Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts

18 August, 2015

A New Blog

I haven't been this excited about sharing news with you, my readers, for a while.

In my last post, I raised the idea of starting a new site to focus on my college experiences. I decided to go along with that idea, and that site is now live! Please feel free to stop by, and let me know if you have any thoughts about the content, design, or anything, really. I love feedback!


Adventures and Escapades




That being said (or, rather, presented to you as a large heading), I will still post here, on The Eagle's Aerial Perspective, to keep it alive and to share ideas that might be too unrelated to the new blog. Hope you will all drop by either blog from time to time!

And now I must go read some of your blogs, something I haven't done in far too long. If you've commented recently, I should be visiting your website soon!


-----The Golden Eagle

01 August, 2015

A Potential New Beginning!



Hello blogosphere!

I hope you've all been doing well and have been enjoying your summer.

It's been a (very) long time since I posted on here, and an even longer time since I talked with any of you guys. Sometimes I wonder if I should go on permanent hiatus and leave this website here as an archive of the years I spent on Blogger, rather than a live site . . . but to be honest, I'm really not sure I want to. I may have changed since I created it (definitely changed, actually) and I may be about to start up a new chapter in my life (college awaits in the fall! Only four weeks until move-in day), yet I remain quite attached to this blog, despite the fact I've posted five times in the past two years and I'd like to revamp some of the elements of The Eagle's Aerial Perspective.

I've been thinking about what I want to do. Remain in the blogosphere but create an all-new blog? Keep posting here? At the heart of the issue is whether I think I have the time and the will to blog in college--I'd love to chronicle my experiences, if even a post or two a month, since my school is relatively close to one of the largest US cities and I'm hoping to have some neat adventures. (Plus normal college student studying nightmares fun times.)

So the more I thought about it, the more I've decided I like the "new blog" idea. Get a new URL, start a new site for my upcoming years of college, and maybe occasionally update this one so it's not completely dead. Would you any of you be interested in following a new blog of mine? I'm kind of assuming I'm not posting to a total vacuum right now, but then it has been quite a while . . .

But that's enough about me. How have you been? What's been happening in your life over the past few months?


-----The Golden Eagle

12 August, 2014

Top 4 Reasons Why Blogging Is A Good Idea

(. . . from the perspective of someone who has decided to get back into this part of the blogosphere one step at a time, beginning with a new post.)*

1. It keeps the brain moving.
Not blogging means I'm not looking for post ideas and I'm not considering all the things I could be posting about from everyday experience. My mind isn't putting thoughts on the back burner to be turned into scintillating (or at least vaguely shiny in patches) posts to be published later.

2. Writing skills are always put to the test.
From speed typing to constructing my last sentence, I feel like my writing has deteriorated a bit since I stopped posting and commenting regularly, which is probably part of the reason why I let it slide for so long. Time to get my writing mojo back with some good old blogging time. (Maybe not as much as before, but a little. Every week. For the foreseeable future.)

3. All the interesting things happening in the blogosphere.
I miss know about this event or that blogfest, even if I'm not participating in them. There are so many great challenges circulating people's blogs year-round (including ones I know I've missed that I wish I had done, like the A to Z Blogging Challenge). I have no idea what's happening or coming up soon, and look forward to getting a sense of what exciting things have been happening while I disappeared.

4. The people.
More than knowing I'm missing out on some great blogging events, I miss knowing what's going on with all you fellow bloggers. I have no idea who's left, who's still here, and who's made their debut. I miss commenting on your blogs and reading posts, as well as reading your comments on my own blog. If you're here, hello there! Please leave a comment so I can go and check out your blog and say hello in your comment section. Seriously. I want to say hi to people.

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So yes. I'm back, for the time being. It's already going to be a busy year--I'm a senior in high school this fall and am preparing for college applications and all the required tests for said applications--but I felt like I needed to stop pushing blogging aside and spend some time around The Eagle's Aerial Perspective, even if it's just a little bit. 

I won't be able to put in the hours like I did when I was blogging in previous years (I used to blog at least three hours a day, each day of the week, and I simply can't do that now) and I won't be able to comment as much on other people's blogs (which bothers me even more, since I want to visit everyone who I know stops by here and I won't be able to reciprocate all the time) but I'll be trying to post at least twice a month (hopefully more!) and visiting you all when I can. I don't know precisely what I'll be posting about; I think it will remain a combination of all the things that interest me, as my header has declared since . . . oh, years ago. Hopefully there won't be too much nonsense.

