Writing Should Be Like This

I've got a new crush. Okay, I know what you're thinking: I've always got a new crush.  You're right.

But this time I'm crushing on a blog.

I'm a big fan of Erin Kelly's Have Your Cake & Read It Too, and not because of the cupcake recipes she includes with each blog post. Those are a bonus. Although I am hoping when I'm rich and famous I can have her on speed dial so I can call and ask her to whip up some cupcakes and jet them to me wherever I might be. However, I suspect SHE will be even MORE rich and famous, so while she is out on her book tours, one of her fabulous assistants or talented minions will be taking my call and filling my cupcake request.

I stumbled across Ms. Kelly's blog through another blog, most likely via a comment she made there. Being nosey, er, I mean "inquisitive", I decided to click through to see what her blog was like. 

That's when my blog crush started. 

The first post I read was about a trip she and her sister took to England. Before long I was giggling my ass off at the description of dealing with too much luggage, struggling to get it onto the train, and a helpful British superwoman. This post covered so many wonderful aspects in addition to traveling, from sisterhood to aging to – just go read it. It's called "When I Am an Old Woman. . .", and it's a perfect example of why I look forward to her posts so much. 

I feel like I know Erin from the things she talks about, whether it's a camping trip she took with her husband and friends (even if she's about as much of a camper as I am), or her lifelong love affair with swimming (I swear I came thisclose to going out and buying a bathing suit for the first time in a decade). 

Her posts are heartfelt, and moving, and funny. She's honest and revealing, but she can't be accused of over-sharing. She has a zest for experiencing everyday life, along with an incredible ability to make me feel like I am right there as her story unfolds.

This is what writing a blog should be.

Heck, this is what writing should be, period.

We want readers to feel as though they know our characters intimately, even though they've only just met in the pages of a book. Our goal is to depict these heroes and heroines so well that perfect strangers will fall in love with them. If we do our job as writers, readers will want to laugh or weep or ache or rejoice, simply because our characters are doing the same.

So go enjoy Have Your Cake & Read It Too, and you'll understand what I'm talking about. Mark it as a favorite, and then come back and tell me about some of your blog crushes. 

Oh, and don't forget to bring me a cupcake.

Comments

[Maureen]

Okay, I'll go read it...but if the cupcakes are good, forget about my bringing one back for you. Mine! All Mine!

And you used one of my least favorite words... should.

Man, I really hate that word... ;-/ But you did good, so I'll reserve slapping you.

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, sorry about the "should" -- sometimes it's the only word that works! LOL And I don't think I used it in an imperative fashion. Or at least it wasn't my intention. :)

So thanks for reserving the slap. LOL Of course, if your hands are full of cupcakes, then I can breathe even easier. LOL

[Maureen]

Those were adorable cupcakes. And a great blog! I added it to my favorites, btw.

;-/ I'm not sure should ever is the right word...

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, you are a contrarian--just like me! It's good to find there are others of us out there.

And you know I won't be able to resist yelling "SHOULD" just to torment you. . . LOL

[Maureen]

You really shouldn't do that to me...

*snort

[Jerrica]

I so agree! I love Erin, and I'm lucky enough to have her as a collaborator on my current project :)

[Erin Kelly]

Well, my goodness, Donna, I don't even know what to say! That was the kindest, sweetest thing I have ever read :D
I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I started out in the blogging world in May, but I have to say I am happy with the way it has developed. I really feel like I am connecting with my readers, and I enjoy so much when I hear from them (my husband in particular looks forward to your comments, lol).
Thank you so much for the vote of confidence, both here, and in your comments each week.
When the cooler weather comes, I think there may be some cupcakes in the mail with your name on them ;)

Cheers,
Erin

[Donna Cummings]

Jerrica, you are indeed lucky to collaborate with Erin. I know already it's going to be a great project. Also, I better have another cupcake so my envy doesn't get the best of me! LOL

[Donna Cummings]

Erin, I can't believe you've only been blogging since May -- clearly you were "born to blog". :) I read numerous blogs, to learn about the publishing world, and writing, etc. But most of them don't have the knack you do for drawing people in. Seriously -- if you were to stop in mid-sentence and say "to be continued", I'd faint dead away. LOL I'd also be there next week to see what happens!

I'm glad your husband enjoys the comments too. (If I had the funding, I'd send it along to start the cloning process. LOL) And thanks for thinking about me and cupcakes in the same sentence. I'm tickled. :)

[Samantha Grace]

Erin's blog IS wonderful. I absolutely adore her. And if you think her blog is good, just wait until you read her stories. She's a super star in the making. :)

[Donna Cummings]

Samantha, I'm sure her stories are going to be amazing -- I can't WAIT to read them. (Just a warning, I'm gonna push to the front of the line to buy them. LOL)