Writers & Bloggers Cafe - Open Friday to Sunday Every Weekend
Well, gosh another week has rolled around already. How has your writing week been? Share your successes, what you’ve been up to… celebrate, vent or just chat.
You are welcome to leave a useful link for writers along with your comment. It can be from your own site or from another one (no afffilate links please). Subscribe to comments, so you can jump back in to the conversation anytime you like over the weekend.
Kick back, grab a coffee or refreshment of your choice. Yum! Yum! I’ve flown in some Aussie Pavlova - meringue topped with fresh tropical fruit. We have gluten free chocolate cake, muffins and platters of cheese and crackers. Remember, all calories are virtual, so help yourself.
Networking at the Writers Cafe
I love how the networking and sharing is already starting to happen in the Writers Cafe. A few of us said we were interested in learning more about Skype, the free internet phone service. Amy from Travel String, jumped right in and offered to help, and is going to write a guest post here next Tuesday. What else would you like to know about?
Let’s network. Let’s help each other. If you have questions about other people’s projects, have joint projects to propose, need writers, have group writing projects on the boil, or have things you’d like to know the answers for, I’d love to see the Writers Cafe being used for that. Any other suggestions welcome.
Spread the Word About the Weekend Writers Cafe
If you like the idea of the Writers & Bloggers Cafe, you may like to Stumble this post on StumbleUpon or let others know.
Thanks to all who joined in the fun and visited the Writers Cafe last week - Lucy, Walter, Laura, Dana, Sandeye, Genesis, Lillie, Cheryl, Lisa , Princess, Mary Emma,, Amy, Rach and Claudia.
Please help spread the word about the Writers Cafe. The more the merrier. A special thanks to Jeanne who spread the word far and wide.
Hi Yvonne, great idea to have this cafe. It’s been a good week for me. I started a new contract with a client, and he’s happy with what we’ve done so far. And a client with a large outstanding invoice paid up this morning. I’ve continued my Get Paid To Blog series with a review of Smorty.
Speaking of networking, I’m on the lookout for web content writers who can write knowledgeably about UK consumer finance - or about international property for a UK site. There’s a contact form on my site if anyone’s interested.
Happy weekend, everyone
Sharon - Great to see you here. Grab something to drink and pull up a chair. Clients paying is always a nice way to end the week. Will check out your get paid to blog series - that’s cool!
Hey everyone, I know Sharon is well respected in writing circles, so if UK consumer finance or international property are specialty areas for you, this is a great writing opportunity. I love!! networking, and am so pleased to see the Writers Cafe being used to support each other. Thanks Sharon.
Hi Yvonne, how can it be Friday again already??!
I pushed myself out of my writing comfort zone this week and recorded (and broadcast - gulp) my first podcast. I was amazed how much more scared I was ’speaking’ than writing - although I tried to follow my own advice to get me over my fears. Things like not trying to sound like an expert, trying as far as possible (with a mike in front of me!) to sound like myself, focusing on the positive intention rather than getting tangled up in my words.
It got me out the other side - I was pleased enough with the result given that everyone says the first one is always gruesome… and enjoyed it enough that I’m going to try and do a weekly podcast, probably on writing at work.
Anyone else here with any experience of podcasting - or even better, tips they’d like to share?
Joanna
PS how do I get my picture to appear in the little comment box?
Joanna - LOL. Congratulations on the podcast and thanks for sharing all your great tips! I am going to check it out, as that is on my list of things to master too. I bought a microphone and installed Audacity (free software). I did manage to record something, but I need to work on it some more.
I became hooked on the value of podcasts through the audios they provide at the Blog Mastermind mentoring program I’ve joined. I am very keen to do a podcast though, so I’ll be sure to keep in touch on that. Baby steps, and I will just do something very brief at first.
But I think it will be great for interviews too. Hey Joanna, we could have an Australia-Scotland cross and I could interview you (when I work out what I’m doing). What do you think?
