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Forget-me-nots by ThirdHandArt www.flickr.com
So, I was in the bathroom, just home from the Little Gym with my daughter and thinking about nap time, when I realized, OH MY GOD! I FORGOT TO DO MY BLOG!
I never forget to do my blog. On Sunday and Wednesday nights, I always read a book or prepare a guest post, blog tour, etc and schedule them to appear the next day. I’ve been doing this for about 14 months now. (That tells you about how old my daughter is–before her, I blogged a little more.) Yesterday, I forgot.
So in the bathroom, I thought of all these things I could do–read and do it real quick during nap–no, I had to finish my critique group critiques. Okay, I could do it tonight–no, I have critique group and then some other stuff to take care of when I get home. Okay, what can I do?
How about. . .be honest? I am tired. I am staying home with my daughter AND working from home on writing. I have editing clients, am teaching two online classes, and had to clean my house. I had bills to pay, photos to order from Walmart since October 2, and I can go on. I don’t want to bore you. IN all of this, I forgot my blog.
So I decided to do this quick, honest post and leave you with two meaningful things. One, I did manage to remember to do a blog interview for WOW! with Lori the Change Agent who is helping people just LIKE ME change their lives. She has a book, an audio series, a free video coaching series and more that she offers women to figure out what they want their lives to look like and change them to get there. It is a great interview, and she is an inspiration. You can check that interview out at this link! You can USE her book to change YOUR life!
The second thing I’ll leave you with is an activity I liked to do with my students when I was teaching. You could do it in a classroom or at home with home school. Find 5 books you like and your child knows. Read the beginning and rate it on a scale of 1 to 5. A beginning is SUPPOSED to introduce the reader to the character/problem/setting and KEEP THE READER INTERESTED, so he or she will keep reading. Some GREAT books have AWFUL beginnings. It helps your child to be a more critical reader and to write better beginnings, which is a 6 + 1 traits of writing organizational trait exercise.
Must run–nap is over. I will have a regular blog post for on Monday.
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*Young adult, historical fiction novel
*Teenage, African-American cowboy as main character
*Rating: I’m so glad I found Deadwood Jones at my local library! It’s a great book about a very interesting topic and will really appeal to boys.
Short, short summary:
(FROM BOOK JACKET–sorry, busy weekend!): When Prometheus Jones wins a horse with a raffle ticket he got from Pernie Boyd and LaRue Dill, he knows things won’t go smoothly. No way are those two rednecks going to let a black man, even a freeman from the day of his birth, keep that horse. So as soon as things get ugly, he jumps on the horse, pulls his cousin Omer up behind him, and heads off. They hook up with a cattle drive out of Texas heading for Deadwood, South Dakota. Prometheus is a fine hand with a horse and not so bad with a gun, and both skills prove useful as the trip north throws every twist and turn imaginable at the young cowpokes. (It’s a good, old cowboy story!
)
So, what do I do with this book?
1. Allow students to keep a reading response journal while reading this book. There are many issues in it–from the treatment of black cowboys/slaves to traveling West at a young age–when students come upon a passage they feel strongly about, they should write about their feelings in the reading response journal–BEFORE discussing them. Many times, the discussion will be stronger if reactions to the novel are written down first.
2. Compare/contrast the author’s note in the back of the book with what happened in the novel. Did Helen Hemphill do a good job of sharing the “truth” in this historical fiction novel? Students could also do their own research about cowboys if so desired.
3. How does the author paint a picture of the “Wild West” with her words? What type of word choice does she use? Study strong word choice selections as part of a 6 + 1 traits of writing lesson.
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*Middle-grade historical fiction with Christian themes (WWII)
*13-year-old girl as main character
*Rating: Last Page in the Diary will really appeal to girls who like historical fiction and like writing in their diaries. It is a great book to use in a home school or Christian school setting as so many tweens deal with this question: “How can God let bad things happen?” This book is especially great because it also teaches about history!
Short, short summary:
(From the
Guardian Angel Publishing website (sorry! I am pressed for time tonight.): “Thirteen-year-old Patricia (Pat) Kelly bargains with God. If He will bring her best friend Mike (Yoshi Mizuki) home from a desert (Japanse Internment) prison camp and make things like they were before the war, maybe she can start trusting Him again. The war ends, but hate and persecution continue.” (There’s also a part of this book written in journal style!)
So what do I do with this book?
1. If students do not know much about the period of history this book covers, then have them research different things mentioned in the book, such as Pearl Harbor Day or the Japanese Internment Camps. Students can write reports, do Power Point presentations, create posters, or some other way to share information with students.
2. Have readers ever felt the way Pat or Mike do in the novel–either with their relationship with God or as a victim of bullying/racism? These are great journal writing topics and discussion topics for tweens. Through the characters in this book, tweens may feel more comfortable talking about and/or writing about these issues and comparing/contrasting their experiences with the ones in the novel.
3. If students were involved in an essay contest, what would they write about? And why? You can even hold your own essay contest if you want to. . .:)
This post is going to be a little different than my normal book posts because I want to share with you a wonderful company and their wonderful products. Teachers, librarians, and parents (home school parents, especially) should know about Naxos Audiobooks. If you don’t, then stay tuned. If you do already know about them, then click on over to their website now and see their new releases in October. They have audio books and supplemental materials for all ages from elementary school aged kids to adults.
This post is specifically about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson because that is the sample Naxos provided for me to review as part of their Young Adult Classics series. We all know the story of Dr. Jekyll, who tried to live a respectable life until he became addicted to the potion that changed him into Mr. Hyde. Heck, I think even little kids know the story because isn’t there a Bugs Bunny episode where BB drinks a potion and turns into a big, green, mean, nasty rabbit? But if you are studying the classics with your children or your students OR if you have a child who is an auditory learner, then I urge you to check out this version of Stevenson’s classic.
WHY?
Well, the study guide and booklet are wonderful. See, when you order the audio CDS from Naxos for $17.98, you also receive a CD-ROM with the text for the ABRIDGED version (which is what is on the audio CD), the text for the UNABRIDGED version, and a 38-page study guide written by a wonderful educator, Francis Gilbert, who actually makes the study guide entertaining as he talks right to the youth (but teachers, you can use it too! ).
