I started writing these daily blogs as a result of my participation in a 35-day Blog Challenge posed by Laura, who is the leader of our meet-up group, The Phoenix Publishing and Book Marketing Group. To assist some of us in coming up with ideas for our blogs, Laura gave us several prompts to use as blog topics.

Most of the time, I don’t need a prompt to come up with a blog topic. I just look around at the unusual and dysfunctional incidents and people that populate my day-to-day life, and comment on them in my usual tongue-in-cheek fashion. However, the last couple of days have been so hectic and busy that I decided to respond to some of her prompts.

In her first prompt, Laura asked the following questions:

Tell us about your blog. How long have you been blogging?

Abbott Press, the publisher of my book (D is for Dysfunctional…and Doo Wop) set up my web site when my book was published in July 2013. The purpose of the blog, initially, was to field readers’ comments about the book, and engage in on-line conversations with readers. However, I didn’t want to limit blogs just to the book (in case no one was reading it), but rather write about and solicit comments about the day-to-day dysfunctions that occur in my life…and in the lives of most of my friends, family and readers.

Do you write on a regular schedule?

Unfortunately, I don’t write as regularly as I would like. Life just seems to get in the way. I may be seventy-five, but I have a schedule that would cripple a thirty-five-year-old. One of my writer friends says that I’m “just a gal who can’t say no.” Also, I’m still not certain of the best focus for my blog posts. Should I simply seek to entertain readers, or should I provide a service or benefit? The big question is: What do I know that people might find useful and want to read about?

Do you plan your topics in advance or write as the spirit moves you?

So far, I write my blogs as the spirit moves me, or as something happens that ignites a spark. My blog about “How NOT To Use a Microphone” was written immediately after attending an HMO Medicare Advantage Plan presentation in which the presenter demonstrated his intimidation by the microphone. His young female assistant spoke as though her words would leave the planet if she didn’t get them out ASAP. Fear of the microphone and too-rapid speaking are the major culprits.

What was your favorite post?

One of my favorite posts was entitled, “How to Call The Police in Peoria.” It was about a time I wanted to ask the Peoria police to verify something my HOA had told me, that my niece and her family could not park their RV in my driveway for their brief visit because it was a Peoria police rule. When I called the police business number to verify the fact, I was shuttled from phone message to phone message until I finally reached the office I wanted, only to be greeted by a message machine that told me to call the number I had called in the first place. Everyone who read the blog thought it was hilarious. However, …

Have you ever written anything that was perceived as controversial, though you didn’t intend it that way?

My post of April 4, 2014 entitled, “How To Call the Police In Peoria,” was written primarily to amuse readers. It was based on a real incident that was annoying at the time but amusing in retrospect. I was asked by my writers critique group to submit this article to be re-printed in their community’s newsletter. However, it was rejected at the last minute because it contained something “politically incorrect.” I had made a comment about the lack of understanding by the secretary in my Westbrook homeowners’ association office. Even though it was not a comment about the neighboring community, the president of their HOA was offended.

What has been the best feedback you’ve ever received?

I was euphoric when Laura, our meet-up group leader, left the following comment: “Such amazing word pictures you paint, Mary Ellen.” Praise from a professional is praise, indeed!

What tips would you offer other author bloggers?

I’m not sure I have anything to recommend to other bloggers. Most of the blogs I’ve seen were written by people who DO have an expertise or a specialty to write about. The only tip I would offer is one that I wish I had followed in my own blog, and that is to identify one’s specialty before initiating the blog. It’s like the proverbial advice to novice writers: “Write what you know.”