Wednesday, January 23, 2008

A Writer Without Words??

Some of you know that freelance writing is a new adventure for me. I've secretly been working, and studying, on how to be a better writer. It had always been a "hobby" of mine before, but only recently has my light been lit to really actively pursue it further.

Through my research, I've been learning what I should and should not do. I've learned that the freelance writing community is truly a welcoming community. Every time I ask a question, the other writers are there to help, they offer suggestions, and generally embrace newcomers.

I have grown to truly respect so many of you, and have steadily been following, gathering your tips, and watching you grow. I'm usually pretty quick with a wit, but watch in awe at how much knowledge you all have, and am quietly your sponge.

Then it happened. I was reading Writing the Cyber Highway, the site of my dear blogging buddy Michele L. Tune, and discovered she had bestowed me with this honor...


This is not just any old meme, this is an AWARD!!

Michele blessed me with this award back on January 11, 2008 in I Am Writer, Hear Me Roar! and she said this about me:


And the award goes to... the following five talented people:


1. Grandy, at
Functional Schmunctional, who I'm so proud of for deciding to use her colorful talent with words and join the freelancing world.


ME??? The sight of seeing my name there made me tear up, and not in the irritating Sally Field way of "You LIKE me! You REALLY LIKE ME!!" kind of way either. I didn't know what to say. I graciously thanked her and promised I would get back to this.


Since then I have tried to write something about this EVERY DAY!! Should I be witty? Should I be honest? Definitely NOT sarcastic! I've wanted to be able to offer up something profound, and alas, I was speechless. Me, at a loss for words?? Did she mean to do that? Put Grandy in that spot? She didn't name me as a blogger, but as a writer. And you know what? That's what I am!!


I can't tell you how truly honored I am for this little lion.


Now I must comply with the "catch" that goes with this award. There's always a catch but I don't care. The Roar for Powerful Words Award page says I am to list "three things [I] believe are necessary to make writing good and powerful." Here goes nothing...


1. Remember who your readers are. I know it seems like I write about whatever random thoughts are in my blog, but I truly do keep in mind certain readers and what they like. If you're writing to a specific target audience, remember who that audience is. It may sound basic, but if you're writing an article about how to play chess, you might start out with explaining the different pieces and what they do.


2. Mistakes will happen...Learn from them. Holy moly, that fear of making a mistake is what had kept me from submitting for this long. Then some of you professionals out there reminded me that the more we do, the more we have to learn from.


3. HAVE FUN!! One of the coolest things about being a writer is you wouldn't do it if you didn't enjoy it. Why would we? That's how we all got here in the first place. Somewhere, I think that the enjoyment gets lost in deadlines, expectations, and clients. Take a step back and have fun with it.


Now, I'm apparantly supposed to bestow this gift on 5 other writers whose words are also powerful. There are SO many that I follow, this is VERY hard. Remember, to many this is just a meme...to me it's an AWARD! If any of you have already received this award, please forgive me:


Renie Burghard's World - Renie, you are truly an inspiration and I really do want to be like you when I grow up. I love reading your articles...and I LOVE YOUR SPUNK!!


Writer's Round-About - Rebecca Laffar-Smith - This writer has some great honest insight. No mincing words, and I like it!!


Derfwad Manor - Mrs. G. has a cult following like NO OTHER!! She's absolutely amazing in her ability to tell a story.


Momisodes - This lady has a way with words and with pictures. I'm sure I'll see this as one of her TwoFer Tuesdays.


On The Curb - Now I know this lady just had twins, and there is absolutely no rush on this. But I think this lady is amazing in both her writing style and her personality. It would be wrong for me NOT to award her with this.


Thank you to all who inspire me DAILY!!


YOU ROCK!!

21 comments:

Momisodes said...

*looks left. looks right. looks back*..... Who me? Did I just see me?? Wow! Thank you so much :) *blushes* You're one of the first ever to label me as a writer, and what an honor it is to receive this from you...you are amazing. Thanks again.....that really made my day!

krissy said...

Oh Grandy...

You deserve this award. "All hail the grandy"!!! You are articulate and impressive. I only wish that someday I can be as "Grandy-ful" as you!!!

Thanks for the linkage love you have given me and thanks for the wonderful comments. I feel blessed to have you as my bloggy friend.

Don't forget the "little people" now that you are becoming a super star!!! Rock on Grandy!

OHmommy said...

Congrats on the award.

Writing is hard work and you are quite impressive.

You mind if I link you on my blog roll? You are NOT a writer without words, my friend.

Write on!

Michele said...

I agree with ohmommy, you are not a writer without words! Since I first found this blog, I've noticed how you captivate your readers. You don't just tell - you show! You take your readers up, down, and all around, through the excitement, worries (like with your sister's surgery - how is she by the way?) and your fantabulous vacation.

