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By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 5/21/2012
Teen blogger Charity U posted a review of my YA book A Shadow in the Dark and an interview of me at her site, Austenitis. She said that even though the book is aimed at teens younger than herself, she enjoyed it. I’m happy to see the book resonated with another young adult!
You can read the review and interview and comment at her site, http://austenitis.blogspot.com.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 5/12/2012
I’ve noticed something strange about YA authors: If you get a group of them together, they usually end up in a debate about who was the biggest geek in high school. They’re all vying for the title.
If any served as class officers or homecoming kings or queens, you’ll not hear of it. Of course, the general adult populace seems intent on putting any distance between themselves and the “in groups” of high school. (For you high schoolers not considered popular, rejoice. The popular kids are in the minority. You will be spending the rest of your life amongst the majority.)
What strikes me as funny about this is that publishers continually express a desire for writers who are “in touch” with teens, who are “in the know” on the latest trends and social choices, who are–in short–“in.” But most YA writers I know weren’t “in” in high school, less enough now as potbellied middle-aged people. And, in my mind, that’s probably a good thing.
Who better to write about teen angst than someone who has experienced a healthy dose? Who better to write about social interactions than someone who has spent a lifetime studying them?
Geeknicity helps. Who but a geek would be mulling over such things in middle age?
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 4/15/2012
I just received my author copies of a new anthology, Always There. These true stories show how God moves in the lives of mothers of young children. The anthology makes seventeen I’ve had stories published in. and as I did with prior anthologies, I’ve now read every story in it. The best way to write for anthologies is to read them so you know what publishers are looking for. 
Always There surprised me with its depth. I was expecting stories along the line of ”the five-second rule” (how parents become increasingly lax about allowing their children to eat food dropped on the floor) or “the crying kids in Wal-Mart” (how parents used to be annoyed by crying children in department and grocery stores but now are the parents of those children themselves). These are the types of stories young mothers tell one another while commiserating over the struggles of parenthood, but such stories have been told so often they’re clichés. Always There skipped the clichés, the trite, and the shallow in laying open what women in the trenches of early motherhood truly feel.
One woman who struggled with infertility wrote of hating pregnant women. Several women wrote of feeling inadequate and overwhelmed as mothers. Others spoke of the difficulties of missing sleep. I especially appreciated this statement from Rachel Swenson Balducci: “Rarely does any good come from a sleep-deprived mother analyzing the way things are” (p. 131). Plenty of truth in that! But every story also included hope and the quiet acknowledgment that God is with us every step of the way.
This anthology is produced for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), and I expect it will comfort and uplift young moms. If I submit to the publishers again, I will keep in mind that they, like most anthology producers, want honesty and insight, the a-ha rather than the ho-hum.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 3/4/2012
I’ve been reading a lot of government documents lately, and I find the authors often use several words where one would do. For instance, the words “due to the fact that” could easily be replaced by “because.” This kind of puffery slows down text and ruins the flow. Beginning writers may have a hard time detecting it because it even creeps into two-word combinations. The following redundancies could all be said in one word. I’m sure you can think of others.
I worry that this inflated language will slip into my writing because I’m reading so much of it. And I remember how many years it took me to break the habit of saying “unthaw” instead of thaw. 
On guard!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 2/5/2012
A standard piece of advice for YA writers is to avoid using slang. What’s current slang when you’re writing a novel may be outdated by the time your novel hits print. But what about fashion? How should your characters dress?
If you’re a historical novelist, no problem–do your homework for the time period and have your characters dress accordingly. But, if you’re writing for modern-day audiences, should your characters be wearing “hoodies” and “skinny jeans”? Probably not. Fashions go out as quickly as they come in, and you want as many generations of readers (and accompanying sales) as you can get for a book.
While in high school, I read a YA novel in which the main character wore orange, high-top, canvas tennis shoes. These had been somewhat popular when I was in elementary school, although the preferred color was black. The fact that this character kept wearing these tennis shoes and felt really connected to them suggested to me that the book might be dated. A peek at the copyright date confirmed it was.
