Tara of Tara Sparling writes is an established writer and award-winning blogger from Ireland.
From her About pages:
Tara writes fiction and screenplays. Originally from the west of Ireland, she now lives in Dublin. She spends all of her spare time with words. The writing of them and the reading of them…
…This blog offers a reader’s perspective on traditional and indie/self-publishing, book sales and genre trends, writing and publishing follies, marketing tips, author success stories and spectacular failures.
Tara raises an excellent point in this post from June, a topic I have also blogged about. Check it out:
Andrea Stephensonis a gifted writer who shares her inspirations on her blogHarvesting Hecate.
From her About page, A Creative Life:
“My first writing memory dates back to when I was around 8 years old and feverishly re-writing the Nancy Drew novel I’d just read. Once I began writing, I didn’t stop. I wrote stories, the beginnings of novels, journals. Writing was a compulsion, something I felt I had to do.”
I chose the following post of Andrea’s to help illustrate an emotion I too am feeling as of late: mourning for the story that has ended and for the characters that became part of your daily life, as well as the struggle writers experience in finding the thread of a new story. When you read her colourful prose, you may also be moved to click the follow button.
There are all sorts of good-byes in this world. This past weekend, a blogger friend of mine had to say good-bye to one of her dear little cats, and everyone who knows me at all knows what cats mean to me. I feel your grief, Lois!
And you might think when another blogger friend decides to no longer continue with her blog that it wouldn’t be a very big deal, but to me, it is. A virtual, cyber relationship can be meaningful, especially when it is a relationship that has gone on for a while and you have supported each other in ways other people can’t. She will be missed. 😦
But I am richer for having known her. As a writer, I understand why she needs to do this. And we will still be in touch on Twitter (though that isn’t the same!)
I wish all the best for you, C.R., in your writing career and everything you do.
Fellow author Lisa D. Montanino from Accidental Bohemian interviewed me a few weeks back, and yesterday she shared it on her blog. To access, click the link at the end of this post. A huge and appreciative thank you, Lisa!
I couldn’t resist snapping these photos yesterday. Yes, I fully confess it felt special, and a little surreal, to see my new books hanging out with other books at my house.
dedication 🙂
FYI: Next week I will return to my usual blogging content of photography, the adventures of Maisie & Vivian, general writing and poetry, and everything Newfoundland. Sincere thanks to those of you who did patiently bear with me through my book’s release.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone. ❤
“Weekends don’t count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.” ~Bill Watterson
Barbara Vitelli is a book reviewer and bloggerat Book Club Momhere on WordPress. She also shares author interviews, indie author profiles and blogging advice.
In addition to all of that, Barbara is a book-clubber, an avid reviewer on GoodReads, and she has over five thousand followers on Twitter.
I chose the following post from her lovely blog, not because it is her most recent, but because I appreciate that she reviews the well-loved classics by famous authors as well as newer selections by current and lesser-known authors.
Pamela Wight is one of the many authors I follow here on WordPress. She writes the blog, Rough Wighting: “Life in a flash – a weekly blog on daily living.”
I enjoy her stories and her engaging writing style.
In Pam’s own words:
“I write because I love the written word…This blog shares that love. Parts of it contain fast flashes of life that I write for the total joy of it.
My last name is Wight, and I teach creative writing for fun – calling it Rough Writing. My students have renamed my class ROUGH WIGHTING, and I think that’s just perfect.”
I chose the following post from her blog because of how it highlights her grandchild’s wisdom and keen observation of people and the world around her. Plus, it’s funny!
Nurse Kelly is a sweetheart of a blogger who is working on her first book.
From her About page:
Nurse Kelly is a registered nurse, health educator, coach, speaker, and writer. She holds a BA in Communications, an AAS in Nursing, and numerous certifications. She resides in northeast Ohio with her husband, daughter, son, and beloved dog, Ruby.
Known for her commitment to functional healthcare, she wished to expand her reach to a larger audience – hence, nursekellyknows.com was born.
In her own words: This blog is authentically me. I write from my heart in a very personal voice, which I hope you will find engaging, enlightening, and entertaining. I can also cause just enough mischief to keep things interesting… so please be aware, as it is never my intention to offend.”
I have chosen the following post because I love finding a poem that makes me smile the way this one does.
Hey, Newfoundlanders! I’ve added a brand new page for you and for anyone who wants to take a look around our beautiful province. There you will find my local posts in easy-to-find links. Click the Link below or where it says Newfoundland and Labrador on the right of my menu banner above. (About Jennifer, Home, Categories, Newfoundland and Labrador)
This page will be updated as new local posts are added.
Please scroll to the bottom for Newtown posts.
You’ve probably noticed I’ve changed the theme to my blog since last time. As they say, a change is as good as a rest! I’ve been looking for a new look, but I also wanted to let you know that my journal will have a dual purpose soon: as my author website as well as my usual blog. I’ve ponied up with a new domain and lost the ‘wordpress’ so now my address is jenniferkellandperry.com. Stay tuned for news on my young adult novel Calmer Girls in the coming days.
Recently, I discovered and started following Write with Kelly – “writing and publishing advice you can really use.”
Kelly Abell is an author, blogger, and graphic artist whose blog is a wealth of tips for those of us aiming to improve our writing craft. In her own words:
My aim for you is to utilize this blog to help you improve your writing skills, and to educate you on the publishing business. If you need help with writing, want to self-publish a book and need advice, or just want to kick a story idea around to see what works best, that’s what I’m here for. As I gain knowledge from editors and publishers, I will share that knowledge with you.”
Check out this post where Kelly features a fellow author’s knowledgeable views on a genre near and dear to my heart:
Okay. Now that we’ve gotten that out of our systems, let’s move on, shall we?
It’s a brand new year and a time when many of us who blog like to reflect on what we’ve achieved over the past twelve months, and where we are now headed.
I won’t bore you with all the statistical details, but I do want to mention the top two posts from Jennifer’s Journal in 2015 just in case you missed them or wish to take another peek. Out of 76 blog entries for the year, these are the posts that received the most comments and visits:
And as I have been each year, I am ever so grateful for my most active 2015 blogger commenters. My sincere appreciation goes out to all who follow my blog.
I noticed a couple of my blogger friends have come up with a special word to inspire and to keep them focused in the year ahead. I think it’s such a fine idea, I am offering a word of my own:
Accomplishment
By the spring of 2016, my first book will be published. The release of Calmer Girls, a Young Adult novel, is an accomplishment I have long dreamed of. I’m hoping my special word will give me the extra little push to finish its sequel well before the end of spring. This way it can be ready for my editor when the first one is released.
In between promoting Calmer Girls and editing the sequel, I hope to find time for photography, poetry, and the gathering of research for a third work. This new novel will be a total departure from the first two with new characters, an entirely new setting, and possibly a different genre. I expect it might be my most challenging writing project yet.
What accomplishments or progress have you made since last January? What are your creative goals for 2016? Share your thoughts below!
Still need a little more New Year celebrating? Haven’t had your fill of fireworks?
Jennifer's Journal 