Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts

Sunday, 19 February 2017

Getting To Know Me.....

I was tagged in this fun blogger tagging thing by the delightful Shelley Wilson ~ you can read her post HERE.

Now, some random facts about me, answering the same questions as Shelley, and I'll tag four more bloggers at the end, so they can do a post with their answers, too :)

Share your profile picture

It's 2 years old, really must change it...
 
Who are you named after?
My mother's aunt, Alice Theresa.  I've always hated the name Theresa, and became Terry when I was 12, though my father always uses my full name

 The lady with the black hat, white blouse and rather grim face standing behind
the lady in the front row with the round face, is my great aunt Alice Theresa,
after whom I was named.  The wedding couple are my 
maternal grandparents, getting married in 1919.

Do you like your handwriting?
Yes, but only for the first few words.  After that, it's like a mad, drunk spider walking across the page.  It's because I type all the time; I've lost the knack of writing legibly.

What’s your favorite lunch meat?
Lunch meat?  The hell is that?  As this was started by US bloggers, I'm assuming it's one of those things Americans say that we don't!  I sometimes have tuna on toast for lunch.  Or occasionally a ham sandwich.  Or some form of pasta and vegetables.  Is the ham in the sandwich 'lunch meat?'  Or just meat?  Hmm!

Longest relationship
The current one, and will stay that way!  

Do you still have your tonsils?
Yes.

Would you bungee jump?
Yes, I'd love to.  It would scare me senseless and I am sure I would change my mind a hundred times, but I like to think that I'd be brave enough to do it.

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
I don't wear any shoes with laces.

Favorite ice-cream?
As much as possible.  The best I've ever tasted is sweet fennel flavour, which I've eaten in the Rose and Crown restaurant in Yardley Hastings, Northamptonshire.  And you used to be able to get this amaayy-zing raspberry and champagne flavour in the Cliftonville hotel in Cromer, Norfolk, where I used to live.  I love this stuff called Swedish Glace which is gluten and dairy free, and also Carte D'or strawberry.  And any salted caramel.  Generally, my answer is 'don't get me started'.   (btw, I don't eat all this all the time.  High days and holidays only!!)

The Cliftonville, Cromer ~ home of raspberry and champagne flavour ice cream


What’s the first thing you notice about people?
Whether they look open and sincere, or cagey.

Football or baseball? 
Neither, I have no interest in sport.

What color pants are you wearing?
I was just about to say, 'you what?' when I remembered that US thing, and realised it means trousers.  I am currently wearing my black velour 'leisure pants'.  They are dreadful.

Last thing you ate?
I am actually eating one of these, as I type.


 
If you were a crayon what color would you be?
If I was a crayon????  Does this mean you want to know my favourite colour, or what colour I consider relevant to my personality?  Couldn't you have asked 'If you were in The Walking Dead, which character would you be?', instead?  
Answers to these three questions:  Purple, Purple and Michonne.

Favorite smell?
Tea tree oil.  We have lots of oil burners around the house, and I like tea tree best, and rose.  I first discovered the former when I was at a friend's house some years ago, and we both had crashing hangovers.  She lit a burner with tea tree in it and it actually made me feel better.  I'd always thought aromatherapy was a load of rubbish before that.

Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
My sister.  I don't like talking on the phone.  Alot of the time I don't answer it.

Hair color?
Naturally, mid brown with lots of grey, fading to total white around my forehead and temples.  Unnaturally, varying shades of blonde.  I first went blonde when I was 24.  I have my colours done about once every 2 months.  I've been trying to go a bit darker for the past year or so, as befits my age, and have dark bits put in it as well as highlights.  I think they're called lowlights ;).

Me aged 20, with dark hair

Eye color?
Mucky green

Favorite food to eat?
Almost impossible to choose just one thing.  My favourite dinner is sea bass with tons of vegetables.  I'd eat that every day if I could.

Scary movies or happy endings?
Definitely scary movies.  I hate anything 'feel good', girly or romcom-ish.

Last movie you watched?
Lion.  Which does have a happy ending, admittedly, but it's allowed to!  Wonderful film.  I had to read the book straight after watching it.  My review is HERE

Favorite holiday?
Can't remember the last time I went on holiday.  And enjoyed it, I mean; I went to Turkey in 2009 and hated it, because I can't stand being hot.  My sister and I spent the whole week trying not to move, in order to keep cool.  I've had great holidays in the past, in the wilds of the Scottish highlands, and North Wales.  I like being outside, not hot, somewhere beautiful/interesting, with not too many people around.
Julia and me, very hot in Turkey, August 2009

Beer or wine?
Neither.  I scarcely drink.  Used to drink buckets of wine, but it gives me heartburn and guts ache now.  If I have a drink, it's whisky or brandy.

