Friday Free-For-All

I have got a wonderful selection of blogs for you this week (as always) for my Friday Free-For-All. I will, however, be taking a break during November in order to try and focus on NaNoWriMo. This might be a convenient point to gauge whether or not I should continue with this feature, or try something new! I have put a little poll in so you can vote,

Anyway, back to the brilliant blogs I found for you this week. In keeping with the spirit of Halloween, I have a couple of spooky posts for you. I also have some lighthearted posts and one that I found particularly inspirational. Please pop over to these blogs for a visit and see what else they have in store for you, you won’t be disappointed!

Daily Echo This post by Sue really made me think. She has a certain way of putting things that makes perfect sense! I found this very inspirational.

Thoughts and Entanglements I loved this poem, It was so evocative, I felt that I was right there!

But I Smile Anyway I just had to include this, by the ever resourceful Ritu! Her daughter is a chip off the old block too, it seems!

Aliisaacstoryteller A perfect poem for the time of year. Ali tells a wonderful, if not poignant story here that I really enjoyed.

Myfridayblog Another spooky poem, this time with a very unusual ending!

Thestoryreadingapeblog This post here was written by a very feisty little four-legged  friend who is extremely brave!

So there you have your little collection of treats. I am not tricking when I tell you that they will keep you entertained this Haloween wekend!

Happy Friday!!

Oh, and here is that poll

Free-For-All Friday #34

I am not ready for Friday this week, it has flown by far too quickly! I have just got a couple of posts for you this week. All you have to do if you need more is to visit any of the blogs on my sidebar that I follow as they are all brilliant!

A Real Messy Beautiful Twisted Sunshine This is a Flash Fiction story that has a wonderfully surprising ending! It is something that I can certainly relate to!

John D Eccles I loved this post. Josh has such a dry sense of humour and I like his style of writing.

I am sure you are going to be entertained by both of these posts and there is plenty more for you to enjoy if you pay these blogs a visit.

Happy Friday!

Blogger’s Interview.

Thanks so much to Sue. from the Daily Echo for choosing me to take part in the ‘Blogger’s Interview,’ in which I am to answer a set of questions that are as follows:

How did you get into blogging?

Purely by accident actually. I was listening to our local radio station where the presenter asked listeners to phone in with suggestions of songs that ‘summed up your life’ or something similar. Anyway, I chose ‘I want to break free’ by Queen and my sister heard it as she was also listening. She thought it was funny and said that I would make a good blogger.

I didn’t even know what that was! I did like her idea of writing things down though as I suffer from depression, and last year, in particular, was a pretty rotten time for me. I decided that instead of writing down how bad I was feeling it might be better to try and look at the funny side of things. I have always had a sense of humour, and was told that I was a good raconteur, so I decided to go for it, and ‘Edwina’s Episodes’ was born!

What advice would you give to a blogger just starting out?

I am still pretty much of a novice in the blogging world, but my advice is to just enjoy what you are doing and keep at it! I didn’t know what to expect, or even what I wanted to get out of blogging, but I found that once I started, I loved it. Not only the writing of the blog itself but the interaction that came over a period of time with other bloggers.

Don’t worry about followers, views and all of that because we all start off small. To think that one person could relate to what you have written is a wonderful feeling, but having comments and likes expressing that is a pretty euphoric feeling. Don’t try to fit neatly into a certain ‘niche’ either. I think it is far better to stay true to  yourself.

What would be your dream campaign?

This is a really tricky question, as there are quite a few I could think of. What about proper health and social care for our elderly; more awareness of dementia and how to care for sufferers of the disease; helping underprivileged families, victims of domestic abuse, child cruelty, victims of crime. More research into diseases such as cancers, diabetes.

We need to ensure we support our teachers to help educate our children, especially those with special needs. Stop criticising the medical professions, they are there to try and help you! Bring back some sort of discipline and boundaries so that our young can learn respect and tolerance of others. I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the picture!

Do you have a plan for your blog?

Not really. So much of my blog is just me writing about things that appeal to my sense of fun, or the ridiculous, and I bash it out as I think it (that is why it is often disorganised)! I do not want to have too much structure, as I prefer spontaneity and freedom with my blog. I do like my little features though, so will either keep those up or add new ones.

What do you think about rankings?

I am assuming that they are something to do with SEO (I have seen that term bandied about, but still have no clue what it REALLY means)! I should imagine that my little blog is right at the bottom of the pecking order.

* Mention the person who tagged you
* Answer the questions in full
* Tag up to ten other bloggers at the end (without any obligation for them to participate!)

Melinda

Judith

Sally

Diana

Hugh

Geoff

Free-For-All Friday #32

I have had quite a week this week, and also a pretty emotional one as today is my last day on the ward. I start my new job on Monday as well so I am nervous and excited!

I have got three wonderful posts for you this week, consisting of a Haiku. a hilarious anecdote and a story I can certainly relate to, having a nearly teenage daughter.

Please go over to these blogs and see what other delights await you as they all have so much more in store.

Battered Wife Seeking Better Life Who knew Haiku could be so sensual, especially with the prompt words given! Take a look at this and you will see what I mean.

Anand’s Parodies and Caricatures This blog is one that I have recently started following, and I love it. The humour with which he writes has me rocking! His stories are so vividly written that it is easy to imagine you are right there with him.

Beyond The Picket Fence This is a wonderful story that I very much enjoyed; it is very poignant and beautifully written.

Happy Friday!

Free-For-All Friday #31

I have got a wealth of wonderful blogs for you this week with posts about food, things going wrong, a brilliant short story, and what we may or may not find attractive.

I hope that this has whetted your appetite, and that you go and visit each of these blogs as there are still many goodies for you to feast on that I have not included. (Why does everything have to be about food for me? Bloody dieting)!

Nutsrock This post is from one of my favourite bloggers. Not only can Linda tell a funny story, but she is also a very practical and resourceful woman as you will see from reading this post.

Above The River I was directed to this blog by another blogger, and was thrilled that things do not always go right in her world either (I mean that in the nicest possible way)! I was bellowing with laughter at this post.

Eric’s Blog I know I am not an art connoisseur, (I can’t even draw), but I know what I like and this isn’t it! I am glad that Eric is on my side in this one as well.

A Reading Writer This post is by another of my Writing 101 classmates. The poem spoke to me about my own insecurities, but then I thought Sod it, who makes up the rules anyway?!

Lily Pups Life Another post that I can relate to well. This is an interesting post, and I am full off admiration for Lily for making a very hard decision. I wish her all the best.

Blonde Write More As you know, I love a bit of Flash Fiction and this story caught my eye, because of the clever interpretation of the prompt word.

I hope that you enjoy these as much as I have.

Happy Friday!!