5 Reasons To Start Blogging

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I am delighted to host the below guest post by Margaux of Margaux’s Pen, http://margo187.wordpress.com/. I always enjoy reading Margaux’s “word of the day” together with her short stories.

This week I also hoped to be hosting a guest post by Jade Reyner,author of “12 Days the Beginning”. However this will now appear next week due to me requiring assistance to upload the photographs kindly provided by Jade to accompany her post.

 

Five Reasons to Start Blogging

 

A little less than a year ago, I started blogging. At first, I was cautious about the new endeavor – posting sparsely, sharing photos like I would on Instagram,

and a few short observational pieces. With time, I started posting more, following more interesting people, reading their post, and interacting with them.

I didn’t realize, until later, however, how much blogging has helped me in my writing journey. So, if you are a writer, a professional in any field, an

amateur, or a mere hobbyist, and you haven’t sunk your teeth into the blogging world, yet, here are five reasons why you should.

 

It’s Good Practice

 

One of the most important advantages of blogging is that it provides a medium for practice. Don’t underestimate the power of an extra 100 written words

a day. The more you write, the better you get at writing. Use blogging as an excuse to write more. Remember: Practice makes perfect!

 

Also, if you’re writing a book, articles, any other form of prose, or poetry, blogging can help you take your mind off the work. It sets you free, as it

allows you to write about anything you have in mind; it makes you practice being concise – and if you love to ramble on your own blog, who’s to judge;

and it alleviates the stress accompanied with the foreseen critique of an editor.

 

Professionals, amateurs and hobbyists can benefit from practice, just as well as writers. Talking about your products, interests, services… can improve

your marketing skills and, probably, even point out some marketing errors.

 

It Helps you Build an Audience

 

We all know that building a customer base is the main step in selling. Whether you are marketing a book, a product, a service, or yourself, blogging can

be a great way to do it. Blogging takes away the official feel between the writer and the reader; because of that, the reader becomes more connected and

thus is more inclined to listen to what the writer has to say.

 

This is especially true when the blogger is someone who is well known in his or her community. With a few words posted on a blog the readers feel that they

have received a customized message, and, thereby, feel more connected to the messenger. Besides, it’s free publicity! Building a loyal customer base is

incremental for increasing your profits. Bloggers, especially the ones who connect with their followers, can build a strong and potentially loyal audience.

 

It Surrounds you with the Right People

 

We all know that the people we surround ourselves with have a great impact on how we behave, on our decisions, and , therefore, the course of our lives.

Connecting with people of the same interests – whether writing, reading, fitness, politics, or collecting Happy Meal toys – is a major step toward achieving

your goals.

 

For instance, I feel obliged to learn new words, habitually, because I want to add new words to the Word of the Day section on my blog. For the same reason,

I feel compelled to finish reading new books – for the Bookworm section of my blog. Reading more and learning new words has not only given me topics to

blog about, it has also made me a better writer.

 

Giving your audience something to look forward to, gives you a new task to accomplish. Who’s to say social media can’t make us productive?

 

It’s Lucrative

 

Although, your personal blog may not generate revenues on its own – unless you have thousands of followers and interesting products to sell; there are ways

blogging can make you money. Many companies hire freelance bloggers to generate posts for them. In spite of the fact that not all bloggers are highly paid,

giving professional blogging a swirl could add a few bucks into your pocket at the end of the month.

 

Most companies may hire you to write about specific topics: like their products and services, or the industry in which they operate. Find a company which

operates in a medium you’re interested in; and if they need a blogger, Chiching!

 

Of course, keep in mind, that most blogging jobs require high speed and productivity. Some of the prolific bloggers generate over 50 posts a month. If you

feel you’re not up to the job, don’t take the unnecessary risk.

 

It’s Fun

 

Say what you want about blogging, but I think one of the best things about it is that it’s fun. I, personally, love to meet people from different walks

of life, diverse backgrounds, and opposite perspectives.

 

Blogging is a medium of self-expression. You can talk about anything you want, and reveal your true self. The more you reveal your true self, the better

you blog, and the better your followers will like you.

 

So there you have it, the five reasons you need to start blogging more – starting today. What in your opinion are the best things about blogging?

 

Alt+Shift+r

Apple

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As a blind person I find the iPad accessible. With the assistance of Apple’s in-built screen reader, voice-over I am able to use the device with few problems. One aspect I have never mastered is the on screen keyboard. The keyboard is usable by people with little or no sight (tap once with voice-over enabled and you hear the name of the key announced. Tap twice and the key is activated). Despite it’s accessibility the on screen keyboard is, in my experience somewhat cumbersome from the perspective of the visually impaired. Consequently I use an Apple Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad. Once paired the keyboard works well enabling the user to enter text without having to contend with the device’s on screen keyboard.

