Tag Archives: blogger

Daily Writing, Is Best

Posted on by

I know Jana from the fabulous blog, Rooted in Style, had no idea that her weekly March comments (hints, pokes, threats, whispers, plus a few tweets) of “daily is best,” those three simple words, would actually infiltrate my stubborn writing mind and make such an impact here at my blogspace. She didn’t know what she was starting, neither did I really, but I’m glad she told me to get off my ass and get with a regular program. (I know, Jana, you didn’t say it quite like that, but you were thinkin it behind those smiles and winks, weren’t ya!)

In 30 days, I’ve had less then a handful of times I wanted to climb through the computer and strangle dear Jana, so that’s good. Right? Not a bad blend of misery and enjoyment. If all things could be rationed out to 4 or 5 days of struggle, and 25 days of meaningful accomplishment, life would feel pretty swanky.

I’d like to thank everyone that has passed through these pages in the last 30 days to offer your support, wisdom, guidance, point of view, cheering and even the occasional friendly hard time. I’d say there’s one hell of a well rounded group that graces my pages with their time and for that, I consider myself lucky and humbled.

This has become my daily habit, something I look forward to every morning right along with a fresh cup of coffee. Last week, when Provocation took a tumble into the abyss for 15 soul sucking hours and I was unable to write in the morning, I felt displaced. Lost. Panicked. Like a soul experiencing irrational withdrawals. I made bargains with the technical gods and promised daily homage. If I thought there was a personal chance of insanity and I had a potential newborn in the future, I probably would have pledged it’s little life as well. I was desperate to have my daily comfort and predictable back. That’s when I knew, I was screwed. Daily is Best………….

~I rock. I did it~

~I rocked it. So can You~

Now, a few of you mentioned over this last month, casually, in my comment section, “Hmm, maybe I should try a 30 day/30 entry challenge.” Don’t think I wasn’t paying attention and I remember exactly which ones of you muttered it. Yes You. One of the things I did to help encourage daily accountability was sign up for Nablopomo, a community that dedicates itself to daily writing for a month. And so you know, tomorrow starts a new month, so GET ON IT. Or, as the beautiful and soft hearted Jana would sing, Daily is best……………If you do it, please let me know. If you need inspiration, I can sic Jana on you (smile)

There’s only one thing left to say today. Look at that fat full calendar off to the left. That’s right, every single day highlighted. I wrote. I rock. I actually did it! I climbed Mount Blogger, stuck my Provocation Flag in the highest peak and currently don’t feel like walking back down. Daily is Best…….

Evolution of a Personal Blogger

Posted on by

large_writeillTrue, I never shared personal relationship status, nor play by play highlights of my comings and goings during the last 5 years of blogging. I had/have my reasons for that, many of them. Regardless of my omissions,  for me writing in this dimension always felt like deep personal individual…… anyway.

I never felt like I was holding back key ingredients, or vital information that people would benefit knowing the details. From my perspective, everything was right there within the nouns,verbs and adjectives; sentences filled with personal thought. My moods and struggles, joys and happiness are spread out like a flow chart laced through entry after entry. Perhaps it came across as riddles and mysterious to the eye who wandered upon my pages. I can appreciate that, I designed it.

Tones and Stones that moved from the left to the right. This zone has always acted as my bridge between Lavender Black and fields of contentment. Over the years I have frequently walked between the two places in my mind. I’ve shared the color and texture of the rocks I overturned, but neglected to describe the weight and location. Intentional off center distraction. But this is changing, my direction has shifted…….

In light of my recent blog-blackout, I spent the last two days printing off the entries I hadn’t saved in paper form. (I’m experiencing paranoia) I had a two year catch up and a lofty ink cartridge bill at OfficeMax. The desire to print priceless comments from readers, along with the entry is a pricey one~but worth it~ 

I was disappointed in myself for letting great lapses in entries occur. I missed a lot of personal history in my neglect. Even so, the evolving evidence of me is still found within my words and for that I was intrigued. Change in it’s subtle evolution is difficult to recognise when our noses are in such close proximity to the reality. I can barely define the incline that got me to this point. I know at times it was steep and overwhelming, while other moments I strolled across even fields.  Such is life.

I pictured a year from now. The time when I will look back at what I’ve written for the year and I already know I will see a few defining moments about myself. I will see that in April of 2009 I personally opened the window into my life, with much less smoke screen. I won’t be upset with myself for neglecting my history and I realize today I’ll probably continue past April 30th with near (notice I don’t say positively) daily entries. Printing off my last two years of blogging has me mourning all the days I’ve now lost into unreliable memories.

