I Receive the "Versatile Blogger" Award Twice in One Week!

Receiving the Virtual Blogger Award is an honor because it is designated by other bloggers. It is a recognition by writers who are actively engaged in the process of sharing by blogging.

When I began blogging two years ago, my research said to create focused blogs, but then I realized that I'd have to maintain regular posts for blogs on education, writing, gardening, bicycling, the school where I teach, and the Transcendental Meditation program. I decided just to focus on my interests and let readers decide if they wanted to read a particular post. It was my job to create harmony from the diversity of my life interests.

I guess, judging by this Versatile Blogger Award, that diversity has its positive points, too.

Thank-you to these two bloggers who awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award:

• Rosanne Dingli: an Australian writer who writes about her lifetime of experience in writing and publishing. I have reviewed one of her books, Making a Name, and other stories. Her current novel is Death in Malta. All of her books are available here at Amazon. 
• Mary Chase: the author of a new mystery/thriller--The Fool's Journey-- and several Regency romances. She is also an educational technology/literacy consultant with a Ph.D. in Literacy and Schooling from the University of New Hampshire. Her books are available here at Amazon. I am happy to tout a fellow educator/writer.

Here are the rules for accepting the award:

• Thank the blogger who honored you and be sure to link to his or her blog.
• Share seven things about yourself.
• Pass the award on to five deserving bloggers.

I've already given my thanks and links to Rosanne and Mary. Of the last two requirements, my favorite will be citing five other worthy bloggers. But on to seven things about myself first:

1. I am an eclectic reader and will often move from a fantasy/alternative history to a western to a classic and then on to a historical novel, a non-fiction book, or a biography. Good reading is not confined to a single genre.
2. I like to ride my bike to work (1.6 miles), and one of my favorite memories is coming home and having my front coated in ice from freezing rain--at least, it's a favorite memory now that it's over.
3. I started my writing career with poetry and find that poetry has greatly influenced my writing of prose. There is a good article about that from Flash Fiction Chronicles.
4. I tend to write the beginning of a book about ten times--and then I can move on. I think I need to establish for myself the tone and rhythm of the words for that particular piece before I can really move on manifesting the vision.
5. I like to garden, and it was my joy to include a garden gnome as a significant character in my fantasy novel, The Stone Dragon. Also, I think I did a pretty good job of debunking the stereotype of gnomes as little pudgy individuals who wear tall pointy hats.
6. I've been a classroom teacher for thirty-three years--and always with at least one middle school class, one with eight. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but I've never been bored!
7. I find the saying "The world is as we are" very significant to my writing.

Five other bloggers deserving the Versatile Blogger Award . . .

1. Carol Buchanan, accomplished author and horsewoman
2. Jessica Torres, book reviewer extraordinaire
3. Genevieve Graham, author and editor
4. Shawn MacKenzie, author and knower of all about dragons
5. Michael J. Sullivan, an independent writer who "made it" 

Thank you to these five writers/bloggers for their example and support.

Copyright 2011 by Thomas L. Kepler, all rights reserved