New Website

As I expand my portfolio and knowledge, I am also expanding my horizons online. I have created a website showcasing my Author status and am also offering my services as a proofreader and copy editor. I am very anxious to spread the word about my new site and my upcoming Homemaker Helper Series. Please visit my site for more details on the books and my services.

Thank you and have a great day!

Reduced Prices on Fabric!

I still have mountains of fabric which I need to part with! I will toss in an extra two fat quarters for anyone who orders the bundle on the right hand side of this page. They are all quality quilting cotton prints; I have to make room for my spinning wheel, so the fabric has to go. Order two or more bundles and I will toss in a half meter cut of 100% cotton broadcloth. This is a limited time deal, so please take advantage of it.

Since I want it gone and this is a very good deal, I would appreciate the word being spread. Please share this post on any social networking sites you belong to, even if you yourself do not order. I cannot use it all myself, and most of it is still on the bolt. Thank you for helping me out!

Friday the 13th

Good evening! Finally I am able to post...Blogger has been having a few issues for a couple of days and I was unable to post. Maybe we'll just attribute it to Friday the 13th...at least that will explain today's problems...not so sure about the other days.

I love Friday the 13th's...this one is extra special because it is also my birthday. My Mom hates it...I tell her it's not like I was born on Friday the 13th. I was born on a Monday...the day after Mother's Day. My Dad tells me the story every year...I never tire of it though. It sounds like this year is much like the one I was born...trees leafing out along the river and everything turning nice and green.

As the day comes to a close, I can't help but reflect on the last forty plus years. I am almost to where I want to be in life; I am a freelancer and an author, and now also an alpaca owner. By this time next year we will have alpaca babies on the way and I will have tried my hand at spinning the fleece into yarn. I cannot wait to get the fencing finished so we can bring the herd home.

My daughter is just as excited as I am; her and I will be the owners of them and will share in the work, the costs and the rewards. I have been making connections on Facebook with other alpaca owners and enjoy looking at their pictures. One of the cutest so far is two alpacas lying on a front porch...in much the same way the average dog would be. So very cute!

I have been busy with a temporary position with Statistics Canada, so have been unable to spend much time on my book. I will have to push back the original publishing date, which saddens me. There are only so many hours in the day and apparently I am supposed to sleep some of them. I am sure things will get back to normal soon; or at least a new normal. I will have a lot to write about once the herd comes home. It may have to be a book of its own.

With the warm weather also brings the planting of the garden, the cutting of the grass and the cleaning of the barn. The latter must be done before we can bring home the alpacas, but can't be done until after the 4H calf is gone. It will be a very busy couple of days between the sale and the day the alpacas come home.

Alpacas

As a new alpaca owner (herd to come home in early June), I am very excited to start working with the fleece. I have made some sales already, and I haven't even created the products yet. Most people give me a funny look when I tell them we bought a small herd of alpacas, and say there is no money in them. I have found there is either support or there isn't. We will not take the nay sayers comments to heart, as they are most likely uneducated in the world of alpacas. When people ask if there is money to be made with alpacas, I tell them yes...with proper management. It is the same with any business...there has to be proper management.

Alpacas are not as costly to raise as cattle due to their smaller size and less feed requirements. Plus they are raised for their fleece so there is no need for slaughter. These beautiful creatures can live up to twenty five years; that is a lot of fleece. As I was telling a friend about them yesterday, she told me I had to call her as soon as I brought them home. She loves them and can't wait to see them. When I saw her partner later in the day, she had already told him I was getting some. He asked if I was going to knit mittens and socks; if so he would buy some from me. See, sales and I don't have the herd home yet!

I know I have a lot to learn about the alpacas themselves and their fleece. I am planning on making my own yarn, so will be in need of wool carders and a spinning wheel. I will be a very busy girl in the months to come! My daughter and I will be working with the alpacas; perhaps I can teach my son to do the spinning. It would give him the perfect opportunity to do something creative with his hands. (With his limitations due to cancer and surgery, being on his feet for long periods of time is not an option.)

Our main goal in the next two weeks is to build another pen so we can keep the boys separate from the girls. Once we get them home we will be able to let the breeding commence; we should have a few babies next spring. I am limited for time this week however, as I have taken a temporary position as a Census Enumerator. It is interesting and I am hoping to come across an alpaca ranch in my travels. I have seen many cows, horses, sheep and even elk so far...but no alpacas. Maybe today!