And here we go! The Golden Eagle Blogs Again, version 2.0.

*I tried thinking of five things about blogging to make it a nice, typical number for a list, but I couldn't come up with a good fifth one. Oh well. Four is decent, right?

How are you guys doing? What's been your favorite moment from this year, so far?


-----The Golden Eagle

06 January, 2014

2014

Hello.

Happy 2014!

Remember me?

I sort of used to blog here before I decided to take a quarter of a year off from Blogger.

Kind of inadvertently. 2013 was crazy from start to finish.

But I've decided that this year, I'm going to blog. It's not going to be every day; I'm not going to be able to read as many blogs and comment on as many posts; I'm not going to be replying as often to comments on my own blog.

However, I will still be posting. I don't want to let go of blogging as an activity--it keeps me writing, if only a little bit, not to mention the fact that I've really missed knowing what you wonderful people are saying and doing and achieving.

I won't be participating anymore in Teaser Tuesday or the Insecure Writer's Support Group; I may or may not get time to do blogfests. Regardless, I am unwilling to let The Eagle's Aerial Perspective turn into a blogging graveyard.

So, here ends the obligatory "change is coming and I'm sorry for abandoning you all and yes I'm still alive" post put out by all returning bloggers, and here's to the new year! :)

How are you all (assuming anyone still reads this)? How are you doing? What's your biggest goal/resolution for 2014? What's the thing this year that you're looking forward to the most? What was your favorite moment from holiday break?


-----The Golden Eagle

04 September, 2013

I Can't Believe It's Not August: An IWSG Post

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and is co-hosted this month by Alex, Chemist Ken, S.L. Hennessy, Michelle Wallace, and Joylene Nowell Butler. More about the group.

This time, my insecurity is . . . well, time. Time and productivity. Time flies like an arrow (fruit flies like bananas) and I feel like I haven't done nearly as much writing as I could have this year, and it's already past Labor Day. Furthermore, I feel like I'm crashing on the blogging front as well, which I consider to be a kind of writing. I've been blogging, but not on The Eagle's Aerial Perspective, and I don't know for sure how to revitalize it.

I've been sinking time into Tumblr, and while Tumblr is a great deal of fun it's not the same as having to type things out and express ideas, and also to comment on other people's posts. So I suppose my insecurity is: How am I going to get back to blogging, for real this time? I've been considering jumping into some kind of prompt-influenced thing (if any of you would like to give me prompts for posts, I'd love it) or forcing myself to post every day to get me to at least visit my dash daily. I don't want to give up on Blogger, because this blog is important to me. (Much as that might not be apparent based on my lack of activity.)

What do you do when you're in a blogging slump and can't find the words? 


-----The Golden Eagle

14 June, 2013

. . . Hello, Blogosphere

*ducks in anticipation of tomatoes*

So, I kind of took an unplanned hiatus from blogging, except for a guest post by the lovely Rachel Morgan last week. By so doing I missed a blogfest and the Insecure Writer's Support Group and have neglected visiting and commenting on blogs, which I feel terrible about. My apologies to all the hosts and to the wonderful people who came by and read and commented on my blog recently, because I really didn't keep up my end of the bargain here.

I'm not exactly back into the blogging swing, either. May and June have kind of been crazy months and the next couple of weeks promise to be even crazier. I'm aiming for July to sort out--well, reinstate--my blogging schedule completely (of course, right when Google Reader shuts down, hurrah), so this post is more of a I'm-not-dead-and-hope-you-still-remember-me kind of announcement. I'm definitely going to be publishing posts in the future, just not on as regular a basis until the dust settles.

But enough about me. Anything new with you? Really, tell me . . . got a new project, draft, book deal, agent, pet, kid, whatever? Is there exciting stuff happening in your life? What are you looking forward to right now?


-----The Golden Eagle

21 March, 2013

Er, Hello Again . . .

I haven't quit blogging. Sure, I managed to leave The Eagle's Aerial Perspective lonely and abandoned for a week, but I'm not gone yet. I had surgery last Friday (I'm walking again and there's little pain) and haven't been doing much since then--well, other than watching videos and knitting a sweater--to let the incision heal, including using the computer.