I’ve always struggled with my motives and purpose for blogging. That fact has always aggitated me. I dislike (hate) not understanding why I do or don’t do certain things. Be it blogging or other life choices. Many people seem confident and purpose filled with their content and roles. I’ve always been the blogger orbiting erratically without a planet to revolve around. But, I think I’m finally circling in on personal purpose. I do need a bit of gravity, not so much that I’m grounded, but enough to keep me focused. I’m gravitating to my role. Maybe in a year from now I’ll be able to define it~

Half Full of Reflection

Posted on by
~Half Way There~

~Half Way There~

I know the buzz today will be all about taxes, it’s the 15th of April after all. But, you won’t get tax talk from this little tree in the woods. Sorry, no can do,…. for that topic you’ll have to go visit far more mature, focused and purpose driven blogs.

Still here? Fantastic~ Again, it’s the 15th of April and I’m dutifully sitting at my computer like I have every morning for the prior 14 days. I am typing, full of ambition and intention because this marks my 15th daily blog entry. Like, in a row, as in day to day, back to freaking back. ~I rock~ This experience could elevate me from an unpredictable fly by night blogger, to a regular Patron Saint of Religious blogging. I just knew given the expanse of a lifetime, somehow I’d snag a religious designation and this may be my big opportunity.

I can hear it now.

Joe Shmoe nosey somebody asks me, “Are you religious?”

I shall smile, nod vigorously, “Oh yes, I belong to the ward of Word Press and I’m a religious blogger.”

No? In bad taste? Well, I’d get a personal kick out of it and can’t wait to test it out. Here’s my opinion: Ask personal questions that shouldn’t be approached, be prepared to receive answers that make a person scratch their head and the best response they can come up with is ”huh??” Gets’ em everytime~

The way I see it, my glass of word water is half full on this banner halfway mark. My opinion could change to half empty if I hit a brick wall of blinking cursors, but so far I’ve managed to add a drop a day. I’m not even sure what I’ve wrote about for 15 days and honestly, I’m afraid to go back and look. That’s a BAD idea because I’d go all psycho editor on myself and waste precious hours fixing things no one will ever read again. To know and admit ones faults is a noble admission right? Well there you go, one of my faults. Compulsive obsessive word tweaking behavior. It’s why, when I do an entry, I have to write the little sucker in one fell swoop, spell check, publish and run Forest run………

There may be some, specifically people who are newer, who are wondering why I’m making such a big deal out of this Climb Mount Blogger 30 day/30 entry quest. Well, let me tell ya….I’ve been blogging, in theory, for 5 years now and I’ll show you why I’m enthused about my progress. Official record as per the old blog– In the Shadow of the Iris: 2004 (36 entries, started in Nov. that year) 2005 (161 entries GO ME) 2006 (47 entries, major slippin) 2007 (24 entries, proof is in the pudding) 2008 (16 entries- on AOL, then 16 more at blogspot= 32 for whole year)  I’ve been such a fair weathered bloggerista.

Marc suggested, at the first of the month, that if I held firm, accomplished each day, by the end of the month I would just keep right on going on with my daily entries. Addictive, legal, habit. Now, Marc maintains a daily blog, so he is worldly and wise about said topic.  But my first thought when I read his projection was whooaaaa, when did he fall down and bonk his head! Has he gone insane? But, these days, I’m starting to believe him! Praise the Word Press, I’m experiencing a personal revolution~

Has anybody else out there ever gone 30 full days of blog entries? As in, no skipping, no floundering, no break in the time frame, stick it to your blog 30 days in a singular row? Did you keep going afterwards? Just curiuos~

#BlogFind: This person has two blogs, seperation of interests.  The first blog is about photography. He posts amazing pictures, but he also gives guidence and advice about the process. Which is good because I typically point, shoot and pray for the best.Visit Chris @ An Instant out of Time His second blog is a culinary drool fest. This man can Cook! Go Forth, bring a napkin, enjoy Nibble Me This

Will brake for Feeds

Posted on by

The first thing I would like to request is this~  I think the whole wide world that is Blogosphere should take one (just one) day off….that is, except for me, because that would (completely) suck to lose my     5     solid      days      of      blog      posts      status. We should all take a moment of pause here to salute that glorious Rebecca G. record. I’ve never accomplished such regimented effort in 5 years of blogging!

No, the reason I think everyone (else) should take a day off is because she who holds a personal record, is behind and can’t keep up! I have my little feeder, and it highlights a blog when a person has updated. We all use this nifty application to keep track of blogs right? It’s the allure of that feeder button I can not resist when I visit new blogs. I’m a feed button addict. My name is Rebecca, and I click feed buttons daily. To much information, yes? no? Anyway, so, I take a peek at the feed reader and lets say, 36 of them are highlighted. I’ll go through them, de-highlighting them once I’ve clicked and visited the blog.

