Blogs Away!

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Here is a favorite blog posting from this blog-The Church that Stood and Stands
Jean Purcell
This is probably my most memorable blog posting because it was the most emotional at the time I wrote it. My husband and I had visited the Twin Towers site in New York City and had stood in a long, silent line with many New Yorkers on lunch break and many visitors to the city, like us.

Here is a favorite blog that gives warm chuckles or fresh perspectives: Deirdre Reilly's Blend of the Day

Deirdre's blog is read by people where she lives, in a picturesque New England town, and beyond. I "get" what matters to her, along with her brand of humor (she is my daughter, as you may know already). She comments on daily life and spoofs trends or news of the times, making the laugh on no one but herself or our shared human condition.

If you want me to read your blog and comment on it, I'll be glad to visit. Just put the link in the comment box or write to me at Twitter.





Copyright (c) 2012 Opinari Writers. Do you like this blog? Join, Tweet, FB, Like, or Recommend it? Thank you.

Blog Ideas: Big Basics for Happy Non-Marketing Blogs

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My blogging equation (B=tmv²)* is easy to grasp, put to use, and refine for your blog.

Use some of my big questions, formed over a few years as my blog stats have multiplied. I have asked myself and have answered questions like these:   

How often should I post on my blog? 

It's your blog and you'll write when you want to.

How do I make sure to keep posts focused? 

Remember your promise to your readers; stay consistent with the blog's creative title and headline description. 

 You may think your readers want to read what is on your mind
or going on in your life at the time, regardless of topic, be sure that
you remember it
will work only if that is what you promise them and they like your style.
In that vein, Blend of the Day succeeds and gives pleasure and thoughtful ideas.


Otherwise, News and reporting blogs? Jillions to choose from.
Other approaches? Keep using search engines.

What visitors do you want to attract and keep coming back to your blog? 

(What is your focused answer? Don't let yourself respond: "everyone in the world.")

Why do your visitors revisit?

I opine that they like what they find, accidentally or on purpose. 

Liking does not necessarily mean agreement all the time.  

What helps you the most, technically, in knowing that some visitors revisit? And why do you say "visiting" rather than "reading"?

I say "visiting" because I know some people land on my blogs because a search engine grabbed a keyword they entered. It went on from there. I hope they'll stay to read and come back.

My blogs have a stat check feature for me, the blogger. 

It's a gauge to show vital info and guards visitor 

URLs and other privacy matters. 

"Who am I to put my experience, knowledge, and ideas out there?"

Ah, that's a question. First, you enjoy writing so much.

Beyond that, and to be honest, if you have **a fancy resume and your blog 

is not limited to technical or professional range, you might not mention 

your fancy credentials at first. Think through the pros and cons of

 it; you might want to avoid any appearance of boasting; almost 

everyone else is doing that, so

bragging has been worn out.  

Therefore, tell friendly basics about yourself for 

an interesting, "Ya'll come back, hear?" (bookmark this blog) 

approachability. Sincerely, isn't it all about communication 

and connecting with parts of life?

Recap

• Blog visitors look for what is interesting or entertaining...with enough to help  shove away any gloom of the day... in only a few minutes of their time!
• **You are not ever required to have an impressive resume or any resume. Blog readers are looking for interesting, useful, entertaining, and short...reading, much more than for credentials (unless you're advising about GE washing machines, Johns Hopkins breakthrough neuro-surgical procedures, or how to sew a dress for yourself that will look exactly like a Tory Burch design, and so forth). 
• Moms staying at home to raise children, enter the empty nest, welcome sons- or daughters-in-law, and then enjoy grandchildren...they blog very well, thank you. 
• Ditto: stay-at-home dads can be excellent bloggers. Of course! Special niche!
• Humorists, business people, astronomers, nuclear physicists (I read a beautiful children's story once, written by a NASA guy), sales people, county employees, and others... blog! They, too, may be or have been or will become stay-at-home.... 
• Anyone, therefore, that loves to write, has a lot to offer about favorite whatever(s), and likes connecting with other readers can blog about ideas--and stuff. 
• * B=tmv²--Blogging = (time)(mission)(visitor-awareness[squared])
  

Copyright (c)2012 Opinari Writers - Reprint allowed with attribution.

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I Don't Think I Have Cancer, but...

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Cancer has many names based not only on diagnoses of different types but also on names attached by sufferers and their families to express anger, loss, grief, shock, determination, and lots of other emotions in a long line of human reactions.

As far as I know, I don't have cancer. And I surely hope I do not; I have the usual tests like mammograms and such, and so far...all seems to be well. But like you (and I'm sure you know someone with or who has had cancer), I have been touched by it in one way or another. Actually, a number of ways. I am related to "cancer survivors" and also those who died of cancer, all at older ages.

Yesterday at a retreat I met a young woman who has cancer. She is in a group for people in their 20s and 30s with it. And, she has a blog with a really neat, and I think determined, name: Red Headed Bald Chic. You can read her blog and pass it along. Scroll down the side bar, too, to see good info. Otherwise, read her blogs about what it's like to lose not only health but also home. And, to lose a very young and brave friend to cancer. You can also follow links to donate to help research and to fight cancer in different ways.  

Maybe you don't have cancer. I hope you do not. If you do, I pray that many beams of medical help, hope, sharing, listening, and determination will help you as you deal with it and live with it, at least for now. I cannot say more with any authority. Yet, all of us suffer or have suffered in some way. We know that careless words hurt, that pity is unnecessary, and that genuine caring, whether expressed or not, reminds us we are not deserted. Others do care...and pray...and do research...and raise funds...and understand. Each one has a part to play, and no help of comfort is in vain. I hope my  new friend agrees, or will correct me if already I have misspoken. Because I don't think I have cancer, and she knows she does. She is living...with cancer.

(c) 2011 Opinari and Jean Purcell {OWN} posts may be quoted with attribution: (date of post, URL address of blog, post title)

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Blogging and Racial Tensions in the News

J Purcell, Manager
Opinari Writers Network

Know nothing about blogging? Read high and low reviews on Amazon.com for Secrets of Successful Blogging (cover image below). Already blogging? OWN thinks this book may not be for you.

I posted three comments on The Daily Caller (DC) blog today, two very close together. A pop-up message followed: "Slow down." That's the way DC works, the opposite of the way the city of DC really runs.

My first comment on the DC blog connected with posts about the firing of a USDA official in GA, yesterday. Now, I intend to take my time forming set opinions about the events. At the center is the rush to judgment by organizations, politicians, journalists, and some of us on the sidelines. It's a rush too typical today, relying on instant perspectives, assumptions, and few facts and little research. Such rushes serve to allow each of us to opine as we prefer, rather than as facts or truth would lead us.

Charges of Racism! and Racist! abound in the public square, through all media channels. Blogs and news outlets launch charges like spitballs and dried chewing gum, quick accusations in the Now. Reporting also needs to be in the Know.

Charges like Racist and Racism should be made carefully and powerfully, to wake people up in alarm, not just to cast suspicion over past deeds, or to wield temporary power  in feigned indignation. Now, they are often cries of "Wolf!" Who will believe real outrage if this continues?

Anyone watching out for Racism evidence stands in stark contrast to word-throwers that play power games with words. Reliable sources do not abuse incendiary words or try to hide behind them; rather, they confront with the hard, true words that hold up to thought, reason, and suffering concern. We need to urge others to get the facts straight first, and not judge too quickly. Slow down enough to write and blog the facts, and let readers know when you do not have all the facts, or what you think are facts have not been confirmed.


(c) Jean Purcell

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