Over the last decade I have been privileged to contribute to a lot of wonderful publications, but very few are as respected and world-renown as Chicken Soup for the Soul. My five feel-good stories have appeared in seven different anthologies. And since it seems an appropriate time to share some virtual chicken soup with my followers, I thought I’d offer my first round-up post of ‘Soul Stories,’ as I’ll call them now.
Continue reading
I’ve written about grief a lot over the last decade or so. And much of that writing has helped me put in to perspective some of life’s biggest moments and emotions. Ones that could have easily swallowed me whole, and if I’m being honest, almost did.
But with reflection and the right tools, I feel confidently about the direction my life has taken. So, to celebrate my mom’s birthday on January 26th, and all the ones that were stolen because of her murder, here is a list of the pieces that helped me feel less alone while writing, and may help you as well. Especially if you have a hole in your heart where a loved one left it, too. Because I think that’s all life is about: connection, community, and catharsis.
Ten Years of Lessons in Less than 500 Words
An Open Letter From My Deceased Mother
An Open Letter to My Deceased Mother
Love You Forever (Chicken Soup for the Soul Story #1)
Expressing Motherhood (Voice of the Year recipient)
Lessons from Mom (ExMoShow Piece #2)
LIVE: It Takes a Village (ExMoShow #3)
Hi there 👋🏻
Chances are you stumbled upon this post because you have at least one social media account and somehow came to follow a “blogger” like me. You might even have a friend who just made the leap, and now you’ve got a lot of questions.
To be honest, I’ve been blogging for six years, and people still ask me what I it is do all the time.
Content courtesy of @fabeverydayblog for @sheinofficialSo, if you’re still asking yourself, “What is a blog?” here’s a simplified answer: a blog is the shortened term for a “web log.”
Blogs began as an online diary or way for people to document emotions/experiences via the Internet. As the internet’s capabilities grew, bloggers potential for content creation did, too.
Now, bloggers capture just about anything via any social media platform. Blog entries come in all sorts of sizes and modes (micro-entry/image, video, livestream, etc).
And when bloggers’ networks (or “followings,” as they’ve become known as) grow, their natural reach does, too. When they can connect with a large enough range of people, some are able to create a business or career out of their content in a few ways:
1) selling physical space on their site for ads to be placed.
2) contributing to larger websites or profiles, being paid by piece (individual followings matter less in this instance as the larger media outlets use their own to amplify for your work)
Ex. My cache of DVD.com articles3) linking products on their own network that they have used and/or believe in to receive product or a commission-like paycheck for sales they ‘influence.’ The majority of this occurs in a barter-like system.
Some have even created their own products, like lifeofmomshop.com4) creating campaigns that highlight products or missions at a cost, independent of commission (generally this requires the largest-sized followings). These are often called paid partnerships.
@BrooklynActiveMama sponsored by AirWickHence the reason your favorite blogger may take a break from their humor, homemaking, recipes, videos, or articles to sell a product they love… because otherwise they’re a self-published creator who’s earning nothing simply for the sake of your entertainment.
So, to answer your question in a different way, bloggers are entrepreneurs who have found a burgeoning market: the Internet.
BTW, if you’re looking for some inspiration or fun content to spice up your feeds, try some of these blogs/accounts 👇🏻
My List of Must-Follows (in no particular order)
Life of Mom for all things Motherhood
Fab Everyday for a fabulous lifestyle
Brooklyn Active Mama for all things fitness & NY
Orly C on YouTube for all things beauty & entertainment
Let’s Talk Movies for all things movie-related
Life of Dad for fatherhood
We Sow We Grow for those with a green thumb
Amother Adventure for all things family travel
Grateful Wellness Co by Sinead Quinn for wellness
Megan Baca for hard truths made easy
AmandaMuse for honesty & inspiration
Mom Forum for mom-related inspiration
The New Stepford for all things funny
The Food Artist for all things yummy
From Carpool to Cocktails for the best shopping inspiration & flatlays
Mommy Dearest for honest mommyhood
Moms Meet for all things green parenting
Mom2Summit for all things community
…and be sure to follow my accounts to find more fabulous shares/accounts to watch!