The Gift of a Good Read
December 11, 2008
Written by Karen D. Swim
In spite of the craziness of my week, I was able to do some super sleuthing and uncover delectable morsels of writing goodness to share with you. Below are a few of my finds this week that moved me to tears, made me think or just made me go “ahhhhh.” I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I did.
The subject of self promotion was a hot topic this week.
Amy Derby invited guest poster Tim Brownson to tackle the topic in Learn to Sell Yourself. The post and discussions were insightful, and true to Amy’s brand, raw and honest.
Mack Collier also tackled the topic in his post Is No Self Promotion the Great Unwritten Rule of Social Media? Mack’s post resonated with many readers. Read the post and comments for shared fears, weaknesses and solutions.
Two posts this week moved me to tears with the beauty of their words and the sentiments expressed. Jamie Grove took my breath away with A Writers Love and Steve Woodruff delivers a divinely inspired piece that will fill your heart with hope in Finding Grace.
Kelly Erickson opens her mailbag and tackles the thorny question of holiday cards in business. Kelly delivers her trademark balanced wisdom. Friar and our most beloved James Chartrand pop in and debate and hilarity ensue. I was enlightened and then tickled to death.
There are also big announcements and great things happening.
Joanna Young has invited us to peek in our archives and pick our best post for her Simply the Best year end group writing project. Contributions are due December 24 or 24 December. 
Robert Hruzek has a Texas sized surprise in store that you will not want to miss! Stay tuned for the big reveal.
My buddy and esteemed colleague (seriously the woman is a dynamo), Trish Lambert has rebirthed her Not Just For Writers Creative Writing Hour. These writing sessions helped me unlock my creativity and ignited my own passion for storytelling. They are free and you will be amazed by the results. Trish is also offering a free teleseminar, “Freelancing in a Flat World.” Helping freelancers achieve a six figure income is her passion. The telesiminar is December 17th and you can attain details by emailing trish at trishlambert dot com.
For the ahh moment of the week, this video was shared with me by twitter bud @lizwebpage. In case you’re wondering, it is a totally true story, confirmed by rumor buster, Snopes.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNv2A4Kfx4k]
What moved you this week? Please feel free to share your rants and raves in the comments.
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31 Responses to “The Gift of a Good Read”
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I was moved to see my name here on your site. That’s what moved me this week.
I was also moved by the Christmas La La song at atomsmotion.com. A beautiful, almost hypnotic song that the artist is sharing with the world.
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Awww Jamie, you are such a sweetie!
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Hat tip for the nod, Karen!
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Just wait till the big reveal, there will be confetti!
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Karen,
One thing’s for certain, you never know where a good comment section will take you, yet we keep opening ourselves up for the possibilities with every post!
You’ve got several posts on here that I loved this week, also, and a bunch I’m going to have to go check out right now. Thanks for the mention!
Regards,
Kelly
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Kelly, it was a lively discussion and I have to tip my hat to the hostess who creates a totally welcoming environment!
You rock!
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Karen, what a great round up – if only I had time to go and read the stuff!
Thanks for mentioning my ‘best of’ project. The most recent entry had me in floods of tears, so that’s my contribution to ‘what’s moved me most’
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Joanna, I know what you mean, I catch a bit here and there but am not able to dive in as I like. Wow! I can’t wait to see the most recent entry!
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Re-reading this brilliant post from Vicky H after a Twitter discussion around Joanna Young’s best-of project.
http://remarkableparents.com/who-taught-my-kid-that-four-letter-word/
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Brad, thanks for sharing this post, I really like Vicky H and though not a parent I enjoy many of her posts too.
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P.S. In case anyone is wondering, the song in the Lion video is from the Icelandic band Sigur Ros. It’s called Gobbledigook. The video for which is also moving if you’re into watching people run naked through the woods like wild people and having a good time.
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Well shucks now I have to check out this band, thanks Jamie!
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Jamie Grove - How Not To Write Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Sigur Ros is one of my fav’s. Such haunting music. Love it.
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Okay, JEEZ, here I am all choked up about a freakin’ lion I don’t even know… cripes, Karen!
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hehehehe, my master plan!
It is a make you feel gushy kind of video, I promise to come over and make you laugh now. 
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Jamie Grove - How Not To Write Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
You may actually make James confess to being a softie!
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James Chartrand - Men with Pens Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Never! You can’t make me!
@Karen
Kelly is a good host, that’s true…
…but I think James and I were going to have that debate whether she wanted it or not!
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James Chartrand - Men with Pens Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Yes. She wanted it. I’m sure the email that said, “I’m busy all day,” really meant, “Please go take care of my blog in my absence.” We did good, too, eh?
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 11th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Friar and James, so that’s the secret! Dashing off to send email right now.
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Karen, sorry I didn’t have time to share the link earlier – this was the piece that moved me to tears earlier
http://www.writewellme.com/2008/12/simply-the-best-a-group-writing-project.html
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@Friar, and you my friend are being fought over as life of the party!
@Joanna, thanks, I am going to use this as motivation to finish for the night then I could relax with a cup of tea and read. I needed that!
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@James
Who’s blog should we hijack NEXT week?
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Friar, James,
ROFL!
I knew you two would become buddies.
Later,
Kelly
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*grin* What, Friar, and give them advance warning? No no no…
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@James…
Drive-by hijackings…..
Hmmm…maybe there’s something to that.
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Not something good….
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Karen Swim Reply:
December 13th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Oooh we could package it and sell it as a service, test your blogging mettle, can you handle the rigors of blogging, can you survive a hijacking? It could be huge! Anyone who survives can get a badge.
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James Chartrand - Men with Pens Reply:
December 13th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Would you believe I’d be game for that? LOL
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ROFLOL! Poor, hapless blog-neophytes!
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Karen,
That lion clip moved me to tears. One of my favorite movies when I was a kid was BORN FREE. THe story of a lion. Tears, every time…
thanks for that heartwarming moment this morning!
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