What software are you using? Are you using any plugins? It will be so cool to actually all hear each other’s voices. Do you think you’ll be able to understand my Australian accent. Ahh… I forgot, it’s not me who has the accent, it’s everyone else.
About the comment photo, if you have a MyBlogLog photo, it operates off that. Just register at MyBlogLog and upload your photo, then you’ll see it here. Pretty cool, huh?
Does anyone else have tips for podcasts?
Hi, everyone! TGIF!! I mentioned telecraig previously - something came thru from answering an ad. $30 an hour writing job, for real! Try it a telecraig.com. As with all craigslist stuff, alot of it is junk, and many posts have already been flagged for removal, but seek and ye shall find!
RE PODCASTING: And to Joanna, I LOVE podcasting! Mine are here: http://tinyurl.com/2zvwc7 - it actually takes me longer to write the script than to record it. I feel like I am back in college getting ready for an oral report or something. I actually started doing it because my main audience is SAHMs/WAHMs and they commented that they liked my ebooks and blog, but just didn’t have time to read it all. This way, they can be multitasking on the computer or folding laundry, and learning about eBay. Where are you podcasting, Joanna? I use talkshoe - visitors can listen or download for free. But then I had an idea….many don’t have speakers on their computers or for whatever reason can’t listen to the podcasts, so I make them available on CD for a nominal fee. That is working well - moms like listening to them in the car.
Enjoy the weekend!
Hi Yvonne and everyone…
That’ll teach me. This time I’m visiting for real rather than through the feed read so hopefully you’ll see my picture this time. (Actually Yvonne my last comment got gobbled - if you’ve got it please delete whichever version makes less sense!)
One of the reasons I decided to try the podcasting was talking to a few bloggers (that I read regularly) on the phone. They sounded completely different to the way they did in my head - like they didn’t have a US accent (doh!), in the same way you don’t have an Australian accent Yvonne (to me
So I thought maybe I should give people the chance to hear how I sounded too.
As Suzanne says it’s also a great format for people for don’t want to or can’t sit and read. I’m most impressed you’re sending out CDs - I think I’d need a bit of practice before I ventured that far!!
I’m wondering Suzanne if you’ve found a length that people like - or does it just depend on the subject you’re talking about?
As for how I did, well it was a bit of Heath Robinson affair with a bit of free software here and a bit of free advice there… I found a free editing software thing that was easy to use and improved the quality (and turned it into MP3) then I broadcast it with Gcast.com
You can check out my page there - sorry picture is a bit mad and it’s set to autoplay ‘cos I don’t know how to switch it off yet.
http://www.gcast.com/u/JoannaYoung/main
It was on the age of authentic conversation - what the age of conversation means for how we write, and also the spoken word versus the written word. Maybe some of you might find it of interest (she says, hesitantly).
My technical knowledge beyond that is non-existent - not even sure what a plug in is??? But I’m sure I’ll keep learning - not least from conversations like this - and I do intend to keep going with it.
An interview with a friend the other side of the world would be cool too Yvonne!
Best wishes, have a great weekend all
Joanna
Yumm! Since the calories are virtual, I’ll have a little bit of everything.
Joanna, I’ll have to go listen to your podcast. I’m sure it’s great. It will be interesting to hear. I don’t think I have the equipment to do that.
It’s been another busy week, but I just turned in a large editing assignment today. (Yeay me!) And, I don’t have to work over the weekend (except for blogging, of course).
Has anyone here tried Commission Junction? I am considering them for my OpinionMom (actually, they are the only way to be an affiliate for something I want to promote)?
Hi Yvonne and everybody. What a week. i finished a short story, one I’d been struggling with for some time, and got it to my editor who raved about it, and took out her lovely red pen anyway…I adore editors. And I mean that truly.
I’m working on a magazine article about the proliferation/legitimacy of online literary magazines and how the writing landscape is changing with the internet. I’d love to invite any fiction writers out there to consider answering one interview question (I’ll probably expand this next week in my blog);
In your experience, do print fiction literary mags and venues you’ve submitted your work to acknowledge/accept your online publication credits as worthy/valid/legitimate?