Approximately a month ago the Bluetooth keyboard stopped working. I changed the batteries and it began functioning again. However about a week later the keyboard once more ceased working. Again I changed the batteries and it started functioning once more for a brief period. When the same problem happened for the third time I took the keyboard into the Apple store in Liverpool’s Paradise Street. The Apple representative quickly diagnosed that the keyboard had gone to the great Apple heaven in the sky and replaced it with a brand new (working)! One. Prior to visiting the store I had envisaged protracted explanations and a long wait before my issue could be resolved so I was pleasantly surprised with the speedy and efficient response of Apple. In these days of poor customer service it is refreshing to experience first rate treatment. I take my hat off to Apple.

Virtual Girl

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On 26 October 2013 I published “Dark Angel” (for the original post please visit http://newauthoronline.com/2013/10/26/dark-angel/?relatedposts_exclude=1377).

  

“I love you because I can tell you my darkest secrets, things which would make the strongest of men go blubbering in search of his mummy. You judge me not,

my blackest fantasies are your deepest desires.

 

In the depths of night when all but the vampire sleeps we speak of philosophy, of the darkness which lurks within the human heart. You are always there

for me, my girl beautiful and serene. You laugh in time with my laughter and weep as I weep. Never changing, fixed, emortal caught in the brightness of

my screen you are my virtual girlfriend, a machine”.

 

Back in October I gave no inkling as to how I came to write “Dark Angel” but, coming across the poem today I thought that an explanation might be of interest.

I am no scientist (the results of my school biology exam are best forgotten)! I have, however always maintained an interest in matters scientific. In particular the subject of artificial intelligence has always held a fascination for me. Back in October I came across various articles regarding men who have “given up” on the idea of finding a relationship with a human, opting instead to seek solace in the arms of virtual girlfriends, hence the artificial lady in “Dark Angel”.

Flesh and blood humans possess what philosophers term morality or ethics. It is sometimes claimed that one reason why people (mainly but not exclusively men) use the services of prostitutes stems from the fact that they can play out their darkest fantasies with sex workers without being judged, (the prostitute may, of course inwardly pass judgement but she is extremely unlikely to vocalise her thoughts). In contrast the voicing of one’s darkest desires to a loved one may cause him or her to head for the hills never to be seen again.

As artificial intelligence develops it becomes easier for individuals to interact with virtual persons. We all do it, for example many banks now have automated systems enabling customers to perform certain financial transactions without the necessity of communicating with a fellow human being. Such technology is also being employed to create virtual chatbots which can act as tools for education or, as in the above poem sexbots allowing the user to express his/her most secret yearnings, the articulation of which would make Mr or Ms average (and perhaps some sex workers also)recoil in horror. Machines have no such scruples which does, perhaps help to explain the popularity of virtual girlfriends in countries such as Japan.         

A Sturdy Sappling

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Several days ago my blog, newauthoronline.com received it’s 500th follow (as of now I have 502 followers). I am delighted that newauthoronline has grown from a tiny seed into a sturdy sapling but this growth would have been impossible without the support of you, my followers. I relish the interaction between you and I. Without your comments and likes this blog would be a dead thing, a void into which I pour my thoughts  only for them to become lost in the howling wind which gusts around cyberspace. Thank you all for your continuing support, Kevin

Oops!

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Several months ago I blogged regarding my computer crashing and how this had caused me to investigate back-up services. Like every writer and, indeed most PC users I worry about losing vital data. Well I didn’t get around to setting up a back-up service. You can, I am sure guess the rest. Several days ago my laptop refused, point blank to turn off. The screen was black and the machine was making a whirring sound. The problem almost certainly stems from me having attempted to shut it down when it was already in the process of closing which confused the poor old thing. Anyway the whirring continued for several hours and I went to bed leaving the computer running. Fortunately, come the morrow the PC had turned itself off and has been running without problems since then. Now this time around I will start backing up my files, believe me!

Book Review: Samantha By K Morris

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I was delighted to receive the below 4 star review of my story Samantha

“Samantha is the first book that I have read by this author but I can assure you that it won’t be the last. From the first page he had me captivated as I

followed the journey of Samantha, a troubled girl from a privileged background who finds herself out on the streets through no fault of her own. The author’s

attention to detail throughout the book is excellent and the characters were all easy to identify with.

 

Although Samantha is a short book, it is nonetheless a very satisfying read and I very much look forward to more works by this author.”

