Wednesday, September 2, 2015

IWSG: (UN)FOLLOW ME

Hey!

Its the first Wednesday in September. I always find it weird when this day falls in the first few days of the month. Seems to me it should be a week into the month (2nd Wednesday) so Insecure Writers Support Group doesn't just sneak up on me. But, IWSG is a good way to announce a new month, with new goals and networking opportunities. And what better day to talk about ME  . .

Well, ME as I relate to social media. As authors and bloggers, social media is the life blood that feeds our muse, connections with fellow authors and industry professionals, opportunities for fame and glory (or rejection and heartbreak), and allows us to indulge in hours and hours of entertainment. Not that any of us would prefer to play FB games and watch cute videos of kitties/dogs instead of write, revise, query or market our hard work.

Today we celebrate author blogging, and so my IWSG topic relates to blogging. Specifically, that all important Follow/Friend button we all stare at with anxiety and hope.

I don't have as many followers as most bloggers I follow, but those that have followed me here as dolorah at Book Lover followed me from a previous blog. Late last year I suffered an ego blow in my day life that resulted in a knee jerk reaction of deleting my blog under my true name Donna Hole (many of you still will read that with my unique signature of ........dhole in the comments) at A WRITERS LIFE IN PROGRESS. I fondly remember the day Dezzy gifted me with the header he created.

So many wonderful blog moments were lost when I deleted that blog. I backed it up, reposted and deleted again every about two and a half months to keep it from permanently deleting, and eventually created this dolorah persona because I missed all my valuable online friends, Many fabulous friends followed me here. Some took my suggestion to UNFOLLOW me from www.donnahole.blogspot.com and others deleted the blog from their blogroll. I am sure it hurt my friends to wave so long to that blog as much as it did me, what with all the blogfests, awards, author interviews, book reviews, and shoutouts that marked my previous journey as an author blogger. I would not be the confident blogger/author I am here today without that other blog (may it rest in peace).

Could you imagine our IWSG host Alex J Cavanaugh starting over again under another name/blog address? My guest blogger lists pale by comparison, but I was (am) every bit as proud of my first blog.

Lately some of my friends have noticed that the donnahole.blogspot has become active again in their feeds, and these concerned bloggers have informed me something wicked has usurped that former address. Imagine coming home from vacation one day to find aliens have moved into your lofty home while you were away!!! Opening your mail, inviting your unsuspecting friends over through duplicitous acts, smearing your name with unintelligible marketing gibberish. This spammer writes ABOUT ME as (translated) "Donna Hole is a portal of information about health and beauty tips. Thank you for visiting this blog." Even has a lengthy Blogger disclaimer stating the host is not responsible for fraudulent or misinterpreted information, which means nothing to ME, as I am not THAT Donna Hole.

I, dolorah, still and always the one and only original Donna Hole, am trying to figure out how to report this abducted blog as spam to Blogger. INConveniently, there is no "report this blog" link on the stolen blog.  In the mean time, I request anyone who is following www.donnahole.blogspot.com to IMMEDIATELY GO TO MANAGE YOUR BLOGS, UNFOLLOW donnahole.blogspot.com, and REMOVE THE DELETED BLOG FROM YOUR BLOG ROLLS AND OTHER FEEDS (Feedly, follow by email). I know how hard it is to hit that unfollow/unfriend/remove/delete key (even for someone you no longer care to follow or receive posts from), but I assure you it will be beneficial and painless to both you and ME (dolorah, aka Donna Hole). My FB, Google+, GoodReads, Linked In, Quora, Disquis, and email, and this blog are all linked to Donna Hole's gmail (view my complete profile), so no worries in deleting me from anything you've followed/friended me on elsewhere. Its all still ME Me me; as anyone with a linked Google account will know how hard it is to delete oneself entirely from social media. For me, that was a good thing. I think.

