Mormon Bloggers

“I haven’t received notification of any new blog postings recently, ” a friend wrote. “I really miss reading your thoughts and insights.” He reminded me that I have an audience for my writing, which is something hard to cultivate and worth keeping. My writing continues off blog, but not out of sight. I’m publishing in [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent.The Writerly Life  Read More →

One of my favorite things to read on a blog is author interviews. Especially when the author wrote a book that I’m excited to read. That’s why I was excited when Mandi Tucker Slack was willing to let me interview her about her book and writing in general. You’ve all got to check out The Alias. I’ve posted the trailer at the bottom of the interview, because it’s awesome! You can learn more about The Alias and Mandi on her website, http://www.mandituckerslack.com and her blog,  http://heyyouslackers.blogspot.com (I love that URL).   Tell us a little about yourself and your book(s)? I’m a mom of three great kids. I have two boys, ages 6 and 5 and a little girl, who is 2. I’ve been married for 11 years and we love living in Utah. I grew up in Emery County and I feel very blessed for the memories I have. I love the desert and mountains, and I’ve been interested in everything from archeology to paleontology…and I could go on and on. Really, I just... Read the rest of this entry »

I am thrilled that Tim and I will be interviewing NYT best-selling author, Steve Berry on our Buy Back America radio show on June 7th. I adored his latest book: The Jefferson Key. It was a page-turner that kept me up until the wee hours of the morning. It’s a must-read and I recommend it to one and all!  I found a wonderful article on Steve Berry, where he talks about turning failure into success. I really wanted to share with my fellow bloggers. It is good. So I’m stepping away from politics for the moment, and delving back into the world of literacy which is my first love. As published on Evergreen Park Patch: New York Times Best Selling Author Steve Berry speaks candidly about perseverance and his long awaited road to success at the Evergreen Park Public Library Thursday night. By Amanda Edwards If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again; famous words that accurately describe American novelist, Steve Berry and his award-winning writing career. This New York... Read the rest of this entry »

Last weekend, like about 500 other published and aspiring authors, I attended a marvelous writing conference sponsored by the LDStorymakers. Packed with high-profile agents, authors and publishers, this event revs the brain, bursts mental blocks, humbles, and kicks desire into high gear. Here are some of my personal highlights of the 2011 LDStorymakers’ Conference wisdom. 1. If you want to be successful, treat your writing like a business–show up for work everyday, give it your best, come to the computer prepared to work. (I get too easily distracted by the Internet. . . and I don’t dedicate time just for writing. 2. Know yourself–Write what you know, what you love, what fascinates you. Don’t chase every trend. (I have to say I wished I could insert a vampire or two into my books…) 3. Take care of your instruments of writing–your mind, your body, your health. It’s all connected. (I know my mood, my well-being and my attitude affect my writing.... Read the rest of this entry »

Last weekend, like about 500 other published and aspiring authors, I attended a marvelous writing conference sponsored by the LDStorymakers. Packed with high-profile agents, authors and publishers, this event revs the brain, bursts mental blocks, humbles, and kicks desire into high gear. Here are some of my personal highlights of the 2011 LDStorymakers’ Conference wisdom. 1. If you want to be successful, treat your writing like a business–show up for work everyday, give it your best, come to the computer prepared to work. (I get too easily distracted by the Internet. . . and I don’t dedicate time just for writing. 2. Know yourself–Write what you know, what you love, what fascinates you. Don’t chase every trend. (I have to say I wished I could insert a vampire or two into my books…) 3. Take care of your instruments of writing–your mind, your body, your health. It’s all connected. (I know my mood, my well-being and my attitude affect my writing.... Read the rest of this entry »

LDStorymakers 2011 Tweet  Read More →

Have you always wanted to write? Are you an author looking for a writers’ conference to improve your skills and make professional connections? The 2011 LDStorymakers Writers Conference is just around the corner, (May 5-7, 2011 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.) Registration ends on April 15. Three national agents are holding pitch sessions and classes— Becca Stumpf (Prospect Agency), Sara Crowe (Harvey Klinger, Inc.), and Sara Megibow (The Nelson Agency). We also have a national editor, Marcia Markland (Senior Editor for Thomas Dunne Books, part of St. Martin’s Press), and local editors Lisa Mangum (Deseret Book Co.) and Kirk Shaw (Covenant Communications), who will also be teaching classes and holding pitch sessions. Special guest Larry Brooks, bestselling author of five critically-praised novels (including a USA Today bestseller), and creator of the writing tips website, www.storyfix.com, which was named the #1 writing blog and website for 2010, will be giving... Read the rest of this entry »

