I feel I should put my best foot forward here. Instead, I’m going to go ahead and say I’m having some sort of attack.
Panic?
Perhaps.
I can churn out posts with the best of them. But writing for someone else’s blog is just… It’s like cooking in someone else’s kitchen, you know? And worse yet, they’re going to serve whatever you make for dinner. To a party of twenty.
So, about now, you’re asking yourself “What’s all this?” And wondering what I’m going on about. Since I don’t really know, I’ll continue on, as usual, in my pantser style.
Sit. Have a cuppa with me, and let’s talk about guest posts.
What the hell? She’s writing a guest post about guest posts? I know, right? Bear with me.
It’s intimidating. You’re sharing your writing in a space that’s not yours.
Every blogger who interviews, hosts other writers, provides promos, and the like has his or her own set of rules or preferences.
How do you approach them? What topics are interesting? Appropriate? Should you return and reply to comments or do they put police tape up around their comment section? Exactly how offended are they by swears?
Some of you have experienced the torture of submitting a piece for publication or searching for an agent. There are easy-going editors and agents and there are, um…not.
I’ve come across the ones who demand Georgia font, size 11, left justified (no indents), single space with double spacing between paragraphs, a complete recitation of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 over Skype, and proof of my ability to spin straw into gold. Alas, I can only recite Jabberwocky.
Then there are the ones who ask that you please spell their name correctly.
It’s similar in the blogosphere. Only fair. It’s their blog. It can be daunting, but only if you let it. And here’s the thing. If you’re a writer, blogger, author, whatever, and you’ve been offered a guest post, clearly you’ve gotten the stamp of approval and have the ability to write a coherent, non-puke-worthy post. So ditch the doubt.
My best advice is to read the person’s guidelines and proofread your work. Other than that…write. Just write.
See what you come up with, let them decide if it’s a good fit for their blog, and get out there. I know that is easier said than done for some of us extremely introverted writer types but I assure you it can be done. I will not insult you with “If I can do it, so can you…” but, hey, look at that, I just did.
Get yourself out there. I look forward to reading your posts.
“Testing…”
*taps mic*
“‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe…”
Find and follow Sarah
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About the author
Sarah Brentyn is an introvert who believes anything can be made better with soy sauce and wasabi.
She loves words and has been writing stories since she was nine years old. She talks to trees and apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them.
When she’s not writing, you can find her strolling through cemeteries or searching for fairies.
She hopes to build a vacation home in Narnia someday. In the meantime, she lives with her family and a rainbow-colored, wooden cat who is secretly a Guardian.
No One Escapes Life Unscathed
Delve into the deeper reaches of the human condition and the darkness that lives there.
A girl haunted by her sister’s drowning. A boy desperate for his father’s affection. A woman forced to make a devastating decision. A man trapped by his obsessions.
Experience tales of love, loss, murder, and madness through this collection of flash and micro fiction.
Take a peek behind the smile of a stranger. Get a glimpse inside the heart of a friend. Scratch the surface and discover what is hidden beneath.
These stories will open your mind, tug at your thoughts, and allow you to explore the possibility that, even in the brightest moments, something is Hinting at Shadows.
Author’s Note: Each selection is approximately 100 words, with a bonus section of Microbursts in which each story is told in 50 words or less.
“She is a master at this genre of writing, with twists that are unexpected as they are shocking. no story exceeded 100 words and many, including those that hit hardest, were over in a blink of an eye, yet stayed with you, rocking you to your core.” Extract of Amazon review by Roger Waters.
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
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Thank you for sharing 🙂
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Thrilled to be here today, Sue. 💖 Thanks for letting me cook in your kitchen. (We can always get take-out.)
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LOL… I am always up for a culinary adventure 🙂 Thanks for coming over, Sarah … it has been fun 🙂
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What a gorgeous book cover!
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Isn’t it?
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Thanks! 🙂
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i say sorry too when I bump into anything, even myself at times. Great book trailer.
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I remember my ex husband klonking someone over the head with his guitar (accidentally, I must add) and saying thank you instead of sorry… his languages got mussed 🙂
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oh dear, Sue that I would have liked to have heard. xx
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I couldn’t stop laughing… xx
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I don’t know why I apologize to everything but, well, I do and there you go. I like to think of it as a cute “quirk”. 😉 Thank you! My talented cover designer made that awesome trailer.
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Brilliant post, but then, you always make me laugh, Sarah. This was no exception. And yet, you got the point across perfectly. Well done!
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Aw, thanks, Marcia. Glad I made someone laugh. 😀 Also very happy to know I got my point across. I know many people who are shy and/or introverted and need to be nudged into getting themselves out there. *ahem*
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Anyone who can say “brillig” and “slithy toves” with a straight face . . . erm . . . straight font? . . . has my utmost respect and affection. 😀 And hopefully, shy people everywhere will now have the strength to do what’s got to be done. 😉
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I am quite serious when it comes to my Jabberwocky recitation. Not so serious when I guest blog, apparently. Still. Had to be done. Did it. 😉 I’m proud of my shy, little self. The shy shall rise and inherit the Earth!
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Sorry I didn’t tell you how much I love that trailer, Sarah. It’s gorgeous and haunting. (I’ve been sick all week, and was only vertical long enough to take a quick peek at 3 or 4 blogs I follow, so was in a rush.) Heading over to Amazon right now, then back to bed, hopefully to feel much better tomorrow. Have a great weekend!
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Aw, thank you! 💖 I hope you are feeling better very soon. Have a lovely (healthy) weekend.
