Hello to all of you wonderful readers out there. I need a break. I’m swimming back from the abyss to stand on the edge of the world and say: “I’m on break.”
Enjoy the holidays! I might be back before the New Years. But I’m not making any promises. Love you all!
-M.E. InkOwl
Look here’s a picture of me in a dinosaur costume for my students!
The Ink Owl will still accept guest submissions for October until the end of the week (10/07/18). Please send submissions to: Michael.erickson512@gmail.com.
Thank you!
-M.E. InkOwl
I write to all of you from one of the many computers I’ve used over the past two and a half years that fueled The Ink Owl. As many of you know I work in healthcare on night shift. Much of my stories, musings, poetry and the like have all shared one vital component: they began on the night shift.
It was between the night owls, sleeping patients and ghosts that much of my writing became something. And the people I shared the midnight hours will forever impress upon my mind and heart.
It’s more emotional than I thought. I sit here headphones playing soft music , while my fellow nursing staff talk and chart around me. The lights dim and patient call lights grow still, for a time. I see faces and share smiles with those who have transferred patients, held pressure, compressed sternums, administered pain relieving drugs, and shared more laughs than many other people in my life.
The Ink Owl was born from the deepest parts of the night, surrounded by the most human company I’ve been able to be a part of, a family.
As the pages turn and I reflect on this part of my life I can see the bad and good from numerous experiences. All weave together forming a tapestry full of my darkest and brightest hours.
And now I move forward to the next chapter of life. And it has a classroom. 🙂
-M.E. InkOwl
Welcome to January on The Ink Owl! This month will continue to have selections from my story, The Darkwell Chronicles. I’ve loved hearing feedback on such a personal story that I want to share more.
Between these excerpts I have decided to feature a series of winter poems. I think the mix of these two will provide an interesting read for all of you. Thank you for your views, likes and, thoughts on my writing, it is greatly appreciated! Happy reading to you all.
-M.E. InkOwl
This month on the Ink Owl I am excited to return to more original poetry and memories from my life. September has always been a month of renewal for me. It is a month fraught with change as school begins and seasons transform. I often find myself reflecting on what new opportunities are in store for the future. Regardless of age, or stage of life September has been a month of crossroads.
Throughout the month I will be featuring original photographs from my cabin in the wide open farmlands of Idaho, as well as writings inspired by the scenery and memories of that special place. There will also be a selection of random poems and haikus to liven things up.
I hope to inspire those of you who come across my blog this month to embrace the change that so readily affects all of our lives. There is always something to be learned and gained from every moment in life, be it the solid road of the past, the expanding gateway of the present, and the ever shifting pathways of the future. Happy reading to all this month.
-M.E. InkOwl
New blogger? Welcome! Share a link to your first post, say hello to other new faces, and find your first few readers.
via First Friday — The Daily Post
This is one of the best places to visit when you are a beginning blogger. (Just realized this is my first bit of blogging advise I’ve ever given, and I’m still new to this.) It’s a great place to get your first post and blog noticed, as well as interact with a vast sea of beginning bloggers.
What is also helpful about these weekly posts, especially for more seasoned bloggers, is it’s a great way to gain followers. I need to do this more, and I guess you could call it “networking” but you can meet so many new people who are completely different or similar to your blog and writing in general.
As you post you link and a brief hello into the internet you can snag followers quickly, and meet some amazing people. I would encourage you to interact to comments from others! Interaction with fellow bloggers helps our writing/blogging community grow, and promotes you like crazy!
Just make sure to get your comments in before the time to do so expires. Thank goodness it happens every week. And I’m thinking now I should have written this and posted it earlier today. But that’s life!
Go check it out! Make new friends!
-M.E. InkOwl
Welcome all to a new month! Something new and exciting has come to the Ink Owl: Guest Submissions. I have 18 submissions from across the globe that will be featured throughout this month. These writers took on the challenge to follow the prompt; ‘Into the Deep I Plunge’ and create a fantasy based piece of writing.
There was very little expectation on my part that anyone would submit work, but I was very wrong! So many people, amateur writers, published authors, and poets reached out to me and submitted some very creative and beautiful pieces. It is so inspiring to me to see others working so hard pouring their passion into wonderful story-telling.
Each post will have links to author’s blogs, or published works. Feel free to explore their websites to your heart’s content! Happy reading!