Recently I was asked the question, “Why do you blog?” I’ve thought a lot about that. For me, blogging is a tool to do what I’ve already been doing, better. For most of my life I’ve been doing stuff like keeping a journal, recording piano and flute improv pieces, making funny tape recordings, drawing cartoons, writing articles and stories. Now I have a place I can put it all. Not only that, but I now have a means to share it, and organize it, and broadcast it. I suppose I’m a bit of a mutt blogger. I don’t have one subject. I’m an author, musician, dad, (wannabe) comedian, photographer, (hobby) cook, and religious fanatic. I can’t, CAN’T keep to one topic. If I had time to keep 5 or 6 blogs I would (tried it – what a joke). I’ve fought myself on this. Everything I read says keep a FOCUS. I’ve tried and failed over and over and over. So I’ve finally given up and decided: you know what? This is me. I want my... Read the rest of this entry »

…a little out of the norm for me, but I’m going to try it… I’m being featured today at Who’s Your Editor! AubrieAnne at Who’s Your Editor started a Weekend Wonders feature a few weeks ago and it’s my turn.  Head over to find out a few random and few deeper things about me, and then take a look around.  She’s got a great literature/reading/grammar blog.  I love it! Also, don’t forget you can now get Wandering Still updates on Facebook and Twitter. Then, check out my blogging grant application on Mom Central.  You can vote every day and I’d love the support! And finally,  THANK YOU for the inspiration and motivation I receive from each of you each day!  Read More →

Those of you who know me know that I hate – HATE self promotion. I have the hardest time in the world telling people, “come buy my stuff!” Just the thought makes me want to gag. Which brings up the question, why did I go into music and writing? Well, the $4 answer is that I love to do it. I love writing, I love composing, and I’m happy to share it with those who come asking for it. Anyway, so my publisher – remember, I’m brand new at this stuff, is asking me to be proactive and find ways to advertise my book (once it’s ready) in as many ways as possible, multiple times a day. Some of the suggestions they have include blogging, twittering, having a regularly updated website – stuff like that. I follow a lot of other authors, so I see how most of them are doing it, with tweets, giveaways, review invitations, and contests. They’re doing great at it. I’m amazed at how well they are able to promote their stuff without sounding too advertisy.... Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t get me wrong, I still think of self-publishing as a publishing, and I have nothing against it – but I had no idea how excited I would be when I opened an Email from Cedar Fort at work that said, “We are pleased to inform you that we would like to publish your work… Congratulations!” What? “We are pleased to inform you that we would like to publish your work… Congratulations!” “Holy cr**! This is for real!” I’m almost embarrassed to say I was giddy. I would have immediately jumped up and done the Myposian Dance of Joy, but at the time I was filming a girls basketball game (no seriously, don’t laugh, that’s my job), and I didn’t want to be mistaken for one of the cheerleaders – especially since my team was losing pretty bad. So I saved the Dance of Joy till I got home. Just to let you know, too, this isn’t the Mission book (Giraffe Tracks) I’ve talked about on this blog that I self-published... Read the rest of this entry »

As my Google Friend Connect following inches closer to that magic number of 100, I’m having a number of “new blogger” thoughts.  But, the thing is, I’m not really a new blogger.  I wrote my first entry for Wandering Still in 2007.  And about that same time I started my family‘s blog as well. Gaining a “following” on this blog has been both exciting, motivating, and discouraging.  At first I was excited that there were people on the planet who wanted to read what I had to say.  And not only read it, but relate to it and respond back in some way.  The responses back were particularly motivating.  If there are people interested in what I have to say, then I’ll give them more interesting things to read.  I see how that cycle works…that makes writing great for everyone. The discouragement has come over the past few weeks as I’ve deleted scores of comments shamelessly advertising for other people’s... Read the rest of this entry »