This post is just to let you all know I don't think I'll be doing much blogging until the A to Z Blogging Challenge begins on April 1st. I might say something here if the urge strikes me, but other than that, I'll probably lie low and comment on a few blogs here and there. And read email--good grief, who knew how many emails could build up from a few days in the hospital.  LOL.

So, what's up with you? Any good news? Bad news? Anything exciting happen?

If you're participating in the A-Z Challenge, do you have a theme and/or have you pre-written your posts? Or are you planning to wing it?


-----The Golden Eagle

31 January, 2013

Is Social Media Turning Us Into Narcissists?

I was researching narcissism for a school essay recently and came across several articles about the so-called rise of narcissism due to social media.

I can see why it would be true. Twitter feeds, Facebook timelines, blog posts are all created with the expectation someone out there is going to read them and be interested in what that person has to say; that someone is going to like their photograph or want to know about their personal life. There are billions of voices on the web by now, and most of them feel entitled to some kind of attention. Narcissism is something everyone carries around with them in real life too, of course (you have to have some level of self-esteem and self-interest), but the internet allows for it in different, possibly more insidious ways.

The place where I notice the promotional kind of attention-seeking the most is in book promotions, probably because I follow so many blogs of authors. It's not exclusive to writers, but you can't move around in the blogosphere without bumping into a blog tour or book or cover release. Essentially, a lot of people are calling out "I am awesome!" or "I have something great to sell!". I don't think this is bad, particularly if someone's self-publishing or with a small press, as s/he has to contribute a significant amount of marketing.

That kind of thing does, however, raise some questions: How many promotional profiles built for the sole purpose of selling a product are actually tapping into an individual's narcissism and how many are normal people who just have something they want to share? How many people become more narcissistic over time because of social media? How many people are really all "Me, me, me!" and how many really care about the people they follow and interact with online?

Personally, I'd like to say I'm not more of a narcissist since I started blogging. I'd like to say my almost-three-years of blog posts haven't gone to my head, or that I'm unaffected by the fact people actually read the stuff I throw onto the web, or that I am still surprised when someone leaves a comment.

But I can't say I'm surprised when I receive comments anymore (though I'm still very thankful for them) because I know I have readers, and when real life conversation turns to the web and what people are doing on it, sometimes I feel like pointing out that hey, I have a site with more than 1000 followers and am kind of "established" in this corner of the web (though I never actually have said that). In short, I am proud of this blog. I like posting. I enjoy focusing on my own opinions, which is the whole reason I started The Eagle's Aerial Perspective.


What do you think? Do you believe narcissism is going up because of the internet? Do you see narcissistic traits in social media? Do you think the focused way social networking sites like Facebook and blogs promote the individual is a good or a bad thing?


-----The Golden Eagle

01 January, 2013

2013: Let's Get This Show On The Road

Hope you all have a fabulous 2013! 

2012 is over and 2013 has begun, believe it or not. Oddly enough, I'm having no trouble accepting that I have to end my dates with "13" instead of "12"; I'm looking forward to the new year, if only because it's a good opportunity for a reboot.

Starting with The Eagle's Aerial Perspective. I've been neglecting blogging since November and NaNoWriMo and didn't really make the effort I could have in December, either. Nothing very drastic is going to happen on this blog other than a few more posts per month (including book reviews, which is something I'd said I'd get back into last year yet did not . . . *cough*). Furthermore, I am going to try commenting on your blogs more often and stop calling return visits to your comments as much as I can do in one day.

As for other goals, I'm still formulating my list of things to get done this year (because I procrastinated at the end of December). I'm going to continue writing, certainly, and probably start working on another project like the Eagle Directory within the next few months--and then there's schoolwork and dance, and also my perennial resolution to finish teaching myself how to juggle. I hope I don't end up accomplishing the least important of the life skills the fastest, but I probably will. LOL.

Got any plans/goals/resolutions for the new year? Anything exciting ahead for you in 2013? Are you finding it hard to let go of 2012, or is it easy?


-----The Golden Eagle

16 August, 2012

How To: Writing An Awesome Blog Post

If you're a blogger, then you've probably been in that position where you have a hard time coming up with something--anything--to write about.

Fear this stage no more, my friends, because I've compiled a List of Things To Do When Stumped for Post Topics. Ready? To the first item!


