Ten Favorites

Sami, my blogger-buddy extraordinaire, posted a sweet post yesterday, which was inspired by Jeanne, another awesome soul.

Quite simply, it’s a call to action to name ten favorite things as well as ten favorite blogs.

I’m still blushing since last night, when Sami posted her “Ten Favorites” and included Jane Be Nimble as one her ten favorite blogs. Not only am I floored with this honor, but the company surrounding me (the other nine) are amazing folks—absolutely amazing.

One of the reason’s I’m excited to grab the baton and run with it is that I don’t have a blogroll. I prefer to link organically within my posts when someone’s blog or post is relevant to the topic at hand as opposed to hosting a blogroll (for better or worse).

I’ll start with my ten favorite things—always a lovely thing to call out. Do this in your head or write them down right now and you’ll be amazed how good you’ll feel. Really, just try it.

Ten Favorite Things

One:   pin-drop silence (or soft sounds of nature)

Two:   Scott making coffee for me on Saturday mornings

Three:   laughing so hard that I eventually snort

Four:   playing the piano

Five:   snail mail

Six:   a snarky merlot

Seven:  California Plein Air paintings

Eight:   swimming

Nine:   learning something new

Ten:   creating (prose, design, music, photography)

(Whew—that was seriously difficult to stop at ten. Seriously, give it a try!)

OK, now I’m to the ten favorite blogs part. This is going to be hard because of the vast expanse of great blogs out there! I’m going to split mine into three categories with three blogs each in no particular order (with the tenth as bonus at the end).

Personal Development Blogs

This is a really difficult one because so many of the blogs I read I absolutely adore and many have changed my life in one way or another. Suffice it to say, all the blogs that Sami and Jeanne listed are high on my list, too. So, be sure to check them out.

Life, Laughs & Lemmings: How can I not mention this crazy priestess of the aliens? When I need to break myself free from the normalcy of life with a smile, I go to Sami’s blog. I feel like I’m reading a vivid scrapbook when I’m at her site—complete with rum and ginger beer. Sami’s joye de vivre is intoxicating and I appreciate that she also supports, in her words, “Kick Arse Causes”. She’s a bombshell of an example for living life to the fullest!

Porsidan: I’m a sucker for a great read and Jay is one of the best story tellers out there. If you want to meet a real hero with a huge heart, amazing life stories, and the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back, this is your man. Want inspiration? Meet Jay Schryer and the force will be with you.

360 Degree Self: I’m not sure the perfect place for Tim’s blog is in personal development because of the diverse array of his posts, but he’s helped me develop, personally, so here he’ll stay. I love Tim’s blog because he has a zest for life and it comes through in his posts. Whether he’s featuring creative people, inspiring musicians, or local happenings around his neck of the woods in Chicago, I feel like I get to see his life through his eyes. He takes me away to other places and brings them to life.

Blogs About Writing and Publishing

If you’re a regular JBN reader, you know my mission for 2010 is to finish my BOOK, find an agent, and be well on the road to being published. To that end, the bulk of the blogs I read these days are related to writing and publishing. Again, I could list an abundance of sites, but I’ll limit myself to three in this post.

Story Fix: One of the first sites I found, which continues to rock my world, is authored by Larry Brooks. At his blog, he’s whittled down the complex world of story structure and compelling prose into bite-sized pieces, which makes for more easily digested nourishment. He’s a published author and has the skills to pay the bills (not to mention he was a professional baseball player, which makes for entertaining prose at Story Fix as snippets often become incorporated into his prose).

Tumblemoose: I’ve learned an incredible amount of quality information from George Angus, including alternative publishing platforms and presenting oneself as a writer/author. His unique voice makes me feel I’m at a live play or a leaning over a glass of beer at a vibrant pub while we discuss the writing life. He’s published a lovely read, called The Writing Experience, which I’ve read, savored, and recommend. It’s available via the Kindle, another thing we have in common and both quite enjoy.

Guide to Literary Agents: As a writer looking to find an agent and be published, it’s of the utmost importance to familiarize oneself with the field and best practices. Chuck Sambuchino authors this blog, which features a mix of introductions to agents (Agent Advice), weekly columns such as, “How I Got My Agent,” and a plethora of priceless advice. I’ve learned a ton from Chuck. Give him a look if you’re in the mode of wanting to publish your work.

Creative/Artsy Blogs

Something I don’t post that much about, but is a big part of my life and holds great interest, revolves around creative endeavors such as graphic design and photography. Often, I visit these sites for inspiration, to get my writing hand moving, or for the pure pleasure of them. Here are three of my favotires.

Francesco Mugnai: This blog is updated almost every day, and I don’t know how he packs so much grooviness into his days. Francesco hunts down amazing collections of everything from jaw-dropping doodles to vintage luggage tags, to the hottest new fonts. Francesco teaches graphic design in a renowned Italian institute of Art and Design in Florence. Need a quick break? Check him out. I’d give just about anything to study with him.

Ink on My Fingers: Susannah Conway uses a Polaroid camera (among others) to capture the most amazing images—and her blog design makes me want to curl up on a huge bean bag and sip hot cocoa while I flip through The New Yorker. Her posts and photography can be quirky, sweet, or even edgy. I’m never quite sure what I’ll see when I visit her site, but I always look forward to what I’ll find.

Vaka Design: The author, Katie, is a metal smith, jeweler, and painter who creates stunning body adornments. The awesome thing is that she is also a vivid writer with a voice that she doesn’t hold back. I enjoy reading her posts because she makes me feel like I’m having coffee with her on her patio and we’re just joking around. Oh, and I ordered a ring made by her ten-year old son, Matt, called “Polka Dot Ring”. It’s fabulous!

Last But Not Least

I’ve listed nine blogs thus far in my baton run—but maybe the best is yet to be found? I’m leaving the last one open for possibility. For today, tell me one of your favorite things in the comments.

And, finally, if you’re a blogger and were named here (or not) please feel free to grab the baton and carry us through your Ten Favorites as well as Ten Blogs you enjoy. (Also, here’s a special shout out to all the other blogs I enjoy—please know you rock and I’ll call you out in an organic link soon!)

Also, stay tuned for another Front Porch post coming this weekend!

(A note about comments: if you add a link in the comments other than in the “website” box, my spam filter might send you to the spam bucket. Hang tight or send me an email and I’ll dig it out and post it for you.)

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