Favorite day of the week?
Thursday, but I don't know why.  Maybe because it was usually a good night out, when I was younger!

Three or (four) favorite bloggers you want to learn more about?
I've chosen four I think readers of my blog might like to know more about, instead!  Here goes (click name for link to their blog):

My favourite Rivergirl, Val Poore. 
My proofreading sister, Julia Gibbs
My book blogger chum Rosie Amber
The funniest writer I know, Barb Taub   

Who were the last three people to follow your blog?
Writer Adrienne Vaughan
... and two other people called Micaela Marcedo and Linda, but I don't know them  ~ thanks, ladies!


When I was looking for those photos in Turkey, 
I found this one that my husband took of me on my birthday in 2011
and, although it's blurred, I really like it, so thought I might as well put it on here!
 


Sunday, 12 June 2016

Big huge thank you!

I'd just like to say a big huge thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Bloggers Bash Awards!  And to Sacha Black and her gang for all their hard work in organising it.

I was delighted to see that I came second in the 'Best Pal' award: 

"Which blogger do you want to go to the pub with? Or maybe have dinner with? Who never fails to reply to comments, and has thoughtful things to say. Maybe they encourage the community through weekly challenges or blog parties. Who wouldn’t the blogging world be the same without?"

That's a lovely one to win, I was pleased just to be among the nominees for it!



Big congratulations to Rosie Amber for getting second place in Book Review blog - I am a member of her reviewing team #RBRT), so it's great to see that we're doing something good.  Not just book reviews, Rosie does all sorts of other posts, such as info for writers and bloggers, and genre specific reading suggestions.  And a big cheer for fellow #RBRT member Shelley Wilson for winning the 'most inspirational' category :)

Thank you!



Thursday, 19 May 2016

VOTING NOW OPEN!

Voting is now open for the Bloggers Bash Awards ~ voting closes on June 9th, the winners to be announed on June 11th.

One vote per category :)

Full details and lists of nominees in each category on Sacha Black's blog ~ vote HERE

 

Thursday, 5 May 2016

#TwitterTips: Retweeting and Post Sharing

Many say that the power of Twitter is not in the tweet but in the retweet, as it greatly expands the possible audience for your posts.

I've been guest posting with tips for more effective use of Twitter on Rosie Amber's blog; my article about retweeting and post sharing can be found HERE

Friday, 22 April 2016

Annual Bloggers Bash Awards!

Please see below a link to the above, run by Sacha Black and some of her blogging friends ~ you're invited to nominate for the awards, for which there are several categories, including  
  • Funniest Blog 
  • Most Informative 
  • Best Book Review
... and more!  You nominate just one at a time, as you are required to give the website/URL of the blog, then say which award you are nominating it for.  You may only nominate one per category.  Find the websites of many blogs you like via the blogger's Twitter Bio.

If you are interested, there is a Bloggers Bash event in London on June 11


Please see all details HERE

Wednesday, 23 December 2015

My Top 25 Most Viewed Blog Posts of 2015


View figures taken on December 21st, when I started compiling this post.  I've looked at posts from both my book review and my general blog; via those two combined, I've written a total of 208 posts this year, which seems ridiculous!  

Here are the Top 25 ~ I hope you see something that you might like to read or revisit, but the list itself might be interesting to other bloggers, as it shows the types of posts that result in the most views. 



In reverse order....

25.  My review for Bridget Whelan's Back To Creative Writing School 
has been viewed 1444 times. 



24.  With 1481 views, All The Sundays Of My Life, 
~ a little bit of nostalgia!



23.  Hmmm....for some reason, 1543 people were interested 
in reading my views on and experiences in Internet Dating...:)


22.  My review of Mark Barry's Once Upon A Time In The City Of Criminals, which has featured in the top ten most viewed posts of my book blog for much of the year.  Currently at 1660 views.



21.  In late August I began The Zodiac Files, with writers talking about their star signs:  Anne Goodwin's post about being a not very typical Leo gained 1679 views. 



20.  My Top 24 Books of 2015, which I imagine will get a lot more than its current 1705 views by the time we get into the New Year!



19.  Taurean Val Poore's post on The Zodiac Files1751 views



18.  Just ahead of Val, Georgia Rose's Capricorn post on The Zodiac Files has had 1757 views.



17.  My moan about that site had 1811 views ~  


16.  It's all about the earth signs ~ Barb Taub's (hilarious!!) Virgo Zodiac Files post had 1826 views.



The joy of favourite old clothes gained 1835 views.


