I follow nearly 100 different feeds with Google Reader, nearly all of them blogs. I love not missing a single post, and being able to catch up on my reading whenever I want. I'm pretty quick to add new blogs to my list, and it takes a lot for me to remove one. I just let the posts pile up for months until I'm pretty sure I won't be reading the blog again.
Then there are the feeds I click on as soon as I notice a new post. Some are friends' blogs, some are written by writing industry professionals, and one is my comic strip feeds (daily dose of Garfield, Calvin and Hobbes, and more). But even on some of these feeds, I've noticed myself skimming instead of reading, searching to find the nuggets of gold that made me put them on my list to begin with, and coming up empty.
One of the blogs that I increasingly skim is Michael Hyatt's blog. (I'm using his blog as an example because he seems very open to reader feedback, and because I'm surprised that a blog that's "doing everything right" isn't holding my interest anymore.) The reason I began follow Michael's blog is because he is the CEO of Thomas Nelson, one of my favorite publishers. I loved the "inside scoop" about the publishing industry, and learned from his posts about leadership and technology. I used to read his posts about fitness and public speaking, but I don't anymore.
Do I just have less time to spend on blog reading? Part of it, perhaps. I almost never watch the videos he posts, and I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe it's that I expect to read on Google Reader. If I want to watch videos, I go to YouTube. Also, the intros to the videos (the words before the video embed) rarely compel me to watch the video. I might scan the rest of the post for more information, but I assume that it's supposed to be read after watching the video. It's gotten to the point where if I see a post having a video, I skip it completely, unless the title shouts that it's something interesting about the publishing industry.
Another reason I skim his posts is because so few of them are about the publishing industry anymore (probably less than 10%). A writer friend has started blogging more about organic foods and green living than writing, so I'm less likely to read her posts right away.
I guess what my observations boil down to is this. Dilute or change your original blog topic, and your original readers may start to lost interest in your blog (you may gain a bunch of new readers, though!). I'm not talking about occasional off-topic posts. But if you write 5 posts a week, and 2 of them focus on your original topic and 3 focus on your new topic, why not have a blog for each? Especially if the topics have little relation.
Any thoughts?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Where I've Been Writing: Other Blogs
I have a bad habit of getting excited about a topic, creating a blog to write about it, and writing a grand total of about 3 posts. So over the years, I've accumulated quite a collection of abandoned blogs all over the internet. Even for this Blogger account, I have 11 blogs, and all but 2 have had no activity since 2008. There would be more, but I discovered WordPress, and I have a bunch on there as well.
I have written some content on these various blogs during the months I was all but ignoring this one, so I figure I would link to a few to conclude this "where I've been writing" series.
Cloak and Dagger Fiction - I won a free site design from Tekeme Studios, and this beautiful website is what they came up with. This may become my "main" site if I get a fantasy novel published first, but in the meantime, I just post mostly fantasy-related stuff on the site.
TV Breakroom - This is my newest site, but with all the recent TV shows I've fallen in love with, I'm hopeful it won't be as flash in the pan as my other blogs. Right now, I'm mostly writing about how I discovered various shows and how they connect to other shows, but once I've covered most of the ones I watch, I want to move on to reviewing individual episodes.
Promote Your Novel - I didn't intend to abandon this site, but I lost my password when my hard drive crashed, and I don't even remember what email address I signed up under. I'd love to continue my series on authors sharing their promotional tips.
I have written some content on these various blogs during the months I was all but ignoring this one, so I figure I would link to a few to conclude this "where I've been writing" series.
Cloak and Dagger Fiction - I won a free site design from Tekeme Studios, and this beautiful website is what they came up with. This may become my "main" site if I get a fantasy novel published first, but in the meantime, I just post mostly fantasy-related stuff on the site.
TV Breakroom - This is my newest site, but with all the recent TV shows I've fallen in love with, I'm hopeful it won't be as flash in the pan as my other blogs. Right now, I'm mostly writing about how I discovered various shows and how they connect to other shows, but once I've covered most of the ones I watch, I want to move on to reviewing individual episodes.
