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Celebrating 2 years of blogging

The following introduction has been taken from this ebook.

June 20, 2010 completes a chapter; two years blogging, late nights at the computer writing until past one o’clock a.m., and blog-hopping around the blogosphere leaving comments behind. Lots of comments.

Writing and not knowing what the next word will be, and then appreciating when it comes… well, it’s not always the word you’re looking for, is it? Not always the ‘right’ one.

That’s what I love about the comment sections in blogs. Words show up there more easily or is that just me?

I wanted to celebrate these two years by acknowledging those who’ve been along for the ride. You, who have shared your comments, insights, shenanigans and stories from week to week, and month to month.

Cheers to the blog commenter

This book has been written by blog commenters. To keep it to a moderate size, I searched for commenters on my blog from 2010 and pulled out the pithy ones of those who’d commented a number of times.

I found comments from bloggers who’ve been around from day one, as well as some newcomers. There are super reflections brimming with wisdom, creativity and sentiment.

This ebook couldn’t have happened without your comments. I’ve appreciated your support and the connections I’ve made over the past two years. There are no ‘right’ words, actually…

Except for, you guys rock!

Below, in no particular order, you will see a list of bloggers whose comments have been featured in this book. Whether or not you are on this list, feel free to click here or on the above image for this free download to read what bloggers talk about at Shades of Crimson.

Also included are photographs my digital camera captured while out and about in the Vancouver and surrounding areas. You’re welcome to download these and use them on your blogs, with a credit to Shades of Crimson.

It’s been a great two years; hard to believe it’s BEEN two years!

Talk about rendering the write impact…

Thanks everyone! :-D

Photo Credit: Davina Haisell

One ebook, three winners

On yesterday’s post, This Ebook Asks, “Will It Change You”? I announced that I was giving away two ebooks to anyone who left a comment that day.

And then there were three. Pretty goods odds wouldn’t you say?

Three names went into a hat — well actually, it was a Tupperware container. I shook them up, pulled out two winners and decided after all that to make it three.

And so, the lucky winners are….

Jannie from Jannie Funster — a song writer who welcomes you to her “nicheless niche of a blog” with open arms.

Patricia from Patricia’s Wisdom — who blogs to be of service, because she loves to write and she likes to make connections.

Betsy from Passing Thru — who blogs to share about nature, travel, thoughts and dreams, and who shares her blog with her husband Pete who is a fantastic photographer.

Congratulations! I hope you three gals enjoy this ebook.

Quotes by bloggers

Meanwhile, submissions to The Quote Effect continue to arrive.

If you want to contribute to this ebook, with an original quote from your blog or an original photograph, there is still time.

The deadline for submissions is January 31st. Contact me to receive your Submission Form and choose The Quote Effect in the subject line.

Each week during January, I will feature a new submission and link back to the previous submissions as well.

The second contributor is Lori from SpaceAgeSage where the tagline is, Where Wisdom Fuels Change. Thanks Lori, I love this one.

“Many people can talk the talk. Some people really know how to walk the walk. But it is a rare few who get to dance the dance.”

The first contributor was Miguel de Luis at Wisdom & Life, where the tagline is, Practical Good Sense With Purpose.

“Generosity is of the brave.”

This is the title of a blog post he wrote about the fight against poverty.

So far, there have been over 30 bloggers sign up in the last two weeks. Keep em coming and thanks for all the support so far everyone!

“Your road to personal growth is all about a decision to change.”

– Ross Gelding

About four hours ago, and for the first time, I landed on Ross’s blog at Will It Change You? I’d heard about his first ebook release and I was curious.

First I checked out the About page to see who this guy was. I liked what I saw there. Next stop, the archives. More good stuff. Instant resonation with this blogger. Why hadn’t I been here before?

I subscribed, promptly downloaded his ebook Jump-Start Change and spent the next two hours and a bit, reading it from cover to cover.

Some ebooks are just meant to be read in one sweep.

These were two well-spent hours. I hesitate to give this book the label of self-help because that has become so commonplace, but for lack of a better word… this is a self-help book that will jump-start change.

Not because of the stories, the information and the tips inside, which are excellent by the way, but because of how it is presented — how appealing it is on a deeper level.

It is not preachy and is a good solid down-to-earth read.

This book is divided into three parts:

Part 1  Success, Happiness, and Where to Start
Part 2  Communication, People Skills and Relationships
Part 3  Giving Out, Getting Back, Staying Motivated

Give your future a jump-start.

Here’s what Ross covers inside this ebook:

• Success
• Happiness
• New Beginnings
• Communication Skills
• Staying Focused
• Relationships
• Giving Out, Getting Back
• Staying Motivated
• Change

Ross says that, “No changes will happen in your life if you are content with where you are at now, or if you stay on autopilot and coast through life.”

He also says that, “By making a conscious decision to change your attitude and get excited about life, other people will also be inspired.”

