Versatile Blogger? Who, me?

You intentionally sit out to write a book, or in my case unintentionally.  You plot, you write, you edit, you gnash teeth, wring your hands, repeatedly run your fingers through your hair until it stands out at all angles, drink lots of coffee, stay up until all hours and then it’s done.  What to do next?  Well I know there are some out there who pondered the ways to now share your masterpiece with the world as I did and you turned to the www for assistance.  You found some links, read some articles and kept digging.  Finally (or maybe not) you stumbled upon some Agency websites and read some of their guidelines for submissions.  Maybe you read some suggestions from Editor Interviews.  I fell into this category.  I had no idea where to turn, who to ask or what to do and had no idea what being an “Indie” meant.

I was taken aback by many of the interviews that indicated Editors want to see how “linked” you are in the social media world.  That if they were seriously considering your work you’d get Googled and researched before they moved on. Hmmmmm.  This rolled around in my head for a few months before I finally took the plunge.  I signed up (x a gazillion) and here I am.  Never would I have guessed that less than two months later I would be bestowed with the Versatile Blogger award! I’m honored and shocked all at the same time.

I received this prestigious nod from M.E. Franco.  We found each other early on and I adore her.  From Author to blogger to cyber friend, M.E. has been a resource I know I would not have been able to find if I hadn’t joined this club (x a gazillion).  She has an entertaining way of sharing some of her most embarrassing moments but can switch gears and take a stand against bullying.  If you haven’t yet, and need a laugh I suggest you check you’re her “Nose to Belly Button!” post.  Also follow the link to take a stand against Bullying on Feb. 3^rd.   I cannot begin to express my appreciation of how much meeting M.E. has meant to me.  Cyber hugs M. E.!

The first thing on my “7 things about me” below will be how I love to break the rules.  Well not so much as break them as to not follow them exactly.  Is that the same thing?  Anyway, I thanked M.E. above but I would be remiss in paying tribute if I did not mention the person who nominated M.E.  Maureen Hovermale.  I did not know Maureen before M.E. bestowed me with this award but she by far is someone worth mentioning.  Her “Balder and Dashed” made me laugh out loud and I sent the link to everyone I knew.  However I had to defend myself to my sister afterwards.  It wasn’t that I found her piece to be funny BECAUSE it happened.  I found it extremely entertaining because she crafted it in such a way that felt like you were riding in the co-pilots seat for the whole experience. She bared it all and made me laugh.  So thanks to Maureen for proliferating this little badge.

So on with the games!

Rules

Thank the person who nominated you. Tell 7 things about yourself so that your readers may learn more about you. Nominate 15 other newly discovered bloggers then let them know you nominated them. I also agree with Maureen/M.E.’s rule, you are under absolutely NO obligation to pass this on.

1. I love to break the rules as stated above.
2. The truth about being a Gemini.  Yes, I am a Gemini and as I explained to my husband early on in our courtship, there is ME and then there is SELF.  ME is generally in charge but I’m not responsible for when SELF takes over.
3. I have had the same cell phone number for 17 years.
4. I don’t wear makeup, make my bed or worry with fancy hairstyles.  My mother was always aghast at these traits (refer to #1).  I found I would rather have the compliment of “Oh you look great” for having worn makeup that day than “God what happened to you” if I decided one day not to wear it.  Making the bed: I’m going to crawl right back in my bed at the end of the day so why should I make it pristine?  And the hairstyling……My mother would pass by in the hallway as I was preparing for the day, date, whatever “Aren’t you going to do something with the back of your hair?” (Dismay tattoo on her forehead).  My response: “I’m not back there, I can’t see it!” {but damn, that’s three things isn’t it…again refer to #1}
5. Short.  Not only describes my height but my overall disposition (most days).  Add to that the heritage of Scots, Irish, French AND enough Cherokee that I could have attended college for free and you get a Red Haired, hot tempered sassy pants, who can’t hold her liquor.
6. I love autographed books.  I once attended a Charlaine Harris book signing 3 (yes three) days post-op Thyroidectomy. Absorb that for a minute.  I looked like I had been wrestling vampires and had the wounds to prove it!  You should have seen the looks it got!
7. I am proud to be a hillbilly with a computer and I’m not afraid to use it.

I’ve chosen the 15 bloggers to follow because I have enjoyed visiting these sites.  Some of them I was already following, but not enough that when I was challenged by my friend I could make the list at that time.  Keep in mind I have a have a dark twisted sense of humor and these are in no particular order.  I might only say one word about them, or several, but that should not be taken negatively as I feel once you visit their sites you will see they stand for themselves.

Buffy Armstrong   I am always happy to find someone with similar reading tastes to mine and was tickled to see many of the same book covers I have on myself displayed on Buffy’s page.

Kara Skinner truly does have some good writing tips I’m sure not only the baby bloggers can appreciate.

One word to describe John Hansen  here, ENERGY! John is working his rear off and it shows.  He’s one to watch in the upcoming years.

I’ve been following Rosemary Clement More for a while and just now found her blog.  I like not only her design of her space but her wit in sharing her life with us.

A.L. Davore is another source of sharing tips from the writing realm.  She’s refreshing.

Kristin Bauer   Believe it or not, this is not a pitch because she’s a star.  This is about being an activist.  Kristin is always speaking her mind and sharing with us ways we can all live better and make a positive change in this place we call earth!  So my hat is really off to Mrs. Van Straten.

I love the way Tess Mallory  “minions”.  She shares tips on writing, publishing and “stuff”.

Peter Swift’s site is very eye catching and entertaining.  Having an alter ego myself, I found his engaging.

Another new blog site for me Gwenan Haines is not only an Author but she shares with us some of her opinions on other great reads.  I really like the crisp feel to her website.

Adriana Ryan is new to blogging, but not to Publishing. Check out her blog and interviews.

Eden Tyler  has it going on writing, editing, and advice.  You feel drawn into to her website.

I’m new to following Jessica Aspen too but I’m drawn to the advice, writing and her affinity for paranormal.

Wendy Storer  I really like Wendy’s world.  It’s another fresh space that I enjoyed visiting.

Leigh Evans tells it like it is.  Straight forward advice….maybe it’s the “rule’s begging to be broken” thing, hmmmm.

Last, but by no means least, is Ciara Ballintyne.  I think everyone should put Ciara on their favorites.  She shares so much of her vast knowledge and resources that I feel like she lives right down the street and I could go over and drink coffee and talk books.

Enough said, go visit.

Versatile Blogger Badge

Dang, I knew I missed one!  S. G. Rogers.  There, now I’m done.