1. Stare at the Post Editor/word processor in vain for an hour and systematically erase all post titles you come up with. Yes, even "Look, A Fabulous Post You'll Definitely Want To Read!".

2. Fidoodle around old drafts you never published but decide they're not good enough to post. Do some cleaning out while you're at it: Finally, no backlog of random posts that shouldn't see the light of day!

3. Check your reader stats. Nothing is more intimidating (and more likely to stop you from writing another word) than scrutinizing a graph and trying to figure out how to increase your numbers.

4. Read a book you've been meaning to finish. No, you're not going to finish it in time to use it for a review. But forget the present--in the future you'll need it . . . see, you're being sensible!

5. Wonder if anyone else in the blogosphere is up for guest posting within, say, fifty minutes. Someone else has got to be available to do the work for you, right? What was that? Darn it, reality is twisted.

6. Get something to eat. Food. Cures everything. Must have food to write a good post.

7. Discover that food does not always bring flashes of writing brilliance. Drink something to compensate.

8. Notice the device you're using needs a clean-up job. Ugh, fingerprints are so unsightly. And for the love of blogging, DIE you evil smudge!

9. Consider Rickrolling your readers but decide that isn't going to get you extra views. How about a duckroll? Anyone?

10. Decide to write a post with blogging advice because you're obviously such a success at this thing. Attempt to be entertaining. Doom and gloom and the zombocalypse always work.

**********

But in all seriousness, how do you go about coming up with blog topics? Do you write down your ideas beforehand or just type down whatever comes to mind?


-----The Golden Eagle

17 June, 2012

Happy Father's Day! (+ Why I Haven't Been Blogging And Other Random)

To all the dads in the blogosphere and elsewhere: Have a wonderful holiday!

**********


(Note: I don't often post random stuff, but I feel like doing it today . . . so I am. Hope none of you mind.)


As some may have noticed, I haven't blogged in a couple days, and that's if you count the little I did on Thursday. Last week I had a series of end-of-school-year tests (9, to be precise; did okay) and a dress rehearsal/dance recital (went better than the last test I took--hooray), so things were busier than normal. My apologies for disappearing without prior announcement; I didn't even get around to replying to your comments on Thursday's post (which I will do once I've published this!).

**********

My writing's also been dragging the past few days. I'm behind 3000 words for reaching a goal of writing 30,000 words in June, so I have to hustle with that one. I'm still pantsing the story, as I mentioned in "I Though I Was A Plotter", and it's . . . interesting so far. LOL. Still making better progress than I was a couple months ago.

**********

On a slightly-related subject, I was never particularly big on the whole "listening to music on your computer" thing, preferring to play CDs on another device, but I've found adding favorites (especially movie soundtracks; Sherlock Holmes and How To Train Your Dragon are current favorites) in YouTube playlists has been quite conducive toward word count.

Unless it's The Piano Guys, in which case I find myself stopping every minute or two to watch and not just listen. (Hey, who wouldn't want to see someone skydiving with a cello? Or playing musical instruments in gorgeous locations? Really, if you haven't seen them before, go check out their videos.)

***********

When did you last take a break from blogging, social networking, or writing? How are your current projects? Do you ever listen to music while you work on creative endeavors? If so, what kind?


-----The Golden Eagle

29 March, 2012

Spotlighted!

Yesterday, over at Josh Hoyt's The Blog That Helps You Diagnose Your Characters. I hope you'll stop by.

(I also wrote a piece of flash fiction for it, so in case you'd like something to read . . . do head on over.)


-----The Golden Eagle

27 February, 2012

Blogoversary Celebration + The Evil Genius Blogfest

The Eagle's Aerial Perspective turns two years old today!


Wow. I wasn't sure I'd even be sticking it out beyond just starting a blog back in 2010, since I'd lurked in the blogosphere for a month or two and noticed bloggers appear and disappear within that time frame. But I did, and I'm glad of that; I've learned a lot from the experience and I got to know all of you amazing people.

Reading last year's recap post, I have to say that 2011 feels like it was busier.

