Posted in Uncategorized, Writing

10 Tips For a Better Blogging Experience-Revised

I’ve been blogging off and on for about 8 years. During that time, I did not take advantage of the amazing community that WordPress has become to me until the last few years. Don’t make the same mistake. I would like to share some of what I’ve learned with you. If you would like to expand your readership or enhance your WordPress experience, these points might be helpful. I do not claim to be any kind of expert. I just want to share my experience and possibly spare you some of the mistakes I’ve made.

  1. SHARE–The biggest lesson I’ve learned here is to share your knowledge. It will come back to you 10-fold. The bloggers on WordPress are incredibly generous with their knowledge. You should be just as generous.
  2. GIVE CREDIT–Be sure to give credit where credit is due. If you are copying an idea or using a photo, give credit to that person. They deserve it for their hard work!
  3. CONNECT–Step out and connect with other bloggers. As you develop relationships with these people, you will learn from them. Explore!WordPress has a worldwide selection of topics.
  4. ASK QUESTIONS–If you have questions about blogging or writing, ASK! If your recipe for bread dough is falling flat and you want help, ASK! Your fellow bloggers are more than willing to help!
  5. DO THE WORK–Your blog will flourish, depending on the amount of work you are willing to put into it. This is a mistake I made for a long time. Not only do you need to write and post here, but get around to other blogs. Read, comment, follow!
  6. SPREAD THE JOY–If you see a post that makes you laugh, or expands your knowledge, tell that person. Leave a comment! Reblog! It’s important!
  7. USE WORDPRESS–Wordpress has a ton of tutorials. There are also awesome WordPress blogs that will give you ongoing information if you follow them. Take advantage of this free information. WordPress wants to help you!
  8. BE ACTIVE–Be sure to respond to comments. Visit other’s blogs. Read, follow and comment.
  9. BE THANKFUL–Be gracious. Thank those that help you. Return the favor. Spread the love!
  10. BE ACTIVE–This was probably the biggest mistake I made. I do not post on a set-in-stone routine. I try to post a few times a week. If you do not post often enough, people will lose interest.

*I’d like to add a couple more suggestions for a Better Blogging Experience.

1. Be polite. If you don’t agree with something, that’s no reason to be rude. Move along to something that better fits your tastes.

2. Have Fun! Once you spend a little time here, you will begin to really enjoy the community and the connections that you make.

Have fun with this experience!

Copyright (C) 2022 Penny Wilson

Posted in Life, Writing

Friday Favorites-My OBT

Welcome to another Friday Favorite!  Each week I will bring to you information on one of my favorite blogs/bloggers. Please be sure to check them out and they might just become a favorite of yours too!

Today’s Friday Favorite is Donna’s blog over at My OBT (One Beautiful Thing). Donna’s blog is always filled with wonders!  I don’t how she finds the things that she shares with us.  You will be in for a wonderful surprise and discovery every time you visit her blog.

THIS is an example of Glass Art.  This is just one of the amazing and wonderful things that Donna finds for us!

THIS ONE is hilarious!  It’s Donna’s example of “Etsomnia”.  A brief description of “Etsomnia” is not being able to sleep and ordering bad decision based items from Etsy.  Donna has done several of these and every one of them has given me quite a giggle.

I love this look at Tiny Doors in the city.

On Donna’s blog, My OBT you will find the funny and fabulous, the weird and hilarious, the enchanting and the outlandish, for our enjoyment.

Donna says that she spends some time every day looking for One Beautiful Thing.  What a wonderful thing to do!  And Donna does it for us!  Be sure to spend some time exploring My OBT.  I’ll bet you a nickel that it becomes a favorite of yours too, and not just on Friday!

Copyright (C) 2019 Penny Wilson

Posted in Life

Friday Favorite’s-Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo

Welcome to another addition of my Friday Favorites!  Each Friday, I will spotlight a favorite blog/blogger. I hope to give you a glimpse into who and what their blog is about and why they are a favorite to mine. Please check out these posts and maybe they will become favorites of yours too! 🙂

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo .  Sue is a multi-faceted wonder.  I believe the reason that I originally connected with Sue is because she does a photo prompt called #writephoto. After discovering her blog, I was hooked. Sue’s #writephoto prompt is a prompt of a photo, sometimes a painting or other things. THIS is an example of one of her prompts.  

