Singing my own trumpet is not something I find easy to do coming from a Victorian era upbringing. To tell of your achievements was akin to a sin. One shouldn’t bignote themselves. As a writer, an introverted activity, I am happy to be alone, lost in my world of words and syntaxes, communicating with friends in small groups rather than large but it had to change with the completion of a manuscript that needed to be marketed. I had to sell myself. My first attempt at pitching to the publisher was disastrous. I had made it through the first hurdle and been selected to pitch based on my written pitch but I fell at the post. I couldn’t sell myself. I couldn’t say how great I was, what a fantastic book I had written. In fact my incoherent burble was enough to make those listening wonder whether or not I could string a sentence together.
I had to get my act together so I did two things. Firstly I went to Toastmasters. I had to learn to speak. What an improvement there is in just a year. I can’t say I’m great at it but I no longer freeze, unable to articulate any sound when it comes to impromptu speaking and when it comes to giving my pitch I’ve practiced on so many clubs that I feel confident that I can deliver it ably when I get around to rewriting the bit the lawyer thought might cause me problems.
The second thing I did in an effort to develop what I now know is called an author platform is start a blog. My first post was made on the 7th August 2013 so I have been blogging a little under a year. I am not trying to sell my book to all of you although I must admit that before I started I had thought that it was a possibility and also that I may be found by a publisher but I was unprepared for how blogging became a daily part of my life and I couldn’t give two hoots about the effect if has on my book sales.
I thought it might be a difficult thing to do so I set myself a goal – I would post something everyday for a year. That I have done and the other day I received notification that I had reached a milestone – I had posted my 500th post. 
Yes you guessed it – soon the one turned to two, sometimes more a day. I rediscovered my photographs (I’ve always been snap happy but after awhile they lie forgotten in shoe boxes and albums rarely seeing the light of day) and the stories they bring back. Before long I discovered challenges and a whole community of people. I apologise to everyone that I am not a more constant visitor at your sites – no excuse except lack of time due to my studies and other commitments but you all write such interesting, emotive, thoughtful pieces or show such wonderful photography that I couldn’t possibly get to everyone every day and do justice to the work that I know you have pondered over. I do appreciate your visits to mine.
I have also received some awards that I have been very tardy in acknowledging and am very honoured to accept.
The first is the Very Inspiring Blogger Award from Nida from On the road to inkrichment She is a writer and she does it beautifully and with humour. She writes of herself “I write because I owe a ten year old girl an explanation. A girl who years ago wrote personal diaries, essays and stories…but never found her way beyond those crumpled papers. Until now. I write because I think I have something to say; mostly uninteresting, random things that make my blood bubble or freeze; depending on the intensity of the situation.” Thank you Nida for nominating me.
Rules for accepting the award nomination:
Thank and link the amazing person who nominated you.
List the rules and display the award.
Share seven facts about yourself.
Nominate 15 other amazing blogs and comment on their posts to let them know they have been nominated. (I’m sorry I’m only nominating ten whose blog sites I know.)
Optional: Proudly display the award logo on your blog and follow the blogger who nominated you.
Seven Facts About Me:
I believe in social justice for all
I believe we need to act on climate change
I love ice cream and believe it should be added to all desserts.
I should avoid eating desserts as my level of exercise has decreased
Dancing (latin and ballroom) is my favourite form of exercise
I love looking at other peoples houses so I troll around open houses when I have nothing else to do. (sad isn’t it)
I just bought a robotic vacuum cleaner so I can do less housework than I already do.
Ten Inspirational Bloggers:
This is where it gets difficult as I think so many of you are inspirational bloggers. I know some of you don’t like awards so take it that you are valued anyway. Some of you I know have had oodles of awards lately and will probably freeze over at the thought of more – so be aware that I have thought of you. I wish I could choose all of you but I can’t so I have chosen as my recipients people who inspire people to challenge themselves i.e. people who run the challenges that I enter as I know they inspire many more than just myself. I hope that you will accept them but I totally understand if you don’t but either way please be aware of the appreciation that we have for you in the running of these challenges.
