A Good Home, Blogger Friends, Blogging, Blogging Community, Book Honours

A Personal Note

There are thousands of people who follow me through this blog and other forms of social media.

THANK YOU.

Some of you have followed me since the publication of my very first book, A Good Home. You and newer friends rejoiced with me when both it, and the sequel, An Honest House, were positively reviewed by critics and well received by book lovers. 

Book Cover final - AHH

 Then, when my first children’s book Myrtle the Purple Turtle was published, you helped make it an immediate bestseller through your purchases, posts, and reviews.

Blog Photo - Book Cover Myrtle the Purple Turtle

THANK YOU.

You haven’t only celebrated with me; you’ve also “accompanied” me to hospitals, commiserated when I pushed myself too hard and relapsed yet again, prayed for my husband when he was critically ill, and encouraged us on some of our worst days.

THANK YOU.

So you may be wondering what on earth has happened to the Cynthia Reyes you know. 

What happened to the woman who proudly wears her sister’s second-hand clothes, fails spectacularly at the domestic arts of cooking, baking and making Christmas arrangements, then writes ridiculous poems or other funny posts to make you laugh at her?

Blog Photo - Christmas Arrangement

And why the heck has she seemingly returned to somewhat-serious journalism in the last week or so? Writing about — of all things — a royal couple?

No, I haven’t gone off the deep end. Nor have I gone back to journalism, which some would say is the same thing. But about every two years or so, I find a story that fascinates me so much, I go through the pain and anxiety of researching and writing a whole blog series about it.

Such is the case with the story of the large and interesting international group which has been waging a fierce online defense of Prince Harry and his wife the Duchess of Sussex (aka Harry and Meghan) against their detractors. That same group surprised onlookers recently by holding a very successful online event to aid charities associated with the couple.

Like Harry and Meghan, this group has the potential to do much good in the world — if they play their cards right. I have enjoyed watching them in action.

Now the series is almost complete, with only one final part to add.  I hope, whether you are a longtime follower or a new one, you will find it interesting.

If you don’t, bear with me, please. 

The Cynthia Reyes you know is still here — she has not “left the building”.  I’ll have personal and author news to share soon, and I look forward to reading your updates too.

My best wishes,

Cynthia.

 

 

A Good Home, Blogger Friends, Blogging Community, Blogging Considerately, Book Reviews, Children's Books, New Books, Newly Released Books, Prize-winning Books, Tips for Blogging, Young Adult Books

Bloggers Helping Bloggers

It’s one of the big surprises of my writing life.

Discovering that becoming a blogger meant I was joining a worldwide community.  A community that cares, and helps.

I became a blogger because my daughters thought I needed to “get myself out there”. I was struggling with the effects of a head injury and damage to my body; I’d become ashamed of myself and extremely reclusive.

Blog Photo - Pink Phlox and Butterfly

Blogging helped pull me out of hiding by giving me pen-pals all over the world.  As I read their stories — or their comments on mine — we started getting to know and care about each other’s projects and well-being.  They inspired and uplifted me.

Bloggers also help each other in practical ways:

Tweeting: Some bloggers often/routinely retweet my (and others’) posts. Take a bow, Wendy MacDonald, Sally Cronin, Sarah Vernon, Tina Frisco, Annika Perry, D.G. Kaye and all of you who do this!

Reblogging: It’s a great compliment when followers reblog a post. Props to Sally Cronin; Chris (The StoryReadingApe); Marcia Meara;  Bernadette; and many others who do this routinely.

Blog Photo - Sally Cronin2
Sally Cronin

Helpful insights: Bloggers such as Gallivanta, Clare Pooley and Lavinia are likely to share a helpful insight, fact or contact in their comments. I always take note!

Writing Tips: Bloggers share tips to improve our writing — blogs or books. Props to Michael Dellert, Sue Uttendorfsky, and many others.

Connections: The best story I know is my own. Chris Graham connected me with Jo Robinson to illustrate Myrtle the Purple Turtle. A great partnership was born. I’ve been recommending Jo as an illustrator and editor ever since.

Author Services:  Jo, Kev Cooper,  Jeanne Balsam and others offer one or a range of services at affordable rates:  editing, design, illustration, publishing, promotions and promotional materials such as bookmarks and posters.

Recognition:  Blogger-reviewer-author Kev Cooper reads many books and started the Diamond Book Awards. Other bloggers give book/blog awards too.

Blog Photo - Diamond Book Award 2017

Promotions: Sally and Chris are the best I know, generously promoting what seems like hundreds of authors each year. How they find the time, I don’t know, but  — take a bow, you two!

Featuring other Bloggers: I do this on my blog, as do many others.

Blog Photo - Yvonne at Desk
Yvonne Blackwood

Blog Photo - Gift of memoir front cover

Blog Photo - Diane Taylor1
Diane Taylor

Deliberately Buying each other’s Books:   All my purchases/requested Christmas gifts from family are books from small presses and especially by indie authors who blog.  I borrow books by the big-name authors from the library.

Blog Photo - Sally Cronin book

Blog Photo - Maya and the book of everything

Blog Photo - Donna K Mind Book

Blog Photo - PS I forgive you.jpg

Giving feedback on Manuscripts: When the draft is done but you’re still not sure and a blogger gives feedback, that’s a major gift.

Reading and Reviewing each other’s books: When a blogger reads my book then reviews it on Goodreads, Amazon or even better – their own blog — that’s a gift! Take a bow, everyone who does this! Thanks to bloggers who’ve done this for me.

Blog Photo - Lavinia Album cover

Spreading the Word:  We spread the word about each other’s books in circles beyond blogging. Lavinia Ross and Gallivanta: Thank you for spreading the word about Myrtle in your own circles and beyond.

