Email is the best way for me to follow a blog, because it reminds me that I’m even following a certain blog and when I’m not in the mood, I simply delete the message or come back to it later.
WordPress is a community of bloggers and blog followers, and the follow feature is built in, but you can still customize it. If it’s a blog I know I really don’t want to miss, I’ll set up a daily or weekly digest for my email. Other than that, I make a point to visit the WordPress Reader a few times a week. WordPress is ideal because it lets you see who’s following you and others can see if you are following them.
Networked Blog is great if you’re already using it to follow other blogs. I also like it because I can see the people who are following me and they can see that I’m following them.
For Blogger, Google Friend connect does this also, but I find that it’s sometimes not the best way to follow to actually receive content. Again I can see who’s following me and they and see me.
Ah, Feedly. I heart Feedly. It has become my go to blog reader. Most blogs I follow, I actually follow twice, unless I do an email subscription. I try to follow as much as possible using Worpress, Networked Blogs, and Google Friend Connect, just so my little face is there smiling at my favorite bloggers, but I find that if I’m actually reading and commenting on that bloggers content, it’s because of Feedly. Feedly keeps me from having to go to all the above mentioned places to visit all the blogs I follow because they are all in one place.
Now, there’s Bloglovin. So, for once I’m really late on something I already knew about but didn’t realize. Let me explain. I follow a few fashion blogs. I got into the habit because of my sister Tori who loves fashion and is constantly teaching me a thing or two about it. I follow all my fashion blogs through Bloglovin and for some reason figured that’s all Bloglovin was for. How silly of me.
Sooooo, I guess I’ll be playing around with Bloglovin and Feedly to see which suits me best, but knowing me, I’ll probably end up using them both.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords #cursescanbebroken
Authors can’t sell books without reviews. Especially now that a lot of authors are going the self-published route, book reviews are crucial elements that authors seek and crave. Well, good reviews are craved.
Recently, there has been a trend for readers to post reviews before they have even read the book.
“A fellow author recently received the following ONE star review: I did not read it I just downloaded it,” says Raebeth Buda, author of ‘Silenced’ and host of the Writing World web site. “Last year I also got a ONE star review that said, “I haven’t read it yet, I will leave a review when I do” They have yet to review it. That star has been sitting there hurting my rating ever since. And with only 10 ratings on that particular site, it hurts LOT.”
It hurts the author because most book review sites give an average star rating, figuring all the reviews into one score. It’s like getting straight A’s all semester, and then getting one F that pulls your grade average down to a C.
“It seems like common sense, but I think more people need to be aware of how much needless one star reviews can hurt. It’s great you bought the book, it’s great you intend to review it. But leaving a one star “placeholder” hurts the author much more than leaving no review at all.” Buda says.
Stars on a book review are pretty much equal to the five point grading system used in schools. A five star rating is the same as an A on an essay. It means you thoroughly enjoyed the book. Four stars means the book was enjoyable, but had a few faults. A three star rating means the book barely passed. Anything below three stars warns other readers to pass the book by and buy something else. A one star rating means the author should not have published the book in the first place.
When writing a review for a book, the reader should give a summary of the story to let the next reader know what the subject of the book is about. It also lets the reader know that the reviewer did in fact read the book. It should then point out the book’s virtues and weaknesses. Is it well paced? Does the plot make sense? Are the clues foreshadowed, or does the answer appear out of nowhere? Are the characters believable and likeable? Is it well researched?
The conclusion of the review then gives an overall reaction to the book: it was a pleasant read, it was a page turner, I couldn’t put it down, I highly recommend the book, I can’t wait for the next one. The conclusion of the review should not be what is called a “spoiler”: the butler did it. It’s acceptable to say that the ending was surprising, but not to say what the surprise actually was.
So, please, write your reviews, but follow the rules and format of a good review. Even if your opinion is bad, every review posted should be good in quality, helpful to other readers, and a true reflection of the reader’s opinions.
The Eternal Curse Series Blog Presents an interview with author: Tina Frisco.
So tell me, who is Tina Frisco?
image provided by author
I’m an author, singer-songwriter-performer, RN, shaman apprentice, and activist. I was born in the USA in Pennsylvania, attended nursing school in New York, and live in California. I began writing as a child and received my first guitar at age 14, which launched my passion for music and song-writing. I’ve performed publicly in many local venues. My publishing history includes book reviews, essays, articles in the field of medicine, and my début novel – Plateau: Beyond the Trees, Beyond 2012 – published in July 2012. Included in my pursuits are writing, reading, music, and exploring nature.
