Shared Answers - Final Roundup & the Winner
The Blog Tapestry Revisited
The diversity of the blog tapestry and how those threads are woven together across the world, is never more in evidence than in a group project. Throw together an eclectic group of bloggers with different blog passions and life experiences. Then ask them to share a problem and an approach to solving that problem or challenge. What you end up with is the Shared Answers Group Writing Project final list of entries, co-hosted by Grow Your Writing Business and Writing Thoughts
Mike at Spooky Action told us about giving your pitch audience, not only ownership of the concept, but letting them sell the idea for you. This is definitely a strategy for my writer’s toolbox. Scot at Ten Keyboards can save you a lot of angst time and money with his solutions for moving blogs, and choosing a new host. Ask Scot about ham radios too, when you visit his blog.
The Business of Business & Writing
Lillie at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye, not only had to worry about computers, but every little (and big) thing which fell on her shoulders as owner of a landscaping business. Find out how she unwittingly planned for the future. And where there’s a computer, there’s a writer, right? Abdul at The Copywriter told of his ongoing quest to
become a better writer. This is something we can all identify with, as we perfect our writing and blogging craft.
Healthy Body & Healthy Mind
Michelle at Live Holistically, told us about her dog’s snorting problem and the holistic approach she took. She also demonstrated the potential of video and audio to “show” rather than tell. That dog may well star in a podcast one day. 
Carol, also a holistic practitioner, and a colleague of Michelle’s at Live Holistically, suffered ongoing headaches and tension. She highlighted the power of mindset in finding solutions and perspective, after suffering ongoing headaches and stress from constant noise nearby. Also looking at mindset, Laura explained how she overcame a lack of confidence which stopped her from making important decisions when she was younger. I love her philosophy that there is always a second chance if you look for it and grab it.
Global Travels
Then we went international in focus. Mommy Zabs at Not China Made decided to stand up and be counted for a cause she believes in by using the power of words. Writing about their home countries, Mig and Yvonne had two very different entries. Mig at Online Public Relations shared a
very personal and poignant account of leaving Romania and how she approached settling in a new land, while her heart was still in her homeland. At Grow Your Writing Business, Yvonne’s dilemma of what to do when caught between two flooding rivers took us to the Australian outback, and luckily had a happy ending.
And The Winner Is…
Thanks to Laura’s generosity, and a lucky draw in a top secret location not far from Laura’s kitchen, we are proud to announce the winner of the Shared Answers Group Writing Project. Congratulations to Michelle Van of Live Holistically, who has won a $30 Amazon Gift Voucher.
What Next? Links and Suggestions
If you want to include a list of some or all Shared Answers links on your site and spread some more link love, go ahead. Please link back to this post as well. Enjoy exploring the sites and reading the posts.
We want to make the group writing project bigger and better next time. We’d love to hear your suggestions. How was the time frame? How can we improve the concept? What variations can you suggest? We’re very open to where this takes us next, so chip in and let us know what you’d change and what you’d keep the same.
Thanks to All
Thanks to all who supported our inaugural group writng project in any way - by entering, by helping us promote the project and by reading the entries. Special thanks to Laura, my partner in crime. We’ve learned a lot and it was fun.
Thanks also to Joanna at Confident Writing, who reminded me about telling a story when linking. As I am multi tasking with this post, it doubles as a contribution to Liz Strauss’s thematic links challenge. If you want to join another group writing project, Liz is accepting entries until August 23rd.
Nice final round-up, although you like to keep us in suspense as to the winner…
But what happens with the links? Your “happy ending” leads to Laura’s site and some of the other links are scrambled.
Gosh! You were quick! I was still editing and tweaking when you visited. Everything should be in order now.
The winner has now been announced. Thanks for your great entry, Mig.
Yes, it just happens that today I was faster than usual… It was during my coffee break you posted the entry.
Congratulations, Michelle!
You mean you have time for a coffee break?
Enjoy! Maybe we can have a virtual coffee, sometime.
Great job on the wrap-up!
Hi Yvonne!
Every one of these thematic links posts is so amazing and interesting. Yours is no exception. I truly enjoyed this. What fun it was reading about the contest! I love interactive blogs!!
Welcome Liz. Great to see you here!
I do love reading thematic links posts. They are very time consuming to do, though, but I enjoyed the challenge. Thanks for your positive feedback. As always, you are an inspiration.
Hi Laura - Thanks. It was fun to write and explore all the blogs further. I hope people enjoy reading it.
Yea yea! I’ve been wanted to read The Four Hour Work Week, and several things by Seth Godin and the Great Failure by Natalie Goldberg and.. so much more.
THANK YOU!!!
What a great idea to work all the group entries into a tapestry of stories like this (and kill two blogging projects with one stone!) Very creative - and concise too!
Sorry I didn’t have the time to take part in this one - it looks like it’s gone well. Congrats to you both.
Joanna
Yvonne, the problems/solutions concept was really a great idea! I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to join you and Laura for this one - swamped with the new business and all, etc. Looking forward to next time, though!
Cheers!
Thanks to you and Laura for hosting a great writing project, Yvonne. This post is an excellent wrap-up and an excellent entry in Liz’s thematic links project.
anyone curious what I’m going to spend my Amazon money on? I posted it on my site. Thanks so much guys. how fun it was to participate and also read everyone else’s posts.
Hi Joanna
Thanks for the inspiration for the “story” link post, and for stopping by. I’ll be sure to let you know when our next project is ready to roll.
Michelle - Congratulations! I’m looking forward to hearing all about the books you finally choose and what you learn from them. I know you’re keen on the 4 Hour Work Week. We’ll have to compare notes, as I’m reading that at the moment - very interesting. I’ll definitely be writing a review on it.
Robert - Sorry I wasn’t able to enter your project either this time… but I look forward to the next one. With this project, I’ve learned both how rewarding co-ordinating a group writing project can be, and how time consuming.
Lillie - I very much enjoyed your entry. There’s certainly a lesson to be learned there. Thanks for your ongoing support of the project with spreading the word, entering and checking back on both our blogs to keep up with progress and updates - much appreciated.
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