If it pains you to undo all that blog-love, assuage your guilt by following me here at Book Lover. I promise that at this blog (dolorah.blogspot.com), you will receive all the sexy snark, constructive criticism, heartfelt accolades, and general information you have come to associate as ME by any other name or avatar. You can refer to me in the comments as Donna, Donna Hole, dolorah, or even Mom if you expect to stay all day and want a bologna sandwich. (Adult beverages subject to age restrictions; I do NOT share my Diet Pepsi. Please drink the milk as my son and I are lactose intolerant and it is used only for cooking so it goes bad very quickly if guests do not imbibe.  No coffee or tea on premises, bring your own. Cookies never last long, so you might want to show up on a shopping day and help unload the haul.)

Enough about ME! Ya'll will be seeing me around your blogs (as many as I can get to over the next three days) as I'm co-hosting IWSG with Heather M Gardner, Christine Rains, Julie Flanders, and Murees Dupé, Notice how Alex has a harem of help again? Come on GUYS, step up and flex those bloggy muscles next time Alex puts out a call for co-hosts. And don't forget to visit the IWSG linky and click on as many new blogger links as you can spare the time to visit.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE INSECURE WRITERS SUPPORT GROUP WEBSITE:

The IWSG Short Story Contest 2015

After the success of last year’s IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, we decided to create another book. This time it’s a short story competition with the top ten stories getting published in the anthology.

Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.

Word count: 5000-6000

Theme: Alternate History/Parallel Universe. That’s right, we’ve decided to go the speculative route. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines, except erotica or graphic violence.

Story deadline: November 1st 2015

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to TheIWSG at gmail dot com before the deadline passes. Make sure to include your contact details.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:
·         Laura Maisano - Senior editor at Anaiah Press for their YA/NA Christian fiction
·         Russell Connor – Author and owner of Dark Filament Publishing Startup
·         Candace Havens  - Author and Editorial Director for the Covet, Edge and Select lines at Entangled Publishing
·         Dawn Frederick – Literary agent and the founder of Red Sofa Literary
·         Alice Speilburg – Founder of the Speilburg Literary Agency
·         Michelle Johnson – Founder of Inklings Literary Agency and Writers' Center and Bookstore owner
·         Kendare Blake - Author
·         Lydia Moëd - Associate agent at The Rights Factory

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. The winners will also receive an exclusive badge to display on their blog.

We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!

78 comments:

D.G. Hudson said...

I notice when I don't post more often that the spam increases, even from a ghost in my past who won't disappear after 40 years. For some, harassment is their entertainment. These spammers are like bacteria, they multiply and invade. I am a follower of you on this blog and not the other one, since I did as you said when this blog was born.
And BTW, Thanks for your contribution to the recent WEP challenge, reading all those entries (which I did too) is a big job. That will endear you to many of us. Good luck with sorting the blog problem out and glad you're still around.

Juneta key said...

Wow, so sorry that happened to you. I followed you here. Thanks for being a co-host too. Hope it all straightens out, what a headache.
Juneta Writer's Gambit

Crystal Collier said...

I was really surprised when I found the new blog address, but I suppose new is good. I'm sorry about your identity abduction. =(

Computer Tutor said...

Awful story. I imagine they hacked your password, changed it, and took over? That's my nightmare.

As DG above says, I too notice there is a lot more spam when I don't post for a long time. I have one blog in that status.

Good luck with this new blog!

Pat Hatt said...

That is what happens to old addresses, people grab them somehow and then use them for porn and other stuff. Pain in the arse indeed.

VR Barkowski said...

Thanks for alerting me to this, Donna. Someone "borrowed" my old address too. I have no clue what they're up to, but I've asked to have the blog removed. We'll see how far I get. :)

VR Barkowski

Chrys Fey said...

Someone took over your old blog and is using it for spam? That is awful. I truly hate spammers. They will do anything. It's so frustrating and I can only imagine how frustrated you were when you found out.

Ted Cross said...

Yeah, I remember when you changed blogs, though I didn't know the story behind it. That had to be frustrating. I've fallen off from blogging regularly, so when I do blog I don't get many viewers. My own fault! FB just seemed to take over for the most part.

