Menolyrical; Final Friday Feature

It is that time of the month, here at the DoWY blog, to exercise interest a little more. If that is possible. To bring you something that might spark your imagination, inspire, possibly educate, intrigue - or have the faintest chance of putting you off me altogether! The 'feature' in the title began this year because so many of you baulked at the idea of 'fiction' or the thought that you can be creative with your posts. I have challenged you at times on this. Every blog I visit and have built rapport with via comments is worth my time and effort because I have seen a spark of something original, personal, honest and creative in them. You all have something to offer in your own way and many reasons for blogging.

This brings me to the focus of today's post here at the host blog for FFF.

As happens when one has formed a connection with blogging, it is sometimes a little difficult to recall quite who visited whom first, or if one just happened upon a spot - or followed an instinct from a comment on another's blog... whatever it is that draws the threads together in this wriggling web, I am daily grateful for the circle of online acquaintance that has built up. Which, indeed, has spilled over in places to outright friendship and even 'in person' meet-ups. 

One such connection for me has been with Mark Charlton at Views From The Bike Shed. His life, these days, is centred on writing. He takes it seriously. His posts are not frequent but are, every one of them, a gem to read when they appear. Mark has produced books. Real, hard-print, proper books! All the nascent writers among us can be rightly envious! (Yes, exclamation marks...) The latest outing is a collection of posts taken directly from the blog archives and 'interludes' that ponder the presence and purpose of blogging.

For Mark, it is clear that blogging is a tool to hone his writing chops. Each of us reading here will have our own expectations of our blogs. Most of us have, on at least one occasion (often once a year), wondered what we are gaining from putting ourselves online in this manner. I know that, for me, this was an immediate writing medium that allowed me to experiment with style and format and to 'think aloud', and a look back at much earlier posts sometimes brings a cringe. Then again, seeing how my writing style has developed and become particular to the blogging medium is good. It is different from writing a book. That doesn't mean that one cannot reach to a book in this act of online journaling. Mark is proof of that with his essay-style writing. There is a long and worthy tradition in the publishing of essays. This book is a fitting testament to the connection of blogging to serious writing and getting published. (Click the image to shop for your own copy.)

Why do I encourage you to obtain your own copy (or at least visit Mark's blog)? Simply, your life will be brighter for having done so. With this book, each chapter is a 'post', and if you do as I have done and take just one per day, just before going to bed, you will find yourself with soft thoughts and quite possibly a smile to ease you into sleep. Conversely, reading an episode with one's morning cuppa can give a boost to the day. 

I pondered offering glimpses of any favourite parts read thus far... and realised that picking a favourite would belittle all the rest! As far as the writing content goes, to my mind, this book is faultless. It must be confessed that the old proofreader in me did jar at some of the printing errors (words running together, occasional misspells). I am sure these will be tidied up for the next print run - and would emphasise that they are few and in no way distract from the narrative.

Anyone who has blogged themselves or has been a reader of blogs will find much to indulge and revel in from Mark's writings, and I am honoured to count him as a 'blogpal'.

Now, what have you all been writing about today? Share your 'Final Friday Feature' by linking it in your comments below!