If you have the right audience social media can be a barometer for what is: cool, valuable, and of worth to others. It can let you know what connects, what is interesting, and what is needed in the world. But there is just so much stuff online that sometimes good things can slip through the cracks.
With that in mind I’ve decided to post a different kind of blog this week. A short, curated collection of the most interesting, popular, and impactful stuff I’ve put out in the last span; mixed in with some news about what’s coming up in the very near future.
This post is experimental so please feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments section. If enough people like it I may do more.
Shall we?
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First things first. I have been working hard on the record and I am nearing the end. I am beyond pleased with it. It is sounding incredible and I honestly think it is by far the best thing I have ever made.
In case you don’t know, there is not going to be any marketing hoopla around it’s release. I am going to work on it until it is finished and on that day I am going to release it to my mailing list. No fuss, no muss, no trouble. You’ll get to hear it completed for the first time on the very same day that I do.
(If you want to hear it first but aren’t signed up yet don’t worry, you can remedy that easily here.)
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In other news the nice folks over at Cultured Vultures recently published a really cool article about yours truly which offers genuine insight into: how I do what I do, why it works for me, and my future plans for world-domination. I highly recommend it.
If you are interested, you can check it out here.
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I’ve always written poetry but have only just started posting it online (on my Instagram page.) Some people have recently gotten in touch since I started and asked if I’d be interested in publishing a collection sometime in the future. (if this is something you’d like then let me know.)
For now, here is one of my more popular poems from the last week or so:
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And, not surprisingly I also post visual stuff there too. Here is an abstract photo I took that a lot of people seem to like:
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If for some reason you don’t follow me on Twitter, then you probably don’t know that I am a legitimate ‘quote-whore’ ;-)
I find a great beauty in language and wisdom traditions and I read a LOT so I generally post at least one quote a day and it’s always interesting to see which ones get the biggest reaction. Last week, it was:
– I’m not really sure what the popularity of this tweet this says about my audience, but I suspect that it just proves my long-held assertion that they are a pretty fucking cool bunch.
#Skadoosh
As I said at the outset this is an experimental post. So if you: liked it, hated it, or just found it ‘meh’ then please let me know in the comments section just below. (I value all honest feedback and I have a thick skin, so don’t hold back either way.)
I’m Working on some Cool New Stuff.
If you’d like an email when I release something new, click the link below. I won’t email you for any other reason, or share your address with anyone else.
The quote was very impressive…the stuff too was cool !!! Worth reading…had a cool time reading the post…waiting for many more such posts…!😊
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Hey there, thanks a lot Swayam, I really appreciate you taking the time to connect.
Have a good one,
– J
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Your welcome…..that eould be my pleasure to connect!!!
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I was surprised by the things that were so popular from your Social Media experiences. Not that I didn’t like it, I am just confused with Social Media sometimes. By the way, I loved the quote by Robert Downey Jr.! Abstract art. Ok. Doesn’t float my boat, but that does not mean I don’t appreciate the beauty of it and can see why people like it. Poetry. So many poets out on blogs. Again, not my thing. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t understand what a talent it is to write poetry and why people appreciate it.
FBook has been my thing for years now! Love it! As well as Pinterest! I acutally discovered my love for writing (again) by Facebook! So thank you FB!
However, I am baffled by it sometimes. I have even experimented with it.
First. Posts by someone on my friends list, will get tons of ‘likes’ and shares and comments. With me being one of them. It is usually one those rebellious posts! Now, if I post the very same thing.
Zip——you can hear the crickets singing.
Secondly. Transitioning from FB to blogging, I was hoping to be able to blog more about the dark side of life, which no one on my FB page is interested in. Bloggers were less interested in hearing about those subjects then my FBookers! More crickets singing….
So, like the experts say! Blog about what people want, what they need, what offers value and interest. Or plan on blogging with few followers and again, listening to the crickets sing.
Find what you love and are good at and followers will come and appreciate it.
Looks like you are well beyond the beginnings of finding your way, having found your way, with success knocking on your door, bringing it’s gift of offering to you. Your doing what you clearly love and find interest in. And that is what I love about meeting other bloggers. You see the beauty of all they love come to life, for so many of us to enjoy the diversity of life and those in it.
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Hey there,
Really? What was it that surprised you?
Sorry to hear about your troubles blogging, I am sure that, if it’s meant to happen for you it will.
I agree with your last point completely.
Yes, I have been very fortunate, thankyou for your kind words, I wish you well,
– J
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If I had to make a guess I just wouldn’t of thought abstract art and poetry (if I am understanding what was considered most popular in your blog post) to be most sought after topics. Maybe it’s simply because it is not areas I am well versed in, or make it a point to include in my life. It could be that simple.
Hope that helps you understand why I thought those items were popular.
I must have mis-communicated my blogging experiences. I wouldn’t define blogging as a troubling experience at all. I consider it to be a learning experience and a journey of finding my voice. I just had different expectations. It’s ok I had to shift and let go of those expectations. You know how expectations can be anyways. :-)
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Oh, that’s really great. I am glad.
I do a lot of different things; quality, I think, is the main thing.
That is the perfect way to see it.
Thanks for the clarification, have a great night, and thanks again for stopping by,
– J
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Welcome!