Suzanne Furness said...

Hope you get things sorted out, I will check I unfollowed the old blog.
Thanks for being a co-host this month, Donna.

Chemist Ken said...

Wow, I didn't even know it was possible for anyone to pick up on a deleted blog, even if it was yours. Crazy!

Thanks for co-hosting this month's IWSG!

A Beer for the Shower said...

I'm just here for the bologna sandwich. I'm long overdue. But don't worry, I brought beer AND Diet Pepsi.

I couldn't imagine starting over. Trying something completely different than what we're doing now, and losing all of our great readers.

I also couldn't imagine having our site usurped. Those spam sites are just awful to look at. Nothing but lazy stock photo-filled garbage. And I always wonder how people like that actually make money. I mean, do they think enough of your friends are going to come by, mistake that for you, and somehow buy whatever they're peddling?

Dean K Miller said...

Starting over is hard, but now you start from where you are, today, versus starting over from that long ago place you've journeyed from. Good luck on your travels! Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month.

Stephen T. McCarthy said...

Wow! Incredible, DONNA!

Sometimes I wonder if this whole social media thing is worth the time and trouble.

I think I was happier (and more Spiritually well) before I started using a computer... for ANYTHING!

~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Oh my goodness! How awful. I never dreamed of someone taking over my blog- aliens, indeed. I'm pretty sure I have the right Donna's blog on my blog role, but I'll double check!

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
I sincerely hope you are able to report whoever got accessed to your information. It's horrible.
Shalom,
Patricia

Christine Rains said...

How rotten. Now I need to go check if I deleted it from my blog roll or not. It's great to co-host with you today! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

If I had to delete my blog, I'd never start another one. Can you imagine trying to inform all 2100 followers I'd moved?
I did notice someone hijacked your old blog. I deleted it from my Feedly reader.

Diane Burton said...

It sounds like you made lemonade out of life handing you lemons. Another lesson in keep on keeping on.

Best wishes,
Diane IWSG #95

Diane Burton said...

Thanks for co-hosting this month! Yay, you!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Get Carrie or Tara to make you a new header. They do the best work.

After over 10 years, it would be so sad to lose everything I'd posted.

Doreen McGettigan said...

What a blog nightmare, yikes! I hope it all resolves itself. Thank you so much for hosting this month.

Eliza March said...

Sorry for the problems you had but here you are and doing a great job today. Thanks.

Shady Del Knight said...

"You be strong, you survive... You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you."

Hi, Donna/dolorah! Thanks for poking me today over at SDMM. Rarely have I encountered a blogger who is urging people to unfollow, but now that I know you are a victim of a hijacked blog, I understand the need to do so. I read your profile. You and I have a lot in common and I think it might be a good idea for us to follow each other (the exact opposite of unfollow). Please let me know if you agree. Thank you again for the visit and compliment, dear Donna!

Angela Wooldridge said...

yikes, that's scarey - now I feel like going back to my own blog and double checking all the doors & windows. Thanks for hosting, sorry you've had a tough time of it.

Arlee Bird said...

The pits! Our blogs should not be tampered with by anyone whether those blogs be active or not! I've been fairly fortunate so far. I don't have too much problem with spam lately either.

I guess on the internet anything can happen at any time.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Jeffrey Scott said...

I fail to understand the purpose of high-jacking someone's blog. How does that even happen?

I'm more than willing to stick around for milk and cookies.
Milk, because in one recent FB game, it claims I look 11 years old.
As for cookies, ask Mike Spain. He's sharing cookies on his blog I hear.

Take care, and hope to see you around more. :)
Are you still doing BOTB?

M Pax said...

Wow, blog thieves! I swear the internet will steal and hack anything not nailed down. It's baffling. Glad you're back blogging wherever you hang your hat. :)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

When someone announces they're closing their blog, I immediately remove my name from the follow list as spammers will eventually take over the URL. I have an inactive Blogger account I'm keeping up, as that way it's safe from being taken over by aliens. I posted about blogging today too. I'm in my 6th year on Coming Down the Mountain and having done it so long makes me reflective.

