[Note from the Proprietor: In case you're wondering what it's all about, well, we're smack in the middle of BLOGAPALOOZA! Hey, you're welcome to join in the fun if you like! All ya gotta do is click that cute little link and read all about it!]

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Guest post by Melissa Donovan who writes over at Writing Forward

• January – “Writing: Skill vs. Talent” asks whether learned skill or natural talent is more important to writing and other creative endeavors.
• February – “Writing Critique: Can You Handle It?” provides tips and insight for getting useful critiques and accepting them graciously.
• March – Do you think you should strive for being a great writer or settle for being mediocre? Before you answer, read “Why Great Writing (and Good Grammar) Matters Online.”
• April – “Briefs are Not Just Underwear,” explains why concise writing is essential online and includes a short writing exercise to trim excess and produce clear, tight writing.
• May – In “Devilish, Daring, and Demure: Meet the Hottest Women of Poetry,” three historic women poets are presented in all their literary glory.
• June – “Link Love Mad Libs for the for the Writing Community” uses a story format to share links to some of my favorite blogs.
• July – Because I’ve tried almost every type of writing journal under the sun, I offered up my favorites in “Seven Journals for Writers.”
• August – Lots of writers get stuck in a loop, especially when it comes to longer projects, like writing a novel. “How to Master the Writing Process” provides a straightforward approach to developing a writing process that works for you.
• September – During the historic 2008 U.S. election, “Writing for Change” explored whether internet professionals should talk openly about their political views.
• October – “How Writers Can Stay on Top of Their Game” provides tips for staying fit as a writer.
• November – Most people have heard about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). In “How to Write a Novel,” I revealed what it’s like to write a novel in 30 days.
• December – This was the perfect way to end 2008 with a bang: 18 writers from the blogosphere each contributed their best tips in a post titled “Creative Writing Tips from Around the Blogosphere.”

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Melissa Donovan is a professional writer, specializing in website copywriting. Her blog, Writing Forward provides creative writing tips and inspiration. Melissa earned her BA in English with a concentration in creative writing. In addition to writing, she loves dancing, animals, reading, and eating lots of cheese and chocolate.

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[Further note from the Proprietor: Hey, if you're interested in having your own "best of 2008" posts highlighted right here at the Middle Zone, then by all means, click on this link: (BLOGAPALOOZA: What I Learned From 2008) and read all about it! BLOGAPALOOZA will be open for entries from now until Sunday, January 25.]

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