Here are a few excerpts from the study guide:
- “This study guide takes a different approach from most study guides. It does not simply tell you more about the story and characters, which isn’t actually that useful. Instead it attempts to show how the author’s techniques and interests inform every single facet of this classic novel.
Most study guides simply tell you what is going on, then tack on bits at the end which tell you how the author creates suspense and drama at certain points in the book, informing you a little about why the author might have done this. This study guide starts with the how and the why, showing you right from the start how and why the author shaped the key elements of the book.”
- Robert Louis Stevenson was born in 1850, slap bang in the middle of the 19th century. He is a figure who straddles both the Victorian and the modern age: his writing appears Victorian on the surface, in its settings and characters, but dig deeper and you find a modern interest in the darker sides of the human mind.”
Just from these two excerpts, you can tell the study guide is not boring. It has sections on the context of the novel, themes and structure, critical perspectives, discussion questions, quotes, and a glossary. If you home school a teen, this is the perfect guide for them. If you teach middle school/high school English, this audio CD and the study guide will complement any unit on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
BTW, you can order it as a download too, in this techy age, and currently the price for that is $12.00.
Here’s a link to the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde page on Naxos: http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/296612.htm
IF you aren’t interested in this Young Adult Classic,
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on 10/10/2011
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Today I’m participating in a mass blogging day! WOW! Women On Writing has gathered a group of blogging buddies to write about “Special People We Know and Love.” Why? We’re celebrating the release of Joanne Lewis’s and Amy Lewis Faircloth’s debut novel. Wicked Good (Telemachus Press, LLC, 2011) is about the unconditional love between a mother and her adopted, special needs (Asperger’s Syndrome and Bipolar Disorder) son and the adventure that brings them closer together. Visit The Muffin at http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/ to read what Joanne and Amy have to share about their special people and view the list of all my blogging buddies. Then be sure to visit http://www.amyandjoanne.com/ to learn more about the authors.
So who am I blogging about today then?
In keeping with the theme of this blog–education and helping women and children around the world, I thought I would take a minute to talk about something that is near and dear to my heart, the organization Made By Survivors. Although many of my fellow bloggers will be blogging about special people in their lives–family members, friends, neighbors–and I sure have many of those–(I couldn’t do as much as I do without my husband and my parents! And I could go on and on about my wonderful daughter and stepson), I really want to share with you this wonderful site since the holidays are almost upon us.
Human trafficking and the sex slave industry is something I’ve written about many times on here ever since I went to the human trafficking information night at the U of I a couple years ago. Then I read a book about women’s issues in the world, and it changed my life. If you haven’t read the book Half the Sky yet, please put it on your list. It is a book that will make a huge difference in your life. What goes on around the world and in our own country with the abuse of young girls in brothels is horrifying, and Made By Survivors is doing something to help women and children who have been victims of this abuse. Here’s more info:
From their website (http://www.madebysurvivors.com): Made by Survivors is “the core program of Made By Survivors Network, a US based NGO that works internationally with survivors of slavery and human trafficking. Founded in 2005, our mission is to end slavery through economic empowerment and education, giving survivors and people at the highest risk the tools they need to build safe, independent, slavery-free lives. MBSN currently operates programs in six countries, with a concentration of programming in India and Nepal. We offer job training and fairly paid employment to survivors, and provide intensive business development support to our core programs and partners. We market and sell the survivors’ products in the US, and also assist them in finding other buyers.”
And here is another amazing thing about this organization: (from the website) “We currently sponsor 200 child survivors and children born into brothel communities to attend school for the first time. We lead volunteer trips to provide therapeutic arts and life skills workshops to survivors. We provide funding for medical and emergency needs, start-up capital for employment programs, and whenever possible, we fund projects to increase capacity at our partner shelters for rescuing and housing more survivors.”
I have bought the jewelry and notecards, and both are beautiful and make perfect presents for your loved ones. You can make someone happy and make a di
Here is a guest post from blogger, Amanda Kidd. She is writing on letting children choose their own books with The Goldilocks Strategy, which may be helpful for some of you, parents and teachers. Don’t forget to check out Monday’s post about the book, Cold Case, a middle-grade crime drama book. I am giving away a copy. Here’s the post for details.
Book Choices for Children: Why and How to Let Them Decide
by Amanda Kidd
Today’s children are more involved with computer games with little attention towards books. As a responsible parent, it becomes your job to guide them to read good books that can benefit them in many ways. Reading is one of the best ways to enhance vocabulary and improve fluency.
The habit of reading should be started at an early stage, so that children develop the habit of reading and love for books. Initially, parents can guide kids to make the selection of good books. But slowly, you will realize that kids are better selectors than you.
Benefits of reading
Reading is a healthy pastime that every child should be engaged in. It helps them to develop their personality. Good books help children read well, gather a lot of information, and develop into smart individuals. Most families already have the practice of reading interesting bedtime stories to their kids. It is an excellent way to relax the kids before going to bed. When children hear the stories and come to know about various things, their interest towards books increases naturally.
When children read good and appropriate books, it improves their reading and writing skills. They learn the language better by reading more and more books. After a certain age, children should be allowed to choose books on their own. You can give them a few choices and ask them to select from those if you want to start that way. This will give them an opportunity to understand that they are responsible for the kinds of books they choose. According to the experts, the best way for helping kids to choose books is by applying the Goldilocks strategy.
Goldilocks by Hiro Sheridan www.flickr.com
The strategy follows the simple technique where the books are grouped into three categories such as too easy, too hard, and just right. “Too easy” are books that are easy to read and comprehend. There may be no words that the children do not understand. Such books are usually read by the children for fun.
Books that are classified as too hard can be explained as books that may contain too many words that are difficult to understand. Reading this type of book may be frustrating for a child.
The “just right” books are the books that can be easily understood by the children, but still present a little bit of a challenge. Children are also learning something new. Such books may also have only one or two words per page that may be difficult to understand.
The best way to help your child to choose good books is by adopting the above mentioned strategy. If your child is not able to do so on his own, then you can choose a few “just right” books and ask him to choose from this pile. In this way, you can kee
Today, I have something special to share with all you teachers, parents, and librarians who are also children’s writers (or aspiring children’s writers). Wandy Yeap Hoh, the founder and Co-CEO of MeeGenius!, is a mother of three girls, and they love a good story and MeeGenius! Wandy believes that no great story should be left in the dark and hopes to bring every great story to all the children in the world.
