You know that I love to read and share other people’s work and I am low on links. If you’ve got something interesting you would like others to share with others, do add your links through this link.
Have a peaceful and blessed week.
Jacqueline
Tag: Blogging
Getting To Know Beautiful, Graceful Yvette Aka ETTA D
I am glad that Etta honoured my request to interview her. I admire her personality and her blog is one of those that never fails to offer me inspiration that picks me up.
A Bit About Me
My name is Yvette, creator of the “SimplyEtta D” blog.
This is the difficult part, I find so easy to speak about other things, however, it’s not so easy speaking about myself but I’ll do my best. I’m a West Indian living in Central Scotland, The Forth Valley to be exact! My family and I moved here three years ago in search of adventure and a new beginning. I’ve always wanted to live in another country, to immerse my children in a culture that was different than our own. We had previously traveled around Europe and fell in love with many of the cities we visited I guess you can say this became the impetus for our move.
My general outlook on life is to live in the moment enjoying life in the now and letting tomorrow take care of itself. This doesn’t mean that I live recklessly; of course, I prepare for the future but don’t spend my days trying to live it before it arrives.
I’m what you would call a career student, after leaving High School I went on to college to study IT. After not being able to land a job in the field I returned to college to study Business and have been progressively upgrading and enhancing my skills as the landscape for the way businesses are conducted changes with each new concept. After spending years working in the Diplomatic Corps, I’m quite comfortable working with the local council in strategy and customer service. It gives me the flexibility needed to explore Scotland, Write and spend quality time with my family. I think we all are career students, isn’t that what life is all about? Learning as much as you can for as long as you can, no matter what field you’re in.
Tidbits About My Blog
As a suggestion from a friend of my in my writing group, I actually started my blog to improve my writing skills; it took me a few years after signing up with blogger to jump over to WordPress. Even then it took me a while to get started, I had to first decide on
1. What I wanted to convey in my blog and
2. A Name for my blog.
Once those were decided it was easy for me to decide on the direction I wanted to take. I would describe my blog as a haven for lifting the spirit when people visit my blog I want them to leave feeling better than they did before their visit. I truly believe that our thoughts can change our life, I know there are hundreds blogs and websites on self-improvement, motivation, inspiration, metaphysics etc., out there but I don’t own those blogs and that’s what makes mine unique. It’s an expression of me. My experiences through reading, the people I meet and my outlook on life.
Here are a few links you might find interesting:
Top Blogs
Special Interest
Inspirational Insights
My Thoughts About Blogging
I find the blogging phenomenon just that, a phenomenon that’s taken the world by storm. I don’t think it’s a fad for one thing. Blogging is here to stay; I think it will continue to evolve the way it has been doing over the years. Blogging has come from being an online diary to rival the popularity of social media because now there’s more interaction, more content and more in-depth dialogue between the blogger and the audience across the spectrum and I love it!
Keeping Motivated
Honestly, it’s hard to keep motivated, sometimes even scary when you know there are people out there who are waiting to read what your next post. I’ve thought a few times of just calling it quits and walking away from my blog due to fear of disappointing my followers through lack of or poor content which is why I choose to blog three instead of the five days per week. It gives more allowances research my subjects and creates more substantial content. I’d rather have a less frequent posting with more substance than posting every day with not substance. For me it’s not about filling my site with blogs, it’s about adding content that won’t bore and people will be happy to come back to again and again.
Blogging Challenges
I want to say getting more of my followers to engage in my blogs. But I don’t really see that as a challenge. I would say coming up with a title for my blog! I mean I write a blog, and then I’m stuck for the next 30 minutes on coming up with a heading that’s not only eye-catching but also ties in with my blog. I also suffer from writer’s block. I always jot down my key points, pull my ideas together and project that so it makes sense is more difficult than it seems.
