Welcome to Thoughty Thursday! This is the day of the week when y’all get to be privy to whatever thoughts are kicking around in my brain. Today I’m thinking about friendship, only I don’t really have a ton of time to ponder it.
What the hell am I doing that I don’t have time to ponder?
Well, I’m learning Scrivener, working on a content plan for my memoir, taking an advanced Excel course for my accountants and a whole lot more. Oy!
Those are all hugely important things but they take time. Which means I’m turning things around a bit today and letting y’all run the place. (Who am I kidding, y’all run More Cowbell every day. LOL.)
First we have some quotes on friendship because I love you guys so much:
“Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”
~ Maya Angelou (1928 – )
[You know you’re a daily rainbow in my life, right?]
“ Friendship is the only cement that will hold the world together. ”
— Woodrow Wilson
[Absolutely true. I believe it’s our connections with each other that propel us to discover the best in ourselves. p.s. Your thoughts on this subject are WELCOME.]
Then we have some quotes that make me laugh, starting with Ben Franklin:
“In wine there is wisdom,
In beer there is freedom,
In water there is bacteria.”
~ Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
“If you can’t make it better, you can laugh at it.”
~ Erma Bombeck (1927-1996)
And finally, we have some life philosophy I can believe in:
“It is of practical value to learn to like yourself.
Since you must spend so much time with yourself
you might as well get some satisfaction out of the relationship.”
~ Norman Vincent Peale
(1898-1993)
OK, it’s your turn to dispense some wisdom, and share something you think we’d just love.
For those who are new at this…Pimp and Promote means you:
1. Promote: share one thing that you’re proud of, whether it’s a new book, an idea or a blog.
2. Pimp: Do the same for someone else whose work has lit you on fire this week.
While y’all do that, I’ll be popping in and out to Oooo and Ahhhh at your awesomeness, plus I’ll be gaining some new mastery over how to use Excel 2010 in accounting. (You know you’re insanely jealous of my day. LOL.)
You. Comments. Go…Pimp and Promote!!
Jenny 🙂
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
Okay – I’m getting the hang of this.
PIMP – I’m blogging about the angst of finally getting your dream over on ENALR today: http://everybodyneedsalittleromance.com/?p=11690
PROMOTE – My favorite author, Barbara Samuel talks about what writing means to her – a moving article you mustn’t miss – instant inspiration! http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2012/09/a-barbara-samuel-appreciation#more
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You ARE getting better at this! I’ll make it a point to read both of these tomorrow. You know what I’m reading today. LOL…
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Jenny, happy Thoughty Thursday! To start off, the value you place on your friends and blog-buddies is obvious in the time and heart you put into your posts and replies. I really enjoyed your quotes. Good old Mr Franklin, yes indeedy, there is bacteria-a-plenty. 😀
There are two quotes ambling through my head this morning.
“The man who lies asleep will never waken fame, and his desire and all his life drift past him like a dream, and the traces of his memory fade from time like smoke in air, or ripples on a stream.”
– Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy
“A word to the wise ain’t necessary – it’s the stupid ones that need the advice.” – Bill Cosby
And finally, a great one from Mae West. “Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.” *devious grin*
Okay Jenny, now for the pimp and promote.
1. I started a blog called Flashbangs and Fiction. http://zkullis.wordpress.com/ (is a shameless link-drop allowed in a pimp?) As a virgin to the blog-iverse, I had MANY irritating questions. Jenny was kind and gracious enough to give me a few tips and pointers. Hopefully I listened and created something that might be worth reading. At any rate, I wanted to publicly thank Jenny for the kind and caring soul that she is.
2. I would love to promote a blog, but a number of them that I follow and read spend quite a bit of time here as well, and can be found on Jenny’s list of blogs that she follows. It is tough to list one or even two when so many are worth mentioning. *grrrrr*
Damn it. Okay, there are two I want to promote here. The first is Renée’s Teacher’s & Twits. She recently wrote about “The Danger of sitting in the balcony is that you might believe you are above others.” If you haven’t read it, check it out. http://rasjacobson.com/2012/09/18/the-danger-of-sitting-above-others-is-that-you-might-believe-you-are-above-others/ Very good stuff. Renée, there was a HUGE list of comments, so I decided I wouldn’t throw my hat in the ring. Just know that it was very good!
