Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Why "Dancing Through Time and Space"?

Creative Commons, Pixabay
If you haven't noticed, "Dancing Through Time and Space" is my new blog motto, log line, subtitle, whatever. No, it's not Star Trek. No, I'm not aiming to find a portal in the universe, or a crack in the time/space continuum, but I would love to have a time machine (to create more of it). Or would that be a time tree? If you had a time machine/tree, what things would you want to do? How could you more fully spend your time?

I also love space and thinking about the universe, don't you? And then there's each person's own personal space, too. And of course, there's DANCING! I do love to twirl around and dance. I just imagine myself dancing around trying to get more done in my limited space and time. I kind of jump from one passion to the next, always trying to learn how to be more mindful of my time.

Every day, we all dance through time and space as we say hello to a loved one, pick up the phone and call a parent, pick up the dirty laundry and squeeze a hug with our children. A peck on the cheek, a bear hug, a high five. These are ways I dance through time and space with my family. Family is the most important thing in life. I try to teach my children to love the Lord, teach them good manners, teach them how to be respectful, honest, law-abiding citizens. Teach them what they need to know to be safe and happy here on this earth. I pray for my sisters. I'm happy when my parents call me. How do you dance with your family?

But, yet I still struggle. Sometimes I steal time from my family just so I can write. A lot of writers don't have a clean house, or maybe they don't take the time to cook a nice meal. I, for one, do neither most of the time. But we always have clean clothes to wear and food to eat. So, yeah, I'm always dancing through time and space - fleeting, sometimes focused, sometimes unfocused, happy, searching for love and how to share with others the deeper meaning of life. Will you dance through time and space with me?

When you leave a comment, you'll receive "dancing time-released space-kisses" to last for a whole week. I know you want a little more love in your life. 

Keep on keepin' on...


Friday, January 22, 2016

Useful Resources and Links for Writers

I hope you find these blogs and websites useful. Thanks for stopping by! (*My favorites.)

Helpful Writer Resources
    Teaching Blogs
      Review Blogs
      The following are awesome blogs I've awarded The Pot-O-Gold Blogger Award to in the past. I haven't kept up with it, but I still want to share their links.

      Where did the Pot-O-Gold Blogger Award come from? Faith, Hope, Love, and Luck, of course! Originally, I wanted to create a NEW blogger award that I will give to other bloggers each month for excellent blogs based on both interesting and helpful content AND visually appealing and easy-to-navigate design

      There are so many awards out there that are just for fun. I wanted to create one that was easy to "accept" and simple enough to forward to others that didn't require listing 20 random things about yourself or 20 new bloggers you've recently met. 

      It's an award that says, "Look at this awesome blog I know about. There is such a wealth of information here! If you visit once, you'll want to return again and again." In other words, it's like discovering a pot of gold! It's a site you will visit frequently and enjoy swimming around in for a while. For the kick-off month of March 2011, I awarded FOUR talented bloggers. Each month hereafter, I'll award ONE lucky blogger.

      NEW: I now give this Pot-O-Gold Award to great websites and new books I've purchased. So, it's not just for bloggers anymore. I no longer give this award. After all, I do need to have some time to write. 

      Recipients:

      March 2011: (the first FOUR)
      The Bookshelf Muse
      Literary Rambles
      Writer's First Aid
      There Are No RulesApril 2011I Am a Reader, Not a Writer
      May 2011Routines for Writers
      June 2011: Julie Hedlund at Write Up My Life
      August 2011Alison Pearce Stevens: Scientist. Writer.
      September 2011: Rachael Harrie at Rach Writes
      October 2011: Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers
      January 2012: Lydia Kang at The Word Is My Oyster
      February 2012: Rob Sanders at Picture This! (and a few bonus blogs)
      March 2012: Susanna Leonard Hill, a children's author's eye view of writing and life
      April 2012Mormon Mommy Writers
      May 2012: Tara Lazar at Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)
      June 2012: Corey Rosen Schwartz Blog of a Picture Book Ninja
      October 2012: Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts
      November 2012: Tricia Stohr-Hunt of The Miss Rumphius Effect
      January 2013: Jeanne Walker Harvey of True Tales & A Cherry On Top
      January 2014: Dee of I Write for Apples, home of Query.Sign.Submit.
      And here are FOUR things about me (that are always changing):
      1. FAITH - I have FAITH in God, and in his son, Jesus Christ.
      2. HOPE - I HOPE for things which are not seen, but are true.
      3. LOVE - I LOVE the Lord with all my heart.
      4. LUCK - I feel LUCKY to have the family with which God chose to bless me.
      Blog Awards I have received:

