny anecdote of my Mother-in-Law who, to this day, doesn’t find the story that funny at all.

4. My two dogs are the subject of quite a few posts. The Amazing Abilities of Akitas made me laugh when I wrote it and was a big hit with readers.

3. I do not like change. When I rambled on about it on the blog, then added some animal pictures, people loved it.

2. If you need a review, Reading Page by Paige is still reviewing books online. My post about her blog became a great hit with readers.

1. The number one read post on my blog was The importance of Tags: For Bloggers and once again, I relied on the great wisdom of someone else for this concept, Sourcerer, an amazing blog I highly recommend. Here’s his original post.

That’s it, the top ten posts of the year. A huge thanks to everyone for reading and to the bloggers and indie authors who have made having this blog such a positive experience.