FGHart

Spam, spam, spam, spam. Spam, spam, spam, spam.

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Fran Hart

I must confess, I do not understand most of the spam I receive. I remember when Spam was a food substitute. Now it’s just comment fodder for my blog. I do like it when the comments are at least complimentary or ambiguous enough that I pause before flagging as “spam”. A while ago I received a spate of spam that was complimentary but consistently plagued with typos. So consistently I wondered if the typos were injected to somehow create the impression of humanity. Here are some of my favorites and not-so-favorites.

Those trying to sell products or services (the essayists are the most annoying):

Do you know a good place where I can find the best bingo dauber (from a bingo dauber site. what is a bingo dauber?)
Oh my gosh! That is the delightful thing I’ve ever seen !!!! Some time to receive the Academic degree you must buy essay writing services

Or purely random:

I have removed this phrase
The amusing information
need to check
Easier on turns!

Moderately affirming:

I certainly learned about almost all of this, but that being said, I still considered it turned out helpful. Very good job!
Hey man! I completely agree with your opinion. I’ve just added it to bookmarks.
What necessary phrase… super, excellent idea
Thanks for some great information reagrding this
When you might e-mail me with a few recommendations on simply how you made your blog look this wonderful, I might be grateful.
Very good suggestions, you just gained a brand new reader. I’m curious if you have any follow ups to this post?
Just want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is just spectacular and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

The “I want to be a fan/follower”:

Do you people have a facebook fan web page? I looked for one on twitter however couldn’t uncover one, I would love to turn out to be a fan!
Nice post, thank you. Do you have a Twitter account?
Awesome post, where is the rss? I cant find it!
Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks However I’m experiencing situation with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting equivalent rss problem? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

Sometimes one spammer goes to town (from Balsamic reduction recipe, aka gnocci pronunciation):

I have been meaning to post something like this on my blog and this gave me an idea. Cheers.
This is a different sort of opinion that many people don’t usually talk about. Sometimes I fav stuff like this on Redit. Although this time I’m not sure if this would be best for the users. I’ll look around and find another article that may work.
Outstanding! When something works, just reinforce it,right? Point out how well everything went when they chose a certain action and how if they choose that again they can have a similar result. but i dont understand why the viewpoint changed drastically.
This is a different sort of opinion that many people don’t usually talk about. Sometimes I fav stuff like this on Redit. Although this time I’m not sure if this would be best for the users. I’ll look around and find another article that may work.
A fine post by every standards, but i had exptected a more personal interaction on your part, as in where you express your detailed opinion as well, but each person has a different style of expressing,hence its fine.
If you really want you can look the other way and not talk about it.but you talked.thanls.Don’t give up your morals for anything. This will lead to a sad and unfulfilling life.
i tried reading your website from my xperia x10 but it wasnt visible properly.is your website mobile supported?
If you really want you can look the other way and not talk about it.but you talked.thanls.Don’t give up your morals for anything. This will lead to a sad and unfulfilling life.
Your article seems interesting, i have noted it my digg and stumble account.The point you are making is easy to understand and effective.
so you think this way on this topic. i am not sure whether i am with you or against you on this.
I’m having a small issue I can’t get my reader to pickup your rss feed, I’m using google reader by the way.
I added your blog to Feedr android app.but your feed doesnt appear.can you tell me how to configure your feed in my android app for rss feeds?I am using feedr android app.

