For those of you just joining us don’t forget to visit Day 1 & 2.
Did you enter Beverly’s awesome giveaway. If you didn’t, go now we will wait… Ok, now for day 3.
Every day this week I will have a giveaway here on my site. Also I will be highlighting a new blogger and she will be hosting a giveaway on her site! So you have the opportunity to enter two giveaways. That is at least two chances to win.
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CWO’s Editor Darlene Schacht has been my Miyagi (Karate Kid 1984) when it comes to writing. You probably already know her, read her and we hope visit her monthly online magazine.
Personally, I would not be blogging if it were not for her. I write because she saw something in me, something that in my wildest dreams I never saw in myself. Do I call myself a writer now? NO. But I have confidence—while under her direction—to keep pecking at these keys. Darlene has a wonderful new website titled Writing FUNdamentals. I love this new blog and have already implemented some of her lessons into my writings. Head on over to her new site and check it out. Then come back for my giveaway.
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For my giveaway on day 3, I wanted to give you two of my favorite books. I will be reviewing “Living the Lord’s Prayer” for CWO’s Book Buzz. This book has been one of the best devotional books I have read this year. David Timms, breaks down the Lord’s prayer phrase by phrase. And you may have already heard of Beth Moore’s book “Voices of the Faithful.” This book is filled with inspiring stories of Christians around the world.
Lastly I include a 20oz Pumpkin Pie scented candle. I have to tell you when I purchased this candle for the giveaway, I loved the smell so much I bought one for myself. (this is a picture of me filling my home with Pumpkin Pie delight!).
One reader will win the candle and two books. To enter this giveaway tell me one thing Darlene talks about in any of her posts on Writing Fundamental’s.
See you tomorrow for more giveaways tell your friends.
Just so you know those who read me in a feedreader or subscribed for my blog updates via email knew ahead of time what I was giving away. (on the feedreader it is at the very bottom of the post).
If you need the code for the button click here.
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As Few Words makes a very good comparison between the kids cleaning they’re rooms and to many words as a description. I’m guilty.
Writing Fundamental’s.
AND
I LOVE FALL CONTEST
The ouch topic for me…As Few Words as possible. That’s me struggle. A year ago, a well known Christian magazine told me I needed to bring my article down to 1,000 words. I was at 1,600. The thought of editing 600 words was more than I could handle so I let the opportunity slip away.
I love the blog entry about adding spice to your writing with a dash. What great ideas and a fun play on words.
Pumpkin candles are the best…
Girl you are outdoing yourself over here this week! I’m loving all the people visiting my blog, and getting to check out some new blogs myself! Thanks again!! I love me some pumpkin pie candles myself! I bought a bunch for Sunshine Baskets last week, and of course one for myself!
I love fall, too! What a happy giveaway!
Darlene’s blog is fantastic - so much information and inspiration for those interested in writing. I love the Chicken Soup links! Thank you for the fun morning of blog surfing
Enter me too , This was my favorite and subsequently great advice on helping the kids de clutter…
“When my kids clean their rooms, I’ll often stand behind them with a trash can saying, “When in doubt, throw it out.” They don’t know it, but I retreive those doubtful items every once in a while, and slip them back in the drawer. Bottom line is that when a room is free of clutter, it’s breathable, well organized, and a comfort to be in.”
Well, of course she had a contest, but of interest to me was the writing opportunities for Mark Littletons book.
Pumpkin and other Fall scented candles are my favorite too.
I’m so glad to have now discovered Darlene’s very useful blog. One of her posts was about always having a “take away” factor for the reader. Whether it’s a blog post, a book or an article, the reader should leave with something useful. That was very helpful for me as I’m fairly new to blogging and am continuously learning. Thanks Laurel for this fall giveaway. It’s so wonderful to see bloggers helping each other too.
She had a really interesting and helpful post about the “em dash” Think I’ll be visiting her blog often. Great week of giveaways, Laurel.
The Take Away Factor–the thing that a reader will take away from your writing. I love Darlene, she is such an inspiration (she doesn’t write about that….I’m just saying it :-))
That was so kind you almost had me crying.
Wax on wax off my son.
LOL
Not another entry. Just a note to say I blogged about your Giveaways today for the 4 or 5 people that come by my blog.
I’m in! I would love to win.
