Rain coming across the distant hills
It’s a cold and wet Friday here in the UK, so the gorgeous girl and I are having an ‘at home’ day. We’re getting a few chores done and there’s fun planned too – movies, snacks and some cooking adventures – it’s just lovely to spend time with her while she still wants to hang out with me.
So I thought today might be a fairly quiet day, but my email has been pinging away with new likes and follows for my blog. The lovely SuzieSpeaks shared a post of mine from earlier this week and it seems to be fairly popular, which is wonderful. Thanks to Suzie for sharing, and welcome to everyone visiting – stay a while and make yourself comfortable, there’s plenty to read here 🙂
I’ve also been nominated by Jonathan and Aaron at Husband&Husband for a blogging award – the Blogger Recognition Award, in fact! Thank you so much for thinking of me guys, I really appreciate the nomination.
As part of the award, I’m to write about why I started blogging, and also pass on some advice to fellow bloggers, so here goes:
I started blogging just over a year ago, though I was very nervous about it at the time. I’d already written the first two Ambeth books and the rest were underway, plus I was writing freelance, but I knew I needed to look into expanding my media platform as well. A friend had started a blog on WordPress and, when I looked into it, I was intrigued by the possibilities. I do love to write, and so I started out with three small posts on what I’d learned about writing so far – I was a bundle of nerves when I hit the Publish button for the first time! Even though I’d had work published before, it felt quite confronting to share my own thoughts in a public forum. However, what a year it’s been! I’ve learnt so much about blogging and writing, read some fantastic blogs, made some wonderful connections with people around the world plus my little blog is starting to be seen by more people every day. It really has been fantastic, and I’m so looking forward to attending the first Blogger’s Bash in London next week and finally putting faces to some of the voices that have enthralled me for so long.
So my advice to other bloggers would be to keep writing. Just keep on going – write posts, write your own work, share your thoughts and dreams and ideas, even if you think no one else is going to read them. You will be surprised!
I have to nominate fifteen bloggers for the same award. This isn’t easy, as I follow a lot of great blogs, so I’ve chosen fifteen that I read regularly and always enjoy – here they are:
You may have already been nominated for this award, or simply not wish to participate – that’s completely fine! If you’d like to know more about it the original link is here. Whether you accept the award or not, thank you for keeping me entertained in the blogiverse. And, if you’re visiting, please check out some of these blogs – they’re all very much recommended.
Finally, to celebrate the upcoming release of No Quarter, the second book in the Ambeth Chronicles, I’m going to be running a giveaway on Goodreads soon. I’ll be giving away five signed copies of Oak and Mist, the first book in the series. Details coming very soon!
Seems as though Friday has turned out to be a big day after all 🙂 xx
Helen Glynn Jones 
Helen, you are too kind! I’ll take part in the Recognition Award and, by the way, I love your blog—you write beautifully and about lovely topics. Your posts are always, always interesting. When I see your blog come up on my feed, I click straight away. We’ve never met, but I consider you a friend. (I still haven’t finished reading your book—the books from my writing group have taken over as they need urgent feedback!)
Oh Louise, that is the most gorgeous comment – thank you so much, and I feel the same way about you too, as though you’re a friend I’ve never met 🙂 I always enjoy reading your posts, which is why I thought of you straight away. I know I don’t always comment, but I always read and enjoy them. And thanks so much for your support in reading my book – it’s one of those things that’s difficult to put into words, but it’s a very heartwarming feeling to know people are reading it. (gosh for a writer sometimes I really struggle putting things into words!) Anyway, your comment has really made my day xx
Great to be able to re connect with you Helen. I feel that you are just next door or I’m back in England! I’m very proud and honored to have you in my life! You are an inspiration!
I love that we’re still friends after so long, and you are too kind! You do awesome things every day, and I love hearing about them too – distance doesn’t matter between friends xx
Sounds like a really great day, in spite of the weather… It might be raining outside, but the suns shining indoors in the Jones home, it seems! Enjoy it, and have a great weekend.
Thanks Ali, you too! And… see you next week 🙂
See you there!
Thanks so much – I’ve only just seen this and I’m honoured!
You’re very welcome! Xx
Thank you Helen! I’m only now catching up on my blog reading and this was a lovely thing to find 😀
You’re very welcome, Tara! 🙂 xx
I do enjoy your blog posts, they’re always informative and entertaining 🙂