She’s a woman I can get behind! If you haven’t heard of MeeGenius!, and I’ll admit I hadn’t until recently, here’s some information about this cool company:
MeeGenius is an e-bookstore just for kids! MeeGenius books feature read-along technology, engaging narration, and a growing catalog of award-winning titles. You can learn more about MeeGenius by downloading the free app from the Apple app store, Android app store, Google TV, Google Chrome, or by visiting www.meegenius.com. Happy Reading!
Margo: Welcome to Read These Books and Use Them, Wandy! Tell me a little about MeeGenius! What type of products do you offer for children and their parents?
Wandy: Thank you for the opportunity, Margo! I am excited to share more about MeeGenius. MeeGenius offers enhanced children’s e-books through our website, Google TV, Google Chrome, Android app store, and Apple app store. All of our e-books are for children ages 0-8 and feature word highlighting, engaging narration, and vivid illustrations to draw a child in. Our bookstore is growing weekly, and we currently offer more then 150 titles for kids and their parents to pick from.
Margo: I was very impressed when I tried some of the free classics! I am hosting you today, so you can share a very special contest with my readers. What is the contest you are offering and when does it start/end?
Wandy: We are very excited about our new author contest! The contest gives aspiring authors an opportunity to have their manuscript read, reviewed, and voted on by the online community. The contest is for unpublished authors only, and our goal is to provide an avenue for these authors to get discovered. The contest begins on September 15th and will end November 1. All manuscripts will be voted on from November 28th – December 18th. The finalist will be announced and then illustrated for the finalist round of voting. The contest will officially end with the winner announced on March 7, 2012.
Margo: What are the prizes for the contest?
Wandy: We are very excited about the prizes! The grand prize winner will receive a digital publishing contract with MeeGenius, including royalties for each book sold. A cash prize of $1,500 dollars and a donation of a MeeGenius library to the school of the winner’s choice! We will also have three runner-up prizes, which include a $500 cash prize and publishing contract.
Margo: I love that prize of a donation to a school. Schools are always in need of new technology and books! Who are the judges?
Wandy: This is the cool part of the contest; the judges are your peers, family, friends, fans, and MeeGenius users! All manuscripts will be posted on the MeeGenius site; the manuscripts with the most “like” (Facebook like button) will advance to the finalist round. The second way to advance will be through a staff favorite pick.
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I am happy to present to you today this wonderful audio book, Pirates!, by Roy McMillan and read by Jasper Britton. Even better, I have a copy to giveaway! If you are the parent of a child (I would say fourth grade and up) who loves pirates, then you should enter this contest. If you are an upper elementary/middle school teacher/librarian, this is perfect for your students. Just leave a comment below by Sunday, August 28 at 8:00 p.m. CST for your chance to win. (United States and Canada mailing addresses only, please)
The Naxos Audio 2-CD Pirates! is a history of pirates that answers questions such as:
*Who was the greatest pirate ever?
*Which pirate was called “The Exterminator”?
*Who made the Jolly Roger famous?
It’s read by Jasper Britton, who has a super cool voice–especially for the pirate book–and he is also a Shakespearean actor. The book has “Gruesome Alerts” for any part of the book that might be a little violent because as the author points out, pirates were really criminals who were stealing and not always pleasant about it either. Although the gruesome alert parts are not that bad, they are a good warning for anyone listening to the book who has a queasy stomach.
The audio book covers some of the best-known pirates, such as Blackbeard, Captain Morgan, Barbarossa, and Captain Kidd. The author tells the stories of these men–the facts about their lives as pirates. It also tells about some that are not as famous, so kids will learn new facts and new pirate names. It starts with when piracy began and mentions pirates today–although it is much more of a historical account. Heck, it even has a section on Pirates of the Caribbean, but there’s no Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom here. I really did enjoy this book, and I am so happy to get to share it with one of my readers! So, leave those comments below by Sunday night!
For more information about this book and other Naxos Audio books, visit the website here.
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on 7/7/2011
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We’re loading up our 2007 HHR on Friday and heading to Cleveland for my sister-in-law’s wedding. We’re all very excited, and this is Katie’s first big car trip (10 hours). I’m not sure how excited she actually is. . .:) We are traveling in the late afternoon and evening to hopefully make it easier for her. I’m sure Logan (10 years old) hopes that this makes it easier for him, too, as he is usually the baby-entertainer in the back seat. Anyway, I’ll be gone for a while and part of it without Internet access, so Read These Books and Use Them is going on hiatus until August 1. Starting August 1, I’ll be back with the winner of the contest I am about to announce as well as new posts about books and how to use them! So. . .
While I was thinking about going on vacation and getting ready to move (hopefully we are leasing our home) by August 1, I was thinking, What can I do on my blog? , and I decided to talk about the books I’m reading and to hold a little contest. Currently, I am reading Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing, which I am enjoying immensely. It’s definitely geared toward women–whether it’s women’s fiction, chic lit, or romance–I’m not far enough along to tell you yet. But I have been captivated since page one, so check out what people have to say about it by clicking below:
Also, I am listening to Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin, which is a YA book with some fantasy mixed in. I am also enjoying this book and the mystery that is playing throughout. I will be blogging about it here in August, so stay tuned for that.
Yes, yes, there is a contest. . .here’s what you do. Simply respond to this post and tell me 1. what books you or your children are reading this summer 2. if you would recommend these books to us 3. your email address
What you can win. . .
I am giving away a free 10-page critique from my Editor 911 business. You can either use it for the first 10 pages of a novel or a short story that is up to 10 pages. If you are not a writer yourself, you can give it away to anyone!–your sister, your children, your spouse–anyone!
Also, if you ever do write anything or need an editor and mention that you saw this post (you don’t have to enter the contest to take advantage of this), then you can get a 10% discount on your overall bill.
Contest ends on July 31 at 8:00 p.m. CST. You can enter as many times as you like–so if you start reading a new book, please leave another comment and enter again. I will critique/edit/proofread anyone’s story from age 3 to 103 (or older) that is the winner of this contest. The winner will be chosen by using random.org (love this site!)
Happy reading!
See you all on August 1.
