Photo from Covershot.com
Sunday is a great time for catching up from the week – sleeping, writing, and READING!
Although I’ll be checking in for ROW80 at the end of this post, first I’m going to give you a list of all the wonderful magical posts that have rocked my world over the last few weeks.
p.s. If you’ve seen me commenting on your blog, I already think you’re magic. I’m going for some unusual, yet practical magic with this post.
Laughter Magic:
- Leanne Shirtliffe – A Twisted Guide To The Worst Toys of 2011
- Before you run to spend ALL your Christmas dollars, please take a moment to read GeekDad’s The 5 Best Toys of All Time
- Speaking of dads, you’ve GOT to read Justin Halpern’s A Father’s Day Short Story
Inspirational Magic:
- August McLaughlin – Writing Grandad
- Ellie Ann Soderstrom – What I Want To Be When I Grow Up: A Spook
Writing Magic:
- Jami Gold‘s post on Girls With Pens showed up exactly when I needed it (before a #NaNoSlackMo sprint!): How To Make The Most of a Scene
- Gene Lempp tweeted about The Last Point of View Cheat Sheet You’ll Ever Need
- Michelle Rafter – 10 Ways To Find New Freelance Clients
Blogging/Branding Magic:
The ever-amazing Jane Friedman has two blogs in this mash-up cause she’s ALWAYS rocking my world (and she should be rocking yours too!):
- Turning Your WordPress Blog Into A Book
- The Big Mistake of Author Websites and Blogs (Class alert: I SO wish I could do this!)
Plus, these gems stood out to me:
- WikiMommy’s – Features of Google Plus (great definitions of all things G+)
- MediaActive’s – Your Home Page: A Portal To You
ROW80 Update
On the writing front:
- I’ve been catching up on the blogs of all my pals (you know who you are)
- I’ve had 3 word sprints since we last talked for a total of 2,200 words
- I’ve bought a Christmas tree
- By the time you read this, I will hopefully have that tree decorated and have lights on the outside of my house (WOOT!)
How is the writing/life balance thing going for you? Are you enjoying your holidays or wishing that all this hooplah would just fade away? Who’s gonna be sprinting with me over at #NaNoSlackMo and #ROW80 this week?
Jenny
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
Cool links! Thanks for them! I’m definitely checking some of them.
And well done with your ROW80 goals!
Bah, and I’m behind the whole Christmas thing. Didn’t get a tree, didn’t decorate anything, didn’t buy any gifts yet LOL Let’s hope I catch up with that this coming week.
Have a good one!
LikeLike
Thanks, Juliana! We’ve got the tree and the stuff to decorate it IN the house, but we haven’t actually gotten it decorated yet. 🙂 Baby steps, that’s what I keep reminding myself…
LikeLike
Drat! (ooh! another word for your clean vocabulary)
I knew I should not have opened this post until I had my “to-do” list done for today. “Done” as in making a list of “to-do” items. Not “done” as in completing said items. SO many shiny-bauble links to explore. I know! I’ll put “hop Jenny’s rockin’ links” on my to-do list.
Which raises a question. Does blog hopping count as aerobic exercise? Please say it does. I could kill one ICK and one EEE at the same time.
LikeLike
Blog hopping is ABSOLUTELY exercize (as long as you do it on the treadmill). Does that help you out?
LikeLike
Thanks for the links, Jenny! I’m with Gloria; you’ve brought out my magpie big time. “Ooh, look at that! No, no, over here! Oh, the joy, the shiny!” LOL
I’ve been plugging along in NaNoSlackMo, but I’ve been off the grid and missed the sprints. Boo! I’ll try to keep an eye out for them.
Good job on goals, especially on the decorating. I’m so behind–I’m really feeling the empty nest these days, when there’s no kid to send up the ladder to hang lights on the gutters (just kidding!)
Have a great start to your week, Jenny. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m always happy to help people with their shiny objects, Elizabeth. It’s not like y’all don’t help me that way ALL THE TIME. 🙂
Happy week to you too!
LikeLike
Hopefully, you aren’t tangled in lights right now 🙂
Great week, Jen and a cool list of links to get our writing spirits primed for the day. How cool is that!
Thanks for the linkage, have a super week 😀
LikeLike
Gene, I’ve located the lights but there’s been no tangling. My hubby was kind enough to put up the outside lights so we’re getting there. I’ll be ready to sprint come Wednesday. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the great blog suggestions, Jenny and I look forward to some sprints with you this week at #NaNoSlackMo. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, Jolyse! I’m so happy your arm is better enough to do some sprinting. 🙂
LikeLike
Such great features, Jenny! I love sorting out gems to add into my posts. I’ll have to read around your favorites this afternoon. Best of luck with your NaNoSlackMo (I absolutely giggled when I heard about your group) and with decorating.
I’ve most of mine done. I still have to wind the garland around the banister and hang our stockings – which I have to purchase! Our stockings were ruined! This actually bothered me more than it should have – as I’ve had the same stocking since I was a kid! I had made my boys each a stocking when they had their first Christmas – all gone. It’s a piece of material and a new one will do just fine….but I was quite sad over the whole thing. Funny how we get attatched to things…
LikeLike
Nadja, I’m glad to give you a giggle – it makes me giggle too to poke fun at the Slack-Ass fastor.
So impressed with you being done with your decorating. I would have been VERY depressed over the stockings. You’re right to take a moment to mourn that bit of family history. Do you have pictures of them?
