Had a good workday yesterday – for a Monday. I managed a few smallish proofing projects, a revision on another project, and some transcribing and writing on an article. Today, probably more of the same. I’m trying to get a few of these November projects done so I can invoice. In all but one case, that should have happened already. However, I’m in a holding pattern awaiting final approval in a few cases.
This week I’m expecting a client call to discuss a new project, and I’m also thinking I might hear from a client that is checking up on my references right now. In the meantime, the article awaits, as does the marketing and the novel writing.
My recent nomination for a top blog list (thank you again, Wade!) has the Five Buck Forum buzzing with commentary. Are these things for real? How much value do they hold for the blogger? Just how are they chosen, anyway?
It made me realize just how much I rely not on those lists, but on the blog rolls of others, for my daily reading habits. What a top blog award does is drives traffic to the site hosting the contest and turns otherwise lovely people into frantic, frenzied souls begging for recognition. What it means to being top of anything, well, I haven’t quite figured that out yet.
Instead of hosting a blog contest, I’m going to do what forum members have already discussed doing – I’m going to give you my list of top blogs, chosen by me, and chosen because I love reading them and each one gives me a great experience.
Here’s my list:
About Freelance Writing I’ve been reading Anne Wayman’s blog since she was the first moderator of About.com’s Freelance Writing site. She’s a community builder, a giver, and a darned nice person. She doles out advice freely and willingly.
All Freelance Writing Jenn Mattern has assembled a great cast of writers whose advice is always terrific and timely. The girl knows her stuff.
Simply Stated Business. You simply have to follow Cathy Miller. Her breadth of experience shines through in every single post.
The Well-Fed Writer What a blog. What a guy – Peter Bowerman is a great personality who has intriguing topics up for discussion.
The Urban Muse I don’t know a time when Susan Johnston hasn’t posted something useful. Always thought-provoking and educational.
Get Paid to Write Online Sharon Hurley Hall has a wonderful way of getting to the point, and her perspectives are fresh and inspiring.
Goals, Dreams, and Resolutions Devon Ellington did the first assessment of monthly business, and takes it further with a to-do list. It inspired me to start the monthly income assessments here.
Productive Writers John Soares presents some neat topics in fun, imaginative ways. Plus he’s just nice as hell.
Just a partial list and by no means complete, but these are my daily (or weekly) haunts.
Who’s on your list? Leave a link or two.
What a nice way to start the morning. Thanks, Lori. I have all of these on my feed, plus yours, of course. 🙂
Another one I like is Brandi-Ann Uyemura. She doesn't write every week, but I just love her balance and the way she thinks. She's written a couple of guest posts for me at my personal blog, millercathy.com. My readers love her.
Thanks for letting me share such great company!
What a nice surprise! Thanks for including me in the list Lori, and for the very kind words.
Like Cathy, I have all of these writers in my feed reader, and I'm honored to be in their company.
Great way to start the day, Lori. I read most of these, though there are one or two I'll be checking out. I also like Dana Prince's blog and occasionally dip into Dollars and Deadlines, which has some useful stuff for writers in the archives.
You're welcome, Miss Cathy. 🙂 And thank you for Brandi's link. I love when writers share their favorites.
You're welcome as well, John! Love your blog and your sense of community.
Dana's also on my weekly rounds, Sharon! She's built a very nice blog, hasn't she? And I intend to meet her someday – I visit her town once a year.
Great list, and thanks for the GDR mention. I'm putting together ideas for next year, to make it even more useful.
My problem with a lot of these "awards" is that they claim they're for writing blogs, but they're for specialized writing blogs — i.e., business writing, not all-encompassing writing. Business writers aren't the only professional writers out there. Novelists, playwrights, screenwriters, journalists, poets, etc. — they are just as much professionals as business writers. One of the reasons the pay rates are so all over the place is that writers segregate themselves. Lit fic writers look down their noses at genre writers; screenwriters think playwrights are a waste of food; business writers act like they're the only ones making a living at this, writers published by the Big Six look shrug off anyone published by a smaller house.
I can't tell you how often people tell me that I'm "not a freelancer." Of course I am. I don't work on salary for someone else's company. Ergo, I am a "free lance" in the original sense of the word.
I'm glad you were nominated for an award — you absolutely deserve it — but so many of these awards are given by people I've never heard of and don't read that, unless someone like you, who I know has a blog of consistent quality and value, is involved, I don't bother. So much of it is cross-networking more than actual votes on quality. Any new readers that find you through the contest are very lucky to come your way, don't get me wrong, but I have a hard time taking self-created awards too seriously, especially when someone I've never heard of sets himself up in judgement of other writers without the track record to merit it.
Devon, perhaps it's time you host a literary list of top bloggers? 🙂
I'm glad to be nominated too because it means someone loves this blog for its contents and experience. Like you, I'm not a fan of blog "awards" because they're subjective and usually based on the blog owner's whims rather than actual content. I don't get you wrong at all – I wholeheartedly agree. I'd much rather "win" placement on someone's list of favorite reads than win because people had to nominate and second. It's nice that they did and I love them for it, but that was my reward – not the actual naming to the list.
Right now, Lori, yours is the only blog I make a point of reading every day. I wish I had time enough to read all of those blogs regularly, but always seem to be rushing the clock.
Paula, I appreciate being your list. 🙂 I'd say being ON your list, but that I'm the entire list – wow! I'm honored.
I like Dr.Freelance as well as those on the list. He gives you a good variety of posts.
I think you already have all my other blog rest stops mentioned, except, of course Words on the Page.
Dr. Freelance! How could I forget Jake? He's one of my favorites! Thank you, Wendy.
Dear Dr. Freelance
wait, wait! This is my list… except I hadn't written it down yet! But it is my list… sigh… have to come up with another topic and hold on this one for 6 mos or so.
😉 Except of course adding Lori's blog,
This list is fantastic! I've added all these blogs to my "must read" list — looks like I've got some catching up to do tomorrow…
Anne, go ahead and post yours! A good list is a good list no matter how many times it appears, I say. 🙂
Amelia, you'll like them. A good lot of folks!