Lisa Reiter with her Bite Size Memoir Challenge
Charli Mills with her 99 word flash fiction challenge
Dawn with her Lingering Look at windows and check out her writing as well.
Sue Llewellyn with her Word a Week photo challenge
Cee Neuner with her multiple challenges including Cees Fun Foto Challenge, but also the Which Way, Odd Ball, Black and White.
Travel With Intent who hosts the Look Up Look Down Challenge
Lens and Pens by Sally with the Phoneography and Non-SLR Digital Devices Photo Challenge
Sunday Stills with Sunday Stills the Next Challenge
Where’s My Back Pack with Travel Theme
Jenni at Unload and Unwind who hosts the Weekend Funny Challenge as a way of unwinding after a week discussing deep issues that have an impact on all of us.
I am also nominating the following but I don’t know whose post to attribute these to so if you see this and they belong to you please accept would like to.
Floral Friday
Skywatch Friday
Wordless Wednesday
Sunday Stills
Macro Monday
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
What’s the adjective for ‘beyond prolific’? Wow. 500. Tada, take a bow Irene
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proliferous would fit I think. Oh what a sad life I lead – just joking. I’ve been having a lot of fun with the posts. I’m not the best visitor though. Off to look at exhaustion.
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Congratulations with your 500 milestone 😀 Very well done. And of course with your award 🙂
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It’s been so enjoyable and it is the community that makes it that way. Thanks Irene
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Congratulations Irene. It is amazing how blogging becomes such a part of your life isn’t it. I never expected the community part of it. Thank you for nominating my blog for this award.
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Yes the community was something I hadn’t anticipated. Thanks for running the look up look down. You deserve the award. I haven’t participated for awhile but look forward to getting back to it soon. Cheers Irene
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Wow ! 500 ! And I was a bit excited by my 45th yesterday! Thank you Irene, seriously, for showing me how it’s done. I’m delighted to accept and respond to this award even if I may struggle to find 15 to pass it onto for similar reasons as yourself. When I started blogging last autumn my fear of failure was so high I squeezed out about 3 posts a month. Following you, I’ve learned short and punchy without worries for perfectionism is a million times better than no communication. I too have come to blogging off the advice of ‘building a platform’ so that I might sell a book. Trouble is at times, the feeling of community and loving my blog far surpasses that longer term goal and sometimes I’m in danger of not finishing the book! I know now, I will always blog – it’s an exploration ‘out-loud’ of positive bits from my life without anyone interrupting me!! And thank you – I know you’re listening as much as you can, Lisa xx
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Thanks Lisa what lovely words. I think the community was something totally unexpected and as you say communication is better than perfection. I feel blogging is returning to the old habit of story telling. Oral histories only these are writen. You will get your book written but you will probably get the message you want to get across sooner with your blog and to more people. Living in different countries and indeed different hemispheres I would probably never have got your message but here not only have I got it I feel I’ve made a friend. And you’re teaching me believe it or not this twitter game. Cheers Irene xx
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I too have thought, social media is filling a gap we created through loss of community. Certainly I can look back on the social change in the UK with social and physical mobility meaning a lot of us no longer live where our roots are. I am in contact with my on-line friends virtually daily and have filled gap in like-minded conversation through my blog and other’s such as yours. It is fab! xx
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Agree – It’s fab
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That’s an achievement–500 posts. Congratulations. You also are deserving of the various recognition that you have received for your work. That acknowledgement from the blogging community is heartfelt and a tribute to you. I want to thank you for including me as one of your inspirational bloggers. I feel humbled and honored.
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You are so deserving of it – hosting these challenges is a mamoth task and I really appreciate the effort you put in. I know I haven’t been participating for a few weeks but as soon as my study is under control I will be back again. Cheers Irene
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It is will be a pleasure to have you participate once again.