Praying/holding faith for each other: We celebrate other bloggers’ “wins”. Invariably, we also learn about their life struggles. When my husband was critically ill, bloggers around the world expressed concern. Many were praying. And when my blogger friends or loved ones face troubles, I do the same.

Been helped by bloggers or helped? Please share!

 

A Good Home, Blogging Considerately, Flowers, Tips for Blogging

Great Tips for Bloggers

Rule #1: Most people like pictures. Hence the “floral arrangements” in this post. (Smile)

Blog Photo - Hostas and Clematis

My last post was the most retweeted ever! Lots of interest. So today I’m sharing some tips which have worked for me, thanks to Lauren, my social media expert:  

  1. Be real. Life isn’t perfect and nor are you. Being real makes your blog interesting.  My book is hilarious in parts and I wanted my blog to be similarly uplifting and funny. But my injuries affect every part of my life — including my blogging schedule. I finally revealed a few of those difficulties — and my blog network supported me.
  2. Tell, don’t sell. Many of the bloggers I follow make products for sale – their books or paintings; farm products; furniture or vintage items. Some have a shop built into their site. But they know that blogging isn’t primarily a marketplace: it’s about engaging with others and sharing stories and ideas.
  3. Keep your posts short. Break up a longer post with images — or make it a short series.  Most of my posts are only 200- 500 words because I know that many people read a lot of blogs each week.
  4. Set aside time to read other blogs. I set aside time early morning and late evening/night to read and reply.  I’m slow, but I do it. That’s why following/having thousands of followers is not my goal. I couldn’t keep up!
  5. Blog Photo - flowers white daisies in vaseWrite a few posts now for later. I’m a wreck some days and stuck in bed. So I force myself to laugh by writing funny stories. My failures at baking, cooking, decorating a room or arranging flowers suddenly seem hilarious when described.  Then, on my worst days, I post them  — and smile at your great reactions.
  6. Blogging is a two-way street.  It’s not just a matter of ‘publishing’ your posts. Read other people’s stories, take an interest, respond. They’ll do the same. How true! I sometimes use my blog to highlight fabulous bloggers and other people; in turn, their supporters visit my blog, leaving great comments. Fascinating though I am (ha ha), my blog is not always about me.
  7. Follow up. When I disappear for a while, some bloggers check in. I appreciate this thoughtfulness and now do the same for others.
  8. Get help. I knew how to write, but didn’t understand social media. Among other things, an expert can make sure your blog is attractive, engaging and automatically distributed on many different platforms.

Blog Photo - Peonies and Solomon's Seal

This post is dedicated to all the bloggers in my network.

~~

A Good Home, Book Interviews, Book lovers, Book Reviews, Christmas Decorations, Good wishes, Gratitude, Kindness, Laughter, Life Challenges

Incredible You

Readers of this blog and A Good Home have encouraged my family and me through some crazy times this year. 

Blog photo - Winter arrsangement cu 3

You’ve consoled and encouraged me in the domestic arts, including the two times I tried making outdoor Christmas arrangements!  Several readers offered compliments, tips, commiseration, inspiration.

And Arna sent me this photo. 

Blog Photo - Reader Arna's Planter

“I told you I have a planter like yours!” she said.

Yes, Arna, but yours is far more assured. 

**

From last fall to this spring, I had to abandon virtually all my book-related activities and take to my bed.

Some of you decided to help.  You bought my book, and wrote wonderful reviews.

Phil reviewed A Good Home for an American book website last year, then created computer-assisted images promoting the book. 

Book - Philip Young's photo

Blog Photo - Reader Philip's Owl Photo

John G. took my book with him on his annual canoe trip, then wrote a review too.

Book - with bagel and gloves in Johns canoe

**

In Avery, Texas, 90 year old Lou Mathis and his wife Aggie were themselves struggling this September.  Their farm business was suffering because of its name, “Isis”.  (Isis was the ancient Egyptian goddess, but in today’s climate, not a popular name.)

Lou asked on their blog: “WHAT DO YOU THINK? For some reason I refuse to give up the… ISIS FARMS. But would painting the sign OVER IN GREEN……”

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

I asked you to reply to Lou and Aggie and many of you did.  Wonderful, caring replies that helped them make their decision. It’s now  called “Aggie’s Farm”.

Photo by Aggie's Farm
Photos by Aggie’s Farm

**

In October, Canada’s national radio network, CBC,  aired my interview with celebrated host Shelagh Rogers.

Blog Photo - Shelagh Rogers and The Next chapter

I’d been nervous about it. But people like John V. wrote to my blog afterwards:

“I heard you speak on the radio about healing and it gave me perspective and hope for my own circumstances. Sincere thanks for sharing.”

Such validation for a book completed in dire times!

**

On crazily painful days, I often forced myself to write poems, making fun of myself and my home life.  Some (like Stiletto Heels) became blog posts, which made you laugh, uplifting me in return.

Image via shopflyjane.com
Image via shopflyjane.com

Andra wrote: “I absolutely howled with laughter reading this. Thanks, Cynthia! Have had similar thoughts watching the young ladies strutting about in high heels and skimpy dresses in inclement weather. And like you, I recall being just as foolish back in the day. Great poem.”

**

Then, without warning this fall, life changed perilously. My husband nearly died.

Titled No Words, my poem expressed the raw agony our family experienced.

In reply, you warmly supported us with prayers, consolation and good wishes.

Incredible kindness, especially because I’ve never met most of you in person.

**

“Thank you” hardly seems enough. But thank you, anyway.

For your kindness.

And for being part of my world.

My best,

Cynthia.