If you have any questions about my editing business, Editor 911, please feel free to email me at margodll (at) aol.com at anytime before or after August 1. I will have access to email periodically while I’m gone.
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Many of you who read this blog may also be writers or aspiring children’s authors. Some of you may be interested in taking some online writing courses to learn an aspect of the writing business you didn’t know before. WOW! Women On Writing offers several online workshops in a variety of subjects from finding an agent to writing picture books and screenplays! You can check out all the listings here on the classroom page.
I am teaching five classes for WOW! Here’s the information:
This is the perfect class for someone who wants to start blogging or someone who has started and needs some oompf added to her/his blog. I’ve had students who knew nothing to students who had been blogging for years but had become uninspired.
September 14: SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR WRITERS: TWITTER, FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN AND MORE!
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/WOWclasses.html#MargoDill_SocialNetworking
If you want to learn how to use the 3 social networking giants for marketing purposes and to get more exposure for you as a writer, then this class is for you.
Also if you are looking for some inspiration for your writing this summer instead of a class, I highly recommend this book, which I just love and look at from time to time: The Literary Ladies Guide to the Writing Life by Nava Atlas. There’s more information about this book at this post on my blog.
photo by Enokson www.flickr.com
This is a topic near and dear to my heart–using picture books with all ages. Of course, preschool and elementary teachers use picture books with their students. Parents of kids in these age groups also read plenty of these wonderful books, and of course, kids read them on their own. But I also believe that upper elementary all the way to college students can benefit from picture books being used in the classroom. Yes, even college students. If you are a middle school or high school teacher or a parent of a home schooled teen, then here are my suggestions to you.
If you are beginning a unit of study, find a picture book to introduce the topic. There’s a picture book for just about any topic out there. If you have trouble finding one, then ask your children’s librarian. Getting ready to study word choice and voice in writing? Picture books are perfect for this. Authors have to have a captivating voice and choose just the right word to keep the interest of their readers and to keep parents and kids wanting to read that same book over and over again. Studying U.S. history? Find a picture book–either fiction or non-fiction–about that period in history. You will be amazed at the number of picture books covering historical events.
What is so great about a picture book for a high school class is that they’re fun! They’re quick! And they’re easy. Everyone loves to be read to. Everyone loves to look at beautiful illustrations. So, bring these two loves together and share picture books with your older students.
Here’s another tip. During the summer (that’s now!), go to your library and start checking out some picture books. Create a card catalog for each picture book and include the title, author, subject matter, and the lessons you can teach using this book. It doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily ever use the book again, but you might! You might need the perfect book for introducing the Revolutionary War, and so you find the notes on the book you read this summer, The Scarlet Stocking Spy by Trinka Hakes Noble. Check it out and share it with your class; of if you homeschool, you can share it to introduce your history lesson.
Do you use picture books with older kids? How has this worked for you?
I am happy to host, Linda Hubalek, today. She’s stopping by as part of the WOW! blog tour. She is giving away one copy of her historical fiction book, Trail of Thread, as an e-book, which can be read on a Kindle. If you’d like to win a copy or even just say, HI! GOOD JOB! SOUNDS INTERESTING!, please leave a comment after the post. This book has been used in classrooms! It’s a great resource. Contest ends Sunday, June 5 at 8:00 pm CST.
Planning for a Trip and Move…in 1854
Guest post by Linda Hubalek, author of Trail of Thread
Pretend your husband—or father—decided to leave the home you’ve always known, and you’ll be traveling through several states to a new territory he heard about. It’s the nineteenth century, and you may not even have a paper map to guide your family to this new, free land—but he is determined to start a new farm in some wild land behold civilization.
My ancestors, John and Deborah Pieratt—with six young children along—left Kentucky in 1854 to move to the new Territory of Kansas. Their journey was the basis of my book Trail of Thread, which is written in the form of letters that Deborah wrote and mailed back to family in Kentucky. Deborah describes what she saw and what their family experienced on their three-month journey.
The family had to carefully plan first so they would be prepared for the journey, and for the wilderness land they would eventually homestead on.
Here is an idea to use with the book:
Pretend you want to prepare for this journey as a class or family project.
- What—and how—do you pack in the four by ten foot wagon for a family of eight? (And what do you need for your trip to begin with?!) How much weight can the wagon hold and the oxen (or horses or mules) pull?
- How long will the trip take? What will be your route? What roads (or rough trails) will you use and what towns will you be traveling through?
- How will you cross rivers with your wagon? Is there any rough terrain along the way that may make the trip hard and dangerous?
- How much food should you pack? How do you keep it from spoiling?
When you’re done researching the trip preparation and route, look for stories from old newspaper clippings of what was going on in the Territory of Kansas during 1854-1865. The Pieratts settled in an area and time frame known as the Bleeding Kansas conflicts, due to the tension mounting about the slavery issue that exploded into the Civil War. (You can read more about these conflicts and how it affected the family by reading the rest of the Trail of Thread series, Thimble of Soil and Stitch of Courage.)
I brought the Pieratt’s story to life in the pages of Trail of Thread. Now can you plan your own trip in 1854?
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Here’s an article I wrote for a post on WOW! Women On Writing’s blog, The Muffin. I am teaching a blogging course for them starting on April 29. If you are interested, check it out here. Now on to the article:
Comment Sense: Using Comments to Build Your Blog Readership
One thing blog owners seem to wonder is: Where are my readers?
They ask themselves these questions: Is anyone actually reading this blog? If so, what do they think? If not, how do I drive readers to my blog?
One way to answer all of these questions is with comments.
If you want to make a blog owner happy, leave her a comment. There’s nothing like reading a comment on your blog from a new or old friend–it just shows someone out there somewhere is actually reading and has an opinion on what you have to say. Why do you think there are so many contests where the way to enter is to leave a comment and the winner is chosen from the readers who left their two cents on the post? So besides having a comment contest to get readers to your blog, how can you use comments to work for you?
1. Leave comments on other blogs in your same area. For example, if you have a blog on gardening, then find other blogs on gardening, leave a thoughtful comment along with your blog address, and wait. Chances are, that blog owner will visit your blog and perhaps even start a dialogue with you. Maybe you can start a conversation in the comments section of this gardener’s blog. The more people who see you and your wisdom on this gardener’s blog, the more they might also want to visit you on your blog.
