Ok, this post isn’t really about my own writing but instead about one of the best byproducts of becoming a blogger, and that is discovering all the amazing writing that’s out there in the blogosphere.

One of my favorite new single-gal routines is my Saturday morning date with myself. I cook up a yummy breakfast usually involving some version of eggs and then get cozy on the couch with my coffee, a chenille throw and Five Star Friday. Five Star Friday is a website run by Schmutzie, who accepts invites people to send her links of the best things they’ve read in the blogosphere each week.

Not all the submissions strike a chord with me — there’s plenty of mommy blogging that, while I’m sure it’s well-written, it just doesn’t interest me at this stage of my life. Still, I usually find myself rooted to the couch for the better part of two hours while I laugh and cry along with some of the writers.

This Saturday I found myself reading a woman’s blow-by-blow description of giving birth. Now, I do very much want (a) child(ren) of my own some day, but the thought of giving birth or the mere mention of the word “labor” makes me want to lose my lunch. And yet, I found myself hanging on her every word. That, my friends, is some really amazing writing.

I check the Post Secret list religiously every Sunday, as I’m sure many of you do. I’m amazed at how beautifully submitters convey their love and pain through a few simple words or choice of art on a postcard. (I’m working on my very own submission right now.)

I probably never would have discovered these things had I not gotten involved in blogging. Now that I’ve found them, I find myself working harder with my own writing. On a serious post, I labor over every single word trying to make it convey the exact thought and emotion I want it to convey in hopes of inspiring someone the way these other writers have inspired me. I don’t feel I’ve achieved that, but it’s a good goal to have hanging over my head as I write.

I’ve bookmarked a few of the fantastic posts I’ve read in the past couple of weeks on First Star Friday. Please, please, please take some time to read them. Even if you don’t have time right now, come back later when you find yourself rooted to your couch like I am on Saturday mornings. They’re worth it.

• Sizzle Says reminds everyone it’s not all about you
• Simply Nutmeg learned an important lesson in interacting with others 
• Not Perfect laughs at the hypocrisy of a perfect wedding
• Penelope Trunk just needed a drink, then decided everyone needed a hug
• Left Coast Cowboys finds how sports are more than just a game
• Rude Cactus’ young daughter says some wacky shit
• And had I read Momo Fali’s Catholic cliff notes before I wrote my own Ash Wednesday post, I would have just linked to her instead