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WritersNotes.Net: Helping Writers Follow Their Dreams Through Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement!
A Post to Help You Power Your Dreams
In perfect sync with yesterday's post about visualizing our goals to achieve success is this excellent guest post by Ellen Weber: Brain-Powering Your Dream. Read and prepare to make your dreams come true!
If you've never read Ellen's blog, Brain Leaders and Learners, and are at all interested in the way the brain can power innovation, create success, and help you fulfill your dreams, you're in for a fascinating cerebral treat! Bookmark BL&L (or follow it on Facebook's Networked Blogs: Brain Leaders and Learners). You'll learn so much!
Here's to making your dreams come true!
Jeanne
What are your thoughts on the brain and its role in the "success" equation? Does Ellen's statement that our neurons rewire nightly as we sleep surprise you? What potential do you see in that idea, and what sort of new horizons might Ellen's insights open for you?
My First Northbound Post Is Live
My post, Magento E-commerce: Why Open Source Is the Best Solution, is up at Northbound Interactive Marketing Blog. I'll be posting there once a week, sharing SEO, branding, marketing, technology, and design info and research to help you optimize your website or blog, improve your marketing methods, and make the most of your professional brand.
A Few Words About Straight North
Northbound is owned by Straight North, a top-ranking Chicago Internet marketing firm, which specializes in creative branding and design, SEO, PPC, website and e-commerce development, and other areas of strategic marketing.
The company recently hired my blogging friend and colleague, Brad Shorr, already well-known for his blogging at Word Sell. Brad has assumed the duties of Director of Content Marketing at Straight North and, in addition to continuing his blogging at Word Sell, is the main blogging voice behind Northbound. Because his new job keeps him so busy these days, however, he's asked me to help out by contributing one post a week to Northbound, in addition to the posts he's already commissioned me to write for Word Sell, and I was more than happy to accept the offer.
A Few Words About Brad's Work
I'm very honored to be asked on board by Brad, a blogger and businessman I've always admired. Brad is an excellent writer, accomplished social media expert, and incredibly savvy businessman. If you haven't been reading his content, you're definitely missing out! So, visit Northbound and Word Sell as often as you can. After reading Brad's insightful posts, you'll definitely come away with knowledge you can use to further your writing craft, grow your business, and develop your brand.
A Terrific Team-Up
As many of you know, Brad and I have worked together before, co-blogging at The Whoa Factor, the business blog he penned for Whoast, Inc. before the company merged with Straight North about a year ago. Now, SN has revived the blog, complete with a new name, new theme, new domain, and lots of brand new content. (They've also retained the solid collection of archived posts from the Whoa Factor days to keep readers busy and benefiting from all the helpful insight and info Brad has been penning at TWF/Northbound since 2006, and the work I contributed to TWF between December, 2008, and June, 2009.)
Stop by NB and Take a Look Around
I hope you'll stop by Northbound, read my post (at the link in the first paragraph), and take a look around. Be sure to check out Brad's excellent content, as well.You'll learn a lot--and there's certainly much more to come, as Straight North continues developing the blog and making it even better!
See you at Northbound!
Jeanne
If you have ever been tempted to give up on your dreams, as a writer or in any other area of your life, do yourself a huge favor and read this brief but powerful post: It's Not Too Late, by George Angus at Tumblemoose.com. It may just turn your life around.
'Nuff said.
Jeanne
P.S. Come back after you've read the post and share your thoughts with us. A few questions I've posted below might help you more easily share the way the post has affected you. Or simply post your own thoughts.
What sort of impact did the above post have on your outlook? Do you see yourself, your situation, your dreams, and your limitations in a new light? If so, tell us about it. We'd love to hear the insights you've gained from this incredibly poignant post.
Preliminaries
My apologies for being so silent here lately. Health issues, along with a great deal of writing work, have monopolized my attention lately, preventing me from focusing on brainstorming topics, locating info and resources, and assembling all these into helpful posts. Now and then I'll see a topic that I'd like to share, but a post never seems to materialize. That's why what I'd like to do today is share a few great writing posts that I've come across that can help you in the craft and business of writing. Hopefully, these will arm you with the information, motivation, and practical tools you need to take the next step in your writing career.
Writing Advice from Around the Blogosphere
John Hewitt, at PoeWar, has written a really practical post, called How to Treat Your Writing Like a Business. Check it out. I'm sure you'll find it helpful. In fact, I think you'll also find two of John's other posts particularly helpful to your career: The Realities of a Freelance Writing Career and Six Tips for More Organized Freelancing should get you off to a great start or keep you moving forward toward achieving your writing goals. Of course, I hardly need tell you that you'll find all John's posts immensely helpful to you in your writing. If you've never read them, you'll want to start now!
Other posts I'm sure you'll find helpful are the following:
A Dialog on Blogging Focus, Parts 1, 2, and 3, from Brad Shorr at Word Sell, Inc. Brad also offers a plethora of excellent content that's focused mainly on B2B content creation, business blogging, marketing, and SEO strategies.
