Reviewsday: Christopher Thomas Writes

Writers who blog are one (or a combination) of three things: private, nonexistent, or just plain bad. Taking networking into consideration as a key point in supporting the content I post on my blog, I set out to find people who were trying to use their blogs – as I am – to promote their writing. I came up empty handed. This frustrated me.

However, Christopher Thomas is a blogger and a writer who eases my frustration. In the face of a blogosphere dominated by tech blogs, celebrity gossip, political rants and theological debate, Chris has the gall to say, “No sir, I’m gonna write some damn good poetry.”

And that’s exactly what he does.

Working within the constraints and rigidity of scholastic poetic structure, Chris stretches the boundaries from within, skewing the discipline into a morphed-sort-of-beautiful rendition of poetic (dare I say) brilliance. Take, for example, Indian Summer

When popes canonize saints they
first require a miracle like a
corpse in a crypt that does not
rot, and believers buy relics

I had believers once, though
no saint, pupils, maligned
by most, I advised, in some way
but I left the lectern today

and some took pity, felt loss, others delight
as I darkened the room, and vanished from sight

In December, Chris will be “Adventing” 25 Sonnets (some of which written by yours truly) to creatively commemorate a time-honored Christian tradition.

Chris is also completing the first draft of his debut novel, “Stilleto” and compiling samplings of poetry and short fiction for a creative writing collection by Wagon City Press due out in early Spring 2010.

Happy Reviewsday, Christopher Thomas. We salute you.

Filed under: Blogs, Media Review

2010: The Year of Betterment

I stated in a recent post that there are things and ideas that I want to be and embody. For one, I struggle a lot with anger issues and anxiety as well as a general bias against anything or anyone I may not be familiar with. These things and others are what I will be focusing all of 2010 on.

Each month, beginning 1 January, I will begin a new phase of the experiment that is The Year of Betterment as well as continuing the last. So, basically, the first experiment will last all year, the second from 1 February to 31 December, the third from 1 March to 31 December, etc.

I’ll be chronicling my journey here and have weekly posts detailing the progress (or otherwise) I’ll be experiencing.

I’ll go more into depth when I introduce each experiment, but here is the rundown:

1. Catholicism (12 Months)
2. Letter Writing (11 Months)
3. Vegan (10 Months)
4. Book a Week (9 Months)
5. Exertion (8 Months)
6. Time Tithing (7 Months)
7. Water Only (6 Months)
8. Clean Air/Clean Lungs (5 Months)
9. Car Fast (4 Months)
10. Green (3 Months)
11. Writer’s Market (2 Months)
12. Wireless (1 Month)

The twelve things listed here are each an experiment in themselves, as well as single facets of one big experiment in self-discipline. Each month I’ll begin partaking in something I either have a bias against or am scared of, or ridding myself of something I feel I’m too dependent on.

Please note: I do not hold the belief that any one (or combination of) these things will make me better just by partaking in them. However, the experience of doing/ridding myself of something will be – fingers crossed – greatly beneficial to me.

So if you care to follow my journey of betterment of mind/body/spirit, here is the place to do that. It’s going to be hard, and I won’t be able to do it on my own. So lend any encouragement, tips, friendship you can muster and float it my way.

Start the countdown: 42 Days to Betterment

Filed under: The Year of Betterment

Blog-ology

Since recommitting to writing regularly on my blog, I’ve stumbled upon an infinite reserve of research on blogging and have found some very helpful tips. Here is a summation of the things I’ve found so far.

Personal Blogging:

Like Facebook and Twitter, a blog is a great way to interact with those whom it is impossible to see on a daily basis. Several people keep blogs with the sole premise of keeping their loved ones who are far away up to speed on the goings on of their lives. This is a very simple and straightforward concept, but to those of you who might be new to the idea of a blog at all, a good starting place is here.

Hobby Blogging:

The blog you are reading is a mixture between a hobby blog and a professional blog. It is a hobby blog because I do it to promote myself both as a writer and as a presence on the interwebs. The difference between this type of blogging and personal blogging is that it is more directed toward a certain genre of blog rather than having a “diary-esque” format. This type of blogging, in spite of its more directive approach, is also infinitely versatile. Whatever hobby you have or are learning, you can blog about. Be it painting, sewing, home-brewing, poker, bowling, paint-balling, hunting, photography, music – absolutely anything you do as a hobby can (and is) blogged about.

Professional Blogging:

This is the part in my research that I began to start learning things I didn’t already know. People actual earn money through blogging. There are even a select few that earn a living through blogging specifically. “How can someone earn 5-6 figures a year simply through blogging?” was the first question that popped into my mind. Well, as I found, there are actually several ways.

One way is through advertising. Have you ever been to someone’s blog and seen those “Ads by Google” links in the sidebar? Did you know that every time someone makes a purchase from someone who clicked that link from their blog, they earn commission on it? The very concept both baffles and excites me.

Most blogging experts, though, are very good at keeping reality in check. They are straightforward in saying that many who try professional blogging never make much money, and hardly any make any real money overnight. But the possibility is very real.

See For Yourself:

Like I said, there are infinite resources available to bloggers of all varieties. So, if you’re already a blogger or are intrigued by the idea, do some research and get yourself out there in the blogosphere. The odds are heavily in your favor that you’ll find a niche.

Check out these sites: Technorati :: Convince and Convert :: WordPress Forums :: BlogHelp

Filed under: Blogging , adsense, amazon, Andrew Reeves, blog help, problogger, technorati