Promote Your Novel - I didn't intend to abandon this site, but I lost my password when my hard drive crashed, and I don't even remember what email address I signed up under. I'd love to continue my series on authors sharing their promotional tips.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.
Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.
Her ninth novel, A Heart Most Worthy, follows prior Bethany House releases: A Constant Heart (October 2008), Love's Pursuit (June 2009), and She Walks in Beauty (Apr 2010). She Walks in Beauty won the inaugural INSPY Award for Historical Fiction in Dec 2010. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. Love's Pursuit was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.
Publishers Weekly proclaimed, "Mitchell delivers the historical goods."
ABOUT THE BOOK
Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client.
Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Heart Most Worthy, go HERE.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Where I've Been Writing: NaNoWriMo
This past November was the first time I seriously attempted NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I didn't reach the 50,000 word goal, but I did manage to get more words done on a single manuscript than I ever have before in a month.
It was hard, especially since I tend to be a SOTP (seat-of-the-pants) writer. I usually write fiction in short bursts with days of thinking in between, at least until I get to the last quarter or so of a book. Since NaNoWriMo requires official participants to start with a new project, I didn't get as much thinking time as I wanted. Instead of mulling over options to find the best one, I had to pick one and go with it.
I tried to do some planning before NaNo started, but so many of my ideas emerge as I write that it ended up only consisting of rough ideas for the first few scenes and character details.
Toward the end of the month, I started to see the pitfalls of the special ability I'd given my main character. The ability made her too powerful. Now that she had figured out how to use it, there was nothing to stop her from jumping to the end of the story and saving the day - at least 40,000 words too soon. Any obstacle I threw at her would be flimsy and not able to hold up for the bulk of a novel. Even limiting the ability wouldn't help much, and would make for a decent amount of rewriting. And the resulting easily-overcome conflict would stunt her character growth.
So I have two options - ditch the story, or start over with only the first 2-3 scenes remaining mostly intact. I've left the story in limbo since I realized the story as is couldn't be salvaged, trying to think of a way to save the characters and place them in an altered framework. I like my characters, their back stories, and how they relate to each other. I've invested a lot of time into researching details to get them right. I also don't want to waste the huge amount of info on federal agents a friend in the profession gave me.
And now, after three months of hiding in the freezer (yeah, that far beyond being on the back burner), ideas are starting to connect again. The premise is thawing under the influence of a new twist, one that will provide conflict and creative problem-solving, plus - probably most importantly - give my hero and heroine time to connect longer than their "cute meet" at a wedding would normally entail.
This time, I'm going to give the story room to breathe. No rushing forward with the first idea that pops into my head. That means I probably won't be writing 50,000 or even 25,000 words a month, but it doesn't mean I'll let myself take years. I wrote my first novel, with plenty of time to research and contemplate, in just under a year - and it was 115,000 words.
Sorry, NaNoWriMo. I have to take substance over speed. My brain does not work best on your timetable.
It was hard, especially since I tend to be a SOTP (seat-of-the-pants) writer. I usually write fiction in short bursts with days of thinking in between, at least until I get to the last quarter or so of a book. Since NaNoWriMo requires official participants to start with a new project, I didn't get as much thinking time as I wanted. Instead of mulling over options to find the best one, I had to pick one and go with it.
I tried to do some planning before NaNo started, but so many of my ideas emerge as I write that it ended up only consisting of rough ideas for the first few scenes and character details.
Toward the end of the month, I started to see the pitfalls of the special ability I'd given my main character. The ability made her too powerful. Now that she had figured out how to use it, there was nothing to stop her from jumping to the end of the story and saving the day - at least 40,000 words too soon. Any obstacle I threw at her would be flimsy and not able to hold up for the bulk of a novel. Even limiting the ability wouldn't help much, and would make for a decent amount of rewriting. And the resulting easily-overcome conflict would stunt her character growth.
