I took a few days away from the computer to visit with a friend who was passing through town on a motorcycle trip, and somehow August slipped in along with about a thousand new post notifications from the blogs I’m subscribed to. We bloggers sure are a talkative bunch, aren’t we?
I don’t review my blog’s stats very often, but since it’s the beginning of a new month I decided to take a look. One thing I find interesting is that only about half of this blog’s readers (specifically, the ones who comment) are writers by trade. I seem to have an equal amount of other creative types, as well as a number of non-writer freelancers and other random business professionals, who read here. And I love it.
Since I took part of my morning to catch up on my reading, I thought I’d take a moment to share with you some of the posts I’ve enjoyed that were written by the varied folks who read and comment here.
To those of you who take time out of your busy days to read and to comment, thank you. To the many silent lurkers out there, please feel free to add your thoughts to any existing or future discussions here. (I only bite if asked nicely!) I always appreciate hearing from you, and if any of you have any feedback on topics you would like me to cover here I would love to consider your suggestions and tackle them (if they’re in my realm of knowledge). Meanwhile, I hope you will enjoy these fine posts written by readers of Write From Home.
Dog Train Your Writing Skills: Beg, Fetch, and Shake at The Writer’s Round-About
The Big Productivity Suck You Don’t Know You’re Causing at Maximum Customer Experience
Are You Lost In Social Networking? at Cath Lawson’s Blog
Shut Up and Do It at In Other Words
Want to Make Money Online? Choose Thy Target Audience Wisely at Writing for Your Wealth
How to Write an Interview-Winning Resume at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
The value of outsourcing at Annie Anderson’s Blog
Are You Too Visible? at Get Paid to Write Online
Be personal when you write at Freelance Twins
The Freelancing Flexibility Advantage at Meryl’s Notes Blog
The Benefits of Journaling at Writing Forward
Emotional Connections to Beat Creative Blocks at The Writers Manifesto Blog
Ethics in Photography at Wilson’s Words and Pictures
My Dog Basil is So Special at the Deep Friar
School Days and Reading Rockets at Writing the Cyber Highway
burn the boats, revisited. at 6 Weeks
Big Erasers at Life’s Little Inspirations
Unplugged, Pencils and Poetry at a Painting a Day
A Little R & R Is Good For The Soul at Alyice Edrich’s blog
Three Dirty Little Freelancing Words at Irreverent Freelancer
Put it in parentheses (please) at SmithWriting Blog
My 50-page Reading Rule at Knowledge is Cool
Is Craigslist a Good Place for Freelance Writing Jobs? at The Writer’s Journey
What About Plagiarism? at Writer’s Notes
Surviving a Freelance Slump at Avid Writer
Creativity Prompt #13 – Recycled Mini Album at Creativity Prompt
Updating my personal websites; I enjoy writing for myself at Addicted to Writing
The Madness Must Cease at Rogue Ink
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Some great links here, Amy. Thanks for including me.
Sharon Hurley Hall’s last blog post..Blogging Start Group Writing Project
Hi Amy,
How do you check who’s reading your blog? I get Google Analytics, but I haven’t seen anything as precise as the breakdown of your readers that you mentions. Thanks. E
Amy,
What I think is cool about your commenters is that whether writing is the profession or not, we’ve all gotten the hang of the importance of writing to our own professions.
I like learning from people who write for a living because there is a large part of what I do (besides the blog) that does involve making words on a page thrilling, and you do that and that alone, every day. I always come away from Write From Home with a great new idea.
Plus, you’re so darned snarky.
Thanks so much for the link love.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Tip of the Week: This One’s for the Boys
Sharon — Thanks! And, you’re welcome!
Ellen — I use statcounter. It doesn’t break things down the way I probably made it sound like it does. My comment about the people who comment here is based only on the ones who comment and their blogs. By visiting their blogs I can see who does what — and that’s how I see that many aren’t writers by trade. Sorry if that was confusing. Not enough coffee…
Kelly — I think we were typing at the same time. (Eek!!) I do think a lot of people come here for my snark.
AND I do think you are the only Customer Service Guru who reads my blog. 
I sort of think of reading your blog the same way you think of mine — only in reverse? Customer service is part of what I do, where as writing is part of what you do. (Maybe?)
Back to finding that coffee…
AMy,
I agree. Customer Experience/ Customer Service is part of what we *all* do, whether you’re the boss or you work for one. If it’s a company, it makes sales somehow, and if you make sales, you’ve got customers. Works for life, too—everybody I’m trying to make any impression on is my “customer.”
