VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD: Featuring the Gun Rap

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VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD

I was nominated as a versatile blogger by Rogue vogue, very many thanks!
Check out the excellent blog!

The Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.

2. Include a link to their blog.

3. Pick 15 bloggers/blogs that you have recently discovered or regularly follow.

4. Nominate them for Versatile Blogger Award.

5. Share 7 facts about yourself.

My nominations are as follows:

Robin Seaton 
Oneta Hayes 
Musings of a frequently flying scientist 
This Mortal Flesh 
Manx Neill 
More than a dash of salt 
This & That
Lily pups life
Peace during the journey
One at the time
Denise Balog
Readhead reflections 
On the land 
Sandra’s place
My guilty pleasures 

So now, it is your time fellow bloggers, to share 7 facts about yourself!

 

Featuring: The Gun Rap (Some facts about me)

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Blogging 201: Day Two: Audit Your Brand

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“My blogging life is basically goalless. I like the zen nature of that, and paradoxically, it improves results” Seth Godin

Blogging 201: Day Two: Audit Your Brand

Some of us have purely personal sites to discuss the day-to-day, while others use our blogs as a springboard for other projects. No matter which describes you — or whether you’re a bit of both — you’re not just a blogger: you’re a brand.

Today’s assignment: audit your brand — look at all the ways you communicate information about your blog to make sure they’re consistent and focused.

Here’s a checklist to get you going:

* Does my theme match my blog’s intent? What about my font and color choices?
* What are my title and tag line saying? What about my post titles? My About page? My user name and nickname?
* Do the titles of my widgets contribute to my brand?
* Do I have a consistent visual identity? Am I choosing images that support my brand, both in posts/pages and widgets?
* Are there elements that are counter to my brand? Why have I included them? What role do they play?
* Does all this carry through in the other places my blog has a presence — Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or forums/sites where I’m active?

You can never go wrong with black background, white font and with a touch of gray, especially when photos are concerned. And since my blog is mostly about the photographs and the stories, then the outlook is excellent!

My current theme, The Visual Theme, serves well for both the written word and the images. The font and colours came with the theme and the simplicity pleases my eye at least for now. I have gotten a few compliments as well, so I know I am on the right track.

About the title: Rantings of a Third Kind, with the slug “Blog about everything and nothing and it’s all done in the best possible taste!” pretty much describes the nature of the blog, the writer and the contents. I do not really rant about things, but I like to keep that option open for the future;) I also have visions of adding more content like videos, short and longer stories, serials and photo stories to the site. A travel blog is in planning. Therefore I prefer not to tie the knot with any specific genre, format or subject.

A blog about everything and nothing.
Fiction, fact, poetry, odes, homages, photography.
Humour, yet some serious thoughts.
And it’s all done in the best possible taste!

My user name is my name. I also registered the domain for the site “rantingsofathirdkind.com” but am having second thoughts of actually implementing the name change. Especially after the linking done on so many sites already for the current name “gunroswell.wordpress.com”. But let’s see what happens with that later on. I still have the option to use it since it is already registered to me. I also have a domain for my user name “gunroswell.com” with a light site running on the same.

I have used widgets to create more visibility for searches and links. Also keeping a calendar of the posts on the main page. And of course advertising the community I follow.

I have accounts in Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Tumblr, LiveJournal and Pinterest. This to advertise my postings to a wider audience outside the WordPress world. I have quite a few hits on Google alone and if you Google my name, site or use any of the tags for example from the fandom/homage posts, you can be certain my links will pop up on the top 😉

For photographs, I have a share for Instagram, Flickr and recently also joined the 500px community.

Start introducing changes that reinforce your brand:

* Add or update a tag line to give more context to your title.
* Create a Gravatar that echoes your blog’s look.
* Customize your widget titles and comment prompt.
* Use your own photos to create custom image widgets or a custom header.
* Add a text widget with a pithy description of your blog’s mission.
* Create an email address for your site, using your custom domain or a free yourgreatblogname@gmail address.

Tag line:
Rantings Of A Third Kind
Blog about everything and nothing and it’s all done in the best possible taste!

Contact and email:
A separate page for the contact form:
https://atomic-temporary-83380856.wpcomstaging.com/contact/
The email address is set up for my domain and serves very well: gun@gunroswell.com

As far as the customization for fonts and such goes: I prefer to keep it more simple and not to add too many gadgets on the page. After all, the written word and photographs play the main role on my site 😉

ROATK

Blogging 201: Day One: Set Three Goals

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“Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers” Brian Clark

Blogging 201: Day One: Set Three Goals

Welcome to Blogging 201: Branding and Growth!
Today we want you to do a bit of thinking about your blog, so you can focus the next two weeks effectively.

