Today, I’m going to tell you about a fun blog hop with an interesting twist. I was nominated by my friend Gay. We met when our daughters became BFF's years ago and we’ve stayed in touch. We haven’t seen each other in many years, but we stay connected from afar. Gay is such an inspiring woman. A fierce and wonderful mother, a new grandma, a speaker, photographer and writer, not to mention, she has the voice of an angel. Above all, she is an encourager with a huge heart. You can find her at Captive Heart.
This blog hop is about writing. I would never call myself a writer. Writing is something that I wish that I could excel at, but it's always been elusive. My husband and dad both have self-published books (shameless plugs) and someday I'd love to do the same. But, I have no idea what I want to write.
I'm an accountant. I love accounting. No, really. I do love it. But, I also have a strong creative streak in me. Which is why I feel so lucky to have this blog. The photography and writing is the perfect outlet for that side of my personality. But, currently I find myself in a bit of a rut. In my last post I told you about the unplanned break and not being able to get my rhythm back.
I’m so inspired by other bloggers, especially those that have the gift of writing. I'm hoping maybe you can help me get my blogging mojo back. I'll answer the questions and give you a little insight into my current writing process. But, what I really want is some suggestions on how I can improve this process, so that I'm once again enjoying writing and publishing things that I'm proud to put out there.
I'm an accountant. I love accounting. No, really. I do love it. But, I also have a strong creative streak in me. Which is why I feel so lucky to have this blog. The photography and writing is the perfect outlet for that side of my personality. But, currently I find myself in a bit of a rut. In my last post I told you about the unplanned break and not being able to get my rhythm back.
I’m so inspired by other bloggers, especially those that have the gift of writing. I'm hoping maybe you can help me get my blogging mojo back. I'll answer the questions and give you a little insight into my current writing process. But, what I really want is some suggestions on how I can improve this process, so that I'm once again enjoying writing and publishing things that I'm proud to put out there.
What am I currently writing or working on?
I’m currently finishing up my recap of the trip to Provence. I have just a few more posts. I really did drag that one out but I didn’t want it to be over. The next big series will be about the road trip we took with my dad and brother. That one is going to be quite a few posts also. I want to capture all of it and document the special time we had together. There are several other small trips that I haven't blogged about yet, not to mention the posts about our life in London. I feel so behind right now. I realize all the pressure is self-imposed, but I have a tendency when overwhelmed to just stop doing anything (hence my recent hiatus.) Any suggestions on how I can get caught up? Or should I even worry about it?
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I don't know how to answer this question other than to just say it's my voice. In a sea of travel/expat/random blogs, I don't think this one stands out that much. Which is perfectly fine with me. My blog started out as my personal journal during a time of major transition. I was shocked when more and more people started reading along and connecting with me. For a while it became all about growing the numbers and "building a brand," another phase of the blog that I thoroughly enjoyed. Conventions, networking, press trips and meeting some pretty amazing people. But, I quickly realized that I couldn't maintain that, particularly after going back to work full-time. I'm not sure that I would even want to. Now, my blog has gone back a little in the other direction again. I'm hoping that I can find a balance between the two. A personal scrapbook that connects me to people and opportunities.
I don't know how to answer this question other than to just say it's my voice. In a sea of travel/expat/random blogs, I don't think this one stands out that much. Which is perfectly fine with me. My blog started out as my personal journal during a time of major transition. I was shocked when more and more people started reading along and connecting with me. For a while it became all about growing the numbers and "building a brand," another phase of the blog that I thoroughly enjoyed. Conventions, networking, press trips and meeting some pretty amazing people. But, I quickly realized that I couldn't maintain that, particularly after going back to work full-time. I'm not sure that I would even want to. Now, my blog has gone back a little in the other direction again. I'm hoping that I can find a balance between the two. A personal scrapbook that connects me to people and opportunities.
Why do I write what I do?
My blog turned three years old this month. I can't believe it. Going back and reading old blog posts makes me so happy. It reminds me of fun and adventures, wonderful times with family and friends. Struggles and how I got through them. And the photographs are such a treasure to me. I love my little piece of the internet and feel bad that I've been neglecting it lately. That it's felt sometimes like more of a chore than it ever should.
Thankfully, fall has always felt like a time to reset and restart. So that's what I plan to do. I write this blog for the same reasons today that I did on day one. To record, celebrate and connect. I'm glad that Gay gave me a chance to remember that.