Hey, how come the whole world doesn’t read my blog?
Too busy reading yours, I guess.
Later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Tip of the Week: This One’s for the Boys
Kelly — Your blog probably gets a lot more readers than mine does. And if not, then they should all be reading yours.
Hi Amy,
I can see we read a lot of the same blogs but there are also a few here that are new to me. Thanks for sharing those and thanks for the link love
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..The Benefits of Journaling
Melissa — You’re welcome.
I think many of us do read all the same blogs, which is why I don’t do the ‘link love’ thing very often — why re-post what folks have already seen, ya know? Today I just felt inspired, I guess. Or uninspired (to write a real post), depending on how you look at it. 
Amy
Thanks for the link love.
All those other serious links about improving writing skills, maximizing business and how to survive at professional free-lance writing.
I’m flattered that my silly Deep Friar stories made your list!
Friar’s last blog post..Friar’s Random Rants (Part III)
Hi Amy,
Thanks so much for the mention. I truly appreciate it.
This is a great list. I’ve found a couple of new blogs I didn’t know about. Thanks!
~ Annie
Annie Anderson’s last blog post..Is the end finally in sight?
Friar — You’re writing a kids’ book. That’s writing related.
Now I have to catch up on reading your random rants. 
Annie — You’re very welcome. Thanks for taking the time to visit! I’m happy you found some new blogs via the list. There are so many good blogs out there; it’s hard to find time to read them all, isn’t it?
Hi Amy,
Thanks for the nod. This is a nice list, and I look forward to checking out some new (to me) blogs here!
Lindsay’s last blog post..Yes, You Need a Blog, and Yes It Should Be…
Lindsay — You’re welcome. Have a great weekend!
Hi Amy, just popped in to say Hi. I’m a little behind myself trying to get caught up with my blog reading.Hug, and God’s Love and Blessings-Mike G.said that! (It’s an A.A. thing)
Mike Golch’s last blog post..what to do?
Amy,
Thanks for the link love! What a fascinating collection of links! Looks like some great reading here–a little something for everybody!
Thanks for assembling these helpful resources!
Jeanne
Amy,
You had a few here that I didn’t know about so I’m glad you did the link post. Plus, it’s not uninspired. I know these posts are a pain in the butt to do.
Friar,
Your blog rocks. I only read a couple of blogs that refuse to help me with any aspect of work (3 to be exact) and I could not do without that bit of sillyness. Please, continue to refuse to be practical!
Later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Tip of the Week: This One’s for the Boys
Mike — Catching up with all the blogs can take all day if we let it, eh? I was just telling another friend that I could probably spend all my waking hours reading blogs and never get tired of it. (But I probably would eventually!) Hope you’re enjoying your weekend.
Jeanne — You’re welcome, and thank you. I do think there’s something for everyone!
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Kelly — It’s funny you mentioned these types of posts being a pain, because as I was doing it I was thinking that this takes WAY longer than just writing a post! It just LOOKS lazy.
And I agree that Friar’s blog rocks. (Friar, your blog rocks, times two. LOL)
@Kelly and Amy
Awww…shucks (Blushing here).
Friar’s last blog post..Friar’s Random Rants (Part III)
Amy,
This kind of post does take a long time, and I appreciate your including my post as well as introducing me to several new blogs.
Lillie Ammann’s last blog post..Job Search: Part 3—Interviews
Hi Amy,
Gosh I just had the feeling of going to the pub and meeting all my online mates here when I read your list. Ok, perhaps not all but it is a bit of a gathering for sure.
So many great people and bloggers who brighten my days, even though I totally lack the social networking part of the equation. Ack, I promise to be better.
Thanks for the link.
Monika Mundell’s last blog post..Emotional Connections To Beat Creative Blocks
Hi, Amy -
Thanks for introducing me to these great, insightful blogs. And thanks for the link! I’m flattered to be in such esteemed company
Now off to do some reading …
Rebecca Smith’s last blog post..Put it in parentheses (please)
Lillie — It does take a long time, but it’s kind of fun to do. It was hard to pick just one post out of your series. All of them are so good.
Monika — Social networking, yes. I don’t do the whole big social networking thing much myself, like Twitter and all of that. I would need to quit working to fit that in.
I’m happy you enjoyed the list.
Rebecca — You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy the reading.
