I'm Getting Published!

Ok, not really.

But I do have an article getting printed in the MOM's Club newsletter, and that's a start. You have to start somewhere. Though I don't think it's going to make Virginia Quarterly come begging. I guess you never know.

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Blogging: A New Way of Life!

I've recently come under the spell of the latest affliction to hit Moms, Dads and the general population everywhere. And I do mean everywhere--the UK, Spain, Portugal, Hong Kong and Ireland are just a few of the places I've visited.. and been visited by. I recently started a new blog, which I’ve been keeping up daily: http://fingersandpaws.blogspot.com. Why, yes! Part of blogging is (shameless) self-promotion.

What is blogging and the blogosphere? The word originated from ‘web log’, or, from wikipedia: Blogosphere is a collective term encompassing all blogs and their interconnections. It is the perception that blogs exist together as a connected community (or as a collection of connected communities) or as a social network The typical blog involves daily (or regular) posts with day/time stamps, places for comments, archives and a recognizable structure.

It’s easy to start a blog. Many sites allow you to sign up for free. Blogger (www.blogger.com) is popular. You can also try www.wordpress.com, www.typepad.com, and, for more professional blogs, something like www.squarespace.com.

I’ll admit, the last thing any Mom needs is another addiction! But, there is so much good information that I thought I’d digest some of what I’ve found thus far. There is a blog for everything: antiques to natural parenting, dieting to kid yoga to gluten-free. Name it, you’ll find it! The unfair part of this? There are literally thousands of great blogs out there, and these just happen to be some that I have discovered. (Note: all addresses start with http://).

Directories list and classify blogs so that they may be found more easily, and many are dedicated to Mommy and women bloggers: MomDot.com, TheMomBlogs.com (Moms blogs, loosely organized by category)

: BlogHer.com, SecretIsInTheSauce.blogspot.com (Supportive blogger communities)

: Technorati (Very professional, “official” blog directory)

: Blogged (Also ‘official’, so to speak.)

So, what can you find out there? Cooking and recipe blogs are rampant, and for good reason. Check out foodie Chef E at cookappeal.blogspot.com, and hilarious Buffalo Dick at buffalodickdy.blogspot.com. Crockpot365.blogspot.com has a different crock pot recipe every day of the year (today: Orange-Apricot pork chops. Not your average crock pot lady here!)

Just interested in someone’s hilarious take on being a Mom? Mamakatslosinit.blogspot.com. Looking for gorgeous writing from a Dad? Irishgumbo.blogspot.com. I have a friend in real life that maintains a very funny Mommy blog, Interstitial-life.blogspot.com.

There is a plethora of product review blogs out there, mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com is just one (tons of giveaways, including Pedipeds recently.) There are also wonderful writing blogs, and I’ve become a loyal follower of two: The One Minute Writer (oneminutewriter.blogspot.com) and PicturesPoetryProse.blogspot.com provides photographic inspiration. I try to write on both daily. There’s also a 365sonnets.blogspot.com!

Really. You name it, and you’ll find it. If you’re looking for the kick in the pants to start writing (again, or for the first time,) blogging is an excellent outlet. The community of bloggers out there are wonderfully supportive, creative, self-effacing and dedicated. Oh, and most are busy, too.