A Word To Others
Yes!! Most definitely blog!! It will expand your thought. The way I see it certain aspects of your life that may not seem interesting to you could spark a following from others, there are people out there who can benefit from your experiences and what you have to say. The beauty of the Internet is, if you’re a shy writer it gives anonymity. Just be honest in your intent and write about what you know, don’t try to be someone else or live on someone else’s experience.
A Day With Me
I’m an early riser and a night owl. My typical day can begin as early as 5:00 am. Two weeks ago I started drinking coffee again, the first time in about 30 years and found it gave me that extra kick. So after a cup of brew, it’s playtime with Mitzy, then setting breakfast out if it’s a workday, on weekends it’s usually a late brunch. Workday I’m off to work. Weekends or days I’m off, I spend writing, visiting fellow bloggers and researching new information for my blog and book. I also enjoy volunteering which I manage to squeeze into my schedule. That’s just a typical my life is more exciting, I promise!
Looking Forward
I would say the next evolution of my blog is to be published either outsourced or self-published and I’ve found a lot of ideas on how to do this. But it all takes planning and lots of related content, right now my blogs is bits and pieces of everything. Another avenue I’m interested in is networking through guest post or supplement pieces for larger sites or online magazines, I did a weekly, years ago, for a supplemental that was printed by a local newspaper back home.
In closing, I’d like to thank my followers for their continued support and interest in what I have to say. Big thank you to Jacqueline for her interest and inviting me to do this interview for her ever expanding, ever evolving blog.
QUIT WORRYING OVER LOSING SUBSCRIBERS
What’s Your Reaction To Losing Subscribers?
Are you one of those who spends days in angst wondering why a subscriber unsubscribed or do you shrug, smile and move on?
One of the common challenges that bloggers face is losing subscribers. Naturally, our goal is to gain subscribers, to keep them, and not to lose them and when we do lose subscribers we may feel inclined to know why.
I remember my earlier days of blogging when it seemed as though my eyes were permanently glued to the subscription stats and watching it go up and down was not the better part of how I spent my days. I learned that my focus is better spent on developing my blogging skills, networking to the best of my ability and worrying less about every Harry and Jane that left the scene.
I will categorically tell you that you shouldn’t over think subscribers choosing to stop receiving your updates or following you because worrying over it is not worth the sweat. Instead, concentrate on gaining new readers/subscribers who would stick with your random blather.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Worry… Read more
Don’t Quit Your Blog! Just Tweak it.
Is Your Blog in A Rut? Don’t Your Quit Blog.
No one told you that it would be a slow climb of grits, cramped fingers and the snail pace attention from your expected dream audience.
No one told you that finding fame or making money from blogging is not easy pickings and that there are many days the thrill would fizzle out faster than the time it took the ink of your words to dry.
No one told you when you started blogging, all awash with excitement and so much to say, that time might come when you find yourself writing terse sentences such as:
Sorry I haven’t posted for AGES, guys.
Don’t know what to say….blah, blah.
If you are contemplating tossing in your paddle and jumping out of the choppy waters of your blogging boat; I would say, halt!
As a matter of fact, according to online research, most bloggers struggle and 95% of bloggers give up and abandon their blogs within six months of starting.
They open a blog, post with enough enthusiasm to keep a steam engine running for a while, then they either find a niche and a particular way of expressing themselves, or they run out of steam, lose heart and walk away.
The highway of the huge worldwide web is dotted with blogs abandoned by their owners and sometimes, it gives one a reason to pause and ponder why.
- A common reason beginner bloggers give up is because they become frustrated by the technical side of things. They find customizing their blogs tedious and coupled with other stress factors, they pack up their bags and leave the scene.
- Following quickly behind this is the fast-moving, ever-evolving world of social media that requires tons of attention to grow and engage an audience.
- The toll from trying to grow a blog in the sea of blogs is the number one reason why bloggers quit.
- Running out of ideas on what to blog about, not knowing what to do about their blog and a hectic lifestyle add themselves to the steamy cocktail to make it more challenging.
