7 Days Of Blog #13

And so, in what will be my last “7 Days Of Blog” for 2011, I think I may have found a blog post that will cheer up even the most recession weary readers.  In this weeks 7DOB – which is slightly later than it should be – I have found a mixture of useful writing tips, great dialogue, and a video that I’m certain will make your hearts soar with warmth, for at least some of the human race. 

How to use an ellipsis correctly – The Write Practise

“Here at the Write Practice, we have love for all punctuation marks: commas, semicolons, question marks. Today we’re discussing that trio of periods that make up the ellipsis.

What’s an ellipsis?”

I only discovered “The Write Practise” a few weeks ago, but I have become a regular visitor ever since.  It’s filled with useful advice for the blogger and budding writer alike, and this post about how to use an ellipsis correctly is a good example of the great stuff you will find over there.

They are also running a fantastic competition next year, that will give you the chance to actually get a story published in a book – and not an “E-Book.”  A real old style book made of paper.  Fancy it?  Then get yourself over there for a look.

Sweetheart – Evening Revolution

“It was very nice meeting you,” I said as I gave her a small almost nonexistent hug.

“You too.”
I watched as she brushed away passed me, “You’re a sweetheart.”
She stopped, motionless.  “You’re a sweetheart too.”

“No I’m not,” I said, in an ironic context.

Something that I really struggle with is using dialogue within my blogging.  It just never seems to sound realistic when I read it back to myself, but one person who doesn’t have this problem is one of my favourite male bloggers / writers: Jonathan Manor of Evening Revolution.  His set pieces are always beautifully done and are full of location description.   I can just imagine him sitting there, chatting away to some girl in a cafe or bar in San Diego...  

Humpback Whale Being Freed From Nets - Four Paws and Whiskers

I had to include Fi’s blog this week because of this amazing video that she spotted. It may not be her personal work, but it takes somebody to see and publish this stuff for others to view it. The blogs author Fi, writes from Christchurch, New Zealand, where she works with animals.  Much of the content posted onto her great blog is about animals, wildlife and news stories, from not only New Zealand, but around the world.  There aren’t many things in life that bring me to the edge of tears, but I have to say that this video did.  Thanks for posting it Fi – it restores a little of my faith in mankind.

Please visit these blogs and have a look around, and if you enjoy them, maybe leave a comment or two.