Commenting on Blogspot

Okay if you have a Blogspot blog like I do, you have no idea about this. I sure didn't!

When I first started visiting different blogs and leaving comments, I found it extremely easy to comment on a blogspot blog - well I had one so it was all laid out for me. But that wasn't the case for Wordpress blogs, and I'm not even going into to the ones sponsored by other companies. I got so much junkmail that I have refused to comment on those sites anymore.

At a Wordpress blog, I had to type in all of my data for each new blog as I tried to comment. It was most annoying, but I found that the ones I commented on frequently held my data somehow and only required a small repetition to continue to respond. Not too bad.

As a Blogspot blogger, I kept hearing what a nightmare it was to comment on my site. Especially if they have a CAPTCHA. (Those are the little wavy letters that will prove you're not a robot when you type them in.) I even read in articles of media gurus that they won't even attempt to comment on a site that requires a CAPTCHA. My first thought was, "Gee that's pretty harsh." But as I have now switched over to Wordpress, I have to echo the sentiments.

I have several blogs I follow, where I cannot comment with my Wordpress sign-in. I prefer to use my new blog address. It will have MUCH more to offer than my old site, but the comment box won't allow me to. When I switched over to my Wordpress identity, it just kept saying that my CAPTCHA entry was wrong. Dummy me, I kept trying with each new combination thinking I was sleepier than I thought. Nope, it wasn't me. Finally giving up, I used my blogspot ID and got accepted right away.

The next time I tried, I noted that I could log out of my blogspot ID. Thinking maybe I needed to do that in order to comment with Wordpress I gritted my teeth (can't stand the way google makes me log out of EVERYTHING to switch accounts like google docs!) and logged out, losing my email and calendar temporarily as well.

But that didn't do it. No matter what I tried, I could not leave a comment with my Wordpress ID.

I know I've gotten comments from Wordpress folks on my blogspot. I am SO thankful for their perseverance! I had no idea how difficult it was. Alas I haven't found the correct hoops as yet. Maybe I should return to IE as a browser. Maybe Chrome and Blogspot, and Google in general, are working against the force that is ...

... pressing.

So tell me ... what blogs are easy to comment on and which are difficult? Who knows; maybe it's just me?

News. Reviews. Previews.

This was a happening week on this little blog guy, but I'm nowhere near finished. If you're reading this at marjilaine.blogspot.com, know that I have moved and will continue to move to marjilaine.wordpress.com. There's a little follow button at the top of the screen. You would make my day if you clicked it.

And though the circumstances of this week jolted up and down, I'm satisfied with what I accomplished. In this weekender, you'll get the chance to see:

• Some amazing articles, hand-picked by me. 
• The articles you might have missed from last week.
• My ROW80 writing challenge update.
• The articles you'll get to see this week.

NEWS

I'm still working on this feature, though because some of my favorite blogs, like KeliGwyn.wordpress.com, RachelleGardner.com, and likeachildforJesus.wordpress.com, aren't showing up. I could add SteveLaube.com and others to that list as well. I'll stay with it.

REVIEWS

I was so pleased with the move to my new blog last week. Right away I started getting more visits at Wordpress than I did at Blogger. But then maybe that's because of the content on Monday when I compared Wordpress and Blogger. (A hard contest!) On Tuesday, I filled my docket with some inspiration from Ephesians. Wednesday, I added my ROW80 update to another observation about Wordpress. We're working through things. So on Thursday, I discussed the things I'm learning about myself and how they compare to the characters I set up. An author review with Fay Lamb rounded out the week on Friday.

ROW80

The requirements of some volunteer work I do intensified this week. Unable to write the first half of the week, I kept struggling to get to it the second-half but found myself out of practice. How can I get out of practice in only a few weeks. I mean I never REALLY stop writing, just stop working on the WIP. But then that's the issue. This isn't a non-fiction book that I can write a section at a time. A novel flows without stopping places - making placing a bookmark or putting the story down very difficult. So in taking a break from it, I really need to carve out a great chunk of time to settle back into the story world again. 

Along with a new goal of writing 1000 words every day, I'm toying with breaking my blog into chunks as well. Not many bloggers set up brand new articles every day, but I don't think I'm giving these articles my best effort because I have to churn them out, usually at night, with little time for inspiration or even editing. (I hate finding the mistakes!)

So as much as I'd like to continue with some of the daily plans I have, like my cool A2Z blog hop, (Second time through the alphabet!) I think I need to find a tighter niche for my writing. No big changes yet, but I'm looking for inspiration. I could use prayer for that!

PREVIEWS

Like I said, nothing really changes this week. On Monday, I'll be highlighting the Clash of the Titles winner from this week. Such a great way to get a chewy morsel from a book, like a sample off a cookie tray, to see if it resonates! Tuesday will be my regular A2Z article, but this one is extraordinary. I literally shed tears over it. Definitely a must-see. On Wednesday, I'll share another update and take you along on my journey for a bit. Thursday's offering will likely be linked to Social Media as it is beginning to consume every spare moment. And on Friday, I hope to have a new author interview to share with you.

So what are your plans for this weekend?

Wordpress Bugs

Yes, this is how the site was SUPPOSED to look!

I found out today, that the background I worked on for HOURS - nay, DAYS - only looks good on my own computer. Are you KIDDING me? Seriously. I grunted over this background - adjust, save, load, repeat. It never occurred to me that Wordpress wouldn't auto-fit the final concept. 

