It's Time!

It's time to get back into blogging. I've given myself a good talking to and know I need to become serious again. I remember reading a few months ago about Anna and her blog, 'Absolutely Beautiful Things' www.absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com, and how she felt that it was taking too much of her time. Fortunately for all who follow her beautiful blog, she rode through that little patch and continues to provide beautiful visual 'food' for us all. I've been feeling a little bit that way myself. It's not that posting a blog takes a lot of time necessarily, although it can. It's more that I find myself becoming consumed and distracted by what the day's post is going to be about.

There are still endless possibilities of course. Proofreading and editing of documents provides constant 'material' for the blog. My proofreading eagle eye as I'm out and about spots plenty of errors in writing too. I'm wondering about what you, as reader, what like to know more about when it comes to preparing written documents. Let me know, either by posting a comment or direct email to info@wordwriteforsuccess.com.au.

www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au

A Secret Place...

First of all, my apologies for my blog black hole of late. I've been away taking a little break. We went camping to a very special place where there is no electricity or mobile phone coverage, hence a place of great relaxation. I can't tell you where though as it's so quiet and unspoiled that I don't want to share it. Sorry for being so selfish.

Here are some clues though:
* we stopped for supplies at Beaudesert
* it was cold
* it took less than 90 mins to reach from our home on the Gold Coast
* we were surrounded by cattle paddocks
* the nearest town was only 8 kms away

If you guess correctly, I'll tell you. If not, it will remain my secret camping spot for a while longer.

http://www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au/

Exclamation Marks!!!!

There seems to be an indiscriminate overuse of the exclamation mark at present. Especially, this is the case in electronic communication, like blogs, emails and social networking sites. What is the point?!? (yes, pun intended)

The REAL use for an exclamation mark is in the place of a full stop, as follows:

* following a command - eg. Stop thief! Go away! Come here now!

* after an exclamation(who'd have thought?) - eg. Well done! No way! Congratulations! That's crazy!

* to show sarcasm or irony - eg. With small children in the house, who needs sleep!

Most commonly, the exclamation mark is found in dialogue to indicate the speaker's tone of voice. This is the likely explanation for its prevalence in electronic communication - in a medium which has been stripped of verbal tones (volume, pitch, pace) and complementary body language, the exclamation mark picks up the ball and runs with it.

The problem is that, if it is employed too often (eg. Hi!!! Great to hear from you!!! We're great!!!!!! I'm in love!), the reader can end up missing the really exciting part of the message. So, use your exclamation mark sparingly and, when you do, let it have the impact it deserves!

!!

http://www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au/

Beautiful Blogs

It's Easter Monday and it's wet! I've just spent the last hour or so browsing the blog "Absolutely Beautiful Things", created by Anna Spiro, and, at the risk of you never wanting to come back to this blog, I found it truly beautiful. The appeal of the blog is undeniable.

I first heard of Absolutely Beautiful Things a month or so ago, when I read (maybe in Q Weekend magazine??) that after a couple of years of writing her blog, Spiro had decided to take a break from it. As a fellow blogger, I can empathise with her on the level that keeping a blog on a daily basis can be pretty demanding, and understand her decision to try to take a step back from blogging. If you've had a massive day doing all that family, work, and home entails, there is not a lot of time left for relaxation, let alone the time it takes to write a blog.

However, the outcry from blog followers was such that she has felt compelled to return to blogging. Thank goodness she has. Absolutely Beautiful Things is a feast for the senses. I must admit to a little bit of 'blog envy', though. I'd like to think that my Word Write for Success blog could attract followers to the extent that it would make news if I was to stop in a year or two! Fingers crossed...

http://www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au/

Twilight Tension

There is a tense stand-off occurring in our household at present, revolving around the 'Twilight' series and the happy relationship I have enjoyed, up until now, with my daughter.

I mentioned a while ago that I had 'Twilight', the first book in the series (as if you need to be told this!), sitting on my bedside table waiting to be read, at my daughter's recommendation. The problem which exists now is that I have read 'Twilight', then 'New Moon' and have caught up to my daughter so that we are both sharing a copy of 'Eclipse'.

As you would appreciate, this is a sticky situation. I have employed all of my negotiating skills to no avail. The only time I have been able to get my hands on the book is after she has fallen asleep at night or before she wakes up in the morning. She has insisted I am NOT ALLOWED to overtake her in reading the series, but, as the two bookmarks sitting in 'Eclipse' attest, I have ignored her command. I know I could be dicing with death to so blatantly go against the awesome might of a 12 year old's will. Such is my fascination with the story, I am willing to take the risk.

Right now, in fact, is my chance! She has a friend over for the day and is suitably distracted. What am I thinking to be sitting here writing my blog, when it's the perfect opportunity to conduct a stealth mission into her bedroom. If you don't hear from me again, assume the worst...

http://www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au/

I Must Apologise!

To my dear blog readers,

Please accept my sincere apologies for my 'silence' for the past 48 hours. I went out on a mid-week evening to the theatre! I know, I know - what was I thinking? Of course there were quite a number of other things I could have been doing - marking student drafts, washing my children's school uniforms, preparing a decent meal for my family, or, of course, writing in my blog (once again, please forgive!) - but I decided to put these out of my mind and enjoy my excursion.

We saw a play, "The White Earth", from the novel by Andrew McGahan of the same name. Our bookclub read the novel about eighteen months ago and decided, in lieu of our monthly meeting for March, we would go together to see the play. It was wonderful and powerful, everything live theatre should be. I experienced goose-bumps, fright (the kind that makes you literally jump in your seat), sadness and laughter at various different stages in the play.

The main character, an eight year old boy, was played by a 30-something woman and she was incredibly believable in the role. The entire cast was excellent and brought a very complex story to the stage most authentically.

At the end of this week, "The White Earth" will finish its season, but, last night, it played to a full and appreciative house, as it has done apparently since the season began. Its success is thoroughly deserved. While I missed writing my blog, I hope you can accept my excuse.

http://www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au/

Setting Up a Blog - A Little Too Easy!

As I dip a very tentative toe into the world of blogging, I'm wondering if the easy set up is too good to be true! Proofreading and editing for others is my comfort zone. It's what I do best. Writing for others is another story.

Setting up a small business is a rollercoaster ride. Setting up a small business online is different again. Everyone's doing it, it would seem. Taking the step to set up a blog is my latest fascination. I'm excited to see how it can enhance traffic to my business website, http://www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au/

I read that no-one cares about your business as much as you do and it's so true. It's up to you to make it work. Setting up a website and seeing it live makes it feel real. Then, the buzz of seeing the traffic stats is one thing, but the very first job that comes through online is something special. It's an affirmation - there actually is someone out there who will benefit from the service you offer. Aside from the obvious 'bottom line' factor, discovering that there really is a place for you in the business world is cause for celebration.