Friday, March 4, 2011

Friends for the Journey

Last weekend, Michelle Gregory at Beautiful Chaos created a special badge for those who’s helped her on the journey. I was honored to receive the "Friends for the Journey" Blog Encouragement, and now it’s my turn to pass it along.

I’ve deliberated about this all week. Crap, who do I select? Even worse, who will I leave out? So many of you have encouraged me, sent emails, left comments, read and featured my book… I finally selected, but if you’re not one of the seven, please don’t feel left out. You’ve all helped me so much!

The Rules for Passing It On:
1. Pass it on to 7 other bloggers and tell how they've encouraged you.
2. Please let your recipients know that it started at Beautiful Chaos.
3. Leave a comment on this post when you've posted on your blog.

Kitty at Ten Lives and Second Chances
This woman never has a bad day – I don’t think it’s possible! She’s cheery and upbeat in her posts and comments. Kitty’s silly joy is infectious and her presence makes everyone’s day just a little brighter. You make me laugh, Kitty! And often when I need it the most.

Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out
Lee’s pushed me with blogfests and challenges. He’s pushed me with my writing. (Dude, CassaStar’s sequel takes place on a planet and there’s a RIVER – water issue solved!) Lee goes to great lengths for his blogging buddies and for the whole community, and I appreciate his efforts.

Yvonne at Welcome to my World of Poetry
We’ve faithfully visited each other’s blog since last year’s A to Z Challenge. Yvonne doesn’t listen to my type of music or watch my kind of movies and I have no idea how to write a poem. But our friendship is formed out of mutual respect and admiration, and Yvonne is the most devoted person I know. And the woman loves playground slides! How cool is that?

Edi at Edi’s Book Lighthouse
Edi was part of my blog tour last year with a review and feature. And he could’ve just left it at that. But he’s continued to support and encourage me, often inquiring of the sequel. Edi, I really, really appreciate that!

Jeffrey at World of the Scribe
He’s plugged my book, my trailer, my site – he’s the Dude! His commitment and enthusiasm keep me going and he always knows when a friend needs a boost. It will be an awesome honor when his first book comes out for me to return the favor!

Lynda at W.I.P. It and Fearfully and Wonderfully
Lynda is the type of person I’d call a quiet, stable presence. Both of her blogs are encouraging and her comments reflect that spirit. I always look forward to your positive words, Lynda!

Patrick Tillett Patrick is one of those individuals who doesn’t make a big splash and sometimes flies under the radar. But he’s consistent and steady, like a giant rock in a raging river. Dude, your support has not gone unnoticed and I appreciate it!

Who’s encouraged you on your journey?

And yes, the next gen iPad March 11 – I am so there!

52 comments:

Jeff Beesler said...

Thanks for the mention, Alex! It's an honor, and I too am looking forward for the day my first novel is released!

Melissa said...

What a cool award!!! I'll have to check out the bloggers I don't know that you mentioned!

A next gen Ipad? COOL!

Sheila Siler said...

Great award. I'm checking out your awardee's! I look forward (?) to the A to Z challenge with you next month.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You're welcome, Jeffrey - and thank YOU!

Melissa, I'll post more about the new iPad soon...

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Thank you very much Alex for the award, I feel happy and honoured to recieve it and will show it with pride on my page.
My late husband was a great fan of Star wars and Star Trek and would have loved your taste in films, as for music if we all liked the same it would be a dull world, for a start everyone would be listening to Daniel and I wouldn't be able to get concert seats.
My children#s slide rides just goes to show I am still young at heart perhaps I ought to act my age .........but somehow I don't think I would or could pass a slide by......yet.

Jemi Fraser said...

Congrats! Great choices too - that's alwasys the hardest part of the awards :)

Gail said...

What a creative award, beautiful and well earned.

Laura Eno said...

Beautiful award - both the sentiment and the look of it! Congrats!

Matthew MacNish said...

Great selections Alex!

Ellie Garratt said...

Congratulations to the recipients - they all deserved the award!

I have to say Old Kitty has also been a constant source of encouragement and cheerfulness for me. She is the best!

Liza said...

Alex, this is such a nice way to forward an award, by explaining why you chose the folks you did. So often, awards are forwarded via there a list of links, and gosh, if I had time, I'd click on them all, but I don't. Your extra words made me stop. This time I will take the time to explore the blogs on your list that haven't read before.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Congrats to the winners. The award is beautiful!

Kristin said...

This is a great award!!!! I'm going to check out those blogs to see more about the wonderful people who encourage you :)

Do you have a first gen iPad you need to get rid of to make space for the 2nd gen? Lol!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yvonne, don't want to make it difficult for you to see your Daniel!

Ellie, she's always happy!

Liza, thanks. This was more than just an award, so I felt explaining the reasons for each selection was important.

Kristin, I do have an iPad and soon I'll be enjoying TWO!

Michelle Gregory said...

congrats to all the recipients. i know how hard it is to narrow down the list.

baygirl32 said...

very nice award Alex!

Arlee Bird said...

Thanks Alex. It's always good to receive a word of encouragement in this sometimes lonely world of blogging. You have so often been there providing me mutual support and I appreciate that.

