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)

 

 

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)

Posts I loved this week

What a wonderful week in posts. While we were buried in snow, bloggers out there were busy. A big thank you to everyone who wrote these inspirational posts!

Why Social Media is important to your writing career by Laura Kaye from Writers in the Storm.

9 Habits of Successful Writers on Twitter was a great informative post from Savvy Writers and e-Books online. A huge thanks for those tips.

I’m with Steve Vernon on this one. Plotting works. Check out the post for reasons why.

The Sprint Shack had a wonderful idea for those writers who are stuck with Writers Block. Check it out here.

I always appreciate good humour and this post has just that…plus extra tips from Gene’O and a great music video. A huge thanks to Just Gene’O for that great post!

A very informative post on how to deal with reviews, good or bad from Musings and Marvels but found through Steve Vernon so a big thanks to him for the tip!

This post is a thought-provoking analysis of Jamie Fraser from Outlander and poses the question, Is he a dreamboat or a Douchebag? I loved how unbiased it was and that it made me think. A huge thank you to All About Romance for this excellent post!

I loved this one because it was so wise, insightful and beautifully written. I read it and sighed with delight. What a wonderful post from Open Hearted Musings!

Part Time Monster wrote an incredibly beautiful, moving post about a life-changing decision. The writing not only touched me but it moved me so that I had to include it here. Check it out. It’s so powerful.

A very cute post, 10 Reasons why being a Writer is Like Being Santa Claus made me grin, then laugh out loud. A big thank you to Tara Sparling for that gem.

Heather B. Costa has this lovely post about a commute in London. I’ve lived in London and not only is it just like Heather describes, it can be very lonely and scary. Her post was absolutely beautiful. What a delight to read!

Finally, a little picture to make you smile,

(credit: the-funny-pictures.com)

Posts I loved this week

Inspirational and just plain amazing, this week’s selection of posts left me so glad that I’m a part of this community. A huge thank you to everyone for your wonderful posts!

If you’re looking for a little promo for your book, free of charge, check out this post by Steve Vernon. And help me thank him for sharing that link with everyone!

A lovely idea to help those less fortunate during the holidays from Literary Treasure Chest.

A wonderfully written and very well thought-out alternative to my idea for book piracy from D. Emery Bunn.

If you’re like me and always searching for your next great read, try this selection of carefully chosen books coming out in 2015 from Part Time Monster.

Congratulations to Musings by Mandy for her debut novel’s upcoming release! Scandalous Endeavours sounds and looks amazing!

A great post announcing an upcoming how-to from Just Gene’O for Facebook. If you’re on that Social Media site or want to be, you really don’t want to miss his posts. Not only is he a pro, he shares the secret to his success tip by easy-to-follow tip.

Huge congrats to Luther M. Siler for his upcoming World Unknown Review Volume I!

A really interesting post on how to drive a story forward that’s not plot-driven. A huge thank you to Donald Maass from Writer Unboxed for the great post!

I have mentioned this blogger already but this post had to be included. What a wonderful post by Part Time Monster!

Finally, something to make you smile,

Pay It Forward Friday: Steve Vernon

Pay It Forward Fridays came from this post by Emily Guido. The idea is to feature a blogger or author on Fridays and give them a little shoutout. Anyone goes as long as they’re interested.

I’ve received an incredible amount of support from bloggers, authors and people I’ve met on line who didn’t know me and were just very kind, supportive souls. And, when I read that post by Emily Guido, I thought: time to give back.

I loved this quote from Emily’s mother:

“I cast a couple of pieces of bread on the water and the waves bring me back a ham sandwich.”

Karma is a beautiful thing.

Today, I’m focusing on Steve Vernon.

Steve says this of himself:

“I am a storyteller.

I am a writer.

Words are what I work with – whether spoken or written.

Over the last few years I have released three maritime ghost story collections – HAUNTED HARBOURS: GHOST STORIES FROM OLD NOVA SCOTIA, WICKED WOODS: GHOST STORIES FROM OLD NEW BRUNSWICK and HALIFAX HAUNTS: EXPLORING THE CITY’S SPOOKIEST SPACES.