There was the A-Z Challenge, the Harry Potter Blogfest, the Inanimation Blogfest, the It's All Fun and Games Blogfest, the Blogfest Interrupted, the Inspiration Blogfest, the Novel Films Blogfest, Terry Pratchett Month, the Worst Movies Ever Blogfest, the What I Did On My Summer Vacation Blogfest, the REN3 Blogfest, the Pay It Forward Blogfest, the Cool As Cucumber Blogfest, the Deja Vu Blogfest, the Origins Blogfest, the Third and Fourth Platform-Building Campaigns, Teaser Tuesday, and various writing, review, and guest posts. In addition to a few guest posts that I wrote and interviews of me.

Stat-wise, this blog reached 67,400 pageviews, 12,800 comments (not counting over 600 spam :P), and almost 650 published posts.

And since that takes visitors and readers, here's a big THANK YOU to you all. You make this blog more than just any other site among billions.

**********

Because of this date, I am hosting The Evil Genius Blogfest. Here's the information:


The Who:
You, of course. With the evil genius of your choice.

The What:
Create a story, in any format whether that's flash fiction or poetry, where the aforementioned character does something qualifying them as an evil genius. You can also choose an already-existing person, perhaps from one of your favorite books or movies--just tell us why you think they're the best.

Interpret the phrase "evil genius" any way you like: For the evil, it can be a truly sinister murder or a humorous prank; a teen hacking into high-level security or a plot to foil someone's trip to the mall. And the genius? Also up to you. Just make sure there's something that makes your entry sparkle. Or skulk through the dark, as it may be.

Non-fiction what you'd like to do instead? No problem. Feel free to write a post about an evil genius from history or the present.

Word limit for entries: 400. You may go over that number--but be aware, people are less likely to read your entire post if it is long.

The Where:
Your blog/website.

The When:
February 27.

The Why:
Because The Eagle's Aerial Perspective is turning 2 years old on February 27, and that calls for celebration. Furthermore, the blog's mastermind has had this idea simmering in the back of her mind for months (part of her plot for complete web domination, you know) and she thought it was about time she took the leap and hosted her own blogfest.

And why should you sign up? Well . . . three winners will be announced on March 9th; two shall be chosen by Random.org and one by popular vote, and those entrants will win something of their choice. Nothing monetary (since this evil genius is among the rest of them: experiencing recession) but the other options are many: guest post or interview on The Eagle's Aerial Perspective (written a book? Free advertising), some graphic design (examples can be procured), an edit/critique, and even some HTML/CSS coding (for websites and so forth). Other things within her (er, limited) domain of knowledge may be negotiated. Nothing so terribly exciting as, say, free books, unfortunately.




VOTING IS NOW OPEN. Go HERE to cast your vote for your favorite entry.

**********

And here is my entry. I decided to go the fiction route (though do note that you can write your post on any evil genius, whether that's fictional or real):


   She was dressed all in black, even her hands covered in smooth, tight gloves.
   “Commander.” The man dropped to one knee in front of her, his head bowed and his weapon pressing into his stomach.
   “You have the coordinates?” she asked. She walked toward him, her boots striking against the marble floor.
   “Yes, Commander.”
   “Show me.”
   He pulled a small computer from his pocket and handed it to her.
   “How easily destructible it looks.”
   “It would have been impossible to find without your technology, Commander.”
   “Of course it would have been,” she replied, handing the device back to him. “Everything—everything—this army depends on was created by me. The enemy has nothing against us. Their scientists? Fools and simpletons, incapable of everything except the wheel, and lopsided ones at that.”
   “Of course, Commander.”
   “How many soldiers do you have at Station 3?”
   “6,000.”
   “No more?”
   The man hesitated. “One of the ships was attacked by the enemy. My regiment tried to fend them off—”
   “Do you mean you merely tried to deflect them, Captain?”
   It was impossible to tell if he resented the address, directed as if he’d been in charge when the attack occurred. He only lowered his eyes and said, “Yes, Commander—“
   She turned her back on him before he could finish and walked toward the throne. “How many times do I have to tell you to never show the enemy mercy?”
   “We felt—“
   She turned around and faced him. “Felt, Captain. Precisely the word I do not want to hear within this chamber.”
   “My apologies, Commander.“
   “Return to Station 3 and tell the soldiers I want them performing at no less than brilliant. We have a reputation as the most cunning army in the galaxy—and I am its brain. Show the enemy that. I will arrive in six hours to check that operations are proceeding smoothly.”
   “Yes, Commander.” The man bowed and walked out of the room.
   A few seconds later, the woman froze. She did not even blink as a young, short girl walked through a hidden door in the wall.
   She patted the woman on the shoulder. “You performed marvelously well for a remotely-controlled android, Commander. How I wish I didn’t have to pretend, but of course, who would listen to a girl?”
   She sighed. “Even if I am a genius.”

