2012 | It's All a Matter of Perspective

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They call it the suicide lane for a reason: it’s the intersection of big, shiny metal objects traveling 40+ mph in opposite directions – legally.

Lisa asks “Is Your Blog A Two Way Street?” and while Jan answers that he hopes it’s two ways with six lanes in either direction, I’m just hoping traffic flows both ways.

Deflection

I guess a lot of folks start out thinking, “Build it [the blog] and they will come.” I started out thinking it was easier than firing up notepad and revamping my static HTML web site whenever I wanted to freshen up a bit. Yeah, of course, I’m an attention wh—er, eager to attract readers and fans like anyone else, but I’ve always thought it was a two-way street, and the comments shouted by passersby as I stand in the suicide lane, waggling white-gloved fingers in a confusing display of pseudo-traffic-direction, daring them to hit each other is half the fun.

Naaah, would I do that?

Y’all don’t get to hit each other. Not till you’ve donned the inflatable Rock ‘em, Sock ‘em Robot boxing gloves, anyway. Don’t want any bloggers harmed in the making of this little farce.

Lisa discusses several options bloggers have, now, for comment systems. I’ve tried several, but have always returned to the barebones system built into WordPress, myself. Still, you might be thinking about adding Disqus or Livefyre or some other commenting system to your blog, and Lisa brings up some of the pros and cons you ought to consider before bothering.

 

Be sure to read the other posts in this series:

About the Author

Holly Jahangiri is a professional writer with over twenty years’ experience in technical writing, freelancing, fiction, poetry, and editing. Writer, wife, and mother, Holly is the creator of Trockle and the instigator of the Puppy-Guppy Rebellion.

We all want to sleep our way to wealth. It’s the lazy person’s ultimate fantasy: Go to bed, do absolutely NOTHING, and earn a “passive income” online. Wake up to million-dollar checks pouring through your mail slot, flooding your entryway – wait, there’s a problem with that scenario. Too many checks in the entry, and you can’t get out the front door to enjoy your neighbor’s envious admiration of the Lamborghini gracing your driveway. Never mind how you’re going to afford the gas for that sweet little ride at $4/gallon – that’s tomorrow’s dream!

Of course, Jamie Northrup has an interesting twist on this one – he ponders how he’d spend that million ON his blog, if he won the lottery! Man, he must really love that blog…

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About the Author

Holly Jahangiri is a professional writer with over twenty years’ experience in technical writing, freelancing, fiction, poetry, and editing. Writer, wife, and mother, Holly is the creator of Trockle and the instigator of the Puppy-Guppy Rebellion.

Writers generally fall into one of two buckets (no, I’m not referring to the mop-bucket after an all-night, writer’s block-induced bender) – the “Planning Plotser” or the “Seat of the Pantser.” Some just naturally take to the world of outlines, while others prefer to wing it – often flying without a net. Which you are probably depends on a combination of factors ranging from anxiety level to boredom threshold to adrenaline addiction. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way, here, unless your way isn’t working out well for you. In that case, you might try walking a mile in another man’s moccasins – just avoid the water moccasins, because their bite can kill you.  more…

About the Author

Holly Jahangiri is a professional writer with over twenty years’ experience in technical writing, freelancing, fiction, poetry, and editing. Writer, wife, and mother, Holly is the creator of Trockle and the instigator of the Puppy-Guppy Rebellion.

4 Good Reasons To Join Topical Facebook Groups (Missy Diaz)

Missy approaches the topic of Facebook Groups with unflinching optimism and gives us four legitimately good reasons for joining them – but misses the obvious: link spamming 50 groups that allow it is a great way to improve your metrics if “# of Facebook Likes/Shares” is on your radar. I hasten to add that even if you approach it with a healthy dose of jaded cynicism, it doesn’t invalidate any of the points Missy makes. more…

About the Author

Holly Jahangiri is a professional writer with over twenty years’ experience in technical writing, freelancing, fiction, poetry, and editing. Writer, wife, and mother, Holly is the creator of Trockle and the instigator of the Puppy-Guppy Rebellion.

Everyone asks me, “Aren’t you entering the Blog Engage contest this month?” The answer is n—er, probably not. I’d rather let others have the fun, this month. I’m working on a couple of short stories, starting Chinese lessons next week, taking up a new hobby – painting – and, of course, working. There’s a point at which new things to learn and do energizes you, and a point where you just run out of steam and hit a wall with all the momentum you’ve built up. more…

About the Author

Holly Jahangiri is a professional writer with over twenty years’ experience in technical writing, freelancing, fiction, poetry, and editing. Writer, wife, and mother, Holly is the creator of Trockle and the instigator of the Puppy-Guppy Rebellion.