The second is slightly different. The blog is Pen of the Damned. I love darker writing – always have. This blog has 9 authors that post short stories, poems, and other literary sacrifices that tweek your nerves and make you shiver. It is a guilty pleasure of mine. http://penofthedamned.com/ If you feel like not sleeping tonight, check it out!
Okay, that does it for me. Thanks Jenny!
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I love that Cosby quote, Zack. That’s fantastic.
Great pimping! It made me stop to take another peek at your site and I sent you some Twitter DMs. You are welcome for your website help. Trust me, I’ve had people help me and you will pay this forward to some other blogging newbie someday soon. That’s how we roll. 🙂
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Every time I think of Cosby, I think about the bit called “Chicken Heart” where he talks about spreading jello on the kitchen floor so the monsters would slip when they tried to get him. It still cracks me up….. *crickets chirping* (Please tell me I’m not the only one that has listened to this old-school Bill Cosby)
Thanks, as everybody knows, “pimping ain’t easy.” lol You gave me some seriously good advice, and I did take a look at your DMs on Twitter. Thanks!
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I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bill Cosby. I have yet to listen to any of his bits that I didn’t like. Though my favorite is still his bit on childbirth. 🙂
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So funny!!!
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Hell, on nights I listen to CDs of old radio shows I sometimes get so involved that I forget I put it on and start checking doors and looking for Jello. Old Cosby is the best. Remember Noah?
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LMAO “Noah!” A few weeks ago one of the guys on my squad was in the bathroom, in the stall, obviously engaged in something. I couldn’t help but get my voice as deep as it would go and called over the wall of the stall, “Noa! How long can you tread water?”
He didn’t laugh, but I thought it was pretty funny. Once in a while I dip into old clips from the Dr Demento Show…… Ahhhhhhhh, good times.
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LOVE Cosby. “Dad is great; he gives us chocolate cake” (http://youtu.be/sRmN4KnfPxQ) or “Only you understand me, toilet bowl. You’re the only friend I have.” (http://youtu.be/qYsko_tc3a0 – about 6 min into it). Enjoy!
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Ha ha ha, I used to sing “Dad is great; he gives us chocolate cake” because my father was NEVER like that. Thanks for the good stuff!
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Kathy! Did you see me give you some love down below! Thank you for phone call, for your valuable slice of time. 😉
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Love you post, Zack! What a cool job you have. Glad you’ve started blogging!
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Thanks Kathy, you rock! It is fun. I posted a little picture on my Twitter page this morning from a “work project” I was involved with yesterday. I hope I eventually am able to walk tall with the rest of you amazing bloggers and the fantastic reads you produce!
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I left a big, long comment and it just got eaten. But I’m trying again.
Zack! I’m late to the party. Thank you so much for your very kind words about my latest post. I saw that you said that you didn’t leave a comment because there were so many comments. Whaaaat? I LOVE comments! I am only posting once a week right now, so I tend to get a bunch — but it also leaves me a lot of time to respond and visit folks who write to me.
So.
I hope you’ll come back and visit me. And leave a comment. As for me, I’m coming over to check out your piece right now. And thank you again for your kind words. You have no idea how much they mean to me. I’ve been struggling with a particular piece, so your nice compliment is a real pick me up. 😉
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Oh, I HATE it when blogs eat my comments! I’m so sorry. 😦
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Renée, I’ll be less naughty next time and leave a reply. I call things like I see them – a spade is a spade. Your post was fantastic and it deserved accolades. Thanks for going to check out my meager slice of this blog community. Hopefully what you find will have you wanting to see the next piece.
I look forward to reading what you have coming up next. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be GREAT. 😀
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I don’t know. Today’s post is different. Not my usual. Maybe wait until Monday. 😉
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Scrivener? Excel 2010? I’m impressed! The best part of you learning all of these programs is that you always share your knowledge with the rest of us … and make us laugh, think, reflect and … um, oh yes, snort … you are such a good friend! Jenny, you know I’m all about friendship, it’s what I write about and blather on about, and I love your quotes here. There’s no better way to muddle through life than with your friends and this online writing community has expanded my world in ways I never imagined.
