Sitting on a Cornflake

Did you know that many writers and authors out there in blogland run contests and giveaways?

Katherine Warwick is at present running a contest linked to the US TV show, Dancing With The Stars. All you need to do is guess which star will be voted off each week, and you could win a copy of her latest book, Savage. (Previously, entrants outside the US have been offered an e-copy.. I’ll get Katherine to fill us in with the details.)

One of my other favourite authors, Raven Hart, often runs contests in her blog. Prizes often include copies of her books, or hand made jewellry.

Another one to run great contests is Jennifer McKenzie/Leeland.

Do you know of any other writer / author blogs that run contests? Do share.

Since I’ve been running my forum, I’ve tried to write short reviews of some of my books, especially if I’ve enjoyed them. I encourage other members to do the same, and some of those people now also contribute to the forum’s review blog.

I’m now reaching a point where authors are asking me to take a look at their book, plus Headline publishers have been sending us quite a selection to review. This is something I really like doing, but it’s making me look seriously at how I do it.

I have been in contact with quite a few writers and authors over the past couple of years, and have gotten to know a few quite well. I know how passionate they are about what they do, and how much their books mean to them.. and hence also the reviews that those books receive. I’ve realised that every single book has a person behind it, someone who could be hurt by a negative comment.

However, if I’m reviewing books, then surely I owe it to the potential reader to be honest with my thoughts too. Right? If I enjoy a book, then I also take pleasure from helping to promote it, and it’s author.. but that isn’t my main role.

But.. neither is my role to provide purely my opinion on the book. I might really dislike it, whereas the next person to read it might love it. We all have different tastes, after all, which is what makes this world so interesting.

I also believe that my reviews do need to have honesty behind them.. if I tell you that every book I review is great, how am I going to point out the ones that I really do feel are great?

So, I’ve come to the conclusion (I think! I ramble, I know!) that I need to develop a style whereas I can describe the book, discuss it’s good and bad points, but do so in a way that lets the reader make up their own mind whether to try it or not. This isn’t all about my reading experience, but also allowing others to decide if it will be a good one for them.

I know a few writers pop by my blog every now and again, and also some readers.. I would really LOVE to know what your feelings are on this. Authors.. would you rather always get nice reviews.. would you ask someone to look at your book if there was a chance the review wouldn’t be glowing? Readers.. what do you want to get out of a review.. are you looking for the reviewer’s personal opinions, or a general feeling about the book? Please do share.

Cindy wrote about locking herself out her house this morning, and it reminded me I hadn’t shared my little story. (It’s not as well written as hers though! :))

Anyway, we have patio doors at the back, a side gate, bolted on the inside, and a front door that locks when you shut it. I’m very good at checking that I have my keys before I shut that front door.. but I guess we all have off days, right?

So, Amy and I were off out for pizza one lunchtime.. I slammed the front door behind me, then realised that I didn’t have my keys. As we were heading out after school, that should have been ok, because by the time we’d made it back, hubby would have been home…

The problem was, however, that I’d left the patio door unlocked. Obviously, if anyone had gotten in, our insurance company wouldn’t have been very understanding! So, I needed to get round there to be able to get my keys, and lock it up. But, standing in my way was the bolted side gate..

My neighbour did point out (when I knocked to see if our previous owners had left keys with her) that if I couldn’t get in, no one else could. I had to point out though that some 18 year old lad would probably find it easy to get over the fence.. it was simply posing a problem for me, being a 30-something, female, un-athletic, scaredy cat!

After discussing a few options, she offered me their ladder, so I could try to get over the gate.. which I accepted. So round I went, climbed the ladder, and cocked my leg over the top of the gate. I had trouble finding a foothold on the other side, and I seriously had visions of me tumbling over head-first, and lying sobbing in pain on the other side! I guess Amy had similar visions, because she looked terrified!

Thankfully however, I made it safely over (grateful there was no one other than my 3 year old to witness me being rather ungraceful!) got my keys, locked up, and returned the ladder. And off we went to get our well earned pizza!

Cindy has been kind enough to tag me.. which means I actually have to do some thinking! lol

Ok.. here’s the ‘rules’…
1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry.
5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.

1 and 2 done. Now on to 3..

1. I have one eye far more short-sighted than the other. In fact, the other one is now oh-so-slightly long sighted.

2. Because of this, when I tried contact lenses, I only needed them in one eye, which felt a bit odd. And it kept popping out!

