Ever wonder who you write like?

Well, now you can find out, sort of. See, it’s not an exact science. It never is, is it? Anyway, Russian software programmer Dmitry Chestnykh created an algorithm for all us writers to submit a few paragraphs and see who we may write like. Genius!

Dmitry created this not for fun and games, but to help writers become even better at their craft. There’s even a newsletter sign up to receive monthly tips.  You’ll also get the free ebook Short Story Writing: A Practical Treatise on the Art of the Short Story by Charles Raymond Barrett, Ph. B. And for those wanting a little more social interaction, follow on Facebook and Twitter.

My results

I put in my Dream Sequence and found out I write like Neil Gaiman. I didn’t know who he was either. I looked it up and found out he writes Science Fiction and Fantasy. He’s also tops in Comics. I think that’s pretty cool. Of course, now I have to find one of his books and see if I really do write like him.

What about you?

Wonder who you write like? Go find out for yourself and get your very own I Write Like badge to display proudly for all to see.

I write like
Neil Gaiman

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

I just downloaded the audiobook for The Time Traveler’s Wife. I have been wanting to see the movie, but since books are always better I decided to give it a go. I’m a reader more than a listener of books, but when a good book comes along for free AND someone to read it to me, well, I just can’t pass up that offer!

Your turn:

Head on over to Amazon’s free book section on audible.com. Choose the book you want (there are quite a few). Save it to your cart. Checkout. No credit card information is required. No long-term contract. Just your name, email address, and a user name + password.

You can listen to your free book using your iPod or other mp3 player. According to audible’s site, their books work on over 500 devices.

Get your today, because this offer ends July 2, 2010.

(Thanks to RedPlum and About.com for sharing this great offer!)

Oh the contemplation that comes about when one wants to share their thoughts with the world.

Where to do this?

Own domain or free?

WordPress or Blogger? or Drupal? [I may have to try this one day]

So, I start with free and Blogger to monetize. Then I buy a domain and stay with Blogger for cost reasons.

Then I win free hosting for 6 months and, YIPPEE, move to self-hosted WordPress!

After set up and a few minor tweaks

Now it is time to get down to the business of writing. No more scattered poems and short stories.

Time to work it.

Time to write it!

I’m keeping it simple and concentrating on my writing over here. Sure, a guest post [paid post] here and there to help pay the bills, but the bulk will be all me.

With a new home comes a new name

One Writer’s [that's me] Provenance [this is where my writing will be born]

Oh the fun to be had when the wonder of the written word fills the page and the imagination!

Your input is invaluable

Please feel free to tell me what you think about my writing, the site, what you like, dislike.

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I look forward to connecting with you on Twitter and Facebook, too!

We’ve all been there. We scratch our head and stare at a blank screen [piece of paper]. Trying desperately to create. Okay, we just want to get some words down and feel like we are the writers we claim to be.

You know it’s true. Don’t deny it.

Yet, nothing comes. And you start questioning your ability, your choices, your existence as a human being. Okay, that last one might just be me. Either way, you are stumped.

Maybe you have joined a writing group. Online. In person. Still nothing helps.

Maybe you don’t need group therapy, er, a writing group. Not yet at least. I mean, what good is a writing group if you are not writing anything? See, now you’re following me.

Why not try some prompts instead?

I like these. You can hone your skills, get a topic or an idea, and write. Yeah, that’s the goal, isn’t it?

Here are a few of my favorite places to seek help [in no particular order]:

• Language is a Virus ~ I have to admit I just stumbled [literally, I used StumbleUpon] this today and am very excited about it. So much so I just had to write this post so I could share with everyone I know. Just in case you did not know of its existence [like me, until just now].
• A Thousand Words ~ They say a picture is worth a thousand words. You can write 100 or 1 million. But pictures are a great way to gain inspiration. Thanks Jenn!
• Genre Shorties @ Gather ~ Be inspired, but keep it brief. These little gems are entertaining 100 words at a time!
• Titled Sentence’s Challenge @ Gather ~ Another great reason to be a member of Gather, lots of writers. Hey, it’s almost like joining a group, sort of. With the titled sentence challenge just write a story using the sentence [in your title, as a sentence in your story, or as a general theme].

Still need help breaking writer’s block? Leave me a comment or email me and I will do my best to help you overcome and get back to the joys of writing in no time!

Photo courtesy of Adam Lyon.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to find a writing program for Mac! Okay, I did not find it; it found me. No, I did not get this program for free, unless you count the free trial everyone gets. The program happened to backlink to one of my NaNoWriMo posts and, of course, I followed to see where it would lead. I am glad I did!

There are tons of free programs available for PC, but it can [sometimes] be a daunting task to find a really great program for Mac. Well, I do not know if it is really great, but after watching the overview of the program I have very high hopes.

Scrivener is a word processor and project management tool created specifically for writers of long texts such as novels and research papers. It won’t try to tell you how to write – it just makes all the tools you have scattered around your desk available in one application.

Be sure to check out the online overview

This was a wonderful way to see the main features of the Scrivener before downloading and muddling through it.

 Oh, if you are participating in NaNoWriMo and would like to be my writing buddy, that would be *awesome*! Just friend me.