There was a delightfully affirming period when google, yahoo and bing were all over me! In the space of a few days, I received well over 100 comments, all listing the website of a search engine. Not a single comment was spared the typos (this is a drop in the bucket relative to the pages of spam one-liners):

Many many quality pontis there.
All of my quetsoins settledthanks!
Articles like this are an epxmale of quick, helpful answers.
Extremely helpful arcitle, please write more.
I suppose that soudns and smells just about right.
I can’t beielve I’ve been going for years without knowing that.
That’s way the bestest aswner so far!
Woah nelly, how about them aplpes!
Ppl like you get all the brains. I just get to say thanks for he awensr.
Wow, your post makes mine look fbelee. More power to you!
Haha. I woke up down today. Youve cheeerd me up!
Great stuff, you hpeeld me out so much!
Such a deep aswenr! GD&RVVF
IMHO you’ve got the right aswner!
THX that’s a great anwser!
Thank you so much for this aitcrle, it saved me time!
Hey, that post leaves me feeling fooislh. Kudos to you!
To think, I was confused a mniute ago.
I went to tons of links before this, what was I tihnikng?
Big help, big help. And superltavie news of course.
I feel so much happier now I unrdestand all this. Thanks!

My current favorite is the french dude. Merci, mon cher!

Merci pour le billet. J’ai aussi abordé cette thèmatique sur mon site. Par la même occasion, je viens de poster un lien vers cet article.
Merci pour le billet. J’ai également abordé ce sujet sur mon blog. Par la même occasion, je viens de poster un lien vers ce billet.
Merci pour votre billet. J’ai aussi abordé ce sujet via mon site. Je viens de poster ce lien vers ce billet.

Posted in blogs, Is it just me?, not writing | Comments Off

and I thought self-editing was hard!

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Fran Hart

No matter how hard the challenge, tall the mountain or rough the course, I seem to be willing to grit my teeth, grunt, sweat and otherwise behave in a manner unbecoming a lady. I’m not sure what I am becoming but I know I’m working hard to get there.

In the last six months I’ve been on and off the exercise wagon. I’m now engaged in Beachbody Insanity. And running and bicycling and swimming. Not all at the same time, mind you, but I’m pushing myself every day to do something.

I’ve also been hard at work, off and on, refining my novel. I joined a Novel-In-Progress group and have read/critiqued 25 page submissions from other novelist wannabes twice-a-month for months. Meanwhile, I’ve produced multiple revisions of the novel. I thought I was in pretty good shape.

Two weeks ago I submitted a 5-page probe to my NIP group. Yesterday I gathered feedback and I must say, it’s a lot like trying to zip up a pair of jeans and realizing the progress is not quite what you thought. Ugh.

Now I sit and stare at the comments and I know: I have to put on the workout music and steel myself for another session of sweating and grunting and perhaps a bit of whimpering and maybe a lot of whining. There’s no doubt that most of the feedback is very, very helpful and I trust that it is all well-intentioned. I’m determined to not give up.

The reality is that I’m not done. I need to keep exercising and developing the muscle tone and endurance of an experienced athlete/author. That doesn’t come without effort. It’s the discipline, faith, perseverance and hard work that will eventually carry me across the finish line.

Cheers!

Posted in Adventure, angst, commitment, discipline, exercise, faith, Fiction, Is it just me?, life, prayer, trust, Wants, Wisdom, Writing | Comments Off

Chronic comparing, the road to insanity and perhaps, eventually, death

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Fran Hart

Klout is going to make me crazy, I can tell already.Well, crazier. It’s like going on a diet and stepping on the scale 3 times a day (yes, I’ve done that). Worse, it lends itself to comparison with others, which might be the only thing less healthy than chronically measuring yourself.

Klout uses data collected from social media sites (Twitter & Facebook) to measure your online influence. There’s more intelligence to the algorithm than simply counting followers. That said, I’m not sure I fully understand the intelligence behind the algorithm and I definitely don’t know how to explicitly affect my score. After a day of heavy Twitter engagement I woke to the alarming message that I’d lost a point IN ONE DAY! Then after a couple of days of significantly less engagement, I regained that point. Then, this morning, I lost another point IN JUST ONE DAY! Except, weirdly, my score was 3 points higher than the day before.

It was like the scale had shifted by 3 points. It also seems that my efforts to improve my score, regardless of the scale, are not necessarily netting a positive outcome. NOTE: The score was stable before I started paying attention.