Jump-Start Change has a certain something that goes beyond goal-setting and personal growth… something that just kinda sneaks up on you. Will it change you?

I will be giving away two copies to my readers. On Sunday, names will be drawn from those whose comments are left here today, Saturday (Vancouver time). I will email the winners the good news on Sunday. Good luck!

If you can’t wait, this book sells for just $6 US.

Read more about Jump-Start Change or purchase and download your own copy of this ebook.

What has jump-started change in your life?

This is not the typical ebook.

The Quote Effect was launched in December of 2008.

This is an invitation to bloggers to submit up to 3 of their favourite original quotes from their blogs, or write new ones. Read more here.

Photographers and artists are encouraged to submit some of their original work. I’d like to hear your suggestions for a cover design too.

I will compile submissions into an ebook. The deadline for submissions is January 31.

There will be no affiliate links in this first edition. This is strictly for bloggers to promote their blogs and share their unique personalities through their writing and creative expression.

We want the hilarious, the sarcastic, the thinkers, the doers, the writers, the serious, the health nuts.

If you have already left a comment with me to say “count me in” I will be emailing you a submission form to make this easy for you.

If this is the first you’ve heard of this project, please contact me to let me know of your interest and I will email you the submission form. Choose The Quote Effect as the subject.

Quotes have impact.

They widen our perspective and tickle our creative awareness. They quiet our mind and invite us to read more.

Bloggers use quotes to illustrate a point and catch the reader’s attention. They make us laugh, roll our eyes – our thoughts drift away or come awake.

They add that personal, authentic touch, and whether you blog for a hobby or for business, authenticity speaks volumes. It attracts attention.

When are you being authentic? What might be hidden in your archives or on your welcome page? What about the comment section in your blog or comments you’ve left on other blogs. Fellow bloggers are sharing a wealth of gold in these sections of their blogs too.

Let them know they’ve inspired you and invite them to share some of their quotes in this collection. Tell them all about it.

Submissions are starting to arrive already and I will be featuring a new one each week during the month of January.

I have received this first one from Miguel de Luis at Wisdom & Life.

“Generosity is of the brave.”

Thanks Miguel!

Unless otherwise noted, all images are used with permission from Dreamstime.com. Illegal use and download is not allowed.

Inspiring project for bloggers.

Welcome!

If you’re here from Loving Pulse that’s awesome! If you’re new, I’m happy to see you here. You’ve joined the party for the first post on Shades Of Crimson.

I’m about to share an idea for a community blogging project. Here goes…

Bloggers use a lot of quotes right? Quotes are inspiring and generate good response. They illustrate a point, draw the reader’s attention to the theme of the post and they have a strong impact. They also generate ideas for other writing.

I’m proposing that we bloggers come together to write some of our own quotes. I will compile them into a free online resource that can be downloaded and shared with as many folk as are interested.

This would be good keepsake to remind you of bloggers who have come and gone. And it would be a fabulous writing resource too.

I’d like your feedback on what I’ve come up with so far and we can tweak along the way.

1. This book would be divided into categories such as: inspirational, humour, philosophical, health, religious/spiritual, business, etc.

2. Entries would include your name, the name of your blog and a short intro about it’s niche.

3. You can submit up to 3 entries, noting which category each is for.

4. Each entry would outline what the inspiration was: What you were doing, who you were with, etc. It can also be a dedication to someone in your life.

5. There would be a short paragraph explaining what creative process (if any) you used to come up with the quote.

6. Should we include photos? If we do, they must be used with permission.

7. Use of these quotes around the blogosphere would result in a link back to the author and their blog, and make note of The Quote Effect.

8. The book must be promoted on your blog; we’ll decide for how long.

9. All quotes of course, must be original. They can be something you’ve already written or you can write something new.

10. I’m proposing a deadline of January 31st for submissions. I’d like to have the book ready for Valentine’s Day, if possible.

Let creativity drop in.

So, over this holiday season pay attention to what inspires you. Or what doesn’t for that matter. Cheekiness and sarcasm is welcome. Marinate with this idea. Notice when you are feeling inspired and revved up – or not. Let the momentum of the holidays and thoughts for the new year move you to write.

By the way, if your muse is on holidays you can still get in the groove. Until January 31st I’m offering FREE 20-minute meditations on phone or Skype. Sorry, downloads not available yet, but will come in the new year.

Increased recognition and traffic to your blog.

Imagine your quotes being used around the blogosphere and having your links flying around. If this project generates enough interest, I will organize another one for 2010. We’ll see.

So, that is the project. What do you think? Do you have anything to add or other suggestions? Leave your comments and questions and let’s see what we can come up with as a group. Or contact me choosing The Quote Effect as the Subject.

Once the details are organized, I will send out an email to confirm.

Photo: Sharaff’s Photostream on Flickr.com