So I'll punt and go with a canned look. And that will be okay. (She tells herself with a growl.) I'm frustrated that I wasted almost 12 hours on setting it up, though. 

And that's where I started on this Wednesday ROW80 update. Frustrated. Not only because of my wasted time (a most valued commodity) but also because I've been constantly distracted with outside requests and issues. I haven't been able to write more than a blog article in days. And I'm burning to get to it! But thankfully, that's not where I finished this update - read on!

My WIP took an amazing turn last week, but I haven't had the opportunity to pursue it. So my writing goal hasn't been where I want it. But I have been doing some blog visiting - not as much as I wish. I have set up the new website pieces that I'll be opening sometime next month, though I'd like to be able to write more on them. And I got my exercise in this week and am eating right. (She says as she takes a bite of chocolate chunk cookie - yes, it IS sugar-free, but still.) Oh and I finally stopped procrastinating and turned in my contest piece. That's a win as well. So I guess there are more :) than :( or maybe that should be @**@.

For the rest of the week, I'd like to get ahead on blog articles again. Don't like this last minute stuff I've been doing. I truly hope to finish the changes that I'm making to my WIP so I can get back to the new story I've started. Too many scenes are running through my head. 

Now here's the rest of the story. As I wrote this, I decided I couldn't leave me blog half-done. Yes, I'm ADD and stopped to make adjustments! I had to make it look somewhat professional. So I changed the layout with the intent to go with a plain design. Well the layout fell into my current background beautifully. I added my original header to an enlarged version of it and I LOVE it. I'm so please with the way it turned out. I know it's only just for now, but it makes me smile! Go visit my new space! It is http://marjilaine.wordpress.com. (A simple change.) I'll be switching permanently soon, so bookmark it!

This post started out in a nothing's-right, rain cloud, but by talking my way through my week, I easily found some things to be happy about. (Oh, and the Dear Boy's Rugby team won the Texas State Championship!) I guess I just needed to step out of the emotion and view the reality of what's really going on. 

Where are you right now? On an upswing or down? If you're heading down, can you look for something good that you can grab hold of. Even small smiles can pull you out before you hit the dregs at the bottom of the tea cup.

Blessings!

Blogger vs. Wordpress

I've worked on Blogger for several years. For the last 8 months, I've been faithfully posting daily blogs and before that, I kept up a weekly scrapbooking blog. I thought I knew Blogger pretty well, but I learned a lot this weekend when I asked folks which they preferred.

I got feed back from all sorts, many of whom had used both. Only one

News. Reviews. Previews.

I had so much fun planning this week. I've got some new blog ideas and am actually considering moving my blog over to Wordpress instead of keeping it here at Blogger. Have any of you done that? I'd love to hear your advice on the matter!

So I've got these new things that I'm so pumped about sharing. But I want to
wait to make it all just right before I do a grand opening! So excited!

Speaking of excited, did you notice the change in the header. I promise the picture that was there before was only a half-dozen years old, but it made me look much younger. So this one is only a few months old. My dinky twinky did a great job on it! (BTW, Dinky Twinkies is code for my twin girls. thus Dinky Twinky would be a single.) Precious Redhead said it made me look mysterious. I would be flattered except that yesterday she said my grin made me look constipated. I think I'll go looking for compliments elsewhere - just sayin'. :)

This weekender will offer:

• Some great blog articles from authors including Staci Stallings, Jody Hedlund, David Walker, and Julie Cantrell.
• Last week's blog review
• ROW80 Update
• Next Week's Blog Expectations

News

I'm getting better at visiting blogs, this week. Of course with my Grace Readers' Weekly, I don't have to rely only on my own blog touring. Some Twitter buddies offer their favorites as well.

Review

Last Monday, I got to share the Best Almost Kiss winner at the Clash of the Titles. I'm enjoying being part of their blog Alliance every other week. On Tuesday, I shared about my boy's rugby team at the University of Texas at Dallas in G is for Grrrrr! Highs and lows and how to live through them was my topic on Wednesday with another ROW80 update. Then I shared all I've learned about writing a Synopsis on Thursday. An interview with author and missionary Zeke Lam rounded out the week with a discussion of his book, Submission. Please visit the links here if you missed one of the articles!

ROW80 Update

Like I said, I'm inspired. I've written about 5k in a new story and am in the process of laying it out. I've taken two of my other stories, along with a serial I wrote using one of the characters, and am in the process of weaving the serial into my second story to connect them in a series. This third one that I'm writing now will complete the set and I'm really excited how things are going with it. 

I got better at blog visiting, started on Pinterest (I'm totally addicted!), began tweeting more regularly, and set up some new surprises for later. Oh and I also played volleyball for an hour and a half! So sore after sitting around for 2 weeks! Now if I could just get off of potatoes again!

Preveiw

I think my plans may change, but for right now, I'm planning to Review a brand new book by debut author Bonnie S. Calhoun on Monday. On Tuesday, I'll be highlighting the letter H. Hmmmmmm. I'll have another ROW80 update on Wednesday, along with an inspirational article about life and writing. On Thursday, I'll be chatting about learning styles and how they affect adults as much as kids. Then Friday will hold an interview with Author Fay Lamb. 

Hope you've had a productive week and will have a delightful weekend. I'm going to watch my Dear Boy beat up on the UT of San Antonio for the Texas State Rugby Championship! (That's the way I've pictured it in my head anyway.)

Have you blogged with both Blogger and Wordpress? Which do you prefer? Do you think I should switch to Wordpress?