Another feature: Klout lets you instantly compare trends with others. Yep, that’s right. “Here’s how you stack up, baby.” So it’s bad enough I can’t figure out how to improve my own score independently, now I can also fret about how to improve my relative score.

Recently, the lovely @kat1124 retweeted a link to a Fortune article (I think the original tweet was via Harvard Business Review, but that’s beside the point). The article is about how we damage ourselves when we start comparing our performance and success, or lack thereof with others’ successes. The focus of the article is on careers and corporate ladders, but I’m applying the lessons to my desire to establish a PLATFORM, or an effective launch pad for my career as an author. I know it’s important to build a tribe and to demonstrate my ability to self-market, but I am feeling ill-equipped to manage this.

What I do believe is that for now, my focus needs to be on writing, publishing, communicating, and trusting God. If I’m truly on a path of His plan for me, then all I can do is keep walking in faith; relying on Klout to get there will just make me crazy(-er).

Do you compare your follower count with others? Is it healthy to do so?

Posted in blogs, commitment, faith, Is it just me?, prayer, Uncategorized, Wisdom, World of Blogcraft, Writing | Comments Off

Pinky and the Google Brain

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Fran Hart

Some of you might remember Pinky and the Brain, from Animaniacs. The Brain was always scheming to take over the world. Google might just be a bit like Brain.

I remember when Google became the biggest, bestest and brightest search engine for tooling around the Internet. That must have been about 15 years ago. It was thin and light and uncluttered, free from advertising and pop-ups and other annoyances. Even now, that’s what makes it my favorite. And when Google began to do more? They managed to do so without cluttering up the thing they already did well. And for this, I love them.

I use Google Mail and the fact that I’m moving my email to my own domain’s address has nothing to do with gmail. I love Google Maps and I occasionally love Google Reader. I love Google Earth. I set up Google Analytics for monitoring my blog. I work for a Taiwanese company so you gotta know Google translate comes in handy. I’ve dabbled with some of Google’s tools for managing tasks, reading lists (for print), etc. When Google Wave came along I shrugged and thought, “Why not?” and waited for my invitation. After I was granted access and tried it out, I shrugged again and thought, “Why?”

And now comes Google+. I’m hearing plenty of buzz but I’m not hearing anything compelling. I’m also reading about the downside from folks who don’t already use Google mail. So, I’m happy to wait and see. Meanwhile, I’ll keep my eyes and ears open for your feedback and comments.

Author Kristen Lamb (see her thoughts on Google+ has agreed to guinea pig this new attempt by Google to take over the social networking world, and I shall gladly sit by and let her.

Posted in blogs, Is it just me?, life | 3 Comments

Poison

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Fran Hart

He might’ve taken her seriously if she took herself less so. Sitting across from her, she spoke as if she were orating.

“Going forward, there shall be no more of this nonsense,” she said. Only “forward” was faw-wahd, “more” sounded like mo-wah and she hissed her s’s, making it hard to focus on what she was actually saying.

He wondered why such a hot body was wasted by such a shrew’s mouth.

Now, it was just a matter of time. He resisted the urge to recheck the label on the box in the kitchen, certain it would still read “fast-acting”.

{In response to this week’s word prompt from velvetverbosity.com: “forward”}

Posted in 100 words, Fiction | 8 Comments

Jake

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Fran Hart

When he tugged on me, pulling me forward, I offered little resistance. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but with Jake, wherever we went, it was guaranteed to be an adventure. His enthusiasm, so contagious, drew me forward as much as the strength of his momentum. No matter how many times we made our way along these paths, covering the same ground, everything was always new for him. His boundless curiosity helped open my eyes to the world of possibilities.

“Come on, Jake. Slow down,” I said, though I knew my words were lost on him. My sweet dog.

{In response to this week’s word prompt from velvetverbosity.com: “resistance“}

Posted in 100 words, Fiction | 6 Comments

Huge mistake or the best thing I’ve ever done?

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Fran Hart

Time will tell if yesterday’s mad dash to the finish line was worth it, or if the product of that “victory” will be a lesson on what not to do.

The mad dash? I finished another round of self-editing on my first novel. I suppose the editing is not entirely “self” based because I’ve received feedback. I will continue to receive feedback. I’ll soon be distributed copies for additional review/feedback. My role as self-editor is to decide what to do with the feedback, to make appropriate changes, to prune and groom.

I wrote the novel during NaNoWriMo in November 2009. I didn’t look at it again for over a year. After I wrote my second novel in 2010, I dusted off the first and took the next step in the process: I let other people read it. One of the early reviewers happens to be a book reviewer, so, on top of being one of my favorite people, she knows from whence she speaks. My parents also provided invaluable feedback (real criticism, not just “Oh! We’re so proud of you!).

What did I do with all of this great feedback? I admired it. I respected it. I let it age like fine wine. Meanwhile, the clock continued to tick.

The finish line? One of the perks of NaNoWriMo is that each winner can receive a free copy of his (or her) submission in paperback form. This is offered through CreateSpace.com and Amazon.com; the deadline to take advantage of this freebie is June 30th.

June 30, 2010 came and went without fanfare. I didn’t twitch, though I regretted letting that opportunity pass.

Yesterday, June 30, 2011, was a second chance. It doesn’t matter if the content is a year old or 10 years old. I don’t think they’re checking to confirm this is the same novel I submitted seven months ago. This was an opportunity for me to turn a dream into something tangible. To see my novel in print. I decided to go for it! And the clock kept ticking.

Meanwhile, I finally got on the schedule of my Novel-In-Progress group. In mid-August the first 25 pages will be critiqued in a Round Table exercise. In anticipation of that milestone, on Sunday (6/24/2011) I submitted the first 5 pages (Chapter 1) to the group as a probe. I’ve received some early feedback, but instead of stopping to digest and tweak Chapter 1, I felt compelled to maintain my momentum and push through to the end. Which I did. {tick, tick, tick}

In the space of two days I reread the novel, making changes along the way. Most of that effort occurred yesterday (180/214 pages).

Last night, at 11:55p.m., ready or not, I handed off the novel to the next phase of the process. It has an ISBN. It has a cover. It is not finished! I’m still getting feedback and I am still working to address voice, character, content, etc. I have no idea what this means other than I’m at a fork in the road and I’m not sure how to go down both paths at the same time. Yet, despite the confusion and risk, I’m feeling more content and excited and charged up than I have in a long time.

(ASIDE: This post effectively describes some of what I’m experiencing in the conflict between career and passionate dreams, and there’s a chance to win a copy of the author’s book, if you’re interested.)

I choose to pursue improving my novel, “Rough Road.” I choose to pursue my dream. I’d rather take the risk and make mistakes than stay on the safe course, the third path, the one I was on…going nowhere.

(Ed. Although I submitted the novel by 6/30, it’s too late to place an order for a free copy.)

What risks have you taken in pursuit of a dream?

Posted in angst, Book Review, commitment, deadline, discipline, employment, faith, life, Review, Writing | 2 Comments

Editing, editing, editing

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Fran Hart

Tom Petty says that the Waiting is the hardest part, and God knows I’m not good at waiting (and that is not part of the process I’m looking forward to). Thus far, from where I’ve spent my day sitting, at my desk in my home office, self-editing is the hardest part.

On Sunday I submitted the first 5 pages (Chapter 1) to my Novel-In-Progress group as a probe. I’d like to get some preliminary feedback. I’m scheduled for a 25 page critique on August 14th, which means I must have 25 pages submitted to the group by July 24th.

Today I edited about 30 pages of the novel I wrote in 2009 as part of NaNoWriMo. My first novel. I only have 180 pages left to edit. No problem, right?

