Wednesday, February 1, 2012

And The Award Goes To...


When writers think of awards, we probably think of ones like the Pulitzer, Newbery, or Caldecott awards.  The cream of the crop awards that is not unlike winning an Oscar.  A visual indication that we must be doing something right in our writing and here is our sign.

But not everyone will win those awards.  Frankly my writing isn't anywhere near that caliber...yet.  While I strive for that level of excellence, realistically I'm just not there.  So what do beginner writers have to look forward to?


As a "newbie" to the professional writing world, I began learning about this little thing called "platform".  Back in the 80's it would have meant those tall, wedge heeled shoes I used to wear in high school and quite frequently fell off of!  But today, one of the things it refers to is becoming a blogger.  And in the blogging world there are apparently many awards even new writers can receive.


After creating my own blog back in December and diligently attending to its needs every day, I was pleasantly surprised one day to receive the Versatile Blogger award.  This award is given to me by Lynn A Davidson ((http://www.lynnadavidson.wordpress.com) as a sort of pat on the back for having, in their opinion, an entertaining blog.  I now have the privilege of paying it forward.  But first I have to say 7 random things about myself:

1.  I'm part Cajun and part Cherokee and a lot of other parts I don't have time to talk about right now.

2.  I can imitate Yoda from Star Wars.

3.  At one time I had a pet rabbit, quail, pigeon, dogs, cats, turtle, hamster, fish and probably some other animals when I was growing up.

4.  I just KNEW I was going to be a veterinarian when I got older.

5.  I ran away from home when I was about 11 to go play with horses at a stable outside of town.

6.  I've been writing since I was about 8 years old and one of my first poems was called "A Man Like Dan".  Don't ask me where I got the title...I was only 8, all right?

7.  I dream of seeing one of my books on a store shelf one day.  But then again, don't we all?


I'm supposed to hand out the Versatile Blogger Award to 15 other bloggers but right now I only have time for six and I hope the blogging gods will forgive me.  Drum roll please...

1.  Susanna Leonard Hill  (http://www.susannahill.blogspot.com)

2.  Tara Lazar (http://www.taralazar.wordpress.com)

3.  Kathy Temean (http://www.kathytemean.wordpress.com)

4.  Kristen Lamb (http://www.wariorwriters.wordpress.com)

5.  Laura Barnes (http://www.laurabwriter.blogspot.com)

6.  Joanna Penn (http://www.thecreativepenn.com)

These six ladies inspire me every day to continue to grow as a writer.  They each have a wonderful blogging style and it's a highlight of my very busy day to take the time and read their posts.


We all need a pat on the back every once in awhile.  Especially writers.  We tend to work alone and are held captive by our computers as we strive to create a little magic.  While awards like the Versatile Blogger Award won't put any money in the bank or take up any room on the trophy shelf, it's still nice to know our effort does not go unseen.  And for that I'm sure we would all  gladly receive this wonderful award!


16 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your Versatile Blogger award, Donna! You are getting noticed! Yay, you!

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    1. Thanks, Beth...I'm trying really hard...can't you see me waving my flag from way up high in my lonely tower? Lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Congrats on the well-deserved award, Donna! As for you r 7, I love Yoda! And I practically lived in a horse barn from age 10-22 :) Thank you so much for passing the award on to me, Donna! I am honored!!!

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    1. Thanks, Susanna, for stopping by! People are telling ME that my blog inspires them and offers them a "pick me up" in the morning...well, that is what your blog does for me. I stay informed and enlightened as I grow as a writer. Each day it seems I add to my list of blogs I admire and follow. Pretty soon I'm going to need an assistant just to take notes of all the cool stuff I'm learning every day! ;0)

      Come back any time!

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  3. Hello! I'm new to your blog from the critique blogfest, and I'm happy to meet you!

    Congrats on your award!

    As far as the blog critique goes ... I love the design (water droplets) of your blog, and I love your profile in a prominent position. The left sidebar is busy - - I would encourage you to simplify that. Otherwise, it looks great! :)

    Happy writing.

    Oh, and you have a word verification ... those frustrate me because it slows the commenting process.

    :)

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    1. Thanks, Margo, for stopping by! I took you advice and cleaned up the left sidebar some...hope it simplifies things a bit! As far as the word verification goes on the comments...I'm not exactly sure how to remove that, but I will look at my dashboard and see if I can figure that one out.

      Thanks for the critique and please come back any time!

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  4. Awesome and sooooo well deserved, Donna ;~>

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    1. Awww, thanks LJ for your kind words! And thanks for stopping by...come back any time!

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  5. Congrats Donna, well deserved.

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    1. Thanks, Diane, I feel like my name just got pulled for the Oscars! ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Donna,

    Thanks for mentioning my blog and letting me know you are finding my daily posts helpful. I see you are from Tennessee. Maybe someday you will be able to join us in New Jersey for one of our SCBWI Conferences. It would be fun to meet a Black Belt writer.

    Kathy

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    1. Hi, Kathy, and thanks for stopping by! I truly do enjoy your blog and since I am new to the "professional" arena, I can use all the help I can get! ;0)

      One of my many goals this year is to be able to become a member of SCBWI and maybe even be lucky enough to attend one of the conferences. So far I have not been able to tell if there is ever one held closer to home, but it certainly is worth it to travel north one day to attend!

      Thanks so much for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. I'm visiting from Teralyn's Critique Blogfest and I'm really enjoying your blog. It's visually rich and compliments your rich and thought provoking writing. I hope you'll visit me at Chubby Chatterbox sometime.

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    1. Thanks, Stephen, for stopping by! I just visited your blog and left a comment. What a wonderful blog you have and I adore the bull! I appreciated your kind words...come back any time!

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  8. Congratulations on your award! You are very deserving!! And, yes, I picture my book on the shelf right next to yours :) Thank you so much for giving the award on to me! It really makes me feel validated to know that I am helpful to others. I don't think I've ever been called inspirational before - I'm very honored!

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    1. Thanks, Laura, for stopping by! I have not been a part of the writing community for long, but when I started my blog back in December your name kept popping up and I wondered "Just who IS this Laura B Writer?" I checked out your blog and now religiously read your posts as they are a great tool to help people with their own blogs.

      Thank you for your kind words and please, come back any time!

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