Meet the Blogger with Emily Ann Benedict

Emily Ann Benedict and I met through blogging and quickly learned that we share a love of books and chocolate. (Not necessarily in that order...) The motto on her website is Live, Love, Edit. I love that. This sweet and talented writer has written several books, including Only Angels are Bulletproof.


Welcome Emily! Why did you start blogging? How long have you had your current blog? 

Thank you, Karen! I started my blog back in 2008 in conjunction with the release of my first novel, Only Angels Are Bulletproof. Blogging has been a recommended source of outreach for writers as long as I've been writing. I don't think I ever would have started without all the marketing gurus saying it was absolutely necessary.

It is a good way to get the word out about your books, isn't it? :)  What is your blog about?  

My blog focuses heavily on books and writing. I love to showcase good authors as well as talk about the craft and industry, but I also have plenty of posts just on life in general. God has never let my life go according to plan, so my journey has not been boring. 

Seldom is a writer's journey boring! What benefits have you gained through blogging?  

Honestly, the best part has been the people I have met through blogging. A lot of the people I have corresponded with, worked on projects with, or have learned a great deal from I met through blogging. The blogging community is also very supportive of one another. 

I agree, the blogging community is wonderful. What projects are you working on right now? 

I am planning putting out the final book in my Father Christmas series in the Fall of this year. So, some serious editing is in store. I am also in the beginning stages my first joint project in a new genre altogether. I am hoping we will get to reveal more details about it soon. 

Looking forward to hearing about the new project. What might people be surprised to learn about you? 

It usually throws people off to find out my day job is in the construction industry. My dad inadvertently raised me to follow him into construction. So, by day, I'm a project coordinator for an architectural firm.

Sounds interesting! What advice would you share with a newbie blogger? 

The two best pieces of advice are post as consistently as possible and visit/comment on other people's blogs. I actually struggle with both, due to time constraints, but if you want readers, you have to reach for them. Plus you do get the benefit of blogging buddies! 

Good advice. Thank you so much for joining us, Emily! 

Thank you so much for letting me do this, Karen! 

More About Emily in Her Own Words...
 
Project Coordinator by day, Writer by night, and frequent Blogger during lunch hour. So, basically, I'm an average American. I specialize in writing Suspense and Comedy with a healthy dose of Hope mixed in.

Visit Emily

Blog
Emily's Novels
Website Special note - Get a free download of one of Emily's books when signing up for her  newsletter.  



Do you have any questions for Emily? Do you blog during your lunch hour like she does? 

I've a guest post up on my publisher's blog, if you have a minute, stop by and check it out.

Have a great week!

Happy writing,

Karen

That Awesome Blogging Experience

 Cape May, NJ

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lange of Inside Out.

That Awesome Blogging Experience

In last Monday's post, I posed the question, 'What elements are key to a successful blog?' Your answers were great, and I appreciate your input and the dialogue that came about. I gained valuable info, and I hope that you did too. Some highlights from what you shared include:

• Blogs that make you come back again
• Make them an enjoyable and productive experience
• Catchy titles and interesting openings
• Not too long
• No preachy blogs
• Like to hear the writer's voice
• Helping others is your success
• Quality and interesting content
• Good presentation
• Faithful posting schedule
• Short loading time
• Topics that generate dialogue
• Weekly features and links

If you haven't had time to check out the original post and comments, take a peek here. Please also feel free to add your two cents, even if you did before. Reading your comments sparked more thoughts and ideas for me.

As I've mentioned before, I started a blog so that I could add blogging to my resume. I didn't mean it as impersonal and generic as it sounds, truly, I just wanted to see how it all worked, get some experience, and then maybe I could apply for one of those ads for bloggers and gain extra income. I realized that I needed a focus, so I decided to create a blog for writers, offering encouragement, links and other good stuff. I have a writing mentor/friend who has encouraged and supported me for years. I figured if I could help someone else, even just a fraction of how this friend has helped me, it'd be a good thing. So that's where I started.

I had no clue, NONE, that such an extensive community of writing bloggers existed. I know, you're thinking, where did I live, a cave? Okay, so pretty much. Anyway, here we are now; my blog is over a year old, and I've gained all these wonderful blogging friends. That would be you:) I've learned a lot from all of you on this journey, thank you! I am looking forward to continuing the ride; I hope that you will join me.

More Fun Stuff

Benedictions is the place Emily Benedict calls home in the blogging world. A fellow writer and chocolate lover, she surprised me with the Blogger BFF Award. What a treat! Thank you, Emily, I needed the boost this week. Benedictions is a great place to stop and gain great writer-ly information, moral support, links, and other goodies. Check out Emily's book, Only Angels Are Bulletproof while you are there.

Tyrean Martinson of Tyrean's Writing Spot is the source of of another surprise, the Blogger Buddy Award. Thank you, Tyrean! Tyrean's Writing Spot is "A Place to write, think, pray, and hum like Winnie the Pooh." Now how can you go wrong with that? Tyrean shares her writing journey in an honest and fresh way and gives me food for thought.

I offer these awards to you, my Awesome Blogging Experience friends. You know who you are, the faithful ones who stop by and comment on a regular basis. I appreciate that commitment and sacrifice more than you know. Please choose one and if you like, pass it along.

What about you, my Awesome Blogging Experience friends? Care to share thoughts about your ABE with us?

Have a wonderful and blessed week. Happy Writing!                                                                                         

Cape May, NJ, photo courtesy of Rebecca Lange of Inside Out. Copyright 2010, Rebecca Lange. Thanks, Beck! :)