What is a Blog Meme?

A meme (pronounced to rhyme with "theme) comes from the scientific idea of "a self-propagating unit of thought that is spread from one host to another" (according to Chris Garrett).  In a blog meme, one blogger posts on a topic or idea and then invites other bloggers to write posts on the same topic or idea and link back to the original post.  There are memes on nearly every topic imagineable.

Participating in blog memes is a good way to get the word out about your blog and to attract new readers to your blog.  It's also a great way to discover other blogs you'll enjoy reading.  With blog memes, practice the golden rule—if you want bloggers to read and comment on your blog, then you should read and comment on their blogs.

Here are a few blog memes I've discovered for moms and writers that you may want to visit and participate in (organized by the day of the week on which they happen):

Sunday

Stream of Conciousness Sunday hosted at All Things Fadra
Rules:  Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only. Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.  Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.

Saints and Scripture Sunday hosted at The Kennedy Adventures
Rules: Write about your favorite Scripture or talk about your favorite Saint, then link up. 

Monday

Mommy Monday hosted at Simply Prudent
Rules: Write a mommy-related blog post. The posts can include topics such as parenting advice, biblical encouragement, product suggestions and giveaways, a funny or inspirational story, or anything else about motherhood.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading? hosted at Book Journey
What it’s about: This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Mailbox Monday hosted at Mailbox Monday
What it’s about: Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: MM can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Tuesday

Titus 2sdays hosted at Time Warp Wife
What it’s about: Today and every Tuesday, I want to invite bloggers to link-up any blog posts that will encourage women to joyfully live out their roles as wives and keepers of their homes I'm looking for posts on marriage, parenting, housekeeping, or recipes.

Just Write hosted at The Extraordinary Ordinary
Rules: just write!  Write whatever is happening around you WHILE you are writing (sometimes that’s the very best) OR whatever DETAILS you remember about your day or a specific experience.

Top Ten Tuesday hosted at Many Little Blessings
Rules: Link up your Top Ten list and join in the Top Ten {Tuesday} fun! All you have to do is WRITE a top ten list, PASTE it  below, LINK back to me in your post & then start LOVIN’ on the rest of the participants with facebook likes, stumbles, comments and tweets!

Wednesday

Wifey Wednesdays hosted at To Love, Honour and Vacuum
What it’s about: I introduce a topic about marriage, and then you follow up either by commenting or by writing your own post and then linking up!

Women Living Well Wednesdays hosted at Women Living Well Ministries
What it’s about: Posts can include the topics of marriage, parenting, homemaking, finances, recipes, organization and more!

Friday

7 Quick Takes hosted at Conversion Diary
What it’s about: write seven quick takes – short bits of information or new or anything that doesn’t turn into a blog post on its own and share them with your blog readers.

Five Minute Friday hosted at The Gypsy Mama 
Rules: Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. Link back here and invite others to join in. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

Book Beginnings hosted at A Few More Pages
Rules: Share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading on your blog or in the comments. Include the title and the author so we know what you're reading. Then, if you would like, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line, and let us know if you liked or did not like the sentence.

Friendship Friday hosted at Create with Joy
Rules: Each week, I’ll post a question that’s designed to help you get to know one another a little better. To participate, simply create a Friendship Friday post that includes the Friendship Friday blog hop button and/or a link back to this post.

Saturday

Saturday Snapshot hosted by At Home with Books
Rules: To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Do you host or participate in a blog meme that I haven't listed here?  Please share the link in the comments below and I'll add it to the list!