Lisa said...

Good luck in getting rid of the mystery blog stealer! And thanks for co-hosting today!!! I will never try to keep up with Alex, though, actually I wouldn't mind be liked so much that keeping up would be hard to do.... hummmm....

ELAdams said...

Sorry about what happened to your blog!
Thanks for co-hosting this month. :)

Murees Dupè said...

It is so nice to be co-hosting with you. I'm sorry about the trouble with your previous blog. I have noticed more and more blog addresses being taken over by funny companies. One blog I visited regularly, was turned into a porn website the next time I visited. Definitely scary. I hope you get things sorted out soon.

Olga Godim said...

It's horrible what happened to your old blog. I never followed it, I only started following this blog recently, but I can just feel the frustration, when something bearing your name gets corrupted. Good luck with fighting the spammers!

Unknown said...

Now I'm freaked out about what happened to your blog 'coz I have an old one I don't post to anymore. I've "unfollowed" your other blog and was already following this one. Now I'm gonna run and see if my other blog is still there or been taken over by monsters!

Sharon Himsl said...

What a mess. Glad you're sorting out the blog problem, but wondering what on earth caused you to ditch in the first place. I'll check if you're in my follow list. All the best, and thanks for hosting this month!

dolorah said...

DG: You all had awesome WEP entries. I enjoyed every one

Junetta: things usually work themselves out, thanks.

Crystal: Thanks for finding me

Jacqui: I never knew it could happen. Live and learn I guess.

Pat: at least mine wasn’t used as porn!! So far.

VR: let me know the results. I want mine returned to me.

Chrys: it is frustrating.

Ted: FB sucks me in every time I log on too. Which is why I stay away for so long.

Suzanne: Yes, do unfollow so the spammers don’t migrate to yours too.

Ken: crazy indeed. I didn’t know they could either.

Beers: I’ll bring the wine. Nice to see a fellow Diet Pepsi drinker. I was glad to see you guys re-construct, not move.

Dean: its been an adventure, and now I’m settled into this new site.

Saint Mac: I agree, I’ve come to rely on my computer for so many things I’ve lost the art of just using a pen and paper.

Elizabeth: Thank you Special Lady

Pat: I hope so too

Hi Christine: as always, it is a pleasure to co-host with you also.

Alex: I thought I’d just end too. Guess it all depends on the reason for the change. If you deleted your blog your e-mail would just blow up, lol.

Diane: we all just keep on trucking.

L Diane: thanks for the header tip. I finally made my own, though it’s a bit blurry.

Doreen: thanks for stopping by

Eliza: thank you

Shady: I do believe I am already following you. Having some troubles getting the blog to show up in my side bar though. I don’t understand that problem either. Maybe I should take some computer classes, lol.

Angela: lol, you should be doing that regularly anyways. Spam comments are worse than a deleted blog take over.

Lee: yeah, I am always amazed at the crap bored people with talent display.

Jeffrey: I don’t understand it either. Doesn’t seem profitable. I will post for BotB on the 15th of Sept. August just got away from me. I will stop by the regulars though.

Mary: I thought the blog was nailed down when it was (supposedly) deleted permanently.

Karen: that was good thinking on your part. I’d hate for your blog to close, so much good information there, and I access it frequently. Happy 6th anniversary.

Li: yes it would be lovely to be so well liked and followed; but way too much work, lol.

Emma: thanks for stopping by

Murees: thanks for co-hosting too. I’m glad it was just beauty advertising and not porn. Still pretty weird though.

Olga: thanks for following here. Always a delight to see your posts.

Lexa: I hope the monsters did not eat your old blog.

dolorah said...

Thanks Sharon :)

J.Q. Rose said...

Isn't imitations a form of flattery? The hi-jacker must've liked what you did! Good luck with undoing it. Thanks for co hosting.

klahanie said...