Good Morning!

Good morning to all! I have been busy this past week with Easter, training and taking an afternoon trip to see our new investment...a small herd of alpacas. We will be bringing them home by mid-June, as 4H will be finished for the year. It gives us just over a month to build a pen for the males, as the females will be getting the barn and corral. My daughter and I are very excited...pictures will most definitely be posted when our herd comes home!

That aside, I purchased a new gardening book yesterday. I know I most likely don't need another, but I couldn't resist. It is The Canadian Illustrated Guide to Green Gardening by Reader's Digest. There is a hardcover issue available, but the one I bought is a binder format; pages lay flat to make it easier to stay on the page you need. I bought my copy at Coles Bookstore. It has over three thousand color illustrations and photos, and is divided into sections so it is easy to find what you are looking for. It is over five hundred pages packed full of information, from soil to plants to trees and shrubs. A recommended purchase for anyone who is a gardener as well as anyone just learning about gardening. In all honesty it would most likely benefit the new gardener more than those of us who are veterans, but anyone will find it helpful.

For those who enjoy gardening and wish to profit from it, I do have some suggestions in my book Success...It Can Be Yours! which is available on Lulu. There is also a button at the upper left on this page which will take you straight to it. Along with my writing and alpacas, my goal is to open a U-Pick for a few weeks each summer. I may not get it all in place for this gardening season, but my personal goal is within the next two years. It will all tie in together if all goes as planned.

I also still have several bundles of fat quarters available (see Buy Now button to the right). I am hoping I can liquidate as many of these as possible within the next couple of weeks, as they would be much better in the hands of someone who can use them. It will take me twenty years to make use of them; that's how many there are. I will toss in an extra fat quarter for anyone who orders from this Blog post...please make note of it on the order form. If you order two bundles, you will receive two extra fat quarters. Thank you!

Along with the arrival of our alpacas, I will be learning to process their fiber. As time goes on, I will also have alpaca fiber items for sale. I am contemplating buying a spinning wheel so I can make my own yarn; if it works for me I will have the yarn and products made from it available. I will be posting pictures as time goes on and I learn more about the fiber and the animals.

Wishing you all a good weekend, and may the weather co-operate so we can all get some yard and garden cleanup done!

A Sunny Day!

We are blessed with another sunny morning...the question is, will it last throughout the day? We have had a cooler than usual spring, and we are all ready for some heat. I am anxious to get my garden cleaned up and planted, but the soil is too soggy and cold to do either.

I have been busy working on my book, as well as writing instructions for crocheted items. This little task is contracted, so I am unable to post where they will be going at the moment. I'm sure once they have been submitted and approved I will be able to link to the site. I am excited about it, but it has really made me think about what I am doing. Crochet comes natural to me, as I have been doing it since I was nine. What I haven't done much however, is write out instructions. It is a learning experience for me...my only hope is they are detailed enough to be followed by a beginner.

I have recently joined Book Blogs (see widget on the right of this blog), a site for those who write, read or love books. I think it will be a good way to learn more about promoting my book (Lulu link on the left), as well as expanding my reading horizons. The site will also help me gain more viewers and followers on my blog.

I have also set up a Facebook Page to keep my fans updated on new articles, book progress and pages of interest. I feel the more exposure I have the better. I am enjoying the benefits of working from home, and have my eye on a piece of property I would absolutely love to buy. I am hopeful my book sales and freelance income will allow me to do that. The hours are long and sometimes spread throughout the day, but that's what I love about it. I am free to go out and visit my animals when I hit a roadblock, then can come back in and carry on with a new perspective on my projects.

Book Review: Where Do Recyclable Materials Go? by Sabbithry Persad

I have been given the opportunity to review Where Do Recyclable Materials Go? by Sabbithry Persad. It is a very informative book and is based on a neat little story adventure. A girl named Tiana and her family go out looking for their dog Bubbles. Bubbles has followed the recycling truck to the depot, and there Tiana and her family are able to go on a tour of the facility. They learn what happens to the materials once they are in the depot.

It is a book that should be in schools and libraries everywhere. It is the first in a series called the "Garbology Kids", which concentrates on recycling. There are questions at the back of the book as well as recycling ideas. It is a must read for everyone!