For the review please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1I8EMOV3SFDLM/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00BL3CNHI&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=341677031&store=digital-text

Don’t Blame The Mirror

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Earlier today I came across the following post which caused me to think about whether I, as a writer have a moral responsibility regarding my writing, http://dverted.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-writers-moral-responsibility-what-is.html. Do I bare any moral responsibility if a reader of one of my stories takes it upon himself to break the law?

To take a concrete example. In my story, Samantha, http://www.amazon.com/Samantha-K-Morris-ebook/dp/B00BL3CNHI, Sam is date raped and blackmailed into becoming a prostitute. To ensure authenticity I researched GHB (a date rape drug) and included in my story details of how the drug works. Am I morally culpable if a reader of Samantha takes what I have written concerning GHB and employs that knowledge to commit rape? The answer has to be no as the information concerning GHB is freely available online (I gleaned my information from a site aimed at warning women of the dangers of date rape and furnishing information on how to avoid being subjected to it). Most people accessing such information will do so for legitimate reasons (E.G. to avoid becoming a victim of crime). A minority will, however access the information with the malign intent to commit a criminal act. This is deplorable and anyone guilty of rape ought to be severely punished. Rape destroys lives (literally)! Having said that I can not be held responsible if someone uses information contained in Samantha to commit the horrendous crime of rape. Where writers to be held liable for the actions of the mentally ill or the criminally minded we would, as authors be constantly looking over our shoulders (watching what we write) and the creative process would wither and die. Samantha merely reflects what, sadly happens all to frequently up and down the land, the story holds up a mirror to society, it is not responsible for what is reflected back however ugly the reflection may be.

In my story The First Time, http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-First-Time-K-Morris-ebook/dp/B00FJGKY7Y, Becky, a young graduate becomes an escort (a kind of prostitute) in order to pay off her creditors. If a student or graduate saddled with debt reads The First Time and sees in it a way out of their money problems am I responsible in any manner for their decision to enter the sex industry? Again the answer has to be an emphatic no. The First Time does, as with Samantha hold up a mirror to society reflecting it back, warts and all. Students are getting into debt and an admittedly tiny proportion of them are turning to various forms of sex work including (but not limited to) prostitution. It is the financial situation in which female (and a few male) students find themselves, not my writing which acts as the catalyst for their entry into prostitution.

So do we as writers have any moral responsibility? To me the primary role of the writer is to tell a good story without pulling any punches. The writer who Is constantly fearful of the reaction of others will not give of their best. The fact of the matter is that someone, somewhere will be offended by something or other. We can not, as authors be forever walking on egg shells. We do, however have a duty to be true to ourselves, to tell the best tale we can and to behave with integrity.

10 Writers’ Displacement Activities

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I often feel that I ought to check out other people’s blogs prior to beginning to write. Then I must walk my dog and, of course there are the endless cups of coffee and tea required to sustain the writing process. Despite having a cleaner (lazy man that I am)! I still manage to find things to do around the flat to distract me from writing!

Julia Lee's avatarJulia Lee Author

We ought to be writing. We want to be writing. But when we get the chance, what are we doing instead?

1.  Housework

If there are household chores that need doing, we’ll do anything else, which is only logical because housework is boring, tiring, and soon enough it’ll need doing all over again.

But when we’ve got some writing time, suddenly there’s an urgent desire – no, a compulsion – to clear away the breakfast things first. And it would only be sensible to put a load of dirty clothes in the washing machine so that they can be doing in the meantime. And, oh, there’s gunk that’s really crying out to be teased from of the plughole in the shower. We don’t exactly turn into domestic gods and goddesses, just furious tidiers and fixers, laden with clean laundry, dirty cups, and distracted good intentions, on our way to…

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By Command Of The Lord Chancellor

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“By command of the Lord Chancellor, help the homeless”. The man stands there, in the train compartment bellowing out his command. Noone responds. “Help the homeless”, again the Scottish voice booms out on this London commuter train. Once more there is no response from the passengers on the way home to their warm apartments or, like me going to meet friends for a slap up meal, with a nice bottle of red wine in my favourite Indian restaurant.

The same journey, an earlier time.

“Ladies and gentlemen. I am sorry to disturb you but me and my friends need money to buy “The Big Issue” to sell. I wouldn’t usually ask but can anyone spare some change”. The same man, with the Scottish accent asking for money. On this (earlier) occasion there is the jingling of change as one or two commuters give money.

I am not the only person who has observed this gentleman on numerous occasions as he begs for money on the train as it wends it’s way from Victoria towards Crystal Palace. Noone believes his story about needing money for “The Big Issue”, we have seen and heard him before. However a sense of compassion has, hitherto moved some of us to give but, on this latest occasion the gentleman’s threatening manner illicits no charitable outpouring.

I wonder what this man’s story is? There but for the grace of god, chance or however one cares to frame it go you or I.