Hi human, Donna,

Oh my goodness, human friend. I know I get here okay. Must check out any other links I have that involved you.

Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,

Penny xx

Cherie Colyer said...

That's terrible someone can do that. Hope you're able to report them soon.

Thanks for co-hosting this month.

Melissa Sugar said...

I'm now following this blog. I'm sorry you're going through such a mess with your blog abduction. I've never had my entire blog hijacked, but I do have one person who I thought stopped stalking and harassing me years ago, but discovered she has several blogs dedicated to tormenting me via defamation and cruel and vile comments. She just no longer uses my name, but she leaves enough distinguishing information that if anyone read her blog they would recognize me as the person she writes about. Fortunately, she has zero followers and the only person who ever visits her blog is my daughter, because she accidentally discovered it.

I don't know if any of these links will get you to the right place, but here are some good places to start with Google/Blogger -reporting a blog that should be removed. Good luck. Thanks for co-hosting this month.

https://support.google.com/legal/answer/3110420?hl=en&rd=2

https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/3091837?hl=en&ref_topic=3030094

and here is a link that will take you to an area to report spam on blogs

https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/42577?vid=1-635768299760365462-2707560281




http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2014/04/dmca-complaints-require-precise-examples.html

- I included this one b/c it is called "What Blogger Won't tell you," and has some useful information.

Anonymous said...

Loved the title, and was pleasantly impressed with the blog.

Sorry about the other one...that blows. But look at you over here in this shiny new place. With all your friends :)

Donna McDine said...

From one Donna to another, don't be so hard on yourself on the blog follower numbers. It will regrow. Thanks for co-hosting this month!

Yolanda Renée said...

I found that blog last week I don't remember how I got there, but if I do I'll make sure it isn't one I follow.
So odd!
Glad you're coming back though, we've missed you. And thanks so much for your kind breaking of the tie between me and Denise. We were deadlocked! :) Weren't the entries amazing?!
She said you'd handle it! So glad we decided to go with a third person as judge on all these. That is the most difficult of jobs! Thank you, again!
What better way than the IWSG to get your feet truly wet! :)
Welcome back ....dHole!

cheerfuloptimistic said...

Honestly, how much money do these spammers actually think they're going to make? Especially since they rarely bother to hide that they're spamming you.

Toi Thomas said...

Wow. Sorry that happened to your blog. I have a few old blog I don't post to anymore, but I still link back or refer to them from time to time. I'm glad many of your followers have settled with you here.
Thank you for co-hosting this month.

Birgit said...

I didn't even know that could be done! Look how naive(I rather say that than dumb) I am. That must have been a headache and so violating. I am glad you are now here and have done your best to get rid of the other one that was taken over.

Lidy said...

Thanks for co-hosting today. And sorry about your blog. It must feel so Invasion of the Body Snatchers, so Invaders from Mars.

dolorah said...

JQ: this is flattery I can live without.

Penny!! Thank you darling for gracing me with your presence today. I have missed your doggy kisses.

Cherie: me too

Sugar: THANK YOU VERY MUCH for those links. They will come in handy. I've been lucky not to be stalked, which would be much worse than getting hijacked.

CG: ah shucks *blushes*

Donna: I'm not worried about the numbers :)

Yolanda: it is odd that it could even happen. I had fun with WEP, glad I could help you out.

MRR: right??

Toinette: since your old blogs are still active, I'm sure they cannot be stolen. I hope not anyway.

Birgit: well, I didn't know it could happen until it did, so I'm just as naive.

Lidy: yes, it say it so well :)

Mike said...

That stinks it was hijacked. Starting over would be tough. I am glad I follow you and enjoy your blog.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I'm looking through your comments, and it seems a lot of people knew this type of thing went on, but I sure didn't! I'm pretty sure I don't have your old blog, but I'll go check.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Thanks for co-hosting this month, Donna. I just unfollowed your previous blog. It has a lot of kinky stuff. Thanks for reminding us, though many of us followed you on your new blog, most of us had not unfollowed the previous one.