(390 words)

**********

So, how long have you been blogging? How long do you think you'll continue--and/or how long do you want to continue?

And (if you aren't participating in the blogfest) who is your favorite evil genius?


-----The Golden Eagle

26 February, 2012

Upcoming Blog Events

First, the hosts of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge are trying to get to 1000 participants by March 1st--so far they have over 700.


I participated in this blogfest last year and I highly recommend it. While it is a month long and involves posting 26 out of 30 days--not to mention the time it takes to visit other participants--there's also no comparable event. When else are you going to find the blogosphere turned into a series of alphabet letters, with no two bloggers taking the same approach, and get to know dozens of new people?


Second, Alex J. Cavanaugh's Catch Fire! Blog Party.


His new book CassaFire is coming out on February 28, and he's asked for the blogosphere to help spread the word. If half as many people have signed up as those who did for the CassaStar blog event, then a ton of blogs will be showcasing his book. And I get the feeling there are many more this time!


. . . and I hope none of you will mind if I mention my own blogfest. Tomorrow is The Eagle's Aerial Perspective's blogoversary (two years, everyone. Hard to get my head around) and the celebration begins with The Evil Genius Blogfest. The general idea? Post in any form about an evil genius (real or fictional) of your choice. You can even win stuff!

For those of you who have already signed up, I can't wait to see what you come up with. :)


**********

Will you be participating in any of these?


-----The Golden Eagle

16 February, 2012

900+ FOLLOWERS!

The Eagle's Aerial Perspective has reached 925 Followers!

Thank you all so much! It really made my day earlier this week when I visited by blog and realized I'd made it over 900. :)

As usual, here are the latest followers since the 800 Followers celebration post, under the names they appear in Google Friend Connect, and in the order they followed:

Justin
Sheri L. Swift
Natzers
Jenna Cooper
Hobo Annie
Marsha Sigman
Alison Miller
Ed Pilolla
Ty Johnston
Abby Fowers
Joshua
Claire Hennessy
Colleen Chen
Liza Kane
Silversolara
Cassie Mae
Tasha Seegmiller
Matt
Tammy Polen Manocchio
Pat Hatt
Uniquely Moi Books
Michael Gettel-Gilmartin
Jeremy Bates
Green Monkey
Free Book Reviews
Colin
Laura Barnes
JennaQuentin
SBJones
Book Republik Blog
J Olivarez-Mazone
Claire Chilton
Mish
Rachel Palmer
M.E.
Jon Paul
Melissa Pearl
Basil Sands
Chrissy Peebles
Lynn Hubbard
TToria
D.G. Hudson
Shelley Workinger
McKenzie McCann
Ninja Girl
Jessie
Ada Zdanowicz
Antonio Puigg
Adam Smith
Cacy Duncan
Carol Kilgore
Jay Noel
Farawayeyes
Kristy Shen
K. Turley (Clutzattack)
DL Hammons
Jen Knox
DeThrasher
Nancy
Jessica Salyer
Leigh Covington
Becky
Emma
Copyboy
K.D.
Cate Masters
The Writing Hour
Natasha
Michelle
BlueFenix
James
Tania.F.Walsh
MNHopkins
Paco Torres
Ali
Jamie Gibbs
Nick Wilford
Stacy S. Jensen
Cheshire Wildlife
Mystic2awesome
DearestDreams
Leon Kennedy
Dreadnaught
JamesFitting
Sonsuz Dekorasyon
Janice Horton
JeffO
Rachel Kester
Sharon H
Hope Roberson
Kela McClelland
Theodric the Obscure
Anthony
Gracielou
WTF Are You Reading
SherryE
Patricia Marques
CLBledsoe
Andrew
Jonyangorg
Megan Orisini
Victoria Lindstrom
Diane Gillette
Hildred
Poppy Taylor
Rebecca Belliston
Lucy V Morgan
Sarah
Veronica and Thomas
Carolyn Brown
Grumpy Bulldog, Media Mogul
Ashley Nixon
Eah
Scarlett
Heather Gilbert
Melissa sugar-gold
S. L. Hennessy
DoceanMotion
Morgan Shamy
Jack
Megan
Laurie Dennison
Susan Rocan
Honey
Nancy Thompson

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If I do not have your link (due to not finding it in your profile), linked to the wrong site, or there is another URL you'd like your name to direct people to, please leave a comment and mention it! I'll fix it as soon as I can.