Book Review - Writing Nonfiction: Turning Thoughts Into Books

As I embark on writing my second book, I am learning some tricks from the experts. My first book was written without any guidance, but turned out well just the same. It was a learning process for me, and I learned I needed to know more about being an author.

Writing Nonfiction: Turning Thoughts Into Books by Dan Poynter

I purchased this book so I could get a better grasp on the book writing and marketing industry. As I was wanting to read it immediately, I purchased the ebook from Lulu; it is also available on Amazon and the Para Publishing site, which is Dan Poynter's own website. It is also available in print on both sites.

Dan Poynter is very thorough in his information in the book. He talks about organizing a binder to hold all materials related to your book, and provides a link where you can download a "write by number" if you will. I am using this system for my new book, and it is working very well. He goes on to stress writing non-fiction is better for the beginner. The easiest is to write what you know. I agree with him on this point completely.

He explains how offering a mini seminar is much more beneficial and profitable than just a book signing. People want to learn; and if you can teach or show them how to do something you have explained in your book they will remember it always. In addition, they will suggest your book to family and friends...word of mouth advertising is the best of all. Don't forget to include and order form in the back of your book. Dan explains the reasoning behind this as well.

Dan lists the Seven Principles of Financial Success when writing and marketing your book. One of them is selling information is bigger business than selling products. There is a lot of truth to this, as the majority of households have books on how to do many things. It is also easier than ever to publish your book, and this gives you access to sales much quicker.

He lists resources throughout the book, and for anyone purchasing a copy of the ebook, the links will take you directly to that site provided you have an active internet connection. It is a very good way to have all of the relative information at your fingertips. I would suggest a paper copy as well, as sometimes reading it on a device is not possible. It would be the perfect addition to your binder along with your Book Writing Template which is available on the Para Publishing Site. It is several pages to print, but is worth the ink and paper.

For anyone even thinking about writing a book I recommend you purchase a copy of this book. Along with the points I have made, it also explains the writing, publishing and marketing aspects as well. As an author, you are your own best marketer. You will be glad you invested the few dollars...it will save you from making mistakes and will yield greater profits and recognition in the end. I only wish I had known about it before my first book. But as the saying goes, better late than never!

Good luck!

Facebook and eBay, etc.

I have been a member of Facebook for a few years now. I have just recently incorporated a Fan Page to showcase my writing, published book and updates on my Book In Progress. I attempted to include a "like" button on my Blog to make it easy for readers to visit it, but after several attempts I have been unable to do so. I didn't think I was that computer challenged, but apparently in this case I am.

As I still have bolts and bolts of fabric on hand, I have listed packages of fat quarters on eBay. It would be good to part with this fabric as I do not have the room to store it. It is all quality 100% cotton and available in various prints. I am a quilter, but know I will not be able to use this much fabric anytime soon. These packages are great for anyone who wants to add variety to their fabric stash.

I have been making steady progress on my new book, which should be completed by June 30 of this year. That is the goal I have set, but sometimes snags happen along the way. I will post updates on my Facebook Fan Page as milestones are reached. I am quite excited about this one, and cannot wait to get it published. Now that the layout is complete I just have to fill in the blanks. A very helpful resource has been A Book Writing Template by Dan Poynter of Para Publishing. I encourage anyone who is contemplating writing a book to sign up for his newsletters and download a copy of the template.

Publishing Online

I recently learned a very valuable lesson when it comes to publishing. This pertains mostly to self publishing sites such as Lulu.com, but is "good to know" information for any publishing you will be a part of.

When submitting your book to the publisher, remember to include all the important stuff besides your actual text document. I am talking about the Copyright page, Table of Contents, page numbers, and any dedications or thanks you have in regards to your book. I was fortunate enough to have noticed errors I made before I ordered a pile of my book. I ordered only one to see what the print and cover quality was like, and when I received it I realized what I didn't do.

As there was a basic copyright notice brought up within the Publishing Wizard, I has presumed it would be printed. Sadly, I was wrong. It is very important to include a copyright notice in any material you publish, as others may take it as their own. Without proper documentation, there will be nothing you can do about it. I was fortunate enough to have noticed the error when I received my proof copy...it was quickly rectified.

