Roadblocks and Why I Prefer to Blog Instead of Writing My Book

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.netFreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is no doubt about it: I LOVE blogging. And writing. Reading, too. And basically anything that involves words, including doing crosswords and playing Scrabble. But I really, really love blogging.

In fact, I prefer it to writing my book because of the emotional pain I avoid. This is my biggest roadblock to writing. It’s not that I can’t write (I totally can!) but that I’ve been choosing not to.

I’m specifically alluding to my memoir book (still untitled) that I’ve started but have been ignoring for the past while; a few months, actually. I’m almost at the point where I don’t think I’ll ever finish it. It’s currently at about 15 000 words. How can I finish it when I don’t put forth the effort?

Now, for all you writers out there, this may seem like an old familiar story. For me, it’s usually not; I generally like to get things done. (Well, most of the time, I do.)

When it comes to writing lengthy pieces, we often feel like we’re facing a brick wall. Yet bloggers crank out thousands of words on a weekly basis. So why aren’t we writing and publishing books? Especially in today’s new self-publishing age? Read More

Alexa Rankings, Readership Stats, and My 1st Year Blogoversary!

one year blogging badge

Surprise! Yes, you’ve just been invited to my surprise party! I’m posting today to “seize the moment” and to celebrate my blogoversary. Happy 1st Blogoversary to me!

YAY!!! I’m so excited! So excited, in fact, that I:

  • created my first year blogging badge using PicMonkey. Like it? 🙂 If you want one like mine, let me know. I’ll see what I can do for you. 😉 (Just shoot me comment or an email. I can customize yours just for you!)
  • am going ahead with a newsletter
  • gave my blog a bit of a face-lift
  • am seriously considering to moving to my own site
  • couldn’t wait until Friday to post this!

I’m also feeling better from my recent surgery, too (sort of), so to kick off “the new me,” I’ve assembled a post I have been looking forward to doing for a while, even though blogging was the furthest thing from my mind the last couple of weeks.

Did you notice the NEW!!! widget yet? 😉

I hope so, and I hope you’re all signing up for it. I’m not making any promises here, but I do plan on giving away a few copies of my ebook, 20 Blog Post Must-Haves, which received a great review on Social Media Just For Writers. Given that I have not actively been trying to market this book, I’m happy it’s becoming a bit more known. I also plan on giving away some copies of my upcoming ebooks, too, so if you’re interested in those, make sure you sign up for my newsletter, as these opportunities are only going to be available to my subscribers, who will always get the “inside” scoop on things!

And thanks to Jeri, one of my comrades, for writing a great guest post on Molly Greene’s blog about Mailchimp. 😉

Hey. All this is getting me sidetracked. Uh, er, um . . . where was I? Oh yeah. Rejoicing! 😉

Happy ‘one year’ to me, happy ‘one year’ to me, happy ‘one year,’ happy ‘one year,’ happy’ one year’ to me!

Ok. I know I cannot sing. Sorry about that. 😉

Movin’ on.

Now that I’m now one year plus into blogging, I figured I’d reveal some stats to celebrate my one year blogoversary. You know, I can still remember the first time I got comments on this blog – what an amazing rush that was! (Confession: I still get a rush when I get them! I LOVE comments!)

Back in January of 2013, I began this blog. Mistakenly, I was under the impression that no one would want to read my posts and that I would essentially be keeping an online journal. How wrong I was! As it turns out, there are quite a few people in this world who care about what I have to say (sometimes!) and with all the guest posting I’ve been doing, I’ve been gaining readers each month, too. This makes my heart light and happy. 😀 Read More

When Do Bloggers Go On Vacation? I Need One! Do You?

Proof of 6 scheduled posts!

Today’s true tale addresses the question: When do bloggers go on vacation? This is a great question, and one I attempted to answer one day, after having six posts scheduled, which is like having three weeks off, I suppose, considering I post twice a week.

I’ll admit that I started writing this post a while ago. I didn’t finish it until a couple of days ago, though. Read More

Adding Links to Your Blog Posts + Accepting Awards MADE EASY! (Video Tutorial)

Before I get to today’s post, which is mainly of a video of how to add links to your blog posts, which I made using a free screen recorder called Camstudio, I have to announce the two winners of the paranormal giveaway that ran on my blog from November 1st to the 22nd. The lucky commenter who also tweeted about it is (drumroll, please…) Diana Marinova! She has already received her copy of Donna Jean McDunn’s Nightmares. The winner of Donna’s giveaway is Sherri Matthews. Congratulations, winners, and a big “thank-you” to all who participated!

FYI, my blog is currently running another giveaway (update: this is now closed) but the type of book being awarded to the winner is, admittedly, not to everyone’s liking since it is a male/male erotic romance. If you want to read a good story about  the love between two people and perseverance in the face of adversity, then Memory’s Prisoner is the book you should read. I’ve read it, and have already posted this review to Goodreads:

Although Memory’s Prisoner falls under the genre of male erotic romance, the story the author tells is one of perseverance. When an unfortunate incident renders both of the main characters helpless and in the hospital (one in a coma), the plot thickens, and this tale takes on an air of suspense. It is interesting to see how the lives (and health) of the characters are changed forever. Without giving away the ending, I will say that I think that this book is one that may earmark a new future for the writer. 

Now, let’s get down to business, shall we?

Remember when you were a new blogger?

Do you recall some of the struggles you had?

Were you ever intimidated by other bloggers? Did you constantly compare yourself to them?

Did you love, love, love getting nominated for your first award? Did you go into a panic because you didn’t know what to do? Or are you still a new blogger with questions? Read More