Now, I was an avid reader and just because a character dressed behind the times didn’t spell the death of a book for me. (I would have never gotten through all those Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden books while I was in elementary school, if that was the case. Only years later did I learn what “pumps,” “saddle shoes,” and “pedal pushers” were.) Still, when I write a book–or even a short story–I try to make my characters as timeless as possible. One way of doing this is keeping descriptions of their clothing basic.
Some clothes never go out. Blue jeans are perpetually popular with teens; it’s just the styles and names for them that change. What were ”bell bottoms” in the 1970s resurged as ”flares” recently. “Pedal pushers” of the 1950s became today’s “capris.” I will describe a character as wearing blue jeans and allow readers to imagine the current style.
I find the following clothing items most timeless:
tennis shoes
T-shirts
blue jeans
leather jackets
sweatshirts
turtlenecks
peasant blouses and skirts
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 1/16/2012
Writer’s Digest recently posted a stat (based on Affinity surveys) that at least 15 magazines generate a larger digital audience than print audience. These magazines included ESPN the Magazine, The Atlantic, Forbes, and Wired. I can see why Wired, a technology magazine, might have a digital audience bigger than its print audience, but I’m left wondering about the other 14-or-so magazines. How big is their print audience? If it’s really small, then the stat isn’t saying much. So many magazines have gone under in the past few years, and I’ve witnessed several that went from a print format to online before going under completely. Others are producing a free online magazine–no charge for subscriptions but no pay for submissions either. They’re still in business, but I can’t imagine them selling a lot of print subscriptions when they’re giving away the same magazine online.
I continue to write only for paying magazines, but this grows increasingly difficult as print magazines either go under or go online. Many e-magazines either don’t pay or pay little. Even when they continue paying the same word rate (X number of dollars or cents per word), online articles usually have shorter word counts. Fewer words, less pay. Sometimes writers can recoup some of that with graphics, photos, video, or games, but planning for these additional items requires a bit different mindset.
This last week, I also heard that a major women’s magazine plans to switch entirely to reader-written content. I wonder whether any of the reader-writers will be paid.
Times are changing. I’m taking note, adjusting, and continuing to sell . . . thankfully.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 1/1/2012
I received a report from WordPress about how my blog is doing. I already knew from the ticker on my site and regular stat reports how many visitors the blog has in a year and how many subscribers. (Believe me, I’m surprised my site has any subscribers–none of which I know–because I don’t actively promote subscriptions.) What really surprised me is where my visitors are coming from. Most come from the United States, followed by Canada and the Philippines, but I’ve also had visitors from Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia, Latvia, The United Kingdom, Poland, The Ukraine, Germany, Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Indonesia, Thailand, Jordan, and Australia. Some of the English-speaking countries I can understand because my picture book, The Time-for-bed Angel, was published internationally and sold in them, but I don’t know how all of these other people around the world found my site. Amazing. When you post words online, you never know how far they’ll go. I’m humbled and delighted at the same time. Happy New Year to all of you!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 12/10/2011
For a long time, I’ve gathered quotations about writing and the writing life and thought I might use these in a presentation or an article about writing. Now I’ve decided to share the quotations here as a Christmas gift from me to you. Perhaps one will inspire you or give you a new insight. If you have a favorite writing quotation I missed, please share it in the comments section.
“Writing is easy. All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” — Gene Fowler
“Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money and fame from this state of being.” — A.A. Milne
“The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.” — John Steinbeck
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” — Jack London
“A man may write at any time, if he will set himself doggedly to it.” — Samuel Johnson
“Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” — E.L. Doctorow
“How do I know what I think until I see what I say?” — E.M. Forster
“The cat sat on the mat is not a story. The cat sat on the other cat’s mat is a story.” — John Le Carré
If you would not be forgotten,
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worthy reading,
Or do things worth the writing.