-M.E. InkOwl
It’s a beautiful day to get your blog tagged! I was nominated by the Honey Lemon Blog to participate in the Friends for Days Tag created by the Pink For Days Blog. I am delighted to be nominated and am excited to nominate seven other bloggers for this tagging award. Go check out the Honey Lemon Blog! It’s got some fun energy and interesting insights with life, the universe and everything! I believe the writer is based out of Thailand and I love hearing about life from around the world. She is a fun read.
This tag allows for new and upcoming blogs in the WordPress community to be featured and have wonderful things said about their blog. It’s also a way for each of us writers to lift those around us and give back to our immense writing community.
• Say who create the Tag and provide a link to their blog
• Do a blog post showing your Tag;
• Add the logo to the post;
• Always thank the person who nominated you, provide a link to their blog and, if you like, say something positive and supportive about their blog;
• Choose 5 bloggers that you don’t know very well or that are just starting their blog;
• Go over to their blogs and read a few posts, leave them a few likes and comments;
• Say 3 things you love about their blogs; (3 things for each blogger);
• Those 5 bloggers are automatically nominated to do the same!
• Nominate two bloggers who have been doing this for a longer time! (you get 7 nominees). Don’t forget to let them know you’re nominated them!
Unbolt Me Uncensored– Â I love the feeling of their blog. It feels so real life and raw with their insights and stories. Also Tetiana and Tony both have a unique and genuine story to tell. I recommend reading their poetry and prose. Seriously, just go check out all of it, they are amazing.
XP Nuggets–  If you need inspiration to keep your chin up not only with your writing but with life check out this blog! It is full of wisdom and positive thinking that can really help you if you’re in a funk. I love how this blog introduces goodness into the world and seeks to build up those that follow it. Come and take a look.
Eyes+Words– Eyes+Words is like a portal into the world of poetry and writing! There are so many avenues of education, promotion, and feedback one almost feels dizzy with the opportunities! I love how visually pleasing their blog set up is as well. I can’t wait to submit some of my own pieces and be given the chance to publicize my work over the internet!
Metamorphosis– This blog gives readers quite the transformation through real life experiences and personal experiences. I was drawn in by the writer’s words and wish to hear more thoughts about working through depression. As you read through each post you can feel a metamorphosis happening. It’s quite moving.
Make It Ultra– Eric. C has created a visually stunning blog with an aim towards health discussion of mental health and ways to keep one’s self positive and supported. I have recently been acquainted with his work  and find it very interesting, uplifting, and insightful. If you need a pick-me-up or someone positive to interact with come visit this blog!
Poems and paragraphs– I’ve followed Kindra from almost the beginning of my blogging experience. She has a powerful way of writing that draws you in and leads you into her world of darkly beautiful poetry mixed with splashes of her own life events. She is a refreshing read every time and I whole heartedly recommend a visit to her blog!
The Feathered Sleep– The poetry found on this blog is exquisite. I can’t help but scroll to the next poem, and the next and the next! I love how my emotions are pulled in all directions, and I feel so raw after reading their words. Come here to help your mind pause and deep think.
I hope those of you that have been featured here take the time to reach out to those blogs you are fans of, as well as those less known. You never know what kind words and encouragement can do for our fellow writers until you do something. Happy reading!
M.E. Inkowl
Better late than never. I find myself typing that with an all to familiar guilty grin. This month I am going to continue my flirtation with poetry. I have to admit it is something I often love to do, but only when I am breaking the numerous rules and regulations that make poems, poems. So please forgive the reckless efforts of my writing as I put my thoughts and emotions to keystrokes and computer screen.
This month is a mile stone for my writing. I’ve decided to enter multiple writing competitions, some that are a national effort, others merely “span the pond” and still others that are global interactions. I find myself trembling with fear and excitement as I prepare what is hoped to be a decent read. Rarely, if ever, have these efforts ever actually stepped foot from my written circle of comfort. I have been a captive of my own fears for far too long and now wish to take my talent to wing and soar.
So, without further ado I give you, the Month of May.
-M.E. Inkowl
For those of you who read this, blog, and wish for more exposure for your writing check out the link below. M. Taggart Writer has created a Facebook page specifically to share your pieces on and connect with other creative minds. Post range from written pieces, to artwork, to popular topics of discussion. The more the merrier, also the more that join, the bigger the audience. It’s a unique opportunity. Plus why not find one more way to stalk those interesting fellow bloggers you think you know. Try it out!