2. Answer and respond to comments. If someone leaves you a comment, you must respond and/or answer him or her, especially if there were any questions asked. It is your job as blog owner to make sure these questions are answered and addressed. If you become known as an expert in your field as well as very helpful, then you will grow readership. People will come to you for the material on your blog. If they have a question, you can answer it.
3. Visit other people’s blogs who leave comments on yours. Most bloggers leave their URL in some way when they comment. A few times a week, you should visit the blogs of these bloggers and leave comments on their posts. It is the best way to get your name in front of other people and your blog to attract new readers. It also shares you care about your readers and want to support them.
If you have a blog, then you know how important comments are to bloggers. So, spread the love around, and make some comments today.
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My good cyber buddy, Clara Gillow Clark, is having her second annual Spilling Ink writing contest for children in grades 4 to 8! Spilling Ink by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter is a great resource book for your classroom or your home–it’s a young writer’s handbook. On her blog, Clara says, “Spilling Ink is a humorous and inspiring book of advice, questions, and writing prompts for young writers.”
Basically,the contest goes like this: Write 200-300 words on one of these writing prompts:
Writing Prompts from Spilling Ink, the Book:
Writing Prompt #1: I DARE YOU Rewrite a scene from your life. Think of something that happened today. Something that wasn’t perfect–maybe something that was even downright mortifying–and rewrite it as you would have wanted it to happen. (Tip from Clara: Remember that scenes have a beginning, middle, and end!)
Writing Prompt #2: I DARE YOU Think of two people you admire. Now think of the thing you admire most about each of them. Combine those two qualities into one person and write about that person in the following situation: She or he is walking down the street and a strange man hands your character a small sealed carton and says, “Don’t let anything happen to this!” Then the man sprints away. What does your character do next?
Writing Prompt #3 from Wendy Townsend and Clara Gillow Clark: Is there a pet you wish you could have? Is it a wild animal? Maybe a goldfish, cat, dog, white mouse, a lizard or a snake? Perhaps, your pet is imaginary? You really really want this pet. Write about all the ways you might go about getting this pet. Now write a scene where you put that plan into action.
After you (students/kids) write your piece, you e-mail it to: [email protected] by May 1. You can win cash prizes, books, and a publication opportunity on Clara’s blog. For all the details, check out the post here.
If you are interested in Spilling Ink, click on the link below:
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I am happy to host author Nava Atlas today and her book: The Literary Ladies’ Guide to the Writing Life. She has written a wonderful post on how juggling motherhood and a career has been a struggle for centuries! Her book is amazing because she poured through letters, journals, essays, memoirs, and more to find quotes from 12 classic women authors to create a book that is an inspiration for writers everywhere. This would be a perfect book for a high school English teacher or college writing teacher. I use my copy when giving presentations and for daily inspiration. Read what these authors had to say about motherhood. Then click on the Amazon link below to find out more about the book!
Classic Authors on Motherhood and the Juggling Act
by Nava Atlas
When discussing the challenges faced by women authors of the past in The Literary Ladies’ Guide to the Writing Life, one of the questions I’m asked with startling regularity is why it has always been so difficult to master the work/life/motherhood balance. It was grueling for Harriet Beecher Stowe in the nineteenth century; and while it may have been somewhat easier for Madeleine L’Engle in the twentieth, it was just as guilt-inducing. For those of us who write today, there are still no easy answers.
I’m not one to bandy about gender stereotypes, but it’s hard to dispute that in traditional relationships women still bear the greatest share of childcare and household management. This is tricky enough in situations where both partners work, and even more so in instances where the woman’s work is something she actually likes and that gives her creative gratification. The impulse is always to put others first—if not our kids, then our parents, or our partner, or our community. How dare I take this time to write, our guilty mind frets, when there’s so much to do, and when so-and-so needs me?
In times past, if a woman wanted to give her all to her writing pursuits, she often had to forego family life. Fewer than half of well-known women authors of past generations were mothers. Of the twelve authors I focus on in this book, only four were mothers (Harriet Beecher Stowe, Madeleine L’Engle, L.M. Montgomery, and George Sand), and that’s a fairly accurate reflection of how the profession was in the past. Now, more women writers than ever want to enjoy a fulfilling creative life as well as a family. It’s comforting to learn that women authors of the distant and not-so-distant past, like most of us, muddled through as best they could, and dealt with daily disruptions and longer interruptions. And yes, they felt guilty, acknowledged it, and wrote anyway. They just couldn’t help it.
Harriet Beecher Stowe was the mother of seven children. Despite the rigors of raising a large family, attending to household duties, and doing paid writing to help with expenses, she burned to write the anti-slavery story that would become Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She expressed her desire for a private place to write and for more domestic help. She also wrote of her guilt, as in an 1841 letter to her husband: “Our children are just coming to the age when everything depends on my efforts. They are delicate in health, and nervous and excitable and need a mother’s whole attention. Can I lawfully divide my attention by literary efforts?”
Stowe was devastated when her toddler son died of cholera, but later, she claime
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Skin Deep
by Sandra Diersch and Gerri London
Publisher: James Lorimer & Company, Ltd.
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth
Skin Deep is a sincere examination of a teenager’s struggle to come to terms with her mother’s mortality while struggling with her own ideas of beauty. It is a wonderfully transforming book about an adolescent girl, Cori, whose life gets turned upside down because of her mother’s sudden diagnosis of breast cancer.
Before Cori became aware of her mother’s diagnosis, she had the same plans and ambitions as any other adolescent going into the summer holidays. Cori was looking forward to endless free days to do as she pleased, with no classes, homework or other responsibilities. She just wanted to spend more time with Romi, her best friend. However, none of this was going to transpire.
Cori’s summer was anything but tranquil. She had to help her mother to cope with the surgery, and to remain strong during all of the difficult times. She had to help around the house after her mother’s surgery and treatments. Nothing was predictable. But the experience couldn’t come at a worse time for Cori.
This novel is heartbreaking, yet inspirational at the same time. It shows how we could all survive difficult experiences and grow as a result. And sometimes, a negative experience such as this can actually help adolescent girls to learn more about breast cancer and that appearances are not the only mark of beauty.
I would recommend this book to any adolescent girl who is already struggling with her own difficulties of beauty and self-acceptance. It is definitely an eye-opening book.