A fourth collection – a follow up to HAUNTED HARBOURS – is due out in the fall of 2011.

I have also released a children’s picture book MARITIME MONSTERS.

I have recently released my very first Young Adult novel, SINKING DEEPER.

I have a cat named Kismet who ignores me. I have a beautiful wife named Belinda. I have a backyard full of blue jays, crows, the occasional chipmunk, and dandilions galore.

My Mom thinks I’m pretty cool too – or at least she tells me that.

Have a look through the blog and you’ll find out if mom is lying or not.”

Steven has written two ebooks:

Click here to check them out.

He’s also the author of the very popular Haunted Harbour, among others.

Haunted Harbours has sold over 7 000 copies! You can pick up copies at Amazon.ca , Amazon.com and Chapters/indigo/Coles.

A very talented writer, Steve warns that “…I have a bit of a split-personality when it comes to my writing. In addition to all of the wonderful family-friendly regional books I have released there is a darker side to my work.” Check out Steve’s blog here and find out more about this amazing Canadian author.

Posts I loved this week

This week we got a ton of snow but a great set of posts to offset that weather. If I missed something that you found awesome, let me know!

I am in awe of Winter Bayne‘s workout plan. It’s incredibly dedicated (just like her) and thorough. My hat goes off to her.

A huge congrats to Natacha Guyot on her upcoming book! So exciting!

Looking for reviews for your book? Laekan Zea Kemp has accumulated a list of 555 reviewers for indie authors. You heard that right, 555! If you go to the site, give her a huge thanks for sharing that list!

Interesting Literarture had the top 10 poems everyone should read from T. S. Eliot. A fantastic read even for those of us (like me) who can only appreciate poems with mild understanding of their wonder.

Infinitefreetime’s post on his bathroom reno is hilarious. I remember him starting that project a year ago…So funny.

A very interesting post, Sequels I can’t Wait for, was an instant hit with me. I love reading about upcoming books. A huge thanks to My Friend The Writer for this post!

That Montreal Girl has a series of posts on how-to photography that blow my head off–She even has examples to show what she means! Check them out here or here.

False Awakening is on sale and if you haven’t got your copy of this awesome book, this is your chance. Check it out here on Callum McLaughlin.

Part Time Monster has a weekly post that counts down favourite things. It’s something I look forward to because I love countdowns. This week’s was particularly cute. Check it out here.

Writers in the Storm has this great post for writers who use Twitter. It has the 12 best Hashtags for writers.

If you’re looking for a neat blog to follow, check out this post by Just Gene’O where he explains what’s what in this awesome blog. Pretty neat. Just saying.

Very, very exciting, Melissa Barker-Simpson released her latest novel The Fifth Watcher. Have I mentioned how much I love her writing? Check it out here.

A great post for those trying to get an agent, this one has examples of successful queries and explains why they were successful. A huge thanks to Aussie Writers.

For the bloggers out there, three tips for getting your post noticed from Steve Vernon.

Finally, a little thought on writing.

Posts I loved this week.

In this busy, hectic week I found myself reminded of what a wonderful, supportive lot you all are! More than that, you’re also a very talented group. You keep coming up with amazing posts that keep me glued to my laptop. For that, I have to thank you! Look at what you wrote this week, isn’t it awesome?

Definitely one I needed to read, 36 Writing Tips to Put Your Butt in the Chair by Positive Writer. An excellent post filled with ideas and quotes from those who know.

3 Tips to ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Emotions and Moods from The Write Practice. An excellent article on that issue.

A great list of possible books to re-read, this post caught my attention immediately. I’m always looking for a new read. Great post from Words Read and Written!

A beautifully touching post on conquering fear, a huge thank you to Life is Colour for this incredible post!

Loved this post. It was so interesting. The Top Ten Characters who should get their own books…awesome post from the incomparable Part Time Monster.