Don’t Become A Statistic
We all want a successful blog, but the difference between success and failure lies in doing the needful to succeed.
Success in general, regardless of the area it is in life, requires dogged discipline and consistency. It requires applying the right strategies and sticking with it for the long haul. People don’t become successful by giving up too soon.
I know that there’s a huge difference between saying “be patient and keep going”, and the reality, but with a pragmatic approach, your blog can survive and thrive. It need not become a statistic.
Methodical Approach – read more here…
Building Better Connections – Blog Bytes
Building Better Connections
To build better connections for your blog, it’s far more expedient to spend a little time a day to read and comment on several blogs that you follow, than going through hundreds of them leaving your likes and Gravatar on a consistent basis like a sticker.
Your comments leave a more valid impression behind. It’s a painstaking and time-consuming affair, but worthwhile in the long-term.
Remember that people follow people – they essentially follow the perceived personality behind the blog, even when the blogger is anonymous – and not necessarily the website. It’s the connections that form the backbone of your blog and those few minutes spent commenting builds a bridge to networking.
Networking
Networking means doing a whole gamut of things that I have written about here before such as; Read More…
What’s Your Blogging Purpose?
What’s your blog’s purpose?
Can you explain the purpose of your blog in two split seconds? You must wonder why I ask this question?
Except you are blogging incognito, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if people ask you what your blog is all about when you introduce it to them.
The last thing you want is to do is to mumble garbled thoughts that leave them wondering if your orange juice is spiked.
Your intention is to sound brilliant, concise, engaging and with a twinkle in your eyes when you speak about your blogging passion. Your little snippet should make them want to visit and capture some of your magical dust 😉
People have various reasons for blogging; from blogging for personal pleasure to blogging for business reasons.
With my tongue in my cheek, I dare to point out that if you are blogging just for your personal pleasure and entertainment then you should probably skip this post.
However, if per chance you are trying to engage others with your content, then it’s time to take a deep breath and ponder on your purpose for a few minutes. Read More…
Taking Off On A Trip…
I am on a short trip to Lagos, Nigeria. 5 days or thereabouts.
Flight from DXB to LOS (Dubai to Lagos) is about 8 hours plus.
Just in case I’m unable to log into my blog, I set a couple of posts to publish (if WordPress behaves itself).
However, if I can log into my blog during my trip, I will surely do my thing. This blogging is an elixir of sorts you know.
Don’t miss me too much 😉
Love and Light
Jacqueline
Things that make blogging dreary. Yeah! I said that
To Blog or To Wash
There are day’s that I equate blogging with the boring class of washing dishes or clothes. These two are not my favourite house chores and I am yet to meet anyone who’s ecstatic about them.
Why no good fellow has thought it wise to create an elegant and smart gadget that removes the clothes after a wash, irons, folds them and puts them away nicely is a question that I ask from time to time. Now that’s a good manufacturing idea for someone to tinker around with.
You might wonder why I put blogging in the same group with housework. Okay, it’s not every day that blogging falls into that status, there are days that I do find it exciting, especially when I feel my brain cells swell with knowledge, however, here are my reasons.
Getting To Know Beautiful Carol
Carol, you are a sweet positive minded soul that I’ve been fortunate to connect with in this place. I would like to thank you for all your support, for your beautiful posts infused with wisdom and love. It’s been a pleasure relating with you.
A Bit About Me
My name is Carol and I am the eldest of seven children. My parents came from the West Indies but I am a UK citizen. Now I’m grateful to God that I live in a democratic country with a stable economy. I appreciate the blessing of being able to worship Him freely, without fear of persecution. I do however wish I lived somewhere more exciting, somewhere exotic, with palm trees, blue skies, balmy seas, and some sunshine. Lots of sunshine! Alas, I must settle instead for the boring gray skies of London.