The #writephoto prompts exposed me to the poetry that Sue writes. Her work is amazing. It seems to have a soft, mystical quality about it. Beautiful! THIS is where you can find some of her poetry. 

Sue is quite prolific with her writings. She’s the author and co-author of several books. HERE is where you can find information on them. I counted 22 books on this page, at the time of this writing, there may be more. Sue’s writing talent ranges from the mystical to mystery to stories about her beloved pup. You’re sure to find something of interest among the many titles.

Sue also paints. Samples of her work can be seen HERE.  Are you beginning to see why I say that Sue is a multi-faceted wonder? 

Please take a few minutes to explore Sue’s Blog. There you will find, short stories, flash fiction and even more than all of the different things I’ve mentioned here. Take your time to explore. You’re sure to find several things to delight you and ensure that you’ll be coming back for more.

Copyright (C) 2020 Penny Wilson

*Be sure to check out my next “Friday Favorite”! Who will it be next time? 🙂

*If you would like to catch up on some of my past favorites, you can see those posts Here, here, here, here, and here.  (I’m not going to list all of them)

 

 

Posted in Life, Writing

Playing Favorites Friday-Minnesota Prairie Roots

Welcome to the 2nd installment of my Friday Favorites!  This is where I share with you some information about a Favorite Blog that I follow.  I have many many favorites.  Today’s favorite is Minnesota Prairie Roots

If you’ve not discovered Audrey’s amazing blog, you’re missing out!!  Minnesota Prairie Roots is a collection of observations of rural life done by not only in word, but also by Audrey’s beautiful photography.  She explores the back roads and the off-the-beaten-track spots in Southern Minnesota.

The landscape in Audrey’s “back yard” can vary from desolate to picturesque through her sharp eye and camera lens.  She speaks eloquently of the sometimes overlooked simple pleasures of small town life. She may write about a colorful flea market or a day on the road to her favorite hamburger joint.  Regardless, you will love being along for the ride!  Her posts are full of a richness you can feel.

THIS will give a taste of Audrey’s Beautiful photography and her beloved Minnesota that she writes about.

I love Audrey’s blog for many reasons.  One reason is because of her stand against Domestic Abuse.  She’s writes articles regularly on the subject.  One such post on the subject can be seen HERE.

Audrey has always been kind, encouraging and greatly supportive to me since I connected with her on WordPress.  She’s a person I proudly consider a friend.

So be sure to visit Minnesota Prairie Roots today and show Audrey some love.  Browse through her posts and amazing photography.  You’ll be glad you did!

(C) 2019 Penny Wilson

Posted in Uncategorized

Playing Favorites Friday “Trent’s World (The Blog)”

Happy Friday all!  We all have our favorites, right?  Favorite food, favorite music, etc.  I have favorite blogs.  Many, many favorites.  🙂  I decided that I need to be sharing these favorites with you.  After all, they ARE wonderful and that’s why they are favorites, right?

So today is my first of many (I hope) favorites, that I wish to share with you.  In no particular order, I’ll tell you a little about them and why they are my favorite blogs to visit.  Please be sure to drop by and give their blog a look-see.  You won’t be sorry and they might just become a favorite of yours too!

My very first favorite is Trent’s World (The Blog) 

I start with Trent’s blog because he is one of the very first bloggers I connected with on WordPress.  He’s always been kind, inspiring and helpful to me from day one.  His blog is a treasure trove of short stories, not-so-short stories, prose, photography, art and various other things.

Trent does a Weekly Smile piece that is always fun to check out and participate in.  Trent is a very active blogger and participates in a number of prompts and challenges here.

Trent now has 4 books in print and 5th one coming soon!  He’s a prolific writer who weaves colorful and imaginative stories.  You can check out his book titles and descriptions HERE.

So be sure to check out Trent’s blog.  It’s worth your time and it may just become a favorite of yours too!