What a fantabulous list, Amy! I can’t wait to check them all out. I just spent a couple of days away from the computer too so I have like a gazillion e-mails to wade through let alone posts…
Yeah, we bloggers have lots to say! hehehe
Glad you enjoyed reading about Rockets. I’ll always cherish that book! And, thanks for the link love. I appreciate it.
*smiles*
Michele
Michele’s last blog post..Farmer’s Markets: Making “Green” Juices and Smoothies
Amy,
What a lovely surprise. Thanks for the link love. Such good company to find myself in… gonna be fun to read them all. Big virtual hugs from me.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post..Out of Chaos Comes OM
@ Amy: SN is very time consuming. I actually had to give up on it,(or nearly) otherwise I wouldn’t meet my deadlines. I do miss Twitter though and every once in a while I try to connect. It’s hard though because once you are off the face of any sn tool, you totally lose track with the community.
Did you find this as well?
Monika Mundell’s last blog post..Emotional Connections To Beat Creative Blocks
Michele — hope you enjoyed your time away. Catching up with emails is easier with my iPhone; otherwise they would pile up like yours!
Janice — I am happy you enjoyed the list.
Monika — I have never used Twitter or any of the truly interactive ones. I have a digg and stumble account but don’t really use them.
Aww, thanks for the link love! Looks like I’ve got some reading to do now too. ;o)
IrreverentFreelancer’s last blog post..The Ultimate Get-a-Clue Freelance Request for the Week of August 4, 2008
Amy,
Thank you, my friend. Your blog is one that I always read, because the words are so real.
(Late to the party, due to the long weekend here and visiting in-laws. Did a bit of boat-burning just now, finally upgraded to latest WP…)
Wow! Lots of great links you’ve given us. Now I’ll never get anything done!
-Brett
PS - the chef learned (really *learned*) how to grill on a charcoal barbecue today. Veggie burgers
Brett Legree’s last blog post..viking fridays - burn the boats, revisited.
Kathy — You’re welcome. If you read it all, you get a cookie. LOL
Brett — Thanks, friend. I’m happy to hear the chef can cook a veggie burger. (I’ve never had one; are they bad??)
Amy,
He’s almost ready to move in with you
the burgers we chose were pretty good, they are a fairly close approximation of a beef burger in texture, and have a nice flavour (nice spicing) - and no nasty cattle-related “freebies”…
(I do listen to you!)
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post..viking fridays - burn the boats, revisited.
Brett — I’m glad someone listens to me.
Amy,
Hey, gotta keep these little ones in one piece so they grow up to be big people, right?
Brett Legree’s last blog post..viking fridays - burn the boats, revisited.
Yes — A) because they are cute, and B) because we can one day put them to work.
That’s my plan. This week I’m teaching them to hunt for food at night with pointed sticks…
(I told my neighbour that, and the look I got back from her told me that we do not share the same sense of humour…)
Brett Legree’s last blog post..viking fridays - burn the boats, revisited.
LOL!! I’ll bet if you told her she could read all about it on Viking Fridays, she’d be even more afraid.
(Please try it and let me know how it works out. Hehe.)
Hmm, I think you may have inspired this Friday’s post
I’ll report back of course!
This week should be a good one. I still have the week off, so I’ll be kicking myself in the butt (believe me, that looks funny) trying to get a few things done that should have been done a while ago…
Exciting stuff!
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post..viking fridays - burn the boats, revisited.
I’ll look forward to that. I always read the Viking Fridays.
Hey Amy,
Just got back from camping and am still getting caught up on blog stuff. Found your link to me — thank you! It means a lot since I respect you and this blog so much!
Mmm, having a hard time getting back into things today. Feeling that afternoon lull that whispers “nap time”…(which of course I’ve never taken).
Thanks again for the mention!
steph’s last blog post..Know Thyself
Steph — Camping sounds fun. Hope you had a good time. I could go for a nap right now too!!
Hi Amy - thanks for the link love. I’ve been away for a couple of weeks and it looks like I’ve got a lot of great reading to catch up on.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Legacies, Links, Bad Ads And Puker Powder
Amy, So sorry that I haven’t seen this all week! I have been off vacationing with family and then home for the last few days buried under laundry! Just peeking out to find my google reader making goo goo eyes at me. Ack!
WOW to be included among all of these great blogs. Thank you!
You are awesome!
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..A Lighthouse in the Storm
Cath and Wendi — Hope you enjoyed your time away.
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