If you’d like to email me your response, or post it here, either way I’d really love to get your take. Please indicate whether you’d like to be quoted in my article.
lisa [at] designyourwritinglife [dot] com.
My thanks!
Helllo All - Don’t you love time zones? We can keep this going 24 hours per day!
Suzanne - Good going on the telecraig job and thanks for sharing that with us here. You sound like a whiz on the podcasts, and the CD’s are a great idea too.
Joanna - Great idea to do a book review as a podcast. I hopped over to listen to it. You did a great job. Which software did you use? It will be a while before I get it all under control, but I’ll let you know when I’m ready to roll. Would be fun to do an interview with you.
The WordPress plugin I’ve heard recommended is PodPress, but I’m not really sure what it does. Joanna, plugins add some extra functionality to your template when you install them. You may have seen Recent Posts, Most Popular posts etc. on some sites. That is usually generated by a plugin.
The main tip I’ve heard about podcasting is to keep a tight focus on the topic.
Laura - I used Commission Junction on another site I ran but never made the minimum amount to get a pay out. It wasn’t a blog though, so maybe with a blog being more interactive, you may have success. Having said that some people do very well, so that’s just my experience - can’t hurt to try, especially if it’s something you want to promote. Maybe you could do a review on the item as well.
Good feeling to finish a big assignment, isn’t it. Do you prefer editing or writing jobs?
Lisa - I hope some fiction writers drop in to answer your question. I’m not a fiction writer, so can’t help, sorry. Thanks for keeping us updated on your short story progress… sounds exciting…
LOL Yvonne - time zones. Don’t you know that entrepreneurs work 24/7, we are obsessive compulsive, and can’t turn our brains off? Does anyone else keep a notepad with them at ALL TIMES to jot ideas down? Sometimes I wish my brain would take a break!!!
Suzanne - Sounds like you are inside my brain. LOL. That is so true. I would be lost without my notebook. You never know when an idea will spark.
Hey, all. Sounds like everyone is doing really well, venturing out and trying new things! Good on you.
This past week went by in a blur for me. I didn´t get much writing done, I´m afraid . . . I was too busy with kids and working on my blogs (ok, I guess that counts as writing!). A few weeks ago, I did a whole bunch of magazine articles and I was supposed to be paid yesterday in my PayPal account, but nothing so far.
I was really stressing because it is a sizable chunk of cash (for me anyway), but then I just took a look at my emails from the magazines and the rep says “payment will be made the week of Sept. 20th”. So I´m not sure what that means, really. Was it this week or next? Anyway. Fingers crossed.
As for podcasting, I really admire those of you brave enough to do it! I hate the sound of my own voice. It does seem like a very good way to connect with your visitors, though, so I suppose I will try it at some point. I like Suzanne´s method, selling on cds. PS, Suzanne, still interested in writing that guest post for me?
Just trying this MyBlogLog thing out to see if my photo will show up.
Sounds like everybody has been productive. I’m impressed with those of you venturing into podcasts. That is WAY out of my comfort zone. I don’t even do well talking on the phone.
I’ve spent a lot of time this week doing a read-aloud edit with a client. I’m having to do all the reading because he is a very slow reader - he never went to school and taught himself to read and write in the restaurant business. He told me he originally wrote his entire book without a single punctuation mark! He hired someone who claimed to be an editor who added punctuation and ran spell-check. The result was a poorly-written manuscript with a lot of wrong words (some very strange) because apparently this “editor” just took the first choice spell-check offered.
But it’s a wonderful story, and I’m happy that frequently as I read, the author smiled and said how pleased he is. I was a little uncomfortable at first reading aloud (actually even doing the editing) because the book contains language I don’t use. However, we agreed we had to use historically accurate language. The n-word is used often in this story of his family’s journey from slavery through Jim Crow to assimilation in three generations.
We’ll need a few more hours next week to finish, then he’ll be working on the production aspects of self-publishing while some readers are reviewing the manuscript for feedback and comments.