If you are unsure of proper layout and what to include in a book, the best thing to do is to go through some books you have. Open the front cover, and make note of what is on the first few pages. This will give you a good indication of what should be included. Not all books have the information in the same order, but it is included. For a great resource on what you will need for publishing your own book, visit Para Publishing. I have found the Book Writing Template to be a great resource and guideline.

I wish I had known about it the first time around. I was able to utilize some of its information when I fixed my first book. It is my only resource for the majority of the next one, as far as layout goes. I will have many sources of the actual information I include, which will be listed as well.

My New Book

As I started to write my new book, I wasn't sure how to organize it. Since it is about a combination of many things, I decided chapters was not going to work. I settled on 'sections' instead and it seems to be working quite well.

I was able to acquire a Book Writing Template from Dan Poynter's website, Para Publishing. It has been a wonderful tool in getting my thoughts organized. I would recommend it to anyone who is contemplating writing a book. The nice part is it is a generic template. Once you have your ideas in mind, it is easy to put them down on paper in an organized fashion.

Another very helpful resource is Mark Shaw's e-book How to Become a Published Author: Idea to Publication. This particular book is available on Lulu.com for less than ten dollars. It is 268 pages of valuable information; well worth the price. The best part is it can be downloaded so it can be put to use immediately.

I have written many articles, and have written one book. I only wish I had found the listed information before I wrote my first book. I will be receiving my printed copy of it in the mail any day now, so I will be able to fix what needs to be fixed. Working with a company which "publishes on demand" is good in the aspect changes may be made without a ton of books having to be tossed. For those who have purchased it the information is still relevant; the layout is missing a couple of pages.

As for the contents of my new book it will include How To's on many different things; mainly aspects of every day life. There are a couple of sections which may be more specialized, but I feel it is going to benefit all who read it in one way or another. My goal is to have it become a book which is referred to frequently. Perhaps like a favorite cookbook?

Published on Lulu

As I write and learn more, I am happy to say I was able to publish my book on Lulu! It is a book laying the foundation for anyone interested in starting a home-based business. I have learned through trial and error, as I did not have guidance when I started. I am positive this book will help you avoid some costly mistakes, which I unfortunately made. It is available in both paperback and in a downloadable format.

I anticipate publishing additional books this way as well. I enjoy writing and helping people achieve their goals, whether it be success as a writer or as a gardener. I have a new book in the making which covers my interests and hobbies...with How-To instructions as well. I have thought about writing fiction, but do much better with what I have experienced and what I know. I will post progress and will provide the link when it is published.

Writing and A Brief Book Review

As the snow falls and the wind blows outside, I can't help but wish for spring. Winter is inevitable in my part of the world, but it seems to drag on for so long.

Although I enjoy the warmer months, winter is not a total disappointment for me. It is the time when I can do more reading, more sewing, more crocheting and more writing. There are less outdoor demands for my time than there are in the summer. I do wish I didn't have to go outside at all days like today, but there are animals to be cared for.

This winter has been good for me in the respect of establishing my writing career. I am beginning to see monetary gain as well as increased knowledge. As the days and weeks go on, I learn more from fellow authors. It has been a learning experience for me, and will continue to be throughout my writing career. It is one of those careers where one never stops learning. Granted one can never know it all anyhow, and no matter the career there should always be new things to learn.

As I have written articles on Hobby Farming and individual animals, I keep referring back to The Backyard Homestead edited by Carleen Madigan. It provides garden layouts and information to produce as much as possible on a small piece of land. The information is well researched and well portrayed.

As I consider myself a hobby farmer as well, this information will continue to help me with my production. I have more acres to work with than the quarter acre highlighted in the book, but the same principles may be applied. It is a recommended read for anyone wishing to become more self-sufficient.

Good Day All!

I have been so busy the last couple of weeks writing articles I have neglected my main reason for starting this Blog. It seems the writing is taking over my days...but that is not a bad thing.

The more time I spend writing and submitting online, the more I earn. Plus, I also get to read others' articles and posts. There are many talented people out there who also pay attention to their spelling, grammar and punctuation. Then there are those who don't! I cannot stress enough if you are going to write articles and submit them online, at least have the decency to proofread your work and correct any mistakes. If your English isn't perfect, please have someone proofread for you. I understand the odd typo can occur...I've had it happen myself. It just makes a much more enjoyable read for everyone when they don't have to decipher what the point is.

