I am delighted to have received two more blogging awards, although they’re really two versions of the same award (I think). I am grateful to Suganiya on her blog at Infinite Passion for one (left, below) and to Susan at Susan’s Personal Blog for the second (Seal of Approval on the right). Both of these lovely people write interesting flash fiction stories and participate in other challenges, and I recommend you to take a look at their blogs. I apologise to both Suganiya and Susan for sitting on these awards for far too long.
So, here are the rules!
1. Select 15 other blogs you want to give the award to.
2. Write a post to show off your award!
3. Give a brief story of how your blog got started, and give a piece or two of advice to new bloggers.
4. Thank whoever nominated you, and provide a link to their blog.
5. For first award above only (the one with trophy cups on it): List who you’ve nominated in the post and link your post to Edge of Night.
Because the rules for both of these awards are exactly the same, I feel I can just answer Q’s. 2 & 3 once, and nominate fellow bloggers for either one or the other. So I’ll get on with it ….
Q.3 My blog took some time to actually come into existence. Several people had suggested to me that, as an author, a blog would be a useful thing to have. Unfortunately, I had no idea what having a blog was all about, or how to go about setting one up. But I resolved to have a go, and in May 2014, I set up my blog – or rather, I partially set up my blog. Then I left it sitting there for three months until, towards the end of August, one of my daughters (Louise at thestoytellersabode) also decided to set up a blog and we worked on them together. My first post was done with great trepidation. Like all new bloggers, I was very apprehensive about how the content of the post would be received. As a writer of historical fiction, I decided that my focus had to be two-pronged: some posts would focus on history and some on writing.
And basically, that’s what I did for the next few months. I was determined to finish Book 2 of my trilogy by Christmas, and so I wrote very few posts – sometimes with a couple of weeks between them. It wasn’t the best way to ‘kick start’ a new blog, and consequently, it got little attention. Things improved a little when I started including British ‘traditions and celebrations’ into my posts. I found several to write about, starting off with ‘Bonfire Night’ (November 5th) followed by some of our Christmas traditions. I’ve continued to look at other traditions as they occur throughout this year.
What really helped to improve things for me was becoming involved in flash fiction challenges. I still continue with traditions and writing historical posts, and I also do a few posts about travel. But I’ve really enjoyed the challenges. I would advise any new blogger to have a go at the many challenges offered on WordPress, whether they involve writing, photography or whatever. There are also Blogging 101 and Photography 101 for new bloggers – neither of which I did, due to lack of time. Louise did Photography 101 and found it a great way to meet fellow bloggers and help her list of followers to grow. The other way to get new followers is by following other bloggers yourself – something else I did little of at first. In truth, I do far too little of it, even now.
Much of what I’ve said so far is not so much advice on how to achieve a successful blog as how not to! So I hope anyone reading this will just do the opposite of what I initially did. But becoming involved in community activities, connecting with other bloggers and posting often are three things I think really help. Then there’s the ‘Meet and Greet’ that some bloggers offer on their sites. That’s something I know I should try…
Connecting with other bloggers is what WordPress is all about to me. It’s interesting, educational and lots of fun – and vital if you want to keep people visiting your blog. But, as with the challenges, particularly the writing ones, it can be very time-consuming. So much so, that I’ve been considering putting my blog ‘on hold’ for a while whilst I get on with Book 3. I’m not nearly as far on with the book as I’d planned to be by September, so something has to give. Perhaps I’ll just go back to what I did before last Christmas and do fewer posts. I’m still thinking about that…
So here are my nominees:
1. Joycelin at tribalmysticstories
2. Norma at Emovere
3. Izzy at Izzy-grabs-life
4. Chioma at lifehomeandaway
5. Prateek Kohli at The Uncertainty Principal
6. Graham at grahamisjustmyname
7. Joy at Tales from Eneana
8. Meghdeb at Summer Seraphine
9. Az at tasyniblets
1o. Huma at HumaAq
11. Diana at Toast and Tea Together
12. Lynz at Lynz Real Cooking
Happy blogging to you all! 😀
Millie Thom 
Congratulations, well deserved!
Thank you so much. I’m not sure how deserved they are, mind you… 😀
🙂 enjoy!
Congratulations Millie — you absolutely deserve the award!
And thanks so much for passing it on to me, I really appreciate it. The only catch is that normally your blog would be at the top of my list to nominate (you know how much I love it), but I suppose there’s no tag-backs, dang it.
No worries about visiting, Joy. I know what it’s like, desperately wanting to get on with your writing. I play on WP whenever I can, but never get round to everyone.
Yes, there’s never enough time to read all the interesting stories and posts each day, is there? But what I meant is that if someone else had given me this award and asked me to choose 15 people to pass it on to, I would have chosen you as one of my nominees. I think I’m not supposed, but I wanted you to know the thought was there. 🙂
Congrats on the awards, again! 🙂 I’ve enjoyed the challenges too, and chatting with other bloggers, as you said. But what’s Meet and Greet?