It truly is an honor to read your blog each day. Keep blogging, keep writing, and you'll go far. :-)

Smiles,
Michele

Yes, you are a writer!

Karen H. said...

Good Evening Grandy,
I'm here late, so please forgive me. "CONGRATULATION'S" on a very well deserved Award. I know that you have been trying to write and I really enjoy reading your post's. You do have what it takes to be a writer. I say, "GO FOR IT GIRLFRIEND"!!!! Keep up the good work my friend. Take care my friend and have a great evening. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

It sounds like you're feeling you've really beginning on an exciting new life path. Congratulations!

Dens said...

Way to go Mar!!

For as long as I've known you, you've never been without words...so WOW!!
...and you have ALWAYS been a great writer...

Congrats, my friend.

Mrs. G. said...

You so deserve this award. I have enjoyed watching you spread your wings and write.

You are very kind to send this my way. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Well-deserved!

Anonymous said...

congrats from a lurker :)

Unknown said...

Congrats! You know I have to come look every day to see if you've written something new.

You paint such vivid pictures when retelling events from your life that the blog becomes crack!

Renie Burghardt said...

Grandy,

Congratulations! OIf course you deserve this award. You know, humor is hard to write well. Harder than any other genre. But you do it wonderfully well! You're one funny dudette!

Now, as for awarding this to me, well, I am honored you chose me, Grandy, but you know, although I am a writer, my blog is a personal blog, and most people who come to visit me are not writers, they're bloggers. So I dunno if I should do this meme/award thing. I'll think about it and if I decide to do, I'll be back to let you know, okay? But it was so nice of you to include me, Brandy. It really was.

Keep us laughing!

Spunky Renie!

Anonymous said...

Can I tell you I don't know what the h*&& a HTML is... Can I scream this at the top of my lungs. i am trying to "BLOG"!!!!

Hasta Pasta...Grandy you know who I am. HELP!!!

rivera said...

Congrats on the award I can envision it like the grammys. Watch out I think i am offically signed on.

Michele said...

Back again, Mary,

IF you're up for it, I've tagged you for a meme. Of course, you can wait until after the next couple of posts so you don't have memes back to back.

Find out more:

Procrastination Roadblocks: How to Get Around Them

I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT WHAT TIPS YOU HAVE!

Remember, just get to it when you can. :-)

Smiles,
Michele

Anonymous said...

Bringing up the rear (in more ways than one...how will I ever 'bring up my rear' again is a mystery to be explored), here I am, finally.

First, congrats on your award, sweet thang!

Second, thanks for the passing the award along to me, even sweeter thang!

krissy said...

Grandy....where are you...
I miss you!:-)

Grandy said...

Sandy~ Who are you kidding? Really? I CAN'T be the first one to label you that? NOW I'M HONORED!!

Krissy~ Thanks for your kind words AND for thinkin' I rock because...that's how I roll. ;)

OhMommy~ You've got a GREAT site!! Thanks for stopping by and OF COURSE you can put me in your blog roll. Glad you like!!

Michele~ Sister is doing amazing, thanks for asking. I guess you know how I feel about your words. *blushing & shuffling my feet*

Karen~ Thank you for the kind words and your support. It really does mean a lot to me.

Jenn the Juggler~ I really am excited about my new "adventures", THANKS!!

Grandy said...

Dens~ Shoot...remember how Mr. Smith used to try to push me into writing in 11th grade English? I was too busy talking to write seriously then. (SHOCKING)

Mrs. G~ You are the ULTIMATE DERFWAD!! You literally "found me" from I have no idea where, but I'm so grateful you did!!

LawyerCook~ Thanks so much!! You ROCK!!

Wreke~ Are you one of my "lurkers"? AWESOME!!!

Suzanne~ Hmmmm...Should I re-name the blog "Functional Crack"? Maybe I'd get more readers?? ;)

Renie~ As far as I'm concerned, you can have the award as is...no catches involved. You've SO EARNED IT!! You don't HAVE to post a meme. ;)

Anonymous (aka Rivera)~ ROFL LMAO!!! Everyone, you are about to be thoroughly entertained by my Girlfriend Rivera...Her comments will help you understand why we've been friends for over 20 years! WELCOME!! Email me, Hasta, and I'll help you through!!

Michele~ Never one to avoid a challenge...I'll check it out and get it in. I think I know this one. ;)

Dee (Curb Squirrel)~ Sweet Thang indeed? Your rear will recover... I PROMISE!!!

Krissy~ Never fear, I'm rarely gone for long!

Tina Coruth said...

Grandy,

Congratulations on your award! Getting this award from Michele is high praise indeed and you deserve it. Your three suggestions are excellent!

Tina

Mike Golch said...

Grandy congrats on the award,you're a great writer.maybe someday some one will tell me I'm one.(dream on mike,I'm meadeorce at best)