So I have two options - ditch the story, or start over with only the first 2-3 scenes remaining mostly intact. I've left the story in limbo since I realized the story as is couldn't be salvaged, trying to think of a way to save the characters and place them in an altered framework. I like my characters, their back stories, and how they relate to each other. I've invested a lot of time into researching details to get them right. I also don't want to waste the huge amount of info on federal agents a friend in the profession gave me.
And now, after three months of hiding in the freezer (yeah, that far beyond being on the back burner), ideas are starting to connect again. The premise is thawing under the influence of a new twist, one that will provide conflict and creative problem-solving, plus - probably most importantly - give my hero and heroine time to connect longer than their "cute meet" at a wedding would normally entail.
This time, I'm going to give the story room to breathe. No rushing forward with the first idea that pops into my head. That means I probably won't be writing 50,000 or even 25,000 words a month, but it doesn't mean I'll let myself take years. I wrote my first novel, with plenty of time to research and contemplate, in just under a year - and it was 115,000 words.
Sorry, NaNoWriMo. I have to take substance over speed. My brain does not work best on your timetable.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Where I've Been Writing: FamilyFiction
The writing I've done for online venues over the past months hasn't been solely for revenue-sharing sites. In late June 2010, Chris Well contacted me about the new magazine Salem Publishing was starting: FamilyFiction. He asked if I'd like to be one of their writers. I jumped at the opportunity!
Since the magazine's premiere in September/October 2010, I've been the contributing editor for speculative and young adult fiction. Both genres are a perfect fit for my reading tastes (I've even judged book contests in both categories), and my younger siblings enjoy the books I pass along to them after I read them.
My favorite part of the job is definitely the author interviews. Even though I'm normally phone-phobic, I've learned to relax and let authors share their heart for story and for their readers. It's been awesome talking to authors I've loved for years, and sometimes getting to share what their books have meant to me.
In addition to the author profiles I write for each issue of FamilyFiction, I've also been collecting and sharing news from authors in my genres, which can often be a challenge to gather. (If you're reading this and you write speculative or young adult fiction for a Christian audience - I'm talking to you! Share your news, and I'll be happy to spread the word! Tell your fellow authors!)
Click through to read the first three issues of FamilyFiction, either through the online viewer or in a downloadable PDF. I've written profiles on Stephen Lawhead, Melody Carlson, Jonathan Rogers, and others! The fourth issue, March/April, is coming soon!
Since the magazine's premiere in September/October 2010, I've been the contributing editor for speculative and young adult fiction. Both genres are a perfect fit for my reading tastes (I've even judged book contests in both categories), and my younger siblings enjoy the books I pass along to them after I read them.
My favorite part of the job is definitely the author interviews. Even though I'm normally phone-phobic, I've learned to relax and let authors share their heart for story and for their readers. It's been awesome talking to authors I've loved for years, and sometimes getting to share what their books have meant to me.
In addition to the author profiles I write for each issue of FamilyFiction, I've also been collecting and sharing news from authors in my genres, which can often be a challenge to gather. (If you're reading this and you write speculative or young adult fiction for a Christian audience - I'm talking to you! Share your news, and I'll be happy to spread the word! Tell your fellow authors!)
Click through to read the first three issues of FamilyFiction, either through the online viewer or in a downloadable PDF. I've written profiles on Stephen Lawhead, Melody Carlson, Jonathan Rogers, and others! The fourth issue, March/April, is coming soon!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Where I've Been Writing: Content Sites
Just because I haven't been posting much on this blog lately doesn't mean that I haven't been writing. I've had a number of different places where I've invested my time and words, so I decided to share them with you this week.
Xomba
I discovered Xomba.com a year and a half ago. This content site seemed friendlier than most, and I enjoyed the freedom to write about almost anything. Sites like eHow and Bukisa had either more restrictions or were more difficult to use.
