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WritersNotes.Net: Helping Writers Follow Their Dreams Through Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement!
Blogapalooza 2009 Comes to an End
They say that all good things must come to an end, and so it is with Robert Hruzek's Blogapalooza 2009. The last few submissions were posted at Middle Zone Musings yesterday, and Mr. MZM has now posted his finished list of a very impressive 128 participating entries. What a phenomenal success this year's project has been! Robert's roundup post, Blogapalooza 2009 is OVER!, contains links to each blogger's What I Learned From 2008 post (found elsewhere on the MZM site), as well as links to each individual participant's own blog. And what a wealth of good reading these linked-to posts contain!
Roundup Post Serves as Blogapalooza's Online "Table of Contents"
I've decided to announce Robert's roundup post to make it easier for those of you who might have thus far refrained from perusing the Blogapalooza posts because you felt it was just too much trouble to work your way through all of them to find the ones that interested you. Robert's roundup post eliminates that problem, allowing you to not only find your favorite bloggers but also locate unfamiliar blog titles that sound as if they might be in your niche or simply sound intriguing, helpful, or entertaining. This list is also an excellent one-stop blog shop that can help you find new blogs that could just become some of your very favorites!
Two Links for Each Listing Provide Added Convenience
Clicking each blogger's name will take you to his or her Blogapalooza entry, which lists up to 12 different blog posts the blogger's written--one for each month of blogging he or she has done during 2008. These posts represent some often-fascinating lessons learned by each blogger over the past year. You may also click the blog title to be taken directly to each entrant's blog so you can check it out firsthand. (Be sure to bookmark the ones you like best! And don't forget to bookmark Robert's roundup post, since there's a lot of material to digest here--far too much to assimilate in a single sitting. You'll definitely want to return later and check out the content, blogs, and bloggers you don't have time to look into the first time around.)
Blogapalooza 2009 Is Over--Or Is It?
Blogapalooza 2009 may be over in one sense--and, no, Robert, I'm not referring to your turning the Blogapalooza title banner upside down!--yet, in another sense, it's just beginning. We now have a wealth of excellent content literally at our fingertips just waiting to be explored--a veritable treasure trove of wisdom, creativity, and expertise that we may freely mine for the gems of knowledge and experience that will prove most valuable to us in our own writing, blogging, business and/or life journeys. So, hurry on over to the "Zone" and get started! I think you'll be glad you did!
Middle Zone Musings: A Blog that Will Soon Have You Hooked!
But, let me warn you: the Zone is definitely habit-forming! Before you know it, Robert's warm and friendly Texas manner--along with his inimitable sense of humor and the hefty doses of down-home wisdom he sends your way--will totally win you over and you'll be hopelessly hooked! You'll soon find yourself wanting to visit the Middle Zone amazingly often to get your regular--and highly beneficial--doses of MZM storytelling interwoven with Robert's impressive musings on life.
But, go right ahead: Indulge! With this particular addiction at least, you needn't feel guilty in the slightest, because every time you leave the Middle Zone, you'll leave just a little bit better than you were when you came--with a little more wisdom, a little more understanding, a little more insight, and a little more vision than you ever had before. And that'll be Robert's special gift to you!
Happy learning!
Jeanne
P.S. If you're interested in single-topic, single-post group writing projects, be sure to visit Middle Zone Musings early each month to find out the topic of the month for Robert's ongoing monthly WILF (What I Learned From) projects. Not only are they a wonderful way to get your group-writing "feet wet," but they also allow you to create entries that double as posts for you own blog--essentially accomplishing two things at once, rather than causing you to forego posting to your own blog in order to participate--a definite plus!
Did you enjoy this post? What are your thoughts on group writing projects such as Blogapalooza? Do you enjoy being kept updated about them? Do you think you might enjoy participating in this type of project in the future? Why or why not? If you're less than enthusiastic about participating in such large-scale projects, would you prefer to hear about other, similar but smaller-scale writing projects you might join in on? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue!
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It's Official: My Writer's Notes' Blogapalooza Post is Now Up
On the last day that Robert is accepting submissions for his annual Blogapalooza group writing project, I finally finished and e-mailed my entry; and Robert informed me just a little while ago that my What I Learned From 2008 post is now up at MZM--along with the other 127 submissions to the project!
It's always a pleasure to participate in an MZM WILF (What I Learned From) project, since every project always has real substance and inspires a great deal of thought. Yet, Robert's annual Blogapalooza projects are always special, because, with them, bloggers are offered the singular honor of having their posts actually published at Middle Zone Musings, with links back to their best monthly blog posts, rather than publishing their posts on their own blogs with only a link roundup being displayed at MZM. So, Blogapalooza is really special!