3. I don’t see the attraction of gardening. Maybe it’ll come with age?

4. I also don’t enjoy cooking.. it’s just something that needs to be done. (Cindy is probably calling me rude names by now! lol)

5. My God Parents have all played a very important part in my life. I find it a shame that no one seems to find God Parents important these days.

6. I’m terrible at making lists of things about myself!

Ok, so 5.. I’m going to tag Kell, Nici, Lucy, Katherine, Rachel and Imogen. Now I’m off to let you all know you’re tagged!

I have just been reading a friend’s blog, and I really wanted to share some essential truths that she posted:

1. Everyone needs to have a purpose. It can be anything, even something seemingly insignificant.
2. Put your best into your work, whether it’s school or a job.
3. Do NOT put your entire life into your work. We are too often defined by what we do. We should be defined by who we are.
4. Indulge in your hobbies. That’s how you can express who you are. (Not by writing a paper on Neo-Confucianism…which is what I have to do today.)
5. Above all: Strive for balance in your life, in everything you do.

Most blogs have a list of links, and often these are other blogs. Every now and again, I’ll take a look at some of these other blogs. I try to leave a comment (or two) if something catches my eye, and some blogs I’ll add to my reader, to come back to.

This has gotten me thinking about comments. Personally, I really like getting comments, both from friends, and from people I don’t know. I like to know who’s visiting my little world, and if they think my ramblings are worth commenting on.

However, when I leave a comment on someone else’s blog, I wonder what their reaction is.. whether it’s along the lines of ‘who the heck is that then?’!

So bloggers.. how do you react? Do you like new comments, or prefer it if they’re only from people you already know? And if you see a comment from a new visitor, do you visit their blog.. and do you try to comment there?

Yesterday Jen mentioned this blog as one of the ones she visited every day. At first I was pleased that to find out I was mentioned, but then I was embarrassed to think that this poor girl gives up time every day to visit, and yet I don’t post that often!

Today I’m going to blatantly steal her idea, and my post will be about other blogs that I regularly read. I’m then going back to Jen’s post, to check out the ones she mentions. Ok..

Steps of a Dancewriter - The home of my wonderful friend, Katherine. As I’ve posted before, although her books aren’t my usual ‘thing’, I love reading them, because she has such a lovely style. As a bonus, she’s lovely too!

Cinthia’s Spinnings - The place where my ‘girly girl’ friend hangs out! As a writer, her posts are always well written, and interesting to read.

The Redneck Romance Writer - Jen’s blog, as mentioned earlier. Considering the amount of time she spends both reading and writing blogs, I’m amazed she has time left to write all those books of hers!

Life Gets in the Way - Kell is a co-admin on my forum, and seems to read constantly! Her blog posts are always a joy to read too.

Somewhere In The Distance - A new (and very welcome) friend in my life, Nici and I seem to enjoy the same books.. which will be good when it comes to borrowing!

This Closet Isn’t Big Enough - Some interesting thoughts on this one, even if I don’t understand American politics!

Raven’s World - I have to keep an eye on this one, for news of my favourite vampire series!

BCF - The Reviews - A great place for book reviews!!

If I’ve left you out, and you know I visit, tell me off, and I’ll add you! LOL

I’ve been given an award! :)  Many thanks to Rosie for passing it on to me.

So, who to pass it onto? I’m going to go for:

Jen’s Hot And Sweet Blog

This Closet Isn’t Big Enough

Steps of a Dancewriter 

Cinthia’s Spinnings

There’s one problem though.. those given this award are supposed to post 7 random or weird things about themselves, and I’m useless at coming up with things like that! So, I’m going to try a different approach, and I’m going to ask YOU, my friends and readers, to come up with those random or weird things that you know about me! Of course, there’s nothing weird about me at all, is there……?!

Looking forward to your comments… I think! lol

Do you have set blogs that you try to visit regularly? Are they in your favourites, or do you use a RSS reader? Or, do you visit various blogs only when you remember them?

And once there, do you stick with the same ones, or go exploring the blogs that they link to?

These days I use Google Reader.. if I see a blog I like, I add it.. if I get bored with it after a while, I can take it out again. And yes, I often click on some links.. especially if the title looks interesting.

How about commenting? Do you ‘read and run’, comment only if you feel you have something to say, or do you try to comment whenever possible?

And yes, if you read this, I’d appreciate a comment. <grin> I do like to know who’s visited.

I can’t find a theme that I like! However, this one has lots of options, so I may stick with it! I must resist the temptation to install WordPress on my web site.. otherwise I’ll spend far too much time on it!

As for the title, I think that may stick. Of course everyone knows where it’s taken from.. right..?