If you’ve visited my blog because of the guest post I did on quote-hunting over at Write to Done on Monday, you’ll already know that it’s a wonderful site. A few months ago, I reduced my overwhelm by culling a lot of the blogs I was subscribed to, but Write to Done remained in my feed reader.
I never used to read the comments because the whole piece was delivered in an email, but recently, I’ve started reading the comments as well as the pieces. What I call the ‘boxes below’ are a goldmine for finding sites by talented writers and bloggers. Why? Because anyone who goes to Write To Done is keen on learning how to write and connect better.
Reading and writing comments in blogs is something I’ve only just discovered. (It’s also something I’ll have to watch; I could become sucked into an exponentially growing matrix…) I’ve always been a bit of a split personality; astrologically, my sun sign and ascendant make me a tortured combination. Part of me is stand alone ‘performer’ who needs connection, an ‘audience’ and the chance to self-express all over the place. Another side of me is the quiet, detail-devouring analyst, working away silently and supportively in the background. Writing and answering comments lets my quiet supportive side have a voice and in most cases, shuts up the part of me that wants to wax lyrical for hours.
Over the last ten days, I’ve explored blogweariness, failure that isn’t failure, why I write, and how creatives operate. I woke today thinking I had no idea what I was going to write about. That’s it, I thought, I’m the worst blogger in the world. Four days after the launch and I’ve got no inspiration – for the first time in my life!!
I went over to reply to a comment I’d received at Write to Done and absent-mindedly clicked a link. Synchronicity slapped me in the face and made me smile. I found the following post. If you’re a coach who writes a blog, a parent whose kids have drained all the inspiration from you with a straw or a writer who hasn’t been reading Write to Done for long, you may find it useful.
Write to Done – 31 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your Writing by Leo Babauta
I realised I’m just tired, physically tired after too many late nights getting the ‘nursery’ ready for the bloggling birth. I’ve since had three major moments of inspiration this morning and have captured them in notebooks, ready to write next week. I’ve decided not to blog daily, but only when I feel like it. I’m curious to see how that works out.
As it’s Friday and you may get a chance to read more at the weekend, here are some other posts you may want to check out:
Award winning educator, Cindy Platt, has stepped into husband Sean’s Writer Dad shoes this week to share her parenting and teaching expertise as well as some heartwarming family moments.
Matthew Dryden is, quite simply, a stunning young writer to watch out for. Fresh, edgy, powerful raw talent. Worth a read.
One of my bloggling’s first ever visitors, Robyn (SO perfect that I got a robi/yn landing - I love them!) has crisp, clear articles on creativity and using the right and left brain. Fascinating for me as I flit between both sides.
I’m looking forward to a wonderful weekend. We delayed UK Mothering Sunday till this weekend because I’ve been ill and we also have a family member’s birthday tomorrow too. I foresee lots of wholesome eating and drinking, indulgent reading, watching Friends videos with the kids and sunny gardening!
What does the weekend mean for you? What do you look forward to most?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the link! I’ll be back later to say more, after I finish vomiting.
Literally.
Matthew Dryden´s last blog post..The Beginning of True Love
The weekend for me is a time to unplug. I try to get as much as humanly possible done during the week so that when it comes to Saturday I can spend some time offline and breathing in the real world. I can’t always make this happen, but I do my best. This weekend it will. I’m watching my daughter perform three times for a Ballet Folklorico performance. It will be magical, I’m sure.
I hope you describe it for us over at Writer Dad, Sean. I know it’ll bring tears to your eyes! Photos, please! My respect for your self discipline and work ethic has increased exponentially since I tried to combine learning how to blog with writing and being a stay at home mum. I didn’t expect to be this tired. I know it’s because I’ve been enjoying myself, meeting new folk, checking out new blogs, replying to comments like all new bloggers probably do, but I like this part, the connection. Thanks for popping over on your ’sabbatical’ week!
Every day is a fun day…so the weekend is just a slower pace and the chance to meet up with family and friends.
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog post..Tag…You’re It!
The sign of a truly happy person, Nadia – when the line between weekend and week merges! It’s interesting how Cheryl said too that the deliberate slowing down is important.
The weekend represents a break from the daily routine. My world slows on every level and my need for silence, solitude and journaling on the porch kicks in big time. Some thing unexpected may come up but on a weekend, I am very protective of my persoanl space and time. So I am more inclined to say “No,” “How about a day next week?” and so on.