Top 25 Books for Writers and Writing-related Topics, from Meryl K. Evans, at Meryl.net. Meryl also offers periodic link posts, such as Links: Just Before March Roars 2010 Edition and Links: Happy Sweet 16 2010 Edition, which are always packed with excellent writing resources.
Has Your Fire Fizzled? from Karen Swim at Words for Hire offers inspiration that can help get you back on track if you've strayed from your writing goals lately. Hard But Not Forever will also give you words of encouragement for the difficult times.
10 Things to Start and One Thing to Stop, from Joanna Young at Confident Writing, is short, sweet, and to-the-point and offers some fabulous tips on ways to increase your writing sensitivity, confidence, inspiration, and enjoyment. Joanna will be taking a break from blogging for a time, but you'll find so much great content in her archives that you'll have plenty to keep you busy while she's gone. Here's another brief but helpful post from Joanna: Make a Start by Writing it Down. Joanna has a wonderful way of distilling an idea down to its most basic--and important--elements, providing quick reads that are jam-packed with insight.
More Link Posts to Come
The blogosphere is, of course, rife with wonderful posts on writing, selling your writing, and living the writing life. Yet, I must unfortunately end my list here--for today at least. In the future, I'll do my best to provide links to other helpful blog posts, written by these and other experienced bloggers who have a great deal to offer the aspiring or active writer.
Enjoy!
Jeanne
Have you found these posts helpful and/or inspiring? Any one or two that seem particularly pertinent to your situation? Have you read any great writing posts lately? We'd love it if you'd share your thoughts with us!
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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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!
The Confident Writing Best Posts of 2008
Joanna Young has posted her list of Simply The Best Posts of 2008. (She actually posted her list of links and reasons the bloggers chose their posts a day early--the 29th instead of the 30th of December--though I'm only just getting around to reporting it now. My apologies!)
Be sure to stop by Confident Writing, at the link above, to read some of the best blog content written during 2008, including work from all over the blogosphere! And don't forget to visit Confident Writing regularly for many fantastic writing tips and words of writing wisdom from writing coach, Joanna Young. (In fact, why not bookmark her site or subscribe to her feed.) I guarantee you'll learn a great deal!
Happy reading--and learning!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? What are your thoughts on roundup posts such as these? Do you enjoy visiting blogs that have collected links to some of the best content and placed them into a single post for your convenience? Does this make it easier for you to access more great content amid your busy schedule? Or do you prefer to pick and choose your own preferred posts by making the rounds yourself?
Please note: If the StumbleUpon and other social bookmarking buttons aren't visible, please click the "Add Comments" link beneath this post. Thanks!
Three Great Posts for Writers
I'd like to share links to a few blog posts I've come across this week which I've found helpful and which I think might benefit other writers, as well. They're written by three writers/bloggers I highly respect. Please note that these three posts are by no means the only three I believe to be of value this week but merely three that I've read and been impressed with (as I invariably am with all the posts I read whenever I visit these three blogs).
A Hefty Dose of Writing Encouragement and Strategy from Brain Based Biz
The first post, called As a Writer - I Can, was written by a blogger I greatly respect: Robyn McMaster at Brain Based Biz. This very encouraging post (which I found in the BBB November archives) will inspire you to look within for the writing talent you may not even realize you possess and provide strategies that can help you learn to believe in your own ability as a writer. You'll find many more fabulous posts at Brain Based Biz (many of which focus on the fascinating topic of multiple intelligences) which will help you put your brain power to work to achieve your writing--and life--goals. So, be sure to visit often! You'll find Robyn's posts insightfully written, immensely interesting, and totally practical.
Some Fantastic Tips for Stepping Beyond Fear at Brain Leaders and Learners
The second post, 10 Strides from Fear to Freedom, comes from my respected colleague, Ellen Weber, at Brain Leaders and Learners--yes, another fascinating blog that delves deeply into brain research and intelligence, providing tips and techniques for using your mental powers to their best advantage and using them to achieve impressive results. This post will encourage you by providing the inspiration, as well as the practical techniques, you need to overcome fear--which will help you go much farther in your writing endeavors. Be sure to drop by Brain Leaders and Learners regularly for your latest fascinating dose of brain-related information, along with Ellen's sage, well-written advice on applying this information to your work.
An Excellent Guide for Creating Your First e-Book and More from Confident Writing
The third post was written by another blogger I've always thought very highly of: Joanna Young of Confident Writing. It's called A Simple Guide to Compiling a Free E-Book. If you've ever considered writing an e-book and wanted to know how to go about it, you'll find this post--as well as Joanna's free e-book, Asking Questions For a Change: how to ask purposeful questions--a great help to you in getting started in e-book writing. Joanna's blog also offers a wealth of information on other aspects and types of writing, so make sure you stop back by Confident Writing often to take advantage of her always insightful words of wisdom about writing.
Three Blogs to Bookmark
Be sure to visit--and bookmark--these three fabulous blogs. If you're a reader of RSS feeds, you might also want to subscribe. The next time you need inspiration, encouragement, or practical information, you'll definitely be glad you decided to keep these three blogs close at hand!