I posted to the site a lot in fall 2009, but gradually stopped using it. In fall 2010, I noticed my earnings had increased dramatically. It took me a while to realize they were from my Xomba referrals. Seeing the earning potential, I came back to the site, just in time for them to discontinue their referral program.
They've changed a lot of rules lately - increasing word counts and banning promotional material. Their new goal is to become more of a writing community. I'm unsure what the changes will bring as far as people actually reading articles on the site, but it's still my default location for posting new articles.
The articles I've written vary widely, as you can see for yourself:
How to Become a Book Reviewer
The Value of a Backup
How to Get Ready for Last-Minute Guests
Just Dance Overview
WebAnswers
I've dabbled occasionally on question and answer sites like Yahoo! Answers and Mahalo, but I never found one where I wanted to stick around like I do with WebAnswers.com. Most Q&A sites penalize or restrict asking questions, while rewarding answers. WebAnswers rewards both, and on top of that, rewards users who regularly give high-quality answers with additional impressions.
There is a huge breadth of categories of questions to ask and answer. While the freedom the site offers does allow for a few spammy questions to crop up (10 slightly different questions about Facebook mobile asked in the same hour, for instance), they soon disappear as hundreds of new questions to answer arrive every day.
I've answered a few as varied as:
What's a Bronx cheer?
What characters are in all six Star Wars movies?
Why does my Adsense RPM go down?
Question about Book Publishing
Next time, I'll tell you about the one place where I've focused most of my writing efforts over the past six months.
Xomba
I discovered Xomba.com a year and a half ago. This content site seemed friendlier than most, and I enjoyed the freedom to write about almost anything. Sites like eHow and Bukisa had either more restrictions or were more difficult to use.
I posted to the site a lot in fall 2009, but gradually stopped using it. In fall 2010, I noticed my earnings had increased dramatically. It took me a while to realize they were from my Xomba referrals. Seeing the earning potential, I came back to the site, just in time for them to discontinue their referral program.
They've changed a lot of rules lately - increasing word counts and banning promotional material. Their new goal is to become more of a writing community. I'm unsure what the changes will bring as far as people actually reading articles on the site, but it's still my default location for posting new articles.
The articles I've written vary widely, as you can see for yourself:
How to Become a Book Reviewer
The Value of a Backup
How to Get Ready for Last-Minute Guests
Just Dance Overview
WebAnswers
I've dabbled occasionally on question and answer sites like Yahoo! Answers and Mahalo, but I never found one where I wanted to stick around like I do with WebAnswers.com. Most Q&A sites penalize or restrict asking questions, while rewarding answers. WebAnswers rewards both, and on top of that, rewards users who regularly give high-quality answers with additional impressions.
There is a huge breadth of categories of questions to ask and answer. While the freedom the site offers does allow for a few spammy questions to crop up (10 slightly different questions about Facebook mobile asked in the same hour, for instance), they soon disappear as hundreds of new questions to answer arrive every day.
I've answered a few as varied as:
What's a Bronx cheer?
What characters are in all six Star Wars movies?
Why does my Adsense RPM go down?
Question about Book Publishing
Next time, I'll tell you about the one place where I've focused most of my writing efforts over the past six months.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
An Apology
I'm sorry, little blog.
Sorry that I've all but ignored you over the past few years. You've been faithfully sitting on the web since June 2004, yet over time I've forgotten that you were the one who helped me dip my toes into cyberspace.
You introduced me to how my words could reach thousands of people across the globe. You taught me how to rant politely, to vent without offending, and when I shouldn't worry about stepping on a few toes.
You helped me meet other writers, and graciously became my public face to them. You showed me how to jazz you up with links, pictures, and block quotes. You let me practice my rudimentary HTML skills on your sidebar, with unlimited previews and an undo button.
When other blogs updated to the snazzy new layout, with widgets, you didn't care that I left you in template mode. Or kept the same blue header that you'd had from the beginning.
When I deserted you for months on end while I pursued other writing projects, you didn't mind. You were even fine when I started other blogs and focused on them instead of you.
