My sweet son chilling out after swimming |
Welcome to 2012. Can you believe its 2012? I can’t. I look at my son and realize that he’s almost 7 years old and how the time has flown by since he was born. Hubby and I were talking last night over the changes in our life since we moved from Dallas to the sticks in East Texas over five years ago. We’ve had some bumps and bruises along the way but we have always had each other backing the other one up.
This blog is not to get all weepy and such, since I’ve been told that I’m not an overly emotional person. Yes, I do cry but it takes alot for me to cry. For the most part, I’m easy going, it takes alot to get me riled up but when the emotions come into play…watch out! But there are a few things that I would like to mention and talk about.
1. Harlie’s Books is going through some changes right now. I think that they are for the good. I put a shout out about reviewing more books on my site and I got a really good response. So far, I’m pretty booked for January but I’m looking for February reviews now. This blog was intended to be a review site for my own pleasure and somehow between reviewing for other sites it got lost. I was reading for other people and not for me. I decided to not review for the big sites anymore but I’m loyal to my smaller sites.
2. The blog design has changed, too. I put a pages banner on top with more information about me, the books I read, FTC disclaimer and a request for review button with my contact information. When you do request a review, please put that in the subject line. Keep in mind, its only me reviewing so it could take up to three weeks for the blog review to be posted.
3. Most people don’t know this but I’m also an aspiring writer. I write under a pen name and I got my first big rejection in October. It was devastating to me considering that I was dared to write it and I so wrote out of my comfort zone. Well, that only spurred me on to do a complete 180 and write in my own comfort level. I’ve gotten a few bites and I’m very pleased with that. Its slow coming when you are married, a mother to a very active six year old and have a EDJ that is draining, to say the least.
4. I don’t make resolutions at all. Don’t believe in them because they just get broken anyway. I do set some goals for the year and I did achieve one of them last year…write and sub a book. For that, I’m proud of myself and I have two others that I will sub this year. My husband is very encouraging but would like to see something for all the blogging, writing, loop messaging that I do. 🙂 I have some other things in the works, too and I’m really hoping that it works out for me.
I would like to thank everyone that has supported me last year and to some of you, you will never know how much your support and love has meant to me. If you have sent me a book to review for January, those reviews will start going up on January 3rd. I have a promo review that goes up tomorrow.
I hope that 2012 is a better year for me in my writing, blogging and in my friendships that I have made in 2011. As someone once said, its got to get better…it can’t get any worse.
great post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you have a great readers’ base already!
The blog looks wonderful, Marika! And you know if you need any help or advice in pursuing your writing, the Smutketeers are behind you!
Eden/Eve 🙂
Thank you all for your comments. It means alot to me that yall come by today on New Year's Day.
Marika
Very nice blog, Marika. Beautifully done. I'm sorry about the rejection, but your great attitude about it will make you a winner. Good luck with your writing.
Happy New Year, Harlie.
Writing is a process and it's not for the faint of heart. Keep working toward your goal, keep working on the craft of writing and don't ever stop.
Janice~
Happy New Year Harlie!!! Congrats on the changes and Best Wishes in 2012!!!
I love your blogs new look.
That first rejection is harsh for everyone, but you're wise to start writing again. Be persistent. It will pay off in the end and you'll be so proud of yourself when you succeed next time.
XXOO Kat