You can view past follower lists here:
600-700
500-600
1-500

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I feel like throwing some kind of Follower bonanza, but I'm already in the process of celebrating my two-year blogoversary with The Evil Genius Blogfest (see top of sidebar) on February 27. So I hope you'll consider checking that out and joining in, because the evil genii will be taking over the web that day--why not be among them? :)

But in case you're not the blogfesting sort, I thought I'd open up another Q&A session, like I did HERE. I got some interesting questions last time, which I enjoyed answering; and if there's anything you've been wondering, feel free to ask!


Thanks again for supporting this blog, you awesome readers.


-----The Golden Eagle

10 February, 2012

Announcing: The Evil Genius Blogfest

The Who:
You, of course. With the evil genius of your choice.

The What:
Create a story, in any format whether that's flash fiction or poetry, where the aforementioned character does something qualifying them as an evil genius. You can also choose an already-existing person, perhaps from one of your favorite books or movies--just tell us why you think they're the best.

Interpret the phrase "evil genius" any way you like: For the evil, it can be a truly sinister murder or a humorous prank; a teen hacking into high-level security or a plot to foil someone's trip to the mall. And the genius? Also up to you. Just make sure there's something that makes your entry sparkle. Or skulk through the dark, as it may be.

Non-fiction what you'd like to do instead? No problem. Feel free to write a post about an evil genius from history or the present.

Word limit for entries: 400. You may go over that number--but be aware, people are less likely to read your entire post if it is long.

The Where:
Your blog/website.

The When:
February 27.

The Why:
Because The Eagle's Aerial Perspective is turning 2 years old on February 27, and that calls for celebration. Furthermore, the blog's mastermind has had this idea simmering in the back of her mind for months (part of her plot for complete web domination, you know) and she thought it was about time she took the leap and hosted her own blogfest.

And why should you sign up? Well . . . three winners will be announced on March 9th; two shall be chosen by Random.org and one by popular vote, and those entrants will win something of their choice. Nothing monetary (since this evil genius is among the rest of them: experiencing recession) but the other options are many: guest post or interview on The Eagle's Aerial Perspective (written a book? Free advertising), some graphic design (examples can be procured), an edit/critique, and even some HTML/CSS coding (for websites and so forth). Other things within her (er, limited) domain of knowledge may be negotiated. Nothing so terribly exciting as, say, free books, unfortunately.

So. Think you're up for some Evil Genii? Sign up below. The host looks forward to your presence on February 27.



(You may also go HERE to view the list and add your link, in case there are technical problems and the script above does not show up.)


And don't forget to take the button to display on your site (not mandatory, but it would be awesome if you did):





Code:



-----The Golden Eagle

09 February, 2012

The Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

Yes, I've signed up for the Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign!


Never heard of the Campaign? From the creator's, Rachael Harrie's, site:
Basically, the Campaign is a way to link those of us in the writing community together with the aim of helping to build our online platforms. The Campaigners are all bloggers in a similar position, who genuinely want to pay it forward, make connections and friends within the writing community, and help build each others' online platforms while at the same time building theirs.

Are you joining in?

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***Also: Tomorrow, I'll be announcing something special that I'm really quite excited about--a blogfest, hosted here on The Eagle's Aerial Perspective. Be sure to mark your calendars!***


-----The Golden Eagle

01 February, 2012

Insecure Writer's Support Group: How Many People Know You Blog About Writing?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. I highly recommend you check out his blog, if you haven't yet!


I'm not that shy about telling people I write. If someone asks me "Hey, what do you do for fun?", writing is usually among my answers. I'm happy to tell you about my current project, the genre it's in, even details about the characters or setting.

Blogging is a different story. I can count the number of people who know I blog on one hand (well, maybe two . . . I forget exactly, but it's a small number) and even fewer know, specifically, what my blog is about.