Read, grow, and enjoy!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? What have you found most helpful about one or more of these three amazing blogs? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Two Big Moves: a Domain and a Domicile!
Confident Writing coach Joanna Young has been very busy of late. First, she moved her Confident Writing blog to WordPress--a big enough job in itself! Then, she took on the Herculean task of moving her residence, as well. Some Internet connection problems right before her move only added to the stress, but I'm happy to report that Joanna's move is complete, she's happily tucked away in her new home, her Internet connection issues have been resolved, and she's raring to resume her activities coaching wordsmiths like you to become "confident writers."
Confident Writing: A Blog You Don't Want to Miss!
If you're not familiar with Joanna's blog, you don't know what you've been missing! And if you've been looking for a place where you could learn the secrets of writing with confidence, you're in luck! Joanna's blog is chock-full of tips, techniques, encouragement, advice, and inspiration to help you become the writer you've always known you could be.
One Confident Writing post I think you'll love as much as I did is The Secret: 20 Ways To Attract More Comments On Your Blog. And this is just one of many, many excellent posts Joanna has written to help you become a more confident writer (and blogger). Do yourself a favor and mine her archives--after you've read all her recent posts, that is.
You'll Feel Right at Home at Joanna's New Home!
One of the best things about Confident Writing is that Joanna will welcome you with open arms! Please make it a point to visit and let her know you're glad she's back. (When you do, you'll see what a gracious hostess she is.) And while you're at it, why not bookmark her site? You'll be glad you did!
Welcome Back, Joanna!
You have many friends in the blogosphere, all of whom wish you well. Please accept our heartfelt wishes for a wonderful life in your brand new home, a prosperous season on your new domain, and a glorious sense of the warmth with which we welcome you back to your rightful place among those of us who care so much about you!
Many good wishes for the future!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have any thoughts to share about writing with confidence--or about your visit to Confident Writing? I'd love to hear them!
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Wild Bill Rides Again!
After a 10-month hiatus, Passionate Blogger Wild Bill is back online--and that's good news! If you've read his blog before, you know how dedicated Wild Bill is to helping bloggers reach their full potential--and earn money doing it. And you've likely been as disappointed as I to see this great source of blogging inspiration and knowledge fall dormant for so long. If you haven't read this blog before, you're in for a treat, and you're destined to become a diehard fan!
One thing you'll notice right away when you visit Passionate Blogger and begin to read is that this is one inspirational blog! Another is that it's written by a man who really cares about his readers--a man totally dedicated to imparting the wisdom he's gained through his own experience to you, his reader and fellow blogger, with totally generous abandon. Visit this blog and I can almost guarantee that you'll be hooked in no time!
Wild Bill Shares About Himself and His Blog
Here's what Wild Bill has to say about Passionate Blogger:
Passionate Blogger is a blog about using your passion to blog better and make more money blogging. With easy to understand weekly articles Passionate Blogger unlocks the secrets of professional bloggers that will grow your blog faster than ever before. Making a living online is very possible and Passionate Blogger is here to help make your dream blog a reality.
And here's what he has to say about the man behind the blog (aka, himself):
I'm an internet entrepreneur and full time blogger making a living from blogs like Passionate America. I started my first blog in 2004, have blogged on 10 blogs, and have been featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal.
You'll find more info about Wild Bill on the Passionate Blogger About Page.
Get Ready for Some Fantastic Content!
Wild Bill has written some great content since reviving his blog on July 16th. Appropriately enough, his first post gives timely advice on How to Resurrect a Dead or Dying Blog--and, after all, he should know, since he's in the middle of doing it, as we "speak."
Another post Wild Bill has added since his return to the blogging scene is Making New Friends, 10 Passionate Ways to Connect With Friends Online--a must-read for any blogger who wants some sage advice on how to best forge those all-important relationships that make blogging so uniquely rewarding.
Don't Overlook Wild Bill's Earlier Posts!
When you visit Passionate Blogger, be sure to check out Wild Bill's older posts, as well. You'll definitely find some gems in his archives, including his three-part Give and Receive Series and the following individual posts: Does Your Blog Get a Failing Grade? How to Get an A+, Do You Have a Blogging Addiction? and Stop Cramming for a Post!--a very practical piece that can help you limit the time and effort you spend on prep work for your posts.
More Great Passionate Blogger Content to Come!
The above posts should more than whet your appetite for the wonderful content yet to come on the newly resurrected Passionate Blogger site! So, be sure to visit often. And while you're at it, why not leave a comment to let Wild Bill know you're reading and are glad he's back. (You might even want to sign up for his RSS feed to keep on top of new posts.)
Link to Passionate Blogger in Writer's Notes' Sidebar
You'll find a link to Passionate Blogger in my Sites for Writers list at the bottom of my left sidebar. That way, you'll be able to drop by and visit Wild Bill with a single click, whenever you're reading Writer's Notes and have a sudden urge for some passionate blogging advice!
