A Blog Hop: My Writing Process

I'm participating in a blog hop this week thanks to my friend Kendra, whom I met at She Speaks last summer. Kendra is a sweet soul that you'd love the instant you met her. She has an inviting spirit that welcomes you into her world and makes you feel loved.

Blogging has been around for several years but gained in popularity in 2006-2008. Many of the trailblazers have moved on to establish themselves in the national spotlight earning six and seven figure yearly incomes. Their books have been published and some have found themselves in front of a television camera…and it all began when they hit "publish."

Each of us has a different purpose for writing our blog posts. Through this fun blog hop, maybe I can answer some of my own questions about why I blog.

1) What am I working on?
Currently, I'm working on a book about grief and forgiveness. The basis of the book is my life story but I'm not going year by year. I have a co-writer who is helping me with the early years. As I began the process of writing, those years were too painful to capture through the written word and I found it easier to speak the words. The later years, after forgiveness and healing had occurred, were much easier to write. My co-writer is translating my spoken words while I'm working on the process of how forgiveness and grief are tied together.

My part has been laid aside for now due to the planning of my daughter's wedding. I'll resume writing in September. Keeping up with my blog is all I have time for at the moment.

2)How does my work differ?
There have been many books written on grief or forgiveness. I'm not sure if there have been any written with both subjects linked together. The ingredient that makes mine unique is the time element. I didn't grieve until thirty eight years after my mother's death. I have an experience to share that differs from most people. Also, losing a parent as a teenager, then being separated from the second parent on a daily basis gives me a voice that speaks to another group of people.

3)Why do I write what I do?
I love what Kendra said in her blog hop post, "My writing is an extension of who I am and how I think…" That really spoke to me.

I believe that's why I write. I have something to say. Since I was a little girl, I've been an observer of people, all kinds of people. Most of the time I'm quiet, but on the inside I'm having dialogue and writing stories constantly. As I work in my garden, wash dishes, or iron, stories or parables come to mind to illustrate a biblical principle. I love sharing stories from my childhood or my children's growing-up years. There is a wealth of wisdom in the passing of time. I write to share what I've learned through this life journey to help those coming along behind me…and if I can share it in a way that promotes family or leads someone into a deeper walk with God, then even better.

4)How does my writing process work?
As I said above, writing for me comes through normal, every day activities. My ideas come through life experiences. I will write a complete post in my head. Most of the time, I try to stop what I'm doing and write down a few key sentences, then go back to whatever I was doing. The key sentences will be enough to jog my memory to fill in the gaps and write the post. The blog posts that have had the most page views have taken the least amount of time to write…thirty minutes or less. The post with the most page views took fifteen minutes to write. This doesn't include editing, but I get the general concept on paper and it's just a matter of adding commas and paragraphs.

I've found writing to be fulfilling and healing. Whether I'm blogging, writing on my book or gathering material by people watching, I'm excited to see where God leads in this new chapter in my life.

Visit Kendra's blog, Tending the Garden at http://www.kendraburrows.com.
#mywritingprocess

Blogging...Has It Really Been Six Months?

When I began this journey in February, I had no idea where I was going with it exactly. Getting up the nerve for that first post took all the courage I could muster. I've learned a few things I'd like to share but there's so much more to learn.

1. I've learned I have the best family and friends in the world. They comment and encourage me with their words of affirmation...PRICELESS!

2. People need you to be vulnerable with them. They need to know someone else has been hurt, feels inadequate, has failed or does not have it together. They need to know there is someone who identifies with their pain. They need to know there is a God Who does have it together and Who does have a plan for their lives.

3. Writing has helped me to heal, but sharing my story with others is giving me freedom.

My drink of choice

4. I've learned the more I learn, the more I want to learn...I could possibly become addicted to writers' conferences.

5. Technology is forgiving...just blunder through, you'll eventually figure it out all by your fifty something self...and feel pretty good 'bout that!

6. I've learned there are not enough hours in the day to write all I want to write and read all the books I want to read to make me a better writer...so what's a girl to do?

Drink more Skinny Vanilla Lattes!! That's what!!

7. One last, simple fact...blogging is fun and cheap therapy!


So...if you're someone who is teetering on the blogging edge, go for it!

It's a lot of work...and occupies your thought life...everything becomes a possible blog post.

However, if you love to write, do it!

It's your space. Be creative. Write from your Passion.

I'm so glad God gave me the courage to press "Publish" that first time.



I'm thankful to you, my readers, for stopping by My Little Corner to share my thoughts. Also, to my family, I say "thank you" for putting up with the many hours I while away on my computer up in my little corner office. Time flies by when you're doing what you love. Lastly, I'm most thankful to my Savior, for lifting me from the pit onto solid ground and giving me purpose when I thought life after the empty nest was over. I'm learning life really can be good...it's not just something printed on a t-shirt.

Blessings from My Little Corner,
Cindy

She Speaks...and She Writes

"Chatting" at She Speaks with Emily Freeman

The last couple of weeks have been busy for me...the kind of can't catch your breath, where did the summer go kind of busy. I'm still coming down from my weekend in Charlotte at She Speaks. In a word, it was OVERWHELMING, yet it was all I could have wanted it to be, and so much more.

The keynotes, workshop sessions, worship times and food were amazing but that's not what will live on in my memory. That special place is reserved for several women, varying in age, background, size and shape. We gathered from the south, the north, the east, the west, the northeast, the northwest, the southwest and two precious girls came from Alaska. One sweet little thing just moved back to her home state from Switzerland. Most of these women left babies and husbands behind to get away to pursue her dream.

All of us are writers...we want to write...need to write...feel called to write. We spent the weekend sharing our hearts, our stories, our fears. Several submitted book proposals...very good book proposals. One day you'll be reading their books. I'm sure of it.

I've had the desire to write since I was a young girl. I've written stories in my head as I've washed dishes, worked in my garden, rocked babies, ironed, walked or any number of chores as a wife and mother. Most of my life I've journaled, but never really got serious about writing. My home and family and other responsibilities were my priority and writing seemed out of reach. Fear also played a significant role. Now that my nest is empty, my time has come. Those things are still a priority but I'm making room for writing as more than a hobby.

We talked last weekend about how hard it is to call ourselves a writer. For me, I think it's because I don't have a degree or certificate hanging on the wall that says, "You are a Writer." My husband has his degree hanging proudly in his office for everyone to see along with awards he's achieved. They clearly identify him as a Land Surveyor. The state of South Carolina and two other states have requirements he has to meet to maintain his license to practice in their states. My concrete mind has a hard time accepting something abstract.

So...as my friend Amanda from Alaska, boldly and courageously declared, "I am a writer, I will follow her lead and do the same. "I am a writer. I love to write. It matters not that I ever earn a cent or publish a book (although I am writing a book). I write for the pure joy of encouraging others in their journey in this thing called life."

With that said, I will lay down my pencil and type before I lose my nerve. Thank you for reading and offering your encouragement. You have been "Aaron" to my "Moses" many times when I questioned whether I could really do this.

As for She Speaks...He spoke loudly through 22 other women. He spoke through laughter, tears, smiles, hugs and lattes. He spoke through one woman and her wisdom to draw us together before the conference...women who didn't even know each other six weeks ago and are now sisters in Christ. She listened to Him speak...and now we have the courage to speak and declare our craft.

To my new friends, She Speaks was one of the best weekends of my life and an investment in how I feel God has called me to use the rest of my life. So thank you for sharing your hearts with me and your stories...I will treasure them.

Blessings from My Little Corner,
Cindy