Denise Covey said...

Hey ho. I read this last night but couldn't comment (on my phone). I was pretty shocked but not surprised, really. When I was trying to foolishly change my URL I did a lot of google searches and I read in a couple of places to never close down your original as there are evil people out there who latch onto your old address. So I use my old address to move people to my new site. Argh you! This online universe is pretty hard to negotiate at times, but i do see a story potential here, Donna, a horror story. Get to it!!

Thanks for co-hosting. My time in November. :-)

Denise Covey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Donna.

Now that is really crappy.... I kind of had a similar feeling when my beloved OLD AOL email address was HACKED. It took me THREE days to change everything around and contact everyone in my address book to not send any money... that I WASN'T stranded in Manilla.... as you know (Thanks for checking on me...you are soooo sweet!)

Anyway. I would always click on the FOLLOW button for you, Donna. I LOVED your old blog and you still keep us informed and AMUSED on this one.

Thanks for co-hosting! Hope all is well!

Working diligently on Wyndy... will get a copy to you soon. UGH... two weeks of work wiped out in one stupid computer glitch.....

Mary Aalgaard said...

I've heard of this happening. When a blog is abandoned, someone else jumps on it to promote some crap they're selling. But, when I clicked on your blog, even before I read any of it, I saw your face and brief bio and though, "Oh, that DHole!" Your image is still your own. I love your snark and humor. Keep being you and the other impostor will fade away.
Play off the Page

Tamara Narayan said...

That writing contest sounds so enticing, but I've got other short stories due around the same time. I might try to squeeze on in anyway. Sorry you're having trouble with the old blog. Hopefully it will get resolved soon.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Donna - I remember that happening to you - and am glad you did you what you did, recovered what you could .. and are here now - I'd hate to lose contact.

It's a crazy world at times ... one wonders how they have so much time to waste - causing havoc, or inconveniencing everyone .. or worse.

Take care and delighted you're co-hosting the IWSG .. and keep writing .. cheers Hilary

Anonymous said...

That's terrible about your old blog being usurped. I didn't know spammers could do that. What a pain. I guess deleted never really means deleted. I'll remember that. I hope at some point you can get it shut down. Thanks for co-hosting this month!

F. Stone said...

I refuse to become hostage to the internet. The torment came close to messing me up totally this year. I became entrenched in understanding (or trying to understand) the blogosphere and how the search engines function so that I could maximize attracting visitors. It became an obsession. At one point, I wavered on investing in professionals to beef up my blogging strategies. When I discovered the cost to my bank account and my sanity, I backed off and closed that door. I've got one life to live and it ain't gonna be devoted to sitting at the computer keyboard or learning algorithms, etc. Good luck, my dear. Blessings.

Terry Lee said...

I'll bring my ID in case I'm "carded" at the door. I'll be the one with the wine...also Diet Pepsi for the host:)

S.A. Larsenッ said...

I admire your dedication to continue blogging throughout everything. It makes sense to me now. I thought I'd followed you like forever ago, but you never came up in my feed. I think I'm still attached to the other blog. I'll check.

Stephen Tremp said...

Hi Donna, is this a new blog? Pretty sure it is as the link back I have hasn;t had a new post since last spring. Glad I found it.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Donna, How interesting! I had a blogspot with the same name as my wordpress, which I removed. Imagine to my surprise to learn someone now uses that domain name?! Of course, it's nothing like my blog, but still it's kinda weird. I figured someone thought of the name, too and decided to use it, but maybe it's operated by a spammer. Hmmm...I never thought to bring that to my readers to attention so they could be on the lookout for suspicious stuff filtering in to their inbox. I'll check my blog roll to see if your old domain is among my list, but I'm thinking that we only connected within the past year and THIS is the only blog I follow of yours. Anyhoo, thanks for sharing this with us. I had not thought THAT spammers would take over an old blogger name like this until now. :(

Diana Wilder said...