It is one of the greatest experiences in the history of mankind. At no other time do I feel so alive and connected.

I am not one of those moms who thinks her kids are the greatest, can do no wrong, walk on water. They are not. Seriously, they are human.

I am one of those moms who loves spending time with her kids because they are the greatest, funny, clever, quick with a comeback. They have been taught well.

Dinnertime with the kids, my kids, has got to be one of the most unique experiences anyone would have the pleasure of having. Strange at first, and then you are lulled into a sense of calm and serenity followed by pee your pants, fall on the floor laughter and awe. Hey, the kids’ friends do return. They seem to actually like having dinner at our house. It could be the food, but I am not that great of a cook. 

I would love to say I am one of those moms who would do anything for her children. I would do most anything, but mostly I am quite selfish. I’m a big girl, I can admit I am not perfect.

Dining room table, eating dinner. Mom at one end Dwayne (step-dad) at the other. Stephen (son) sits to the right of Mom and Amanda (daughter) sits to the left.

Dwayne: {in between bites of food} I was listening to the radio today {pause to chew} And there was this woman talking about how she gave all of this stuff to charity {another pause}

Mom: {makes talking motion with hand and laughs}

Amanda: {looks at mom, then at Dwayne, laughs}

Dwayne: The host said that she sounded like a very giving person. Then the woman went on and on about how she is so selfless and giving. She would do anything for anyone. She started talking about how she is so close to her daughter, too. Her daughter and her are “best friends”. {He then turns his head to the right and starts yelling} You cannot be best friends with your child. She is your child!

Mom: Who are you yelling at?

Dwayne: The thought. {smiles}

Amanda: Mom is one of my best friends.

Dwayne: She is your mom. She can’t be your friend.

Amanda: Sure, she’s my best mom.

Mom: {smiles} I think what Amanda is trying to say is that she is not completely embarrassed to be seen with me in a public setting.

Amanda: Sure.

Stephen: {mutters something unintelligible}

The kids start to clear the table and Dwayne and Mom are alone in the dining room, briefly.

Mom: I would never say I would do anything for my kids.

Dwayne: I know. You’re not like other woman who have a martyr complex.

Mom: It’s not that. I would like to think I would do anything for my kids. Truth is, I know I there are things I would not do. I would take a bullet for them. At least I would want to.

Amanda and Stephen enter the dining room.

Mom: I would probably be too surprised to move, though, so they would have to jump behind me. Then I would take a bullet for them. {pauses} I guess I would have to put on a bit more weight. {looks at Amanda} See, this is why I have to eat so much. It is out of love for you. One day I can say ‘Take cover! Just jump behind my fat ass. I will protect you!’

Dwayne: {laughs and almost spits out his food}

Amanda: {standing up and jumping around} I got it. I got it. This is why there is so much obesity in the world. People are just protecting their children!

Disclaimer: This was an actual conversation had during an actual family dinner at my house. We found this to be quite humorous and hope you will, too. If you took offense to this, then you are taking things a bit too seriously as no offense was meant. Remember, you can choose to not read my ramblings at any time.

Not sure if this is in keeping with a writing site, but this is where I want to share this anyway. My blog, my thoughts, my choice, right?

I was perusing through the blogs I follow and rarely get to visit when I came across this meme over at Sandi’s blog Pregnant with Cancer. Of course I just had to know.

So, how about you? I know you are curious.

Many thanks to Stani at Thoughts Poetry Anything for honoring me on March 13th and Tina at Fine Living for honoring me on March 16th with this award.  I am truly honored an humbled.  I guess this means I really need to step it up and actually write on this blog to show my actual worthiness.  I really do appreciate the recognition and hope everyone who stops by checks out Stani’s and Tina’s sites as well.

In an effort to tone down the advertising I have moved the majority of my affiliate links to my new site: AnneOnAffiliates (see button on top of page).

Since finding my way through the blogosphere (as people do refer) I have entered various sweepstakes, giveaways, and instant win games.  As a result, I have had the pleasure of exploration in the variety of thoughts, ideas, passions, and preferences.  Now I know how to find discounts at my favorite stores, get coupons, be an empowered consumer, and am beginning to figure out the whole networking things.  The latter I am still working on, diligently.  I have learned of great writing resources, venues (I have a blog over at Today.com and yes, that is an affiliate link), and the different types of social media (Twitter, etc.) and how to properly socialize on such.

Thus, today I veer off topic with a Thank You to Trapped In The Office.  Let me take a step back here.  You may have noticed the Entrecard on my sidebar.  This is a way to network and advertise with and on other participating blogs.  It is through this program I came across the blog Trapped In The Office.  Katy and Ryan are freelance writers sharing their experiences and words of wisdom.  As with any blog, some posts are more relaxed and mundane, but important to the overall ambiance of the site.  Others are extremely informative and helpful in navigating opportunities and knowing what works, what does not, and helping to decide if it is worth the effort.

In my explorations, I came across a giveaway for Banana Nut Cheerios and some extras.  I entered and was one of three winners.  Here is what I won (photo courtesy of Trapped In the Office – fruit not included):

I have gone back and read prior posts and have added them to my blogroll (see below, right).  If you are interested in freelance writing, why not go check them out.