– Benjamin Franklin
“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.” — Robert Frost
“All fiction is largely autobiographical and much autobiography is, of course, fiction.” — P.D. James
“Journalism largely consists in saying, ‘Lord Jones is dead’ to people who never knew Lord Jones was alive.” — G.K. Chesterton
“There is so much to be said in favor of modern journalism. By giving us the opinions of the uneducated it keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community.” — Oscar Wilde
“I’m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let’s start with typewriters.” — Frank Lloyd Wright
“What I would say to a young person trying to become a writer is ‘Don’t.’ It won’t make any difference because they’ll do it anyway, but they really shouldn’t.” — A.L. Kennedy
“Some writers take to drink, others take to audiences.” — Gore Vidal
“Most editors are failed writers–but so are most writers.” — T.S. Eliot
“Nature fits all her children with something to do, He who would write and can’t write, can surely review.” — James Russell Lowell
“Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck–but, most of all, endurance.” — James Baldwin.
4 Comments on Writing Quotations, last added: 12/14/2011
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 11/20/2011
If you’re near Cambridge, Nebraska, on Saturday, December 3, come visit with me at the Butler Memorial Library! The library, found at 621 Penn Street (77 miles southwest of Kearney), will host me from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. as part of a holiday celebration with patrons. From 10:30 to approximately 10:50 a.m., I will read my picture book, The Time-for-Bed Angel, and talk with young children about how an idea for a story becomes a book. Following this short presentation, children will have the chance to color sketches from the book while parents and patrons can purchase autographed books or discuss writing, publishing, and my books with me. (I will be bringing five of my titles, including the teen books A Shadow in the Dark and Living It Up to Live It Down, which can be harder to find without ordering directly from the publisher and paying shipping and handling.) From approximately 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. will be an informal question-and-answer time with parents, teens, and other adults. If you’ve ever had a question about writing or getting published and have never had an author around to ask, this will be the perfect time. I’ll also be taking questions about my books and my life as a writer and author. The event is free to the public, and the library is expecting a good turnout. Should a blizzard pass through, the celebration will be postponed to one of the following Saturdays. Hope to see you December 3!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 11/3/2011
Sometimes people ask me why authors charge for visits. They may hold the common misconception that publishers pay authors to speak at schools. Some alternatively believe that the publicity generated from school visits somehow financially compensates authors. The truth is authors who speak at schools usually either charge a fee or suffer a loss.
Authors have expenses such as transportation, hotel stays, meals, day care for their own children while they’re gone, and time spent preparing, traveling, and speaking on-site. That time spent on school visits is time that could have been spent writing and, perhaps, generating sales.
Books sold at schools seldom amount to enough to pay for an author’s expenses because authors receive only a fraction of cover prices. One bounced check or stolen book can wipe out the profit from numerous books. Any books donated to the library or classroom come out of the author’s own pocket.
School visits aren’t free. Authors see this, and those seeking to establish or maintain a writing career charge for their professional services.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 10/15/2011
I’m editing a young adult novel for another author, working full-time on a yearlong assignment for the state I live in, and preparing a series of articles on a local mission and its founder. Like most writers, I find I can’t support myself solely on book sales, so I do a wide variety of jobs: freelancing nonfiction articles for magazines and newspapers, writing short stories and books, copy editing and proofreading for corporations, editing the work of other writers, speaking at schools and conferences, and, sometimes, working an 8-to-5 job besides. That’s the write life!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 10/8/2011
I recently sold another story to an anthology. Revell Publishing bought the story for a 2012 book planned for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). This makes 18 anthologies I’ve sold stories to.
I like writing for anthologies because it’s a relatively quick and easy way to publication. I have a goal to fill at least one shelf in my home library with my own books. Anthologies help.
When I first started writing for anthologies, I made the mistake of thinking that since the stories were personal, they should be the type that might appear in True Confessions magazine. But what most publishers of anthologies want is stories that are uplifting for a broad spectrum of people, not overly personal. Once I paid more attention to the types of stories that were selling, I started selling too.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 9/13/2011
I went to a family reunion recently and learned of another author in the family. She, too, writes young adult fiction and is traditionally published. What are the chances?