Irene S. Roth is a freelance writer for kids and teens. She has more than 200 published e-zine articles and 300 book reviews in different genres from adolescent and kids books to academic books. She is a reviewer for Blogcritics, Stories for Children Magazine, Booksneeze, Tyndale Publishers, Voice in the Dark, and Humane Medicine Internationa. For more information about adolescent health, self-esteem and self-confidence, please visit her website at: http://adolescentgirlsblog.wordpress.com.
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I would like to welcome, Patti Wheeler, co-author of the Travels with Gannon and Wyatt adventure series to my blog today. Patti is giving away a copy of the first book in the series, Botswana. To win a copy of this well-written book in “journal-style” that kids will just eat up, please leave a comment or question for Patti by next Sunday, January 30 at 8 pm below in the comments section. One winner (who lives in either the United States of Canada) will be chosen and a book will be mailed to her. Middle-grade readers, boys and girls, will love this book!
On to the interview. . .
Patti Wheeler feels her greatest accomplishment is being the mother to twins Gannon and Wyatt. Her priority has been to educate, nurture, and to help the boys develop the important qualities of generosity, leadership, and compassion. For years, it has been Patti’s goal to create a children’s book series that instills the spirit of exploration in young people. Travels with Gannon and Wyatt is the realization of her dream. (Future books include adventures in the Great Bear Rainforest, Egypt and the Serengeti.) In addition to the book series, Patti is the founder of Claim Stake Productions/Publishing, executive producer and director of the TV pilot Travels with Gannon and Wyatt Off the Beaten Path: Egypt and co-wrote, with Keith Hemstreet, the screenplay Botswana, which was an official selection of the 2010 Beverly Hills Film Festival. Patti lives in Aspen, Colorado with her husband and sons.
The first book set in Botswana introduces you to Gannon and Wyatt and the journal format as the brothers find themselves faced with a poacher while on an African Safari. Will Gannon and Wyatt stop the poacher in time? A perfect book for boys (and girls!).
Margo: Welcome, Patti, thanks for visiting with me about Travels with Gannon and Wyatt. Where did you get the idea for Travels with Gannon & Wyatt: Botswana?
Patti: I got the idea one year while traveling with my family. I was thinking about all the fascinating and wonderful places we were visiting each year. We wanted to share our incredible adventures with the world, and what better way of doing that than through books and video.
Margo: I completely agree. What other books are planned for the series?
Patti: The books that are already planned for the series are Great Bear Rainforest, Egypt, Greenland, Iceland, Tanzania, and there are six more being discussed (including possibly China, India, the South Pacific, and the American West).
Margo: WOW! Sounds awesome! Who are the perfect readers for this book and the sequels?
Patti: 4th-12th graders who are interested in travel or adventure–our sweet spot is grades 4 through 8.
Margo: What can children learn from reading Travels with Gannon & Wyatt?
Patti: Children can learn that the world is their classroom, and “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” (Mark Twain). Children can also learn to explore, help their communities, and embrace diversity through philanthropy.
Margo: I love that Mark Twain quote! What are two or three activities children can do that come from reading this book?
Patti: This book offers students the opportunity to read and turn in book reports in school. Children are introduced to the Youth Exploration Society (Y.E.S.) in the book, which promotes giving back to communities, encourages exploration, and supports a clean and healthy environment. Also, reading this book encourages readers to ge
Are you a writer and a teacher? A writer and a parent? Do you have dreams of authoring your own book and hoping kids and /or adults will use it someday?
If you live in the Midwest and are looking for a great writing conference to go to, I highly recommend The Missouri Writers’ Guild Conference. The theme is Just Write!, and the dates are: April 8-10, 2011.
It’s being held at the:
Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel St. Louis
900 Westport Plaza. St. Louis, MO 63146
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/missouriwritersguild
For the latest updates about conference news:
Check their website frequently and follow them
on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MoWritersGuild and
on their conference blogspot at http://mwgconference.blogspot.com, where you can find interviews with speakers and more information about programs that will be going on at the conference.
Here are some of the scheduled speakers:
*Lia Brown, Avalon Books,
www.avalonbooks.com
*Krista Goering, The Krista Goering Agency,
www.kristagoering.com
*Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency,
www.nelsonagency.com
*Kathleen Ortiz, Lowenstein Associates,
www.lowensteinassociates.com
*Marcy Posner, Folio Literary Management,
www.foliolit.com
*Susan Swartwout, Southeast Missouri State University Press,
www6.semo.edu/universitypress/
*Kelli Allen, managing editor, Natural Bridge, a journal of contemporary literature,
www.umsl.edu/~natural
*C. Hope Clark, founder, editor, publisher,
www.fundsforwriters.com
*Steve George, editor-in-chief, The Saturday Evening Post magazine,
www.saturdayeveningpost.com
* Margaret Mincks, associate editor, Spider magazine for children,
www.cricketmag.com
*Deborah Reinhardt, managing editor, AAA Midwest Traveler magazine,
http://www.ouraaa.com/traveler/
Currently, there are EARLY BIRD SPECIALS! If you are an MWG member, you can go to the conference for $130 (before 12/31/10). If you are an MWG chapter member, your price is $140 and non-members are $160 before 12/31/10. So don’t delay. Sign yourself up. Ask for this for Christmas. Follow your writing dreams in the New Year!
As you can tell for the first time since August 2008 when I started my blog, I have fallen behind and not blogged regularly. This is because I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl 6.5 weeks early on October 26, 2010–as you can guess she gave us quite a surprise coming into the world this early. She is a preemie and is still in the hospital at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, and she is improving all the time. But my time is limited–I am spending most of it getting her well, and so I decided to stop blogging for a while about books and use this page as an update for friends and family on what is going on with my daughter and her little life.
As a side note, I agreed to do Chynna Laird’s blanket tour for her book:
I wrote today’s post as part of the WOW-Women on Writing Blanket Tour for
Not Just Spirited: A Mom’s Sensational Journey with Sensory Processing Disorder
by Chynna Laird. The book is a memoir of a mother fighting for a diagnosis when
countless doctor’s told her that her daughter was just “spirited”. Chynna shares the
heartbreaking reality of mothering a child with a severe “No touch” rule. She calls it
“Mothering without touch.” Although Not Just Spirited is the perfect match for parents
of children with SPD, the determination and victories shown in the book will
encourage anyone parenting a child with special needs or working to overcome
an obstacle in their own life.
