First, I’d like to send out a special thank you to Richard Rhorer and Mignon Fogarty for sponsoring this contest.

Is this your first time to visit Writing the Cyber Highway? Be sure to subscribe to my Feed or by e-mail. In the next couple of posts, I’ll be sharing photos and details about my visit to an old-fashioned festival where I dressed up as a pioneer woman (bonnet and all!) and also had the amazing opportunity to meet an Editor and an Editor-In-Chief. Eeek!

“My philosophy is that learning about language should be fun. I’m not in this for the thrill of running a metaphorical red pen through e-mail messages or blog posts. Although writing badly is like dressing in lime skorts and an orange plaid sweater-people notice-publicly correcting a stranger’s writing is as rude as asking someone with a fashion problem “Did you think that looked good when you got dressed this morning?” I would do neither. Instead, I hope to raise the waters of good writing by distributing quick and dirty tips as widely as possible.”-Mignon Fogarty, aka Grammar Girl

And she’s definitely accomplishing that!

I love the fun way Mignon Fogarty explains difficult English grammar and usage rules. The cartoon examples are fun, too! You don’t have to be a writer to want to improve your grammar. Maybe you’re in college or high school, or maybe you just want to write perfect e-mails to your co-workers or persnickety friends and family. Whatever reason you have for wanting to learn the ins and outs of English, now’s your chance to do just that! I’m excited to offer a contest with Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing as the prize. Wait, not only does one reader get the chance to win-two of you are going to have the opportunity to win this awesome book!

No, you aren’t seeing double!

Two of you will each win a copy of Grammar Girl’s book!

Mignon Fogarty shares her knowledge of the English language in a light-hearted, down-to-earth way all of us can learn from.

From the bright, cheerful cover to the fun and easy-to-understand grammar and usage tips to the oh-so-cute cartoons of Squiggly and Aardvark, Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing is a book that should be on everyone’s bookshelf-even if you aren’t a writer or blogger!

A peek inside:

Learning from Aardvark…

You may find it odd that an adult English grammar reference book has cartoon illustrations sprinkled throughout its pages, but you’ll understand once Fogarty explains:  “I get flashes of crazy memory tricks, funny phrases, and cartoons where Aardvark (a blue aardvark) and Squiggly (a yellow snail) go on grammar adventures, and I love to share them all with you.” (Isn’t it so nice of her to share with us?!)

Keep up with Grammar Girl

Grammar Girl speeds the cyber highway sharing grammar and usage tips and can be found at the following locations:

• On Twitter: @GrammarGirl
• Subscribe to her daily tip newsletter.
• Visit Grammar Girl’s site and listen to the podcast!

I love the cover design!

I have an endless thirst for knowledge. I love learning, and as a writer and blogger, I especially love honing my craft. I adore writing reference books. Some of you may remember last year I won a contest myself: a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate. You better believe I used every last penny of it on reference books to enhance my writing career. And this is one reason I’m so excited for you, my readers, to have the opportunity to expand your own reference library!

Have a Kindle? You can get a Kindle version of Grammar Girl, too!

Oh, and did I mention Mignon Fogarty is only Oprah’s favorite grammar gal?!

Contest Rules

You’re allowed FIVE entries for this contest:

Note: Please leave a comment for each thing you do (tweet, plurk, etc.) because each comment will be counted as a number when I enter the total number of comments at Random.org once the contest ends. Thanks!

1. Leave a comment sharing why you’d benefit from owning a copy of Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. (DO NOT just say “thanks for the contest” or something like that-I do not publish those type of comments because they seem like spam and aren’t fair to the other contestants who leave a thoughtful, genuine answer.)
2. Do you use Twitter? Tweet about this contest and then leave a comment with your Twitter name.
3. Share this contest on your blog, linking back to this post. (The pingback will be counted as your third entry.) If you don’t see your pingback, just contact me and let me know. It may have gone to spam for some reason.
4. Add Writing the Cyber Highway to your favorites on Technoratori. Comment to let me know, with a link to your technoratori profile to show you added us.
5. Do you Plurk? Share this contest on Plurk and then leave the Plurk page URL in the comments. That will count as your fifth (and last) entry.

NOTE: ANYONE can enter this contest. You DO NOT have to be in the United States. Oh, and I’ll be using Random.org to choose the winners.

Contest ends Saturday, June 13th, at 9 p.m. (Central Time) so you have 10 days to get all your entries in. Have fun trying to win!

By

Michele L. Tune

She’s on fire. Her words are inspiring, motivating, true, and resonate with my soul – and many others, I know. She’s accomplished more in a few months than most writers and bloggers accomplish in years. Her enthusiasm, talent, and zest for life are intoxicating and contagious. Who am I talking about? Okay, I’ll tell you. I could definitely go on and on, but I’ll resist. Her name is Kimberlee Ferrell. (You may remember her guest post.)She’s only been freelancing for a few months (although she’s been writing since she was a toddler) and she’s already achieving tons of writing and blogging success. She’s even written a fabulous e-book sharing how she’s achieving her success, and how you can do the same. (I’ve personally read the e-book and highly recommend it–it will help you blaze a trail all along the cyber highway!)