Now if you saw me with my family and loved ones, particularly at celebrations, you’d probably find me at my most bubbly and jocular. My default nature, however, is quite shy and introverted. I do love to play practical jokes. Many times, I’ve left a non-food item in a biscuit packet, to be discovered by my peckish husband. I smile as I write this because there was a recent incident when I went to help myself to what I thought was the last piece of cake, only to discover that the box held a small onion. Yep! He played me at my own game!
I suppose I’m really a loner and enjoy solitary pastimes such as reading, writing, gardening and brain-training. I also love to travel (sunny climes only) and have enjoyed some wonderful holidays abroad.
Accomplishments
Looking back at my life, the achievements of which I’m most proud are:
- Attending university as a mature student and obtaining my Honours degree in English (literature).
- Spending approximately 5-6 years as a volunteer editor for a Christian Women’s magazine and overseeing the production of some rather wonderful issues. In fact, the very first one I’d produced as lead editor was said to have been one of the very best in the magazine’s history!
- Faithfully serving my dearly beloved mother before she passed away in September last year.
Now, this last achievement would perhaps not be meaningful to anyone else but I am proud to have been there for my mother. I loved Mum to bits and miss her so much (Father God, give her a hug for me please).
I am quite handy with a sewing machine, having been taught dressmaking (exceedingly well), by my mother. When I became unemployed, I started making clothes to order, as well as a few bridesmaids and wedding dresses. This was fine when I lived at home but when I moved out, I couldn’t survive on the income (or lack of it!). And this reminds me of yet another achievement I’m very proud of—I made my own wedding dress.
Work Life
I work for a Human Rights charity that provides support and holistic services to victims of torture. I am an administrator within a team that produces forensic reports for lawyers. These reports assist the victims with their asylum claims.
The statements of torture survivors and the medico-legal reports our doctors prepare, documenting evidence of torture, make for distressing reading. I’ve never really had the stomach for boxing, wrestling, and gratuitously violent films but since working for this charity, I absolutely cannot bear watching these types of entertainment.
After a day at the office, I usually need a dose of comedy to end my evenings. My DVD box set of Friends (a present from my dear hubby), supplies this fix. I have to admit that I’ve become hopelessly addicted!
Why Blog?
Would you believe, I had absolutely no intention of becoming a blogger, or jumping on the social media bandwagon? Negative media coverage about trolls etc convinced me to stay away from all that jazz. Besides, the idea of making virtual friends seemed laughable to me. The only nod I’d made to this was to sign up at LinkedIn. After all, it was a professional site, so that’s ok, right? I set up my profile but that was basically it. I didn’t join any groups. Didn’t really try to grow my network. Boy, was I foolish!
And if anyone had told me approx 15 months ago that I’d become a blogger, I’d never have believed. And yet here I am. The owner of not just one blog but two!
So what caused this change of heart? It was a need to do something for myself. For years and years and years, I’d cherished a dream of becoming a writer. I loved to write and felt I had a gift. And for quite some time, I’d begun to feel like the character in the Bible, who instead of using his talent had buried it.
As already mentioned, I was a part-time carer for my mother and a full-time employee. I felt my life was slipping by, my time being largely taken up with meeting the needs or demands of others. I was desperate to do something for myself. The only slightly redeeming factor in this scenario, was that over many years I’d been working little by little on a writing project and was close to completing it.
I’d always had a desire to reach out to and encourage women, and believed God’s purpose for my life lay in this direction. Yet I’d done practically nothing about this. A series of incidents made me realize I had to begin doing something now, or else I could find myself standing before my Maker feeling thoroughly ashamed for wasting the gift I’d been given, for failing to pursue my purpose. I couldn’t afford to waste any more time waiting for circumstances to be ideal.
So, having finally completed my draft manuscript and researched how to self-publish, I discovered that I needed a market. The horror of horrors, experts advised blogging and social media—the very things at which I’d turned up my nose!
I began thinking. How many times have I agonized over the fact that I wasn’t writing regularly? And how many times was I beating myself up for not moving in the direction of my purpose? Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me, why not make my own opportunities? Why not start blogging and use this medium as a way to address my two issues of concern? Why not sow this small seed and see how the Lord uses it and watch where it takes me? So here I am!