I haven't even done much in the line of sewing. I have made a couple more crocheted dishcloths, and they were done as I was reading online articles. I do believe it is time to make up a schedule of how long to spend online and how much to spend doing other activities. I have learned a lot from reading articles about online marketing and using social sites to benefit one's business.

I have also chosen some interesting books on several different topics and added them to my aStore. They can be accessed through the Amazon widget on the right hand side of this Blog. The books range from writing to gardening to solar energy. I will be adding novels and children's books as well.

I will have to go for now, as I have been writing this while watching my 11 month old nephew. I had forgotten how busy children can be a t that age. He is into everything...my house has not been baby-proofed for years.

My Writing

I think today will be a good day as far as my writing goes. I spent the morning watching my three nephews, and now have the afternoon to put my ideas on paper. I managed to do a rough draft of an article as I was watching the two older ones play Mario Karts.

I read not too very long ago that a writer should have a notebook and pen in every room of the house. (I only wish I could remember which article it was, because I would include the link.) Plus, in a vehicle or purse (women only I'm presuming, but hey, who am I to judge) in the event an idea pops into your head while you're away from your desk. I feel this is very good advice, but I have to admit I still have not done so. I always think I will remember the topic I thought of, but in the end...I don't.

It is also sometimes difficult to stay on track. Persistence is the key to getting the articles finished in a timely manner and published. In the days of the internet and so many distractions it can provide, it is advisable to do your work away from the computer, or at least offline. I have email and Twitter notifications pop up occasionally and sometimes find myself checking them instead of concentrating on my work. I am just as guilty as the next person, and I do try to stay on track.

I find myself with hundreds of ideas, but when it comes time to write I draw a blank. Going back to that notebook and pen in every room theory one should collect those books once a week. Make a list of the ideas, and see which inspire you first. Never discard an idea, as it may be the one to earn the most recognition and/or revenue. The notebooks could be the spiral type, and idea pages torn out and placed in a three ring binder. This way time isn't being wasted re-writing everything, and all ideas eventually end up in one place. As the articles are written, they may be crossed off but not erased.
Back to my article I have started...which proves the distraction theory. Have a great day!

More Writing

As the days go on and I do more research, I find more writing sites where I am able to submit my work. I enjoy having the variety of sites to publish on, as it is increasing my audience as well as my earnings.

The latest I have found is Triond. They do much of the ground work, and publish my work on the sites most appropriate for the content. I have submitted four articles in the last two days and they have been published to as many different sites. Between my work on Triond, Helium, HubPages and here I will be building my portfolio quite nicely. I encourage anyone who is looking for a place to publish their articles to join one or all of the sites above.

As I was out and about today, I purchased more cotton yarn for dishcloths. I will be making another 10 or so and replenishing sold ones at a local shop. I went to see how things were selling today and got a nice surprise...over $50.00 worth of items had been sold. I paid my next two months rental fees and still had some left over.

I wrote an article on Home-based business ideas today and had it published. As I sit here writing this Blog, I can't help but think of more businesses. The one I am thinking of in particular is a Craft Consignment Shop. All one would need is a room or an out-building (the ATCO trailers work nicely) to display the crafts in. Let crafters in the area know about your shop and invite them to display their wares. Fees could be either a percentage of their sales or a fixed price for the space. Personally I prefer the latter as there will be income collected each month even if some clients didn't have any sales. Different booth sizes are set at different prices, and it doesn't matter how many items the client has in it. They are responsible for their craft display but it will be up to you to keep floors clean and ensure their items are not being mistreated. For an additional fee, you could keep the display tidy. This may be a service appreciated by those who live several miles away from your shop.

Now that I have inspired myself to write another article and you to work on your crafts, I bid you a good day!

Foundation Paper Piecing

Good morning all! It is nice to see warmer temperatures for a few days...I'm sure it is the calm before the storm so to speak. We can quite easily see -40 temperatures in the not so distant future.

The cold always gets me thinking of my quilts in progress and the ones I want to make. I usually take on a full size quilt, but sometimes it is nice to do a small one to hang on the wall. When doing the small ones, I like to use Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP). The blocks are more accurate and a person isn't working with tiny pieces of fabric. Bigger pieces are used, then trimmed once the seams are sewn. One has to be careful to sew the pieces together in the right direction...I have ripped out many a seam because I placed my fabric backwards. Occasionally that backwards piece does add some character to the quilt, so before you rip out that seam, have a good look.