But is seems to me, the record holder that I am, I will clear 18 of 36 off the books, but while I’m in the process of doing that, 26 more will pop up into highlighted position. (Clearly a deficit in progress) 

Sooooooo, I’ll click through 9 blogs and 15 more highlight. (surprise)

Hit 4 more and 8 new ones pop up. (gotcha) 

Hit 1, like clockwork, 3 more smiling back at me. (peekaboo)

Call me crazy, but the reproduction of new feeds is like the reproduction cycle of mice. Multiplicity in electronic form.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore visiting other blogs and reading new and interesting material. I soak it up like sunshine on a beautiful day. I enjoy it THAT much. There must be a method to the madness beyond 1 observed day of abstinence. Oh wise ones out there in Blogosphere, how do you handle ’keeping up’ with all the blogs you read??? Inquiring minds want to know, namely mine.

I just imagined something…. What if everyone decided to do a 30 day/30 post fiesta…..I’d have to quit my job, sponge bath, eat frozen pizzas and hire a ghost visitor. Have Mercy on my feeds~ Since I’m addicted to feeds and links and blogs, maybe other people are as well. So in the spirit of mice, I suggest, go forth, click feeds, don’t blame me for the highlights and enjoy~  A few must clicks ~ 

Just recently discovered this writer and holy hell she is talented and hilarious. Two blogs, double the feeds. Double the delight. Flibbertigibbet and I am not Kidding Trust me here…….

I really appreciate this writers ability to take the occurrences of life from her view, write about them and we can see exactly where she is coming from. A honest voice that is entertaining and thought provoking is not easy to accomplish in a blog and she’s mastered the skill. Jayna Writes

Anyone need a recharge on creativity? Looking for a bit of unexpected inspiration? Want to follow someone who reaches across the rainbow of entries in her posts but no matter what the topic you leave feeling the tug of ‘lets do something!’ Say no more. Go Here~~>Wright Creativity

Curious about music and the writing process? Need to confirm the words writer and crazy DO belong in the same sentence and it’s a good thing? She’s got us covered. I always click away with a smile on my face ~ Debra Schubert 

Enjoy everyone, I know I do……….

Is it just me or is 5, that’s, 1,2,3,4,  5  just the best damn number around~

Ready, Set, Self Discipline

Posted on by

Last week I received a comment on this blog that has infiltrated my mind and despite my attempts to ignore it, I’m giving in and embracing a personal challenge.  Here’s the simple, but under my thoughts, taunt? tease? dare? suggestion?…….

 Evidence….”I get to kick it in the best way here, please write daily” …and then she did it again (double dare) yesterday in a comment…”daily is best :) ” ..Those haunting words and wicked smiley face came from Jana. Jana writes in her own slice of Internet over at  www.rootedinstyle.com. I recommend a visit to her site for a visual feast of photography and design~  BTW Jana, you get full blame for this little adventure into daily blog writing~

Now, for those of you that have read my words for awhile now, you can attest that my blogging has always been sporadic at best, if not downright lacking in routine. In other words, I’ve been mostly a slacker without a shred of predictability. So, to you friends who already know that about me, you understand why this is sorta a big deal in my little world.

The thing is, I am a prolific writer. Full on gluttonous of the word scribbling kind.  But I break it up all over the place. I write in Word docs, I write handwritten letters, I write in handwritten journals, and catch all notebooks. I write on Twitter now. I write on my hand when I can’t reach paper and have been known to write on walls in an emergency. Paint is easy to score, recapturing a thought once it’s escaped is a frustrating head banger. I write in the dust on the dashboard of my car when I’m driving and if I was really in a panic I’d probably scratch a thought into someones back with my fingernail……it’s just my thang.

 BUT- Disciplined writing? Preset obligations of the organized and responsible kind? Daily quotas and personal deadlines? Self imposed goals that I set, adhere and publicly declared. Whoaaaaaaa I have been possessed by some sort of Spring Voodoo spell. Medic!  

Thankfully April only has 30 days. 30 days of disciplined writing sounds wayyyy better then 31. I don’t know why, I can’t explain it, but it just does! So that’s it, I’m going to embrace the 30 days/30 entries concept and see if I can achieve the level of writing discipline I admire in so many others. (Plus, Jana will be happy and I like to make Jana happy)

I have made a preemptive plan. I scribbled about it in one of my notebooks yesterday because that’s what highly disciplined and organized people do right? They make a plan. The headline of my “plan” reads as follows  “What in the hell will I write about for 30 day” ……..followed by possible topics to ramble about. Since I’m fairly certain I’ll succumb to terrifying mind blank, my eye’s will glaze over and I’ll be found incoherent in my computer chair, hypnotized by a blinking curser…. I do have an emergency plan. I got a book for Christmas this year called “The right to write” by Julia Cameron that features daily writing prompts. Since it’s been sitting on my shelf this whole time, lonely and ignored, I figured it was high time to put it to use. I’m afraid I’ll need it.

I’ll try not to cheat.

large_writeillOr post 3 sentence entries.

Nor attempt trick date modifications.

I’m just sayin………

Let the game of personal accountability begin~