Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Of A New Addiction, My WIP, and The Blog


Happy Wednesday, everyone! I have a few unrelated announcements and whatnot today...

Bloglovin'

In case you haven't already seen this, you can follow my blog via Bloglovin'! This is just an option as a way to keep tabs on this blog once Google Reader is out, if you'd like. And I'm just posting this link here because I apparently have to do so in order to "claim" my blog on Bloglovin'. So there you go! ;)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Pinterest

Yes, I did it. I created an account on Pinterest! I was a little hesitant to join the craze at first because of potential copyright issues (not to mention that Twitter, Goodreads, and blogging were enough to keep me busy, LOL!). But I've been trying to give credit where credit is due through links and such, so hopefully I'm doing this right! 

Anyway, my cover designer (the lovely and talented Lena Goldfinch, who's also now on Pinterest!) decided to create a "secret" board for us as an easier method for communicating cover ideas, and let me tell you, it's been fun! But, of course, as soon as I got into that I just had to keep going with other boards...

You can find my main page on Pinterest HERE. And if you're interested, I've created boards for my WIP! There's one for the characters and setting of the book (etc.), and another for the "soundtrack" to accompany the reading experience. Hope you enjoy browsing them!

(Speaking of Bleeding Heart, I just got edits back a couple of days ago!! I'm so blessed by Elizabeth Ludwig's assistance and friendship, and I'm excited to fix and polish BH so it's ready to present to others. My current hope is to have a cover reveal in June and a blog tour at the beginning of August, but we'll see how it goes! Do feel free to e-mail me if you're at all interested in being a part of either of those when the times comes: amberstokes@corban.edu)

Blog Design

Lastly, I noticed my dear blogging friend, Rissi, updated her blog's look:

Doesn't her blog look snazzy? And so cute!

Her update reminded me that it was high time my own blog got dressed up for a new season! It's been wearing its spring clothes since mid-winter, LOL. So I've given it what I hope is a more summery look!

The new background and color scheme speak of sunny days and clouds made for dreaming and floating upon through one's imagination. The main picture above is one from our trip last summer to Sunriver, Oregon - the Big Obsidian Flow near Bend. I like the matching blue sky and clouds (hope they fit pretty well with the background!), but I also like the symbolism in the picture. It speaks of adventure and new territory. There are rocks and shadows that suggest struggles during a journey, but the whole scene is one of hope with the expansive sky and the brightness in the distance. I'm hoping that, if it's the Lord's will, my upcoming journey with self-publishing will be an exciting adventure, with the shadows and rocks along the path only strengthening my trust in Him and the sweetness of His gifts.

Well, that's all for today! Hoping to have some new book reviews to share with you soon! In the meantime, how are you all doing? Any fun new addictions, blog designs, or what-have-you that you'd like to share?

6 comments:

Tales of Whimsy said...

Cool cool. I joined BL too. But I love Feedly more.

Pinterest is so addicting.

I LOVE Rissi's new look. I hope she keeps it.

Rissi said...

Woo-hoo! Great new look, Amber! Love the soft colors of the clouds in your header and the rustic, natural beauty of your header. You've definitely succeeded in what you set out to do. And I enjoyed your explanation of this new look. :)

CONGRATS on the launch of your book and the plans you have tentatively set for it. Pinterest is fun but luckily, I haven't gotten as attached to it as Twitter and Blogger. Here's hoping it stays that way. ;)

Thank you for your kind s/o here! You are one special lady, my friend. :)

Sent you a quick note. :)

Amber Holcomb said...

Juju,

Good to know! :)

Pinterest is most definitely addicting, especially when you're first starting out and all your boards are embarrassingly bare, LOL.

I <3 Rissi's new design, as well! :)

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Rissi,

I'm so glad you like it! Thank you for all of the kind words! :)

I'm still experiencing the excitement of a new venture when it comes to Pinterest, so I like to check it a lot, LOL. But yeah, I don't imagine I'll become quite as addicted to it as I am to Twitter. ;) Always love our convos there!

And thank you so much for the encouragement regarding BH!! I really appreciate your support, my friend. :) YOU are a special lady, and I'm grateful to know you!

Will respond to your note, soon! :)

~Amber

Kara said...

Looking good around here! :) And isn't Rissi's new look so adorable? I don't know how you ladies do it. My poor blog is kinda eclectic and who knows what. :/

How exciting for your book! That's really great! Can't wait to hear more about it. :D

As for Pinterest? Oh boy do I spend too much time on there. Not as much as I used to, but on lunch break at work or right after I get home, it's so easy to click on my app and spend quite a while! But oh so much fun at the same time! ;P

Amber Holcomb said...

Kara,

Hehe, thank you! And yes, I so agree! Rissi's blog is always so stylish. :) But Kara, dear friend, I love your blog, too!! It's very welcoming to me, and the pictures and quotes and color scheme are all so pretty and cheery. :)

Thank you for the encouraging words about BH!! It's kind of surreal to me that I'm moving forward with this, LOL. I was very encouraged by my editor's words, though, and while it might take some effort to polish it up, I'm feeling hopeful! My hope is that, if it's the Lord's will for me to share this story, He'll use it for His glory and to either challenge, encourage, or inspire (or all 3!) those who read it. :)

As for Pinterest...yeah. ;) I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time balancing all these social media things, especially because I already spend way too much time on Twitter, LOL! But yes, it's all fun. :)

~Amber