MarySmith’sPlace: The Blogger Recognition Award – A thank you to bloggers who support so generously.

I am delighted to have been nominated by author and blogging star Sally Cronin and by author Jessica Norrie for the Blogger Recognition Award. I was going to nominate Jessica but she beat me to it but I still want to thank her for her support.

This gives me the opportunity to thank some of the wonderful bloggers out there who have supported me and my blog. If you have already been nominated on another blog (bound to have happened because like the ‘coo’s tail’ I’m always behind) then you know you are an extra special supporter.

If you have an award-free blog or are simply too busy (not many sleeps left until the big day) there is no need to participate so participation is optional. I simply want to say thank you to people for their support and let them know how much they are appreciated.

Sally made her own award plaque and, not being as technologically savvy, I have copied it.

First there are a few guidelines attached to the award should you wish to participate….

My thanks of course to Sally Cronin and Jessica Norrie for nominating me.

Rules:

1. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
   2. Write a post to show your award.
   3. Give a brief story of how your blog started.
   4. Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
   5. Select up to fifteen bloggers you want to give this award to.
   6. Comment (or pingback) on each blog to let them know that you’ve nominated them and provide a link to the post you’ve created.

How My Blog Started:

For a few years I was posting about my dad when he had dementia, his wife left him and I moved in to care for him. I often wanted to post about other things but felt it should be in a separate place and so MarySmith’sPlace began on 28 December, 2017. Here’s a link to the very first post. It’s a bit of an eclectic mixture of stories from when I worked in Afghanistan to walking in Scotland, from local history to an annual blog about bunions (not mine, I am fortunate not to have any).

Give Two Pieces of Advice to New Bloggers:

1. Think carefully about why you want to blog – if you hope it will help to sell thousands of your books, don’t bother. It won’t. Blogging should be fun so don’t beat yourself up if you can’t manage to post every day or even every week. If it becomes a chore to you, take a break.
2. Do respond to comments people leave on your posts – the interaction with people from all around the world (many of whom become ‘real’ friends) is one of the things which makes blogging so much fun.

Select up to 15 Bloggers:  If you have already participated, or don’t want to, don’t worry – this is just a thank you for your support.

Author Barb Taub  is one of the funniest bloggers around – she’ll make you spit your coffee all over your keyboard

Author and blogger and a great supporter of indie authors and bloggers Marcia Meara

Lynn Otty – poet and short story writer

Pete Johnson with his wonderful dog, Ollie blogs at:

Author Janet Gogerty blogs at Tidal Scribe.

The lovely Willow is a wonderful supporter of my blog – many thanks, Willow.

James Cudneyis an author, blogger, book reviewer – and a huge supporter of indie authors

Maggie’s lovely blog at Cave Walls is well worth a visit

The next few bloggers, as well as supporting my blog, are responsible for my tbr pile reaching a monstrous height:

Liz Lloyd

Alison Williams

Jessica Norrie

Rosie Amber

Jill’s Book Café 

Cathy Ryan

I could go on adding to this list but I know some of those I’d like to thank for their support – such as Sue Vincent who has shown me tremendous support over the years – have already been presented with the award by other bloggers so, a huge thank you to everyone who should be on this list and whose support I truly value.