Write Nonfiction in November is also known as NaNonFiWriMo
The clock is ticking. There are now 76 days to go until we are upon NaNonFiWriMo 2013. I have to keep repeating myself because so many, many, many people have no idea what this is. Everyone knows about the other popular program for fiction writers, but few people are familiar with NaNonFiWriMo 2013.
Basically, NaNonFiWriMo 2013 is a month-long honor-system challenge in which nonfiction writers are strongly encouraged to write an entire work of nonfiction throughout the month of November. Just about everybody and their uncle loves the fiction version of NaNonFiWriMo 2013. But you can change that by sharing the love with us, too! You have the power to help Nina Amir and me market, promote, and feature the veritable NaNonFiWriMo 2013.
You can help by creating a buzz for us. Please consider helping us. We will love you forever!
Create a Buzz for NaNonFiWriMo
Nina Amir and I have already awarded several virtual tokens of appreciation to those who have helped us spread the word about NaNonFiWriMo 2013. Your name could be here, too. Just let us know what kind of buzz you’ve generated. Thanks!
Tokens of Appreciation Awarded to these Bloggers
Leaving comments on the WNFIN.com writing prompts:
- Val Hudgins – 1
- Melanie Martilla – 1
Featured bloggers respond to my questions:
- Melanie Marttila – 1
- Marc Nash – 1
- Kirra Antrobus – 3 here, here, and here.
- Maribel Steel – 1 (forthcoming link)
Social Media shares:
- Marlene Cullen – 1
- Kiril Kundurazieff – 1
- Denise Wakeman – 1
- Brian Klems – 1
You and your blog or social media handle can be featured here, too. Want to help us generate some buzz for NaNonFiWriMo 2013? We’ll love you forever and you’ll soon get that feel-good fuzzy feeling of doing something awesome for fellow nonfiction writers.
Today’s Sub-Theme – Mom Bloggers
Our seventh sub-theme in August’s “All About You” theme is mom bloggers. Boy, was it tough coming up with mom blogger to feature! So many, many moms have started blogs and abandoned them. Other moms have not been blogging long enough for me to get a good sense of their style. And many others write about too many things unrelated to parenting.
Today is all about parenting from the mom’s perspective. The moms I feature today all focus their blogs primarily on their families and the many parenting issues they go through. Each mom has a different set of problems, ranging from work-life balance issues, to medical issues, to quirky home issues. Each mom handles her problems differently, but in a way that is interesting to read and leaving the reader wanting more.
Today, your job is to write basic profiles on the following mom bloggers: Sam Kemp-Jackson, Jamie Meteer, Anne Kimball, and J.D. Bailey.
Recap: List of Featured Bloggers
In this space, we will keep a running list of all the bloggers we are featuring in August.
- August 2 – Women, God, and Faith: Kirra Antrobus, Maia Duerr, Rachel, Rachel Barenblatt, and Katie Orr.
- August 5 – Food Bloggers: Michael Lee West, Tara Kuczykowski, and Robyn Stone.
- August 7 – Braniacs: Melanie Martilla, Marc Nash, Val Hudgins, Claudette Young, and Meena Rose.
- August 9 – Photojournalists: Darlisa Black, Veronica Roth, Alik Sumin, and Arnoldo Romero.
- August 12 – Inspirational folks: inspirational bloggers: Maribel Steel, Beryl Ayn Young, Rachel Macy Stafford, and JoAnn J.A. Jordan.
- August 14 – Dad bloggers – Michael Stelzner, Aaron Brinker, Brian Klems, and Oren Miller.
Creative Idea Gal’s Thoughts
I was careful to write about mom bloggers today and not the ubiquitous “mommy blogger” title that is so readily on peoples’ tongues. Society seems to have a narrow point of view that mothers who have blogs want to be referred to as “mommy bloggers,” when in fact, that is not always true. Would anyone dare ever call Ruth Bader Ginsburg a mommy lawyer or a mommy judge? Would Sheri McCoy or even the controversial Marissa Mayer ever be known as mommy CEOs or mommy executives? Doubt it!
Why should bloggers be any different? Why must mothers be labeled “mommy bloggers” just because they happen to moms? A more truthful title is mom bloggers. Even better would be the term “bloggers.” Today’s featured bloggers are all moms and they all write about parenting and family issues in distinct ways. See if you can pick up on each of their subtleties.