Years ago, they would have been slim to none, but authors are becoming more common. The United States has a population of about 312 million, and each year about one-half million books are published here. More than half of these books are self-published (publication paid by the author) while somewhat less than half are traditionally published (publication paid by a publisher).
Some authors may have more than one book published in a year, but if we figure one book per author, this calculates to roughly 1 in 600 Americans getting published every year. If we just look at traditional authors who are getting paid for their work, the figure drops to 1 in 1,200 people, but still, this is every year. With people living into their 70′s and 80′s and having many years to write a book, it isn’t so unusual to be an author or come across others who are . . . even at family reunions!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 8/7/2011
My teen book Living It Up to Live It Down received a review on a teen reading site: http://www.teensreadtoo.com/LivingItUpDown.html
The review was positive, although not 100 percent positive, but that’s the great thing about teens and younger kids: they tend to give it to you straight.
I’m happy seeing proof that my books are getting into the hands of teens. True, this review comes almost two years after the book’s release, but it disproves teachers and parents who say teens don’t read. At least some teens still read full-length novels. I wonder if the numbers reading are truly that different from when I was a teen. I was an avid reader, but I don’t remember many of my friends or other teens enjoying reading as much as I did. They missed out.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 7/16/2011
I write in many styles and genres, but writing poetry is tough for me. It’s probably my weakest area of writing. I’ve never understood meter and can’t tell whether a syllable is stressed or unstressed. But, being a grammar lover, I can follow rules, and I’ve discovered saleable poetry for children generally follows some rules (or editor preferences):
Recently, in a flash of inspiration, I wrote a poem and submitted it to a children’s magazine. The editor rejected it but said she liked the rhythm and rhyme in the piece and said she’d like to see more from me. She will. Her comments inspired me to write three more!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 6/15/2011
A short story I wrote for Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse magazine won first place in the fiction category of the Evangelical Press Association’s annual competition in May. The EPA is the Christian market’s version of the Associated Press. Every year magazines and newspapers that are members of the EPA pay to enter their work in the competition. I was honored that Clubhouse chose to submit my story–and that it won!
Another story I wrote won an EPA award a few years ago, but this was the first time my writing garnered a first place award in the competition. As a children’s writer, I especially liked seeing a children’s magazine win.
I received the below pictured certificate and can add this award to my vita.
Since I didn’t enter my work in this competition, the award came as a surprise . . . one of the happy-dance moments of writing!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 6/3/2011
All the arts run parallel. I realized this several years ago when a nephew who’s a musician discussed his work with me. We were struck by the similarities of our fields, from agents/managers to queries/cold calls to contests and so on. Even now the rise of self-publishing mirrors the emergence of independent labels in music.
What happens in one art–whether it be song, dance, theater, writing, architecture, or whatever–influences and shapes other arts. Some authors purposely try to influence their writing by listening to the same song or style of music while working on a manuscript.
In one college study I read, students tried to match selected writings to the music each author listened to while writing. The students correctly identified the matches most of the time.
Perhaps exploring other arts and staying current in them can help writers to remain vibrant and relevant in their own field.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 5/22/2011
The inspirational (Christian) market is selling increasingly more fiction, but what used to be a staple in the fiction has changed. In years past, inspirational fiction often included a conversion scene in which a character came to believe and trust in Jesus Christ. Now characters in inspirational fiction are more likely to already be Christians, and inspy books trace their journey as they grow stronger in their faith.
I think this change came as publishers of inspy fiction realized the people most likely to purchase their books are already Christians. The conversion scenes came to be viewed as a cliche, something tacked on to the end of a book to make it Christian (and, with high hopes, the reader). As it became clear that readers of inspy fiction are mainly Christians, the books focused less on evangelism and more on spiritual growth (besides the unchanging focus on entertainment).