Happy--and passionate--blogging!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have any thoughts to share about passionate blogging? I'd just love to hear them!
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A Nice Matters Award Version I Wasn't Aware Of
A little while back, I awarded the Nice Matters badge to a number of bloggers whom I considered to be some of the more friendly and kind bloggers I'd "met" during the past year that I've been blogging. (See my earlier post, Nice Matters Award: A Blogger's Gift.) At the time, I was aware of only one version of the award--the very feminine-looking version which I have in my blog's sidebar. I therefore made my apologies to the fellas and offered it to them anyway. However, I'm now happy to report that, thanks to Krissy Knox of Sometimes I Think, I now have the masculine version to offer the guys I nominated for the award back then.
The Guys' ReAward, If You Will
I'll repost the list of guys to whom I gave the award, so they can come on by and pick up the new (to me, at least) "Gentlemen's version" of the Nice Matters Award badge.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Dan, at dcr Blogs
Brad Shorr, at Word Sell, Inc.
Robert Hruzek, at Middle Zone Musings
Michael Martin, at Pro Blog Design
K-IntheHouse, at ShanKri-la
Raven, at Alaska Chronicle
Tom Colvin, at Becoming a Writer Seriously
The "New" Badge
Here's the new badge, fellas. Hope you'll like it better than the other one--and hopefully this will mean that those of you who didn't post it to your blogs because of the feminine style/color will be inclined to do so now that you've got a more gentlemanly version.
The Guys' Badge:
Here you go, guys!
A Note to My Readers
Be sure to check out the blogs of the above Nice Matters Award recipients. You'll find much to like there--not the least of which will be the bloggers themselves! Also, check out my original Nice Matters post, where you'll find links to the female bloggers to whom I presented this award, as well as those to whom I would have presented it, had they not already received it. Like the guys, these women will make you feel welcome whenever you visit--and also offer you a great deal of "food for thought" to make your visit a pleasant one.
Always remember: Nice Matters!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Know of any other similar awards? Have you received them? We'd love to hear about it!
The Perfect Group Writing Project to Cap 2007
I just had to get in on Robert Hruzek's end-of-year WILF (What I Learned From) group writing project, Blogapalooza: What I Learned From 2007. One reason was that I needed to make up for all the WILFs that I've missed over at Middle Zone Musings due to excessive busy-ness. I've felt bad about missing them, and I wanted to show Robert that I really do care. Another reason: This is a really fantastic project, bringing together the lessons learned by a whole spectrum of bloggers over the past year: What a wealth of wisdom is there for the taking for those who take the time to read this group of posts!
What Blogapalooza Is All About
The best way to explain to you what Blogapalooza is all about is to let Robert do it! So, without further ado...he-e-e-e-re's Robert!
Looking back at your archives for the year 2007, choose one post from every month you’ve been blogging that best represents a lesson learned. And you don’t have to use your old (should you *ahem* have any) WILF entries; it’s your choice (you can, of course; but you don’t have to).
So what was the most amazing, profound, surprising, whacky, etc. thing you learned in the month of March? How about July? Anything in October? Hey, you get to choose something different from each month! Now that’s a blogapalooza!
Here’s all you have to do (please notice the procedure is a bit different than usual):
1. Choose one post from every month you’ve been blogging in 2007. (For example, if you’ve been blogging all year, you get to choose up to 12; if only since July, choose up to 6. Got it?) Use whatever criteria you like: your favorite post, most commented upon, the funniest, most outrageous, or “what you thought was your best work but ended up being a huge flop”, etc.; hey, knock yourself out!
2. Write a sentence or two describing each post you’ve chosen and why. Don’t forget to include the post title and imbed a link to it (you may laugh at that instruction; but if I don’t spell it out, well…). Compile it all into a single article. Please (and if you want to) also include a few sentences about yourself and your blog (and again, don’t forget the link).
3. Choose how your entry gets posted (here’s where it gets fun!)
3.1. The Blogapalooza Way (sound of crowd cheering): Instead of posting it at your blog – allow me to host it for you right here at Middle ZoneMusings! Here’s how:
3.1.1. Send your post to me anytime (in .doc or .rtf format only – please don’t send a .pdf!) at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net right up until the end (operators are ‘standing by’) and I’ll post it here at the Zone, including all the links. (NOTE: I will edit if necessary, but as little as possible, and only to make you look better.)
3.1.2. So your readers know how to find your entry, post a notice (write a teaser, summary, whatever) at your blog and point to your entry here at Middle Zone Musings (I’ll provide the link for you).
OR -
3.2. The (ho-hum) Usual Way: Post your entry at your own blog and send me the link as usual. Please include the phrase “What I Learned From…” in your post title.
My Entry Added at the Eleventh Hour
Well, I barely made it into the project, e-mailing my entry at pretty near the eleventh hour! But, as they say, "Woo-hoo, I'm in!" (Do they really say that?) At any rate, if you'd like to read it, you'll find my entry, What I Learned From 2007--Jeanne Dininni, at the Zone. I highly recommend you check out the other entries, as well--and while you're at it, bookmark Robert's site, because it's definitely one you'll want to visit again and again. Why that rascal is already planning his next WILF project, which you won't want to miss. Maybe you might even decide to join in the next time around! If you do, I guarantee you'll have a ball!
