A Chuckle from Spam

Does anyone really think I will approve comments like the ones below?

The same comments were left a dozen times on different posts using different first names but the same URL, coming from the same IP address.

The worst part is that these comments have been cycling through several Web sites. First they’re left by a bunch of first names with the URL of Site A, then the same comments are left by another dozen or so first names from Site B, then on to Site C …

I understand that one writer may write for many blogs and even use different names on different sites for the anonymity of the clients. I often see comments from different names and different URLs coming from the same IP address one after another. As long as the comments are relevant and a real name is used (even if it is a pseudonym), I approve and respond to the comments.

However, leaving the same nonsensical comment over and over using different names is a waste of time—the commenter’s and mine! It’s obvious the commenter is trying to be relevant by using my name, but actually talking about flowers or plants (and spelling it wrong for that usage).  I have to shake my head and chuckle when I read these and thought these silly spam comments might give you a chuckle, too.

Note added 8/7/10 as a result of comments: Yes, folks, I do know about Akismet. Thanks to everyone who recommended it, but I already use it, and it’s caught 282,000+ spam comments in less than two years. However, sometimes legitimate comments end up in spam, so if there aren’t a lot of spam comments (generally less than 50) when I moderate comments, I skim through the spam checking for legitimate comments. I don’t typically read spam, but I couldn’t help but notice this new pattern of the same comments left over and over again.  

Hi great article thanks for sharing. Hi, Can you pls tell me how to make orchids and lillies out of satin or organdy or any other material.

HELP! I have writer’s block and keep writing the same few sentences over and over ?

Quick question. i have a large totally shaded area in my back garden i have planted Lillie’s an hosta?

this is a good Email to belong to.Keep up the good work.Signed little lillie?

Hi great article thanks for sharing. Ladies, who agrees with the following for a first date:?

Hi great article thanks for sharing. Just imagine that you are voting for the academy awards that count the last 5 decades. You’ll vote for who?

Hi great article thanks for sharing. I need help with a middle name, please help! ?

Hello,
I have a peace Lillie that got left outside by accident and froze. Help?
Really great post, enjoyed reading it. Thanks,

Hi great article thanks for sharing. Good Youtube Account Name?

hi
Backpiece Decision Help, Please?

hi
Need Help Interpreting Two Short Poems by Campion & Shakespeare?

hi
you hurt me I can’t breath?

I just set-up my wordpress blog and this post is a great help because i am planning to make contents of my own.

All I can say if the content of the blog is comparable to the content of these comments, I won’t be subscribing.

photo credit: Luciano Meirelles

EPIC eBook Competition

EPIC™ is currently open for eBook entries for the 2011 eBook Awards Competition until August 15, 2010.

The EPIC eBook competition is the oldest eBook competition still in existence, one that continues to grow every year! Entries are judged by volunteers who are published authors or industry professionals, most of whom are members of EPIC.

If your book was published in electronic format between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2009, check out the guidelines on the EPIC Web site. There are 30+ fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s categories, so whatever your genre there is sure to be a category that fits. All works except children’s books and poetry must be at least 10,000 words long.

Hope you enter if you have a qualifying book! I’d love to see a book by one of my readers in the list of finalists.

Author Interview: Margaret Blincoe

My guest today is Margaret Blincoe, a client and a dear friend. We met less than four months ago, but we bonded immediately, and I was excited about her book from the first moment she told me about it. I wrote about Message in a Word in a previous post, but now you can learn more about it from the author.

Lillie: Thank you for visiting A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye today, Margaret. I know all about how Message in a Word came into being, but my readers don’t. Just about all the authors I know call their books their babies, but Message in a Word is a baby in a unique way. Please tell us about it.

Margaret: For many years, I had dreams of having a baby. Sometimes I was pregnant; sometimes the baby was being born; sometimes I was breast-feeding a new baby. I was even told what to eat. I always thought the baby was some kind of ministry, but I didn’t know what kind. I never thought it would be writing a book. Now I understand. What I was to eat for the baby to be healthy signified what I was to put into my mind so I didn’t contaminate the message. I go into a lot of detail about this in the introduction to the book, and it is on the Web site as The Issue.

Lillie: You have an amazing talent for capturing the meaning of words in acrostics. When did you start writing acrostics and how do you come up with them?

Margaret: The first acrostic that I ever die was REST—Releasing Every Situation Totally. I wrote it in my journal on April 1, 2001. Words are dropped into my spirit, and I’ll begin to think and meditate on the meaning. First of all, I really get to the nitty-gritty meaning of that word. Then with the help of the Lord through meditation and prayer, the acrostic comes. Sometimes I don’t get it all at once—it comes over time.

