'Got Blog Yet?

Image by Roslan Tangah (aka Rasso) via Flickr

by Jean Purcell

Okay, it's not the best of English grammar, but, really, "'got blog yet?"

Where are you in the world? Wherever you are, I suspect that you are a writer.

Perhaps you are not writing a lot yet. You are unsure about what you have to offer. Do you keep a journal? Then you are a writer! Let me hear from you if you are beginning, and I will be glad to point you to resources.

Are you an author, now or in the future? Maybe you're an article writer or feature freelancer, as well.

If you have one computer at hand, with easy Internet access, you should have a blog. You can have a free blog. Search it out~and, why not a group blog? You can have a blog about the special interests of your friends or educational group. You can plan together and in that way learn together.

The easiest way to start? Some blogs are easier to set up than others. You will be able to learn as you go along. You can add as many new gadgets or widgets as you like.

Use your favorite search engines to investigate blogs...if you don't have a blog yet!

Then, check into the blogs whose bloggers can help you blog better! They can help you decide your mission, focus, unique advantages, and other good pointers.

(c) 2011 Opinari/authorsupport and Jean Purcell

Related articles you can evaluate, looking for quality and help:

• what is a Blog? (spreadinformation.wordpress.com)
• Join the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Group Challenge on SitsGirls Today (problogger.net)
• Must-Read Blogs for Bloggers and Writers (globalthoughtz.com)
• Is it Time to Quit Blogging? (problogger.net)
• Blogs: Free Internet Marketing method (affiliatehelponline.wordpress.com)
• You Don't Have To Be The Stereotypical Blogger (successful-blog.com)
• 4 Ways To Get Traffic To Your Blog (davidshawblog.com)
• Ideas of March (zmievski.org)
• Bloggy Guidelines for New Bloggers (blogher.com)

Book Industry SG highlights e-book "power buyers"

Image via Wikipedia

The latest Book Industry Study Group (BISG) reports  new Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading research study with items below, and more. Interesting reading for e-book authors and publishers.   

1. Income is a more important factor than discretionary time; those earning greater than $50K annually buy higher proportion of e-books.
2. Urban readers buy the most e-books although rural buyers say they benefit more from the easy access in this format.
3. Is Amazon's Kindle e-book reader still the dominant e-device or is the Barnes & Noble Nook device gaining share?
4. Retirees  buy fewer e-books than fully employed e-readers.

Learn about the "Power Buyers" of e-books in the

newest fielding of the Book Industry Study Group's (BISG's) latest Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading research study.

Source: Copyright © 2011 R.R. Bowker LLC. All rights reserved.
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(c) 2011 Author Support. Jean Purcell, author and editor, owns a small press in the DC area. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and has interacted with international leaders both on and off the record. She publishes Opinari Quarterly for subscribers.

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Resources to Share: As Spring approaches, so does the season of Lent

Image by mtsofan via Flickr

For God so loved the world that he gave 
his only begotten Son 

that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish 
but have everlasting life. 

John 3:16. 

A few resources to help you think about Lent, personally, and to remind others through your writing 


First Week of Lent - March 13 - 19, 2011 

I don't come from a background where Lenten self-denial and other observances were practiced. However, I remember the preparations for Easter Sunday at home and in church, through special plans and music. The day of Easter was a shining day, whatever the weather, and such observances in the church helped me, growing up, to be more aware of the love of God through Jesus and His life offered on the Cross for the sins of the world. This is a good time, also, to... 
Write or collect poetry, scripture verses, articles, pictures, devotions, and prayers...or other works that help you focus on this time. Lent contains the weeks leading up to Passover and Easter. The link below leads to reading for the weeks on the schedule also below. You can search on-line for readings, prayers, and meditations for your personal consideration, to share with others, or for your writing inspiration. May we go further than dipping our toes into the waters of the ocean of faith during this holy season. May we take no day or opportunity for granted, and honor the Lord. 

Lenten Bible Readings for these weeks: 

• Week of the First Sunday in Lent (March 13 - 19) 
• Week of the Second Sunday in Lent (March 20-26)
• Week of the Third Sunday in Lent (March 27 - April 2)
• Week of the Fourth Sunday in Lent (April 3 - 9)
• Week of the Fifth Sunday in Lent (April 10 - 16)

"The word Lent comes from Anglo Saxon times which means spring.
In Latin, Lent is quadragesima which means forty days. In Greek, it is tessarakoste (fortieth), a word formed on the analogy of Pentecost (pentekoste).
"Period of Lent
The season of Lent is the period of forty days before the celebration of the great feast of the Church, Easter.
In determining this period of forty days..." read more: The Meaning of the Word "Lent"

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