Quick Reads

I read a lot. I have always read. As long as I can remember, I have read. I spent a couple of years not being able to sit down and enjoy a novel due to beginning a life as a mother. Now, I manage a novel or two month. In fact, when J3 was hospitalized, I read through seven novels. And as much as I enjoy reading novels, I have learned that reading blog posts and articles are just as important. Okay, maybe not important, in my case, more convenient. With three children it is easier to glance over a blurb of something than it is to try and focus on something more than three pages long.

            I have found Facebook to be a world of wealth for finding quick, helpful reads. I enjoy the advice, inspiration, and techniques other people are publishing. Expanding my vocabulary with The Writer’s Circle word of the day. Staying to read the articles about freelancing, motivational speakers, and tips to enhance my personal writing. Writer’s Write has a list of writing courses, in South Africa, writing advice and trivia. Not only do these websites have amazing articles, I also learn about events and conferences. While most things have a cost to them nowadays, free is always good. Both of these websites point out free podcasts and webinars.
            Self-publication is becoming more widespread with the help of websites such as Amazon. For me, Phyl Campbell stands as an example, as I watch her struggle to navigate the waters, of self-publication. I cheer when she is triumphant and I know that if I choose to take the route of self-publication she would happily help advise me through the process. Some of her works include Mother Confessor and Carley Patrol. You can also find short pieces of her work at phylcampbell.blogspot and PhylCampbellAuthorPage.

            Samantha Watson has to be one of my favorite people. I believe she has one of the most amazing modern day love stories. Now living in Australia after achieving a lifelong dream of finding her Aussie hunk, I am resigned to Facebook conversations to keep in touch. While I believe her writing is some of the best I have ever heard. Yes, heard. While she has yet to be published, I have high hopes for her and enjoy keeping track of her Facebook page A Brewer’s Ink where she links articles from places that I would never have considered for inspiration.

            While my world heavily revolves around Facebook and quick reads sometimes I do have to search for fellow writers. Angela Cox, who is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Arkansas. She is driven to become a professor, her focus revolves around new media and genre, and a published author. While this is not my personal choice of reading, because she is a close friend, I take the time to read her articles from playthepast.org. Play the Past is a collaborative blog that focuses on the intersection of history and gaming. Why do I go out of my way to read articles that are not within my realm of regular reading? Because it is outside of my regular reading. Because Angela is a friend, not only do I want to support her work but it gives me the opportunity to check out what other people are writing about and what is being read.

            I will end with Kimberly Mitchell. I met her not long after moving to Northwest Arkansas, while looking for a church to attend. The first thing you learn about Kimberly is her love for sports. She is a dedicated Hogs fan, which presumably is from her years at the University of Arkansas. I fell in love with her life experiences as she weaves tales of her time in the Middle East. So, I wasn’t too surprised to find out that she was an aspiring children’s author. Kimberly, is the only blogger at this point that I set time aside to read. Not just to read but to take notes. There has never been a time where, after reading her posts, I felt as though I had wasted my time. Check her out at kimberlymitchell. This year she is focusing on Writing Your Story as you follow the stories of her and her family’s life.

            As I sit here writing this I am quickly becoming aware that all the writers that I know are women. That is not entirely true, however, many of the male writers that I know have not taken to the internet to blog. Unfortunately, that cannot be helped at this time. Feel free to read over these suggestions or make suggestions of your own of other people, forums, or webpages worth following.

E. Schierschmidt