On to the interview…

Writing the Cyber Highway: You haven’t been freelancing for very long. Why don’t you share what you feel has brought you so much success in such a short time?

Kimberlee: My friends, both writers and non-writers! I have spent a lot of time cultivating relationships with all kinds of people on the internet. They are wonderful supporters who have pushed me on, even when I was unsure of myself. I could celebrate my successes with them, and brainstorm with them through challenges. I could not have done it without them!

CH: Even though you’re new to the freelance business, you have learned and excelled quickly. I’m learning from you and I’ve been freelancing since 2005! Convince everyone that even though you’re new you have important information to share in this e-book you’re offering.

Kimberlee: My e-book is not just for writers, although they will benefit greatly from its advice. Being sincere is something you learn over the course of your whole life. Before becoming a freelance writer, I was a waitress at a variety of restaurants. While waitresses are trained to be pleasant in the face of the unfriendliest people, I developed a different trait. I learned to draw happiness, warmth and sincerity from the bottom of my heart, so I could be kind and gracious to everyone.

This ability to be sincere and true to yourself applies beautifully to online businesses. You have time to think over your responses to others, and craft the best possible reply. You aren’t prone to slip up and say something you might regret. If you can be sincere in your desire to build others up, you and your friends will succeed.

CH: What prompted you to just “go for it” and write your e-book: Sincere Online Community Building?

Kimberlee: Again, it was due to the power of the online community. I have seen so many incredible success stories, through the unique characteristics of social media. I even have my own, as the community pulled together and helped get my car windshield replaced. I have even heard of a little girl getting a kidney donor! As a thank you to my online community, I decided to pull together all I had learned about being a genuine presence online, and share it with you in my e-book.

CH: You have such a fresh and inspiring confidence. Where does this come from? What drives you to be the excellent writer and blogger you are?

Kimberlee: I have the mindset of “failure is not an option!” People are so prone to giving up when things get tough. I have been there myself. It is a depressing place that I refuse to go back to again. I was laid off this fall, and I decided to take control of my own destiny and do what I love: freelance writing. I have my family to support, and I cannot fail them! I push myself each day to do the best I can for myself, my family and my community.

CH: In a recent post sharing your 2009 goals, you mentioned you plan on writing a new e-book each month. That is amazing! I’m sure you can do it (just because I’ve seen what you’ve already accomplished). Do you mind letting us know how you plan to make this goal come to fruition? Are you going to write each night after your daughters are asleep, or will you devote the weekends to e-book writing?

Kimberlee: I plan on giving my e-books my full attention, after my writing projects are done for the day. I am seeking input from my community, on what their goals are and what kind of information they might need to fulfill them. Then I will craft each e-book to help inspire, inform, and delight my community on the way to their success.

CH: Any advice you’d like to offer other new freelancers?

Kimberlee: Never give up! There is always something great on the horizon, even if you just can’t see it yet. Learn as much as you can, then jump in headfirst. You may make mistakes, but you will succeed in time. Keep writing, even when you don’t feel like it. The words will come, as long as you are attempting to write them down. Support each other, and you will reap the benefits. Give to others, and you will receive the benefits.

Kimberlee Ferrell is a freelance writer and blogger for Freedom Writing. She is also a mother of two girls living in small town Iowa. She also enjoys a strong (and large!) cup of coffee and walnut brownies.

Click here to visit Kimberlee Ferrell’s website!

Thank you so much, Kimberlee, for spending some time inspiring us here at Writing the Cyber Highway and letting us get to know you better!

NEW UPDATE: The drawing is over. See the winners here.

IMPORTANT UPDATE!

Kimberlee has decided to give away FOUR COPIES of her awesome e-book! Click here for an opportunity to win.

Note from Writing the Cyber Highway hostess (that’s me!) :

I’d like to add fess up that I experienced a little burnout in 2008. Not that I’d ever consider giving up writing, but I could feel my writing fire flickering… When I met Kim, I could see myself. She’s so much like me when I first started writing and blogging. She’s that fresh voice, ready to take the writing world by storm with energy that lasts through the night – night after night. I’d love to thank her for reminding me of that. Kimberlee has inspired me to dig deeper, keep at it, and make 2009 my best writing and blogging year ever! Thank you, Kimberlee, and may 2009 exceed all your dreams – you certainly deserve all the goodness that comes your way!

Be sure to subscribe to Writing the Cyber Highway’s Feed or by email, so you won’t miss upcoming posts and updates. Look for news from my own writing life, as well as interviews with other amazing and inspiring folks. I’ll even be sharing the links to my mom’s new website and blog!