Yikes! What a nightmare!
...the contest sounds fabulous!

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month! I can't believe the lows that spammers will sink to :( They do seem to have a way of taking over unused things, I've noticed old email contacts sending spam to me. My friends no longer use those email addresses and somehow the spammers take over.

Stephanie Faris said...

I don't follow--I just go through my comments and read the blogs of those who read mine. I used to use my followers list, but I found there were too many writers who just randomly stop reading blogs but still keep posting. I would rather spend my time reading the blogs of those who support other bloggers, so the comments is always best for me!

Nick Wilford said...

That's typical, eh, spammers will jump on anything like parasites. At least you are still around under a new name, which I'm glad of. I signed up to co-host IWSG later in the year, so I'm stepping up for the guys.

dolorah said...

Mike: thanks for following :)

Shannon: yeah, I was surprised how many knew that abandoned blogs could be stolen.

Rachna: at least it wasn't a taken over by anything too weird :)

Michael: Getting hacked is so aweful!! I was glad to hear so many of your friends checked on you. Can't wait to read Wyndy :)

Mary: thanks :) I finally put my image back here, since I no longer need to worry about being anonymous for the day job.

Tamara: I need to get cracking on a few short stories. Good luck.

Hilary: I've been missing you since you've been away too. I hope all is going well for you.

Lori: I hope I can get it shut down too.

Feather: social networking can become an obsession, and I got sucked in for a while too. Its great when it works out for some people though.

Terry: cool, nice to have you over :)

Thanks SA :)

Stephen: glad you found me too :)

Cathy: hmm yes, your old blogspot probably got hijacked too. But I do think we met after I started this blog. And what a happy day that was :)

Diana: thanks for following

Elizabeth: You'd think people have better things to do than mess with people online.

Stephanie: yeah, I had a lot of followers in my old blog who I could never find, and they never left a comment. It was weird. I too reciprocate comments.

Nick: its a lot of fun to co-host IWSG. I do it when I've been lax in visiting; forces me to blog better. I love visiting lots of new-to-me people.

DEZMOND said...

yes, it always freaks me out how our blogs are actually unprotected and there's nothing we can do about it. There are at least five to ten other blogs and sites who literally copy and paste posts from my place together with editing and fonts and colours and photos.... and there is no way to report them or stop them beside leaving threatening comments there :) It is just unbelievable....

Simon Kewin said...

Ah, yes, I did see all those strange posts! Hope you get that sorted out.

Eric W. Trant said...

We need to delete an empty hole. How ironic. Think about it.

;)

- Eric

Donna K. Weaver said...

So your blog domain wss hijacked or simply lapsed, and someone took it over? Is there no way to challenge that?

Anonymous said...

That sucks that your old blog got hacked! I'd hate to see that and would probably just delete it :/

I don't really have a huge problem unfriending/deleting people. If they haven't had any relevant content in a while (with no post explaining absence) I likely will just drop them off my lists. I already have so much on my plate, I don't want to waste more time going to defunct blogs and such.

Now, friending... that's a different story! I'll go to a blog several times before even considering following. Mostly because I think they'll find me weird that I followed immediately.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Oh how interesting. I had no idea that blog hijacking was a thing. Maybe that's a sign that you were more popular than you thought since it was worth hijacking.

Tammy Theriault said...

You will always be our one and only and not some weird alien taking over former said you. Lol

David Powers King said...

I had no idea this was happening to you! I'll do as you say, starting with following THIS blog. :)

Anonymous said...

That happened to me when I deleted my Tumblr. Someone snatched up the name right away and it has iPhone tips on it. I'm sure people realize this happens all the time. I remember you commented on my blog and that's how I found this new one.

Mark Koopmans said...

Hey Donna,

Glad to see you're still around and happy to hear the snark is alive and well :)

I did check and the only you I follow is you... but it did scare me to see how many people I've lost touch with!!

Cheers :)