LikeLike
Fantastic recommendations, Jenny. I’m opening the links one by one 🙂
Great job on Row80 this week, woot woot! I haven’t even started on my Sunday update. But all the Christmas decor is done, most of the presents purchased (just need to be wrapped and stuffed under the tree), and, hopefully, this week I will do more baking.
Have a great week ahead!
LikeLike
Ooooh, you’ve already started your baking?!! So jealous! I’ve got to get to baking soon. It’s my favorite thing to do over the holidays.
LikeLike
Excellent links! Now I know what to get my geek husband for Christmas! Who knew shopping would be so easy? Now, where can I find some designer dirt with bling? Hmmm.
This post helped get me caught up this week ~ I’ve been slammed with family stuff. Oh, joy! Now I get to have a party tonight and then it’s back to my regularly scheduled blogging friends. I’ve missed you peeps this week.
LikeLike
Your dude definitely needs some dirt…and a cardboard tube. He’ll be busy for hours. 🙂
Party? Ooooh, shiny object…with drinky-poos!
LikeLike
Thanks for the links, Jenny. Glad you’re getting caught up on everything. Excellent job on the word sprints! I hope to join in more at NaNoSlackMo this week, too.
LikeLike
It’s a very, very slow process, this November catch up, but (very slowly) I’m getting there. I’m excited for the new year. 🙂
LikeLike
great links thank you – well done on tree and sprints:) all the best for coming week
LikeLike
Thanks, Alberta! The tree is exciting…we can’t wait to decorate it.
LikeLike
Great links, as usual, Jenny.
I’m so goldarn busy that I want the holiday hoopla to go away. But there are some fun things about it. I love getting cards from my friends with pictures of how their kids are progressing.
Good luck on (tee hee) NaNoSlackMo.
Glad your health has improved.
LikeLike
Chris, the health is almost back at 100%. If I can just stay well through December, I think I’ll be in good shape. Glad you enjoyed the links and I’m a big fan of limiting holiday participation to whatever is comfortable for YOU.
LikeLike
Thanks for the links. I’ve been completely slacking for NaNoSlackMo so need to get back on the writing wagon. Feel free to send me a virtual kick in the pants, clearly I need it.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
LikeLike
Raelyn, that’s an oxymoron…you CAN’T slack for #NaNoSlackMo – that’s the whole point! I’ll send you a note this week when it’s sprinting time. I should be in for some writing on Wednesday.
LikeLike
Wow, I sooo didn’t need some blog reading to distract me tonight, but Jenny my friend you have been successful .:) I will see you at #NaNoSlackMo this week. Great work this week.
LikeLike
LOL, Nicole. Hope you’re enjoying the reading. Y’all start without me while I’m working this week. I’ll catch up with you on Wednesday. 🙂
LikeLike
So honored to be a part of this, Jenny! Particularly since you featured my granddad’s story… Planning to play the ‘put things on your head game’ honor this Christmas. 😉
I see numerous great links I’ve yet to check out… Hope your tree and holidays are decked out and bright!
LikeLike
August, I just loved that post. I’ll smile over the holidays thinking of your family playing that game. Thanks for popping in!
LikeLike
Also a good time to go to church?!
LikeLike
Sunday’s are always a fabulous time for church. However, in my current Slacker mode, my darling hubby let me sleep through it. I was quite thankful!
LikeLike
Since you asked Jenny, I am having a hard time finding balance. I’m hoping the more I blog it will come second nature to me and I won’t have to put so much attention into it and there will be more time for my WIP. That should take priority. I’m looking forward to joining you all over at Row80 in January. That should make me get a grip on things. I’m out of control. Don’t like that. It’s not me.
Thanks for all your hard work Jenny. I appreciate all the references and your blogs. Take care. 🙂
LikeLike
Karen, that’s such an awful feeling, but most especially around the holidays. I say, give yourself time with your WIP first, then blog if the blog is taking up all your time. I warm up for my WIP by blogging so it’s different for me. The blogging charges me up. You feel free to hit me up for support if there’s anything I can do to help. Perhaps some sprints??
LikeLike
Thanks so much for the links! There was one in particular that I’m embracing with glee! (Perfect timing.)
When are y’all doing the NaNoSlackMo sprints? I would like to get in on some this week. Have a great week yourself!
LikeLike
Awesome, Julie! I’m excited you found a great one. I so enjoyed each of these posts. I’m working Mon/Tues but I’ll be sprinting on all the other days.
LikeLike
Woot woot – awesome word count progress Jenny. AND Christmas tree and decorations. Amazing. Thanks for all the FAB links…
I’m a HUGE Xmas girl so I am getting all carried away with the hooplah and lovin’ it! 🙂
LikeLike
Ooooh – I want to see some pictures of your Christmas magic. I’m going to get as far as the tree and Christmas cards this year and that’s about as far as I’m going to get. 🙂
LikeLike
Great links and great job on your word count. I’m with Raelyn, I’m slacking and not sure why. Maybe too many things on my list so i don’t want to do any of them. I’ll try to catch a word sprint on Thursday. Working on packing my mom for her new digs, so will be out of town 3 days of the coming week. I did get a little baking done, all the shopping done and a couple other Christmas-y tasks done. No decorations, no tree–but we’re not going to home for Christmas, so i guess it doesn’t matter.
LikeLike