Weekly Round Up (3)

I can't believe I'm on my third Weekly Round Up already. This week has been a tough one for me personally and I haven't been able to comment on as many blogs as I would like, but I'm going to do a lot of that next week.

I also received my very first blog award this week (thanks C.M. Brown!) which is super exciting! I can't wait to pass it along to 10 terrific bloggers so scroll a little further to see the recipients.

Around the Web
- Guys, if you haven't already heard, Picnik is merging with Google next month and before Picnik closes its doors, they are making all their premium features free. This is a great chance to take advantage of what they have to offer. You can make banners, signatures, buttons, or just edit some graphics. Their special effects are fab! That's how I went from this:

To this:

(Also, if you would like me to make you a blog button or signature to put on your blog, just ask! I'd be more than happy to help you out. Designing graphical things is so much fun!)

In the Blogosphere

- This week saw the second challenge for the Writers' Platform-Building Campaign. I didn't take part this time around due to a busy revisions schedule, but I was lucky enough to be able to judge some of the entries. Seriously, you guys are such amazing writers. I'm going to spend next week reading the entries and visiting more campaigner blogs.

- Lynda R. Young writes the most helpful posts ever. This week I loved her post on How to Write Like You Can't Fail. There's some great advice there!

- You've probably heard about Inkpop and Figment already, but here is an interesting post that Daniel Todd Noyes did on why Figment scares him. After reading this, I'm a little scared too.

- This is an interesting post on "Why the Pretty White Girl YA Book Cover Trend Needs to End". I interpreted this post in a different way. I looked at three words in particular: "pretty", "white" and "girl". I want to see average looking people on book covers who I can relate to. I want to see people of different races (including white) represented on book covers. Also, I want to see different races represented in the content of the books too. I want to see more boys on book covers. There is a lack of diversity across the board, and race makes up one part of the issue.

- There's a big thing going around about CAPTCHA at the moment. I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about. For those who don't, here is an excellent post by Alison on how to eradicate the evil that is CAPTCHA. I'm not going to do a post on this matter, but I do want to add my two cents about the downside of word verification. About two months ago I received emails saying that people had commented on my blog but, when I went to check, the comments had mysteriously disappeared. I finally found the missing comments in a spam folder on the Blogger settings menu. Apparently, word verification had determined that the comments were spam! Once word verification was turned off I never experienced that problem again.

Books

- Guardian, the first novellete in the Creepy Hollow series by Rachel Morgan, released this week! Congratulations, Rachel! I thought Guardian was a great start to what looks to be a promising series.

In Komal World

- The wonderful C.M. Brown has awarded me my very first blog award, The Sunshine Award! Thanks so much for thinking of me!

Here are the rules:

• Thank the person who gave you the award and provide a link.
• Write a post about it
• Answer the questions below.
• Pass it on to 10 bloggers who you think really deserve it and let them know

Answer 10 Questions:

1. Favorite color – Blue
2. Favorite animal – Komodo Dragon
3. Favorite number – 13 and 23
4. Favorite non-alcoholic drink - Milk Pearl Tea from Easy Way! Oh my gosh, am I addicted to Easy Way!
5. Facebook or Twitter – Facebook, though I do have a Twitter account. I don't use Facebook or Twitter much anymore.
6. My passion – Dancing! I don't do it professionally anymore, but I used to instruct a dance group when I was 14.
7. Getting or giving presents? – I like giving presents, not getting them. I prefer to buy things for myself because I know exactly what I like. :)
8. Favorite pattern – Uh...pattern? I'm not a pattern person (Are there pattern people?).
9. Favorite day of the week – I like Saturday.
10. Favorite flower – Frangipanis because they smell amazing!

Here are the 10 bloggers I have selected to receive the Sunshine Award:

Michelle Flick: She was one of the first people I met when I started this blog and, a year later, we are best friends. Michelle has been working very hard on the release of her debut novel and I think she really deserves this award.

Erica Cope: Erica is my editor/friend who has a casual way of reviewing that I love! She is currently offering free editing services for anyone interested.

Ghenet Myrthil: Ghenet does thoughtful and helpful posts on writing. She has also given me some great advice on how to fix my query.

Nadja Notariani: Nadja is an author who gives out fabulous advice on her blog. I always enjoy reading her informative and insightful posts.

Gina Carey: Since I don't read as much Middle Grade anymore, Gina's blog is where I go when I want to find out about some great MG books!

Mia Hayson: Mia's posts make me laugh. She is so funny and quirky. It's always a treat visiting her blog.

Gwen: I've really enjoyed reading Gwen's posts on writing and I look forward to reading more! (Also, her kitten/lion banner is so cute!)

Michael Horvath: A great blogger I met during the campaign who is into games and books, just like me!

Bidisha: Bee writes great reviews and I always look forward to one of her posts. They always make me smile. :)

Rachel Bateman: Rachel is also one of first people I met when I started this blog and has some great stories in progress. Stories that I hope I get to read one day! 

Congratulations, everyone!

This week I've also been tagged in the lucky 7 meme by the lovely Gwen, so I'll do my post for it next week.

So, how has your week been? Feel free to borrow my Weekly Round Up image and do a post of your own. Are you reading something amazing? Have you made progress on your WIP? Seen a great movie? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Have a great week!