Melissa Barker-Simpson

Paul Whitberg recently nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award, so firstly, thank you Paul for the nomination – I’m fortunate to be part of such a collaborative group. A collection of like-minded people, who are quick to celebrate the successes of others, and to share their knowledge, their skill and their passion.

The rules of accepting the Very Inspiring Blogger Award are:

1. Display the Award Certificate on your website.

2. Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented you with the award.

3. Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers.

4. Drop them a comment to let them know you have linked them in the post.

5. Post 7 interesting things about yourself.

So, skipping directly to the awards, here are the fifteen deserving bloggers I have chosen.

1. Callum McLaughlin – Callum continues to inspire me. His poetry is visually stunning, with layer after layer to unpick and savour. He also produces thought-provoking posts and short works of fiction that are as entertaining as they are original. His seemingly endless support and encouragement reinforces what an inspirational and collaborative community we belong to.
2. Mishka Jenkins – Mishka’s posts are refreshingly honest, and a unique look into the processes of writing. She shares her experiences because she understands the importance of a strong support network, and because she has a passion for writing. That’s inspiration in itself. She also manages to encourage and applaud the achievements of her peers.
3. Winter Bayne – I’m a relative newcomer to Winter’s work, but her short works of fiction are a treat, so I would highly recommend them. She has great resources on her site for writers and readers alike, and she supports others – offering encouragement and contributing to the writing community.
4. Amreen Shaikh – Amreen runs a weekly ‘Be-Inspired’ poetry prompt, which I have taken part in on a number of occasions. Her exploration of different poetry forms is a testament to her passion for the art. With clear guidelines, and endless words of encouragement, she inspires me to stretch myself and try out new techniques.
5. Paul Whitberg – I recently discovered Paul’s work and have found his writing style to be articulate, clever, and often amusing. His skill is an inspiration, and I particularly enjoy his candour about the creative process. It can be difficult, even as writers, to put our words out into the world and he reminds us how supportive the community can be. I know Paul already has the award, but he deserves to be in this list.
6. Brenda Davis Harsham – I met Brenda through the weekly inspired prompts, courtesy of Amreen. She is an inspirational poet, and paints vivid pictures with her words. Her poems are based on the beauty around us and she makes it a magical world indeed. If you don’t believe in fairies – head on over to Brenda’s blog and she’ll soon change your mind!
7. Chris Musgrave – Chris has a great selection of resources on his site; tips for writers (Top Tip Tuesdays), providing a constructive look at the tools all writers should have; reviews, on a variety of things related to the craft, and quotes, which are brutally honest, funny and often inspirational. His collection of short stories and flash fiction contributions are also a must read.
8. Cee Neuner – Cee runs a variety of challenges on her blog, mostly linked to photography, but all involve connection in some form or another. A photograph can tell a story all on its own, so the opportunities Cee offers, including tips and tricks, are truly inspirational.
9. Lic. María Raiti – María writes inspirational posts on family, parenthood, and education. She also writes poetry and took part in NaPoWriMo, so there are plenty of examples to choose from. The poems are fun, often associated with one of her passions (family), and challenge the reader to sit up and take notice. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the musicality and unique rhythm that identifies her voice.
10. Cassie Newell – From personal musings, to adventures in writing, Cassie’s adventures are a pleasure to read. She’s not afraid to take a challenge and presents information in an engaging and constructive way. I enjoy her observations, particularly those on management – her love of writing is plain to see.
11. Wendy (Starting Write Now) – Besides having a clever blog title, Wendy’s ramblings are a delight to read. She has a great sense of humour and a unique style that engages her readers – whatever she’s talking about. She actively contributes within the community, taking part in prompts and other blogging events.
12. Janna T Writes – I was introduced to Janna’s work through my occasional jaunts over at the Speakeasy. She always surprises me with her contributions to the weekly prompt, and I look forward to reading her stories. Her style changes constantly, so you never know what to expect, and that’s one of the things I love about her writing. I also appreciate the feedback she gives when reviewing work; she tells it how it is. It’s refreshing.
13. Jodie Llewellyn – I just love Jodie’s resources, and learning about her journey. I also enjoy the questions she poses at the end of her posts, and the fact I can’t resist rising to the challenge! She often raises some interesting points, pockets of useful information that make you sit back and reflect on the way you do things.
14. Kay Kauffman – For starters Kay is a fellow geek, so it’s not surprising her posts and style of writing resonate. Her contributions to others within the community is an inspirational thing; she seems to volunteer her time in a number of ways – I have no idea where she finds the time!
15. Verity (Just be V) – One of the things I enjoy about V’s blog is the desire to share, experience and learn from the blogging community. Her contributions, whether it be short-stories, photography, or inspirational quotes, always capture my attention. I particularly enjoy her contributions to the Daily Posts.

As the rules suggest, here are seven (interesting) things about me:

1. I was once held-up at knife point (whilst working in a video store).
2. I talk too much!
3. Sometimes, usually at random points in a conversation, I burst into song 🙂 Not because I think my life is a musical, but rather my mind relates words to lyrics or lines from a movie.
4. I’ve never had a hangover (though, granted, I’m not much of a drinker).
5. I jumped out of a plane for charity, despite the fact I’m scared of heights and I was three months pregnant at the time (I didn’t know it then!).
6. I once picked up a couple of grateful hitchhikers, only to break down at the next exit (on the motorway).
7. I’m bilingual.

Thanks for reading.

Mel