Visit MZM and Read My Submission--Along with 127 Others
Stop by when you have the time and check out my submission. Perhaps you'll find a few Writer's Notes posts listed there that you've missed. Since this list of a dozen posts (one for each month of 2008) represents the posts I've found especially instructive to me, perhaps you'll find them particularly instructive or informative, as well. You might think of these as some of the best Writer's Notes content of 2008. In addition to listing this content, my Blogapalooza post gives a brief explanation of what I learned from each of the 12 posts I've chosen for the project.
You'll also want to check out some of the other Blogapalooza posts written by various bloggers and peruse the content they've written over the past year which they consider to be their best and most instructive. Drop over and take a look. You may just learn something--and be entertained in the bargain!
May reading these posts teach you as much as we've learned writing them!
Happy reading!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Which Writer's Notes posts highlighted in this project had you never read before? What value do you see in group writing projects such as this one? Do you enjoy having more meaningful posts resurrected from the archival abyss in this manner, or are you totally ready to move on to new things in the new year, without looking back? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Very Late, But with Tons of Link Love!
I've prepared this comprehensive post to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has commented at Writer's Notes during 2008. (My apologies for not publishing these thanks sooner. I simply couldn't manage to do it for the same reason that I haven't managed to post much of anything lately: too much other work that's monopolizing my time and energy. Many apologies!)
I would have liked to go into more detail than I have here (i.e., listing the number of comments each person left and giving special recognition to those who commented often). But, I simply don't have an efficient method of doing that, so I'll limit myself to identifying individual commenters and linking to their blogs the same way I do in my monthly comment recognition posts.
Writer's Notes' 2008 Commenters
Here's a list of all the readers who left comments at Writer's Notes during 2008 and for whom I am ever so grateful! (Commenters are listed in no particular order.)
Lillie Ammann, at A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye
Mark Antony, at Bloggers Quest
Wilson Pon, at TechnoStuffs
Moonglow, at How to Write
Brad Shorr, at Word Sell, Inc.
Robyn McMaster, at Brain Based Biz
Connie Arnold, at Inspirational Poetry of Connie Arnold
Bluestocking, at The Bluestocking Guide
Janet Collins, at The Social Critic
BJ Keltz, at Enriched By Words
Cath Lawson
Morgan Bell, at Current Business News
Karen Swim, at Words for Hire
Kyle Howard, at MoneyVac
Dianna G, at I Wish This Was 42
Len Kennedy
Debbie Yost, at Three Weddings
Amy Huang, at Travel String
Ellen Weber, at Brain Leaders and Learners
Dan C. Rinnert, at dcrBlogs
Cheryl Wright, at Cheryl Wright Writes
Joanne Fedler, at Secret Writers Business
Carolyn Cordon, at Light Within
Jarrah, at Back to the Eighties
Chris Champion, at Vyoos
Amy Derby, at Write From Home
Joanna Young, at Confident Writing
Sharon Hurley Hall, at Get Paid to Write Online
Laura Spencer, at Writing Thoughts
K-IntheHouse, at ShanKri-la
Melissa Donovan, at Writing Forward
Jean Wise, at Kindred Heart Writers
James Chartrand, at Men With Pens
Jean Browman, at Cheerful Monk
Bobby Revell, at Revellian
Joel Ratner (aka, Zirdlander) , at Zirdland.com
Katyzzz, at MS Paint Art
Andrew, at Good Honest Dollar
Techno, at Geeky Blog
Nevar (aka, Raven), at ad hominem
Ulla Hennig, at Ulla Hennig's Weblog
Liara Covert, at Dream Builders Australia
Michele Tune, at Writing the Cyber Highway
Cindy Nichols, at Kaleidoscope
Lis Garrett
Lynn Smythe, at Freelance Online Work
Tracy, at Movies and Life
Scotty, (aka, Spennies), at Record Reviews
John Doe, at Film & TV on DVD
Robert Hruzek, at Middle Zone Musings
Krissy Knox, at Sometimes I Think
Nana Connie, at Play Wit Me Nana
Malathy, at Blog Avenues
Kerith Collins, at Freelancing, My Road Less Traveled
Danielle Batog, (now) at Acres of Diamonds
Jacob Malewitz, at A Reader's Eye
Howard, at Real Crash
Pat, at Books are for Losers
jayque
JP Shaw, at Sassy Ink Author
Lilla, at Enviro Warrior
Rosemary, at Alpaca Notes
James Rickard, at Angling Fish
Merle
Susan Keeping, of What's in a Word?
