May (HONORABLE) Mentions!

In my continuing efforts to help you know more and grow more, I'd like to highlight some blogs that I feel are bodacious and boast-worthy!

As I've mentioned before, I'm an avid reader, and hardly a day goes by that my nose is not buried in a book, or either I'm scouring the Net for my needed mental "fix".

First off, I'll start by stating what I think a "boast-worthy" blog is.

1. It's easy to navigate and conversational in tone.
2. It has an attractive design and layout.
3. The host is not just about "self-promotion", but also about adding real value to the blogging community. In other words, you leave knowing more than when you came, or you feel encouraged in your creative efforts.
4. It's well written and basically free of grammatical and spelling errors.
5. The content is clever and compelling; information is not "borrowed" from other sites, without proper attribution.
6. The posts are updated within a reasonable time frame.

Having established these qualifiers, here's who made Pen & Prosper's list for May...drum roll please...!

(Not in any particular order)
These bloggers stand tall in a sea of many!

1. Taking Time For Things That Matter--The title says it all. Janice Campbell does a stellar job of focusing on some important issues and topics that sometimes get lost in the day to day fray. Her site is like a one-stop-enhancement shop. Here you'll find things of interest on literacy, family, creativity, and divinity. You won't be disappointed.

2. The Parm Farm---Amy Parmenter, an award-winning journalist, did a guest post here some months ago, and I was impressed initially with her writing. Now, as a regular visitor at the Parm Farm, I am inspired not only with her writing style, honest approach and sense of humor, but also her commitment to social responsibility and the support of worthy causes. This blog is about personal and professional growth, and you'll find plenty of reflective posts that will help you pursue a more enlightened path.

3. At Live Well For Less, Nikola Hartmann helps today's busy woman to get more bang out of her buck, and live a life that's as rich as chocolate without the calories or guilt! Stop by and find posts on everything from saving money, to managing a home, to recipes, to reviews. She has an engaging and upbeat style about her writing that will make you a future fan for sure.

4. The Relaxed Writer---Marla Beck, Life and Creative Coach for writers, keeps readers on track with her helpful tips on time management, prioritization, and proper focus. She assists creative folks from all genres and levels to reach greater heights and enjoy more life balance.

Pen and Prosper would love your feedback on these females of today's focus, or any others that you feel fit the bill. Do share!

Image: Salvatore Vuono

"What's on your Mind" Wednesday?

It's Wednesday, mid-week, end of month.
So much has happened--personally, professionally and globally to each of us.
Just thought that today I'd turn the virtual "floor" to you all to see what's happening in your world. And yes, I really wanna' know! :-)

I'll start...

First of all, I'd like to extend a big, warm welcome to my new "followers"! I think I picked up 3 here at Pen and Prosper within the month of May. Thanks so much for being a member of my "community" and contributing your ideas, support, comments, and karma with us.

I just finished teaching my online blogging class. It's always a pleasure, as I learn from my students as well. If you'd like to hone your writing skills and perhaps take your creativity and productivity to new levels, I highly recommend online learning!

I've been doing my regular blogging gigs, (which I still love), and some guest posts as well. Look for a guest post to appear soon at a blog near you.;-)

Preparing for the summer months ahead, which could mean less work or more, depending upon a few variables.
Planning to celebrate my 29th birthday, (again) at end of June. Yeah! I can smell the barbeque already...

Also, Pen and Prosper will celebrate its one year anniversary in the blogosphere!

On an unrelated note...
Some of my favorite reality shows are coming to an end, so it looks like I'll be doing some RED BOX rentals in weeks to come. I'll share what's hot and what's not in times ahead.

What about you? Any new projects? New clients? Creative lessons learned?

Also, if any of my new followers would like to introduce themselves, promote their blogs, or just weigh-in, please feel free to do so!
Do tell!

Credit: Salvatore Vuono

Guest Post *Dallas Woodburn* Makes A Difference-Will You?

Enrich Your Writing Life By Giving Back

I published my first book, There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose, when I was in fifth grade. The teachers in my elementary school asked me to speak to their classes about how I pursued my dream of publishing a book. At the beginning of my talk, I asked the kids if any of them were interested in writing, and a few shy hands raised. In contrast, at the end of my talk when I asked the same question, nearly all the hands in the class shot up. The students told me they didn’t know that kids could be writers. They didn’t think of writing as something that could be fun or empowering.

Writing and reading have opened the doors to so many amazing opportunities in my life: a scholarship to attend college, a semester studying abroad in England, a trip to New York City to be a guest on The CBS Early Show. Not only that, but writing gives me a healthy outlet to express my feelings and connect to other people.