I haven’t tried it, but it’s supposed to
be a way of increasing following. Someone is doing it now that I follow. I’ve no idea how to do it, except you follow the link on his blog and continue from there. Opinionated Man has offered/hosted this a few times, and several people have been re-blogging about this one this week. The trouble is, I can’t remember his name right now. 😦 I’ll have a look and let you know tomorrow – when I’ve had some sleep. We’ve been up since 4.45 a.m. today in order to get to the airport. Nick hates rushing! Bedtime now… Hope this is legible… Yawn. 🙂
Good night! And no worries! I’ve noticed the same thing, blogging takes up way too much time, fun as it is – should try to limit myself to 1 day a week, at least!
I think it’s a case of strict weaning… I’ve been gradually cutting down. I know you’re award free now (or I would have nominated you) and after the next one – which I’ve already got to do when I get home – I’ll probably do the same.
I know what you mean, awards take a lot of time… Talk again next time! 🙂
I think you are award free, aren’t you? I’m sure I read that you would be
in future on one of your posts. I hope I read that correctly, otherwise I would have nominated you. 🙂
Thanks, Millie, you’re so sweet! I am award-free, you remember correctly! I’m going to put a text widget on my about-page but I haven’t decided how to phrase it. “Award-free” might sound weird to readers who aren’t bloggers themselves and don’t know what it’s about… not that I have a lot of those readers, haha! 🙂
I think that is all most people say – simply that your blog is award. I think that’s all Louise says on hers. Some people add thanks to anyone who enjoys reading etc. I haven’t got any readers other than bloggers, so you are doing very well! (I’ll try to catch up on a few post I’ve missed once I get home.) 🙂
Congrats on the awards, Millie. You sure deserve them. 🙂
Thank you, Irina. I really appreciate your kind words. 🙂
My pleasure, Millie. 🙂
Congratulations Millie and so well deserved. You are an inspirational person to have found in our blogging world Millie and I’m glad I have met you!
Thank you, Belinda! 🙂 I noted on your blog that you were now ‘award free’ or I would have nominated you. But I appreciate your reasoning, and am thinking of doing the same myself very soon. I already have another one to do when I get home, but after that… 🙂
Awww … thanks Millie. My biggest reason was not compiling the responses but identifying who to nominate. One of them called for nominating 15 or 20 people. It took me ages going through websites to see if they had already accepted the award or if they even accepted awards at all. I wasn’t reading their posts, I was searching for award information. It was really time consuming.
More awards!!! Well done – you do have terrific blog 🙂
Thanks, Bekki. My blog just keeps plodding along, and I’m happy doing what I do. I’ve just got to find a way of keeping it going while I write my own things. I just love writing flash fiction… Most of the prompts are so inspirational. Oh, the sheer temptation…! 😀
Know how you feel – blogging is very time consuming, but so wonderful for so many reasons.
It is wonderful, and that’s what keeps us all at it! FF is simply too addictive, and I’ve just about weaned myself off that now… well, mostly! 🙂 Like you, I have lots of other things to post about.
Congratulations! Hope you are enjoying your visit to Malta! 🙂
Thanks, Scrapydo. 🙂 I know you aren’t happy about doing awards, or I would have nominated you! I love your blog, although while I’m away I’m struggling to read people’s posts. I have another award to do when I get home, too. I hope spring is making everything wonderful out there. It’s a glorious time of year, whichever country you’re in. In Malta, we’re struggling to cope with the heat (almost 40 degrees today!) 🙂
Wew that’s very hot! Don’t think I could manage that heat anymore although is SA it wasn’t unusual to be up to 40’s in summer
I would have thought you’d be well used to sky-high temperatures in SA. Not that it means you had to enjoy them, of course. I imagine New Zealand isn’t anywhere near as hot as that – but still a lot hotter than we get in the UK. I can cope with temps like these in Malta for a short while, but I’d soon want English weather again. I suppose it’s just what you become used to. Mind you, even the Maltese people are complaining that this year’s been far too hot, and hasn’t started cooling down very much yet. 🙂
Climate change is the culprit. Our winter here lasted way more deeper into our usual spring season. Also winter started later this year. The weather here has also changed to much warmer temperatures than they are used to. Goes up deep into 20’s. Then people are complaining because it’s too hot! 🙂 Enjoy your outings
Climate change is causing problems with weather systems worldwide. And seasons are becoming very odd. Our spring was late starting this year, and it was followed by a really miserable, cool summer. You’re right about people complaining all the time, too. British people are very good at it! We can’t stand t when it gets too hot, and we can’t take the cold, either. Thanks, Ineke. We’re off to Gozo in an hour’s time, so we’re looking forward to that. 🙂
Enjoy! 😀
You did it 🙂 It was so nice getting to know a little bit more bout you Mills. Good job
I’m sorry it took so long to get to this post, Sugiyana. It wasn’t writing the questions that took the time, but
finding people to nominate. So many people I follow have now gone ‘award free’. I can never manage to find as many nominees as they ask for – but neither do many other people. Anyway, thank you very much for nominating me. I really appreciated it, even though it took m so long to respond. 🙂
Thank you very much Millie for taking the time to do it. I really do like your posts, hence I nominated you. And like the good sport you are you did it despite your busy schedule. I’m grateful for that and the post 🙂
Hi, Suganiya. We’re back from Malta now, so I’m trying to do a bit of catching up with posts I’ve missed. I enjoyed doing this award post because the weren’t lots of questions to answer, or write for nominees. They can take ages. Thank you for the nomination, and I’m sorry I took so long to get round to it! 🙂
Congratulations! Well deserved, Millie Thom.
