The posts here will be a mash-up of interesting things I’ve found or learned from during the week. This could be material from blog posts, articles, video clips, etc.   

Current (Pop) Culture Chattering

• “Toddlers & Tiaras” alum Eden Woods starred in “The Cowgirl Riders Debutante Fashion Show” for New York’s Fashion Week, and yes the performance included this sashaying six year-old in skimpy outfits.  I would expect nothing less from a graduate of the show that recently gave us a mini-Pretty Woman clone.
• Then there is little T&T darling Kalia Deliz’s live TV show meltdown fun.  Check out both her repetitive stage faces and question answers.  Whee.

Wicked Writing Wisdom

While I put Piper Bayard’s Seven Years’ Journey under writing wisdom, the lessons learned and shared about commitment and focus can be applied in other areas of one’s life and career(s).  For writers, she provides tips on what it means to be a writer (there are no shortcuts – put in the work every day) and for thriving at conferences (talk to everyone).  This will be a go-to reminder piece when I wander off goal.

A great perk about getting more involved in a blogging community is finding the new avenues for writing research.  Via #MyWANA, I recently came across Jen Danna’s Real Life Interrogation Techniques for Crime Writers blog post and will definitely be able to use the information to keep things realistic in some future stories.  Jen is a forensic crime fiction author (be still my heart) and research scientist specializing in virology and immunology by day.  Her blog will be a regular read.

In How Do I Build a Writing Team, Jenny Hansen highlights the beauty of creating and growing a writer community and four key qualities that make up successful teamwork.  Including developing a personal, publishing and public team, Jenny shows us how support can and will be there if we want it.

Guest posting on Roni Loren’s Fiction Groupie blog, historical romance author Ashley March’s Voice Matters: Does Yours Fit Your Genre gives examples of how providing the right voice for each genre brings the reader quicker into the story.

Since I’m still in the pre-work, outline and plot phase before diving into text for my first novel, I was immediately drawn in by David Walker’s question, “If we don’t know what our story is about, how can we create the powerful characters who will carry the action?”  In Log Lines, he uncovers the importance of working through the one-sentence synopsis process to better understand our stories.

Making Media Magic

Kristen Lamb’s blog is a regular go to each week for a guaranteed dose of humor and eye-opening learning.  In her post Social Butterflies Trump Worker Bees on Social Media–Meet the Connector, she expands on who connectors are, how you can spot them and why you need these fun folks in your circle.

White-Knuckling Your Author Platform: How to Rein in the Social Media Pressure by Roni Loren, on the Writers in the Storm Blog, shines a light on the conflicting advice and pressure writers have to network, network, network as well as suggestions to make finding what you like to do work for you.  

Michael Hyatt’s How to Write a Blog Post in 70 Minutes or Less provides efficiency tips for writing blogs, including time-blocking techniques, music for motivation and allowing time for idea generation.

In the wild open space of social media what is TMI?  Has anyone ever told you “don’t Facebook that”?  In Is ‘Facebook Friction’ a Problem in Your Relationship, Mia Freedman walks us through some of the glitches starting to occur as our willingness to share hits up against relationship boundaries.

Frolicking Fun Finds

Shout out to Jenny Hansen again for her Coffee-Snorting Video Clip of the Week…Christian Panties find.  Important warning: thongs are a “weapon of mass corruption.”  Heh heh.

In Send Over Another Flaming Shooter Please, Carrie Spencer shares a great video with some beyond talented bar gurus.

Jess Witkins’ post I Know You Are, But What Am I took me back to the brilliant, quirky humor of Pee-Wee Herman in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.”  Remember the suits, how he rode his bike and Large Marge?  Jess does and shares some great clips.

And my blog buddy Natalie Hartford didn’t disappoint with her Twisted Tuesday post Dear Santa…I’d Like the NEW Hitch Stripper Pole.  This must have “dancing pole” comes with its own stage and makes taking your act on the road easy peasy.  I’ve already picked out a pole-worthy, throwback fave to get us started for a first routine.  🙂

Imaginative, Insightful, Inspirational

In Friday Inspiration – Not Everyone Likes You, Amber West shares her growth from wanting everyone to like her to being comfortable with who she is and accepting that “haters gonna hate.”

The short clip How to Be Tough With Yourself is a kick I needed this week.  In it, Jacob Krueger says our first jobs as writers is to find “what works” regardless of how bad we think something is.  Find and hang tight to those golden nuggets…and keep going.

“WHAT IF we could all wear a sign that said what WE REALLY MEANT?”  This piece was reposted on September 11, 2011, as a reminder of the kindness and respect of human beings sometimes lost in the face of darkness.  It is a little longer, but well worth the read.  Move to a quiet place, settle in for a sec and check out We Must See Past What It Seems.