Lisa, I’d love to answer your question, but I write novels, not short stories. I can tell you that many print publishers don’t usually take online credits seriously, but authors who can demonstrate good sales of e-books are taken very seriously. Several authors publish both electronically and in print, and others have successfully moved from e-publishing to print publishing.
@ Genesis - The week of the September 20th, can mean anytime during that week, although the 20th is in the middle of the week. Some larger businesses have pay cycles, and payments all go out on a certain day, so maybe that is the day they start sending out all payments?? I love PayPal, especially when more comes in than goes out.
Yes, I like Suzanne’s idea of the CD’s too… will try the podcast first though… baby steps… BTW - Can’t see your photo yet. Have you uploaded your photo to MyBlogLog?
@ Lillie - The read aloud edit sounds like it will be an interesting life story to read. Let us know when it is published. Interesting about sales of ebooks being well regarded by print publishers - makes sense really. Thanks for stopping by.
Moved to the relevant thread by Yvonne Russell
The Up and downs of Blogging have me going like a Yo Yo
Stats are Down but subscribers are UP??
Just when I get the feeling that no one is out there in web land I got two emails from folks asking for permission to link to my site?
Asking permission? We beg for links especially one way inbound links. It is great to get fan mail. One was from and electrical contractor in Boston wanting to link to me on their business website and the other was from a fellow Energy Engineer working for the Army in Virginia. He was asking to link to me as a resource for some energy saving promotion he is doing for Energy Awareness Month in October. Then I got a comment from a manufacture that I had mentioned in a post. They wanted to send me some goodies for my good words.
I guess that stas are not the only measure of success.
A down day can flip to a good day just by reading your fan email.
I’ll have some cake and a cup a tea, it is too late in the day for coffee.
Birney Summers
Birney - Great to see you here. I totally agree that there are measures of success other than stats and money. It sounds like your site is resonating with the right people. Kudos…. and goodies too! Great stuff! Enjoy the cake and a cup of tea. Have some Aussie Pavlova while you’re at it.
Hello again all
Yes I love time zones - there’s always something happening in blogland
The photo still isn’t working for me - though I am signed up with MyBlogLog. And I’m not visiting from a reader this time, honest!
It sounds like people are reaching and stretching in lots of intriguing ways…
I’m interested in the few comments about people not liking the sound of their own voice. I’d say “me too” but have tried to get myself beyond this - partly by focusing on people who might be interested to hear how I sound. It’s about the reader not us, right? In a similar way before I started blogging I said “no way” to a picture on the front of my site - because I don’t like pictures of myself, but now I’ve got used to it, and find it odd to see a blogsite without an author photo.
I think it’s all about identifying our comfort zones and then shifting ourselves out of them - it’s amazing what happens when we do!
Yvonne, thanks for the explanation re plug-ins. I use typepad so slightly different terminology I guess. There are things that they set up for us to do (quite a lot) but limits to how much we can customise for ourselves - unless go to advanced user level, which I think is beyond my technical ken.
On the software and equipment front for podcasting - I have a very cheap mike (need to upgrade) that I got for Skype originally. I found a free editor (free if you sign up for a trial of another service, but it’s not that expensive if you choose to buy it) http://www.focusmp3recorder.com/
It’s easy to add an audio file to a typepad post once it’s in mp3 format. I also changed my feedburner account to smartcasting which I think means it picks up different media (and gives a little ‘pod’ picture). And I sent it out via gcast because it was free and easy to use - you get your own page and separate feed there too for those weekly radio shows you want to broadcast to an unsuspecting world…
I’d encourage you all to give it a go - it would be great for us all to hear what we sound like, wouldn’t it??
Joanna
Hi Joanna - I hear you with the voice & pic thing and comfort zones. I agree that a photo on a site helps you connect with a “real” person, and I guess the podcast is just another way of connecting. Yes, I use WordPress, so the plugins I refer to can only be used on WordPress.
Thanks for the info about the software andpodcasting. Yes, if we all try podcasting, we could have a teleconference. That could be fun.
