Yesterday, I saw this on one of the many writer/agent/industry blogs that I consider “must-read”…you MUST WATCH.
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Has absolutely nothing to do with writing…there aren’t even words. But it’s a powerful message nonetheless. Show it to everyone in your family. Show all your friends. Make sure any young driver you knows watches it. I don’t know if indestructible teenagers will get it, but let’s all try.
That said, I thought I’d take today to point out a few of the blogs I read every day and why. Some industry related, but some not. Since you’re reading this, I can assume that you are blog surfers. Since you’re here on a Saturday, I can assume that you are here either to get some advice on writing (which is what we traditionally do here at Plotmonkeys on Saturday) or to meet a new author whose books you’d like to read. Not sure I can help you in the second area today! We shall see.
Thing is, people consider me to be very knowledgeable about the writing business. Part of that knowledge comes from the blogs I visit from time to time. For instance, I’m a daily reader of two agent blogs: Kristin Nelson and Janet Reid.
Neither of these women are my agent. My agent does not blog. She doesn’t even Twitter, except on very special occasions. But Kristin and Janet are not only devoted to their blogs and have new posts on a regular basis, but they are both full of important industry information. I don’t think Janet reps romance, but the information she shares is cross-genre. Anyone who isn’t reading at least these two agent blogs every day is not serious about learning about the industry. That’s my opinion, of course. But today, mine is the opinion that matters! (It’s my blog and I’ll judge if I want to!)
I also am a new convert to the science fiction author, John Scalzi. I don’t know what took me so long to add him to my daily stops because I’ve been linking to his brilliance for years. Again, he’s not a romance author, but what he has to say about the industry is simply universal intelligence. He’s a working writer. That’s all that matters. He’s also incredibly funny and hugely entertaining…even when he’s not talking about writing or business.
I visit several authors, too, and sometimes, they talk about writing or the business of writing: Alison Kent, Diana Peterfreund, Stephanie Bond. One writer who never talks about writing or craft or business is Jill Shalvis, but I read her blog everyday anyway because she’s really funny and poignant and this is my way of keeping up with her.
My two non-writing sites that get a daily visit are Cake Wrecks and Pioneer Woman. But you know what, that’s not fair to say they are non-writing because the absolute charm of their site is their writing. Jen and her husband John at Cake Wrecks can twist a pun into a pretzel. They are hilarious…some of the wrecky pictures aren’t really funny until you add the commentary. And as for Pioneer Woman, her cooking pages are great, don’t get me wrong…but damn, her Confessions pages are so fabulously written. Humor, emotion…but mostly, VOICE. If you want to learn about voice, read her blog.
Here’s a chance to give a shout-out to your favorite blogger…who is your number one stop every day and WHY? Who is your favorite writing/reading (as the case may be!) blog?
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Hey Jules this is a great idea…I have several blog sites saved in my eblogger…Plotmonkeys is a must for me. If I am up early, I try to start the day with it. Even if I log on later, I come to the Jungle first. This is usually my first stop because a) I love you guys, and I want to keep up with what’s going on with you all, b) I am learning a lot from your posts as well as the comments other jungle dwellers add, c) I get links to wonderful resources like the ones you have in the post today…I actually knew about the Janet Reid blog because of my RWA chapter. My next stop is either Les’ alters or Silver James’s Penumbra. I love to read everything that both these wonderful women post. Sometimes there are tidbits about writing, opinions, etc. I also love to read them specifically because their “VOICE” comes through loud and clear. I can actually hear them in my head when I am reading something they say. I check out Kristan Higgins’s blog as well. You can’t reply but her wittiness comes through, and she makes me laugh. As a result of my visits there, I check out Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills, which is really funny. I also go to Blaze Authors Blogs, primarily, to visit with some of my favorite Blaze authors. I usually end my blog hopping with WiPs and Chains, Heidi Betts’s blog, where I just go to step out of my comfort zone. She is extremely funny and her daily followers are just as funny and crazy as she is. I do have some Writer blogs on there where I can learn a little about the craft and the rollercoaster ride of writing by stopping by The Writer’s Playground and Writers Unboxed. I also have some “friends” whose blogs I check everyday like Stacy, Liza, Alannah Lynne, Riding with the Top Down, Tawny Weber
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submitted by mistake…oops…
Gena Showalter, the Prairie Chicks, and Colleen Gleason/Joss Ware. I usually go to these to check the pulse if you will, but most of them are friends on facebook, so I get a lot of updates faster through visiting their FB pages. Thanks you for the “new” links, especially the writer ones. I will check on the ones for Cake and Pioneer Woman. I actually have bookmarks of Stephanie Bond’s page as well as Diana Peterfreund’s.
I get email messages for updates to Carly’s site, and I check it when something new pops up.
Thanks again. I will check back in later. Have a wonderful rest of the day.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Paula, thank you so much for the nice things you said about Penumbra, and me!
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You are very welcome Silver! I think you are AWESOME!!! And you know what…we met because of the Plotmonkeys.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Hey Jules, it’s me again…Duh, right? I completely forgot to write something about the vid you had here.
It was very beautiful and no words necessary. I love the symbolic nature of the family coming together to form a strong bond that holds you up. And we can’t forget the whole seatbelt thing. Well choreographed I must say. I actually had tears in my eyes, just imagining what it was going to happen. The facial expressions on both the “driver/father/breadwinner” and the “daughter/angel” who helps to hold him up. And the “mom/angel” who stands behind him, symbolic of the role she might play in life as well. Standing behind her man and supporting him through whatever happens. Great choice for today. Is there any way of sharing it? I will have to check and put it on my FB page.
Oh, I also check out Murderati and Brenda Novak’s site on a regular basis as well.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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That video packs a wallop, doesn’t it? All I can say is, “Wow!”
Thanks for sharing your must-read blogs with us. I had some of them on my dashboard, will add the others.
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Wow…I just spent 30 minutes at Pioneer Woman and 30 minutes at Cake Wrecks…I’ve added them to Google Reader…they are great sites!!!
Plot Monkeys is one of the first places I visit in the morning. As well as a few friends blogs and Running with Quills and Blaze Authors.
Great video…showed it to my family…especially my new driver!!!
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Kara, I check out RWQ too…just not on a regular basis.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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The only blog I visit on a daily basis is The Plotmonkeys. I do receive Cindi Myers newsletter and Carly’s newsletter. I drop in at the Blaze Authors blog but not every day. I don’t visit Kristen Nelson’s blog or Janet Reid’s blog.
But since you posted links I will check them out today.
The video was very moving. Thanks for posting.
Cher
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crap… tried to look but all I have is a white page…and nothing else.
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For “writing business” and tips, one of my first daily stops is the Bookends, LLC blog written by agent Jessica Faust. For “insider” information, it’s Plotmonkeys, Murder She Writes, Deadline Dames, and the Jungle Red Writers. Jennifer Lyons has a fun blog based on her series of books. Leslie’s “Leslie Parrish” blog pops up when there’s something new. While I seldom agree with opinion or reviews, I check the industry links that pop up on Dear Author. Smart Bitches is always a must stop, too. I have a whole list in my Google Reader and while I try to limit “exposure” when I’m working, I often spend WAY too much time visiting others….Like today!
I have to leave for my RWA chapter meeting in an hour and a half. Instead of grabbing a shower, I’m blogging!
The video should be required viewing in every high school, btw! Have a great day!
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As far as writer blogs, I come here (I need to start my day with some jungle madness). Then, I also check out: Sizzlingpens.blogspot.com (Lori Borrill, a Blaze Author whom actually stopped by here for a long time and now has her own blog with others), Carly’s and Vicki Lewis Thompson (although the latter I just do once a month). When the Soapbox Queens were up, I stopped by there.