Rebecca Laffar-Smith, of Writers Round-About
Matt Jones, of Blogging Fingers
Tina
Mark Goodyear, at Good Word Editing
Yvonne Russell, at Grow Your Writing Business
Tom Colvin, at Becoming A Writer Seriously
Norm
Sonya 1, at Freelance Tips
Always Eighteen
Damo, at My Apologetics
Wayne F, at Bucket Movies
Shan Jayaweera, at Watching You Tube
John Hewitt, at Writer's Resource Center
Jackie Cameron
The Daily Sonnet, at Lots of Sonnets
Mike Crowl, at Webitz
Patricia, at Travel Stripe
Lady Henrietta Muddling
Dances with Words
Renae Brumbaugh, at Morning Coffee
Scott, at Enterprising Energy
Whitney, at Gaming Life
Mother Earth, at Best of Mother Earth ~ Creating Healthier Lives
Diane, at The Mommy Diaries
Amanda, at The Mom Crowd
Mike Goad, at Exit 78
Morgan, at Red Raven Circling
TravelinOma, at TravelinOma's Library
Wild Bill, at Passionate Blogger
Lindsay, at Writing for Your Wealth
Shamelle, at The Enhance Life
Ash, at Australian Traveller
Workflow, at Gedys IntraWare
Ravens’ wraith
Meggie, at TV Chit Chat
D. Armenta, at The Florida Keys and Everglades
Brenton, at Downwrite
Graphic Design Blog, at StuffHeaven
AnonymousC (Cheryl)
高須クリニック (Translation: Clinic)
pay blog review
Deb, at Punctuality Rules
Jill Browne, at Skip on Over
Many Thanks to Each and Every Commenter!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights at Writer's Notes during the past year! You've made this blog a friendly, lively, thought-provoking community, with your keen insights, kind words, and generous good wishes—all of which have been greatly appreciated! Hope you'll help make the Writer's Notes Year Three conversation as fascinating as its Year One and Two interaction has been! I know we're off to a slow start in 2009, since my work has been making it difficult for me to post very often; but, hopefully, I'll be able to pick up the blogging pace soon!
Many Thanks to My Silent Readers, as Well!
If you have visited Writer's Notes during 2008, subscribed to my RSS feed, or signed up for e-mail notification of new posts to my blog—even if you haven't left comments—I very much appreciate you, as well! I know how hectic life can be (as I've just mentioned above), and I understand that there are many other reasons, besides being busy, for not getting around to commenting on the blogs we visit. Thanks so much for reading!
I'd Just Love to Hear from You in 2009!
If you are a regular Writer's Notes reader—and even if you aren't—I'd love to get to know you during the coming year; so, if you can possibly find the time to say Hi—and maybe even share a few of your thoughts on a topic that interests you—it would be wonderful to hear from you! I promise that you'll receive a personal reply (so be sure to stop back and look for it—or sign up for comment notification). One thing I'm always careful to do here at Writer's Notes is reply to comments! That's because each and every one of you—and each and every one of your thoughts—is important to me! You may have noticed the "iReply" logo in my sidebar: You Comment, iReply! Why not put me to the test this year!
Have a happy, healthy, successful 2009!
Jeanne
NOTE: If I haven't included a link for a commenter, it's because I either don't have a URL for that commenter or I noticed certain content on the commenter's site which ran counter to the G-rating of this blog.
Did you enjoy this post? Or have you commented this year and I've forgotten to include you? Please feel free to let me know, and I'll correct the situation immediately!
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Blogapalooza 2009 Group Writing Project Under Way
In case you haven't noticed what's been going on at Middle Zone Musings all month, you'll definitely want to check it out. Robert Hruzek's annual Blogapalooza Extravaganza is well under way. It's called "What I Learned From 2008." This group writing project is the culmination of a year of WILF projects Robert has hosted each month during 2008.
Posts Represent Each Blogger's Monthly Best in 2008
While his regular monthly WILF projects consist of posts written on each month's featured topic by various bloggers (each of which are posted to their own blogs, with links to each post listed at MZM), Blogapalooza is a bit different. It features the actual posts themselves, which are run at MZM as guest posts and link out to the post each blogger has learned the most from during each month he or she has been blogging in 2008. (It's a fantastic opportunity to catch some great posts you may have missed during the past year.)
Record Number of Bloggers Enter This Year
Robert's goal this year has been 100 posts, and he has clearly exceeded his goal, hitting the 100 mark on January 12th and currently boasting 126 posts and counting. This is fantastic—particularly since last year's Blogapalooza garnered a mere 30 entries! Robert has accepted entries all month so far, and the (rather lengthy) submission period for the project is just about ready to end. So, if, like me, you have a last-minute entry, be sure to get it in soon. (Entries may be submitted through Sunday, January 25th. Since Robert lives in Texas, USA, I imagine that last-minute international entrants will be able to base their deadline on Robert's time zone, rather than their own.)