This post has such great writing advice, I read it and loved it from start to end. A huge thank you to M T McGuire Authorholic for the post and to Steve Vernon for the awesome reblog.

For those who, like me, can’t wait for the return of Outlander, this post is for you from Hollywood.com.

Heather B. Costa has incredible, courageous, honest posts. More and more, I find myself captivated by this blog. Check out the latest here and see what you think.

If you’re a blogger and want to find other bloggers or just increase traffic to your blog, check out this post offering you a place to do just that. A huge thank you to HarsH ReaLiTy for the post!

A great post on using Wattpad for book marketing from Kobo Writing Life.

A huge congrats to Melissa Barker-Simpson for her cover reveal! If you’re wondering if the book is worthwhile, just check out this incredible quote:

Posts I loved this week

Another great week in the blogging world. Check out these awesome posts. What would I do without you guys? This post would suck.

A great round up of reads for those hot summer days. A big thank you to AMY ALESSIO for the great post!

Another incredibly helpful post by Sourcerer on Stats and engagement for blogs. If you want facts about blogs and how to raise traffic, this is the post for you. A big thank you to Sourcerer for sharing those numbers and secrets!

This one is both cute and useful. Thank you, Joe Bunting for the list of reasons to write!

Funny, witty and interesting, check out this list of Blogging Confessions from Part Time Monster. Great post!

Blogging tips, I’m always looking to improve my little blog. A big thank you to Out of the Well for these gems!

I loved this one because it’s a funny rant about cellphones…and it has a Star Trek reference. An awesome post from Steve Vernon!

Hilarious and about soccer! Well, this post is just up my alley! Check it out here. (Wee note: You don’t need to know anything about soccer to appreciate it). A big thank you to Steve and Jon’s best things for the great post!

This one is serious and very, very important. Back up your work. D. Emery Bunn has a great suggestion because the very moment you finish your masterpiece, the computer will die and, unless you’ve saved it…Exactly. A big thank you to D. Emery Bunn for those helpful tips and steps.

So cute and funny because that’s exactly what happens with kids, this post had me laughing. Thank you Infinitefreetime for that laugh!

A cute twist on ending that Writer’s Doubt. Thank you to Karin Gillespie for that great post!

I find bloggers and indie authors are very kind people. Here’s an example, Winter Bayne announced that James is back in her blog to give the guy a little help. I wasn’t surprised because Winter has to be one of the most supportive people I know, still it moved me. I thought it was a lovely thing to see.

Here‘s another example. Ch’kara Silverwolf is supporting indie authors by letting them promote their books on her blog. I thought that was absolutely awesome on her part.

There’s something so nice about reading posts from other pet lovers and none is as loving to her little doggies as Rachel Mankowitz. Check out this instalment of Butterfly’s adventures. So cute!

I love these posts. I wish I could take pictures like this one. I have to settle for not cutting people’s heads off and admiring Just Gene’O‘s or Sourcerer‘s.

Sometimes life gives us great cards, sometimes, we get some sucky ones. I was so impressed by Sonia Lathem because she’s dealing with a very difficult medical situation and still managed to put some humour into the post. Now that’s perseverance!

I loved this one because it’s a countdown but also because it’s a TV show countdown with opinion. Good shows and reasons why they’re good or not. Thank you so much for the great post to Part Time Monster! But, before you go, here‘s Sourcerer‘s version of the same idea. Compare!

A wonderful post on what Disney’s Princesses would look like if they were real women. This one had me at the title but the pictures are even better! A big thank you for that lovely post to Frances from Frances and Lynne.

Found this teeny, tiny post and it’s absolutely delicious! Had to share it here because it’s so good. A huge thank you to Adventures in Date Night for the post!

Last but definitely not least, a recommendation from Interesting Literature, 10 Classic Vitorian Novels everyone should read. I’m not big on people telling me what to do but I love to hear book recommendations. A big thank you to Interesting Literature for the great post!