I want to promote this post by the beautiful, inside and out, Ingrid Schaffenberg. I was blown away by the great analogy she makes here. I mean, who has not spent hours trying to put together an IKEA purchase?
I’m still deep in ‘revision world’ with my new novel but my Pimp post is an enormous THANK YOU to all the friends who gave The Bridge Club such a shot of excitement a couple of weeks ago. Couldn’t have done it without you!
Thanks, Jenny! Have fun Excelling … as you do!
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Those are wonderful people to promote, Patricia! Thanks a bunch. It looks like things are moving along with your book revisions…BRAVO!
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Hi Jenny! Here’s my pimp and promote (for myself and 49 other authors 🙂
* Publishers Weekly Starred Review for “Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey”:
“In this fascinating examination of E.L. James’s Fifty Shades trilogy, edited by literary agent Perkins, 50 writers—including erotica and erotic romance authors, a matrimonial lawyer, an English professor, and BDSM practitioners—analyze the novel’s game-changing effect on the publishing world.”
You can read the rest of my review on my website: http://www.authorjoydaniels.com. My essay in this compilation is called “Sex Tells the Story”. Check it out!
Thanks Jenny!
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Okay, I wasn’t too happy with Richard Armitage being cast as a dwarf, but I have changed my mind! He makes a pretty sassy dwarf and wow, that voice! http://youtu.be/yYz0JWJioOM
So that’s my cowbell. Hmmm, share a post. That leads back here, too, because I’m rather happy with my “where I’m from” blog post, all credit to More Cowbell and you. 🙂
http://www.paulinebjones.com/BlogWP/where-from
Good luck with all you’re doing! I’m also learning Scrivener, and planning to help my son and his wife (soon-to-be mother of twins and our first grandchildren) move into their house this weekend. Going to be crazy, busy weekend!
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Hi Jenny. Always love these! Would love to pimp today’s Thriller Thursday post on healthcare criminals: http://stacygreenauthor.com/2012/09/20/thriller-thursday-healthcare-serial-killers-the-most-frightening-of-all/
Promoting is tougher because there are a ton of great posts out there, but I’m going with Ginger Calem’s Writer’s Butt Wedneday. Is Your Scale the Boss of You? http://gingercalem.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/writersbutt-wednesday-is-your-scale-the-boss-of-you/
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Catie Rhodes is an awesome writer friend! She took a look at my first chapter rewrite yesterday and offered advice that was spot on. Now don’t everybody start sending her your chapters. LOL. But definitely check out her blog, where she does as terrific and thorough a job with her research and advice as she did for me with writing–especially if true crime and the paranormal intrigue you. Without further ado: http://catierhodes.com/
Love shaking the cowbell, Jenny! And the Irma Bombeck quote was awesome. I agree wholeheartedly.
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Love pimp and promote days…squeeee!!
Girl…you are BUSY!! Be sure to take some time in there for you and the family to have some FUN!!!
I gotta say, Emma Burcart’s blog always leaves me feeling inspired and empowered. Her post today was a great reminder that sometimes our dreams don’t turn out exactly how we thought they would. But if we keep an open mind to the journey and the “feeling” we want to attain, what arrives might just be better than we could have imagined!
http://www.emmaburcart.com/2012/09/whose-plan-is-it-anyway/
Love it!
I’d also love to give a shout out to Patrick Latter whose photography blog is spell bindingly beautiful…a must see: http://hikingphoto.com/
Thanks for the opportunity to share the love…
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Love the quotes Jen. They made me laugh and I needed that today. 🙂
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I’m liking the Benjamin Franklin quote!
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Love the quotes, especially Maya Angelou’s!
I want to pimp my dear friend and crtique partner Angela Orlowski-Peart. She’s releasing her YA novel “Forged by Greed” today!!!! Read all about it here: http://www.angelapeart.com/forged-by-greed-published/
And, if I may, I’d like to promote my own book (I have a book–still sounds weird): http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Sense-Singularity-ebook/dp/B008VY32F2/ It’s a YA fantasy/romance.
Jenny, studying excel is an arduous journey. We’re here to offer your our friendship and support (well, not technical support…). : )
Thanks for the lovely opportunity to Pimp&Promote!
