one year of blogging

by Doreen Pendgracs ·

Hello to everyone and thank you for sticking with me thru this first year of blogging. I made my first post on this blog exactly one year ago (Feb 22, 2009.) But as my husband, Reg, is having surgery on that date this year, I am taking the liberty of celebrating the first anniversary of this blog with you all this week as who knows what next week will bring.

We’ve learned about and discussed many interesting topics during the past year and I thank each one of you who has taken the time to write me, privately and by posting a comment on the blog. And incase some of you are not subscribed to the comments feature on the blog, I strongly urge you to do so, as we average about a dozen comments with each post, and often the commenter has very interesting info that enhances (or occasionally) opposes what I have written. I welcome all points of view.

We’ve talked about music recently and I enjoyed that. We’ve talked about writing, mentoring, setting goals and making resolutions.

We’ve done some travelling and ate lots of amazing chocolate. There will be lots more to come about chocolate throughout the year as I tirelessly taste the chocolate of the world for the sake of you, the reader. Look for “Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate” in the years to come.

At the launch of “Before You Say Yes …”

But this year, I’m thrilled to welcome my new book, “Before You Say Yes …” to the shelves of booksellers across the country. Reviews should begin to roll in after next week, and if the earliest reviews are any indication, the book will be as useful to readers as I intended.

This is what Tony Hawke, a senior editor at Dundurn Press had to say:

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read the first chapter of Doreen Pendgracs’s book. In my opinion, this chapter (Before You Say Yes), is one of the clearest and wisest discussions I have read of the responsibilities, duties, and appropriate functions of anyone considering becoming a member of any board of directors, large or small. Such issues as conflict of interest, respect for other people’s point of view, the appropriate size of a board of directors, regional representation, and remembering the goals of the organization you represent rather than just your own interests are dealt with simply and effectively. I particularly liked the emphasis on respecting and really listening to other people’s point of view and, when necessary, modifying or changing your views on a subject, so that the goals of the organization outweigh any bias you have and the consensus best for the whole organization is reached.

This is wonderfully written, really useful advice expressed in clear prose by an author with a lot of experience serving as a board member of Access Copyright for six years where 18 board members with greatly different backgrounds and viewpoints had to achieve a final harmony that got things done in an effective way. I think if the first chapter is an indication of the quality of the finished manuscript, the book will remain in print for many years.”

Wow! I had read those comments back in Aug/09 when I was in the midst of writing the book and they gave me the encouragement to proceed with enthusiasm. I think we all need that bit of encouragement when we are in the midst of any large project. We need to know we’re hitting the mark.

I sincerely hope that I’ve hit the mark with “Before You Say Yes …” and that the book will be a useful tool for any current or would-be director on any volunteer or non-profit board. Please spread the word about the book if you can, and if you haven’t already, please join the Facebook fan page for the book. You’ll find it at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Before-You-Say-Yes-/300251098454.

Thank you so much for your friendship and support. And here’s to the next year …

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wizardofwords says:
March 2, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'll look forward to seeing you at the MagNet conference in Toronto in June.
Teresa says:
March 2, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I'm going to be one of your first customers for BYSY, and you better bring your special autograph pen in June for copious signings. Tony Hawke (wait, isn't he the famous skateboarder?) knows what he's talking about.
wizardofwords says:
February 28, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Thanks so much, Marjo, and welcome to the blog!
Yes, "Before You Say Yes …" comes out for public consumption in the next couple of weeks (the media should get it this week for review.) And I'm researching my next book, which will be a very tasty project indeed.
Never a dull moment in the life of a writer.
Marjo Johne says:
February 25, 2010 at 11:14 pm
A full year of blogging! Congratulations Doreen. As a brand-new blogger, I'm inspired by your commitment, and amazed that on top of your blog and all the other work you do, you still managed to write a book. You are a wizard indeed.
wizardofwords says:
February 25, 2010 at 11:59 am
Thanks to Polly & Christine for the positive comments.
Looking forward to the year ahead, where, together, we can continue to discuss writing, travel, lifestyle and personal growth. Here's to the remainder of 2010. Hoping it will be a positive, profitable and meaningful year for all of us.
Polly says:
February 25, 2010 at 11:50 am
Congrats on the milestone!
Christine Peets says:
February 18, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Wow, what a year it's been.
You certainly have chosen a wide variety of topics, and you've presented so many different ideas that I always look forward to "what's next."
As you say, we don't know what next week, or next year will bring, but I wish nothing but the best for you and for Reg. Thanks for taking me along on this ride.
wizardofwords says:
February 18, 2010 at 10:29 am
Thanks, Suzanne. There seems to be a lot of interest in the book. I hope that will translate into positive reviews and through-the-roof sales.
Suzanne Boles says:
February 17, 2010 at 7:35 am
What a great testimonial for your book! I look forward to reading it.