Blogging 2014: What Did I Say That Might Be Worth Repeating?

Blogging 2014Another year of Southern Exposure has come and gone.

For fun, as Blogging 2014 draws to a close, I thought I’d do a monthly recap of some of the blogs I posted this year. As always on Tuesdays I ignored all the rules and blogged about whatever interested me at the moment.. I hope you’ll enjoy some of my highlights.

Emilie in St. ThomasIn January after finishing an anniversary cruise with my husband I gave an impromptu quiz about vacation styles. What kind of vacationer are you? Writers seem to be an entirely separate category, so I explained why. Where did you fit? By the way we’re taking a shorter cruise with local friends in February, and now I’m anxious to see what new stories I come up with.

As if in response February brought a blog about quizzes. Why were (are) quizzes sweeping the internet and why were (are) we so entranced about discovering whether we’re more like Porky Pig or Bugs Bunny. Do you have a theory? (I don’t need a quiz to tell me I’m Bugs all the way.)

March brought two posts under my “Write Way” category for those interested in writing or at least learning what writers go through. Both March posts tackled how little control novelists have over certain aspects of their books. Covers always interest me and from emails I receive, I would say they interest you as well. So I used the recent re-publication of The Unmasking, one of my first novels, to illustrate how covers can and should change.

In April I was clearly consumed by the Herculean task of getting my new website online, but boy was I proud about what it would offer you.  I have a fabulous team to work with (thanks AuthorBytes) and I think the new website is, well, awesome. Of course, I’d better, right? I’m sure not doing another one any time soon.

HouseMay arrived and I told the true story about the exterior paint on my house in Fifty Shades of Beige. But wait, was the post really about paint? Of course not. This was a “Write Way” post, too. It’s all about finding “the house that’s different, the house with the conflict behind the facade” when you choose a setting for your own novel.

By the time June dawned I was thinking about No River Too Wide, the third book in my Goddesses Anonymous series which was to arrive at bookstores at the month’s end. Since online reviews are growing more and more crucial for authors I talked about my own experience reviewing a book on Goodreads and gave some tips of my own and those from a literary agent on how to write a review without keeling over from the stress.

July was one of my most important posts. At least important to me. I wrote about finding time to do what you love, and how I was finally accomplishing exactly that, in this case writing without interruption and still enjoying my summer. If you’re upset because you can’t even get near the things you really want to do, then read it and see if it helps. The revelation behind this post was something of a miracle for me and truthfully, the ONLY reason I’m about to send off Book Four of the Goddesses Anonymous series, The Color of Light. On time, by the way. Amazing.

Been to any barber shop booksignings lately? In August I did one with friends, and since all of you couldn’t be there, I shared the story and some of the questions that were raised. What fun that was, and what a good meal we had afterwards. Yay for small booksellers like Novel Destinations in Jamestown, who love authors and treat them accordingly.

BrainstormingSeptember was all about brainstorming, an annual event for me at our summer cottage in Chautauqua, New York. Not only did I blog about how much fun I had with my three writing buddies, but also what we do and how we do it.

The Novelist’s Inc. conference in St. Petersburg–my hometown–took place in October, and not only was I there, I brought Proman, my husband’s new title, to learn new ways of helping me. He has an ulterior motive. He actually thinks if he frees me up from everyday tasks, we’ll have more time for fun. So far it’s not working, although we have decided that working together is fun in itself. The truly fabulous conference dealt a lot with the future of publishing, and so did my blog.

In November I was consumed with getting yet another book online, this time Season of Miracles, which seemed perfect for Christmas. But how easy is it to update a book written years ago for new readers? I had some new insights.

They say December is a time to share, and I took that literally. I shared the struggle I was having with The Color of Light, particularly the ending. I loved your comments both on the blog and on my Facebook Page. The book is finished now and will soon be in the hands of my editor. I can only say, the ending will surprise her. Me, too.

Of course there was much, much more in blogging 2014. Silly photos of beagles whenever I could find them. The usual ridiculous booklover Christmas carol. On Sundays inspirational sayings and original posts, some by me, some by my husband, a Unitarian-Universalist minister. On Fridays excerpts from my books and those of my friends. As I have from the beginning of this blog, I had a great time.

Best wishes to all of you for a new year filled with love, laughter, compassion and good reading. I hope you’ll come back and do some of the latter right here with me in 2015.

5 Comments

  1. Jean on December 30, 2014 at 6:50 am

    As I read through the 2014 review of your blog posts, it brought back good memories. I look forward each week to reading your thoughts and have enjoyed your books, new and old. So happy that I happened across your name in an FSU Alumnae magazine several years ago. May 2015 bring you good health and happiness.

    • Emilie Richards on December 30, 2014 at 11:38 am

      Another Seminole? How nice to find you here. Thanks for letting me know you’re enjoying my blog, and have a happy new year.

  2. Joni on December 31, 2014 at 6:26 am

    i so look forward to reading your blogs!
    I also enjoyed meeting you in November-
    As much as I like to read I just can’t imagine the creativity it takes to write a book!!

  3. Carrie Wolfgang on January 1, 2015 at 11:56 am

    Thank you very much for your kind words about the book-signing “event” at my book shop in August. I am amazed and honored that we made a highlight in your busy 2014. I wish you a grand 2015. I enjoy your writing and insights about the writing process too.
    Do take care,
    Carrie

    • Emilie Richards on January 1, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      Carrie, thank you for checking in. A happy, happy new year and success in 2015 for Novel Destination.

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