The Writer's Mind -- Any Other Writers Feel This Way?

      My ideas usually come not at my desk writing, 

but in the midst of living. 

~ Anais Nin

     My Writer's mind is always working. I carry a notebook with me every where I go, just in case I overhear some rich dialogue, observe the "perfect" setting or character descriptions for future projects! 

To Blog, or NOT to Blog...

     A few weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of building up your social media presence as a writer. Time to move on...

Today's topic?

Blog. Blog. Blogging!

Are you a writer? Journal-er? Avid scribe? If so, then you're already ahead of the game. Here's some ideas to get you started:

The most important word of advice is to 

Drum roll please...

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW! 

     Do you have a hobby or skill that you'd like to share? A topic that interests you? Something that you can offer to others who may want to hear your friendly words of advice and inspiration? If so, then that's what you need to write about! Make sure its something that makes your heart soar. Otherwise you'll find yourself as bored as your readers, and you'll have a stagnant blog to boot.

     Before you decide to hit the keyboards, you must choose a domain name - prepare a list of possible names for your blog site. (If you're a dedicated writer, I'd suggest getting a domain of your own name. You can also secure other website names that may resonate with you and reflect your hobbies and interests.)

     Do a Google search on the domain names that you've picked to see if there are others out there in the vast internet galaxy. You'll want your blog to stand out, so if you find similar ones, you may wish to choose something else.    

     Once you've made your mind up, you'll need to do research on who will host your blog. Here are some of the top contenders, but also plan on doing additional searches to decide which one is best for you:

Blogger

Word Press

GoDaddy.com

Thoughts

     
     After you've paid for your domain name, it's time to start blogging! I've heard countless writers complain about the following things to me when it comes to starting a blog:

I don't have time to blog!

Who is going to want to read my blog?

It's too much work!

Blogging is B.S.!

There's no need to blog because 
my book will sell itself!


Blah, blah, freakin', blah!

     Yes, I've heard it all, and this is only the condensed list of complaints. My answer is always this -- you know for a fact that whenever you're trying to learn a new task or skill, there will be a few quirky bumps in the road to overcome. But, once you get the hang of it, you'll look back and wonder what all your bitchin' was about to begin with! PROMISE!

     Does it take a commitment to maintain your blog? YES it does! 

     You need to decide if you'll contribute daily writings or one or two times per week (or month.) 

     When I first started my blog, Living La Vida Lymphoma, I kept the momentum up on a daily basis. The feedback I received made me realize that there were others out there who needed the daily bits of inspiration that I was dosing out to them. Two months later, I found myself wondering if I could keep up the pace. Then, my darlings, I discovered that I could pre-write my blog posts and schedule them to be published on a set date and time! Voila! That removed the stress aspect from wanting to continue blogging but, also not wanting to let my followers down. 

     Now I blog when I feel like it -- first thing in the morning. If I'm sapped for energy, I may wait until I have a creative burst and pop out a whole month's worth of blogs within a few hours. Then, my entire month's worth of blog posts are ready to go! EASY BREEZY!

     So, should you blog? 

     If you're a published author, it is imperative that you have your own author blog with links to your books and information about projects that you're working on. Links to interviews you've done -- anything to keep your faithful readers wanting to get inside your head! They love you and you should be thankful they want to follow your every move.

     And if you're a budding writer and want to share your message with others, then just DO IT! It'll take hard work and dedication, but your words will become immortalized, and, who knows? You may just inspire others along the way!

Happy Weekend!

Are you working on your writing project this weekend? I am! 

Writing is so good for the soul...even if you don't have a goal of writing a book, how about journaling? 

Putting pen to paper is therapeutic! 

Also, you can go to Writer's Digest magazine and look for some of their weekly writing prompts.

Just give it a try! 

Enjoy your day...

Jodi ♥

♥ Great advice! ♥

     When I saw this quote, it truly resonated with me...all throughout my life, there have been some people who told me that being a Writer was a pipe dream. Even when I worked a regular 9-5 job, I still continued to write. It was my creative outlet. My dream. My passion. 

     It took my cancer diagnosis, my divorce after 24 years of marriage, a move and living life alone for the first time ever for me to decide to write full time. I say that cancer was a "gift" because it made me set aside all fear. Doctors had given me a death sentence and predicted that I had three to five years. What did I have to lose if I didn't give it a try? 

     I've always had that Irish streak in me and a sense of competition to never give up, so I put my all into my writing. I joined Writer's associations, started going to workshops and writer's conferences. I belong to an awesome writer's critique group that meets once a week. After all of my hard work and dedication, I now have two blogs, this one as well as a daily blog, Living La Vida Lymphoma, plus, I've published three books this year. 

     I guess my message to you today is, NEVER let other people tell you what you can or cannot do! No one is the boss of YOU! Follow your dreams...if it doesn't work out, then move onto the next dream! Follow your bliss, Beloveds! ♥

Have Dreams of Being a Writer?

Do you have dreams of someday being a writer? There have been many times that I've heard others tell me that they wish they could write like me, or that they don't have time to write, they don't know where to begin, etc..  When I got divorced and moved away, I knew that I wanted to live the life of a writer, so I immersed myself into the life of one! I attend local writer's groups, meetings, workshops and I joined a weekly critique group. I'm up most mornings between 3-5 a.m. and I really focus on my craft. It takes lots of discipline and a love of writing in order to succeed.

Writing has always been in my blood -- from that first creative writing class that I took in the 6th grade until now... I live and breathe it. I taught Pre-K for twenty years and still managed to write my first book and do freelance work for teacher's and children's magazines at the same time. I think the biggest complaint I hear is, "I don't have time to write." My answer to that is, "If you REALLY want to write, you will MAKE the time to do it." 

So, here's some tips from me to you:

• Start out small. Set aside a 15 minute time slot each day. Maybe it's before the husband and kids get up in the morning, or at night when the kids go to bed...just do it! Set a timer if you have to at first just to force yourself into it. There may be days when you are first starting out where you may sit and stare at the pen and paper or your keyboard, but I promise you that you will soon exceed that 15 minute limit and continue on. 
• Start little "Me Time" rituals to coincide with your writing time. I make myself a big mug of tea, light some candles and nag champa incense and, when the weather is cold, I swaddle myself in a comfy chenille throw while I write.
• Get into the habit of carrying a notebook with you (or several - I have one in my car, one in my purse and one in my nightstand!) That's because as you get those creative juices flowing, you'll discover that ideas, dialogue, settings, character names will come to you more freely...this way you will always have something handy to document things. The notebook that I carry in my purse is more detailed. I have it sectioned off with tabs that are labeled DIALOGUE, CHARACTERS, and SETTINGS. This way, if I am out at a diner one morning having breakfast and happen to hear some rich dialogue coming from a little Southern spitfire of a waitress, I can write it down for possible future use in a book. Or, if you notice someone who you think you may want to use as a future character, start jotting down a description of what he or she looks like, their mannerisms, their personality...ya never know what will come of your careful notes someday!

So, in closing, no more excuses! If you have a story to tell, then go ahead and make things happen! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE!