{"id":3821,"date":"2014-12-24T09:57:10","date_gmt":"2014-12-23T22:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allisontait.com\/?p=3821"},"modified":"2020-08-26T10:54:59","modified_gmt":"2020-08-26T00:54:59","slug":"the-best-of-2014-writing-blogging-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allisontait.com\/2014\/12\/the-best-of-2014-writing-blogging-life\/","title":{"rendered":"The best of 2014: writing, blogging, life"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Merry<\/a>I know that Christmas Eve is a little early for the whole ‘best of’ shenanigans, but I’m taking some time off the blog over the next few weeks so that I can have a short break, and then finalise the manuscript for book three in The Mapmaker Chronicles<\/a> series. (The January 15 deadline for the edits seemed like a good idea at the time…)<\/p>\n

I’m also looking forward to a few minutes to think about what I’m going to do next year. I might try the whole mindmap thing<\/a> again – it worked pretty well for me\u00a0last year!<\/p>\n

In the meantime, I’m madly wrapping the last few Christmas presents, soaking the fruit for my world-famous* mini Christmas puds, and realising that in my zealous pursuit of the best-ever Christmas lunch, I may have forgotten some essential items. Like milk. And bread. And toothpaste. (Do you do this? Tell me that you do.)<\/p>\n

But I will have roses for my Christmas table, as the garden is delivering some absolute beauties, right on cue.<\/p>\n

To finish up for 2014, I’ve put together a few lists. You know how I love a good list. I hope you enjoy!<\/p>\n

10 most popular blog posts for 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

What to blog about: 5 top tips for new and aspiring authors<\/a><\/p>\n

Six reasons you should start writing your novel now<\/a><\/p>\n

Introducing… The Mapmaker Chronicles<\/a><\/p>\n

3 common mistakes new freelance writers make<\/a><\/p>\n

BIG book news<\/a><\/p>\n

Social media for writers #1: Blogging<\/a><\/p>\n

50 of the best Australian authors and writers on Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n

The difference between editing features and editing fiction<\/a><\/p>\n

Should I join a writers’ group?<\/a><\/p>\n

Why I write<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>When book one of\u00a0The Mapmaker Chronicles<\/em> came out in October, the blogging community responded with enthusiasm, and my sister Maxabella<\/a> put together one of the best blogging book tours I have ever seen. Every single one of those posts is a winner (and heartfelt thanks to all my blogging friends for all their support).<\/p>\n

25 top books for boys (7-12)<\/a><\/p>\n

Map drawing prompt: Free printable<\/a><\/p>\n

8 books for boys (featuring awesome girls)<\/a><\/p>\n

How we grow when life throws us curveballs<\/a><\/p>\n

Raising adventurous girls<\/a><\/p>\n

14 books to inspire kids to travel<\/a><\/p>\n

Encouraging kids to read<\/a><\/p>\n

\"dancingfeet\"<\/a>Finally, the fifth anniversary of this blog is looming. That’s right. In January, I will have been blogging for five years, first at Life In A Pink Fibro (yes, I still miss the Fibro) and now here. So I thought I would share my five favourite blog posts of all time.<\/p>\n

Motherhood is … Learning to Let Go<\/a><\/p>\n

In writing, as in life, ride your own race<\/a><\/p>\n

About a boy: True love sticks<\/a><\/p>\n

Riding on trains with boys<\/a><\/p>\n

Getting ready for big school is for the birds<\/a><\/p>\n

And that’s probably enough lists for today. No wonder my To Do list has turned into my life’s work.<\/p>\n

I hope you have a lovely, restful festive break – see you in the New Year!<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*May not strictly be true<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I know that Christmas Eve is a little early for the whole ‘best of’ shenanigans, but I’m taking some time off the blog over the next few weeks so that I can have a short break, and then finalise the manuscript for book three in The Mapmaker Chronicles series. (The January 15 deadline for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,704,5],"tags":[714],"class_list":["post-3821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice-for-writers","category-freelance-writing","category-writing","tag-author-life"],"yoast_head":"\nThe best of 2014: writing, blogging, parenting<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A list of the most popular writing posts at allisontait.com in 2014, as well as my favourite blog posts. 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