14.  Sagittarius writer Katrina Mountfort's Zodiac Files post 
was viewed by 1861 people



13.  In May, I had a bit of a moan about the awful UPSELLING  in shops ~ 
this has had 1980 views to date.


12.  Another Zodiac Files post has so far gained 2020 views ~  
Sacha Black talked about being a Pisces.



11.  2039 people have viewed my short story, Karmaville
my imaginary social networking village :)


The Top Ten
(I love countdowns...:)


10. Back in January, I wrote about my six week reading marathon ~ 


9.  Last month's in depth discussion about writing according to 'the rules' ~ 2169 views for 




8.  Posts about writing, self-pub and promotion are always so popular ~ 
2498 views for Be Visible, Be Discovered 


7.  Another Zodiac Files post ~ the first few gained so much interest!  
2573 views for Aquarius/Capricorn writing duo Nicky Black 



6.  More books and writing ~ 
my January advice post on writing Book Blurbs  got 2635 views.


The Top Five

5.  This was my first post for The Zodiac Files; it's not surprising it did well as it was a new idea: 2988 views.  
Read about me and my sister HERE (Leo and Aries)

Taken in 1991!!!


4..... but the second one did even better!  
Gemini Shelley Wilson's post got a whopping 3241 views.



3.  You can't beat a 'how to' post, I suppose: my third most viewed post of 2015 was a bit of advice inspired by my year of reviewing books for Rosie Amber's book blog:  
NOT another 'how to write' post, but it may help new writers.
3335 views.


2.  This was a surprise, but I'm just glad people wanted to take a look ~ 
4952 views for my post about My new book ~ The House of York



1.  My most viewed blog post this year ~ I was and still am amazed that 5774 people viewed my January post about My 10th book on Amazon ~ Last Child.  It's my most viewed post since I started the blog almost four years ago - so I've got something to beat in 2016!




Thank you for reading, tweeting, retweeting, commenting and sharing on other sites ~ and a huge thank you to all those who have taken part in The Zodiac Files :)

Merry Christmas and happy new year xx



Friday, 13 November 2015

The Z Files: Norah Colvin ~ Gemini

Astrology ~ a bit of fun, a load of rubbish, or something to take seriously?


I invited around 70 writers/bloggers to write a piece about whether or not they're typical of their sign, and how its traits affect their writing life ~ if at all...

Has your favourite writer been featured yet?  Links to all previous posts at the end of this one :) 


The Zodiac Files' fourth Gemini ~ yes, mercurial messenger Twins doing their communication stuff around Twitter and providing me with pieces for this feature; it's the sign from which I received the biggest initial response (even bigger than the allegedly 'I want to be centre stage!' Leos!).  

 Today's Gemini is Australian blogger Norah Colvin, who has a passionate interest in education, and shares others' blog posts of interest all over cyberspace, with her online wingéd heels! 

Welcome, Norah, and please tell us about yourself ~


And old picture of Norah at a 'bad taste' school dance!

"I don’t believe in the ability of star signs to define an identity or predict life events. I choose free will over destiny. However I do believe that everything is connected and that our traits are influenced by the interaction of nature and nurture. Stars and planets are parts of nature, but whether these entities influence life events is open for conjecture.

While I don’t believe in “the stars” I know that I have some of the characteristics of my star sign “Gemini”, the twins, a contradiction. (I probably have some of other star signs too, but that’s beside the point!)"


"Like a typical Gemini, I love to think. Learning, is my passion. The by-line on my blog, ‘Live Love Laugh Learn … Create the Possibilities’, surprisingly, probably sums up the Gemini in me quite nicely.

I, like other Geminis, love to amalgamate information from different sources to create new ideas. The ideas may never materialise, but the formulation is energising; energising in a way that physical exercise never is: I am cerebral, though could never be considered intellectual. I may have a superficial understanding of many things, but I am a loyal, rather than superficial friend."


"Communication is important in my roles as teacher and writer. I can be sociable (when and how I choose) and am very interested in others, especially their ideas. As an introvert, though, I am more a listener than a talker and not really what would be described as chatty.

An airhead maybe; I love birds and butterflies and views from the air; but don’t like heights or closed in spaces. Give me freedom to think outside the square and definitely, don’t fence me in (unless I’ve got a good book and some writing tools)!"



Norah, you've just written a piece describing all the traits of the typical higher Gemini! I love it when these pieces show so much of the sign, so often more than the author realises... Norah's Twitter bio says that she loves learning and education ~ and I'd like to add that she is very cheerful and communicative online :)  You can follow her on Twitter, and have a look at her multi-facted and educational blog HERE.

Now, which famous Gemini writers to choose for Norah?  I've gone for two who have written books for children as well as adults:

...namely Salman Rushdie, author of Haroun and The Sea of Stories 
and Luka and the Fire of Life...


... and former Poet Laureate John Masefield, who wrote  
The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights.




Up Next: a financially thrilling Leo!

Previous Posts:
Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black
Capricorn: Steffany R