Now if you are interested in reading how I came to choose the names for my two blogs, you may do so here: https://apurposedrivenachiever.wordpress.com/2016/12/21/whats-in-a-name/.
Blogging – takes hard work and commitment!
What motivates me to continue with blogging? Several things. A desire to improve as a writer. Not wanting to let down my followers and visitors. My need to build a platform. Then of course, there are my reasons for starting to blog in the first place.
Would I recommend blogging? Absolutely! However, make sure your motive for starting one is not just about numbers and popularity, else you may not last. Make sure you have a passion that drives you otherwise you will not only run out of ideas but also out of steam. And pace yourself. Work out what schedule you can comfortably maintain and don’t feel you need to copy the posting frequency of others. Try to strike a balance between your blogging duties and your personal life. Blogging is addictive and if you let it, can take over your entire life.
Because of my perfectionist leanings and because life sometimes gets in the way, I don’t post as regularly, as I would like. That’s why I appreciate all readers who honour me with their visits. I particularly appreciate those who leave their comments and likes, since I do work hard and spend a lot of time preparing my posts and these are the only form of feedback I receive.
As previously mentioned, I have two blogs: A Purpose-driven achiever and Women of Warfare! It’s difficult to pick out my favourite posts. The two which I feel will appeal most to creative writers/readers of Jacqueline’s blog are: https://apurposedrivenachiever.wordpress.com/2016/08/25/quit-comparing/
and https://womenofwarfare.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/did-you/.
For encouragement during difficult times try reading this inspirational post: https://womenofwarfare.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/im-still-standing/.
Or, if you are looking for motivation to pursue your dreams then the following post may be of interest: https://apurposedrivenachiever.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/unlock-your-potential/
I hope you have enjoyed reading this interview and trust the above posts will whet your appetite to explore my blogs further.
Thank you for honouring me with your precious time and thank you dear Jacqueline, for including me amongst your blogger associates and for granting me the opportunity of this guest interview. My first one! Yay!
Getting to know Ellen
Call me nosy, but I certainly enjoy getting to know my fellow bloggers in this community. That’s what we are ‘a community.’
Let’s hang out with Ellen today. Thank you Ellen for allowing my intrusion 🙂
A Bit About Me
My name is Ellen, I am married we have four fully formed huge children, three from me and one from he. Best beloved and I moved to the west country four years ago, giving the four children, four grandchildren, my Mother and two sisters and friends the opportunity to visit us, enjoy where we live…we are near the coast. We took very early retirement giving me the opportunity to be the wordy bird I am today, and to travel the world having adventures with the aforementioned best beloved.
I am often referred to as a bit of a loon or bonkers… but then the best people often are; so said Alice *smiles*. I am full of fun, a morning person who leaps up and attacks everything with vigour… (By everything I don’t mean ironing and mundane chores) I sing frequently though very badly, I talk continually unless writing reading or sleeping…. uh! I take that back because I am informed I talk whilst sleeping too. I can be heard saying “I am not a crafty or cutty sewey person” Make no mistake I can turn my hand to most things, except… * gives a filthy look* knitting; but unless I truly need to make or mend something I won’t.
Once someone described me very rudely as being like a psycho Tigger on crack! I live every day being the best me I can and am grateful for the life we have. My philosophy in life is to be the kindest person I can be and actively do one good thing; without recognition every day; if each of us did the world would be a nicer place.
Me and My Blog
My blog came about by realizing that publishing had changed and any writer would be expected to do some social media stuff; of which I was pretty rubbish at and still am learning today. I have never exposed my blog to family, though close friends and family know I have one. I want to be able to know that the followers, connections made and commenters are people who chose to do so because they have an opinion on the things I write and the way I write; not family and friends who may feel they have to. I believe you can also buy followers on twitter too, this isn’t for me and my bloody-mindedness probably shows in my figures; but at least I am true to myself and my work.