Well you sound like quite the Renaissance woman. I can tell already, that this is going to be a fun interview.
smashwords.com
The underlying message in Plateau: Beyond the Trees, Beyond 2012 is that we must keep our hearts open and act from love instead of react from fear, and we must practice gratitude and compassion within every moment and with every breath. In so doing, we’ll help elevate the human species to a higher consciousness, facilitating both personal and global peace. And above all, we must harm none and walk in beauty. During this time of great change, the question millions are asking across the globe is “Will love prevail over fear?” Plateau proffers a dash of insight and a bounty of hope. (See a 5 star review of this book by Nancy E. Robertson)
I really like the message of this book. It sounds very inspirational. I too like to envelop my books with a sense of hope. I really like the cover of this book. It has such a wonderful use of colors.
So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of Plateau?
W’Hyani, the protagonist in Plateau, is a 15-year-old tribal female who discovers her strengths and destiny by overcoming adversity while honoring the wisdom of her elders. Her will, fortitude, and ingenuity are tested relentlessly. She must learn to trust blindly and overcome fear exhaustively, without fully knowing why she was born the Keeper of the Crystal Heart, the requisite key to the Great Mosaic of Life. She ultimately comes face-to-face with herself in a battle that would shrink the will of the most intrepid warrior, unaware that realizing her destiny will irrevocably impact all beings on earth and beyond. The Great Mosaic of Life holds a message of hope that would allow us to see and live beyond the year 2012. W’Hyani’s people inject humor and wisdom throughout this tale of adventure and mystery.
Wow, I was not expecting this character description after seeing the cover, but it really seems to fit. I like that your heroine is a tribal girl. I think it sounds very exotic, but have a feeling that it will be pleasantly down to earth.
Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?
I’ve written many songs and performed in many local venues. When writing my books, I work at my computer and allow my thoughts to flow. I don’t create a story outline beforehand, but jot down ideas for future chapters that occur to me while I’m writing. I’m totally focused on writing and allow no distractions. The dictionary, thesaurus, and Gregg Reference Manual are my constant companions during this process. I’m currently working on a sequel to Plateau, as well as a series of children’s books.
I admire your talents and the determination in which you pursue them. You seem to be very focused and organized. I admire the fact that you use a reference manual, they are so helpful; everyone needs a little help with their writing sometimes.
What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?
Lynn Andrews has inspired me the most. Her willingness to write about her spiritual growth in a detailed and personal way profoundly encouraged my writing. (See a review of Andrews’s Coming Full Circle by Tina Frisco)
I must admit that I’m not very familiar with Lynn Andrew’s work, though I have heard of her book Medicine Woman before. She seems like a very dynamic personality. If she has the insight and experience to help you on your writing journey, I’m glad you were able to find her work and connect with it.
Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?
I’d love to interview Albert Einstein. Not only was he a brilliant scientist, but he was also an inspiring philosopher with a wonderful sense of humor!
I agree. A man who was told he was dumb as child and then grows up to show the world something it had never seen before, definitely sounds like he’d have something interesting say.
I would say I relate to Lonesome Star, the protagonist in Woman Chief, by Benjamin Capps.I find her to be particularly inspiring. The novel is based on the true story of a Crow woman who rose to the rank of Chief despite her gender. She was unrivaled as a hunter-warrior within her tribe, rejecting the traditional duties of women. Females – especially girls – in our modern society could learn a lot from her.
How very empowering she sounds and so does the book. This is one I’m adding to me TBR list right now.
What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?
My ideal reading spot is my rocker chair with footstool, within a quiet environment and a cup of tea at my side. I’m about to read the paperback book, Adela, by Mary Nicol Jones. I’m eager to read Mary’s book for two reasons: 1) she’s a neighbor, and 2) it encompasses the theme of overcoming adversity with a tenacious and determined spirit.
That’s cool that you live close to another author and that you guys are friends. I’ve seen the cover of her book. It looks quite peaceful, but I guess that’s why they say don’t judge a book by its cover. An overcoming adversity story has to stir you up a little bit…Oh, and your reading spot sounds cozy.
The Last of the Mohicans was my favorite book in elementary school. I love reading fiction about indigenous peoples that contains historical references.
I can see you have a great love for the life, history, and ways of indigenous peoples. I can understand why you like this book and can understand it leaving a lasting impression on you…
To see more of this interview, visit the Eternal Curse Series Blog. For more information about this author, Tina Frisco, please visit the links below.
Today, Tina has been so gracious as to offer Plateau for FREE on Smashwords.com. Please stop by and download your free copy.
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