Cynthia Hilston – Author & Blogger

Do you want to be a successful blogger? Do ideas for posts randomly pop into your head whenever, wherever? Do you think about ways to improve your blog?

How to write more? Better? Faster?

Do you study what the most successful bloggers have done to get to where they are right now?

You are not alone. I do this too. It’s one of my passions. To see what makes the difference. What works, what doesn’t, and to understand the why. Because of this, I can write cute posts like this one.

Here are the seven best habits to have as a blogger.

Besides being full of excellent stories that make you feel you’re plumbing the Atlantic, The Forge is a visually stunning platform. I’m honored to have my creative nonfiction work “The Boots” published there today.

The Forge editors were some of the nicest with whom I’ve worked. When my piece was selected, I was days away from going in for brain surgery. I explained that some of my interview answers were unusual, as it was an unusual time in my life. Not only did they not delete or suggest changes for my responses, the editors were genuinely concerned for my welfare.

The questions from Sara Crowley were whimsical and fun. Bob and I took turns answering them on our last date-night before surgery. It was one of the most special times of my life, sipping champagne in the study of an 1880’s B & B laughing about our answers to…

A Little Reflection

It’s Monday again; what better day for a little reflection?

Has God been filling your life with blessings?  Has He given you peace in a tough situation?

Well, you see what I mean by reflection…

We spend so much time and energy running ourselves ragged these days, and so much of our lives just rushes by in a sort of blur; so it’s time to seize the moment.  Let’s give thanks to God for all He is doing in our lives, let’s thank Him for all of the ways He’s blessed us.  Let’s recall the great things He has done, like sending His Son to die for our sins.  Let’s take a minute to give Him the praise that is His due for all He is doing in His Body, the Church.  Let’s praise Him for all of those who have come to know Him recently, and…

A Man About Town

Good Monday from the Heartland.

What exactly is “a man about town?”

I’m not quite sure but I think he’s kind of a cool guy…

There are a lot of ways to describe the attributes of a “cool guy” I suppose, and they would surely start with one’s own idea of what “cool” is.  Of course, this takes us back to the original idea for this blog: “references”

Our individual frames of reference will determine for us what is “cool.”  If our past experiences tell us that dressing well is a really good thing, then we might say that a guy who dresses well is “cool.” If a cocky attitude and under-spoken confidence are good, then a guy who dresses well, is a bit cocky and who has a sense of under-spoken confidence might be a “man about town.”

If we took a view like this…