(C) 2019 Penny Wilson

Next Friday, Playing Favorites Friday #2.  Be sure to watch for it! 🙂

 

 

Posted in Writing

10 Ways to Improve Your Blogging Experience

I’ve been blogging off and on for about 5 years.  During that time, I did not take advantage of the amazing community that WordPress has become to me until this past year.  Don’t make the same mistake.  I would like to share some of what I’ve learned with you.  If you would like to expand your readership or enhance your WordPress experience, these points might be helpful.  I do not claim to be any kind of expert.  I just want to share my experience and possibly spare you some of the mistakes I’ve made.

  1. SHARE–The biggest lesson I’ve learned here is to share your knowledge.  It will come back to you 10-fold.   The bloggers on WordPress are incredibly generous with their knowledge.  You should be just as generous.
  2. GIVE CREDIT–Be sure to give credit where credit is due.  If you are copying an idea or using a photo, give credit to that person.  They deserve it for their hard work!
  3. CONNECT–Step out and connect with other bloggers.  As you develop relationships with these people, you will learn from them.
  4. ASK QUESTIONS–If you have questions about blogging or writing, ASK!  If your recipe for bread dough is falling flat and you want help, ASK!  Your fellow bloggers are more than willing to help!
  5. DO THE WORK–Your blog will flourish, depending on the amount of work you are willing to put into it.  This is a mistake I made for a long time.  Not only do you need to write and post here, but get around to other blogs.  Read, comment, follow!
  6. SPREAD THE JOY–If you see a post that makes you laugh, or expands your knowledge, tell that person.  Leave a comment!  Reblog!  It’s important!
  7. USE WORDPRESS–Wordpress has a ton of tutorials.  There are also awesome WordPress blogs that will give you ongoing information if you follow them.  Take advantage of this free information.  WordPress wants to help you!
  8. BE ACTIVE–Be sure to respond to comments.  Visit other’s blogs.  Read, follow and comment.
  9. BE THANKFUL–Be gracious.  Thank those that help you.  Return the favor.  Spread the love!
  10. BE ACTIVE–This was probably the biggest mistake I made.  I do not post on a set-in-stone routine.  I try to post a few times a week.  If you do not post often enough, people will lose interest.

If you are not following the people on the list below, you should be.  This is a PARTIAL list, a sampling, of people that have been here for me, helped me, encouraged me, inspired me and have continued to show their kindness.  Have a look at their blogs and remember to share the love. ❤

Minnesota Prairie Roots

Trent’s World (The Blog)

Books and Bonsai – Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie

Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo

The Reluctant Poet

Hugh’s Views ans News

Walt’s Writings

Jessica Bakkers

*My original version of this post was done in 2017. I thought it was time to repeat it. I hope you enjoyed.

Copyright (C) 2019 Penny Wilson

REBLOG: Please take a minute to visit Rory’s blog for a whole lot of Wonderfulness!!  Enjoy! ❤

Howdy Doody Folks!! Once a month – the Huge Hug Club is active! Today is that day! you know, we may all be on different continents, different countries, different customs and cultures, but whilst we are here – we are the same. I may not be able to get y’all each and every day –…

via The Huge Hug Club — A Guy Called Bloke

The Huge Hug Club — A Guy Called Bloke

Posted in depression

10 “Harmless Things” You Say That Hurt Me: Mental Health Awareness

I’ve blogged on mental illness on occasion here. Please read Elizabeth’s enlightening piece below.

Uncustomary Housewife

I’m letting my heart spill out through my keyboard… metaphorically, of course, and I’m offering it all to you. Today, I’m going to talk about my mental health. This is something that I’ve worked to conceal for a long time, mostly because of the negative stigma attached to mental illness. I’m sharing for two main reasons; (1) to educate people, and (2) to show people like me that they are not alone.

For the record: I’m living with Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder… In this post I’m sharing 10 “harmless things” that people have said to me that actually cause me a great deal of pain. I’m also sharing how they make me feel, and why, while giving you an inside look at my life.

So, these are the things I wish you wouldn’t say to me;

“You don’t look like you have a mental illness.”
More commonly stated as…

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