Lillie: Who would benefit from reading this book?

Margaret: Like every author, I want to say everyone. I’m waiting for my grandchildren to read and understand this book, as it applies to all ages. It is primarily aimed at Christians and seekers. It can be used for individual devotions, in small group studies, or outlines for sermons. Although it’s geared to be a 52-week devotional, sometimes it’s helpful to read about one specific word that may be bothering someone.

Lillie: The book includes 52 devotionals. Why 52? How do you recommend people read the book?

Margaret: There is one devotional for each week of a year so you have a full week to meditate on the word. I recommend people read a devotional each week, then think about it, ponder it, pray about it, do their own study, and write out their own thoughts on the notes of reflections page.

Lillie: Tell us about some of the events and people God has used to encourage you and help you bring this book into being.

Margaret: A pastor’s wife I met through one of my brothers told me at our first meeting, “Write the vision and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that read it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come. It will not tarry.” She also said to write it in boxcar letters and store it on the computer. I didn’t understand at the time and pondered this in my heart, but I knew it was an important word for me. My husband, my siblings, my children, and my friends have been a tremendous help in encouraging me. If nothing else they listened to me! Sanford Williams, Associate Pastor and Family Counselor at Trinity Church, took me seriously when I told him about the baby. My neighbor Carrie helped me with the computer. I acknowledge a long list of people in the book because the Lord provided many encouragers along the way.

Lillie: Of course, I’m biased, but one of the most awesome things God has done in this process was to bring me into the project. How did that happen?

Margaret: I had written the book but didn’t know what to do next. I was cleaning out office and ran across a packet of information writing consultant Jan Kilby had given me in 1995 when I was a buyer for a Christian bookstore. I’m not a packrat, so it was amazing that I had kept the packet for 15 years! I called the number on the business card, not knowing if Jan was still in business or even if she was still alive. I got an answering machine and left a message. When she returned my call,  I told her about the book. She said, “I have the perfect person for you—Lillie Ammann.” When we met, it was just the neural connections in Avatar—we immediately connected, and I knew this was the person to help deliver the baby.

Lillie: We did make an immediate and strong connection, Margaret, and I’m blessed to be the midwife on this delivery. Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Margaret: They can visit my Web site, MessageInAWord.com. We will be adding a lot more to the site, including regular blog posts. They can also find the book, both paperback and Kindle, at Amazon.com.

Lillie: Some of the things we’ll be adding to the Web site will be additional products. What are some of the items you’ll be producing?

Margaret: We have The Message in the Cross. It’s a symbolic representation that the cross is our wills opposing the will of God and will come with a devotional. We will have prints, framed and unframed, of some of the acrostics as well as T-shirts, mugs, and other items to remind people of the messages in the words.

Lillie: Of course, you’ll be writing more books. In fact, I happen to know you have something in the works already. Can you give us a hint, a little sneak preview, of what’s coming up?

Margaret: The next one is going to be Message in a Word, Too. The first word is going to be GOD—Glory on Display. Then there will be Message in a Word for Marriage and Don’t Sit on the Baby.

Lillie: There’s a story behind that title, and readers will enjoy the story as well as learn valuable spiritual insights. To promote Message in a Word and future books, I know you’ll be speaking in churches, probably starting with some of those pastored by members of your family. If someone would like to invite you to make a presentation in their church or group, what should they do?

Margaret: They can fill out the contact form or contact me by e-mail, phone, or mail. All the contact information is on the Web site.

Lillie: Is there anything else you’d like to share that I haven’t asked?

Margaret: I’m having a party to introduce the baby on Saturday, August 7, 1-5 PM. Anyone in the San Antonio area is welcome to come. E-mail me, and I will send you an invitation.

Lillie: Thank you for visiting. I’m sure I didn’t ask everything my readers want to know so I hope you’ll check in during the day to answer questions.

Margaret: I’ll be happy to answer questions and respond to your readers’ comments.

===========================

Margaret A. Blincoe is a dearly beloved child of God who basks in the knowledge of God’s love. She has reciprocated with passion that love for His Word and His people. Margaret was birthed into a ministerial family of pastors. At an early age, she married an Air Force Sergeant who made the military his career. They traveled extensively stateside and abroad. Her travels greatly broadened her view on people and the world. Margaret resides in San Antonio, Texas, with Thomas, her husband of 46 years. They have four grown children and eleven grandchildren. Her devotional book, Message in a Word, is available at MessageInAWord.com.

Disclosure: I received compensation from the publisher for editing and laying out the book, creating the electronic editions, and designing the Web site and promotional materials. I have received no compensation for writing about the book on my blog. I’m sharing with my readers because I love the book and think they will too. The links to Amazon.com are affiliate links.

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