Monday, June 9, 2014

Blog Tour Party Time


     A few weeks ago, I was invited by two special blogger friends to participate in a blog tour. It's a little bit like a game of tag but more fun than sweating outside in the school yard. The point of this blog tour is to learn a little bit about the blogger and then hop over to meet the bloggers she has picked as some favorites. Sort of like exploring Disney's Epcot where you stroll from country to country and sample the cocktails---I mean FOOD.

     The two lovely ladies who I tagged me on this blog tour are Vikki Clafin of Laugh Lines and Sharon Greenthal of Empty House Full Mind. I met Vikki a year ago while writing on a book project together and was blown away by her sense of humor. We're both mid lifers who view the world through the same funny lense, which is why her blog posts resonate so deeply with me. I felt a connection to Vikki as soon as I met her on the inter webs and hope one day we'll be able to connect IRL. Whenever we DO meet, the first thing I'm going to do is give this lady a BIG hug!

     Sharon is another mid lifer I connected with last year and she's one of my biggest mentors. Although  her main focus in writing is on empty nesting. parenting and marriage, she also delves into social issues and politics on her blog. Sharon is one of the busiest women I know---aside from writing her own blog, she is the co-founder of Midlife Boulevard and manages a busy Facebook page for midlife women. She writes for numerous sites and was recently a guest on the Katy Couric show. I'm so proud of all the things she has accomplished in her writing career and honored to be considered her friend.

     There are instructions for this blog tour, and they are as follows:

1.  Thank the blogger who tagged you and tell us a little bit about her.

2.  Answer four questions about your writing process.

3.  Tag three of your favorite bloggers and tell us a little bit about them.

QUESTIONS
:

1.  What am I working on?  I'm working on the final edits of my book, "Who Stole My Spandex? Midlife Musings From A Middle-Aged MILF." If you want to know more about it, you can check out my author age at: www.marciakesterdoyle.com. Aside from posting on my own blog site weekly, I also write for four different sites---The Huffington Post, In The Powder Room, Humor Outcasts and What The Flicka.  What else am I working on? Teaching my 18 year old to lift the lid and pee in the toilet, not on the bathroom tiles.

2.  How does my work differ from others of its genre?  When I first started blogging, I wrote mainly about menopause. After several months, I realized how I was limiting myself and decided I needed to expand my reach by writing on a wide variety of topics. Although the middle age years are still my main focus, my odd comedy tends to resonate with most people and I'm thrilled to say I have a wide demographic of readers ranging in ages 18-88. How cool is that? But what makes my writing unique from other blogs out there is my warped humor. No one else talks about rhino thongs, kumbaya singing possums around a campfire or cornhole playing yard gnomes.

3.  Why do I write what I do? When I first started writing many moons ago, I wrote poetry and fiction, but I had to go into my dark place in order to produce anything decent. Dwelling in a cave is not much fun, and a few years ago I decided to branch out into comedy. This was the perfect move for me because humor comes naturally to me since I live in a nuthouse where no topic is sacred and the wine flows freely.

4.  How does your writing process work?  This goes back to the wine. My husband and I like nothing better than to sit in our backyard garden oasis on a Saturday night and brainstorm over a bottle (or three) of wine. This is where the singing possums and dancing gnomes come in. The problem is that the following morning I can barely read my scrawled notes, and what I CAN read is strange material from my alter ego. Hello, Ms. Pinot Grigio, Mistress of Wacky World.

     There are SO MANY blogs out there that I love, but here is a handful I read on a regular basis:

1. Sarah Almond of The Sadder But Wiser Girl is one of my best friends in the blogosphere. We share the same warped sense of humor and laugh late into the night about stupid stuff like ear wax casseroles and crap pockets. Sarah is my go-to girl and one of the funniest people I know. If you want a good belly laugh, be sure to visit her hilarious blog.

2.  Kristi Campbell writes over at Finding Ninee and is by far one of the most prolific writers in the blogosphere. What's cool about her blog is the illustrations she draws to accompany her posts. They leave me in stitches because I can relate to EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. Kristi is a special needs mom to a beautiful little boy named Tucker. As much as I love her sense of humor, it's her poignant posts that leave a lump in my throat and make me want to reach through the computer screen to hug her. She is one of the kindest, most compassionate women out there and I just love her to bits. Do yourself a favor and read this awesome lady's blog.

3.  Crystal Ponti of Mommifried is one of my absolute favorite ladies in the blogosphere. She's also one of the busiest. This mom of five writes an entertaining blog with funny posts, delicious food recipes and advice for mothers. Crystal is also a social media guru and the founder of Blue Lobster Book Company. I signed on with Crystal because she is incredibly organized and has the best PR skills of anyone I've ever met in the publishing business. The success of her book, Mother Of All Meltdowns, convinced me that she was the best person to represent my book. She has the patience of a saint because I'm constantly badgering her with questions and she handles everything like the pro that she is. Our relationship has extended beyond the business side of publishing and I consider Crystal a true friend. Please check out her blog, and if you have a manuscript you're interested in publishing, this is the woman for you!
 

48 comments:

  1. You are too kind my friend! You have long been my personal blogging hero. So thank you! This means so much to me. BTW, I really did spit coffee: "Teaching my 18 year old to lift the lid and pee in the toilet, not on the bathroom tiles." HA HA HA!

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    1. Awwww…you are so sweet, Crystal! Love you! XO

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  2. Congratulations on being “tagged”!

