blogging – Page 26 – Linda Nelson

Image courtesy of Creative Commons Bing Images

Everyone has an excuse not to write. I think we are afraid of ourselves, of what we might write. It’s not so much about the writing being bad, it’s more. When you write, it is like peeling an onion. Somewhere in our writings there are bits and pieces of us layered within. A small memory, making our writing be like that pensive Dumbledore had in his chamber.

Yes, we fear constructive criticism, but our worst critic is ourselves. If no one tells you what is wrong with a story, then you can’t fix it. You only need let go of your ego. Yes, that little chip on your shoulder that says you are greater than all. We all have a small piece of that chip that needs to be brushed off once in a while. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to believe in yourself, but it’s not good to not be able to look at yourself.

I love watching myself grow as a writer. Yes, some of my early works suck. They’re not written in stone, though. I can go back at any given time and rewrite them. I won’t until I feel I have gained enough skill to take another shot at them. I’ve learned to forgive myself for anything poorly written.

A beginning artist draws stick figures as a child. The more they draw, the more their figures take shape until they have that piece of artwork that draws the attention of all at the local art show. Writing is the same. It is a skill that isn’t a given. The more you do it, the better you get.

Don’t be afraid to let the words flow. Stop your excuses. Find a time slot in your day and write, something, anything, and write as fast as you can. The more you do this, the easier it gets to write. You’d be amazed at what you can write in just ten minutes. With practice, even your typing skills improve, making your word count increase.

So Write – Write Often…
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Write an Ebook That Sells Itself (and Builds Your Email List) Pt. 3

When I wrote my first blog post for MySpace, it probably was similar to a child drawing with crayons. The words didn’t stay in the lines so to speak, like a very sloppy coloring job. I did nothing about it because I didn’t know any better. I’d been out of school for years, I guess I had forgotten more than I’d thought.

The first post came about because I was bored with doing nothing. Though, crocheting and knitting really can’t be considered nothing. You are still making something, but I got tired of that. I wanted to create something else. A story.

They say you tend to write about what you know. I do believe I sort of did that with Friends of Choice. The character, Karla, reminded me of my daughter who was giving me teenage troubles at the time. Not the same kind of troubles, but troubles none the less. It was the year she had decided to drop out of school and take life into her own hands.

Why is it that kids, when they reach that stage, believe they know everything there is to know?

She knew nothing – nothing at all.

Now she can say she knows things. She’s done well for herself. It was a rough start, definitely a struggle. It always is when you’re a single mom living on a limited income. I have to say, I’m actually impressed with where she is at to this day.

ROW80 Check-in:

I’ve got my new blog site set up, as you can see. I really like it. Though, I’m still not sure I like the theme.

I think it must be time to make our goals once again. Last round, I was missing in action. Blogging and writing blues along with ongoing health issues. I feel much better now, and I’m ready to get down and dirty.

Pulls up sleeves… I haven’t worked much on that wip or any of them for that matter. It is high time that I did. For the past day, I’ve been working on blog posts and scheduling them. This is such a neat feature. But even WordPress takes practice before you learn what you can do with the thing.

Almost every time I sit down to write someone pops their head in and ask, “wha cha doing?”

I feel like saying, “You know what I’m doing, so why are you asking. Stop pestering me.”

Today I turned the tables. I went around and asked, “Wha cha doing?”

The answers I got were…

“Playing…,” as my other half worked on his sketch up program.

The puppy having come back from our little walk responded by lying on her side – panting. I guess she was resting.

I then asked my son. His response was, “Probably nothing.”

I know that won’t be what he’ll be doing. He is the last person in the world I would expect to sit around and stew for extended periods of time. I’m sure, soon, he’ll be out that door. On his way to a friend’s house to play video games.

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