I’ll have to check out Kristin Higgin’s blog. Love her books!
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Hey Katie, Kristan’s is not an interactive one, but she hangs out at Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills a lot too. Her personal blog just gives little updates about her life. Sort of a like a “diary.” The entries are pretty funny.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Her books are pretty funny, so I imagine she would be, too!
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Hi Julie!
Plot Monkeys’ is a daily stop for me, as is Jessica Faust’s blog. Very informative. I also hop onto a bunch of fellow writer blogs daily. I plan to check out the Blaze Authors, Kristan Higgins and Jill Shalvis’s blogs. I love their books! I also visit Romanceuniversity . org (no space) They have great chats on Mon., Wed., and Fri.. And thebook shelf muse.blogspot.com (no space) has wonderful thesauruses. (I don’t know if I spelled that correctly.) Anyway, there are so many wonderful blogs that I’ve had to put restrictions on my blogging to ensure I have time to dedicate to my current work in progress.
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Once a week I check in with the blog/website of Patricia Briggs – usually manned by her husband Mike. Good insights to what is going on in the industry. Lots of talk about deadlines, copyright, life with a writer…. Good people.
And, of course, I come here every day!
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I used to check a lot more blogs- but these days I stop by here when I can, Jill Shalvis’s blog… and I’ve been checking the Olympics site a lot the past week
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I have become an Olympic nerd. I give random facts/gossip to my husband and mom and yes, they think I am crazy!
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Hi Julie & Everyone that stops by…
I’ve tried to keep my blog stops to a minimum and most days I stop here, Jill Shalvis & recently started visitng the Blaze Authors Blog almost everyday. I’m also active at eHarlequin on several threads. Since I don’t ever seem to get enough done I try not to spend all my time on the computer!!
Plotmonkeys & Jill’s blog are daily musts along with my coffee & The View!
That video is powerful. I just have to mention that Oprah is on a campaign to make our cars phone/texting free zones there are just to many distracted drivers on the road causing accidents. The show she did that “proved” just distracting talking on your cell & especially texting is when driving was a wake up call. Please consider going to her website and signing her pledge. The only thing you should be doing when driving is driving and being totally aware of everything going on around you. Since I rarely use my cell and never while I’m driving it wasn’t much a decsion for me. Thanks for giving me a chance to voice my concerns & getting on my soap box.
California has had a hands free law for a couple of years but you would not believe how many people are still chatting on their phones not hands free. Most of us are sure we can multi-task but not while driving.
Thanks Julie.
It is nice to be able to give voice to a cause. This one will save lives & heart ache. 
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Plotmonkeys is my first stop of the day. I also drop by Silver’s blog, Alannah’s blog, and Stacy’s blog each day. Lately, I haven’t made it by every blog each day, but hope to get back on schedule soon.
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Hey Liza…we seem to frequent the same ones…LOL!!! It is great having you back. Rest up okay!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Among my daily blog stops are Romance Bandits, Petticoats and Pistols,
Plot Monkeys, Anna DeStefano, Gena Showalter, Candice Hern, Goddess
Blogs, and Tote Bags and Blogs. There are several more which I visit on
an occasional basis. One of my fun favorites, Writers at Play, recently
closed down due to their writers becoming so very, very busy doing of all things: WRITING!
I’m forwarding your video to all my family, especially my grandchildren who
are now, or soon will be driving! Thanks so much!!
Pat Cochran
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For writing info–Nikki Duncan has a wealth of info on her site…Plus she is a great everyday kinda blogger.
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I read Jill Shalvis first because she always make me laugh, and you guys second because I love your books. My third stop is runningwithaquillls cuz I love Lori Foster’s books.
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There are a couple of blogs I visit regularly-Plot Monkeys where I know I will read something new and informative(not necessarily book related), Romance Buy The Book(Michelle Buonfiglio) and daily with Smart Bitches and Trashy Books-varied reviews on good and not so good books.