Creative Idea Gal’s Softball Questions for Today’s Bloggers
My questions for today’s featured bloggers are a writing prompt for them, intended to spark creativity. I do not require today’s featured bloggers to answer my softball questions, but I strongly encourage it! (A few of you have done so already – thank you!) This is what I call a prompt within a prompt!
Blogger Sam Kemp Jackson
(1) How did you become a featured contributor to 30SecondMom when that site first began? Did you know Elise Ali before she created that site?
(2) You write a lot – – for the Huffington Post, 30SecondMom, and your own blog. How do you balance so much writing with your parenting duties?
(3) How fascinating that your podcasts are available on iTunes. I had no idea that was even possible! Can you tell us about the creative process of doing podcasts and determining which topics to talk about? How did the partnership with iTunes come about?
(4) Your blog post about the “unkindness of strangers” had a surprising ending. How did you get that viewpoint about being unkind?
(5) Can you explain more about your anecdote of raising 5,000 children?
(6) Your “dirty little secrets” are probably the same sorts of secrets that most parents share. They’re common enough that we can all relate. Have you revealed all of your dirty little secrets? Are there more up your sleeves that you’ll reveal to your audience soon?
(7) Your blog features a lot of common sense advice and 30SecondMom tips. Do you plan to compile those tips into a nonfiction how-to book?
(8) You proclaim to have a lazy brand of parenting, yet you are so active in your children’s upbringing and in ensuring that they learn valuable lessons, as evidenced by your many blog posts. How do your children really feel about your so-called laziness?
(9) How exciting to have met Jeff Probst and Lisa Welchel when they taped last year’s Survivor show. Have you met other celebrities? If so, have those meetings also dealt with parenting in some way?
(10) Do you connect with fellow Canadian moms in person or are you mostly connected to moms through social media?
Blogger Jamie Meteer
(1) The nicknames that you give to your kids are clever and memorable. How did you come up with those names? How do your kids feel about being referred to by those names?
(2) The title of your blog, sensationalfamily, is a great title with dual meanings because what you are going through and the grace you have with your experiences is “sensational.” Have you met others who are going through the same experiences with their children?
(3) Are your children’s medical issues permanent or are these temporary childhood situations that they will grow out of? Prior to having children, did you ever have experience with these medical issues?
(4) How do your family and friends react when they find out about the conditions that your children have? Do they treat your children differently? Do your children share your sense of humor in dealing with their medical issues?
(5) What inspired you to start cataloguing the medical issues of your children? Were you trying to fill a void in the Internet (meaning, there are no other resources that help parents whose children have the same medical issues) or do you have other reasons for writing about your experiences?
(6) Your sense of humor is enviable, admirable, and truly sensational. Do you feel that your sense of humor is a gift from God that has helped you deal with your children’s medical issues? Can you explain?
(7) You are a Pinterest junkie! How do you use Pinterest? For fun? For personal inspiration? To help tell your stories? Other?
(8) You write a lot about therapy, why it’s good, and why your family needs it. Your approach is honest, fresh, and amusing. Would you consider sharing your therapy posts with actual therapists? Would you consider serving as a more formal advocate for therapy?
(9) The subject matter of your blog is original. Your take on it is wholly entertaining and educational. The accompanying photos are a hoot. Basically, everything about this blog lives up to its name. Would you consider kicking in your heels a bit more and writing more frequently and eventually turning your blog posts into a book?
(10) Everyone in your family has a nickname. They are all fun. How about you? Do you have a nickname that you call yourself? Do others refer to you by any colorful names or nicknames?
Blogger Anne Kimball
(1) With so much going on in your life with your children and farm, it is surprising that you have time to write! How do you manage to squeeze in writing time?
(2) You write at length about adoption and medical issues in a way that is informative yet heartfelt. Would you consider yourself an inspirational writer? Why or why not?
(3) How did you get started hosting blog hops? What have you learned along the way?
(4) Your blog posts are more than ready to be republished into a series of nonfiction books. Your style is lovely, intimate, and always endearing. Do you think people would enjoy reading about the adventures of your farm, your children, and your many witty life observations in a printed book format?
(5) What is the overall goal you have for your blog? How do your children feel about you blogging personal details about your life experiences?
(6) You claim to write all over the place but yet, you manage to keep some sort of schedule. How do you reconcile these seemingly distinct left and right brain habits?
(7) You’ve been blogging for a long time but it seems that you really increased production in 2012. What changed for you in 2012? Did the popularity of your blog inspire you to write more or did something else push you to write more?
(8) How did you get to live on a farm? Were you raised in a farm setting? Did you marry into a farm lifestyle? Why do you consider your lifestyle to not be like those who live on “authentic farms”?