Here's to learning!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Sure hope so! Have you checked out Robert's Blogapalooza Extravaganza? (See, I told you it was fun!) We'd love to hear your thoughts about the project!
A Nice Surprise!
You may have noticed the Nice Matters Award badge which appeared in my sidebar recently. I was very honored to be presented with this award by Lillie Ammann in her recent post, Nice Matters (12/7/07). This was a very sweet gesture on Lillie’s part, and I truly appreciate her very kind assessment of me!
Kindness Counts: It's as Critical as Content
As most bloggers know, creating a place where our readers feel welcome and appreciated--by doing such things as responding to comments and treating them with friendliness, kindness, and respect--goes a long way toward turning casual readers into loyal ones, making them want to return to our blogs again and again. Our readers are every bit as important as our ability to write engaging content or our expertise in our chosen niche; because, after all, it is they who make our blogs successful.
Bloggers Who Epitomize Kindness
Many bloggers have a real knack for making their readers feel appreciated, and I’d like to let you know who some of them are. My list is rather long; but there’s a reason for this: There are just so many wonderful people in the blogosphere! In fact, my list would have been even longer if several other bloggers to whom I would have presented the award hadn’t already received it. (They will be listed at the end of my post.)
My Nominees for the Nice Matters Award
My list of bloggers who fit the “especially nice” category—and therefore my list of those to whom I’d like to present the Nice Matters Award--follows, in no particular order:
Dan, at dcr Blogs
Brad Shorr, at Word Sell, Inc.
Robert Hruzek, at Middle Zone Musings
Michele Tune, at Writing the Cyber Highway
Lis Garrett, at A Writer’s Woolgatherings
Amy Derby, at Write from Home Blog
Michael Martin, at Pro Blog Design
K-IntheHouse, at ShanKri-la
Krissy Knox, at Sometimes I Think
Cindy Nichols, at Kaleidoscope
Danielle, at The BiPolar Diaries
Kerith Collins, at Freelancing, My Road Less Traveled
Sharon Hurley Hall, at Get Paid to Write Online
Courtney Ramirez, at Web Writing Info
Amy Huang, at Travel String
Raven, at Shifting Realities
Sylvia C, at Sylvia's Insight
Tom Colvin, at Becoming a Writer Seriously
To each of the above nominees: Feel free to grab the Nice Matters Award badge* before heading back over to your blog to do what you do best: engage your readers in your own inimitable way! Then, please consider carrying on this noble tradition by passing this award on to some of your favorite bloggers. (My apologies to the guys: This is not the most masculine-looking badge in the world! Nevertheless, I didn't want to leave you fellas out. You are, after all, some of the nicest bloggers I know.)
Bloggers I Would Have Nominated Had Someone Else Not Beaten Me To It
Bloggers to whom I would have presented the award, had they not already received it, follow:
Lillie Ammann, at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
Laura Spencer, at Writing Thoughts
Yvonne Russell, at Grow Your Writing Business
Joanna Young, at Confident Writing
A Note To Those Who Are Also Worthy Of This Award
There are, of course, many other fantastic bloggers out there, in addition to these, who undoubtedly deserve this award—so please forgive me if I’ve left you out! But I can’t hog up all the best bloggers; I have to leave some of you for someone else to present the award to! However, let me say a hearty “Thanks” to each of you--You know who you are!--from all of us for being the kind of blogger who makes your readers feel at home and loved! I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before you, too, are nominated for this award!
A Note to All My Readers
Please take the time to visit these blogs, read their fascinating content, and show these excellent bloggers how much they are appreciated. Connect with them via comments. I can assure you that you won’t regret it!
And, once again, let me thank each of you for taking the time to visit Writer’s Notes, read my posts, and share your thoughts, ideas, and insights with us! You’re the best!
With gratitude,
Jeanne
* If you don't have enough room in your sidebar for the badge--or don't prefer to put it there for whatever reason--consider placing it inside the post in which you nominate your chosen bloggers for the award. Others have done this, but I've chosen to use my sidebar instead.
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Please feel free to share in comments!
End-of-Year Assessment
As the New Year approaches, our thoughts turn to goals. We ponder the progress we’ve made over the past year. We assess our achievements…study our setbacks…and mull over the lessons we’ve learned from both. And we begin thinking about how we might turn those lessons into new and greater successes in the coming year.
Discover Your Deepest Aspirations
To inspire us to reach for lofty goals, I’d like to post a link to a list found on a very intriguing blog called To-Do List Blog, which posts scanned copies of actual handwritten to-do lists created by various people. This particular list might be considered more of a “to-accomplish list,” as it expresses the many and varied things its author hopes to achieve during the remainder of his life. My hope is that the enthusiastic optimism of its author will be contagious and that the refreshing spontaneity and almost wild abandon with which he approaches life will inspire you to search deep within yourself to discover who you really are and develop a new understanding of your true heart’s desires.
