Wednesday, February 3, 2021

IWSG & Friends in the Blogosphere & Jo

 The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.



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Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

February 3 question - Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?

A resounding YES to this question!

When I first thought about writing a book, I stumbled onto a site called Agent Query with the forums Agent Query Connect. There I met my first 2 amazing critique partners & found out that Real People published books.

Obviously I knew nothing about the industry.

These crit buddies had blogs and I jumped into the blogosphere about ten (or more??) years ago.

I'm still buddies with many of these people (Hi, Alex!). People I consider friends and not only internet acquaintances.

I'm not going to list people because there are so many!

As an introvert who finds meeting new people stressful, it's interesting that I feel I could meet at least 30 blogging friends and not have that awkward initial interaction. 

Unfortunately my bloggy friends are spread all over the world (Canada, US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, England, Singapore...) (with a few close enough to meet one day!) so I doubt most of us will ever meet up in the real world, but I'd love to have everyone over for supper. Who's in for lasagna?

How about you? Do you have bloggers you consider friends? What would you be serving if they (we?) popped over for supper?

***

In Honor of Jo Wake
On February 3, share a recipe that brings them warm memories of friendship and love in honor of blogger Josephine “Jo” Wake at Jo on Food, Life, and a Scent of Chocolate. who passed away December 16, 2020


I didn't know Jo well, but we crossed paths through Sue's blog at Elephant's Child. Jo found out about my book Dancing With Dementia through Sue's post. Jo went on to read the book and post a review on her blog.

Jo and I chatted through email a few times as well and her love of life and joy in cooking were obvious. She will be missed.

If I actually followed a recipe for the lasagna I mentioned above, I'd include that but I tend to change it up & have no idea what the original recipe was!

I feel like Jo would appreciate this recipe too. It's a super simple one that ends up with delicious muffin-sized brownies. No icing required!

In a small pot, melt a cup of butter. Add in a cup of dark chocolate chips until they're melted.

In a mixing bowl, mix 1-1/2 cups of white sugar with 4 eggs. Add in a cup of flour and mix.

Add in the melted chocolate mixture and mix well. Throw in a handful of mini chocolate chips if you like.

Pour into muffin cups (I use the paper liners for easier clean up). Makes 16.

Bake for 35 minutes at 335.

That's it. Easy peasy and delicious. I'm sure Jo would approve!

56 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jo would enjoy that.
Hey, Jemi!
Glad you have connected with so many of us online even if we never meet in person.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I bet I could make that recipe using butterscotch chips.

M.J. Fifield said...

I'd have to order pizza or something if my blogging buddies came for dinner. No one wants me to cook anything. But I would happily do it. :)

Mary Aalgaard said...

I consider you a friend, too! Especially after getting published together in Tick Tock. I'll be over for lasagna! The brownies sound delish.
Mary at Play off the Page

emaginette said...

I've got several friends across the globe thanks to blogging. It's made the world a very small place. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Alex, I hope she would!

Jemi Fraser said...

That would be good!

Jemi Fraser said...

Pizza is always a good choice!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're welcome any time!

Jemi Fraser said...

It really has and that's one of the best things about blogging!

Chrys Fey said...

It's hard not to make friends in the blogosphere. :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jemi - as I've a cup of tea here ... I could do with chocolate muffin ... please send me one over! Jo would love them too ...

Blogging friends and contacts are a special band of people ... so helpful, so useful to budding authors ... I really enjoy blogging - albeit I don't write to publish.

I know Jo was really impressed with your 'Dancing with Dementia' book .. so pleased she wrote a thoughtful review for you ... all the best and stay safe - Hilary

Elephant's Child said...

The multitude of friends I have found in the blogosphere blows my introverted self away. Very, very dear friends.
Thank you (and Alex) so much for this tribute to Jo. She would have LOVED this recipe.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Now I'm feeling like something sweet!

I love the blogging community...I've "met" so many great people that way.

Toi Thomas said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm glad you've made so many friends through the blogosphere. It may not be possible to get many together in person but perhaps an online, video meeting. Thanks for sharing your recipe and for honoring Jo.

Jemi Fraser said...

So true - so many amazing people!

Jemi Fraser said...

Winging a muffin your way!
Thank you for letting me know - that made my day!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Sue. I'm glad to contribute a little something for this special lady!

Jemi Fraser said...

Isn't it wonderful? :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Toi. I didn't know Jo well but she certainly touched me :)

cleemckenzie said...