Today’s assignment: Consider what you want to accomplish with your blog. Write down three concrete goals.

* Why are we doing this? Why do you blog? For notoriety? To get a book contract? To self-publish? To establish yourself as a leader in your field? To gain followers? To connect with others? To clarify your own thoughts?

I would have to answer, all of the above and then some. I would think every writer thrives on getting acknowledgement for their work and others liking the work put out there and actually coming back for more. Getting published: From my point of view, step one is already achieved. Putting out your work for the world to see on the world wide web is publishing. Now getting a book deal out of it could be the next goal for any writer, certainly it is for me. First step for me in the near future is self publishing. Last but not least, networking is important in what ever you do in today’s world. Writing may be a solitary job, but the support gained through the blogging community overwhelmed me. There is no better kudos than those coming from your peers.

* If your blog exceeded your wildest dreams, what would that look like? Would you have a different design? How many followers would you have? How much traffic? What sort of community would participate? How often would you post?

Keep it simple stupid would be a great guideline to follow. That being said, I am interested in too many things to just concentrate on one specific thing, be that in my life or in my blog. Sooner than later the structure of the blog needs to be revised, now that the content is growing fast. Also the upgrade is necessary. As for the numbers, well, your guess is as good as mine! Unfortunately my crystal ball is not showing me exact figures, so at this point, any followers are a great number.

I prefer the audience to be as wide as possible, not concentrating on specific subjects nor agendas, rather paint the images as open as possible and give the audience a chance to play with their imagination and fill in the gaps.

Daily posting has been my goal since May, when I first participated in Writing101. Currently the format is more on photography and poetry. I hope to include more stories and serials in the future as well.

• Three specific goals.

⁃ Self publish first book with assortment of poetry and photography
⁃ Widen scope to include travel log: August 2015
⁃ Widen scope to include video: Project start in September, concept and scripting in progress currently

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I Blog therefore I am

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“If I waited until I felt like writing, I’d never write at all” Anne Tyler

I Blog therefore I am

Today is my day off, so I have some extra time on my hands (Laughs out loud; good joke that one! While trying hard to catch up with a lo-oong list of uncompleted tasks!) I had to take the day off just to be on the safe side, and well prepared for the up and coming huge “Five O” day tomorrow. Readying myself for the celebration (read awaiting in horror of dooms day!) 😛

 

I have gotten a few questions on “how I manage to keep up and publish posts on daily basis” and decided to drop this little note to all you bloggers out there.

I promised myself a while back to write “at least” a poem a day, if nothing else and I have almost achieved that goal. I also try to post them daily, or then at least catch up the next day with a couple of posts. The writing is mostly for myself, but I am glad others enjoy it as well. It is also good to keep up with publishing(posting), so that your readers have something to come back to.
Let me share this one personal thing as to why now:

If I hadn’t started writing again earlier this year, I would probably have suffered a second burn out during my current career. For me, personally, both writing and photography are outlets to a hectic day at the office and, well, life in general. Sometimes I end up staying awake all the night typing away, even though knowing I have to go to work early in the morning. I still see it as time well spent. And, even though tired the next day, I feel happy and exhilarated for the simple fact I actually am producing something concrete and interesting, which unfortunately, doesn’t usually happen in the day job.

Quoting myself from one of my posts: “A poem a day keeps the shrink at bay.
A great guideline to follow and it is working for me at least.

My advice, in case you asked, is, to set yourself some thirty minute aside each day and if nothing else, pour your minds flow onto the paper or as it is in these modern days, in bits and bytes. I know this may sound like cliched advice, but it’s better to force yourself to a routine of writing rather than postponing it for one reason or another. I know there are always excuses as to why not, but in the end, if you have a passion for writing, the excuse are just that – excuses.

 
Hang in there and don’t stop writing, EVER!
Gun

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Blogging 101: Day Fifteen: Create a New Posting Feature

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“Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth” Samuel Johnson

Blogging 101: Day Fifteen: Create a New Posting Feature

Today’s task: develop a regular feature for your blog.

I promised myself a while back to write “at least” a poem a day, if nothing else and have almost achieved that goal. Sometimes I end up with two or more even in one day.

So far I have posted eighty five (85) poems. Some of them have been featured on WILDsound Writing, Screenplay and Film Festival Review -site also and I am glad the readers seem to enjoy my wee rantings I like to call poetry.

I have also set up a feature page in the blog to guide the users to the latest postings: Poetry of the Day

My poetry is based on three things:

– The Idea: It usually a prompt from the radio, workplace or from what ever situation develops during the day.