Moved to the relevant thread by Yvonne Russell
Good Saturday morning, everyone. Just checking in quickly. I’m away from home at a weekend conference and must dash off to a seminar soon. Checking e-mail and see there’s lots of activity here at the cafe.
Mary Emma Allen
Mary Emma - Thanks for taking the time to pop in to the Writers Cafe and say hello, when you are away from home and on your way to a seminar. We’ll save some chocolate cake for you. Hope the seminar is interesting.
I´m back, in dire need of coffee, since my boys got me up at 4 am this morning.
Looks like a few of us are having problems with the whole MyBlogLog photo thing. I did upload my pic last night, but nothing happened. Oh, well.
You´re right about the 20th being in the middle of the week, Yvonne. I just sent an email politely asking if they had received my previous one with my PayPal address and then I gave it to them again. A gentle reminder.
Anyway, moving on. I might see if I get brave enough to do a podcast next month.
Any tips on making yourself sound better? The whole accent thing is an issue, too. Mine is a bit odd since I´ve been travelling and learned Spanish . . . I´ve picked up a bit of everything!
Genesis - Does your photo appear in MyBlogLog “boxes” when you visit other sites? If it does, it should appear here. I’m not sure how it all works.
Sounds like a good way to handle the payment issue. Ah… another brave soul… keep us posted on your podcast progress. I think if you are tech savvy you can play with modulation etc. on the recording software, but I don’t think that’s important.
I think the accent thing is actually a plus. I like to hear how people sound and as it’s not the same as my accent, it’s all interesting and makes me feel I know that person a little better. Just be yourself. I look forward to hearing your first podcast. Be sure to share your tips with us when it’s done. Maybe I should do a post gathering together everyone’s experiences and tips once they’ve tried podcasting.
That´s a great idea, Yvonne. We could have a Podcasting Blog Carnival.
I agree that the accent thing could be a plus for podcasts.
Can someone else who is experienced with podcasts explain why/how some look like little videos (for example, ProBlogger) and others are just voice?
I suppose that this is the “next big thing,” so I’d better start learning it.
Joanna, how often are you going to podcast?
Hey, Genesis - yes, I’d love to do a guest post. That sort of fell thru the cracks - sorry!
Re: Podcasting - I use TALKSHOE and it functions VIA calling in by phone and having your audience call in, or participate by chat. Maybe some of you would like to lurk there during my next podcast to see how it works? As the host, you have control of who talks and when, and you can block out hecklers if they bother you, which I have had to do. I often invite other eBay sellers with expertise outside my own, but they decline participation because they don’t want to talk. So, they can text!
Speaking of talking - it is something you have to conquer if you’re going to promote your business. You can’t be on Oprah if you don’t want to talk in public! LOL I was on WAHM Talk radio this week: http://www.wahmtalkradio.com/ and next week will be doing the Show Mom The Money Show with Lesley Spencer Pyle - http://www.audio-image-makers.com/hbwm.html (scroll down to see my part). Finally, the following week, I’ll be on a talk radio show from Massachussetts discussing eBay selling. Radio and podcasts are the way to go. Hey, my voice isn’t that great - but your personality can come thru and you are more approachable as if you are a REAL person! The great thing about radio and podcasts is that you can reach a much larger audience with the same amount of effort.
Feel free to ask any questions - my email is ebaycoach@yahoo.com
Suzanne
Genesis - Are you going to host that? Sounds like a good idea.
Laura - Podcasts are just audio. Vidcasts are video plus audio.
Suzanne - Great summary. You’re certainly streets ahead of the rest of us. Thanks for being so generous with sharing your experience. You’re an inspiration.
Wow, I’ve really learned a lot about podcasting today. I’m yet to do my first one, but am thinking about it. I’ve been catching up on the 30 day challenge, thanks to this resource - http://www.webventurer.com/blog/thirty-day-challenge-3/install-this/summaries-diary-articles-and-tips-in-one-place/ - and I am looking forward to doing my first podcast soon using Pamela and Skype (I don’t yet know how it works, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon)
Hey, I see alot of you are on MYBLOGLOG. How do I get some friends over there? I look sort of lonely!