What I found so funny from her site was this, “Anyway, during the service Pastor Gibson would often ask rhetorical questions like: “Have you given your burden over to Jesus?” “Do you hear what I’m saying, Brother?” and “Can you feel the power?” That Sunday Betty answered each one loud and clear: “No.” “Yes.” and “Not yet,” while my sisters and I choked back a snicker. We had already learned the cardinal rule that rhetorical questions are never answered aloud–they are pondered.”
When I our children’s church teacher was sick one Sunday, I went into Big Church for the first time ever. The pastor was preaching on Isaiah 55. He read, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” amd then he asked, “Seek who?” My hand shot up in the air, much to mother’s embarrassment. She pulled my arm down and I said, “But I know this one!” LOL! I can so relate.
Well…you ask for something…I have read and read from her site…and LOVE it. “The Take-Away Factor” is something that I heard several times at the She Speaks Conference….(hope you are going to try to go next year…:)
I have found lots of neat and needed advice on her site! THANK you for sharing!!! Does this keep me entered??? *grin*
The Takeaway Factor. One thing that readers will remember about your writing. Great tip. I love Writing Fundamentals!
Well, it appears that the Takeaway factor struck several of us as important. That is a very good point as it evidently jumped out at several of us. It was odd to me that it did jump out to several of us. That is an excellent point that you do need to have something that will make the readers have a light bulb moment. thanks for the opportunity and for doing all the give aways…..Thanks for pointing me to some new blogs. Blessings on your day. dlowran1(at)comcast(dot)net
One thing Darlene explains is how to use dashes (which I love, btw). A great little site packed full of practicality!
If you’ll throw my name in the hat, I’ll love you forever:-)
But then again, I already do.
hugs,
Vicki
“the Yogi to my Boo Boo” I enjoyed reading Darlene’s blog.
Enter me in for the win
She writes about adding “spice” to your writing with dashes.
Darlene compares the mess in kids’ rooms to the clutter in writing, and shows you how to clean it up
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
In scrolling through her posts, Darlene caught my eye with Using as Few Words as Possible. I work on this and work on this but it seems I was a born rambler. If I decide to start writing again, though, it is something I will have to be serious about!
Darlene’s chicken soup links are very interesting, she does have a way with words. Thank you for offering these books and the candle, I’m sure it smells wonderful!
I liked the post on em and en dashes - I use way too many dashes in my blog posts. (see what I mean - even in this comment heh heh)
Laurel,
Girl, I call you a writer and a very good one. I love Darlene’s sight. I have so much to learn. Love you. Can you enter me???
Have a fantastic day. Hugs, Lynn
She talks about being under the weather and away from her computer. I love Sharon I have been part of the group Living Well (not lately though!) She is a wonderful encourager!
I APPRECIATE DARLENE’S ENTIRE BLOG BECAUSE IT MAKES WRITING “DOABLE” FOR ME… I GET OVERWHELMED WITH THE WRITING PROCESS AND WANT TO IMPROVE. HER HELPFUL HINTS HAVE BEEN SO GREAT FOR MY LITTLE SIMPLE MIND!!!
PLEASE ENTER ME INTO YOUR GIVE AWAY!!!
I was really interested in the post about Writing Opportunities. I had never even thought about submitting something to the Chicken Soup stories series but that is such a great suggestion and I’m going to do that. I really appreciate the tips she gave in that post.
What a lovely idea! I am also having a giveaway to kick off my new Monday meme!
She writes about having a take away factor fromthe book, article blog writing etc. she uses a clothesline as an example where everything should be connected in following chapters.
Hi, I didn’t know there were two forms of dashes. Now, I know there is the em and en dash. The one she discusses and shows
its’ proper usage is the larger dash, the em. Thanks, Cindi
It is her biggest and 1st giveaway.
As few words as possible? LOL! I’m guilty of ‘more is better’! But, then again, I used to have 100+ penpals (back in the days of snail mail only!) all around the world and would write BOOKS to about 20 of them every other week!! As a technical writer for GM, Ford, Chrysler & Toyota, I learned to write CLEARLY and using only as many words as necessary…sometimes, more words CLARIFY, sometimes they MYSTIFY!
I learned what an em dash was and what it is used for…Did you know it’s called that because it is the width of the letter m? Anyway thanks for introducing me to a great site!
One thing I read at her site: A Take-Away Factor is the one lesson, message, or lightbulb moment that readers will take away from your book. What will they remember when they put the book down?
The candle sounds perfect for fall! Great scent!
oooo love this prize!
A Dash of this and a Dash of That…
Add spice to your writing with dashes.
that is a great blog, i know darlene had her other one, but haven’t been to this one too often yet!