I'm not really sure why I don't tell people about it more often. I'm proud of my little slice of the web, and I love the bloggers I know, but there's something to blogging that I'm reluctant to talk about. I think it may be because I'm introverted in person and I worry what people will think of the internet me; that they'll interpret what I say here as stupid and/or start seeing me differently--in a bad way.

In relation to writing, perhaps it's just the fact that my writing is fictional and my blog is reality. I'm not talking about some made-up character who chatters to me in my head on the internet; I'm posting my own ideas and thoughts, so I don't have the excuse of it being "just a story".

Or maybe I'm taking the whole thing too seriously. I've been known to do that, of course.

How many people know you blog? Is it something you're willing to mention to people right off the bat? What, for you, is the more sensitive topic: writing or blogging?


-----The Golden Eagle

26 January, 2012

Top Writing Blogs Nominee!

I recently got an email from eCollegeFinder saying I was one of 75 blogs that made it into the voting round for the Top Writing Blogs Award.

You can view the list of 75 blogs and see each blog author's advice for students HERE.

And you can vote as many times as you want (yes, multiple times!) for your favorite writing blog on the eCollegeFinder site (there's also a button on the top of my blog, in sidebar) up until February 3, 5 PM EST.

So . . . if you find my blog a useful writing resource, I hope you'll vote for The Eagle's Aerial Perspective. :)


-----The Golden Eagle

02 January, 2012

Goals For 2012 And Some Changes To The Blog

Happy New Year!

The first blog post of 2012 on The Eagle's Aerial Perspective has arrived. Before we get to the blog changes (don't panic; I'm not leaving . . . *cue chagrin from the blogosphere*), there are a few of my goals for 2012.

Now, I meant to do this back in December, but there were other things I had to catch up on so I never got around to it. I wanted to post them here not only because A.) It's been a while since I did this much of a personal post but B.) It will probably spur me on to meet these goals if I know more people are watching. Ahem.

The List (in no particular order, and some big some small):

Do something nice for someone.
Every day. Whenever possible.

Rewrite/revise and edit my first novel and improve writing skills.
I started rewrites last year and they flopped; the product was worse than the original first draft. This time I'm going to do it--I'm going to read through those 1000+ pages of draft, I'm going to finish rewrites of the first book, and I'm going to revise and edit those rewrites. Whether those 1000+ pages are still going to be a trilogy (I usually refer to it as a single book--I should probably call it The Trilogy, and I will from now on) or a very streamlined one or two books depends on what the new outline looks like. Oh, and I want to finish rewrites/revisions/edits by June. I'm not going to beat myself up about it if I don't complete it then, but I'm not letting it extend to July/August.

And as for the second part: I've never read a book on writing, I haven't tried experimenting with different styles/POV/what have you to a great extent, and I've never really done specific exercises to hone how I write. I guess it's about time I did, right?

Read blogs and comment more often.
I need to get together some kind of time when I can blog without distractions or having to cut it off.

Make more academic progress.

End the year more physically fit/capable than I'm starting it.
I don't care if I'm skinny. It's more important to me that I can run without collapsing or dance without feeling so tired.

Finish [top secret] project and announce it here early this year.
It's top secret. I can't tell you what it's about!

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The blog changes are going to be small, but there will be a few, and this is what I'll be posting about in the coming 2012:

Sundays: Book/movie reviews. I used to write a book review each week and now I don't do it anymore. I want to start again, and maybe throw in a movie review here and there.
Mondays: Blank unless there's something special I want to post about (news, personal announcement, awards, etc.)
Tuesdays: Teaser Tuesday, of course.
Wednesday: Insecure Writer's Support Group first week of each month; otherwise blank
Thursdays: Writing posts
Fridays: Same as Monday
Saturdays: Same as above

So okay, I'm giving myself a lot of space. But I'm not sure I'd be able to keep to a schedule well, and I don't want to say I'll post on certain days and then not do it.

Blogfests and other online events will be posted at varying times as they emerge throughout the year. A few things that I will definitely be participating in are the A-Z April Blogging Challenge (again) and the Rule of Three Blogfest (also again).

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What are some of your goals for 2012?

Do you have a blogging schedule and if so, what is it? Got any thoughts on the plan I laid out for The Eagle's Aerial Perspective?


-----The Golden Eagle