I could host a blog carnival on podcasting, if enough people are interested.
Sounds like fun. Plus, I could learn a lot!
Suzanne, looking forward to hearing from you. If I ever figure out how to use MyBlogLog, I´ll add you as a friend. lol. So far, no luck with photos. I haven´t tried other sites, though.
On another note, how many of you post ahead on your blogs? I find that I get distracted during the week so I´ve started using the weekend to write all the posts for the week to come and post them with timestamps, in Wordpress. Anyone else doing this to save time? It really leaves me free to actually write during the week. Or play with kids. Whichever sounds better at the moment!
Hi, Yvonne, Your cafe makes me look forward to my weekends. I’m afraid it’ll make an addict out of me! Thanks for the Tips. While I know I am guilty of some mentioned on the list, before the trial, I’ll try my best so the jury will absolve me because of reasonable doubt. Ooohhh, that coffe’s perking me up I feel like I’m ready to bloghop.
Happy weekend.
Princess
Ok, I did a little research and it turns out that there is actually a new podcasting carnival out there. It might be good to see how that one pans out before starting our own.
Here´s the link:
http://www.podcastfreq.com/carnival-of-podcasting-tips/
There were a few others listed, but all the links were dead one.
Hiya again - I seem to have set something off with the podcasting topic!
@ Laura - I think podcasting is used to mean audio files that are distributed via a streaming link (like an RSS feed); I don’t know what the technical term is for a video-cast - which is what Darren is doing, using a video camera (not sure if that’s streamed in its own right, or just inserted as a video?) But I’m happy to be corrected!
I’m planning to do one a week but to keep it simple - a short 4-5 minutes maybe on a ‘how to’ point - saving interviews and shows for when I’m feeling stronger! We’ll see how it goes though. It was a lot of effort to get the first one going but I’m hoping it’ll get easier with time (and as I get more used to the sound of my own voice)
Joanna
PS Hopefully the photo will work this time - remembered I’d logged out of mybloglog for a complicated reason and it’s just taken me a long time to log back in and merge my identity with a yahoo account - technology, who needs it!
Wow! This cafe is jumping today! I have learned more about podcasting by reading these comments than I ever thought I would learn, period! I feel like a dinosaur, I have never even made a video, much less a podcast. I need to come into the 21st Century.
I have been blogging, blogging, blogging, as usual, although I did pay for a monthly membership at Writer’s Market and have found a magazine I want to send a query too. I have also made a commitment to send off a couple of short stories, one to Glimmer Train and one to Contrary Magazine. So that’s something, at least.
To answer the question about the legitimacy of online publications as a credit, it really has to do with the popularity of the publication where you are published online. Many online publications garner great respect, from both other online publications and from print publications. It’s about who they are, they’re reputation.
I am going to blog about this cafe discussion. I am sure my readers will be happy to learn that there is practically podcasting 101 here!
Denise
@ Sharon - Thanks for the link to the 30 Day Challenge. Did you find it useful? I’ve heard Pamela recommended, but can’t find a free version. Amy Huang is writing a guest post on SKYPE here at Grow Your Writing Business on Monday, September 24th.
@ Suzanne - MyBlogLog is a mystery to me, so sorry I can’t help. Anyone else?
@ Genesis - Good idea to check out the “other” podcasting carnival and see how it goes. Thanks for researching that for us. I do post ahead when I can, but also change days around if something else topical comes up. You do need to keep up with replying to comments every day though, to keep things fresh, and as a courtesy to your readers.
@ Princess - Great to hear you enjoy the cafe as a regular weekend stop off. LOL re the jury. I’m sure you’re in the clear, though.
@ Joanna - The short five minute podcasts are the way to go, and that’s where I’ll start, I think. Thanks for sparking the podcasting conversation. It’s so great to share and network.