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I am nervous of cooking in someone else’s kitchen too, especially as I am so clumsy! You did a wonderful guest post, encouraging and honest 🙂
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I’ll cook anywhere… but writing? I’m with Sarah 😉
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You surprise me, Sue. 🙂
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Well, you never know 😉
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I’m a bit surprised, too. Really? I can’t imagine that, Sue.
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Stage-fright 🙂
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Cooking was a far-fetched analogy. That would be *really* bad. Worse than the writing, I think. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I was so…stuck. I finally just typed and this weird post poured out. Maybe next time it will be about something cool. For now, I really do hope it was encouraging to others. (It certainly was honest.) 😉 Thank you!
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I think it was a pretty good analogy, Sarah…and the post struck a shord with quite a few people 🙂
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Just doing my part to help. 😉 Exposing my weaknesses for others. It’s what I do. I also apparently muck up other blogger’s comment sections. I’ll stop. ❤
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LOL… you can blame WP for that one 🙂
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I really enjoyed it Sarah 😆
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Reblogged this on Lemon Shark and commented:
I’m over at Sue Vincent’s place chatting about how nerve-racking guest posts can be. Sue is a sweetheart with a great sense of humor (and a fabulous blog). She gave me scones and let me be my goofy self so that was fun. Please check out my piece: Where I Spin Self-Doubt Into a Post (then think about writing your own…)
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Thanks for sharing, Sarah… and once again for coming round. If I’d eaten all the scones myself, it would have been a disaster 😉
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Ack! What are you doing awake at this hour? Wait…what am I doing awake at this hour? 😴
Guest posting and the scones both were a real treat. Thank you. 💖
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I know…we should sleep more…but I doubt my boss would agree 😉
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Loved your ‘breath of fresh air’ honesty Sarah. And I also love the book trailer. ❤ 🙂
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Aw… I’m always thinking “Geez, woman, you are full of hot air” but I so like yours better. A breath of fresh air. Yes, I like that. 😉 Thanks, lovely lady! 💖
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Always a pleasure reading your thoughts. Yes, seriously, I mean it. 🙂 ❤
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Brilliant — a guest list about writing guest posts. Sometimes, writers might be reluctant to ask so this gives a good framework. That’s the first time I’ve seen your trailer, Sarah. It’s gorgeous. Nice branding.
Thank for hosting, Sue!
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My pleasure, Charli and I think you are right…no matter how many times I wave my invitations, most writers don’t seem to like to ask… but honest, I don’t bite 😉
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It’s a great resource for writers to have through your platform.
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I love having people over…after all, it is the readers who make the site…and half of them are writers 🙂
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I know I was reluctant. Still am. But hopefully less so now. And I hope others will be more willing to get out there. I was trying to write this Great Post but, alas, this is what happened. I just went with it.
My cover designer made that trailer. I love it. I’m not techie enough to pull that off. Thank you! 💖
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I love Sarah! Great post. Thanks for having her, Sue. ❤
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It was a real pleasure, Colleen 🙂
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Hi, Colleen! *waves* Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comment. 😊💖
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Welcome ❤
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So glad I caught this post, Sarah. I love your sense of humor and pantser style. You always make me smile and have succeeded at a guest post far superior to anything puke-worthy. Ha ha. This is the first time I saw the trailer. Well done! Compelling and haunting. And you already know I found your book 5-star-worthy! Great post!
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Excellent. It is non puke-worthy. I aim to please. Thank you so much for reading and for your amazing comment. I’ll be smiling all day! 🙂💖
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My favorite poem!
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It’s a great one. When are we getting a beer? We can have a few and recite it in the bar. Everyone will envy us. They will wish they were that cool.
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I don’t think the word cool begins to define us. Websters will need to great a whole new term to describe such awesome wonderment
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Great trailer – hadn’t seen that before. Great book, too. Just disappointed we didn’t hear more about the Jubjub bird, because there’s nothing quite like a gyre and gimble, especially in the wabe.
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Thank you. And thank you. 😊
Hey, I’m resting here by the Tumtum tree with my sword. Plus…being careful, you know? Got to beware of those damn birds.
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True enough – those birds come in all shapes and sizes. And sometimes you need more than just a vorpal blade!
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Well you did just great, Sarah! 😊 And I can’t think of a better place than to share a guest post than on Sue’s blog. 😊 Enjoy your weekend, lovely ladies. Xxx
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Thanks, Ali. Much appreciated. It is quite a lovely place to guest post and work through my introverted issues. Sue is patient and kind to put up with me. 😉 Hope you are doing well. 💖
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Pingback: Guestapostophobia (The Fear of Writing Guest Posts) | Lemon Shark
Great to find my writing and blogging friend Sarah on your blog! And Sarah, you are such a great writer, always crafting perfection!
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Sarah is always a joy to have over here 🙂
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Thank you, Sue. ❤
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Hello, Barbara! 🙂 Aw, thank you. “crafting perfection!” I’ll be smiling all week. 💖
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You had a great guest post, Sarah! It’s always a bit terrifying, trying to figure out what to write for someone else’s because you want it to be fabulous and then worry it’s not good enough. At least that’s how I get. 🙂
Your comment about spelling the name right made me smile. That’s why I chose not to go with some editors, because they got my name wrong in their reply.
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So, yes…”terrifying” and “worry it’s not good enough”. That about covers it. 😉
Honestly, spelling someone’s name wrong? Pfft. I mean, we’re human. We make mistakes but, when it’s clearly not a typo and/or it’s repeatedly spelled wrong… I don’t feel like it’s asking much to get your name right. Especially if you’re not that demanding about a lot of the other stuff.
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I’m so sorry I missed this one at the time – trying to catch up a bit now. Well done – nerves or not!
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Thank you, Norah! 🙂💖
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