Chynna has also written a children’s book, I’m Not Weird, and resource book about SPD,
At-Home Strategies for Managing Sensory Processing Disorder: A Guide for Parents .
She is now working on another book, White Elephants. When not writing, Chynna
is a mom to her three young children and a student working on her BA in
psychology.
****If you comment on today’s post, you’ll be entered to win a copy of Not Just Spirited
To read Chynna’s post about parenting and a list of other blogs participating in Chynna’s
Blanket Tour, visit The Muffin.
And here is my latest note about my daughter, Katie:
Hi all-
I can honestly say yesterday was the worst Halloween of my life. But today is 100 times better–so I’ll tell you what happened yesterday first and then how today is going.
Yesterday, around 2:00 pm, the doctors at Missouri Baptist decided that Katie needed some additional testing on her digestive system that weren’t available at MO Bap. So, they wanted to transfer her to St. Louis Children’s Hospital on Kingshighway, which is one of the best Children’s Hospitals in the nation. I freaked out at the thought of my 5-day old baby being transported by ambulance to another hospital but the doctors were very reassuring and nice and so was the transport team. Once we got to CH, they immediately did some upper and lower GI tests to see why Katie was not digesting her food. There were some major concerns and theories that were not good and would have included surgery, but it turns out that she has NONE OF THESE! Thank God. As of now, the tests show that she won’t need surgery and basically her digestion problems are because she is a preemie–it’s just behind the rest of her development and needs to catch up. She was not happy last night, very agitated
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*Young adult contemporary fantasy (paranormal)
*Eighth grade boy vampire as main character
*Rating: Eighth Grade Bites is an exciting read with a great teen character that all of us can relate to–even though he’s a vampire.
Short, short summary:
This is the first book in Heather Brewer’s
The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. I am new to the series thanks to THE BIG READ in Clayton, MO and getting to hear Heather Brewer speak and read. Apparently, I am not as up on YA lit as I thought–as this series is very popular and Heather has already gotten Vlad Tod all the way to twelfth grade and ended the series. (BTW, she said she is currently working on a spin off series, so that’s exciting!) Anyway, in
Eighth Grade Bites, the reader is introduced to Vlad Tod, an 8th grade vampire who can go to school during the day and does eat a fair amount of blood–although all blood comes from a hospital that his “aunt” gets for him. He has a best human friend, Henry; and basically, Vlad is just trying to fit in in junior high–he is pale and skinny and not overly popular–plus his fangs want to slide out at inopportune times. He likes a girl but is unsure of himself, and he is bullied by two huge jerks. Meanwhile, other vampires are in his town looking for him. They aren’t too happy that his father ( a vampire) married his mother (a human) and that they had an offspring. BTW, I enjoyed this first book so much, I have already checked the 2nd one out from the library,
Ninth Grade Slays.
So what do I do with this book?
1. A majority of this book is about Vlad Tod trying to fit in and about getting bullied. All your YA readers will be able to relate to these concepts. Everyone, popular or not, is trying to fit in. As a journal assignment, ask students to compare/contrast themselves to Vlad’s predicament and self-esteem issues. How do they handle these issues?
2. Ask students/teen readers to predict what they think will happen in Ninth Grade Slays based on the first book in the series and the clues Heather Brewer includes in the story. Also, some paperback versions have an excerpt for Ninth Grade Slays, and students can use that for clues.
3. Do a character study on Henry or Vlad or even Mr. Otis. You can also ask students to compare/contrast Henry and Vlad as well as write down the qualities of a loyal friend. These are all good assignments if your students are reading Brewer’s series as an independent reading selection.
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I am pleased to introduce to you two books for tween (young YA) readers that will appeal to boys (and girls, too!) and that are on a subject we don’t see very often–prehistoric adventure. I am also happy to let you know I have TWO books to giveaway to TWO lucky winners who leave a comment on this post. The publisher and author (Earthshaker books and Allan Richard Shickman) have provided these books. So, when you get finished reading all about these, please leave a comment below. If you don’t know any kids in this age group, consider donating a winning book to the library or a local school! Winners will be chosen randomly from comments on this post.
The first book is Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure. Here’s the description from the website: “A bad conscience and concern for Dael, his missing brother, cause Zan to begin a search which will lead him to captivity, conflict, love, and victory. In a time of war, the hero goes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood, and a role of leadership among his people. It’s about survival, discovery, a long search, and a good fight.”
In the second book of the series, Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country, the prehistoric adventure with our hero continues. Description from website: ” ‘Well past the middle of the night, Zan felt a shaking of his shoulder as he slept, and then an impatient foot kicking at him. Instinctively grabbing for his spear, he looked up and saw the orange glow of a torch; and as his eyes adjusted to the invading light, he recognized his brother’s ghastly face. Dael’s dangerous brow was furrowed, and the vein of his forehead bulged under the old scar. His teeth were clenched, and his eyes darted nervously back and forth. His every motion expressed a profound agitation, and Zan knew that what he had been dreading had come.
‘It is time, Zan. Let us go!’
‘Where? It’s dark!’
‘I want to find where the river comes from.’
The volcanic turbulence that shakes Dael’s mind carries him to vicious extremes. It is Zan’s task to calm his brother and lead him away from thoughts both destructive and self-destructive. But even the paradise of the Beautiful Country will not erase them.”
Don’t forget to check out the website for a sample chapter, a blog, and information for teachers. And don’t forget to leave a comment below for a chance to win one of these books. The contest will end Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. CST. It is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. And if all this information hasn’t already convinced you that these books are worth checking out, how about this? 
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This is going to be a super short post today as I have a busy holiday planned. That’s a good thing–but makes getting all the work done a little harder. Anyway, I listened to this book: In a Heartbeat by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy recently,and I really loved it. The Tuohys are the couple who are featured in the movie The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw (based on the true story about NFL player, Michael Oher).
Anyway, this book is all about easy and simple ways to give and also tells the “rest of the story” that couldn’t fit into a 2-hour movie. It will make you smile and laugh and want to help out in your own community. Their basic message is that however you can help, do. It doesn’t have to be a lot of money or a big charity event–you can buy someone lunch or invite someone over to dinner whom you know has fallen onto hard times.
