Wow, haven't posted in quite awhile. Must make a resolution to do better in the New Year. My apologies to those who have enjoyed the blog and have encouraged me along the path for leaving you hanging after the last post. While I haven't been writing in the blog, I have been thinking about the direction I would like to take it in the coming year. But that is for another post....a New Year's post.
It is cold and raining here today, a typical December day. I've spent the morning sending off emails and making my ritual Christmas phone calls to friends and family. It's heartwarming to hear the smiles at the other end of the phone line. I've made new friends this year who have been added to my email and call lists. Friendship is one of life's greatest treasures. I'm not able to be with family this year, but my rambling bud, who lives nearby, has graciously invited me to her house this evening for supper. As I am bringing the roast beef, I think it would behoove me to show up on time.
Just want to take a minute to wish each of you a Merry Christmas. Wherever you are and however you choose to celebrate the season, may the spirit of joy fill your heart. I hope that if you don't have family to be with, you at least have friends who care, for true friendship is indeed a great and wonderful gift. Thank you to all my friends, old and new, who fill my life with joy and my heart with love. Peace be with you....now and always.
Happy Holidays!
StellaD
from Sweetwater Press
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Write What You Know---Not
Another beautiful day here in west Georgia. I had the thought when I left work last night that we could soon be having our first frost as it was quite cool. Of course, 64 degrees is really very pleasant. Perfect rambling weather, I say. On my walk to the mailbox today I was just enjoying the cool autumn breeze and the wide expanse of blue sky overhead. I call it electric blue, though I can't really explain what I mean by that. Fall has a different type of energy. After sweltering through August, our own energy drained by the heat, the crisp fall air is invigorating. I picked up a few persimmons on the way back, I think this will be the last handful I get. The lack of rain has affected their growth. They are smaller this year, and not as plentiful. But they're still good!
Leaves are slowly turning. I've spotted patches of color in the woods. Little yellow wildflowers line the roadway. I'm on the lookout for goldenrod and ragweed. No new ducks or geese have appeared on the ponds as yet, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for their return. A Canadian friend e-mailed me that they've had their first frost and that snow is already dusting the mountain tops in the area. The Autumn Equinox is Sunday, September 23, the official first day of autumn! I love it!
Read almost any book or article on getting started in your writing career and you will notice a recurring theme -- write about what you know. Sound advice, especially for those interested in writing non-fiction books and articles. Everyone has expertise in some area. It might be a hobby or favorite sport, such as collecting model trains, quilting, or golf. Maybe you have a passion, such as learning about different cultures, or cuisine. Because these are things you enjoy, they are much easier to write about. You've probably been reading, researching, and enjoying them for years.
Writing about the familiar not only helps ease beginner's writer's block, but also aids the seasoned writer who may be going through a 'slump' in their search for article ideas. Write what you know is an important tool that helps you write with confidence and authority. However, if you wish to have a successful career in freelance writing, there will be times when you must put this tool back on the shelf and write what you know--not.
Ideas for books and articles are all around us, and sometimes an idea can come from what you don't know about something. For instance, you might take a historical tour while on vacation and have a desire to know more about the history of a home or the town. Perhaps you heard an interesting anecdote that piqued your curiosity. Maybe you visited a museum and a particular work of art, or artist's technique interested you. Almost anything that leaves you with questions and a desire to know the answers can be turned into an article. Simply go on a fact finding mission and shape your article, or even a book, around those questions. With a little research, using other 'tools' such as Writer's Market, you can find a magazine or publisher to query about your idea.
There seem to be a lot of rules to learn when you're starting out as a writer. Just remember, the rules are tools...guidelines to help you sharpen your skills and perfect your trade. Sometimes you have to put the rules aside and just wing it. So, if you find yourself stuck on what to write, try writing about something you don't know. Ask the questions, search for the answers, then share what you've found out. It's a sure bet someone else wants to know those answers, too.
Happy writing!
StellaD
Leaves are slowly turning. I've spotted patches of color in the woods. Little yellow wildflowers line the roadway. I'm on the lookout for goldenrod and ragweed. No new ducks or geese have appeared on the ponds as yet, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for their return. A Canadian friend e-mailed me that they've had their first frost and that snow is already dusting the mountain tops in the area. The Autumn Equinox is Sunday, September 23, the official first day of autumn! I love it!
Read almost any book or article on getting started in your writing career and you will notice a recurring theme -- write about what you know. Sound advice, especially for those interested in writing non-fiction books and articles. Everyone has expertise in some area. It might be a hobby or favorite sport, such as collecting model trains, quilting, or golf. Maybe you have a passion, such as learning about different cultures, or cuisine. Because these are things you enjoy, they are much easier to write about. You've probably been reading, researching, and enjoying them for years.
Writing about the familiar not only helps ease beginner's writer's block, but also aids the seasoned writer who may be going through a 'slump' in their search for article ideas. Write what you know is an important tool that helps you write with confidence and authority. However, if you wish to have a successful career in freelance writing, there will be times when you must put this tool back on the shelf and write what you know--not.
Ideas for books and articles are all around us, and sometimes an idea can come from what you don't know about something. For instance, you might take a historical tour while on vacation and have a desire to know more about the history of a home or the town. Perhaps you heard an interesting anecdote that piqued your curiosity. Maybe you visited a museum and a particular work of art, or artist's technique interested you. Almost anything that leaves you with questions and a desire to know the answers can be turned into an article. Simply go on a fact finding mission and shape your article, or even a book, around those questions. With a little research, using other 'tools' such as Writer's Market, you can find a magazine or publisher to query about your idea.