I have mixed feelings about this change. My young adult novel, A Shadow in the Dark, includes a conversion scene while its companion book, Living It Up to Live It Down, follows the spiritual growth of two teens. I felt it important to include the conversion scene because, when I was a child, I’d searched for that in books but had difficulty finding it. I didn’t have much access to inspirational fiction, and the few inspy books I found always seemed to abbreviate the conversion scene. The plot would build up to it, and then the conversion itself would be summed up in a brief sentence such as “They prayed.” After that, everything would be wonderful. I always wondered, What did they pray? I didn’t think there were any magical words one needed to say to be a Christian, but I craved an example nonetheless.
I still believe there are children and teens seeking spiritual insights in what they read–even as deep or basic as how to become a Christian–and the inspirational market should take that role and never let go.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 5/1/2011
One of my first sales was to a children’s magazine that, at the time, I thought a bit obscure. The magazine cover showed a young boy I had never heard of. I wondered, Who is this kid and who is his audience? Will anyone read my story? I wanted to write books, not magazine stories, and I wondered if writing for magazines could get me any closer to my goal. Would anyone even notice my writing?
Four books and 100+ magazine articles and stories later, I recently looked over my box of clips (a good idea for any writer looking for a pick-me-up). I found that old story, still in the original magazine. And this time I recognized the boy on the cover. It was Nick Jonas.
As in the Jonas Brothers.
He’d spent time in the same magazine as I did, and look how far he went!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 4/6/2011
One of my favorite bookstores, Burlington By the Book, is hosting a giveaway of more than $500 worth of books written by authors from Southeast Iowa. My book Living It Up to Live It Down is part of the prize that will go to one lucky reader. Drop in at the store at 301 Jefferson in downtown Burlington, Iowa, to register. The drawing is set for May 1, 2011.
Independent bookstores like Burlington By the Book and The Bookmark in nearby Fort Madison, Iowa, are treasures. I love being able to browse the latest releases firsthand and get personalized recommendations from the owners. I often end up going home with fascinating books I was unaware of before stepping into the store.
In larger cities, independents also seem to be a place cats claim as home. What better company for browsing books than a contented tabby?
As a book lover as well as an author, I’m thrilled to be a part of this independent bookstore’s event. It’s enough to get a bookworm dancing!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 4/3/2011
I recently submitted a short story to a literary magazine and received a positive rejection:
Great submission. I loved the colorful voice and vivid, detailed scenes. Not really a TMR [The Missouri Review] style story, but good luck publishing it elsewhere.
Any time an editor takes the time to handwrite a note like this it’s a good sign. Most writers receive form rejections (the same worded rejection sent to all others rejected by a publication). The rejection I received gave me hope that my story could be published in another literary journal. I need to research more to find one that’s a better fit.
I had a story published in a literary journal years ago and would be thrilled to sell another. Typically, I write for children, but I also enjoy writing fiction and nonfiction for adults, both literary and commercial. Among the genres I’ve written in are mystery, adventure, romance, inspirational, and humor. I’m a “little writer,” one without a string of New York Times bestsellers or contractual obligations to write so many books a year. I’m free to write what I want. While big writers focus on developing a “brand” (a kind of writing they’re known for), I’m free to experiment. No pressures. No deadlines. No limits.
Years ago a friend and fellow author, Charlotte Adelsperger, said to me, “Little writers have more fun.”
Wise words.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 3/11/2011
Last week, a father wrote me requesting permission for his daughter to recite one of my magazine stories at a school competition. He was concerned that she would be violating copyright law by reading or reciting the story in front of a large group of people.
I responded:
My understanding of the copyright laws is that a person can read a story in front of a group and no infringement of copyright has occurred unless a recording of the reading is made and sold. (The infringement comes in when people make money off of authors’ works without compensating them in any way–or even asking permission–or hurt the sales of an author’s work by giving away or selling copies or near-copies of his/her works.) It sounds to me as if your daughter will just be reading or reciting my story or a paraphrased version of it to a group. This is fine, and I’m honored that she enjoyed the story enough that she would choose to share it with a group. It would be great if she could acknowledge the source of the story (“based on a story by Ronica Stromberg in Clubhouse Magazine“). Beyond that, no compensation is needed. I wish her success!