(9) Your style and voice are distinct and charming. Why would you allow others to write guest blog posts for a blog that is already rich with a voice that others like to read? Do you think that guest blog posts enhance or detract from your writing?
(10) Why is it so important for you to be considered a top blog in TopMommyBlogs? Does the title of “top blogger” fuel your writing? Do you feel some sort of validation from that title that you do not already receive from readers of your blog?
Blogger JD Bailey
(1) Your interviews with Parenting magazine and Katie Couric generated a great deal of press for you. How did you get these opportunities? Did you apply to be an interviewee? Did someone refer you?
(2) You finally showed your face for the first time during your interview with Katie Couric. Why did you refuse to show your face earlier?
(3) You admit to writing under your maiden name instead of using your married name. You also don’t use your real first name. Why so much secrecy when you call yourself the Honest Mom?
(4) What is the purpose of your Honest Voices linkup? What do you hope to gain from doing this? What is the benefit to others?
(5) You are listed as a contributor in two books. Do you plan to write a book on your own? Would you focus on depression as a teaching tool or on some other topic?
(6) Have you thought about how your children will feel as they get older and learn that their mother dealt with depression because of them? Have you discussed these issues with your husband? Have you mentally prepared to have “the discussion” when the time comes up?
(7) You seem to connect well with moms online. How is your support system in your home state? Does your family support you? Do you ever seek guidance from religious leaders? Are you a religious or spiritual person?
(8) You receive many, many comments on your blog and through your social media channels, but you hardly respond to any of them. Isn’t this like a one-sided relationship with your readers and fans? Do you think there is value in responding to comments? Why or why not?
(9) Why do you allow contributors to write guest posts for you on your blog? Don’t you think the stories of other moms interfere with yours? Isn’t that diluting the brand you’ve established for yourself?
(10) How did you get companies to sponsor your blog and give you products to review?
Writing Prompt 096
Prompt: Write a basic profile on mom bloggers Sam Kemp-Jackson, Jamie Meteer, Anne Kimball, and J.D. Bailey.
Writing Tips:
- Conduct basic Internet research.
- Answer these questions in your writing: who, what, when, where, why (bonus: how?).
- Write your profile as descriptively as you wish. More details make your writing juicier!
- Bonus: interview the bloggers by asking them questions by e-mail and posting their replies on your own blog. Makes for good reading!
If you complete today’s writing prompt in the form of a blog post, please upload it here! Nina Amir and I want to hear from you!
About the Author
Amanda M. Socci – a.k.a. Creative Idea Gal
Amanda M. Socci is the creator of this unique 10-month training program providing writing prompts to nonfiction writers. Amanda is a diehard creative and an aspiring book author, currently blogging a book on faith, A Slice of Faith, on a community website. Visit Amanda’s blog. Follow Amanda on her journey to book publication. Like A Slice of Faith on Facebook.
Holy cow, Amanda, I feel so honored that you’ve chosen me for this!
All I have to say is, create opportunities, be sexy, ….
Oh wait, that was Ashton Kutcher’s speech.
Never mind.
How about if I just answer your questions?
1) With so much going on in your life with your children and farm, it is surprising that you have time to write! How do you manage to squeeze in writing time?
I guess I consider writing what I do for fun and down time, so the question is really how I manage to find time for the children and the farm, because the writing is what I WANT to be doing.
(2) You write at length about adoption and medical issues in a way that is informative yet heartfelt. Would you consider yourself an inspirational writer? Why or why not?
No, not really. If people find my writing inspirational, wonderful, but I don’t set out to inspire with what I write. I just write the stuff of my life, and I guess often times folks find that to be inspiring.
(3) How did you get started hosting blog hops? What have you learned along the way?
Well, I participate in several blog hops, and one of the hops I was involved in was looking for a new co-host. “Why not”, I thought, and tossed my hat in. I enjoyed it, and signed up to be guest host a few times with other hops. I’ve learned that it can be fun, and can bring some traffic your way, but that it is also a time commitment.
(4) Your blog posts are more than ready to be republished into a series of nonfiction books. Your style is lovely, intimate, and always endearing. Do you think people would enjoy reading about the adventures of your farm, your children, and your many witty life observations in a printed book format?
Sure, I’d love to think that folks would enjoy such a series of books! Are you signing me? Seriously, though, I’m extremely flattered that you think so, and would love to pull something like that together one day. In only a few short years the last of my kids will have graduated high school (fingers crossed), and when that day comes, I hope to have a little more time on my hands for a few writing projects on the ol’ back burner.