My blog is that of a writer experimenting with genres and form. Visitors should be prepared to not be prepared…not to presume what my response will be to a prompt or a flash fiction. My poetry takes hold and sometimes I hear things in rhyme so answer that way. In life, I learned to deliver a tongue in cheek response, so I often find the most difficult of things easy to lay out in a poem, rap or a rhyme.
In my blog, between the lines squirreled away… are pieces of me. Amongst the words, plaited neatly in, I can be found. Hidden but on show, where no one can see; is my story. We all call on past experiences to form and fill in, but I am hiding me in full view and who knows maybe that is what enables me to write.
How I keep motivated and the blog going.
Now, Jaqueline, that is a question,
I struggle when we go away which is often off grid, but as a norm, I try to have a couple of posts ready in the wings. Often we can pick up some internet when food shopping, enough to send the odd scheduled post, but I do feel guilty sometimes if I haven’t been posting.
If your readers look at my about page you will see that my blog is how I take a break from editing my novel or working on a piece for a competition. Perverse I know “She is procrastinating from writing… by writing”
I pick up prompts and experiment with genres. Each prompt is taken as a gauntlet thrown down; a personal challenge as if the blogger is saying “go on then give this a go… if you dare”. Jane Dougherty is one who challenges me often and will say something like “go on make it nasty” and the prompt will be a picture from an innocent fairytale. Here’s one I made earlier as they say. WARNING! Expect gore. https://ellenbest24.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/microfictionchallenge26/
Here is a link to Jane’s blog if your visitors want to read some skilled writing.
https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/ and as you know Jackie… can I call you Jackie? I feel we know each other well enough. As I was saying there is a host of prompters yourself included, Sue Vincent, The Friday fictioneers, I dip in and out of them often to be inspired and motivated.
Occasionally I will review a book or put some music on my blog just because I enjoy showing the things that I like. I probably should be more uniform as most others are but I like to be different unique I say.
My Challenge As A Writer
As a person who writes my biggest challenge has been and maybe always will be; self-belief.
My Word To Others
Yes, I hope just being here does just that. As long as you are writing first to please yourself everything else is a bonus. If photography is your thing or crafting, cooking whatever it is, just write it, compile it for you; if it is good enough for you then post it.
It is great for the brain and you virtually meet some wonderful bloggers and can read until your heart is content. I get disheartened when I comment on blogs but don’t get the comments or follows returned. I see comments as my wages, payment for my words, my imaginations; I feel it is respectful to leave something, so they know you enjoyed their work or the post you have read; commenting should be compulsory.
Spend The Day With Me
I get up about 5.30/6 am to wash and mostly pull on clean PJ’s well who wants clothes at that time. I drink lemon and water; a pint hydrates me and flushes toxins; I have practiced this for years. Then I make a cup of tea (probably three) and go to work on my WIP; upstairs in my office come spare room. I will work for probably four hours then go downstairs to check emails on my tablet. Next, I respond to any comments on my blog then go to the reader on WordPress. I list if there are any prompts that I want to participate in and take my notebook and pencil/pen to the kitchen. The kitchen is where I kick off any footwear and warm my feet on the under floor heating, I eat my yummy homemade muesli and of course more tea, I brew the bed monster his coffee. After housework (we have to show willing) depending on where I am writing wise, I either go back to the office or take the laptop down to the living room to continue. I will sometimes keep at it well into the night but on Other days a morning of writing enough. A friend calls by three mornings a week and we tramp through fields and over styles, laugh and be fools for six or seven miles then I come home and flop in a bubble bath to recuperate.
We go away a lot and writing comes too, along with our bikes (another story for another day) the motor home a trailer with Alfie on top.
Looking To Tomorrow
I am editing my manuscript at the moment and will be seeking an agent in the near future. Thank you for letting me blether away but you were warned I can talk.
a cooking pot and twisted tales 