       A photo on Flickr A photo on Flickr A photo on Flickr A photo on Flickr A photo on Flickr A photo on Flickr

      Wednesday, January 20, 2016

      How to Create an Editorial Calendar

      Blog posts come a lot easier when you're writing them regularly. I found this great post by Marisa Murgatroyd where she lists out all the holidays for 2016. There are some great ideas here for blog posts, emails, social media topics, and more. Just get creative with it. I know I will be!

      "JANUARY
      • January 1 – New Years Day (popular topics: weight loss, resolutions, business/financial success, having a great life)
      • January 17 World Religion Day (popular topics: spirituality)
      • January 18 – Martin Luther King Day
      • January 11 – Clean Off Your Desk Day
      • January 13 – Make Your Dreams Come True Day
      • January 14 – Organize Your Home Day
      • January 17 – Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day
      • January 18 – Thesaurus Day
      • January 24 – Macintosh Computer Day
      • January 26 – Spouse’s Day
      • January 31 – Backwards Day

      FEBRUARY
      • February 2 – Groundhog Day
      • February 8 – Super Bowl (popular topics: football, commercials, advertising)
      • February 14 – Valentine’s Day (popular topics: love and relationships)
      • February 15 – President’s Day
      • February 9 – Mardi Gras
      • Black History Month
      • February 1 – National Freedom Day
      • February 5 – National Wear Red Day
      • February 8 – Chinese New Year
      • February 8 – Laugh and Get Rich Day
      • February 8 – Clean Out Your Computer Day
      • February 17 – Random Act of Kindness Day
      • February 16 – Do a Grouch a Favor Day
      • February Work Naked Day
      • February 22 – Single Tasking Day
      • February 26 – Tell a Fairy Tale Day

      MARCH
      • First Day of Spring (popular topics: cleaning and organizing, fresh starts, new life)
      • March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day (popular topics: green, parades, good cheer)
      • Women’s History Month
      • National Nutrition Month
      • March 4 – Employee Appreciation Day
      • March 27 – Easter Sunday
      • March 1 – World Compliment Day
      • March 1 – Plan a Solo Vacation Day
      • March 18 – Awkward Moments Day
      • March 21 – Common Courtesy Day
      • March 22 – International Goof Off Day
      • March 30 – Take a Walk in the Park Day

      APRIL
      • April 1 – April Fool’s Day
      • April 15 – Tax Day (popular topics: finance, government)
      • April 22 – Earth Day (popular topics: environment, living green, recycling)
      • Jazz Appreciation Month
      • National Poetry Month
      • April 28 – Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
      • April 1 – Walk to Work Day
      • April 14 – International Moment of Laughter Day
      • April 16 – Wear Pajamas to Work Day
      • April 18 – Columnist Day
      • April 30 – Honesty Day
      • April 23 – Take a Chance Day

      MAY
      • May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
      • May 8 – Mother’s Day (popular topics: family, moms, being a mom)
      • May 30 – Memorial Day (popular topics: patriotic, veteran, military)
      • Lupus Awareness Month
      • ALS Awareness Month
      • May 5 – National Day of Prayer
      • May 6 – National Nurses Day
      • May 15 – Peace Officers Memorial Day
      • May 21 – Armed Forces Day
      • May 4 – Star Wars Day
      • May 6 – No Pants Day
      • May 6 – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
      • May 18 – No Dirty Dishes Day
      • May 20 – Be a Millionaire Day
      • May 10 – Clean Up Your Room Day