@ Denise - You’re on a roll with the short stories and with all your blogging too. Do you have a very strict writing routine to fit it all in? Thanks so much for blogging about the Writers Cafe buzz. You’re right. We have Podcasting 101 right here in this thread.
Wow. What a lot has happened since I first got here…
Denise, I’d love to talk with you about your response and get a little more info if you up to it. Didn’t see a way to contact you on your blog…
Many thanks, lisa
Lisa - I’ve let Denise know you are trying to reach her, in case she doesn’t have a chance to come back and misses your message.
Hi Yvonne just wanted to say a bit CONGRATULATIONS on your SOB award. It’s well deserved - you’ve done so much recently to make this a place for a whole community of writers, and your own writing has been - well I’d say it’s been positively jumping with energy and fun. I don’t know what you’ve been taking recently - but don’t stop! We love it!!!
Joanna
Joanna - I was absolutely thrilled to get the SOB award, as I am truly inspired by Liz Strauss. I seem to have found my niche with blogging and absolutely love it. Thanks for your encouragement. You are someone else who inspires me.
Congratulations, Yvonne! I just read this week’s list of SOB awards and hoped to be the first to congratulate … but Joanna beat me to it.
So I’ll be the second to agree that you deserve this recognition.
Lillie - That is so kind of you. I was both amazed and honored. I really appreciate your support.
Sorry I am late *again*!!! I can never seem to find the link to the new week’s cafe until just now!
Geez it’s been a long weekend of chatting! PodCasting seems to be the major topic - hmmm no experience here, and I will add myself to the list of ‘I-hate-my-voice-er’s
Oh congratulations on the SOB award! (err… wait… what’s a SOB award?)
I have been having major writer’s block again! I have been working on three short stories which I have no idea what to write about, I also have 2 uni assignments due soon, one I have to write a 4000 word researched feature article, the other is a reflection of myself as a writer… if I can’t even think of anything to write about how can I have a reflection?
Yes, I find short stories a struggle - I just have no idea where to go with them… *sigh*
Is next week’s writer’s cafe on? I might not be here - it’s a long weekend and i think we might be going camping
Hi Amy - It’s still the weekend, so you’re not late. The cafe’s open Friday-Sunday US EST time. Yes, the Writers Cafe is on every weekend. If you go to the home page - http://www.growyourwritingbusiness.com, it will always be the latest post during the weekend. I’m experimenting with posting on Friday and not posting anything else till Sunday night or early Monday, to make it easier to find.
Re the SOB Award - SOB stands for Successful & Outstanding Blogger…. aww shucks.. he he..
LOL re your reflection dilemma… sounds like you have a lot going on writing wise.
I’m looking forward to reading your guest post on Skype on Tuesday, Amy. Enjoy your camping break.
Hi everyone. I am a brand new blogger and still trying to figure myself out. My thoughts are I want to have my blog me a spot where women relate with women about all those things we relate about!! (I think I will need to write just a bit more cohesively than that though!!) Anyway, I am always looking for information and tips and ideas and this seems like a great place to check all this out. I am looking forward to getting to know you all!
Keltrehai - Welcome to blogging and to Grow Your Writing Business. If you dig back through the Key Articles (link at top right), I’m sure you’ll find some helpful posts on blogging.
If you have any questions or just want to meet some other wirters, The Writers Cafe is a great place to hang out at the end of the week - open every Friday to Sunday. I look forward to your next visit. Feel free to ask about anything you’d like help with, or just come along to chat.
This week I am celebrating being upgraded to “Platinum” expert author on EzineArticles.com Sounds like a shinny achievement huh.
It just means that I read their rules before I started submitting articles to their site. It has been a fairly good source of incoming links to my blog. I suggest it for folks who write and want another place place to publish.
Their readers seen to be more interested in a deeper level of information.
Some where I read that you really are not a writer until you have had at least 100,000 words published. By finding more places beside my blog and on the job writing I am now at about 70,000. But why would anyone count? I am fighting my engineer/manager instincts to avoid graphing it.
Energy Boomer
Sep 22nd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
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