You never complained when I reduced the bulk of your posts to book tours, even if many of the tour posts matched those on other sites. You simply enjoyed whenever I had time to jot down a few original thoughts within them.
Through it all you remained steady, bringing in traffic from search engines to posts written long ago, ignoring dead links in your sidebar, and dreaming about the days of old.
Well, dream no longer, little blog. I have returned. I am determined to reclaim the past and breathe new life into your well-worn coding. It is time . . . to blog again!
And I know, if I fail you once more, you will still be there for me - my ever faithful blog.
Thank you for being you, and for letting me be me.
Sorry that I've all but ignored you over the past few years. You've been faithfully sitting on the web since June 2004, yet over time I've forgotten that you were the one who helped me dip my toes into cyberspace.
You introduced me to how my words could reach thousands of people across the globe. You taught me how to rant politely, to vent without offending, and when I shouldn't worry about stepping on a few toes.
You helped me meet other writers, and graciously became my public face to them. You showed me how to jazz you up with links, pictures, and block quotes. You let me practice my rudimentary HTML skills on your sidebar, with unlimited previews and an undo button.
When other blogs updated to the snazzy new layout, with widgets, you didn't care that I left you in template mode. Or kept the same blue header that you'd had from the beginning.
When I deserted you for months on end while I pursued other writing projects, you didn't mind. You were even fine when I started other blogs and focused on them instead of you.
You never complained when I reduced the bulk of your posts to book tours, even if many of the tour posts matched those on other sites. You simply enjoyed whenever I had time to jot down a few original thoughts within them.
Through it all you remained steady, bringing in traffic from search engines to posts written long ago, ignoring dead links in your sidebar, and dreaming about the days of old.
Well, dream no longer, little blog. I have returned. I am determined to reclaim the past and breathe new life into your well-worn coding. It is time . . . to blog again!
And I know, if I fail you once more, you will still be there for me - my ever faithful blog.
Thank you for being you, and for letting me be me.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I write Christian fiction with a few giggles, quite a bit of sass, and lots of crazy. My novels include the Katie Parker Production series and So Not Happening. I would also like to take credit for Twilight , but somewhere I think I read you’re not supposed to lie.When I’m not typing my heart out (or checking email), I teach at a super-sized high school in Arkansas.
My students are constantly telling me how my teaching changes their lives and turned them away from drugs, gangs, and C-SPAN.
Okay, that’s not exactly true.
Some facts that are true include:
I've always been refined!
A. I got my camera confiscated by big boys with guns at the American Embassy in Europe this past summer. O la la!
B. I once worked in a seed mill office and cleaned out mice on a regular basis. Ew.
C. I’m a former drama teacher.
D. I didn’t pass my drivers test the first time. Or the second…
E. I attract stray animals like a magnet.
F. I used to assemble and test paint ball guns for a local factory...
Since my current job leaves me with very little free time, I believe in spending my spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as:
-watching E!
-updating my status on Facebook
-catching Will Ferrell on YouTube and
-writing my name in the dust on my furniture
I’d love to hear about you, so drop me a note. Or check me out on Facebook.
ABOUT THE BOOK
When the funding for Lucy’s non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir of Sinclair Enterprises—the primary donor to Lucy’s Saving Grace organization. Alex Sinclair has it all . . . except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Both Lucy and Alex have something the other wants. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn’t quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart – and her future – on the line.
Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams . . . and maybe even a date.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Save The Date, go HERE
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Digitalis by Ronie Kendig
I'm in the middle of reading book one in this series, Nightshade. I loved Ronie's first book, Dead Reckoning. She truly knows how to write romantic suspense!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
This degree has also given her a fabulous perspective on her characters and how to not only make them deeper, stronger, but to make them realistic and know how they'll respond to each situation. Her debut novel, Dead Reckoning released March 2010 from Abingdon Press. And her Discarded Heroes series began in July 2010 from Barbour with the first book entitled Nightshade.
