Recipe for Goodness a la Blog

Good morning.
Buenos dias.
Bonjour.
Guten morgen.
gop-o-o-dop  mop-o-rop-nop-i-nop-gop. (Opp language)

Why is it a good morning?

Well... I will have you know blogosphere that I, Elizabeth Stevens Omlor I, have actually completed my first picture book for 12 x 12  in 2012!

 In case you doubt, I offer proof.

One down. Eleven to go.
I know, I didn't think it could be done so soon, what with so many dead-end ideas, two children, two cats,  a husband and a new part time job starting up, not to mention a dreadful paper cut.

To be honest, all of those things listed above actually inspire me to write. They breathe life into my world. (That includes you too, Sid Vicious... part cat, part evil villain.)

What really knocked my socks off was the fact that I completed a brand spankin' new manuscript despite my full blown BLOG ADDICTION. Who's with me here?! Anyone?

I read blogs, write blogs and search the web for other bloggers like me. It's an addiction, complete with a cycle and all.

In fact, I have taken it to a whole NEW level. I have dedicated the next 21 days of my bloggin' life to comment on at least five other blogs per day! (Comment Challenge 2012, hosted by Mother Reader and Lee Wind).  You see, there are a whole slew of blogging contests out there and I have only tapped the surface. Isn't is glorious!

Or is it?

Since I began blogging, my laptop has become another of my body's appendages. (Although much less jiggly than the rest). As my portal to a community of writers, where initially I only expected to establish a lone page of some random, wacky thoughts, the blogosphere has allowed me to speak about something I am completely obsessed with, children's literature, and allowed me to learn about a craft that has completely over taken my life, with a great group of dedicated individuals, utterly unkonwn  to me a month ago. (Whew..I love commas.)

I have learned that bloggers who write for children are creative, let me tell you. Each blog has it's own appeal, ways to attract traffic and most importantly, ways to give back to the writing community. Contests, activities, give aways, book critiques, etc. This got the wheels turnin' in my little noggin of mine.

What in the world can I offer to the blogosphere that has not already been done to support other aspiring writers? 
Then it came to me. My idea.
It's appropriate. It's relevant. It's wonderful! (Cue squealing, giddy dance.) I can't WAIT to share it with the universe....when the stars align. (If the stars align.) That's right, I need to tweak and polish it a little and then...kaboom...watch out! Socks will be knocked off! (Maybe).

Key ingredients of my experimental recipe for Goodness a la Blog?

-A few cups of  published authors with a dash of humility, a sense of humor and a willingness to tell their story
-A dollop of blog followers willing to read
-An ounce of dedication on my part to get things done that I say I am going to do
-A whole lotta luck

 What else will this mean? Well folks, this will mean more structure to my blogging schedule and postings (a means to cap my addiction =) ). Each post also will hopefully contain more purpose, less rambling and most important, LESS ME! (Thank goodness because I am really sick of myself!)

Please stay tuned to discover what good things HOPEFULLY will be coming our way soon!=)

P.S. If you are in fact a published author (or are best friends forever with one) and would like to partake in my efforts to validate and inspire us pre-published authors, PLEASE let me know!
There is no turning back for me now, it's in writing! YIKES!