In the end, the Tuohys share about their website and foundation: http://www.makingithappenfoundation.com. Check it out to help children in communities keep from falling between the cracks.
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Saturday Writers is a great writing group in St. Peters, MO that meets on the last Saturday of most months. They sponsor a contest each year for short stories, and ANYONE can enter. Are you trying your hand at writing short stories? If so, consider entering this contest. It could lead to publication. If you teach high school or have older kids at home that love to write, your high school/college-age students can enter this contest! SO, here are the details. You still have a month left to get your entries ready.
2010 Saturday Writers 9th Annual Short Story Contest
DEADLINE: November 1, 2010 (postmarked) Word Limit: 2010 (as in the year 2010)
Contest is open to all writers. Open subject, open genre. (Please, no pornography or gore.)
Prizes: 1st place – $100, 2nd place – $50, 3rd place – $25, 4th place – $15, 5th place – $10. 6-10th places receive certificates. Winners may be invited to submit their story to Cuivre River Anthology.
Entry fee: $7 per story Maximum of three entries per person (separate fee for each entry)
· Members of Saturday Writers, OWL, MWG, or other MWG Chapters: $5 per story
· Checks payable to: Saturday Writers.
· Short stories only (no poems, essays or articles) must be in English
· Unpublished at time of submission and the original work of the contestant
· Contestants retain all rights to their stories
· Standard manuscript format: 8 1/2 x 11 paper
· Two copies of each entry
· Typed and double-spaced on one side of the paper
· Pages numbered, title of entry on every page
· Times New Roman 12-point
· Paper clip pages together (do not staple)
· No name or other identifying information should appear anywhere on entry
· Attach a separate cover sheet and include: story title, name, address, e-mail, phone number, and MWG chapter name (if applicable)
· Do NOT send by certified mail!
· Mail fee and two copies of each entry, flat, not folded, by November 1 (postmark) to:
2010 Saturday Writers
9th Annual Short Story Contest
c/o Pat Wahler
18 Pershing Lake Drive
St. Peters, MO 63376
Keep a copy of your entry because stories will not be returned. Winners’ names will be announced during the December Saturday Writers meeting. For a list of winners, visit the Saturday Writers CONTESTS page in December: www.saturdaywriters.org Certificates and prizes will be mailed by the end of December 2010. Questions? E-mail Pat Wahler, [email protected]
And if you are looking for some books on short story writing, try these:
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Here is a really cool AND SUPER EASY way to help people in the world. Have you heard of Meals on Wheels? Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers or provides meals for seniors who can’t afford them or who are homebound and can’t get out to get their own food. To find out more about Meals on Wheels, they have a great website where you can find out more here.
So, Barilla, who makes pasta products, has a deal on their website right now where they will donate $1.00 to Meals on Wheels for every click on their website. Go here to click. Then, once you’ve clicked, you can download a FREE Celebrity Pasta Lovers’ Cookbook. This is available through October 15, and all you need is Adobe Acrobat to read it. What a deal, huh? Help out and get celebrity recipes at the same time.
But even cooler are the ideas provided for family meal times. You can download a free guide for making family mealtime more meaningful. You can also read the tips they have under GETTING STARTED, such as: “Enjoy more frequent family meals.” OR “Allow Fewer Distractions.” There’s also expert dinner advice from Dr. William J. Doherty, Ph.D., who is a professor at the University of Minnesota in the department of family social science and the author of a book on family rituals, titled The Intentional Family. He has several articles on the website like: “Research on the Benefits of Family Meals” and “Connecting During Family Mealtime.”
Here is a link to his book on Amazon as well as a couple others you might be interested in!
And don’t forget to click on Barilla’s website to donate $1.00 to Meals on Wheels!
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on 9/22/2010
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If any of you have started a blog for your children’s books, your classroom, your homeschool, or your mommy world, then you may be interested in the following REPRINTED interview on blogging and blogging tips I did with WOW! Women On Writing. It appeared on their blog, The Muffin, in July. I am teaching a course for them about blogging; and even if you don’t have a writing blog, this course helps you take your blog to the next level. So, here’s the interview full of tips. If you like what you read, consider signing up for the course, which starts October 4 and is perfect for people who need a flexible schedule when taking a class. Now, on to the blogging tips interview. . .
WOW: Hi Margo, it is so nice to be chatting with you today. Let’s start with the basics; one of the first places a person can get bogged down is in deciding which type of website to use. What are the differences between a free WordPress.com or Blogger site and a hosted website as far as our ability to publicize and monetize our sites?
Margo: There shouldn’t be any difference, really, except that when you have a free site, all the profit is yours! As far as publicizing goes, you would do the same things on a free WordPress or Blogger site as you would for a hosted website. You would use social networking sites, comments on other blogs, your bio on articles, SEO Keywords, and so on to publicize your blog. As for monetizing, as long as you have the capability to put widgets or links on your “free” blog, you can monetize. Sometimes, it will depend on what template you choose as to what you can fit on your blog, and those are the kinds of questions we’ll tackle in class.
WOW: Ah, there is more to a template than pretty colors (smile). With the question of functionality addressed, my next one is how to build readership. You have mentioned in your course description that for a blog to be successful the content should be unique and focused. Can you elaborate on that for us? How unique is “unique”?
Margo: There are hundreds (maybe even thousands) of blogs out there about a writer and her journey. “Here’s my blog about how I am going to write a novel.”Or “Here’s my blog about being a stay-at-home mom while I write children’s books.” I don’t mean to criticize anyone’s blog, and many of these are successful. But these topics have been done and done again. When I started my site, I knew there were already many children’s book review blogs. So I decided that whenever I featured a book, I would make my post different by including three take-away activities for parents, teachers, and librarians. I haven’t found many blogs that review a book, provide a summary, and tell you how to use it with kids and teens. So, I made my blog unique.
WOW: So, having each post provide take-away or usable information the reader can apply to her own life is one way to stand out and build readership. You also mentioned guest blogging. What is “guest blogging” and how does it serve us?
Margo: Guest blogging is when you write a post for another blog or when someone else writes a post for you. You are a “guest” writer on the blog. Both ways benefit a blogger. When you guest blog on another blog, you’re exposed to
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