I guess having blogging friends all over the world has its plusses and its minuses. You can be in touch with people just about anywhere at any time, but have a hard time meeting them in person.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I have blogging friends all over the world too. I really appreciate all my blogger friends wherever they are. And so awesome that you were friends with Jo.

Jemima Pett said...

Interesting about being introvert and gathering blogging friends. Maybe that's something that makes it easier for all of us introverts, not having to respond immediately in most cases, but give some thought to a decent response :)
Those chocolate brownie muffins sound amazing - but too many eggs for me.

Carol Kilgore said...

I love your brownie recipe. I'm going to try it. I love all my blogging friends :)

Olga Godim said...

I'm an introvert too. I think the internet is a god-sent gift for people like us. It allows us to connect with new and old friends while staying comfortably at home. No rush. No pressure. Just joy ... on your own schedule.

Sarah Foster said...

I think it's a lot easier to make friends through blogging than in real life, lol!
Love your recipe!

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly! I'm so glad to have my bloggy buddies!

Jemi Fraser said...

Jo will be missed.
It's nice knowing people from so many places!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm not great with people in the real world - but I'm okay for the most part with online friends!
They're delicious!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's so good! Enjoy :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly!!! I'm terrible at keeping up with real life people but it's easier online

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too! Online is so much easier!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I love lasagna! I'll be right over...oh wait... maybe not quite immediately ;)

Jemi Fraser said...

Might take a while! :P

Anonymous said...

One of the greatest gifts of internet friendships is connecting with people from other countries. It really is educational to see that we are all struggling with the same kinds of challenges, and kind of puts first world problems in perspective. And yes, I'm up for lasagna!

Denise Covey said...

Hi Jemi! Isn't the blogosphere wonderful. Looks like I'm one of the few who actually named names. Aussies must be more brash or something. Anyway, the blogosphere allows us to grab onto people who can help us on our journey with plaety of chances to pass it on. I'm following your publication journey closely. You seem to have learned super fast!

And those brownies sound wonderful.

Jeff Hargett said...

Really happy to see so many remembering Jo today. She was a lovely soul.

Jemi Fraser said...

You're welcome any time!
I do love the fact that our blogging makes the world a smaller and cozier space!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Denise - there are days I wonder if I've learned anything at all! But I'm having fun!
Love that you did name people - I'm not usually the brave one! :P

Jemi Fraser said...

I enjoyed the conversations we had. She will be missed.

Nick Wilford said...

Many wonderful tributes to Jo. She will be missed.

I'm also an extrovert, but I also feel like I'd be quite happy meeting many blogging friends in person - maybe because writing is the common ground and an inexhaustible conversation topic!

Jemi Fraser said...

Jo will indeed be missed!
I think you've hit the crux of it - we have common ground already established so the small talk portion would be more comfortable!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Count me in for lasagna or brownies!

Chemist Ken said...

Wow, I'm so used to communicating with my online friends via chats and emails that I'm not sure how weird it would be to actually talk to them in person. But everyone I've met is so nice, I bet it'd work out great.

Helen said...

"As an introvert who finds meeting new people stressful, it's interesting that I feel I could meet at least 30 blogging friends and not have that awkward initial interaction."
I find this interesting as I fall in the introvert end of Myers/Briggs, but I don't think I'm as comfortable making online friends as I do face to face. Go figure.

Kalpana said...

Blogging friends are special. Perhaps because we talk about things that we don't necessarily discuss with other friends - like writing, or blogging. I've realised that so many of my other friends even read my blog.
Thanks for the recipe in honour of Jo. I hadn't interacted with her at all but went to her blog and wished that I had.

Deniz Bevan said...

I love our blogging community! I've been baking brownies all week, so now's a good time to try these :-)

Jemi Fraser said...

You're definitely in!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm sure it would! I think we're a mostly friendly bunch - even if many of us are not extroverts!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's interesting! I'm an INFJ or an INFP depending on the question set. Online is so much easier for me. Just shows we're all different!

Jemi Fraser said...

I think you're right on! I don't have anyone in Real Life who is interested in writing!
I agree - Jo was a special lady!

Jemi Fraser said...

The blogging community is special!!

DMS said...

It amazes me all the people I have met through blogging. Love the connection to people all over the world.

So sorry to hear about your blogging buddy, Jo.
~Jess

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Jess. We do thrive on those connections.
Jo will be missed!

Kelly Steel said...

Sorry about Jo. Sad.

I've made some very good friends through blogging!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Kelly.
And so have I - yourself very much included!