I've said it before that Wordpress is a good community -- each person I've encountered (so far) is a sincere truth seeker. Snarks, please take your crappy attitudes elsewhere.
I'm even more pleased that this is my roost after finding myself nominated for a Very Inspiring Blogger award by the Book Maven. Thank you Jhobell. If you haven't checked out her site already, you should definitely visit there now.
I followed the Maven a few years back while I was deputy book editor at the L.A. Times -- I'm pretty sure I did, though I did scan a mountain of blogs in those days -- and I felt like I was hearing from an old friend when I received that notification. As you can see from the award logo, in very tiny type, it's all about "keeping the blogosphere a beautiful place." I really like that.
In keeping with the "rules" of this award, I have posted the award logo and linked to the site that nominated me.... And now, I also must tell you seven things about myself. I think I've disclosed a few items in previous posts, but here are a few more to add to those, just to keep things legit:
Religion and superstition (some will say they're the same thing, they're not!) are passions of mine. I'm educated enough to compete on "Jeopardy!" though I'd rather host a blog than meet Alex Trebek. At the newspaper, I'd been hammered by snide, anonymous commenters living very lonely lives. Every morning when I wake, I say a prayer for George R.R. Martin's health and safety (at least until he finishes the final book of his epic).
I adore A.L. Kennedy's column in the Guardian on writing (see the blogroll to your left): She's a wonderfully consoling voice as one struggles with writing projects. I'd also recommend novelist Nicholas Delbanco's book of essays "Anywhere in the World," which reminds us all that the bonds connecting writers and readers transcend all boundaries.
Most important, when I started the Call of the Siren, I decided that I wouldn't care who read or followed me. But sometimes, my beloved friends, isn't it just good to be heard?
With that in mind, I want to follow suit and nominate my own choices (so far) for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Some of these folks have already received this award and/or other awards ... and deservedly so. There's some extraordinary work going on here, and I want you to listen to what some fellow Wordpressians are saying:
Thecheesewolf: http://thecheesewolf.wordpress.com Not everyone can post poetry on their blog that other people will want to read. This guy can.
Lesley Carter: http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com Lesley Carter goes out and experiences the world in a way that I can’t right now. So I read her. Thank goodness.
Tychogirl: http://tychogirl.wordpress.com Poetry that weds concept with layout, and that’s out of this world. Literally.
Atmaseva:
http://atmaseva.wordpress.com
A breath of fresh air and a reality check: what we should all be thinking about.
321 Irony: http://321irony.wordpress.com
A young poet who’s unafraid to showcase everything from small lyrics to imitations of Dante. Plus the refer to T.S. Eliot in her banner got me.
iGamemom:
http://igamemom.com
Excellent guide to getting your kids intellectually charged with all the right kinds of apps and features.
Words Fusion:
http://www.wordsfusion.com
Like Lesley Carter’s blog, Words Fusion has satisfied my global interests with observant dispatches from all corners of the world.
Impressions of a princess:
http://gongjumonica.wordpress.com
Monica offers a great selection of posts on forthcoming books that’s a helpful guide to what’s new in the industry.
Butterfly tales:
http://jcbhojoo.wordpress.com
A rich trove of fantasy in books, movies and more. One of my favorites is Julia’s post “Lord of the Rings Pick-Up Lines” -- I wonder if Sam used any of these on his wife-to-be.
Ajaytao2010: http://ajaytao2010.wordpress.com
Words and lovely images to give the mind a break during a busy day.
Liz Bell:
http://thejournalfiles.wordpress.com
Why do I, an inhabitant of hot, sunny Southern California, care so much about hockey? Two words: Liz Bell.
Jilanne Hoffmann:
http://jilannehoffmann.com
Great breadth and intellectual curiosity, and excellent writing chops ... Wish I’d assigned freelance to her while I was at the Times!
The Arched Doorway:
http://archeddoorway.com
Rlovatt is working hard to bring us some great interviews with today’s fantasy writers. I really enjoyed her conversation with Patrick Rothfuss, one of the best.
Lilywight:
http://lilywight.com
All things with an “A” at this site ... Arcane, antique .... Awesome.
Arranqhenderson:
http://arranqhenderson.com
Detailed, comprehensive — Arran’s posts on all things antique are definitely not for the twitter-infected. Print these posts out and read them at your leisure.
Congratulations to all of you!
Please note: These selections are in no particular order.
I'm glad that someone reached out to me with this Award, just as a reminder that we don't have to wait for established committees of critics to decide what is worthy and what isn't. In my experience, critics hardly know what they're talking about (you should see how they dress).
This award is like the best kind of chain letter, and I urge all of you to reach out and nominate your favorites. Just make sure to post the logo, link to the site that nominated you, and share some things about yourself. Let other bloggers know that you appreciate them, and keep on producing an atmosphere of genuine camaraderie in the blogosphere!
- Inspiring Blogger Award (thoughtsummary.wordpress.com)
- Very Inspiring Blogger Award (amandahawk.wordpress.com)
I've recommended that working writers should read A.L. Kennedy's columns on the writing life in the Guardian -- if you haven't already, start immediately.