Lee

Misha Gerrick said...

What a wonderful award!

Congrats on winning it.

:-)

JournoMich said...

That's an awesome badge and so great that you have a large group of people helping you on your journey. What a journey it has been! When's the next book coming out? ;)

Also...thanks for sticking with me even through my sporadic period.

Michele

Jules said...

Congrats on the award and all are great selections. In small ways I think we here inspire each other :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Carol Kilgore said...

Congrats on your award. It's well deserved.

Happy Weekend!

Old Kitty said...

Awwwwwwwww I am BLUSHING!! SO gone betroot red and fanning myself!! I've not felt so hot since getting betwixt Byron and Bassa.

Sigh.

Where was I? Oh yes! Congratulations with your sweet award!!! We love us some blogloving and yay to wonderful bloggers who brighten the blogworld by being so lovely and scrummy!! Take care
x

Lydia Kang said...

Ooh, tell us how you like the new iPad!
And congrats to you and the new award winners...they deserve it. All great bloggers.
:)

Summer Ross said...

Neat award- and those you picked deserve it! Have a great weekend Alex!

Pat Tillett said...

Congrats to you for receiving it and thanks so much for passing it on to me! I already know a couple of the other folks you gave it to and I'll to check out the others.
Thanks again!

Sangu Mandanna said...

Aww this is such a sweet post, it's lovely to see you talk about who's helped you along the way!

Everyone is talking about the new iPad. I only just got the current one, so alas, no new model for me!

Unknown said...

Congrats on the award! Those are some great blogs. They would be ones I choose that have helped me on my way.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You're welcome, Lee!

Michele, I knew you'd be back full force soon. And I'm finishing revisions right now on the sequel.

Jules, we do!

Kitty, once again you have me laughing!

Lydia, I sure will!

You're welcome, Pat.

Sangu, that's okay, you're still cool.

Thanks everyone and damn this was difficult!

Hannah said...

What a super sweet post! That's just like you! :D

Unknown said...

What an awesome award -- congrats on receiving it and on passing it on with so much heart and gratitude. Have a fantastic weekend!!

Talli Roland said...

Congrats - and congrats to the everyone who you've passed it on to!

So so many people have helped me. I'm not sure I could even begin to choose!

Golden Eagle said...

Congratulations! That's such a great award. :)

Suzie F. said...

What a nice award! Congratulations to you and to those whom you passed it along to.

It's so wonderful how the writing community supports one another.

Donea Lee said...

That's one awesome badge of encouragement ~ congrats! Looks like a wonderful group to pass it on to. :)

Colene Murphy said...

Awe wow! What a beautiful sentiment!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Hannah!

Talli, it was tough!

Suzie, we don't do it alone.

Debra Gray-Elliott said...

Congrat's. Stopping by from the A-Z blogging challenge. Looking forward to participating. Like your blog and now a follower.

M Pax said...

Congrats! They are all great people.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh wow, thank you so much! I'm deeply honored.
hugs,
Lyn

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Your post demonstrates how important it is to pass it on. Most of us received lots of help and enouragement from friends and colleagues. I hope I've helped some people the same as so many helped me.

Michael Di Gesu said...

What a nice tribute, Alex.... very touching.

One person comes to mind and I mention her often at my blog. Erica Olson from erica and christy.

She stood up for me and helped me when the ABNA critics went over the top. She helped me edit the first five chapters of my first novel. SHE introduced me to the blog world...

Another person who comes to mind in my critique partner Josh Jacobs. A super patient guy who worked with me for three months line editing my first novel.

There are others of course, but these two fantastic people were there for me in my first writing endeavor.

Have a great weekend Alex.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Debra!

Lynda, you are welcome.

Susan, we can't do it alone.

And it's important that we recognize their efforts! Sounds like you've had lots of help.

Chuck said...

Alex, looks like a great list! I follow a coupld of them but thenks for pointing me in the direction to check out a few more.

The Happy Whisk said...

Very nice, Alex. Great job. I award you six of your favorite cupcakes to be topped with the icing of your choice, and teleported to you kitchen table.

ali cross said...

What a beautiful award! I love the spirit behind it. Good work Beautiful Chaos!

The best people to encourage me along my writer journey have been Christine @christinebryant.blogspot.com, Elana @elanajohnson.blogspot.com, and Christine Fonseca @christinefonseca.blogspot.com. Couldn't do it without them. And so many others, too.

Charles Gramlich said...

Lovely one. Congrats!

The Old Silly said...

Kudos to you, and a FINE list of recipients!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Whisk, I always appreciate food!

Ali, I know - tough to decide.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Nice award -- a great way to thank those generous souls who help along the way. Congrats to your winners, and to you for being one of those generous people who earned the award, as well!

The Happy Whisk said...

:-) me too.

ediFanoB said...

Alex,
please apologize the delay in my answer. I have not been online in the past two and a half days.

Thank you so much for selecting my blog.
I'm busy finishing a review. Need to think about which blogs to select.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Lisa.

You're welcome, Edi. And I know you're a busy dude!