There seem to be a lot of rules to learn when you're starting out as a writer. Just remember, the rules are tools...guidelines to help you sharpen your skills and perfect your trade. Sometimes you have to put the rules aside and just wing it. So, if you find yourself stuck on what to write, try writing about something you don't know. Ask the questions, search for the answers, then share what you've found out. It's a sure bet someone else wants to know those answers, too.
Happy writing!
StellaD
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Rambling, Writing, and Celebrating in Nashville
I awoke this morning with the sun and watched as it peeped over the treetops at the eastern edge of the pasture. It's first golden rays swept across the pasture, and in the early light, dewdrops glistened like diamonds. It's a great day to be alive, and I had a strong feeling that I was the first one up in the neighborhood. It's pretty quiet out here in the country at any time of day, but early on a Sunday morning you can feel the stillness. There is such a feeling of peace and serenity. I wish everyone in the world could feel this way.
In an ealier post I mentioned that rambling includes exploring towns along the way as well as parks and other natural areas. Wandering around your own town, checking out shops, cafes, and other venues also counts as rambling. And one person who personifies 'round town rambling is my friend and fellow Fast Track Your Dreams member, Wendy V.
Wendy's passion is music. Her expertise is in encouraging and supporting established and up and coming musicians through her article writing and radio promotion ventures. She gives reviews in her Nashville Blend blog about venues that she attends, and writes monthly articles for Southern Gospel News.com She also offers musical insights and encouraging words through her podcast, WendyV's Pondercast.
Earlier this year, Wendy made a bold decision and an even bolder move, leaving Minnesota to move to Nashville, Tennessee, to be closer to the southern gospel scene. Arriving on Easter Sunday, she immediately set about making her own special mark on the music scene. Armed with her tradmark red cowboy hat, she has won many 'fans' herself. While her focus is on giving encouragement to musicians and vocal artists, it doesn't stop there. Wendy believes that everyone needs and deserves encouragement in our lives to be the best we can be. A simple smile has been shown to lift a person's spirits immeasurably, and it is the easiest form of encouragement to give. She offers encouraging words and glimpses into her own personal journey through her newsletter, WendyV's Encouraging Words, and her personal blog, WendyV's Ponderings. Through her Ponderings blog (click the link under my listing of Blogs of Friends Following Their Dreams) you can learn of the mis-adventures Wendy had in getting moved from Minnesota to Nashville.
As you can see, Wendy is really on the road to following her Dream in Nashville. She is an inspiration to all of us at Fast Track, and we are very proud of her success. I once asked her how on earth she managed to keep abreast of all her blogs and websites, plus her venue hopping and article writing while maintaining a full-time job. She answered with typical Wendy V exhuberance, "When you're doing something you love, you don't feel tired. I love what I do." Well put!
Today Wendy is celebrating her birthday, her first since hitting Nashville. Join me, won't you, in wishing her a very Happy Birthday!!
To find links to the blogs and sites noted in this post, visit:
WendyV.com
Happy Rambling!
StellaD
In an ealier post I mentioned that rambling includes exploring towns along the way as well as parks and other natural areas. Wandering around your own town, checking out shops, cafes, and other venues also counts as rambling. And one person who personifies 'round town rambling is my friend and fellow Fast Track Your Dreams member, Wendy V.
Wendy's passion is music. Her expertise is in encouraging and supporting established and up and coming musicians through her article writing and radio promotion ventures. She gives reviews in her Nashville Blend blog about venues that she attends, and writes monthly articles for Southern Gospel News.com She also offers musical insights and encouraging words through her podcast, WendyV's Pondercast.
Earlier this year, Wendy made a bold decision and an even bolder move, leaving Minnesota to move to Nashville, Tennessee, to be closer to the southern gospel scene. Arriving on Easter Sunday, she immediately set about making her own special mark on the music scene. Armed with her tradmark red cowboy hat, she has won many 'fans' herself. While her focus is on giving encouragement to musicians and vocal artists, it doesn't stop there. Wendy believes that everyone needs and deserves encouragement in our lives to be the best we can be. A simple smile has been shown to lift a person's spirits immeasurably, and it is the easiest form of encouragement to give. She offers encouraging words and glimpses into her own personal journey through her newsletter, WendyV's Encouraging Words, and her personal blog, WendyV's Ponderings. Through her Ponderings blog (click the link under my listing of Blogs of Friends Following Their Dreams) you can learn of the mis-adventures Wendy had in getting moved from Minnesota to Nashville.
As you can see, Wendy is really on the road to following her Dream in Nashville. She is an inspiration to all of us at Fast Track, and we are very proud of her success. I once asked her how on earth she managed to keep abreast of all her blogs and websites, plus her venue hopping and article writing while maintaining a full-time job. She answered with typical Wendy V exhuberance, "When you're doing something you love, you don't feel tired. I love what I do." Well put!
Today Wendy is celebrating her birthday, her first since hitting Nashville. Join me, won't you, in wishing her a very Happy Birthday!!
To find links to the blogs and sites noted in this post, visit:
WendyV.com
Happy Rambling!
StellaD
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