This round of editing is all about filtering for Point of View consistency, eliminating “telling” and creating “showing”, and trying to establish voice. On the next round of edits I will do a better scrub for character/voice. For this round, I hope to bring this to a point where the novel is ready for broader review. The first two reviewers have agreed to read it again, my parents are in the middle of proofing-as-I-go, and I’m hoping to hit my sisters up for their input.

Then, as a much-needed drop of encouragement in the midst of an arduous journey, I received the first feedback from one of the NIP reviewers. I nearly wept with joy. The feedback was very positive, but also provided some very helpful ideas for improvement. This was just what I needed to nourish me and push me onward.

Writing is a lonely sport, but there’s no need to go it alone. I’m delighted with the network of writers, readers and editors that are blessing me these days. You, my friends, are my great cloud of witnesses!

Posted in commitment, deadline, discipline, faith, Fiction, Inspiration, trust, Writing | 2 Comments

A snake in the grass

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Fran Hart

I’ve come to realize that I’m dealing with a snake. Maybe you’ve dealt with his type before. He’s shady. Crafty. His strike is not a venomous dart, so fast that you never see it coming. No, he’s more the insidious type like the serpent in the Garden of Eden. He tells lies. He takes things and twists them around, misrepresenting facts. I used to give him the benefit of the doubt, but no more. Finally I am learning to accept him for what he is.

But what do I do about it? How does one respond to a snake? I’m good with frontal attacks, but this is not the best way to handle the Serpent (unless you’re a true charmer, which I’m not). He’s been attacking me and he’s attacking my boss. He’s maneuvering to take over my organization – in which case he will become my boss. This does not bode well for me. He does not look out for my best interest or even the best interest of the team. He looks out for himself.

I used to think he wasn’t my problem but as I’m crossing his trail and uncovering his untruths I’m also finding that he’s potentially doing harm to me and my team’s well-being, which is not okay.

Yes {sigh}, he has “something on me” (I’ll save the details for a future post). He caught me in a moment of imperfection and he brings it up at ever turn. He complains to others about it. He’s also on a campaign against my boss. It twists me up inside. I’m trying to focus on praying for him as I would an enemy. But at the same time, I’m recalling that God promises us the authority to trample on snakes and that nothing will harm us. (Luke 10:19)

There is a fable about a farmer who finds a snake nearly frozen in the winter snow. The farmer kindly places the snake inside the warmth of his coat. The snake soon revives and bites the farmer. The dying farmer asks, “Why?” and the snake says, “You knew I was a snake when you picked me up.” The moral? Kindness is not always the wisest course.

Psalm 141:
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.

5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

LORD, I pray for Your protection. Bless and keep me and my team. Save us from the temptations presented by the evil one. Spare us his delicacies. Help us stay on Your path and not be led astray. Let us not nourish the viper at our bosom. Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Slaves to Righteousness

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Fran Hart

I’ve been thinking about the meaning of the scripture from Romans 6:13-23. Paul said we are “slaves to righteousness”. That seems like an odd concept, but I like his logic.

We are slaves to whatever is dictating our actions and dominating our thoughts. If that’s sin (whatever is consuming our time and energy, other than Godly pursuits) then we are slaves to that master. “Don’t let sin reign … so that you obey its evil desires.”

Too much television? Too many hours in the office? Overindulging? Lying? Cheating? Stealing? It may seem innocent or it may be something that society considers “evil.” Whatever it is, if it draws you away from sanctification and God’s grace, it is evil. Sin is anything that separates us from God.

By our faith, through the sacrifice of Christ’s death, we are freed from sin. All we must do is turn from that bondage and embrace the freedom found in obedience to God’s will. The benefit of being a slave to God is the holiness found there and the eternal life promised to each of us. What benefit is gained from the pursuit of evil? Is it worth it? The result is death, not eternal life.

I’m ready to claim the reward and embrace the obedience that leads to righteous. The price has already been paid.

Posted in Bible, faith, Inspiration, obedience, spirit, submit, Tips for Better Living | Comments Off