implode misquotation: 4th-Week-of-the-Month Blog Break!

March passed waaaay too quickly. I was sick for half of it, which made for just a weird month in general. So? now it?s time to do the 4th-Week-of-the-Month Blog Break! For those of you don?t know what that is?it?s a time where I share blogs posts/articles from others that have inspired me or challenged me this month. dog

I also post a random picture of a tired animal (symbolic of me, I guess?). Yeah, not sure where that idea came from?

So in no particular order, here are some great pieces that inspired, challenged, and encouraged me in the month of March?

1. Infatuation Makes Us Very Vulnerable ? This is a really good article on love and infatuation. I?ve been thinking about that a lot over the last few years. Infatuation is something our culture views as the epitome of love?when it?s not love at all, really. And it?s actually pretty harmful (I know because I?ve been infatuated/obssessed/controlled in the past by men, and let me tell you?it?s NEVER good). These things can read to serious issues and abuse. I?m also just concerned with the romantic stories of our day and age (Twilight, Shades of Grey) that teach infatuation/control as love and are sending really mixed messages to our girls.

2. New Buzz Word: The Hybrid ? I love publishing, and this is an interesting article about how many authors are becoming ?hybrid authors.? This means they publish traditionally and self publish. The publishing world has already changed immensely over the last few years. I?m excited to see what will happen. Writers have a lot more control over their books now, and there?s just a lot of cool things you can do with social media, etc.

3. An Intro to Social Media for the?Self-Publisher ? Speaking of social media, here?s a great article on social media and how writers can use these tools effectively. I have firsthand experience with Twitter?it has given me connections, guest blog opportunites, and all sorts of cool stuff. Social media is worth investing time into! One thing I haven?t really touched yet in Goodreads. Any authors/writers that have tips for this outlet?

4. Why Must I Forgive My Horrible?Parents??!! - This is a highly moving, emotional piece on a woman?s journey to forgiving her abusive parents. This piece spoke volumes to me. Family can sometimes hurt so much, and yet it?s so worth it to forgive. People in general can hurt like hell.? I?ll tell you, I struggle with forgiveness and bitterness a lot in my life. It?s something I?ve been working on for several years. If you are wounded and struggling to forgive, please read this article. Robin is a wise woman. She also has another moving follow-up piece here.

5. The Introvert Leader?s Survival Guide ? Okay, so I?ll confess. I?m an introvert! This is becoming a hot topic for some reason (has anyone read Quiet ? the NYT Best-Seller?). Laugh as you want, but America truly is an extroverted society. It?s hard to survive. No, I don?t hate people?I enjoy their company immensely. But for me, my alone time is the most essential part of my life because it?s when I write, draw, and carry on in creativity. I focus during this time. God made me this way for a reason?so leave us introverts alone! (Can you tell I?m just a tad bitter?). This is a great piece on introversion.

6. A Few Articles About Introverts (For Teryn) ? My friend and fellow writer, Boze, is also an introvert. He compiled a list of compelling and challenging articles on the topic for me. And he put my name in the title of the post, so when I was looking through my Reader feed, I saw my name?and it was a lovely surprise! These are all great articles (there?s also one on C.S.Lewis that is quite fascinating).

7. Lesbian and Gay Relationships ? a repost from the?archives - This is a very heated debate right now. As a Christian, I want to show love to all people ? even ones I might not agree with.? I appreciated this article. Enough said.

8. Is There Such a Thing as ?Girl?Books??? ? This article talks about boys and reading, which is alwasy an interesting topic. Some say it?s harder to get boys to read. Many boys are ashamed of reading (especially ?girl books?). It?s so sad to me that boys aren?t encouraged to be themselves, but a straightjacket version of masculinity that demands never showing feelings and beating people up all the time. Let?s encourage our boys to read ?and to be themselves!

9. Teenage Activist Who Was Shot by Taliban Signs $3 Million Book Deal ? This story just brings tears to my eyes. This young woman is facing all the oppression of a society (and religion) that is truly sexist and harsh toward women. This is why I stand up for women, this is why it is so important to me that they have a voice. This is why I support anti-human trafficking causes and mentor girls younger than me. So many girls feel like they have no true voice. So many are brutally treated. This 14-year-old girl is my hero for standing up for equality. I will read your book, Malala.

10. ?.

(You tell me what the 10th should be!)