This is the second book in the series.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Step into the boots of a former Marine in this heart-pounding adventure in life and love. Colton “Cowboy” Neeley is a Marine trying to find his footing as he battles flashbacks now that he’s back home. Piper Blum is a woman in hiding—from life and the assassins bent on destroying her family. When their hearts collide, more than their lives are at stake. Will Colton find a way to forgive Piper’s lies? Can Piper find a way to rescue her father, trapped in Israel? Is there any way their love, founded on her lies, can survive?
If you would like to read an excerpt of Digitalis, go HERE.
Friday, November 26, 2010
No More Cyber Monday?
I'm recovering from another Black Friday spent scoping out the best deals and jump starting my Christmas shopping. But one of the curious things about this shopping weekend is what seems to be the death of Cyber Monday.
In case you weren't familiar with the term, Cyber Monday is the Monday following Thanksgiving, when people turn to the internet to fill the parts of their Christmas shopping list that Black Friday didn't cover. It's far enough away from Christmas that you don't have to worry about items arriving in time without paying extra for shipping. And it's after the craziness of the holiday weekend.
So why is Cyber Monday dead?
Because the internet is trying to steal Black Friday instead.
Most of the big retail chains have the same discounts online as in stores. And sometimes they offer more online-only deals. And many offer free shipping to sweeten the pot.
I'm a night owl, so instead of getting up early for Black Friday, I just stayed up. And browsed online while I figured out where I wanted to shop.
Kohl's was one place I wanted to go. They had a luggage set on sale, in my favorite color. I could have bought it online for the same discount, but I wanted to see how sturdy it actually was in person.
I got an email from ChristianBook.com. They had deals too - and I ordered a few novels I'd been wanting for a while (including Ted Dekker's Green).
And then I ventured onto Amazon. And hit the jackpot. Complete TV seasons for under $13 - and dozens of them. No mention of Cyber Monday anywhere.
So by the time I actually headed to the stores, I'd already spent plenty. I had a pretty good idea what I was getting people for Christmas. Now I just need to fill in the last few holes.
I spent less than $25 before coming home.
The one disappointment was the luggage set. Kohl's was sold out. And by the time I got home, Kohls.com was as well. Made me wish that I'd just stayed home and bought it.
So except for a few items like TVs, video game consoles, and clothes, you might be better off sitting down at your computer instead of braving the crowds.
In case you weren't familiar with the term, Cyber Monday is the Monday following Thanksgiving, when people turn to the internet to fill the parts of their Christmas shopping list that Black Friday didn't cover. It's far enough away from Christmas that you don't have to worry about items arriving in time without paying extra for shipping. And it's after the craziness of the holiday weekend.
So why is Cyber Monday dead?
Because the internet is trying to steal Black Friday instead.
Most of the big retail chains have the same discounts online as in stores. And sometimes they offer more online-only deals. And many offer free shipping to sweeten the pot.
I'm a night owl, so instead of getting up early for Black Friday, I just stayed up. And browsed online while I figured out where I wanted to shop.
Kohl's was one place I wanted to go. They had a luggage set on sale, in my favorite color. I could have bought it online for the same discount, but I wanted to see how sturdy it actually was in person.
I got an email from ChristianBook.com. They had deals too - and I ordered a few novels I'd been wanting for a while (including Ted Dekker's Green).
And then I ventured onto Amazon. And hit the jackpot. Complete TV seasons for under $13 - and dozens of them. No mention of Cyber Monday anywhere.
So by the time I actually headed to the stores, I'd already spent plenty. I had a pretty good idea what I was getting people for Christmas. Now I just need to fill in the last few holes.
I spent less than $25 before coming home.
The one disappointment was the luggage set. Kohl's was sold out. And by the time I got home, Kohls.com was as well. Made me wish that I'd just stayed home and bought it.
So except for a few items like TVs, video game consoles, and clothes, you might be better off sitting down at your computer instead of braving the crowds.