– The Adage or Quote: I try to find a humorous one whenever possible or make one up if needed.

–The Picture: Either from my personal archives or borrowed from the WWW.

Go and Enjoy the written word!
Gun

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Blogging 101: Day Thirteen: Try (Another) Blogging Event

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Blogging 101: Day Thirteen: Try (Another) Blogging Event

It’s time to leave the confines of Blogging U. to seek other opportunities (blopportunities?). From weekly photo challenges to monthly flash-fiction events, blogger-hosted events are fun, free ways to get feedback on your work, build your audience, and make friends.

Today’s task: pick a blogging event from the Community Event Listings (https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/) , and participate in the next round.

 

I found too many interesting ones! And I solemnly swear to try all of them in the near future (fingers crossed) 😛

Writing:
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/dark-side-thursday/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/the-sunday-wrap/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/flash-fiction-for-aspiring-writers/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/poetry-101-rehab/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/just-for-fun-poetry-challenge/

Photo:
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/photo-of-the-week-2/
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/black-white-sunday-photo-challenge/

Combo:
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_event/sunday-photo-fiction/

Check them out!
Go Bloggers!

blogging

Congratulations on writing 200 posts on Rantings Of A Third Kind!

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I am happy to announce of a new milestone achieved for the Rantings Of A Third Kind blog!

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Blogging 101, Day Ten: Build a Better Blogroll

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Blogging 101, Day Ten: Build a Better Blogroll

Today’s assignment: create a blogroll to share a few links you love.

For Rantings of a Third Kind site, I have a set of links to guide the visitor through the blog:

Screen Shot 2015-06-20 at 00.46.51

On the sidebar, several search methods to browse by:

Screen Shot 2015-06-20 at 00.45.51    Screen Shot 2015-06-20 at 00.46.23  Screen Shot 2015-06-20 at 00.46.41

Screen Shot 2015-06-20 at 00.46.03  Screen Shot 2015-06-20 at 00.46.10

The blogs I follow:

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Some of my personal favourites:

Writing quotes

Photographers I adore

Social sites for writers

Blogging 101: Day Nine: Get Inspired By the Neighbours

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“It’s a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I’d be a drag queen” Dolly Parton

Blogging 101: Day Nine: Get Inspired By the Neighbours

Today’s assignment: write a post that builds on one of the comments you left yesterday. Don’t forget to link to the other blog!

I am cheating a little and writing today’s post from an inspiration I got while browsing the world wide word (press). This is a new acquaintance and the topic hit right home. For several reasons, first being that I am a *huge* fan of drag queens and RuPaul’s Drag Race, but also of the topic itself.

This is the post Open letter to Ginger Minj as written from the heart by this wonderful lady, Elizabeth, in her blog: Inside the Mind of a Dramatic Mother

I can relate to some extent on the issue of body image and the falsified images presented in the media. Being of an “older generation” the pressure wasn’t as bad when I was growing up, but looking at my younger sisters and their daughters, it seems the effect is quite clear.

Don’t take me wrong, looking nice and putting a little make up on, or a lot if you go on stage is great. A pair of nice heels and a pink dress, great, but as long as you do it for yourself, making yourself feel good, not for the benefit of others.

I am turning fifty in a week’s time and am finally comfortable with who I am, what I am and what I want. I have gained and lost weight over the years, but still felt mostly comfortable in my own skin. Apart from the dubious task of having to buy a new wardrobe with each size (or maybe that was fun after all!). I posed in nudes for artistic photographs, which was never a big thing for me. After all, us Finns like to sit in the Sauna naked with family, friends and even strangers!

I guess this summarizes the rant rather nicely:

“If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” RuPaul

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Blogging 101: Day Eight: Be a Good Neighbour

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“The trick is to not let people know how really weird you are, until it is too late for them to back out”

Blogging 101: Day Eight: Be a Good Neighbour

The best thing you can do to build a readership is to engage. Publishing posts is just one part of blogging; interacting with the community is the other. You’ve already been following topics and blogs, so let’s take that up a notch with some comments.

Today’s assignment: leave comments on at least four blogs that you’ve never commented on before.

 

Today like most days, I visited a lot of sites, mostly those I follow, but also new ones. I mostly like what I see and follow, and this time also left the comments.

I chose these sites in particular, mostly because they are new in my neighbourhood, but also due to being very visually appealing.

 
Please check out these different and wonderful sites:

Stuff and what if…

Lily pups life

My Friday Blog

Beauty By Elyse
 
 
Keep on blogging Y’all!

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