How to Get More Followers to Your Blog

I was blog hopping the other day. I do that a lot. I found this incredible blog on how to get more people to not only visit your site, but to follow and check back frequently. Trina Boice does a great job in listing the "do's" in blogging. 

Here is her #1 Tip 

"Post often and on the right days: People are more likely to read blogs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays."

After reading her great advice, I laid out a plan for my blogging today.

Roughly like this:

Tuesday's Tip-I'll give some writing tips.

Thursday's Interviews-This will be author interviews, contests, blog hopping, reposts. 

If you have any ideas what you'd like to see on any of these days, or would like me to interview you. Let me know. (It's all subject to change.)

So, if you haven't had a chance to look at Trina's post, jump over to her blog and check out the other 26 Traffic Ideas:

Trina's 27 Traffic Tips

Short Story Contest

Dear Friends, Followers and Family,
In celebration of National Short Story month, I'm sponsoring a contest! I'm rather excited. The best short story will win a copy of my soon to be released novel, Identity. If you're interested, click on the link below to learn the details:

http://betsyloveldsauthor.blogspot.com/2011/05/short-story-month.html

Whatcha doing since LDStorymakers?

LDStorymakers was amazing. I had no idea what to expect since this was my first time. It was like a smorgasbord of all you can eat writing ideas, helps, tips, networking, and spending. The spending part was optional. And those of you show greater restraint than I--shame on you! Those starving authors (okay maybe not, but I love a great hyperbole) depend on your pocket book, cash, visa, or checkbook to support their delicious habit.

With an average of 5 classes per session and 10 sessions, that's 50 classes to choose from. It was tough, let me tell you. I studied them, stacked them against each other, and had to agonize over which class. In some cases the choice was just plain too hard to decide. In that case I opted for the marketing one. I know my writing skills need to be improved--don't we all need that? I digress. I have to say that my favorite class was by Marion Jensen. He taught one huge no-no...one that I am embarrassed to say I do, a lot. That's sound like a running commercial for my book. 

Now that I've had a nice slap on the wrist, I'm going to do better at simply connecting with fellow writers. My mantra..."Don't alienate my market!"

For the next several blogs I'm going to focus on what I learned from each of my presenters. 

But before I do, I want to give a huge shout out of congrats for all of the hard work that went into the conference. I can hardly wait to go next year. And yes, I will have a book to sell in the bookstore. 

So what have I been doing since Storymakers? Daydreaming-well that's what it looks like to my family and friends, but in fact, I am plotting--my next book. 

I know that my Redeemer lives!

Apostles testify that He lives. How grateful I am to know of this truth.

This is the true reason for Easter.

The Face in the Mirror May Not Be Your Own

Have you ever walked past a mirror, caught your reflection and startled yourself? Or have you ever gazed into your eyes and wondered about yourself? All right, maybe you haven’t, but being the weird writer I am, I talk to my reflection from time to time. (Only when no one’s around because they might think I’m crazy—Oh, wait, I am crazy!—I’m  a writer!)

Sometimes I play my characters to see what their expression might be if they were surprised, or angry, or jealous or any other myriad or emotions. Then as I’m looking at my expression I try and think about what my stomach feels like in that moment. What happens to my head, my feet, my chest, my lungs, my hands, my head. What thoughts run through my head, what phrases escape my mouth? I do this with my various characters.

I dash off to my computer and recreate my “scene” with the mirror. It’s amazing how quickly I can nail my characters down. 

You try it, but only when everyone is out of the house. You wouldn’t want to get caught in your insanity. I’ve been doing this for years. But if you tell anyone, I’ll deny it!