      JUNE
      • June 19 – Father’s Day (popular topic: family, dads, being a dad)
      • June 1 – First Day of Summer
      • LGBT Pride Month
      • June 3 – National Doughnut Day
      • June 1 – Say Something Nice Day
      • June 8 – Best Friends Day
      • June 14 – Bourbon Day
      • June 21 – Daylight Appreciation Day
      • June 18 – International Picnic Day
      • June 24 – Swim a Lap Day

      JULY
      • July 4 – Fourth of July (popular topics: freedom, barbeques)
      • Dance Appreciation Month
      • Eye Injury Prevention Month
      • July 24 – Parents’ Day
      • July 1 – International Joke Day
      • July 11 – Cheer Up the Lonely Day
      • July 13 – Embrace Your Geekness Day
      • July 12 – Simplicity Day
      • July 5 – Workaholics Day
      • July 6 – World Kissing Day

      AUGUST
      • Back to School (popular topics: education, summer vacation, feeling good)
      • National Immunization Awareness Month
      • Medic Alert Month
      • August 19 – National Aviation Day
      • August 21 – Senior Citizens Day
      • August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
      • August 1 – Girlfriend’s Day
      • August 4 – Single Working Women’s Day
      • August 5 – International Beer Day
      • August 5 -Work Like a Dog Day
      • August 9 – Book Lovers Day
      • August 12 – Middle Child Day
      • August 11 – Son and Daughter Day
      • August 10 – Lazy Day

      SEPTEMBER
      • September 5 – Labor Day (popular topics: workers, American principles)
      • September 1 – First Day of Fall
      • September 11 – Patriot Day
      • National Yoga Month
      • September 11 – National Grandparents Day
      • September 1 – No Rhyme or Reason Day
      • September 6 – Fight Procrastination Day
      • September 6 – Read a Book Day
      • September 10 – Swap Ideas Day
      • September 13 – Positive Thinking Day
      • September 28 – Ask a Stupid Question Day
      • September 28 – Good Neighbor Day

      OCTOBER
      • October 10 – Columbus Day
      • October 31 – Halloween (popular topics: costumes, makeup, candy, treats
      • Breast Cancer Awareness Month
      • National Book Month
      • October 3 – Child Health Day
      • October 17 – Boss’s Day
      • October 13 – International Skeptics Day
      • October 17 – National Clean Out Your Virtual Desktop Day
      • October 27 – American Beer Day
      • October 29 – Internet Day

      NOVEMBER
      • November 1 – All Saints’ Day (popular topics: costumes, makeup)
      • November 11 – Veterans’ Day (popular topics: soldier, military service, war)
      • November 8 – Election Day
      • November 24 – Thanksgiving (popular topics: gratitude, recipes, family)
      • November 25 – Black Friday (popular topics: shopping, sales, deals)
      • November 1 – Author’s Day
      • November 3 – Men Make Dinner Day
      • November 4 – Common Sense Day
      • November 6 – Zero Tasking Day
      • November 13 – World Kindness Day
      • November 15 – Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
      • November 20 – National Absurdity Day
      • November 24 – Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
      • November 25 – Buy Nothing Day

      DECEMBER
      • December 25 – Christmas (popular topics: shopping, family, celebration, traditions)
      • December 25 – Hanukkah (popular topics: shopping, family, celebration, traditions)
      • December 26 – Kwanzaa
      • December 31 – New Year’s Eve
      • National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
      • Seasonal Depression Awareness Month
      • December 5 – Day of the Ninja
      • December 7 – Letter Writing Day
      • December 18 – Free Shipping Day
      • December 26 – Thank You Note Day
      • December 27 – No Interruptions Day
      • December 31 – Make Up Your Mind Day"

      Saturday, January 16, 2016

      You Forgot Your Name?

      It's been so long since I've blogged, I feel like I forgot my name. I don't even know what to share anymore. Do me a favor. Let me know all the things you've liked about my blog, the things you might miss about it being so inactive, and the things you wish SOMEBODY would talk about.

      Do you want to hear about productivity? Energizing activities? Time saving tips? More book reviews? How to balance your writing life with your home life?

      So spill the beans!!! I know you didn't really forget your name, but will you help me remember mine?

      Keep on keepin' on...
      ~Christie

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