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Congrats Irene! A great milestone, 500 for such a short time blogging. I do enjoy your writing and photos.
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Thank you very much Regina. I’m glad you enjoy your visits. Cheers Irene
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Congratulations on the award, your 500th post and overcoming your inhibition about self-promotion. Regarding the latter, I’ve also found twitter – and the support there – really helpful. However, although I’m fairly used to public speaking, and have been sending out my work for publication for some time, it wasn’t until last week that I did my first verbal pitch of my novel. Have to say I was quite nervous, but I’d prepared well enough to prevent my mind going blank at the crucial moment. Pitching fiction feels extremely personal, so I imagine it’s even harder with memoir. Well done!
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Thanks Anne. I think when it comes to the finished product both fiction and non-fiction would feel equally as personal – after all you have put your heart and soul into a tome of around 60,000 words or more and that is no short stroll in the park. When it comes to putting it out there its the quality of the writing that I worry about. I am not concerned about my story but can I tell it well enough. I must say when I first put my book out in the public arena I went into a real depression which surprised me. It had been with me for so long and my aim had been achieved but the hole it left inside me was massive ( a bit how I imagine it is for a mother to send her child to school for the first time when they had been each others companions for 5 years or so.)
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Great milestone and totally worthy of the Inspiring Blogger Award!
I share many of your feelings about blogging and the amazing community I have found here. When I first started blogging a year ago, I didn’t know whether I had something to say – or whether anyone would care. Some days have been easier than others to put my thoughts out there. The wonderful people I have met make me come back every day.
Congratulations again and enjoy your ice cream with wild abandon 🙂
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Thanks Joanne. Sorry it has taken so long to reply but I somehow missed a whole heap of comments here. Yes the community really does make it worthwhile and more than enjoyable. Cheers Irene XD
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Congrats on the award Irene. Thanks so much for passing it on to everyone!! 🙂 I’m honored to be one of them.
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Thanks Cee and its an honour to pass it on to such a great community blogger. Cheers Irene
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Well done. 😀
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Thanks XD
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Congratulations on your wonderful blog! I always look forward to your posts and pictures!
I’ve nominated you for an Inspiring Blogger Award, which I hope you can accept: http://lucciagray.com/category/blogging-awards/
Looking forward to your answers!
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Hi Luccia, Thanks and thank you. I had thought I had reply so my apologies that I have discovered that I hadn’t. It’s always an honour to be thought of though I do tend to be a little on the tardy side when it comes to doing the posts. I will get there though. Cheers Irene
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Thanks for accepting! There’s no rush! Looking forward as always to uour posts and your photos!
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🙂
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Awesome! Congratulations on your recent blogging achievement!!! I’m a newbie and have a long way to go, but I intend to stay at it. 😉 You have a new follower from Luccia Gray’s blog. 😀
~ Angela
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Hi Angela, Glad to meet you and thanks for the follow. I am now following you also. I see you are doing the blogging university. Look forward to reading more of your writings.
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Many congratulations to you my friend! I love your criteria for your nominations, all richly deserving as are you! What a lovely award, I love the image, it looks so cosy and writerly 🙂
I’m amazed and so proud of you…wow, 500 posts! I am so happy that we met here and from the day when you first encouraged me in my memoir writing you have such a wonderful encouragement and support to me. How brave of you to go to Toastmasters but that sounds like a great way to help with public speaking. I can’t even imagine getting to that point…! This community is incredible and I’m honoured to be a part of yours 😀
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And I’m equally as honoured Sherri to be part of yours. Longer message following. Cheers my friend ❤
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🙂
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Congrats on your 500th post, a real milepost! I enjoyed learning more about you – you and I are right on target with the ice cream!
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Thanks Noelle. Hope you had a good time in Cape Cod. Was there a movie set there? Ice cream is definitely good.
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