A Truly Inspiring List of Life Goals
Here’s a link to the list:
Things to do before I die . This is the enlarged version, which is the only one that's actually readable. If you'd like to see the list in its original post, though, you'll find it here: 110 Things To Do Before He Dies (written 1998).
Check it out. If this list of 115 items doesn’t spark your imagination and inspire you to reach for all that you’ve always wanted to do and be, nothing will!
As 2007 comes to a close, may you truly get in touch with the things that mean the most to you, and may your deepest aspirations be realized in 2008 and beyond!
To your future success!
Jeanne
P.S. #1: This list is part of To-Do List Blog's Craziest Lists Contest. (Details can be found on the blog.)
P.S. #2: Along the lines of our topic, To-Do List Blog has published a post called How to Take the Self-Flagellation Out of New Year's Resolutions, which makes some great points.
P.S. #3: Discovered To-Do List Blog while reading a post on another blog recently, but can't remember which blog it was. If you are the blogger who "referred" me to this most intriguing blog, please step forward and let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Has it inspired you? Have any of your own inspirational thoughts to share? We'd love to hear them!
A Seriously Resourceful Site
Becoming a Writer Seriously is a blog written by Tom Colvin that's loaded with authoritative and helpful info, advice, and resources for writers. This is one blog you'll definitely want to bookmark for quick, easy access whenever you're in need of anything writing related or are simply curious to find out what the latest bit of writing wisdom from the authoritative T. Colvin camp happens to be.
At Becoming A Writer Seriously, you'll find info and advice about writing, blogging, document formatting (and de-formatting), HTML coding, website design, and technology as it relates to writing, publishing, and general productivity. You'll also find links to many, many other resources that can help you in so many different areas of writing/blogging/publishing that you'll soon begin thinking of this site as your one-stop source for anything writing-related.
Google Reader Shared Links: An Added Dimension
One section I found particularly fascinating was Colvin's Google Reader Shared Links, which provides articles on helpful sites, online tools, and products, and offers advice and instruction on a variety of topics that can make your writing life easier.
As alluded to in the previous paragraph, one tip (and link) Colvin shared, via his Google Reader Shared Links, explained how to easily remove the formatting from text when copying and pasting it into MS-Word, to avoid having to reformat it after pasting to make it fit into the document into which it's being inserted. While many may already know this technique, I'd venture to say that just as many probably don't. (I didn't.) It's practical tips such as this one that can really save a writer a great deal of time and trouble, making for a more productive writing session.
While I haven't tried this yet, I'm wondering whether this technique might not also work when copying and pasting info into G-mail. G-mail is notorious for doing very strange things with fonts when items--including entire articles--are copied and pasted into e-mails. So, this is one I definitely plan to experiment with!
Do yourself a huge favor and check out Becoming A Writer Seriously. You'll be very glad you did.
Seriously.
Till next time,
Jeanne
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any questions? Please feel free to comment!
A Great Article on How You Can Develop Confidence as a Business Writer
The following article was written by my friend and fellow blogger, Joanna Young, of Confident Writing. This article is offered for free distribution by EzineArticles.Com; so I thought I'd share it with my readers to help you become a more confident business writer, as well as to highlight the wonderful content you'll find on Joanna's blog. (Many of Joanna's tips and techniques also apply to other types of writing, as well; so bear that in mind as you read, and look for places in your own writing where you can practice these helpful principles.)
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Business Writing with Confidence - An ABC Guide
By Joanna Young
Confident writing is an essential part of effective business communication. Most people would agree with this statement but how many of us have the skills or the confidence to put it into practice? Anxiety about grammar rules can leave people tongue tied. All too often business writing is seen as a barrier, a stumbling block rather than something that can add value to your contribution at work.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to learn the rules of a grammar book to write with confidence at work. You just need to work on three basic elements of good business writing: authenticity, brevity and clarity. It’s what I call the ABC guide to confident writing at work.
Writing with authenticity
Writing with authenticity means being real, sounding human, sounding like yourself. It’s great for creating rapport with other people, whether that’s your colleagues, customers or potential clients. Most people want to do business with another human being and it’s even better if that’s someone they feel they can get to ‘know’ and trust.
To make your writing more authentic:
* Make use of plain, everyday words: go for short, simple words; avoid jargon and clichés; use everyday words rather than corporate or business speak
* Use a conversational style: this doesn’t mean slang – it does mean feeling free to use short sentences and contractions like “I’m” or “we’ll” or “let’s” (all great for the flow)
* Find your own words: spend a little bit of time jotting down your own words for the things that are most important to you (ideas, your business purpose, your values) and start to work them into your writing. This is a great way to sound like you really mean business!
Writing with brevity
Most people are drowning in information overload. So much for the paperless office – most of us are suffering from too much paper, a deluge of e-mails and more reports than we’ll ever have time to read. You’ll really start to win friends and influence people if you keep your writing short and to the point. Your readers will thank you for the time and effort saved, and you’ll also make your message more punchy, powerful and memorable.
