It all started when I switched over from having my website hosted at a different company to being hosted by WordPress. Somewhere in the translation it meant I lost those folks that had subscribed to my Blog since it’s beginning over six years ago.
If you would like to receive an e-mail notice when there is a new post, please subscribe using the subscription form provided below.
For those of you on FaceBook or on LinkedIn, when a blog post is first published, WordPress will post an introduction on my Facebook Author Page and on my LinkedIn board.
That is a good thing! It helps me spread the love.
An issue arises when that “announcement” is only seen if you happen to visit my author page or if the post lands in your news feed when you are on-line and you happen to see it.
Readers
Having readers follow me (staying connected with me) is critical. Your feedback helps me to become the writer you want to read. Your input is helpful and gives me insight into how I should adapt and learn.
No writer is actually alone when readers are there giving advice, encouraging him or her, and when the loneliness of the writing life creeps in to cause doubt in a writer’s mind. It does happen. And, it does help to know readers care.
Therefore, I’m making a pack with you. I will do my best to write the best stories I can. All that is asked of you is to agree to show me your support through reading my words and offering an honest review when you feel so moved.
Is it a deal? I’m game, and I will do my best to continue to offer you good reads!
Before you Go
Thanks for reading.
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Write On! Pam
The post Signing up for my Blog… first appeared on Pam’s Blog on July 19, 2019.
Let me introduce myself so that you can get to know me and I want to get to know you, too! I’ve blogged for a while now. I
Social Networking
took a course under the tutelage of Dan Blank and setup my first blog, Miss Beehaven with Hobbit Queen. It was my beginning beekeeper’s step into the world of blogging. This blog is still active, I’m just not very active at writing on it.
Then, I branched out and began blogging here and on another site, J. K. Brooks Publishing. The problem is, I still wasn’t all that good at being active.
So, I decided to try my hand at Blogging University Blogging 101 course. I first signed up last fall. But, you guessed it. Life got in the way. So, I’m trying again. This time, I’ll do as best I can in hopes I’m able to complete as many of the assignments as possible.
But, what I want most is to connect with others. To find people and make friends. I want to know from these friends if my writing efforts are worthy. If my blog is helpful. I want to know if my words are being read–what any blogger wants.
Michelle and team have “…encourage [me] to do a version of this assignment: use it to revisit what [I’ve] said when [I] first started blogging, to take stock of what [I’ve] accomplished and what more [I’d] like to do, or to lay out some goals for [my] next six months.”
I think I’ll do the last one — lay out some goals for the next six months — it is easier. Though, I must confess, I did complete an update on my “About Me” that I retitled as “Connect with Me!” So, please check it out and leave a comment or two–good or bad.
Goals for the Next Six Months
To kick this section off, I’m going to use the questions that were provided by this first assignment:
Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
Pam’s Answer: That’s a good question. I’ve journaled (is that a word?) for most of my life. Now, I’m suddenly wanting to put my thoughts out for the world to read. Hmm. What am I thinking? Oh, yeah. It is what everyone says you should do if you want to be successful in this new digital age of information. You need to connect. So, I’m working at connecting with people. We’ll see.
What topics do you think you’ll write about?
Pam’s Answer: Gees, Michelle. These are tough. Was I supposed to think about this? I’ve got characters buzzing around in my head that want to get put on paper. Let’s see. I got it. I don’t have a clue. I thought I’d wing it. I think I see Michelle looking at me over her glasses. Okay. I’ll think about it. Oh, I know. That’s what I hope this class will teach me how to learn to come up with a list. How’s that? Not so good. Yeah. You’re right. Well, okay. Here’s a short list:
My life
My life writing
My life as a beekeeper
My life as a novice stained glass maker
My life as a cook
My life as a gardener
How’s that for a start?
Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
Pam’s Answer: Oh, now I have thought about this question. A lot. Readers. People who like to read other people’s words and provide support. People who are looking for new authors. People who like to connect with other people. People.
Writing is a very lonely world. Oh, sure, an author has the characters in his or her head. But, have you talked with yourself a lot. It ain’t too much fun, bub. So, to avoid loosing a total grip, I thought it would be good to connect with people who have something to say. That are willing to engage in a conversation. To learn together.
If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?
Pam’s Answer: Another tough question. And, here I thought answering these questions would be fun and a piece of cake. Hahahaha. Well, let me think. (Picture Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life). Clarence taps his finger to his chin, and he says, “Yes. Yes, I believe that will do it.” And poof, magic happens.
I’d like to know that
I’ve connected with at least one hundred new souls
I’ve established an active interaction with at least 50 of them
I will be encouraged to build my connections, friendships, and to continue with my writing.
Whew! Am I glad those questions are over. Thanks, Michelle and team for pushing me forward. I have one blog post down (actually two, if you count my updated Connect with me…)!!! Whoopee!
Write on dear friends to be…
Pam
Like Photo by Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot from FreeDigitalPhotos.net and photo of mouse and pencil from wikimedia creative commons
When pondering your life, do you ever think back to the firstsyou’ve experienced. Firsts, such as:
The first time you ate ice cream?
Whom did you kiss on the lips the first time?