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;-)
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OK – so i don’t use Instagram or Twitter (yes i’m obviously some kind of social media hermit/freak) so it was ace to see the variety of your work in one location. I am listening to ‘Invocation’ as i write this…… totally want to hear more so will be signing up to your mailing list in a moment and listening more intently to whatever’s available on Youtube at present – having checked out the links in this post i think that you’re a “pretty fucking cool dude” – It’s awesome that you support the children in Nepal and your philosophy of “Be Kind” is one i agree whole heartedly with – In my opinion this ’round up’ post was an excellent idea :-) keep up the fantastic work :-)
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This made me smile. It is really helpful to get your feedback.
Glad you like Invocation – some of the next stuff sounds like Invocation x1000 ;-)
Thanks for the compliment also. All is Duly noted.
Have a good one, don’t be a stranger,
– J
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Bless Up – I’ve already Youtube stalked you ;-)
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I am not unhappy with this. ;-)
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Congrats on all the great happenings, James! You deserve it! :)
Love the photo best; it took my breath away…
And I love this whole format! Lately it seems like everyone has something important to say (people I follow), and I’m finding it difficult to keep up with everyone. As a result, many posts seem to get lost in my overwhelmed email box. This format, with links to the important stuff, is perfect for me, allowing me to get caught up with one of my fav’s without searching through pages of emails looking for what I might have missed…
Please continue posting in this format! :)
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Hey there,
Thankyou very much for this, it is really good to get the feedback. I know what you mean about there being so much stuff, and I’m glad you found this useful. I truly appreciate it your time.
Hope your day is going well,
– J
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:) thank you! And same to you, good Sir…
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Anytime my friend. ;-)
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The Downey quote made my whole day – it is truly the best advice, I think. ;) Nearly as wonderful as your interview (“be kind” – yes, yes, yes. It is sorely needed in this sharp-edged world). Please do keep sharing such round-ups with us; I, for one, found this to be a beautiful read. xx
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That is really cool to hear. I completely agree, very freeing ;-)
I love your Instagram, Ms Winters. I will write back to you soon. Promise.
Be well, take care,
– J
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Hi James, I read very few blogs in their entirety yet I find myself always reading yours through to the end. I subscribe to several poetry blogs as well, so I look forward to reading some more of yours. Anything that you can get published, or that people believe you should, make it a worthwhile effort.
I’m looking forward to your new work. When I’m a bit stressed or strained, your music always brings me back to calm normal- it’s etherial resonance brings nature to mind so clearly. So if you think you’re doing a really good bit of work, I will be waiting to hear it when it’s done.
In terms of the quote, I’m not exactly young anymore (although not old either *chuckle*). But I adore Robert Downey Jr’s work and the quote truly resonates. I’m not on Twitter, I have enough keeping up to date on blogs and FB with everything else I do (including writing) so if you would like to put a few on your blog, I’d be happy to read them.
Cheers, Cat.
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Hey Cat,
First, thankyou very much, I take this as a massive compliment.
Your description of my music, and how it effects you made me smile from ear to ear. This kind of comment is like nectar to me ;-)
It is a cool quote isn’t it? I will take your suggestion under consideration – I hadn’t thought of posting quotes on the blog, but may well do now.
Thanks for your time, and your words.
Hope your day is going well, speak soon,
– J
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Hi James
Interesting read, I like how you have put everything together, you’re quite straight to the point and frank about the idea and route in which your direction will go. I like that. And its why that tweet did so well, as well. See we’re all, always trying to be what everyone else wants instead of just being our “fucking selves” so when someone else does it for us, a simple RT or LIKE is our “secret” way of letting it out without worrying about what our followers will think, because “technically” we didnt say it.
Also your readers and tweet fans are just “fucking awesome” :-)
I for one love that quote.
Hmm, what else? Aaah yes once the revamp is done that’s going to be interesting to see, no hoopla or fuss right? I think that’s the way to go about things. I have been nominated for something so until then cant change my site layout, although I have been looking for several weeks now for someone who can help me redesign my site the way I want, which is proving to be more difficult then I cared to manage. So no hoopla is the way to go, consider me there on the day you drop the email. Reminding me, I need to get onto your mailing list :-)
That image you posted on Instagram! Its brilliant! Love the contrast, the red vs green vs lens. Love the lens as well! Your POV is brilliantly captured and the image itself speaks the words of a thousand stories to a hundred people! :-)
*See this is what coffee does to me*.
Lol, great post chat later!
Cee
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Hey there Cee,
Beautiful to hear from you. I really appreciate what coffee does to you! ;-)
They really are, aren’t they. Rock and roll.
Yes, you totally need to get in on my email list.
Really glad you liked the photo.
Thanks a lot. Your comment is really sunny.
Have a good one, speak soon,
– J
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LOVE the quote. I skimmed this & will swing back when I’ve more time, but from what I glanced quickly, I’m intrigued with the experimentation. Best, Viv
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Thanks a lot Viv, really appreciate it.
Have a great day,
– J
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I’m loving (and a bit jealous of) your experimentation with poetry, so can’t wait to hear the music.
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Thankyou very much. It’s going to be soon ;-)
Have a good one,
– J
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Keep experimenting! It is all about SELF-SCIENCE these days!
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Thanks a lot. I appreciate the emotion. ;-)
Have a good one,
– J
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