I’m noticing a disturbing situation in the blogosphere, and I think it’s time to have a rant. I know some of you might think, “Aw, look! How cute! He’s being angry.” Even James gave me a virtual pat on the head when I asked him, “Do you think this post is too much?” Make no mistake. I’m bothered. I don’t comment very much on people’s blogs, but I do read and I do observe what happens around me in the blogosphere. Some people I once looked up to are making foolhardy decisions. I still like
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Drive-by-Shooting Sunday: Forty Plus Two
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“James?” James didn’t even glance up from where he stood at the kitchen counter, deep in concentration while he tried to fix the puzzle before him. “Hm?” “What are you doing?” “Trying to glue my coffee cup back together.” And it wasn’t working well. “I think this glue is old.” He set two pieces firmly into each other and pressed hard. “They keep falling apart. I knew I should have bought a souvenir cup from last week’s hit.” “Yes, alright,” Harry acknowledged quietly. “But I mean… What are you doing? We’re supposed to be at
> Read MoreEmbracing Feedback and Taking Away the Guns
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Ask and ye shall receive. I’m a big proponent of that saying, and I ask questions often and consistently. After all, if I never ask, I’ll never know or learn, right? We recently handed out guns to our readers and asked for feedback on our design, theme and blog features. The comment section lit up, with everyone camped out and taking shots at our domain. It was great, and the feedback was extremely valuable. There’s a lesson in that for everyone: Because you are a professional does not mean that you always get it right,
> Read MoreHow to Respect Yourself When You Aren’t Perfect
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Perfection. We desire it, we strive for it, and we crave being the person that delivers it. There’s a very good feeling attached to the words, “It’s perfect!” The closer we come to reaching that mark, the prouder we feel. It’s the ultimate in personal satisfaction. You can hear people promising perfection wherever you go. Here’s one: “Nothing leaves my desk until it’s perfect.” Someone else might admit (not too sheepishly) that, “I’m a bit of a perfectionist.” Some people stay up late at night, frantically editing and killing themselves mentally. “I can’t stop yet.
> Read MoreTop Ten Blogs for Writers: Men with Pens Takes Second Place
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We’re both pleased and honored to announce that we’ve made the cut as one of the Top Ten Blogs for Writers two years in a row – and we couldn’t be happier. Michael Stelzner released his third annual Top Ten Blogs for Writers list this morning. There we were at position number 2, barely squeaking out the competition and just missing the number one spot. We had tough competition, and we’d invite everyone to head over and check out each of the winners: Copyblogger: As the undefeated champ, this blog has held the number-one spot
> Read MoreOn Listening to Shepherds and Finding Your Green Pastures
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“There’s a saying old says that love is blind. Still were often told, seek and ye shall find, So I’m going to see a certain lad I’ve had in mind.” – Someone to Watch Over Me, George Gershwin The sweet little crooner Gershwin penned long ago warmed many a heart for love-seekers everywhere. The glorified image of a shepherd for the little lost lamb was touching, really. But on the Internet, shepherds and sheep aren’t so nostalgically poignant. Many people search desperately for someone to give them the answers and the key to happiness forever.
> Read MoreDrive-by-Shooting Sunday: Fawnskin Flyer
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Harry grabbed an empty gym bag from the closet and tossed it on the bed. “We’re getting out of here.” “Yeah?” James knew his partner well enough to know that when Harry made a statement like that, he already had a destination in mind. “Where are we heading?” “We’re taking the bikes to California.” A couple of sweatshirts and some jeans joined the .44 Mag in the bag. “I know a place called Fawnskin. It’s near Big Bear.” The place was quiet, secluded, and far away from the packs of shooters now crawling the area
> Read MoreHave a Gun and Tell Us What You Think
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My teen recently dragged me to the big city before high school began. Alright, I went willingly enough – I love shopping. There’s just something about plunging into urban life after small-town living. I love being a discriminate shopper. Always the name brands; only the best. If looks stupid, I don’t want it. I browse for clothing that offers me the most impact for my personal style. (These guys make a lot of money off me.) I want to look good and feel smug. Oh yeah. Harry and I recently decided that our site needed
> Read MoreRewriting Your Writing: How to Be a Better Writer
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“How do you write website content?” That’s a tricky question I’m often asked. There are standards and suggested guidelines to follow, sure, but teaching someone the difference between how to write content and how to write content that shines is tough. I have a trick, though: Put your skills to the test and start rewriting. Before I go on, I’d like to say that I don’t intend for people to edit their work mercilessly until it’s either too pristine to be any good or so far off the original that it doesn’t even resemble itself
> Read MoreWhat to Do When You Can’t Write
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Real life has a way of creeping up slowly and then leaping on you to eat you alive when you least expect it. It’s inevitable – someday, at some time, something will happen that absolutely, irrevocably removes any ability you have to get a damned thing done. I’m talking about the common cold, people. As I write this post, I have to pause every 30 seconds to blow my nose, an action that makes me want to scream with pain. My teeth hurt. I’m coughing up a lung. My voice sounds two tones lower (much
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