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  3. Marcia, thank you so very very much for tagging me! Your words made me cry a little bit this morning. You are so kind. I am honored to be your friend and appreciate you hugely!
    I'm bummed to read that your 18yo still pees on the tiles, though. I was hoping that would change sometime between now and well, 18. Sigh. Boys. To think I used to be jealous of their peeing in the snow ability when I was in junior high.
    I love that you and your husband brainstorm together in your garden over wine! That's awesome and one of these days, we'll meet in person I hope. I'll take that hug and would love to pick your amazing brain over a bunch of wine. Thanks again!

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    1. I would love nothing more than to sit with you in my garden over MANY glasses of wine to brainstorm together and LAUGH!!!

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    2. OMG me too! Where are you again? Maybe I can do a roadtrip!!!

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  4. You flatter me, Marcia - and your success as a writer and blogger (a book!!) are inspiring to me.

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    1. Awwww…you are too kind! It is YOU who are MY inspiration! XO

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  5. I love this series! As you know you are one of my favorite bloggers to read, it's fun finding out about your process. As Sharon said, your success is inspiring!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kathy! I think you are a great writer, too. Your blog always makes me smile!

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  6. What a great post! I can't wait to check out these other women! Some I follow everyday some I hadn't heard about, thanks Marcia! I always love to start my mornings right here, I try to figure out how much wine you may have drank the night before!

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    1. The wilder the post, the more wine I've head, hahaha!

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  7. Who DOESN'T like a warped sense of humor? LOL

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  8. Thanks for sharing. You're on my "first read" list every morning and I'm so glad I found you - you inspire me! Will check out the other blogs you suggested.

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    1. Wow! I'm honored---thank you! Yes, please check out all these fine ladies---they are awesome writers!

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  9. Although I've been a boomer travel blogger for awhile, I'm a fairly recent "Women of Mid-life Groupie". The connections you've made and describe here speak volumes about what a great group this is. Write on!

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  10. I really need to find me some wine drinking in the garden time - maybe that would cure my writers block that I've had for 5 months. Also - how exciting about finishing up your book. I'll have another one to add to my reading list :)

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    1. YAY!!! I'd be thrilled if you read my book when it comes out in July!

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  11. I wish I liked wine Marcia ;-).. I'm sure I'd have a great laugh with you even if I skip the wine:-D

    Have a great day girl♥

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    1. You don't like wine???? Oh man…..I'll have to think of another type of cocktail to make for you.

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  12. Thanks for introducing me to these new blogs! Great minds think alike and I know that they will be great additions to my feed since I am already a huge fan of yours.

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    1. You're so sweet---thanks! Yes, please check out these other bloggers--they are such a talented group of ladies!

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  13. You are someone I'd be friends with in real life. xoxo

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    1. You don't live all that far away from me……we should get together sometime!

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  14. Nobody talks about rhino thongs, kumbaya singing possums around a campfire or cornhole playing yard gnomes... hmm, I can totally see why the two of you hooked up and are friends. :)

    Happy to meet her, and the q&a was awesome. Headed over to her blog to follow along on the fun.

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    1. I'm following Vikki and Sharon now (E-mail) but came back to tell you they both have great posts up and running, but the 25 things post had me snorting!! Oh I can so relate to some of them. Especially a car coming back on E. -_-

      Headed over to visit the others, I already know Sadder but Wiser, but I like it there so I'll swing over and say hello. :)

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    2. LOL thanks. Rosey! Aren't they a great bunch of gals? I love them so much and I'm happy you got to read their blog!!

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  15. Lady, one of my favorite things about you is that you and I have a shard sense of warped humor! There aren't many people I could almost cry laughing cat yak entrees with.

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  16. PS...So glad we're fellow HO's!

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    1. You are going to be a GREAT addition to their writing staff!

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  17. I look forward to checking out these blogs. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.

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  18. I love these blog tour thingies....I've found so many new blogs to read from these posts and this is such a good one!!! Thanks!

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    1. They are fun, aren't they?? Thanks for stopping by to read mine!

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  19. Good to get to know you better through the Blog Tour! PS - My hubby and I have the same Saturday night ritual that you and your hubby share! Kindred spirits??? Cheers!

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    1. We DO sounds like kindred spirits! You need to come visit me!

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  20. I will definitely check out the other blogs. Thanks for sharing. I do enjoy reading your blog.

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  21. Along with your great blog and fun writing I also follow a few of these talented ladies mentioned here. Its always good to discover different blogs and writing styles to learn and pick up tips. Plus, you're all a riot. And sexy!

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    1. We think you're pretty sexy too, Phil. You DO seem to have a harem of female blog followers, hahahaha!!!

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  22. You are such a GIFT!!! A LIGHT!!!! And I'm so incredibly happy for all your writing success- not only with all the sites you write for, but the upcoming BOOK that I cannot WAIT to buy/read/promote/shout from the mountain tops to share your biggest and best work of all!!!

    LOVE who you tagged in this too. All amazing women and writers for sure!

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    1. You are so sweet and supportive, Chris! Thanks for all the love!

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  23. You're a multi-tasking, multi-talented writer, Marcia. I didn't know about the Huffington Post contribution; very impressive.

    I'm already familiar with Kristi and Sarah - my humor clearly overlaps with yours - but I must drop in on Crystal.

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    1. Thanks, Bryan! I'm very excited about the new gig! Please do check out Crystal's blog----she is a sweetheart!

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