Friday, April 06, 2007

The Thinking Blogger Awards (and news on the next Clarity of Night short fiction contest)



Terri, my motorcycle-riding compatriot over in Ireland and long time reader, has graciously bestowed the "Thinking Blogger Award" on me and The Clarity of Night!! How cool is that? Here is what she said:

[The Clarity of Night] is where I go to find a bit of peace in the world. He may be a lawyer by trade but if you ask me, he missed his calling. An immensely talented writer, his words, often combined with photographs, soothe the soul... or make your hair stand on end, depending on the subject, mood and genre of his current post / vignette / series. In between the fiction he also manages to occasionally run short fiction contests; and it would be remiss of me not to mention the poignant posts focussed around his fascination with old and beautiful gravestones.

Thanks Terri!!

The Thinking Blogger Award is an effort to build a network of blogs linked together outside of the usual search engines. Here is how it works (sort of like a meme):

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that tickle your grey matter (**Terri broke the rules on this one, and I totally support that. I think that you should only do this part as much as you want, or not at all. It's an award, after all.**);

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme;

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative gold version if silver doesn't fit your blog).

Every blog in my blogroll has a special place for me. There are humor blogs, irreverent blogs, writing blogs, just-hanging-out-with-cool-people blogs.... They're all wonderful in their own way. The five I've pulled here push me towards new understanding or help me see the world in a different way. So, by the power vested in me (ha), I'm happy to bestow the following Thinking Blogger Awards:

1. STATIC. The place where bestselling author (and great friend) Anne Frasier rolls in for a late night hamburger and fries. My first experience at her blog was a post on old, creepy medical equipment, something which has long fascinated me. She's taking a bit of a break now, but you'll find no lack of writing industry insights, honest advice, and just plain down-to-Earth coolness.

2. JAYE'S BLAHG. Jaye is like the smart girl in school who could easily take you in a fight. Her blog is to the point, full of great information, insightful, and funny in the way humor gets late at night just before the bars close.

3. AN INNOCENT A-BLOG. Bernita Harris is a one-of-kind. Never shrinking from telling it how it is, she guides us through technical aspects of writing, the publishing industry, human nature, mythology, and history. She also dishes out amazingly crafted poems and prose from misty, faraway times.

4. MERMAID HEALING. Mermaid is true to her name, an ancient spirit rising from the deepest oceans. Her blog is like a secret hideaway where she teaches how to hope and forgive in the midst of the fiercest storms. Her poetry burrows down and exposes what is sometimes hard to admit and even harder to let go.

5. CAMERA OBSCURA. The blog of my wonderful critique partner, Billie Hinton. If you wander her blog, you will see reflections of many of the thoughts you find here at The Clarity of Night. It was surreal to visit for the first time. She is a dedicated novelist who dares to explore the deepest human traumas. Look for great things to come from her.


UPCOMING CONTEST:
Lastly, I'd like to let everyone know that I'll be running my fifth short fiction contest in two weeks. As always, there will be great stories, cash prizes, and lots of chances to meet people and learn from each other. Look for the official announcement soon!

18 comments:

iamnasra said...

As you have highlighted all geart blog cant wait to visit them. It seems my working at LIP (www.livinginpoetry.blogspot.com) is not doing enough to highlight the work of art and creativity

As there out there so many artistic witers and poets, and my hands are not able to reach them ...

iamnasra said...

Mermaid I have been visiting her blog...how true you explore the ocean while you visit her , everytime something new

Bernita said...

Jason, I am astonished, and certainly, truly, humbled.
Thank you.

s.w. vaughn said...

Woot for all you thinking blogs!! :-) Great choices, Jason! Though I'm not a regular at all of them, I wholeheartedly concur with Anne, Jaye, and Bernita. They rock!

Now I'll have to go and visit Mermaid and Camera. Yay, new cool stuff! :D

billie said...

Thank you, Jason!

Jaye Wells said...

What a great Friday surprise! If I'd have known I wouldn't have written a post highlighting my gluttony today. Oh well. Might as well let the new readers know what they're getting themselves into from the get go.

Jason, thank you. I'm truly honored.

Bev said...

thanks for sharing these Jason, I went to Billie's blog right away and I do see familiar themes, but what a difference a point of view makes!

Can't wait to see what the writing contest is this time!!

kcterrilynn said...

What a great way to highlight blogs! I shall check them out immediately.

anne frasier said...

jason, you are too sweet! thank you. what an honor and what a fantastic idea!
now i have to go check out jaye's gluttony post.

Jude said...

Excellent stuff Jason. Congrats btw and look forward to the contest.

mermaid said...

Wow, Jason. I am speechless. I really don't know what to say. I look at my writing sometimes and think how simple it is, how unglamorous (is that even a word?). Yet, a technical sophisticated writer such as you can describe what I am trying to achieve in one paragraph.

Thank you for the understanding.

Anonymous said...

Nasra, thanks so much! Yes, it's always a quiet pleasure when Mermaid posts something new.

Bernita, more than deserved, my friend! :)

Sonya, I definitely encourage you to visit.

Billie, I'm lucky to have found such a kindred creative spirit. :)

Jaye, I've known you for a long time, and I'm way overdue in giving you the props you deserve. :)

Bev, very true. I hope to see you in the contest!

KC, they are worth visiting, often. I'm relatively new on your blog, but I'm already a fan.

Anne, you'll always be one of my first favorites.

Jude, I have your spot reserved! Get those creative engine revving.

Mermaid, I'm happy to have given you a little of the recognition you deserve. The pleasure is mine.

apprentice said...

Well done Jason, and thanks for these links - I'll have to explore them.

Have a great Easter break.

Anonymous said...

Aw SHUCKS - someone beat me to you! Arboreality was also tagged, and I was going to include you for certain... looks like I'll have to get crafty.

Glad to hear you're planning another contest. I've missed the previous few. I think I also missed several installations of your thriller series from a few months ago. Looks like I have some catching up to do. ;)

Write on,
jlb

Jeff said...

You selected some very good blogs, Jason.

Michele said...

Happy Easter, Jason!!

Congrats on the award. Very deserved. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Apprentice, you're very welcome. :) I hope you're having a wonderful Easter.

Jade, so nice of you to say!! Thanks. :) I want to get back involved in your tree festivals. I'll see what tree friends I can find up north.

Jeff, these folks do a very fine job.

Michele, how are you, my friend? Hope you are having a great Easter. :) Thanks for stopping by to say hello!

briliantdonkey said...

Very well deserved award to say the least. Looking forward to visiting a few of your selections(that I don't already).

BD