My favorite post of Darlene’s so far has been the one about the take away factor. It was great writing advice! I am loving that candle!
Wow! I bookmarked Darlene’s site so I can go back and study up. I loved the examples of how to use the dash. I really need to know how to use fewer words and still have a take away.
Thanks for offering this give away. I hope I win:-)
On her site, she talks about how she is having her first giveaway and also what she is giving away as prizes!!!
On to day 4
Jesus Loves You
Sarah
She talked about using dashes. I love dashes!!
I also am impressed with the Take-Away Factor. It would also apply to many areas of life……..sermons, Bible Studies, classes that we take, perhaps even to a social outing with friends. What am I taking away from this situation; is it worth my time; is it getting me closer to the goals that I have set for myself…….
Something to think about.
I have always wanted Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore & everyone loves candles!
Writing Fundamentals - “Let’s discuss the tilde (~). It’s usually pronounced TILL-duh, some pronounce it TILL-day, but I just call it the squiggly dash.”
I think saying, “squiggly dash” sounds more fun to say than tidle!!
Enter me in too..I love dashes too and I would love kids that kept their rooms clean…(heee)
Have a Blessed day!
Kelly Bryan
The Take Away Factor!
Today I learned that there is a difference between the size of a hyphen when you have all upper-case letters verses all lower-case letters! I had no idea! Thank you for letting us know about this great resource for writing tips! Perfect timing for me. :o)
Thanks for the entire week of giveaways! I came via Lysa’s site and am thrilled to find Writing Fundamentals. I use the ~ button way too much! So it was great to read all about ~ + - ! Thank you!
The Take Away Factor. Oh boy do I need to learn how to do that.
I am just lost in that website in a good way, I am heading back over there.
I thought I signed up but don’t see it. I would love to win this.
The tilde…I never even considered using this on my blog; I wonder if anyone would notice if I started now???
BTW, I love Starbucks and have a lovely friend that always gifts me with it…my b-day is just around the corner - YAHOO!!!
For some reason I couldn’t get the website (Writing Fundamentals) to open??? Hope this doesn’t disqualify me!
From reading some of the other comments, sounds like I really need to read “As few words as possible”. I’m not a writer, but I always seem to use too many words in every situation!
The candle sounds yummy
Thank you so much for including me in this giveaway!!
Looks like I didn’t read the directions very carefully. Let me try this again.
Darlene talks about, “do not add a space before or after your en dash or hyphen.”
Thank you!!!
en and em hyphens! Thanks for the contest opportunity!
What an awesome blog!!!! It is filled with good stuff!
En dashes……and more!
Love the cool giveaway bag….
Thanks for the link there!
What a great blog. I am adding that one to my favorites. The entry I read was about hyphens, en dashes and more. Thanks for the chance to win such great prizes.
I thought her “take-away” segment was very true. I feel like most of the really good books, articles, or short stories I’ve read leave me with a message or a good feeling to “take-away”. Some are easier to see than others, however.
What a great giveaway, Laurel. I always wanted to have a “Voices of the Faithful” in my collection. “Living the Lord’s Payer” sound marvelous.
- I started at her first post in which Darlene is talking about ‘fluff’ in your writings.
Regarding Darlene’s new site - I think that it will be very helpful to me - I make many mistakes
Oh my. I would LOVE to win this giveaway! I’ve been looking for a great devotional, and I can never have enough good-smelling candles, especially FALL candles!
Darlene talked about en-dashes and em-dashes and repetition in writing.
I learned that this ~ is called a tilde not the squiggly dash!
I enjoyed reading the information about dashes!
Not repeating the same phrases/words over & over w/in a paragraph, which happens to be a pet peeve of mine, so woo-hoo for educating people about it LOL.
She shares a post about some great Writing Opportunities.
Brevity. Use as few words as possible.
Kids decluttering!
Wow! I never knew there were so many different kinds of dashes in existence! Darlene mentions em-dashes and en-dashes and tildes (aren’t’ they cute?) and shes tells us how they’re to be used!
And I loved her mention of the “Grammar for Dummies” book as well. I’ve been wanting to refresh my rather ancient & somewhat forgotten grammatical skills, and I think that book and her blog will do just that! Thank you for introducing Darlene Schacht to us!
Oh, and your giveaways/prizes are tons of fun! I’m enjoying meeting the new people you’re connecting us to - there’s a whole, wide world of people out there just waiting to meet each of us! Love it!
The Take Away Factor
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