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Awww, thank you, Fabio. You’re the best! It’s awesome to have a friend like you 🙂
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~~Jenny thanks for the opportunity to Pimp&Promote and (hanging head) I stole your idea in my blog today, with some tips about how to promote…and pimpage ops for authors. Score it double-duty since it’s also my announcement day for my debut thriller, LOST AND FOUND (with doggy viewpoint)
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WOOT! Lost and Found is HERE!!!
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I want to pimp my improved blog. I’ve added Pick Your Earworm where you, the reader, can pick the best of selected songs. Right now I’m doing covers like Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer and Florence and The Machine. Stop by at http://www.tomwisk.wordpress.com . Thanks
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Coolness!
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Scrivener – here I come. I need to pick your brain, Jenny, since I haven’t had a chance to figure Scrivener out completely. I’m planning to use it for the second book in The Forged series. Speaking of the book… uhm… I am going to pimp myself. Heh. I just released my debut paranormal romance/urban fantasy novel, Forged by Greed on Amazon. It will be available on other platforms and in the paper soon. Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Forged-Greed-ebook/dp/B009CLCDTO/ref=la_B009CY4Z06_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348169415&sr=1-1
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You can absolutely pick my brain but I’ll probably also blog on it. 🙂
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PROMOTE #1: I just have to give thanks to Kathy Owen. She knew I had a rough week, and she let me ramble on about it on the phone. I hope people check out her blog or follow her at @kbowenwriter.
PROMOTE #2: Everyone should follow Amber West > @amberwest She is the bomb, and I just read a little something she is working on. Wowzers. I’m intrigued.
I’m a little low on self-promotion. I hope that my computer guy shows up at 10 am tomorrow. I’ll be waiting from the window, waiting like a puppy. He is the key to my new computer set-up. 😉
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Aww, Renee, thanks! I loved talking with you, and good luck with the computer guy! IYKWIM 😉 And then…BACK TO WORK, missy!
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Totally agree. Kathy rocks!
As to you, Renee. I’m so sorry about your computer problems. I went out and bought three more USB drives this week in your honor. They all look like little farm animals so that the kids don’t walk off with them. I hope things smooth out for you soon.
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You stay busy! 🙂 Excel makes my head hurt sometimes, but I use it for work to track my metrics and projects (nothing fancy, I assure you). I like to create circular references. Sigh.
I have to promote Debra Kristi this week because she has a great post about change, including Thor–a movie I could never get tired of watching. And she just changed her photo–lovely pink locks! 🙂 Oh, and I won! http://debrakristi.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/the-gains-of-change/
I’ll pimp my newest post about the evolution of My Little Pony into something I never expected. http://dianabeebe.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/these-are-not-your-mothers-ponies/
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How fun! There were so many posts I loved this week. I feel like borrowing the line from that spammer because the WANNAs were coming up with the awesome posts and we were brilliant this week! 🙂
Natalie: you are sweet and amazing and what you said about my blog makes me feel so good. Seriously, I just took a picture of the comment. And your blog makes me laugh so hard I practically wet my pants on a weekly basis.
I want to Pimp out Marcy Kennedy’s post about fear. http://www.marcykennedy.com/why-does-fear-exist/ I SO needed it this week. It helped me get over my fear of sending out queries. I sent one and got a yes! Basically Marcy is getting me my first assignment. I also loved Ginger Calem’s post about the scale that was pimped above.
I have a hard time promoting myself, so I’m going to try it here. I liked my post this week about how a swimsuit can take away our confidence, well at least mine. http://www.emmaburcart.com/2012/09/a-swimsuit-changes-everything/
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If you want to have a friend, you have to be a friend.
PIMP: This past week, Intelligence Operative Holmes wrote a wonderful Perspective on the US Embassy Attacks.http://piperbayard.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/perspective-on-the-recent-us-embassy-attacks/
PROMOTE: Kristen wrote a terrific article about the dangers of indulging in political and religious rants. http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/politics-religion-social-media-how-great-writers-change-the-world/
Thanks for the opportunity, Jenny! Have fun with that Excel thing.
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Wowzer, Piper! I’m so glad you stopped by and added these. I missed the embassy attacks post and I love it when Holmes does those sort of thoughtful pieces.
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