Book Blogger Appreciation Week

September 14-18 is Book Blogger Appreciation Week. So, today, I’m all about blog introspection. Is it doing what it’s supposed to be doing? Well… since a blog is basically a journal, and a person can blather on about anything their heart desires in a journal as long as they do it with some kind of regularity, then okay, I fulfill the general rule. I blather on—I mean BLOG—about topics at least once a week if not more frequently.

To go into a little more detail, a blog is an online journal, meaning you’re posting it on the WORLD wide web, so anyone and their dog can read what you’re saying. Throwing the whole world into the mix makes you want to put a little more purpose and possibly discretion into what you say. It’s not quite “anything goes” anymore. And you’re not so much generalized as you are specific about what you’re saying. Be the goal writing, politics, business, family, cooking…whatever... you narrow a blog down to a main theme.

Goals, purpose, theme, discretion? Bluck. But I just wanted to write a simple blog, for crying out loud. I didn’t know it could be so complicated.

But, honestly, it’s only as complicated as you want to make it. Since I like to keep things simple (a college professor of mine was big on the KISS principle: Keep it Simple Stupid. It’s stuck with me ever since), I just want to make sure I give my reader base what they come looking for. So, I ask myself: who the heck is my reader base?

I’ve come up with three groups of people for that answer: 1)Other writers, 2)Other readers, and 3)Friends and family.

For fellow writers, I like to post about the trials and joys of writing and muddling our way through the publishing world, whether a person be published or unpublished. For fellow readers, I post reviews and book discussions. I also hold contests to win books and provide the occasional excerpt or update about my own stories. For friends and family, I’ll pop in every once in a while with news about what’s going on in my life. Of course, readers and writers can also listen in there to learn a little more about me and discover where I come up with some of my insane ideas.

So, to re-cap: I post at least once a week and my most specific purpose here is to blog about books and my life… or hey, “My life with books.” I suppose I accomplish the main goal. But can I do it better? Yikes, new introspection! Time to turn the tables.

All suggestions are welcome now. What are some things you guys like reading best in a blog… in anyone’s blog? Personally, I’d like to be able to announce, “Hey, I sold another book today!” more often than the one time I have. But, sigh, not happening.

I’d also like to interview more authors and learn who’s out there writing stories these days. And, oh man, I’ve become obsessed with reading Linda LaRoque’s blog for the recipes she posts. The woman can up with some yummy dishes, let me tell you. Nancy J. Parra can always make me feel like I’m visiting a different place when she describes the view outside her window. And Jackie Bannon never fails to make me laugh on her blog.

So, don’t be shy now… spill all. What do you like best about reading blogs? Why do you keep going back for more?

Happy Labor Day Weekend

My crazy college town is at it again. But this time, they sucked me into the enthusiasm. Last week it was "Paint the Town Red." To celebrate the first home football game of the year, businesses around the city painted everything red and yellow (the school colors--or if you want to be PSU correct, the colors would be "crimson and gold"). Trees were wrapped with red cloth. Red balloons were tied to poles. And windows were painted with Gus, our gorilla mascot.

This week, it being Labor Day Weekend and the town's Little Balkan's Days, the place is even busier with activity. And I, quite by accident, won Skybox tickets to the second home game of the year. So, right about now, I'm painting myself red and entering Gus's Jungle to watch Pitt State play Chadron State. I hear they have a buffet of finger foods, private bathrooms, and comfortable inside seating in their luxury skyboxes (perfect for a pregnant woman, huh?). This'll be the first time I attended a game since they installed their Jumbotron score board too, so I'm counting on being thoroughly entertained.

It'll be a new experience anyway. And, hey, maybe I'll glean an idea for a new story from the day. We'll see! I hope you all enjoy your Labor Day Weekend.

I'm a Star!

I feel like such a braggart, but I can't help it. It's exciting to see your book title out there. So I gotta share.

The Stillburrow Crush was mentioned in :

1. The Climbing Rose of the Wild Rose Press Blog : September 1, 2009 Blog

2. The Climbing Rose of the Wild Rose Press Blog : August 27, 2009 Blog

3. The Publishers Weekly 2010 Sneak Previews (we're way at the bottom under the WILD ROSE PRESS/CLIMBING ROSE listing - posted 7/20/09)

and I think I told y'all about this one but,
4.OPWFT (Old People Writing for Teens) Blog : July 1, 2009 Blog

Okay, I'm done bragging. But I'm still excited. Wow.