If you
like to write but do not want the obligation of running your own site, guest
blogging may be a good outlet for you. You choose the topic, do the research,
and create your post.

If you are
over 60 and have many a lazy afternoon, you may choose to share your musings,
tips, and professional experience with readers who will benefit from them.

Many sites
welcome guest writers, and although you often will not be paid, for many of us
having our work published is payment enough.

What Makes Blog Writing Different?

Writing
blog posts is different from other types of prose for several reasons. First,
the tone is far less formal. Although sentence structure, grammar, and general
mechanics must adhere to the rules of proper English, the style can be more
conversational.

Readers
are on a site for a specific reason, and, as a blogger, you must provide the
information that is being sought. Narrowing the focus, providing value for the
time that the reader is spending on the page, and giving solid and timely tips
and information are all crucial. The successful blog writer provides all of
these.

Another
way that blog writing is unique is that it tends to be written in smaller
bites, easily digestible for the reader. Headings, lists, a variety of fonts,
and even color are a few of the ways that a blog will hold the reader’s
interest.

A final
way that blogging is different is that it adheres to strict word count
guidelines. If posts are to be in the 500-word range, you cannot carry on for a
thousand words. There is no room for pontificating or lengthy descriptions. Just
make the point, then move on.

How Is Blog Writing Similar to Other Types of Writing?

While blog
writing varies from other types of writing, it is similar in many ways. As in
all writing, the blogger must choose a topic and stick to it. It is
inappropriate to drift from the subject at hand, especially given the limited
word count.

Like all
writers, a blogger must hold the reader’s interest. If the writing is not
engaging, the audience will be lost.

Voice must
be consistent. If you like to write with a humorous voice, that must be the way
you always write. Your readers will come to expect it, and you cannot
disappoint if you want them to return to your blog eager for more. Similarly,
if you are a serious writer with a matter-of-fact voice, that’s what your followers
would want.

In all
informational writing, the reader wants facts. Hence, make sure that your
writing is based on research and not just culled from all that is printed on
the ‘net. Readers will want to be able to rely on the verity of the post and
its author. Additionally, it never hurts to include your sources as a
reference.

Are You Ready to Become a Blogger?

Writing for a blog is not difficult, and if you wish to give it a try, there are many sites that welcome guest bloggers. It is a good idea to read a few posts from the sites to which you wish to submit your writing – to get a feel for the type of articles that the publisher might expect. Then, go for it!

You might
be thrilled to see your words in print and know that you have a potential
audience of millions. Blogging is exciting and rewarding, and there is nothing
to stop you from jumping into this creative wonderland. Give it a try!

What is your area of expertise? Would you like to write about it? Have you? Do you think that blogging is similar to keeping a journal? Please share your thoughts and observations with our community!

Kenya Moore’s Pink Sparkle Dress on the Bravo TV After Show

Real Housewives of Atlanta Fashion

Kenya Moore’s pink sparkle dress on the Real Housewives of Atlanta Bravo TV After Show is everything and more. She looks great in pink and blue and red and yellow and orange and every other color that exists and the extra sparkle on the asymmetrical look makes it gone with the wind fabulous.

I am just about to watch tonight’s episode on delay because RHOA and RHONJ starting at 7pm CST isn’t doing those of us in this time zone any favors. And while I always love to see what Kenya wears, I have to admit I also really tune in to see what drama she is going to cause, which is normally as next level as her lewks.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to See Her Rachel Comey Asti Sequin Dress

Originally posted at: Kenya Moore’s Pink Sparkle Dress

I’m typically
a cheerful person. Unfortunately, I’ve been humbled by a front row seat to life
getting in my way.

Within the
last two years, my husband and I suffered a home burglary so violating that we
packed up and moved to a new city to start a new life.

A close
family member was diagnosed with dementia, creating new part time jobs for my
sister and me as we manage from states away.

Last
December, my husband of 32 years had a mini stroke that required 36 hours in
intensive care, during which I worried about what life would be like if I would
be lucky enough to bring him home.

He’s fine
now, and I am so grateful. What a wake-up call.

We Like to Focus on Happy Experiences

What
starts out as an ordinary day can sometimes go very wrong and change our life
forever in an instant.

That’s why
most of us are happy to be in smooth sailing mode. We live our lives, tend to
jobs and businesses, and plan for the wedding, baby shower, or graduation.

We create
dream boards to illustrate our big goals with images from magazines that show
vacations to exotic destinations, beautiful homes, and sporty new cars. The
focus on happy experiences, material possessions, valuable assets is fun to
talk about.

It’s not
so fun to talk about what could go wrong.

Life Gets in the Way

The U.S.
Department of Labor reports that only the top 6% of wage earners will achieve a
six-figure income at their jobs.

Cautionary statistics are also true for those who start businesses. The Small Business Administration states that 30% of new businesses fail during the first two years. Only 25% make it to 15 years or more.

Why is
that? Many reasons, mostly focused on absence of capital, lack of know-how, creating
the wrong solutions, and changing trends.

Here’s the
piece that also stops many in their tracks: Life got in the way in the form of
disease, divorce, disability, disaster, or death. In the United States, there are:

• 365,000 serious fires per year;
• 9 million identity thefts; and
• 2 million car accidents resulting in permanent
  disability.

That means
that some big dreamers are sidelined to tend to life as it happens. They are
likely unprepared for the fall out.

Dreaming Big but Skipping Preparation

Why are we
so quick to dream the big dreams and so reluctant to take steps to protect them?

Fear,
denial, procrastination, not knowing what steps to take or when, and overwhelm
are excuses that come up again and again.

Here are five
actions to take today to get your act together and feel more empowered before
something random or crazy can stop you.

Claim Utilities

Put the
names of all adults in the household on the utility statements for the next
billing cycle so all can call for help when the power goes out or worse.

Keep Beneficiary Designations Up to Date

Check your
beneficiary designations often and make sure they’re current to avoid an
inheritance denial due to administrative error.

Keep Records of Your Valuables

Take
pictures and assemble receipts and appraisals for jewelry and other valuables
before being victim to a burglary.

Entrust Phone PIN to a Reliable Party

Share your
phone login information with your partner or best friend so they can access
personal contacts just in case they need to share important news quickly with
people who have a need to know.

Secure Your Documents and Valuables

Set up a document
storage box for social security cards, passports, birth certificates, marriage
licenses, property or vehicle titles, and wills, and rent a safe deposit box
for valuables best left stored in a secure location.

Having
this information and other crucial documents where you can easily find them
will save you time and grief when life takes a turn by surprise, while making the
journey ahead a bit softer and gentler for those who need to drive life forward
in case you can’t.

Coming
back to big dreams for the future, you might be wondering, what is on my dream
board?

No More Drama

When you’re
in a drama-free zone – the kids and
parents are alright, jobs and health are good, your dreams are clear, along
with the path to make them come true – that’s
the time to do one more thing to ensure the success you’ve worked so hard to
achieve up until now.

Dream with
your eyes wide open and:

• Compile, save, update, and share your personal
  financial information and crucial documents with the people in your life who
  have a need to know.
• Ignite conversations with your loved ones to understand
  your wishes, just in case life doesn’t unfold in a neat and tidy fashion where
  every box gets checked in perfect order.
• Get on with the rest of your life to achieve
  your big dreams with the comfort that you’ll never leave a legacy of chaos to clean
  up later because you got your act together long before something random could stop
  you.

What
action will you take to get your act together today? What do you wish you had
done before life got in your way? What advice can you give to those who haven’t
thought forward yet? Let’s start a conversation.