How many times should you try something before you give up? I tell my seven year old that he needs to try a new food three times before he can say he doesn't like it. That's just before I put broccoli on his plate for the tenth attempt.
Since I started on the yellow brick road towards publication and a writing career, I have made several attempts at a blog. While some were mildly successful, others were not. What I was never able to figure out was the right formula for making the magic happen. It always seemed like that equation from high school algebra that I could just never understand. Besides, who the heck needs algebra anyway? ;-)
Finally, here I am, after a year long sabbatical to deal with serious family issues, ready to write, and resolved to tackle the beast of blogging once again. In my time back I've discovered that the social media aspect of a writers career is like the all powerful Oz, sometimes hiding behind the curtain of mystery, sometimes grudgingly revealing all it's secrets. Each part of it can titillate your brain, embolden your heart and boost your courage to fulfill the aspirations of your writing career.
The challenge is how do you coax the wizard out of yourself?
Dorothy used a dazzling smile, good friends and tenacious faith to get what she wanted. I'm loaded up with advice this time around on the what, how, and why to post in a blog. But I also believe that it's going to take a strong spirit, the will not to give up and a passionate desire to invest as much into building my writer platform as I would into writing my MS.
So, what's everyone body else's story? Can you share your success stories or even tales of woe? I'd love to hear what got people through the slow times of blog building?
Thanks Sandra! I appreciate the feedback and kind words.
Hi Karyne,
What a beautifully written "blog"!
I too, and like most of us have a story to tell about why we begin something in hope of capturing the audience we long for. Was it something I said, or didn't say?
Could people hear my heart pounding, could they see my smile, could they feel my spirit for what I have to say coming through the lines and words of my blog?
Can they tell that I am just starting out as a blogger, or have I been a blogger for sometime.
Does it really matter? I am blogging!
For myself, I have since a young girl...saw a story in nearly everything. My dreams were stories, my day was a story, people I met were stories....I found myself saying time and time again over the years....I should write a book, I could write I book....I am going to write a book someday.
At current, I care for my elderly mother with some medical challenges. I find that blogging and crocheting in my free time has allowed me....since leaving a full time job to care for my mother....lots of time to explore all the work that is necessary to cultivate my dream of writing a book one day.
Blogging is an important part of the writing process....only recently did I decide through a blog hop invitation to throw my hat into the ring and work on becoming a better blogger, and one with meaning and a serious desire to work on becoming a writer.
I know there are moderators of the challenge that are seasoned bloggers and published authors. I anticipate each will be visiting as many of us on the list as they can to read what we write, and share their professionalism in kind, to critique. After all it is a blog hop.
I quite frankly could sit down and write something everyday on my blog. I read recently someplace... that having a blog doesn't mean you need to contribute to it everyday! That one should plan what days of the week you would like to blog, stick to it, and blog on those days. That way, your readers/followers won't get bored with what you write, or your post won't get passed over.
I tend to disagree. I think one should be able to sit down and write when the urge beckons, and put it in draft to publish another day. I like that much better.
Anyway....going to cut it off here, I just made a fresh pot of coffee, and need to get lights on, doors locked, see if Mom needs anything, and watch a program she wants to see with her....I spend a lot of time on my computer! Even so I am in the same area with her....sharing a program is much nicer.
Have a wonderful evening!