Sunday 8 January 2012

Top Writing Blogs Award nomination!


Well, knock me down with a feather and all that.  Last week I learnt that this blog - yes, THIS blog!! - had been nominated for a Top Writing Blogs Award!   After I’d picked my jaw off the floor, I read the message again to see if it was a joke, but apparently not - or if it is, it's a very elaborate one.  

The awards, it seems, are hosted by  eCollegefinder, an established online education resource representing over 120 accredited online institutions, and they’re intended, I gather, to provide students with a collection of "helpful and encouraging blogs from authors, publishers, book reviewers, writing experts, and talented bloggers". The nominated blogs are ones that they hope will “inspire and teach” their student readers to “find their writing style and improve their skills, whether the students are writing an essay for Composition 101 or starting their first novel”.

Inspiring?  I like that.  Excuse me while I have a little preen.  In truth, I think what I liked best about the nomination was discovering that someone in the great ‘out there’ beyond my small but perfectly formed band of loyal followers (and you know who you are, although probably not how much I appreciate you!) was actually reading the blog at all.  

I have to admit that it all seems deeply unlikely to me. How on earth did they stumble across this blog, in all the millions of blogs out there?  They must have alighted here on a day when I was dishing out some writing tips, as I can’t imagine my more normal wittering (like today, in fact) would garner any nominations for anything other than wasting cyberspace.

Anyway, one of the requirements of accepting the nomination was to provide a brief description of the blog, and to offer some equally brief tips on writing for students, so I did stop and have a think about that.  

I’ve often thought about offering a course on everyday writing, called something stern like “How to use a full stop” or “Shaping up sloppy sentences”,  and now’s my chance. I am seizing on eCollegeFinder’s suggestion of expanding my advice into a one-off blog.  Next time I’ll be aiming things squarely at students, and we’ll just see how many of them flock here to pick up tips on writing that essay …

11 comments:

  1. I just got this, too, Jessica and wondered if it was a joke. I can see why your excellent blog was chosen but how they think my blog will help students, I'm not sure! Anyway, I decided that it wasn't a joke and I've sent my reply, so it will be interesting to see what happens next.

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  2. That's great to know, Gail ... I suspect there is a very long nomination list, but hey, let's take the kudos while we can! Congratulations to us, I say.

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  3. Congratulations Jessica! You know your blog does deserve this!

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  4. Yay! Congratulations, Jessica. I've learned a lot from your blogs, so they obviously know a good site when they see it. ms

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  5. Thank you, Nas and Margie. You know, I wasn't taking this very seriously, but after all the kind comments, perhaps I will make more of an effort!

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  6. Hi Jessica
    Just to delurk and I say I thoroughly enjoy your blog and your books.
    As an aspiring M&B writer I appreciate the tips you share here and you do always make me laugh (except of course when it is a completely serious post!)
    Nina x

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  7. Why, thank you, Nina, and as someone who is always more comfortable lurking on the cyber front, I'm touched by you breaking cover! Here's hoping these mysterious e-students appreciate my writing tips as much ...

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  8. Congratulations on the nomination! :o)

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  9. Great news on the nomination. And I actually like the mix of "wittering" and writing advice. I don't feel like I've been presented with a series of course lecture notes but that there's a real person on the other end.
    Louise

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  10. CONGRATULATIONS, Jessica! What a great way to start of the year! I think it's well deserved :)

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  11. Louise, you've made me feel a lot better about my wittering! I am certainly real, but wonder sometimes if it's a mistake to admit what a struggle it is ... On the other hand, the advantage of a small blog like this is that it feels like chatting to friends. and if I claimed to be totally professional at all times, I feel sure none of you would believe me! Thanks again to you all for kind comments, and I'm off to prepare my (professional) blog with advice for writing clear English to students ...

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