A Winner and a Blog Award

Posted by: Darlene on: December 29, 2019

• In: Awards | contests | short stories | Writing
• 52 Comments

I am thrilled to announce that my story, The Bright Lights of Christmas, won the Stevie Turner Christmas short story award. What a wonderful Christmas gift! Pop over and read the other entries. https://steviet3.wordpress.com/2019/12/24/share-your-christmas-short-story-winner/

Thanks also to Stevie Turner for nominating me for the Blogger Recognition Award:

Here are the Rules:

1. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.

2. Write a post to show your award.

3. Give a brief story of how your blog started.

4. Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.

5. Select up to fifteen bloggers you want to give this award to.

6. Comment (or pingback) on each blog to let them know that you’ve nominated them and provide a link to the post you’ve created.

How My Blog Started:

When I eventually found a publisher for my Amanda Travels books, she suggested I start a blog as part of my social media presence. That was almost 10 years ago. I wasn’t quite sure what to do, so I checked out the blogs of other writers to get ideas. Since my tag line is, dreamer of dreams, teller of tales, I decided to make dreams the theme of the blog. On June 19th, 2010 I published my first post and this is what I wrote: “This blog is for writers, readers, travelers, dreamers and other interesting people of all ages.  I hope you enjoy my blog and I welcome all comments, suggestions and ideas.” You can read the rest of the short post about a hotair balloon ride here.  I had three likes and three comments. After writing a couple of posts, I found it was fun and I soon gained great followers, many who have become good friends.  

Give Two Pieces of Advice to New Bloggers:

1. Have fun with it. Don’t get too serious, people can get serious stuff from TV and newspapers. The world needs positive, funny and uplifting things to read online.
2. Include pictures and write lean. People are busy and there is only so much time to read blogs. If the post is too wordy, they won’t read it. And always engage with those who comment. 

Select up to 15 Bloggers:

It was difficult to pick but I have chosen these bloggers because they are good writers, have interesting blogs and have supported my blog and writing endeavours. Some have already been nominated for this award, but that’s OK. Do check out their blogs if they are new to you.

1. Sue Vincent https://scvincent.com/
2. Annika Perry https://annikaperry.com/
3. Pamela Wight https://roughwighting.net/
4. Marcia Meara https://marciamearawrites.com/
5. Mary Smith https://marysmithsplace.wordpress.com/
6. Jacqui Murray https://worddreams.wordpress.com/
7. Teri Polen https://teripolen.com/
8. Joy Lennik https://joylennick.wordpress.com/
9. Jacquie Biggar https://jacqbiggar.com/
10. Bette Stevens https://4writersandreaders.com/
11. D. G. Kaye https://dgkayewriter.com/
12. Colleen Chesbro https://colleenchesebro.com/
13. Barb Taub https://barbtaub.com/
14. Diane Peach https://mythsofthemirror.com/
15. Marian Beaman https://marianbeaman.com/
16. Robbie Cheadle https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
17. Ritu Bhathal https://butismileanyway.com/

OK, I have 17 but I could have had 30.

Tags: blog award, blogger awards, blogging friends, short story competition, Stevie Turner