I started "Write On! For Literacy" in 2001 to encourage kids to discover confidence, joy, a means of self-expression, and connection to others through reading and writing. My website writeonbooks.org features writing contests, book reviews, fun writing prompts, and more. I still frequently visit classrooms to speak to kids about my writing journey (another published collection of short stories and a novel followed There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose) and I teach a Youth Summer Writing Camp every year in my hometown of Ventura, California.

Perhaps my most rewarding project is an annual Holiday Book Drive that I started to collect and distribute new books to disadvantaged kids who do not have many books of their own. More than 11,000 books have been donated to date.

The biggest lesson I have learned is that it is okay to start small. The first year, my Holiday Book Drive only donated 125 books to the local Boys & Girls Club. Still, even small acts make a difference, and small acts often snowball into amazing contributions bigger than you ever dreamed.

What is your passion? How can you use what you love to help others? Get friends involved. Spread the word to your community. Overwhelmingly, I have discovered that people very much want to help, but they don’t always know what they can do. If you can supply a meaningful avenue for people to help, they will join your cause.

One of my favorite quotes is by legendary basketball coach John Wooden: “Make each day your masterpiece.” Don’t wait until next week or month or year to make a difference. Start small. Start today. The most important thing you can do is begin!

BIO: Dallas Woodburn is an award-winning author and journalist whose work has appeared in Family Circle, Writer’s Digest, The Los Angeles Times, and many other publications. For her volunteer work, she has been honored with a national Jackie Kennedy Onassis/Jefferson Award, a Congressional Award Gold Medal, and most recently a “Best of You” Award from Glamour Magazine. Learn more about Write On! For Literacy at www.writeonbooks.org.

THE 4-1-1 FOR MAY! Extra! Extra!...

Hi Friends, Fans, Followers, and Fellow Bloggers!
I hope that this day finds you doing well from your corner of the
world--wherever you hail.

May has been a month of many things.
I've had some good experiences, some bad, and some that have truly been "Ripley's Believe it Or Not!"

Still, I'm looking forward to new projects, new horizons, and new growth--both personally and professionally . And did I mention that my birthday is around the corner? :-)

Here are a few things that you should know for May and June.

1. There's a writing project that a friend of mine shared with me that seems kinda' interesting. And for those of us who still love the art of writing letters even amidst the era of Emails, it can be both thrilling and therapeutic. It's called "The Things Unsaid Project". See details.

2. Chicago Writers Association will participate in the Printers Row Book Fair on June 12th and June 13th. If you love books and/or you love networking and hob nobbing with some cool intellectuals, stop by the tent and make a connection. Check out the specifics.

3. Coffeehouse for Writers, which is a great online community that offers online classes, critiquing avenues, discussions, and all things creative, will start new classes in May. This is your opportunity to learn more and earn more! Register today.

4. And last but not least...the winner of my "Twitter Jitters" contest is...drum roll please---Robyn-Dale Samuda! Though all the entries were fun and fabulous, his had a lot of compelling points. Thanks so much for all of you that took the time to enter!

Now I'm off to make my Sunday dinner (baked chicken, cabbage, and Black eyed peas) and watch Joel Osteen.:-)

Your turn. Do tell. What's going on in your business? Your neck of the wood? Your blog? Feel free to share it with Pen and Prosper readers.

How to Choose a Blog Topic

Choosing a blog topic can be likened to making a career choice, in that it all depends on your short and long term goals, your lifestyle, your strengths and weaknesses, and how much money you would like to make. If perhaps you have no desire to earn pay for your say, we’ll compare it to volunteer work.

My blog, devoted to writing, blogging and all things creative was a natural evolution of my many years of professional writing and my communications background.
It started out as a way to increase my “potential fan base” to have a proverbial leg to stand on when approaching agents for representation in trying to publish a book.
The more hours I logged in at the computer, and the more my range of influence increased, the more I grew to love it! I now have several blogs—some professional and even one for a hobby.

Everybody has different goals and circumstances to consider.
Here are a few things to address in starting out:

1. What’s your goal for blogging? To connect with cool people? To promote a cause? Sell a product? These are governing questions to guide your decisions.

2. Who will be your target audience? Family members? Church folks? Writers? Moms? Consumers? What’s important to this group? This will help you to choose relevant topics.

3. What’s your style of communication? Are you funny like the late Erma Bombeck? Sarcastic like Andy Rooney? Or instructive and nurturing like Ann Landers? Your answer will determine your tone.

4. What are you passionate about? What are your strengths? If yours is a professional blog, what gives you credibility with your readers?

5. What are you striving to achieve? To educate? To entertain? To persuade?
This will ultimately determine your approach and your game plan.


Though blogging is not a "perfect science" these are a few important key questions to serve as a compass to help decide your direction.