To write with brevity:
* Keep each sentence short: aim for an average of 18 – 25 words a sentence. This is good writing practice and will get you into the habit of writing less
* Cut out excess words: go back and edit your work once you’ve written a draft. Cut out as many excess words as you can. Then do it again (and again till it’s done.) Enjoy seeing your message emerge more clearly!
* Write within limits : set yourself a word limit and practice working to it. It’ll improve your skills of writing with brevity and help you stick to the point
Writing with clarity
You’ve got something important to say so you want your writing to stand out. Clear writing makes it easier for people to read, follow and understand what you’re saying. Now this is the place where grammar does come into play because there are some rules – whether you like it or not – that are there to help us understand your meaning. You need to master these basic rules if you want your message to be clear and easily understood.
To write more clearly:
* Know your point : be clear what you’re trying to say, and why, before you start to write. Boil your message down to no more than 10 words. That’s your message: focus on that and it will shine through your writing
* Manage your writing: work out which grammar points are stopping you from writing with clarity (like use of apostrophes). Ask a colleague or friend to help identify them. Then take responsibility for learning and applying the rules. There are plenty of books, websites and writing coaches who can help with this
* Keep it simple: use short sentences, cut out excess words, use plain, everyday language
I don’t know if you noticed some common themes running through these writing tips. Keep it short, keep it simple, use plain language, know your point and stick to it. These are the fundamental rules of good business writing and if you apply them you will find it easy to write with authenticity, brevity and clarity. Effective business writing needn’t be hard – it can be as easy as ABC.
Joanna Young is a writing coach who helps people to write with confidence - to realise the power of their own words. You can find out how to work with Joanna or read more of her writing tips at Confident Writing.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com expert=Joanna Young
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Hope you've enjoyed these great tips on confident writing by a very confident writer! Don't forget to visit Joanna's blog for more great content on writing confidently!
Happy writing!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Was it helpful? Have anything to add? If so, please feel free to comment!
And, while you're at it, why not visit Joanna' s blog and do the same?
Remembering My Commenters
Last month, I started a tradition here at Writer's Notes of writing a post on the first of each month listing the names of all the previous month's commenters, complete with links to their blogs, and I want to welcome you to Volume 2!
September Link Love
It's that time again: time to send some link love out to everyone who commented at Writer's Notes during the month of September. Thanks, everyone! I truly appreciate your feedback!
Here's the list of September commenters, in no particular order:
Yvonne Russell, Grow Your Writing Business
Laura Spencer, Writing Thoughts
Lillie Ammann, A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye
Calvin Warr, CalvinWarr.Com
James Rickard, Angling Fish
AmyHuang, Travel String
Louie, Climate Red
Jon, Tech News
Tracy, Movies and Life
Lilla, Enviro Warrior
Danielle, The Bipolar Diaries
Brad Shorr, Word Sell, Inc.
Bob, Every Every Minute
Michael Martin, Pro Blog Design
Sharon Hurley Hall, Get Paid to Write Online
Rosemary, Alpaca Notes
Julee Ann, Write of Passage
JoH, Persistent Parent
PetulaW, It's a Woman's World
AdTracker, AdSense Tracker
Keep Spreading Your Comments Far and Wide!
Thanks for your comments, everyone! Each one is greatly appreciated, and each has helped to make Writer's Notes just that much more interesting for its readers! You've all added so much to the Writer's Notes conversation, and your generosity in doing so is hereby recognized! Thanks again!
You're welcome at Writer's Notes anytime! So be sure to stop by again very soon! And remember to keep visiting as many other blogs as you can and passing along the comment-kindness--not to mention the link love! You'll enjoy it as much as the other blogger will!
Keep those comments coming!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? You know what to do!
September 22nd 2007 07:34
Alienation ABCs
I've been tagged by Yvonne Russell, at Grow Your Writing Business, to write a post giving my tips for making other bloggers hate you and driving your readers crazy. Check out Yvonne's own list in her highly entertaining post on the subject, Tips to Make Other Bloggers Hate You - Comment Crazy. I think you'll not only mentally savor the delicious dish of sarcasm she skillfully serves up, but that you'll also totally relate to the points she makes, as you recall some of your own blogging misadventures.
Are you back yet? Good! Didn't I tell you her post was great! And now, without further ado, I present my list of tips and techniques, which, if conscientiously followed, will help you successfully alienate bloggers and non-bloggers alike, causing them to avoid your site like the plague. (It's OK, though, because you'll be revealing your superiority in this way, which is critically important to you in achieving the greatness you obviously deserve.)
My List of Blogger Alienation Techniques
1. Whenever you visit another blog, look for as many errors as you can possibly find there and point them out publicly every chance you get. Be sure to leave them in comments, discuss them on other blogs, and even mention them in your own posts. (Better still, devote an entire blog post to them. After all, it's important for everyone to know that you knew they were wrong. And, of course, we all know that you've never made a mistake yourself.) Be sure that you don't contact the blog owner privately when the error is significant. He or she might think you were too unsure of yourself to mention it publicly.