Hurry on over to Middle Zone Musings and check out the fascinating array of posts from a wide variety of different blogs, many of which are bound to be in your own niche, providing valuable insight to help you succeed!
Enjoy!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? What do you think of beginning-of-the-year roundups of the best posts published during the previous year? Are there any particular posts you've found especially enlightening in this year's Blogapalooza? If so, which ones were they, and why?
Please note: If the StumbleUpon and other social bookmarking buttons aren't visible, please click the "Add Comments" link beneath this post. Thanks!
A Fascinating Collection of Quotations to Guide and Inspire the Writer
The following quotations come from a great collection I came across on a website you'll definitely want to check out. It's called Choice Quotations: Timeless words that challenge, motivate and inspire The site currently contains eight pages of these motivational gems. The ones I've reproduced below seem to me particularly pertinent to creatively thoughtful individuals such as writers.
So, read, absorb, and enjoy these wise words which can help you make the most of your writing talent.
The Quotations
A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills and uses these skills to accomplish his goals.
- Larry Bird
Amateurs wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work.
- Chuck Close
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
- Pablo Picasso
Be silent or let thy words be worth more than silence.
- Pythagoras
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
- Scott Adams
Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can play weird--that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple complicated is commonplace--making the complicated simple, awesomely simple--that's creativity.
- Charles Mingus
Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.
- Unknown
Do not let what you can't do interfere with what you can do.
- John Wooden
Do not wait; the time will never be "just right". Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.
- Napoleon Hill
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
- Harold Whitman
Don't let making a living interfere with making a life.
- John Wooden
Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.
- C. S. Lewis
Faith doesn't mean the absence of fear. It means having the energy to go ahead, right alongside the fear.
- Sharon Salzberg
Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.
- Rabindranath Tagore
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Handling criticism: if it's untrue, disregard it. If it's unfair, keep from irritation. If it's ignorant, smile. If it's justified, learn from it.
- Unknown
Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
- Henry van Dyke
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain
Hopefully these quotations have inspired you to use your talents to shoot for the stars!
To your success!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Which of the above quotes have particularly inspired you and why? Do you have any favorite quotes you'd like to share which have helped you achieve greater success or carried you through particularly difficult or dry creative periods?
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December '08 Comment Recognition
I'm honored to once again recognize my valued readers who have left comments at Writer's Notes. To all the special people who have graced this little corner of the blogosphere with your wit and wisdom during the month of December, 2008, I'd like to say, "Thank you!" You help to make this blog better by your presence and far more interesting through your feedback! Special thanks, also, to those who commented here for the first time last month! You, too, are greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Everyone!
I'm very grateful for all your thoughtful, wise, inspiring, informative, and incisive comments! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and share your thoughts, experiences, and support here at Writer's Notes! I thoroughly enjoy reading your insights, viewpoints, and perspectives! They add so much richness to my experience! Thanks so much for making December another great month through your valuable input!
December '08 Commenters
The following is a list (in no particular order) of all the wonderful people who have left comments at Writer's Notes during December, 2008:
Brad Shorr, at Word Sell, Inc.
Moonglow, at How to Write
Wilson Pon, at TechnoStuffs
Lillie Ammann, at A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye
Len Kennedy
Janet Collins, at The Social Critic
Debbie Yost, at Three Weddings
Robyn McMaster, at Brain Based Biz
Mark Antony, at Bloggers Quest
Amy Huang, at Travel String
Andrew, at Good Honest Dollar
Techno, at Geeky Blog
Nevar, at ad hominem
Joanna Young, at Confident Writing
Ulla Hennig, at Ulla Hennig's Weblog
I Truly Appreciate Your Comments!
Thank you so much, everyone, for making the Writer's Notes conversation so much richer during the past month by visiting and sharing your, insights, opinions, advice, and experiences with us! You add so much value to this blog, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Many Apologies for My Very Sparse Posting Schedule Lately!
Due to several new ongoing gigs, I've been so swamped with work that I haven't managed to find the time to post--for which I truly apologize! I'm still around, though, and hope you'll forgive me this lapse! I have definitely been keeping busy lately and not simply ignoring you!
Many thanks for your comments!
Jeanne
P.S. If you've commented at Writer's Notes during December, and I've somehow managed to overlook you, please be sure to let me know. I do my best to keep track, but every so often I do slip up. I appreciate every single commenter, and I definitely want to give each of you the recognition you deserve!
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add...any insights to share? I'd love to hear your thoughts! After all, your comments are what these monthly recognition posts are all about!
Please note: If the StumbleUpon and other social bookmarking buttons aren't visible, please click the "Add Comments" link beneath this post. Thanks!
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