To become familiar with the technique, I suggest starting with a small project, such as a coaster or Christmas Tree ornament. Some of my first attempts of FPP still hang on my tree each and every year. They are a reminder of my little accomplishments in life and my quilting career.

To begin, I suggest a simple pattern...a 4" heart is a good start. Trace it onto a piece of tissue paper or typing paper...copy paper works too, but is a little harder to see through and to remove. Place the first piece of fabric right side up on the wrong side of the paper in behind the space marked #1, being sure it surrounds the marked lines by at least 1/4" on all sides. Place the second piece of fabric right side facing the first piece, being sure it will cover all of #2 when sewn in place and pressed open. Turn the paper over and sew on the marked line between piece one and two, using the shortest stitch. This will make paper removal easier. Sew a little past the lines...there is no need to backstitch as the next line of stitching will secure your stitches. Turn over the piece and finger press open. Continue sewing each piece in numerical order, finger pressing open between each stitching line. A nice little tool to have handy is either a paper piecing seam presser or a Clover Mini Iron...these can be kept next to your machine. Using one or the either of these will ensure seam lines are straight. I have personally used the mini iron and have found it to be the perfect addition to my paper piecing projects.

When all of the pieces have been added, press the block one final time and trim the edges even with the paper foundation. I do not recommend removing the paper until all of the blocks are joined together. If you are making a small project using only the one block, place the block and your backing fabric right sides together. You may also add a thin piece of batting to give the block loft. Sew along outer marked line, leaving an opening for turning. Remove the paper and turn right side out. Blind stitch the opening closed. Congratulations...you have made your first FPP block!

Charm squares and fat quarters work great for FPP projects. Jelly roll fabric also works well, especially for borders and long narrow strips in the pattern. I encourage experimentation with fabrics and patterns. Some miniature quilts combine both applique and foundation paper piecing techniques, such as the "I Love Flying Geese Quilts" pattern. (I purchased this pattern several years ago, but am now unable to find an outlet for it online.)

It is time for me to go through my fabric stacks and cut some fat quarters and jelly rolls. Have a good day, and happy quilting!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to one and all! It is hard to believe another year has come and gone! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the arrival of 2010.
Now that the holiday season is practically over (we still have one more to celebrate on January 6) we can all get back to a routine of school, work and day to day activities. For those who have made resolutions, I encourage you to stick with them. I usually don't make them, but this year I have made an exception. I resolve to clear the clutter in my world and finish the quilts, wall hangings and rugs I have started. I do not see that as an unreachable goal...it is just one I have to work hard at.
When making your resolutions, never make them too hard to keep. If your goal is to lose weight, start with a 10 pound loss instead of the 50 pounds you may be wanting or needing to lose. Starting with a realistic goal is the key to keeping those resolutions. In my case, and many other quilter's I'm sure, there have been projects piling up as the years have gone on. It is time to put an end to the pile of unfinished projects and turn them into finished, usable items.
Today I am concentrating on making my list, and as I go through cupboards and closets I will undoubtedly be adding to the list. I suggest anyone with half finished projects do the same. It doesn't have to be a resolution if you don't want it to be...it could just be considered a thorough cleaning and organizing. Start with the closets, as that seems to be where everything gets stashed.
Go through the crafts and quilts that haven't made it to the finished pile yet and make a note of project, recipient and priority. I have a quilt I started for my daughter when she was a baby...needless to say I have to make it much bigger now as she turned 14 in June. It is the Apple Core pattern, and is being hand pieced. I am hoping to have it finished in time for her Sweet 16, so I had best get busy. I also have a Grandmother's Flower Garden and Kansas Dugout quilt in progress, which are also both being hand pieced. I can see myself being very busy with these three projects alone, not to mention the others.
Along with de-cluttering my world, I will be adding to my writing portfolio. I encourage anyone who is or wants to be an author to join HubPages, Helium and Constant Content. I have found these three sites to be rewarding not only monetarily but also experience wise. I have received very positive feedback on my articles, which is very encouraging.
As the coming days, weeks and months unfold, I will be sharing patterns, ideas and writing tips and sites as I find them. Wishing all a Happy New Year once again!