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 3/2/2011
Young adult author and blogger Christine Schulze recently interviewed me for her blog, “YAB Authors ForEVER.” You can find the interview here:
http://yabauthorsforever.blogspot.com/2011/02/interview-with-ya-christian-author.html
Authors used to rely on book tours (giving talks at bookstores and other places) to promote sales, but fewer brick-and-mortar bookstores remain open or able to host such events. Borders recently filed for bankruptcy and plans to close about a third of its stores in the coming months. Traditional bookstores face stiff competition from online bookstores. Consequently, authors have fewer places to speak at and need to sell a lot of books at talks to even recoup travel expenses.
This is one reason virtual tours have become increasingly popular for authors. An author can go on a blog tour (being interviewed on the blogs of book reviewers or other authors) at any time with no expense. Readers can drop in at their own convenience, post questions or comments, and obtain ordering information for books.
I’ve toured several blogs (check out some of the blogs listed to the right under the heading “blogroll”) and enjoy taking questions about writing and my books. I found Christine’s interview offer particularly interesting because she is a young adult reading and writing for the same young adult audience as I am. She designed and maintains her blog with that audience in mind. Today’s authors increasingly need to be technologically savvy, and the ones just starting out are simultaneously developing their writing and publicity skills.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 2/12/2011
I spent the first three hours today being shadowed by a high school sophomore, Holly. She’s enrolled in a career class and needed to shadow a person in her chosen future profession. She wants to write science fiction or fantasy.
We talked about writing being one of the few professions you don’t need to hold a certain degree or reach a certain age to practice in. Holly has already recognized how difficult the field is to break into despite that fact. She said she’d like more support to reach her goals. People always point out that S.E. Hinton wrote The Outsiders when she was only 16 and Christopher Paolini wrote Eragon as a teenager, but they don’t always mention–or maybe even realize–that Suzy had guidance from her high school English teacher and Christopher had help from his parents, who published the book themselves. It would be extremely difficult (if not impossible) for most teenagers to write a full-length saleable novel while simultaneously going to school and amassing the knowledge needed to maneuver through the industry. That’s probably why it’s always big news when a child or teen is published successfully.
I took Holly with me to one of my Saturday morning critique groups. (This had to be more exciting than shadowing me as I sit writing for hours, I figured. 
) She saw other writers interact with my latest manuscript and help me fine-tune it. She may join this group or try to find a critique group specializing in science fiction or fantasy. Most people think of writing as a solitary profession, but Holly’s already recognized the role others play in an author’s career.
By: Ronica Stromberg,
on 2/8/2011
In March of last year, I wrote about discovering that although neither of my sons enjoys reading, my youngest son shows more interest in nonfiction than fiction. (I’d heard this preference holds true for boys in general.)
My youngest son kept telling me he would read more fiction if he could find funny books. He read all the Captain Underpants books when he was in second and third grade, and as a fourth and fifth grader, all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. I tried giving him suggested titles from a local librarian. His verdict? Not funny.
I’ve written a few humorous stories for children’s magazines, and my son read one of those and said, “That was funny! You should write a book like that.” But being funny for an entire book would be so difficult. I don’t think humor writers get near the accolades they deserve. Writing humor is hard work.
The magazine story he liked was a cross between an adventure story and a tall tale. I wondered if he would like adventure stories or Mark Twain. Good news: He likes adventure stories. The principal at his school recommended the Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz. My son read four out of the six books and enjoyed them. I read the first book in the series, and it’s basically a James Bond series with a boy as the spy. Now I don’t know what my son will move on to when he’s finished the series, but I discovered a couple more things through this process.
First, both of my sons like series. I tend to think children who like collecting things might be more inclined to read series. The same desire to complete a set goes into both interests.
Second, I’m really grateful for male educators (as well as female educators). The principal who recommended these books had sons of his own and remembered what he himself liked reading as a child. He told me to let him know when my son is ready for a new series. I guess I should have thought to ask a guy what guys like to read. I keep learning.
That’s a really good tip.
Thanks, dapperdolly. I checked out your blog and found it interesting!
Oh wow, thank you too!