Flickr image by JavaBurst
Each week, the posts here will be a mash-up of interesting things I’ve found or learned from during the week.
Writing Wisdom
Hi, my name is Barbara and I like back story, with a special place in my heart held for flashback. Kristen Lamb’s Deadly Sin of Writing #4–Beware the Bog of Back Story has started an intervention on how I revise.
I have a hostage situation in a story I’m revising and B. Mac’s Hostage Situations from a Criminal’s Perspective provided some great tips for upping the authenticity as well as further links for research.
In Do Writers Read Differently Than Non-Writers?, Jenny Hansen does some writer profiling to uncover our reading habits and book rituals.
Jami Gold shows why, for brand and image consistency, it is not too early to consider crafting a bio in What Does Your Author Bio Say About You.
Jeff Goins gives us freedom to stop judging ourselves in his blog, Why Your Work Never Feels Good Enough.
In Writing Through The Mist, Laura Best shares her process for getting through a writing fog.
Social Media Magic
Pat Flynn’s 10 Ways to Bring New Life to Old Blog Posts provides some great ideas to mine your own blog for new post opportunities.
When I first joined Twitter, I had newbie fever and lost myself in hours of reading tweets and meeting new tweeps. Kristin Nador shares her confession of stealing time away from the WIP in Start Your Week Off Write: Confessions – Spending Too Much Time On Social Media?, as well as her revised plan for gaining balance.
In 10 Lessons in Blogging Learned on a Shopping Expedition, Darren Rowse provides an interesting take on finding inspiration for improving blogs from a little time spent in a food court.
Hot Topics
We. Are. At. War. is a must-read post from Piper Bayard both for it addressing the seemingly ignored service of our troops and for the dialogue and information provided in the comments. Powerful.
Fun Finds
Confession: I think Lenny Kravitz is a love god. If he were to figure out I exist, call me up and ask me to run away with him, I’d seriously consider it. Okay truth, I’d probably do it. Don’t judge me. So, I’ve been looking forward to his new album and here is a link to the first single “Sunflower.” Produced by Swiss Beatz and featuring rapper Drake, it is a different sound for Lenny. I’m not sure I’m in love with it on first listen, but it might grow on me. What do you think?
Do You Make These 8 Personal Development Mistakes? has Joey Weber giving an alternate take on self-help approaches that are more distracting than helpful.
Just a touch of positive affirmations courtesy of Jess Ainscough’s Inspiration Board.
Take a romp with Angela Wallace in her post My First Vampire. What’s your favorite type? I go for the intellectual vamps that can control the urge to just attack everyone.
Fried Green Tomato Friday – How Observant Are You? Kerry Meacham brings us a fun test for the eyes. Make sure you are paying attention.
Barbara McDowell 
Great mash Barbara. I’m honored to be included. Thanks so much.
My pleasure Kerry! Your post was great fun in showing what the human mind perceives.
Thank you so much for the link! (And I’m on limited connectivity, so these combo posts are great for me to easily catch up. 🙂 )
You are welcome Jami! Your blog is a regular read for me. 🙂
Barbara, I don’t know how you find the time to track down such incredibly helpful links! I’ve got enough material from your blogs alone to keep me busy for weeks!
Thanks so much!
Thanks for stopping by Patricia! Now that I’ve gotten a better handle on utilizing technology and social media (thanks Kristen Lamb and our great #WANA711 group!), I’m using RSS feeds and TweetDeck to catch posts. I give myself a window of time to read some each day.
Great mash up. There are so many linked stories I want to read, specifically some of the ones on writing!
Glad you liked it Jillian. Happy Saturday!
There’s a lot there that I want to read. Kristen Lamb has been a godsend to me; she’s helped me so much. I can’t wait to get to reading now.
Thanks for stopping by Chloe!
Lots of great finds! Thanks so much for including me! 😀
Thanks Angela! Your post has inspired me to watch the sparkly vamps in Twilight yet again. *intervention needed*
Hi Barbara. Great mashup, and I’m honored to be included.
I’m a Lenny Kravitz fan, too. This seems like quite the left turn with Sunflower. My jury is still out on it.
Thanks for the shout out and the links. These are some great-sounding blogs.
I was saying, “you go girl” as I read your post Piper. Good stuff and the comment’s dialogue is what a piece should provoke, so kudos again.
Yes, I’m a bit disappointed with Lenny’s first single. I like artists taking changes and trying new vibes, but this one feels a bit empty against his other stuff.
Thanks for including me in your weekly links, Barbara. I already read some of the blogs you mentioned.. 🙂
You are welcome Laura! Thanks for popping by.
Really well done mash up, Barbara. I’m checking out some of these links, especially Pat Flynn’s and Kristin Nador’s. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Angela! 🙂
Awesome, Barbara! Thank you for including me in this fabulous mash-up! I’ve had this site up since yesterday morning, meaning to comment on this…sorry it took me so long…
I missed all three of those Social Media Magic posts on the first round so I can’t wait to read them.
Thanks Jenny and no apologies needed! I just read your ROW80 blog update and see that your reading post took off. Way cool and well deserved.
Fantastic mashup Barbara – I love how you organized them into themes with headings. I am going to check them out today along with Kerry’s. Fantastic resources and variety.
Thanks Natalie! Glad you liked them. Mash-ups appeal to my research side. 🙂