(5) What is the overall goal you have for your blog? How do your children feel about you blogging personal details about your life experiences?
Hmmm, two questions here. Very tricky, Amanda…
As far as goals, of course I’d love to see the numbers grow some more, but I’m pretty happy with what’s happened in the last year or so. And there are still a few things about blogging that I need to learn, so I have goals for myself that involve my blog, which is kind of the same thing.
As to the second part of the question, the kids like being on the blog. In fact, we stopped in for ice cream while away on vacation 500 miles from home, and someone recognized us from the blog! We all thought that was pretty cool.
(6) You claim to write all over the place but yet, you manage to keep some sort of schedule. How do you reconcile these seemingly distinct left and right brain habits?
I like order, but it seems to be conspicuously absent from my life. When I realized that order was missing from my blog, as well, I set about to fix that. I didn’t like the idea of narrowing my focus, so I chose instead to try to corral what I had to say by coming up with subject categories. That seemed to work pretty well until I started back to work. With my time more limited, all the order on my blog began to fall apart, as well as the frequency with which I wrote. I’m slowly trying to climb back to a balance point, but it hasn’t been easy and I’m not there yet.
(7) You’ve been blogging for a long time but it seems that you really increased production in 2012. What changed for you in 2012? Did the popularity of your blog inspire you to write more or did something else push you to write more?
I took part in Robert Lee Brewer’s platform challenge (April 2012) which called on me to set goals, plan a schedule, develop my skills in social media, and much more. This really lit a fire both under me and within me and pushed me to new heights in bloggy world. And you know, blog stats and potato chips are very much alike. You can’t just look at your numbers once and walk away. You look, you tweak, you hop, you write, you look again in a crazy blogging frenzy. Of course, the pilot light under the whole thing is trying to get a book published. When I send those query letters out to literary agents, I want to be able to write a very impressive number on that page.
(8) How did you get to live on a farm? Were you raised in a farm setting? Did you marry into a farm lifestyle? Why do you consider your lifestyle to not be like those who live on “authentic farms”?
I was not raised on a farm, but have always had a bottomless love for animals, horses in particular. When my husband and I moved into an old house on five acres that we were renting when he was still in his residency, I decided the pasture needed a horse, and promptly deposited one there. The rest is history. I guess I don’t consider myself an “authentic” farmer because none of it generates income. The horses are for us to ride (in theory), the goats are to eat weeds, the rabbits are to pet. The chickens are really the only ones who pull their weight, God love ’em. Any veggies we grow, we eat as soon as they come in. We don’t sell them and I don’t can. The only thing authentic about our farm is the mud and the manure. Trust me, they’re all too real.
(9) Your style and voice are distinct and charming. Why would you allow others to write guest blog posts for a blog that is already rich with a voice that others like to read? Do you think that guest blog posts enhance or detract from your writing?
You know, that’s an interesting question. Personally, I don’t really like when other bloggers have guest posts on, because like you said, I click over to read their voice, not someone else’s. So why do I do it myself? Partly because I like to help people out. If they can generate some extra traffic by having a link on my blog, and in exchange they can write something that I think my readers would appreciate, I feel like it’s a win-win. Generally I may have one to four guest posts on my blog per month, usually on a Saturday.
(10) Why is it so important for you to be considered a top blog in TopMommyBlogs? Does the title of “top blogger” fuel your writing? Do you feel some sort of validation from that title that you do not already receive from readers of your blog?
I’ll be honest (and I feel kind of cheap admitting this), TMB is a good source of traffic for me. There, I’ve said it. I’m tempted to drop it, because quite frankly I hate asking for folks to click to vote every day, but then I look at the traffic I get from that site and I figure, why not just keep it there? But as you pointed out, Amanda, I don’t really identify myself as a “Mommy Blogger”, but just as a blogger. Period. Good for you for bringing attention to this!
Thanks again for including me in this list. I had fun answering your questions! Looking forward to reading about the others.
Anne Kimball:
Welcome to my growing list of literary heroes! Your detailed replies were just as fresh and real as your blog itself. I’m incredibly grateful that you have taken the time to respond to my questions so purely and honestly. I have much to learn from you!
As a suggestion, consider copying and pasting the Qs and As into your own blog in a separate URL. Once you do that, you’ll have a permalink. Add that permalink here and then I can “link” to your permalink forthe rest of the month. 😉