Your turn. How did you choose the topic for your blog? What is your main purpose for entering the blogging arena? Do tell.

MY 100TH POST--REFLECTIONS AND REVELATIONS

Wow!
With this post today, I have reached the 100th installment here at Pen and Prosper!
It's hard to believe I made it. Trust me, it has sometimes been a struggle--time constraints, motivational factors, etc.

But it has indeed been a great journey. I thank each and every reader for accompanying me on the ride.

There is so much to say, so little time.
But, I'll try to hit on some of the highlights so as not to lose your attention, or take up too much of your reading hours.

REFLECTIONS---
I'm glad I decided to stick to my "niche" as they call it. I think it makes for better focus and easier branding.

This blog has been a work in progress. And I'm pleased as punch to say I'm learning more month after month. I've even added a "GUEST POST GUIDELINES" as you will see reflected at the end of this page.

I'm learning that "impact" and reach can't always be measured in numbers and statistics. And I've loved the feedback and interaction that I've gotten thus far...so keep it comin'!

July will officially mark my 1 year anniversary for this Blog. I'm excited about the current growth, and can't wait to see what one year will bring.

REVELATIONS---

I've learned that it's entirely possible to meet and engage with people online and to form a bond and a true sense of friendship and camaraderie. I've connected with cool folks across the globe, and I've laughed with them, learned from them, and have had my career enhanced as a result of it. Thank you.

I've learned that even despite our best efforts and our best work, sometimes people truly don't "get us". Words can sometimes be misunderstood, mistakenly applied, or misconstrued; but we can't be responsible for how people choose to interpret the meaning of our messages. Move on and be clear that God knows. Period.

Within the next few weeks, I'll be sharing with you some important news, more contests, more fun, more guest posts, and more adventures. Stay tuned!

Guest Post**Remembering My Mom--By Steve Sears

I've tried to think of even the tiniest kernel, to define my relationship between my mom and I.
I've been thinking and thinking and, even though people are different, have different feelings, reactions, personalities and more, I'm trying to think of just one simple thing that unites ALL children to their Mothers.

I don't know about you, but my Mom was always there for me. After two miscarriages, she carried me for eight months and delivered me a month early. She always told me I was the best baby; I played in my crib without a peep.

She held me when I was sick with bad cases of yearly bronchitis as a youngster, was in the hospital with me when I had an appendectomy and two hernia operations (one at 16 months, another at age 26), answered the phone on one ring when my wife miscarried our first child, enthusiastically answered the phone when my wife gave birth to my truest joy in life, my daughter Stefanie, and she held my hand when I suffered a heart attack at age 34.

After that, she always made sure I kept up with my cardiology appointments. She even taught me an all important life lesson that I will always live by: "Your religion is how you treat people."

She was all this, and more, to me. I realize it now more than ever.

Regardless, I used to whine to my wife that, whenever my Mom called and we talked, she complained constantly, and that I couldn't wait for the phone calls to end. Also, even though we lived in close proximity and we enjoyed occasional lunches together, I rarely visited her. My wife would often say to me, "Remember one thing -- one day you're going to want to talk to her, and she won't be here to talk to you."

On February 18, 2007, my Mom passed away.

I apologize if the following appears preachy or even hypocritical, but I will say this. I don't have my Mom to visit or talk to today.

Like many, my visits and speeches are now limited to peering at and speaking to a stone marker in a graveyard, and via prayers, hoping and believing that she'll hear me.

Worthy, bittersweet, good stuff, but certainly not the same as true flesh and blood.

Many reading this are lucky enough to have their Moms still with them. Make that phone call, pay a visit, tell them you love them. If you haven't spoken to or seen your Mom for a while for whatever reason, reach out.

One day, she won't be here...

Desperately Seeking Mothers or Mother-Related Stories

Though I don't write about her often, my mom has made a tremendous impact on who I am as a woman. Over the years, she has been my biggest fan and my biggest critic. She instilled in me a love for learning, self-love and adherence to the "Golden Rule".

She has a marvelous sense of humor, (loves to play practical jokes, still) and serves as my consultant and "go-to-guru" on just about everything.

She was/is a woman of excellence. She never accepted mediocrity from herself nor her kids. For me, she set the bar high! In fact, it was her who discovered and encouraged my writing ability as a shy, reluctant teenager.
As a popular song says, "I'll always love my mama."
And I thank God up above that she still lives. :-)

Mothers.
Where would any of us be without them? Their prodding, their prayers, their direction, their legacy...

In honor of Mother's Day, (next week), I'd like to open this forum for poems, tributes, essays, quotes, comments, or anything creative from friends and followers.
Give your mom the "15 minutes of fame" she deserves here at Pen and Prosper.
I look forward to sharing your experiences and your love...