I think many writers reading this will be nodding right now, Cheryl: “my need for silence, solitude and journaling on the porch kicks in big time.” It is a need. The alone time studying and writing that I need, I get during the day, when the kids are at school, but at the weekend, what I need is guilt-free time, to either be with the family, focusing on fun or if they’re doing their own stuff, to be able to read or write with no interruptions. I usually log off entirely at weekends.
Thank you, Janice, for starting your so very inspirational blog. I literally stumbled upon it today right after stumbling upon Write to Done and reading your guest post about quotes.
I have been thinking about blogging for some time and Leo’s Zen Habits has been very illuminating for me. To find you through him is quite serendipitous.
You speak my language. Thank you again for your wonderful and encouraging posts.
And…I’m back!
I agree with your thoughts on reading comments – when I’m viewing a new blogger, I find that I’m also reading their comments to see what other people have to say about them. It’s a nice way to get connected with people as well.
If a comment is very well written, then I will definitely follow it back to their site to see what else they have to offer.
(And thanks again for the link – you really are way to nice!)
Matthew Dryden´s last blog post..The Beginning of True Love
Interestingly, when I first began blogging, I had so much inspiration that I thought it would fuel fires forever. Every little daily experience seemed fitting for a blog idea. Of course the fires were soon snuffed out as I began to second guess myself.
Now I’m easy enough to let go and be in charge of when I want to blog and what might interest my readers. I really switched from a self-consciousness to a focus on my readers. Over time I have built a very wonderful community. Great that you joined it.
Had a problem with pictures in my last blog and one of my friends in Twitter gave me a great suggestion. Amazing how community is such give and take.
Thanks for mention of my posts on the left and right brain.
Robyn McMaster´s last blog post..Picture Cynicism and Creativity in Brain
@Ciaran
I love the word serendipitous. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to say it again because there are some words you just have to savour and it’s a perfect word; it combines the spirituality of synchronicity with the playfulness of a wordlover enjoying the discovery!
serendipitous!
That’s what I’m loving about all these comments, different voices, different paradigms, not knowing what, if anything I’m going to find when I log on! Thank you for adding your voice – I hope you’ll come back. I have no idea what I’ll be producing in the weeks and months to come, but I know what I’d love to do as well as build a home for my writing: my wee dream is for us to build a community where everyone feels safe to find their voice, visit whenever they feel like it, sing a wee solo, donate poetry and quotes, do some harmony, some rapping or just listen, have a coffee and a wee break from the hard work side of creating, connecting and nurturing. .
@Robyn
You have such poise! It comes across in your writing; you seem like someone who’s found a rhythm and has nothing to prove, just a lot to share and pass forward. Such a sound message, that of always asking ourselves what a reader might want to find or hear when they visit. I’m afraid I’m self centred in that I’m very happy to let my inspiration take me wherever it leads, but I’m grounded enough in myself to know that my craving for connection and desire to relish humanity will help me keep a balance.
@Matthew
Ah, Matthew. What can I say. You vomited all over my blog yesterday but I still think you’re a star! Hope you’re feeling better. I’d just like to tell everyone that Matthew was the first ever person to comment on my first ever guest post. He doesn’t spatter comments all over the place willy nilly and only writes when he has something to say. I phoned my husband when Matthew’s comment came in and shrieked giddily.
Yup, you can tell I’m new to blogging! Every comment, every visitor has made me feel like I do on the days when the bit of garden outside my back window is alive with the movement and song of different birds.
PS ~ I also think the people who visit this blog are really kind. No-one has pointed out that I spent all day yesterday thinking it was FRIDAY when it was only Thursday! And that’s after only four days of blogging!
For me, the weekends mean working while my husband watches TV, and getting up every once in a while to stretch and go sit with him a minute. Every other weekend all our kids are gone to the other parents’ homes, so when they are gone, I write and work. When they are here we are usually doing stuff around the house. Except for the off weekends, I try to treat my “writing work” like a “real” job. But, since it is something that started out as a hobby, needless to say I enjoy it, so it is fun to do when it is not “work” and I can be more casual about what I write.
Trina L. Grant | Professional Freelance Writer´s last blog post..Guest Blogger Invite!!
Those cuddled up moments on the couch are precious, aren’t they! I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like if my husband and kids didn’t realise that writing is like some kind of chemical element I need to have mixed into my oxygen for my soul to survive!