Thank you, Jack! I would have loved to have nominated you, but I realise that at the moment, you have so many things ‘on your plate’. I really hope you’re getting back to being your usual, active self again. Bike rides and hikes forever! And don’t forget to write the book I’m waiting for…
Congrats, Millie. It was really nice to read about how your blog got started. It sure is an enjoyable place to be at. 🙂 Thanks for passing the award to me. I’ll be doing the post in sometime. 🙂
My blog just plods along at its own speed because I really can’t post every day, like so many people do. I love what I find to write about, though, so that makes it all worthwhile. I’ll look forward to reading your award post, whenever you find the time. 🙂
I can only imagine to do a post everyday. Doesn’t work for me at all. 😉
I just wouldn’t have time for a post every day! Most of my posts are quite long and take some time to do. We do as many as we can, and we’re all different. 🙂
Congratulations Millie! 😉 The story behind setting this blog of yours was very interesting and I’m glad you did set it up as we are now able to read your awesome posts. Keep it up sweetie! 😉
What a lovely, kind comment, Khloe. Thank you. 🙂 I’ve still a lot to learn about improving my blog, but for now, I haven’t the time to make major changes. I really do need a different ‘header’ image though. I’ve had Corfe Castle up there since the blog started. 🙂
It’s my pleasure to leave you a comment as usual 😉 Well, we all know blogging is time-consuming and you always have your personal life. So, just take our time to improve it step by step. I’m learning to improve as well. I’m with you so don’t worry! 😉 A different ‘header’ image sounds cool to me 😉 I can’t wait to see it!!!
Thanks, Khloe. A new header for me will undoubtedly be something historical. It will probably end up being another castle! I’m so stuck in my ways… 😀
You’re most welcome sweetie😉. Historical stuff will suit you the best👍🏻. Well castle is good😁😌💕!!!
Hugs to you, too. ❤
Aww ❤
Congratulations Millie. Fantastic! And, thank you so much for nominating me. I shall respond when I return from holidays. ❤
Have a wonderful three weeks break. I imagine you’re going back to PNG, but, wherever you go, just enjoy yourself. You work so hard for the rest of the year. Talk again when you get back. ❤
Thank you very much Millie, just got back yesterday. I look forward to catching up with all your stories too. 🙂
Hi Joycelin. Long time, no see, as they say! Hope your break was fantastic, and I wouldn’t advise trying to catch upo too much. I tried to do some after coming back from Malta two weeks ago (after only eight days away) and found it well-nigh impossible. And you have so many followers, you’d be grey before you finish. As for me, I write very few stories nowadays, so you needn’t bother with those. Just catch up with things at home and continue posting as usual, if you can. 😀 Great to hear from you, anyway .
Thank you so much Millie. It was a good break and very nice to see my family again after such a long time.
We all need a break from normal routine now and then, and I know how much you miss your family. It must have been a wonderful time for you, and may keep you going for a while. It will be a bit of a shock to get back to work. Unfortunately, we have to earn a crust or two.
Thank you Millie. And, you are quite right, I had a shocker of a day today at work, but I stayed awake most of the time.
Congrats again. Do whatever you need to do so you can focus on your book. I will tell you that I will miss seeing your blogs if you stop for a while. Take care of yourself. 🙂
Oh, thank you for that really nice comment, Susan. And thank you again for the nomination. 🙂 I’m in Malta this week, but once I get home, I will be cutting down on blogging a lot. I’ll still do a few posts, though, and try to visit other people’s posts as often as I can. My poor book is screaming neglect right now, so it’s time I got my act together. 🙂
Thank you for the opportunity and congratulations on the awards! 🙂
Thank you for that, Diana, and for accepting the award. 🙂 I haven’t had time to go into my Reader since coming to Malta, but I’ try to do some catching up next week. I’ll look forward to reading your advice to new bloggers, too. 🙂
Love hearing more about you in these posts! You’re an inspiration. Thank you for blogging.
I was a hopeless blogger to start with, and I’m still just finding my way. I just amble along at my own pace and see what happens. I haven’t the time to post every day. At the moment, I’ve got several ‘Malta’ posts to do, so I want to keep those close together, but then it’s back to tortoise pace. 😀