Sorry I've been a bit MIA... Even with all of the excitement; The second part of the week had me recovering from some minor eye surgery ( just a thingy removal) and I was hit by a head cold a the same time.
Thank you all of all of your wonderful words and congratulations! I was so excitedto actually be published! I've been hacking away at it for so long. With perfect timing, Lisa at Recaptured Charm (who has some amazing furniture make -overs.), awarded me the honest scrap award (thanks Lisa!).. so I am going to take the opportunity to answer 10 questions about myself... honestly.
1. Many of you wanted to know how I got published. Like some of my interviews said, it's all about tooting your own horn and not giving up. But that's hard to do. I've been submitting to magazines for over 2 years now ( In the back many of them have a contact paragraph for submissions.). I've done a lot of writing for free in local publications to build a portfolio. I've submitted to tons magazines, many of which I get horribly rejected, or don't even get a reply, my SASE back. Some day's it's like, come on dudes; stamps are expensive!
But you have to keep at it, because you never know. A good way to get started is to contact on-line publications. My first paying gig was for the on-line gardening site Learn2grow.).
2. I have 2 completed fictional books sitting in a dresser drawer because I am afraid of the rejection... and the work that would go into getting them publisher ready, and I'm am really just not sure who to contact or how to go about it.
3. I've been burned in blogland. People can present themselves anyway they want to you and then can say really mean-spirited, hurtful things behind your back. That's the only problem with blogging. I promise you I try to be the same person in blogland as I am in real life ( except for a few less f-bombs.). My goal, when some one meets me is that they say.. wow! You're just like on your blog! I promised myself one thing about my own blogging morals; I'd be true to myself and be nice to everyone.
4.I hate lying.. I always tell my kids they get in less trouble if they tell the truth than if they lie to me. But if they lie, all bets are off. Some days our time-out step gets a lot of use.
5. I like to be everyone's friend. Maybe it's because I wasn't the most popular in high school, but I HATE exclusion and back stabbing.....I always feel like "Can't we just all get along?"
6. I've realized that having 10 followers or 100 doesn't change anything about your blog, really. It's also not a competition about who has more. I am just so happy that anyone wants to read my blog. I'll admit, while it is cool when the numbers climb... except for occasionally being contacted for a giveaway (which most of the time I don't even get to participate in) or making a few more pennies on advertising (and I mean pennies)... there is no difference. While everyone wants 20 comments, remember only 7% of readers comment. You have more people reading you than you think. If anyone want the scoop on how to get advertising going on your own blog, contact me. I'll fill you in.
7.I'm not a germaphobe, but I am a chemaphobe. I'd let my kids eat off the floor in a bus station restroom before I'd let them handle a bottle of tile cleaner. It's all organic, biodegradable, non-toxic cleaner around here.
8. I eat 5 oreo cookies a night.
9. Eating beets turns my pee pink.
10. Somedays, when I am sitting and watching my TV shows and eating my Oreos, I think.. I should be painting.. I should be creating...I should get up.. but oh.. Desperate Housewives is on!
11.I have Acid reflux disease and still drink coffee.... I hope my doctor isn't reading this.
12. Lots of time when I take pictures for my blog, I scoot the surrounding crap off-camera just enough o my house looks clean.
13. My life looks so much better in blogland... Sometimes I wish I could live it that way.
So I know it was 10, but when you get me on a roll, you just can't shut me up!
I have to pass this award onto 7 people.. so here we go...
I ma passing this onto these fabulous bloggers!
Jen
P.S. I have a fabulous Artist featured for Monday!
Posts
teehee I love it!
ReplyDeleteLove your 10...er 13 things. LOL
ReplyDeleteOh yes, my life and home look better in blogland, too. :)
Hey, did I see in the last post that you were in Country Living?!
I just browsed through mine, let me get it...
Wow, wow, wow, there you are!
Woohoo, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Kimberly
I'm one of the people who asked how you got published. Thanks for responding in point #1. I drop whatever I'm doing for Desperate Housewifes, too.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE #12! Ha ha so me. Always scooting stuff out of the way.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to also say about mean and hurtful comments-- I find it soo interesting that the hurtful comment people are always motivated by jealousy. Plain and simple. Jealous? Why not make some totally rude comment? Totally lame.
I love hearing about you, Jen. It's a good thing we can "edit" our photos. I've said before that we need to have a blog party day, just once, where we show "What you didn't see..."! My dish drainer and cat box are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteDebra
Jen, I just love how you are so real on you blog, and I really try to do that too. I'm just as fickle and weird in real life, seriously. This was awesome, learning more about you, and I'm so glad that you move the piles to take pics too, 'cuz I do that EVERY day. :)
ReplyDeleteJen! I feel so connected to you in oh so many ways - but I have to say - that I SO feel you on making sure that my blog-life mirrors my real-life - the greatest compliment to me would be to say "you're exactly like your blog!" (my blog definitely has less f-bombs....I have to say sh*t is one of my favorite words....)
ReplyDeleteI YEARN for 5 oreos a night. But I don't work out enough to off-set those oreos, so I refrain.....except for twice a year I buckle and buy a bag.
Love learning more about you - and I so hope to meet you someday so I can say: "You're exactly as you are on your blog!"
xoxo
Jen,
ReplyDeleteI just loved reading more about you. What an honest, genuine and sweet post!
Nancy
Your so lovable Jen!!!! You're very right too, it's all about having enough confidence to believe you can be published ~ or do whatever you set your mind to! hugs and love, Dawn
ReplyDeleteLoved reading about the snippets of your life! I didn't realize that small a percentage of people actually comment on blogs. Wow. I think everyone's house looks better in Blogland!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
My favorite was #10! Love your list.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you shared 13! Looking forward to the Monday interview.
ReplyDeletecher
Wonderful things Jen! Looking forward to your new Artist being featured...
ReplyDeletexo
Penny
Congratulations on being featured in Country Living. I got my copy today. All I can say is you are very talented and your home is phenomenal. I didn't realize you had a blog until I read your comment on Melanie's blog. So glad I found out.
ReplyDeleteLeAnn
This is a great little blog, sister..
ReplyDeleteI love how you rock the honesty.
I also love your look, its easy on the eyes and a pleasure to scope out!
Congratulations on your Country living. Im sure you worked awfully hard at that..
Lisa
coastal nest
When I read #12, I saw myself!!! I do that too!!!!! That's why my house always looks so much better on the blog than it really is!!! Loved your honesty, Jen!
ReplyDeleteIsabel
Your comments about yourself are great, especially the one about just blogging because you love it and forgetting about the number of readers. My little tennis blog hovers right around 40 readers which at times is such a small number that I get disappointed. But you've reminded me - I've got 40 people who actually read what I (of all people!) have to say! Thanks and keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way about wanting to be everyone's friend! It leads to hurt feelings on my end sometimes but I'd still rather be the nice one! :o)
Hey You are awesome and good for you for not giving up on your art! I am glad you are recuperating well! Sometimes it's good to take a little bloggy break.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling all better so you can enjoy your excitement!
ReplyDeleteJen, I enjoyed reading this so much! I love the way you just say it like it is. Congratulations on being published in Country Living! WOW!!! Have a nice week! Twyla
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being published! You certainly deserve it. I really love that this award allows us to learn more about people. (However much we allow ourselves to show). I totally agree with 'what you see is what you get' with people. I am like that as well. Loved your honesty! Keep up the fantastic work and thanks as always for the little tips!
ReplyDeleteLisa@recapturedcharm.com