2. Copy other bloggers' content and post it on your own blog, passing it off as your own, as often as you can. After all, similar content is floating around all over the internet, so no one will ever know. Since it happens often enough that two bloggers just happen to innocently write about the same topic--and sometimes even say much the same thing about it at roughly the same time, no one will be the wiser; and even if they are, they won't be able to prove a thing.
3. "Adopt" a breaking story that you read about on another blog, but don't give the other blogger credit as your source. After all, that blogger and blog are your competition. Who would expect you to credit your competitor with providing your "product" for you? And besides, if that blogger got the info from yet another blog (and was foolish enough to admit it--and link to the other blog, no less), what's to stop you from bypassing that blog completely and going back to the original source? And why shouldn't you? The original source is the one that counts, anyway. And who would know?
Besides, why gum up the works with too many links? (Everyone knows how time-consuming it is to create a lot of links.) And wouldn't things become too confusing with so many different credits? It's simply a more efficient method of creating blog posts--and it doesn't confuse your reader with too many facts!
4. Never write posts on your own blog either commending or recommending other blogs or bloggers. That should be your regular rule of thumb. It's a sure way to lose your readers to them! By writing posts that highlight the knowledge or expertise of other bloggers--particularly those in your own niche--you make yourself seem less knowledgeable or talented than the blogger you are plugging.
And by sharing "link love" with other bloggers, you are laying out the red carpet--or is it the "flying carpet"--that makes it devilishly easy for your readers to "fly the coop." Wouldn't you much rather have a captive audience--to the extent that that's possible on the internet, anyway. (Since it's already so easy for readers to click away from your page, why make it any easier for them?)
5. Always be argumentative and unpleasant when leaving comments on others' blogs. Forcing bloggers to defend their positions regularly will keep them on their toes. (They'll thank you one day.) And, if nothing else, when they've deleted your comments as spam, you can go around bad mouthing them behind their backs--which should obviously make you look better, while casting doubt on their sense of fairness in refusing to air honest debate on their blogs. In fact, be sure to be downright rude every chance you get; it will show them who's really in charge, earning you their deep, if grudging, respect.
6. Never recognize, appreciate, or thank your readers, even when they leave comments on your posts--and especially when they are other bloggers who leave comments on your posts. In fact, don't even bother to reply to their comments. After all, you've already given them enough by deigning to share your extreme wisdom with them via your sterling blog posts. The least they can do is comment, after all you've done for them!
Are You Ready to Take Charge?
Well, my list is a trifle shorter than Yvonne's was: only six items here. But, I think I've covered each tip fairly extensively, so I'll let it go at that. I'll leave it to you to decide whether or not you have what it takes to be a take-charge blogger--a blogger who knows exactly what's required to show the world who's the best: YOU!
Do You Have Any Alienation Inducing Tips to Share?
I won't tag any specific bloggers to write on this topic, but I will invite any who would like to write about it to feel free to do so. (If you do, be sure to let me know in comments and link to this blog post.) Anyone else who has any tips on this topic is also welcome to share your ideas with us in comments. We'd love to hear them!
Satirically yours,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any questions? Feel free to comment!
September 13th 2007 21:34
Join Yvonne and Other Fellow Writers for a Great Time of Sharing Each Weekend!
On Friday, September 7th, Yvonne Russell, at Grow Your Writing Business, kicked off her new Writers (and Bloggers) Cafe. In her own words, her purpose for instituting this writers' gathering every Friday through Sunday is to share "marvellous mini milestones and super successes," as well as links to writing- or blogging-related articles or websites that might be helpful to your fellow writers, your plans and goals for your writing/blogging--in short, anything relevant to writing or blogging.
For Further Info About the Cafe, Visit Grow Your Writing Business
You may read more about Yvonne's new weekend gathering in her Writers and Bloggers Cafe--Now Open at Grow Your Writing Business post. (Also, check out Share Your Marvellous Mini Milestones and Super Successes, the post in which she first introduces the Writers and Bloggers Cafe.) Sharing these small and large successes will be the focus of the Writers Cafe during the month of September.
Visit Yvonne's Site During the Week, As Well, for Other Helpful Writing-Related Content
There are many other reasons to visit Yvonne's blog, in addition to the Writers and Bloggers Cafe. At Grow Your Writing Business, Yvonne offers a great deal of valuable info and many helpful resources for writers and bloggers that can move you closer to the realization of your writing goals.
What Are You Doing This Weekend?
Why not drop by Grow Your Writing Business this weekend and check out the Writers and Bloggers Cafe? (It starts tomorrow, Friday.) Pull up a chair, grab a muffin and a cup of coffee, and enjoy a great time of fellowship with other likeminded creative people, as you share your own goals, aspirations, and accomplishments, relate to, celebrate, and learn from theirs.
I think you'll enjoy it!
See you there!
Jeanne
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