The Mic Is On: It’s About Halloween, of Course!

Filed Under Comments, Community, Links, SOB Business, Successful Blog | 291 Comments

It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

The Mic Is On

Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

Boo!

Here’s a few ideas to get us started:

  • Your favorite costume
  • Treats you give out
  • Traditions in your family and community


And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)

Oh, and bring links about Halloween to share!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Share This

The Famous Joanna Thematic Link Posts Back to Challenge Me!

Filed Under Links, Successful Blog, Writing | 6 Comments

Jan and Joanna Started It

thematic-links

If you recall Jan of Circular Communication wrote a wonderful guest post for Lorelle called Why A Link Post Should Be Like Mingling at a Party, and Joanna of Confident Writing used it as a springboard into a post of her own, How to write a links post. Joanna set out a list of criteria for writing quality, readable posts that link out.

I wrote up Joanna’s criteria and offered a challenge in a post of my own. The challenge said that I would take all of the link posts that readers wrote and use them to write a link story from them. Last night was the deadline to get your link post in.

It’s been hard keeping track of the individual posts. So, just to be sure that I’ve got everyone’s post before I start writing, I’m going to list them here. Do take a moment to read through them. I’ve found them to be some of the most billiant writing on the Internet.

Links Post Entries

Thank you to all who played along.

I’ll give this a day. Please, if you don’t see yours here, leave the link in the comment box below. Thank you. I don’t want to leave anyone out . . . and you don’t want to make my quest too easy. You see . . .

Now my challenge, should decide I wish to keep blogging here, is to do as I promised — write a story post linking all of these thematic link posts together in the tradition of 301 Link Posts in a Story.

What was I thinking when I volunteered to do that? Actually, coming up with tale about these should be fun!

Anyone want to offer some character names and a setting or two?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Related
A List Becomes 301 Links in Story — Chapter 1

Update: This now includes Jnswanson’s entry. Is yours Here?

Share This

The Mic Is On: We’re Talking with Becky about Beer . . .

Filed Under Comments, Community, Links, Marketing, Outside the Box, SOB Business, Successful Blog | 305 Comments

It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

The-most-marvelous-Becky-McCray
The Mic Is On

Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.

The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

. . . Wine, and Whiskey - and a Liquor Store in Oklahoma

allens.jpg


And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey.

Oh, and bring related links about to share!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Share This

Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time: Becky McCray Is Guest Host!

Filed Under 121 Conversation, Comments, Community, Links, Marketing, Outside the Box, SOB Business, Successful Blog | 12 Comments

Yes the Mic Will Be on Tonight
Becky McCray Will Be Our Guest Host!

The-most-marvelous-Becky-McCray
Join Us Tonight

We’re talking about fine alcoholic beverages.

We can talk about beer, wine, whiskey, scotch, cognac, brandy, bars, saloons, taverns, liquor stores in Oklahoma, and whatever else comes up.

Oh, and bring related links to share!

The rules are simple — be nice.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Share This

Writing Challenge: Joanna’s Thematic Link Post!

Filed Under Links, Successful Blog, Writing | 34 Comments

Jan and Joanna Inspired Me!

thematic-links

It’s such fun to be inspired!

Jan of Circular Communication wrote a wonderful guest post for Lorelle called Why A Link Post Should Be Like Mingling at a Party. Joanna of Confident Writing used it as a springboard into a post of her own, How to write a links post.

Joanna’s Definition of a Great Link Post

Joanna said that as a writer she prefers to write link posts that have these characteristics. This is one fabulous definition. [I've edited her words slightly.]

A great links post

  • has a theme, something that connects the links together
  • has been percolating for a while
  • links five different pieces of writing
  • is of value to readers
  • has a structure, a hook or a theme that connects the strands together and turns them into something bigger, different, new. . .

Can you write a thematic link post that meets Joanna’s definition? It’s like telling a story. . . . Vern does it every Sunday linking three or four blogs. It’s not as hard as it seems and it’s quite satisfying.

Are you up for the challenge? If you come through, I’ll build a story link post linking all of your thematic link posts together.

Go on, make my life miserable . . . the more who participate, the more work I’ll have to do. Rally a crowd. I’m up for it now. Nothing can be as hard as the 10 Chapter saga of A List Becomes 301 Links in Story.

Here’s What to Do

C’mon try it. Pick five links that go together. Then write a post to connect them. Or pick 10 or 20!!

You just might find that you had a great time! Think of the link love we’ll spread. Yeah, it’s time to get jazzed about linking and writing.

Are you going to give it a shot?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Related
A List Becomes 301 Links in Story — Chapter 1.
Link Anchor Text: SEO and Relationships
How to Code Links for Sidebars and Posts
How to Code Accessible Links–Part 1
How to Code Accessible Links–Part 2
How to Code Accessible Links–Part 3

Share This

« go back — keep looking »