How about the first time you thought you were in love? Or, the first time you lost someone you loved?
Do you remember the first time you wondered about your future? Or, your life in general?
When did you first understand the word ‘failure’?
Where were you when you first knew you had figured out what you wanted in life?
What did you think of the first person you ever met that spoke differently than you?
Do you remember the first person that ever encouraged you to do something you were afraid to do? Was he or she your first mentor or hero?
Firsts are fun to ponder and to reflect upon. I remember my first blind date. I remember my first dance, my first birthday party, and my first funeral. Each first I’ve encountered I find I have a mixed reaction. Sometimes those firsts are joyous from start to finish, such as my first wedding, which, so far, if the Lord is willing, will remain my first. We’re on thirty-six years and counting. But, I digress. I also remember the first car wreck our daughter found herself involved. Thankfully, the only thing hurt, was her car. Her car was fixed and we went on. Sadly, she was recently involved in her second car wreck. Thankfully, once again, she was not hurt. But, this time her car was a total loss.
Sometimes, firsts are good to repeat. Such as the first time I wrote a book was in 2009. It was a writing project that I enjoyed for the most part. I wrote as a co-author with a dear friend, Rosa Lee Jude. Prior to this project, she and I had not written for a book publishing company. We learned we didn’t want to do so again. The joy of the project was working with Rosa. The trouble with the project was that it involved people at the book publishing company that came across as though they didn’t care about our work as much as we did. It made it hard to want to promote our book. It made it harder when we learned how little in return (royalties) we would receive.
Next, came the learning curve of self-publication. My first adventure there was with my book, The Letter: A Page of My Life. I not only learned about the publishing process through CreateSpace and using Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, but I learned a lot about myself. I learned what I needed to do in order to work to complete a writing project by myself. I had to learn to muster up the gumption to see it through. This was not my first book publication, but it was my first writing project by myself, for myself, with only myself to blame. It was also nonfiction. It was a first that has led to another first.
This past August, I released my first novel. The Fire Within is book one of The Marine Letsco Trilogy. I’ve been very excited about how it has been received to date. Besides learning about book signing events, I’ve learned there are other methods an author may do to promote his or her work. Last week, I had another first to go along with the release of my book. It was a Facebook event put on by friend and author K.R. Thompson. K.R. offered me the experience to take part with her along with a group of authors, readers, and friends to celebrate in the release of her new book, The Wolf — a prequel to her Keeper Saga series. The guests at the Facebook event were all there to share in the joy of K.R.’s first novelette. In the process, I met a lot of new people and enjoyed establishing connections with them.
This particular first taught me to continue thinking positively about my writing. To be willing to share my experiences with new connections. It taught me that the secret to self-publishing is believing. To believe so strongly that the only way I would fail was by not showing up.
Now, I’m in the midst of beginning another first. I’m starting to write Book Two – Murder on the Blue Ridge (working title). I’m a little nervous as I’ve not written a book sequel before. So, I have to be sure that I am doing all the things that successful authors before me have shared. Successful authors, such as
Hallie Ephron — her book, Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel: How to knock ’em Dead with Style. This book is pure gold for any aspiring writer, not just those interested in mystery. I use it like some folks use a bible with a writing group that I belong. I have it dog-eared, marked up, and post-its everywhere.
Elmore Leonard — Oh, how I miss him. I never got to meet him in person. If the chance had been given to me, I’m not sure I’d been able to speak to him for fear my dialogue would not be authentic. He was that good at writing dialogue. I’m reading Rum Punch for the thirtieth time hoping above all hopes my dialogue will morph into his style. You can read any of his books and see for yourself what I mean by great dialogue.
Karen S. Wiesner — Writing the Fiction Series: The complete guide for novels and novellas is a must have and a must read. Don’t just buy it. Read it and study it. Karen does a wonderful job sharing so many points that I find in many book series lacking. I hope I’m able to use her suggestions well. I’m working on it. Thanks, Karen for writing this book! Actually, thanks for all your books! You’re a gem! I so love your work!
Herbie Brennan — his first book, Faerie Wars, caught my eye in 2003 because of the butterfly on the cover and the use of the word ‘faerie.’ I knew I’d love the story. I was right. What I didn’t know is that it was a series; one that I fell in love with from the turning of the first page. Herbie demonstrates in this series what an author must do to hook a reader. Herbie does it well. I’ve just learned of his latest non-fiction work, Whisperers: The secret history of the spirit world (published in 2013). His website says, “…first major non-fiction work in more than a decade presents a stunning analysis of how the spirit world (whether you believe in it or not) has determined the course of human history for millennia.” Even his description causes me to want to read it!
What firsts have you done lately or thought about? Write to me, connect with me, join with me on my writing journey!
Write on!
Pam
(One day I’ll learn how to script my signature!)
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Here is hoping each of you have a blessed Labor Day weekend!
Cheers and Happiness to Each of You!
Pam
Good Idea~~~
The Fire Within
Check out my debut novel,The Fire Within, or, if you can’t wait, go to Amazon and purchase a paperback or eBook copy and plan to have a good read over this nice long weekend! Better yet, while you’re at it, sign up forThe Newberry Tales newsletter and stay connected with me!