My blog turned three years old this month. I can't believe it. Going back and reading old blog posts makes me so happy. It reminds me of fun and adventures, wonderful times with family and friends. Struggles and how I got through them. And the photographs are such a treasure to me. I love my little piece of the internet and feel bad that I've been neglecting it lately. That it's felt sometimes like more of a chore than it ever should.
Thankfully, fall has always felt like a time to reset and restart. So that's what I plan to do. I write this blog for the same reasons today that I did on day one. To record, celebrate and connect. I'm glad that Gay gave me a chance to remember that.
How does my writing process work?
I don't really have writing process (I'm sure you're really shocked). I usually just sit and write, lately reluctantly. My photos are often the focal point. Sometimes it feels lazy to let them tell the story for me, but I put just as much into the photographs as I do the writing, sometimes more. I've developed such a passion for the photographs. But, I know that I'm neglecting the writing.
I feel that my best writing comes from those posts that I write in my head for days and days, on the tube, in the shower, when I can't sleep. Then when I sit down with my laptop, the words just flow. Those are my favorite, but few and far between. I also feel that my writing has changed the longer I blog. I've toned down my sarcasm a little and I self-edit more than I used to. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. My writing process definitely needs some work and a shot of inspiration.
I don't really have writing process (I'm sure you're really shocked). I usually just sit and write, lately reluctantly. My photos are often the focal point. Sometimes it feels lazy to let them tell the story for me, but I put just as much into the photographs as I do the writing, sometimes more. I've developed such a passion for the photographs. But, I know that I'm neglecting the writing.
I feel that my best writing comes from those posts that I write in my head for days and days, on the tube, in the shower, when I can't sleep. Then when I sit down with my laptop, the words just flow. Those are my favorite, but few and far between. I also feel that my writing has changed the longer I blog. I've toned down my sarcasm a little and I self-edit more than I used to. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. My writing process definitely needs some work and a shot of inspiration.
Any suggestions for me?
My nomination for this blog hop is you!
Tell me about your writing process.
I know EXACTLY how you feel right now about being so behind that it's almost too overwhelming. At this point, I won't be caught up until February. :( It really does make me want to quit, but Cory keeps telling me to stick with it and so I'm telling you the same thing - don't give up! I love reading your travel tales and seeing your pictures! Like Dory says, just keep swimming, just keep swimming. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think with recapping it is easy to get discouraged as the writer since you know all the time that has passed since the trip but as the reader if you are excited about sharing the trip we will be excited to read about it. When you showed that b&b you stayed at with the cute rooms and pool I showed Fredrik and we vowed to visit it one day and he is still talking about it when we talk vacations.
ReplyDeleteYour writing process is the same as mine! I am with @Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife - it is easy to feel bored of writing about things that happened weeks ago yourself, but I assure you the reader (me) is not getting bored!
ReplyDeleteI love those posts that just flow. Lately I have been focusing on just writing posts that come from ideas that really flow for me. I get inspired by stepping away from the computer and just doing something else that I enjoy. I am struggling a bit with recapping as well from summer trips. I have been summarizing them into shorter posts which has helped.
ReplyDeleteI've been in a blogging/writing slump for, oh, 4 or 5 months now. It is hard. And writing is my passion, but I seem to have lost it along the way. I am trying to find it again :) Glad you are back! x
ReplyDeleteIt will come back - and I find after a slump my creative juices roar - just as if they need a chance to recharge!!
ReplyDeleteWow, Selena, I really must make an effort to come to one of your teas (to which you invited me twice and I couldn't make it, sorry) as what you say above is just so like me ! My blog is only one year old but I feel like I've been on the same journey as you. I particularly like your line "A personal scrapbook that connects me to people and opportunities." as this is exactly what I think mine will end up being and that's really a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAs regards tips for writing, I suffer the same as you and I figured out that rather than put pressure on myself and try to write well, wittingly or in a way that makes people think "oh amazing", I'm just going to do it in a "flowy"" way if that makes sense.
The fact that you expressed your feeling here is what makes the writing really good so keep doing that !
I'm finding that the hours of the day I have time to write - after 9pm - don't correspond to my creative time - morning. Maybe you need to take your writing to a different time of day? Or, just take it outside, some days that's what works for me. Good luck, don't stress, and if you put a month or two into a folder for fodder for dryer months, that's ok too!
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