Copyright 2008 Writing the Cyber Highway

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: http://www.sxc.hu

I thought I’d share some link love to some of my favorite posts I’ve read recently. These are some really good ones. And, don’t just read the following posts and move on. These blogs are really awesome and their authors are way talented! Subscribe to their feed so you can follow them from now on.

An Opinion on Penny a Word Writing Gigs by Dana Prince, at The Writer’s Blog - Dana really shared her opinion on this touchy topic with dignity and grace! It’s wonderful how she gives such awesome reasons for accepting writing gigs that don’t pay as much as you’d like. It’s not for everyone, but Dana makes you feel good about yourself if you are taking those type of gigs – for whatever reason. Another one who deserves a big ole way to go!

Find or Establish a Local Writer’s Group by Rebecca Laffar-Smith, at The Writer’s Round-About - Rebecca asks if you attend or have thought about starting your own local writer’s group. She highlights some great reasons and gives the time and place of the local writer’s group she herself attends. If you’re in Australia (in her area) perhaps you can go!

Freelance Writing: Your Way or Mine? by Amy Derby, at Write from Home - You’ll love the way Amy handles “Mr. X”, who e-mailed and ridiculed her writing abilities. I love how she pretty much vented and got it all out – without even cursing! And, how awesome that she can earn such a great living (making more than she did at a top law firm!) by doing what she loves most. Way to go, Amy! I say Amy’s way is working just fine!

How Honest Are You with Your Readers? by Deb Ng, at Freelance Writing Gigs – Are you honest with your readers? Do you share decisions you’ve made regarding your freelance career – decisions that could bring you negative feedback? How do you handle it? Do you ignore it and move on? What’s your take on being totally honest in your blog posts? Would you rather not? Find out what Deb has to say. I loved reading her thoughts. Check this one out. It was a great read!

How to Write an EBook (series) by Katherine Huether, at KatherineHuether.com - Katherine does a fantastic job of giving her readers step-by-step instructions for writing ebooks. She’s written many for her clients but is planning to write and market one (or several) for herself in the future – hopefully the near future! So, if you’re looking to write an ebook – for clients or for yourself – be sure to absorb this entire series!

If I Ran the Zoo…(Just how important are spelling and grammar, anyway?) by “Other Deb”, at The Dangling Conversation – Deb discusses the importance of spelling and grammar. How important is it to you? Do you care if you read something that is horribly written? Is it ok with you that children in our country are graduating high school without being able to read or write a proper sentence? Deb shares her heart on the topic. Definitely one you should invest a few minutes for!

Is Your Child Learning at School? by Hope Wilbanks, at Coffee with Hope – This is an amazing story about a child Hope had the opportunity to teach as she played the role of substitute teacher recently. The event broke her heart and as you read about it, I’m sure most (if not all) of you will be wiping tears. What an injustice America’s children face each day… Bravo to Hope for making a difference – even if it was just that one day, I’m sure the memory and kindness she showed him will carry throughout his lifetime! (But I have a feeling she’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in multiple lives some day!)

Organizing Your Freelance Writing Career by Sharon Hurley Hall, at Get Paid to Write Online – Learn how Sharon balances her freelance writing career with family and an actual life AWAY from the computer screen. Her approach is one that’s working, so you may want to see how you could glean from her experience and put her wisdom to use in your own freelance career!

Putting Weekends to Good Use by Jenn Hollowell, at Working Writer - Do you write on the weekends or use them as a time to push away from the keyboard to clear your head and rest your eyes? If you’re wanting to use every spare moment you can scrounge up to build your freelance career, check out Jenn’s advice for making the weekend a tool to enhance your business. Great idea, Jenn!

Time Management: The Internet (Part One) AND Part Two by April Aragam, at Blog of a Writer – Great tips for keeping yourself accountable while using the Internet. April shares simple steps you can take so you don’t end up swallowed up and lost in a sea of chats, blogs, and whatever networking sites you adore and participate in. Very sound advice, April!

Which Comes First: The Source or the Story? by Susan Johnston, at The Urban Muse – So, what’s your answer to this question? Join Susan as she ponders her thoughts – and asks you for yours – on this topic. It’s a lot to consider!

SERIOUS UPDATE: I visited Susan’s blog today and discovered her dad has passed away. She needs your hugs, prayers, and/or any kind words of encouragement and understanding you have for her. My condolences, Susan. I’m praying for you!

Work Your Jaws by Melissa Donovan, at Writing Forward - Melissa talks about how not only has our handwriting suffered since our obsessions with being at the computer typing, but because of our isolation, most of us freelancers aren’t talkative or social anymore. Something to think about for sure!

Writing Style Meme by Becca, at -In fond memory of her school days, Becca assigns “homework” for her readers to complete. You can post your answers on your blog or in her comments section. This looks like fun. She asks some good questions! If you haven’t already visited, be sure to drop by. I’ve given Becca link love before, but it was for her other blog: Becca’s ByLine, which is a wonderful blog as well!

Happy weekend reading!!