Hello, All,
Today (or tomorrow, depending on when you read this), Confessions of a Mystery Novelist… celebrates its second blog birthday 
. I am privileged to be a part of this wonderful crime fiction reading and writing online community!
In honour of the day, we’ll do everything in twos. I’ve got two things on the agenda. First, my humble thanks to all of you who are kind enough to read and comment on my blog. Your interest means a great deal to me, and I am a better writer and blogger and a better-informed crime fiction fan because of it.
Second…. I’d really appreciate some feedback from all of you as my blog heads into its third year. Could you please take a moment to vote in the two (See? Two polls) you see below? I’m reflecting on my blog right now, and deciding what I want to keep and what I might want to add. Since this blog is as much for you as it is for me, I’d love your input! Thanks! By the way, each poll lets you select more than one answer. Oh, and if you’ve got any suggestions for things you’d like to see on Confessions of a Mystery Novelist…, please let me know. You’re welcome as always to leave a comment or, if you’d like to give your feedback in more depth and privately, please send me an email (MargotKinberg(at)gmail(dot)com)
Thanks to all of you!!
A special thanks….
…to Amy Cockram, who was kind enough to nominate Confessions of a Mystery Novelist… for a Liebster Blog Award. Isn’t it lovely!? Thank you, Amy!
Now, the rules are that I am to pass this along to five other bloggers whose blogs deserve more recognition than they get. But here’s the problem. I know many more than five wonderful bloggers. So here’s what I’ll do instead. Do you see my blogroll on the sidebar? Yes, that one. Those are all excellent blogs and worthy of your own blogroll. Choose five blogs from there that you haven’t visited before, or that you haven’t visited in a long time. Pay those five blogs a visit. Tell ‘em Margot sent you 
.
*NOTE: The title of this post is a line from Billy Joel’s Souvenir.
Happy Birthday to Confessions of a Mystery Novelist. Is Confessions only two, what an intelligent toddler!
Norman – Thank you
for the kind words! I wouldn’t say intelligent so much as well-informed by all of the terrific blogs and bloggers in its world and well-supported by them, too. Little ones always do best when they’ve got lots of caring support…
Wishing a very Happy Second Birthday to Confessions of a Mystery Novelist. You are a wise toddler. Margot, I’m thrilled to have meet you and have learned much from you. Look forward to the coming year and what it will bring.
Congratulations on the award too. Well deserved.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Freelance Editing By Mason
Mason – Oh, that’s so kind of you *blush* – thank you
. I’ve learned a lot (and continue to learn a lot) from you, too. That’s one of the great things about this online community; I’ve gotten to know such wonderful people like yourself…
Margot, congratulations for the second bloganniversary of Confessions of a Mystery Novelist and for a well deserved Blog Award.
José Ignacio – Thank you
. And thanks for the kind words!
Happy birthday to your blog Margot. You know I only dip in and out of crime fiction and I’m not buying anything new at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped me from adding tons of books to my ‘to buy’ list after reading your wonderful blog. I come back every day for your warm friendly style. I feel like we could chat about murder over a nice cup of tea
Sarah – Awww… thank you
! That’s very kind of you. You know, I think we could have a marvellous book chat over a cup of tea. Someday I hope we’ll meet in real life so we can do just that.
Only two? Seems like I’ve known you much longer than that, Margot. Keep up the good work.
Pat – Thanks
. It does seem we’ve known each other a long time, doesn’t it? I like that very much about you and I’m glad we’ve made friends.
What I find so impressive about your blog is your command of the entire history of mystery writing. When writing a post, do you have to refer back to books, or do you just remember all of that stuff? Keep it up, and congratulations.
J.P. – Thank you
*blush* that’s awfully kind of you. I really don’t have command of every crime fiction novel – there are a lot of people who know a who lot more about crime fiction than I do. And to answer your question… it depends what I’m writing about. Sometimes I look back at books, especially if I need to remember a name or a quote. Sometimes I don’t. The thing is, there’s not much else in my brain, so there’s room to stuff some crime fiction into it 
.
Well done Margot. Your blog is an inspiration to us all
Kerrie – *blush* Thank you – That means a lot to me.
Does this mean you’re going to go through the terrible twos? I like your blog and especially your dependability – I’m also happy to see the song titles – think we must be of an age…
Jan – LOL! Maybe I’ll start throwing tantrums
. And thanks so much for the kind words about my blog – and the song lyrics. I can’t help it; as Billy Joel says in Rosalinda’s Eyes, I’ve got music in my hands…
Two years! Wow, that’s super. I voted on the two polls and can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
Clarissa – Thanks
. And thanks for letting me know what you think…
Have a lovely blog birthday, Margot!
And my voting does not make much sense because I voted for “more posts about the writing proces” but also “please don´t change anything”. I am sure you get my message, though
Dorte – Thank you
, both for the good wishes and for voting. And yes, I understood what you meant 
.
Congratulations on your blog-o-versary. This is a very special blog, with interesting topics, selections of book plots and characters, the definite personal touch of the blogger — and a bevy of excellent responders.
What makes it a good blog is the style and content of its writer, which has its own uniqueness. Some of us like it the way it is or would like more introductions to new-to-us authors and books or book reviews. But, as I did not vote for more guest bloggers, my explanation is because what is brought to the table by the writer is what draws us in and keeps us coming back. It’s always fresh and a pleasant stop by every day.
And I love the song lyrics. They have sent me to You Tube to look for the group singing the referred-to song. Lots of fun for us “oldies” lovers.
Kathy – Thank you
! That is so kind of you 
. I’m very glad you like what you’ve found here. And I always enjoy your comments. I learn from them and they help us all.
And I’m very glad you like the song lyrics I use. I can’t help it; music is just a part of who I am. So when I’m thinking of what I’m going to blog about, I almost always think of a song.
The song lyrics are great. My family always had music going on. My favorite gift was a radio I was given at 11. I listened to it all of the time and loved songs that later became oldies.
And as Sun-Ra, a jazz musician was known for saying, he wished that spaceships and automobiles could be powered by music. My family members agree with that sentiment.
Kathy – Oh, I like that Sun-Ra quote! I’m going to have to keep that in mind. I remember listening to the radio as a child, too, and waiting for favourite songs to come on. Those were, of course, the days before people could search for songs and download them….
Pingback: Introducing: Sam Hilliard | Confessions of a Mystery Novelist…