Today's challenge?
Branding.
Sorry, but it just doesn't have my passion.
And that's okay.
In his post, Jeff talks about branding, which includes having a platform and identifying what makes you you as a writer so that you're easily recognizable by style, message, voice, and even photo (make sure it's consistent on all sites - very good point).
This is a valid challenge and an integral and necessary part to the writer's life, especially with so many opportunities for an online presence these days.
I'm just not sure where I am in the process, so maybe that's what's causing my malaise about the subject.
Regardless, I'll share with you what little branding I've done thus far....
I changed my domain name in the past year to be my own name- http://www.bethcoulton.com/. It makes it incredibly uncomplicated to point someone to your blog or website when they can find you by name. The previous (free) name I had was long, wordy and not simple to remember. If you're wondering about a domain name, for a simple $10/year with Blogger, you can have your own name in between the www and the dot com. Go for it- you won't regret it.
My blog used to be called "A Writer's Journey", which I still like. But I didn't always write about writing (just watch- that's all I'll write about now and wish I kept that blog title). I changed to a broader-topic name because I had family stories on my blog, devotional anecdotes, humorous happenings, etc. Chocolate For the Heart came from the fact that I love chocolate, and it always makes me feel good when I eat it (and let's not think beyond that for this moment). God and His blessings and everyday miracles produce that same good feeling for my soul, thereby giving Him yet another name I call Him by - He's Chocolate For My Heart. ( I'm pretty sure if you look, you'll find that somewhere in between Lord of Lords and Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.)
As far as voice goes, I try to write like I talk, and I try to keep it real. I have not found a particular niche except to write what I know, write what's happening around me and relate it to a spiritual truth, and be faithful to what God puts on my heart to put out on my blog.
So that's as far as I've come in the branding of Beth Coulton.
Gee, for not having much to say, I sure had a lot to say. Some of you will not be surprised by this fact.
Your turn. Tell me about how you did with today's challenge?
bring on dessert
When I was growing up, after dinner my mom would jokingly say, "For dessert tonight, you can have your choice- no cake or no pie." And as quickly as my appetite would rise upon hearing the word "dessert", it only took a second for my hopes to be dashed, realizing that her choices meant there really was no dessert......unless I wanted leftover green beans or the last snowflake roll.
Ugh. Not funny, Mom.
Today's challenge is a little bit like that sweet treat being just out of reach unless we actually get up and bake something and put it in the oven.
Or in writer's terms, get it out there for publication.
Jeff puts it this way - "Make no mistake: An artist doesn’t create for accolades. But if you’re going to do work that matters, at some point it’ll need to get noticed in order to have an impact."
So true. I want my words to make a difference; I want them to challenge and grow people and speak to others' souls.
But if all they do is sit on my computer, there's no way of that happening.
And as my husband likes to say, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
So let's get some stuff out of the oven and onto the table. Bring on dessert. Decide what you can polish up, ship out, and send forth. Only you know what's ready, and if you don't, pick something and spend some time putting on the icing.
I've done this, and it's worth it. It involves fear and thrill, which is a great cocktail.
And I don't even drink.
If you would like a second (or third or fourth) pair of eyes, I'd be happy to proofread what you are teetering on the edge about. If you're not sure where to start, I could give you my two cents about that also. In other words, if I can help push you out of the nest, I'd be happy to do whatever is necessary to help you get going.
Just let me know when you're ready to fly.
Ugh. Not funny, Mom.
Today's challenge is a little bit like that sweet treat being just out of reach unless we actually get up and bake something and put it in the oven.
Or in writer's terms, get it out there for publication.
Jeff puts it this way - "Make no mistake: An artist doesn’t create for accolades. But if you’re going to do work that matters, at some point it’ll need to get noticed in order to have an impact."
So true. I want my words to make a difference; I want them to challenge and grow people and speak to others' souls.
But if all they do is sit on my computer, there's no way of that happening.
And as my husband likes to say, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
So let's get some stuff out of the oven and onto the table. Bring on dessert. Decide what you can polish up, ship out, and send forth. Only you know what's ready, and if you don't, pick something and spend some time putting on the icing.
I've done this, and it's worth it. It involves fear and thrill, which is a great cocktail.
And I don't even drink.
If you would like a second (or third or fourth) pair of eyes, I'd be happy to proofread what you are teetering on the edge about. If you're not sure where to start, I could give you my two cents about that also. In other words, if I can help push you out of the nest, I'd be happy to do whatever is necessary to help you get going.
Just let me know when you're ready to fly.
so not my style
The words I dreaded hearing from today's challenge - "Take a risk. Write something provocative and stand by it."
I'm about one of the least provocative people you'll ever meet.
I don't pick fights, I avoid confrontation, and I desire everything to be happiness and bliss for me and my family and the general population.
I am such a peacemaker.
This is not to say I don't have opinions, ideas, and ways of thinking that I adhere to come what may. It's just that I'm a general "let's make sure everyone is happy" kind of person (and that is not necessarily a good thing all the time).
But, I so completely believe in these statements Jeff makes - "Why do we do this (write provocatively)? Because this sets others free. To do the same. To live freely and honestly. So get in our faces; tell us the truth. And watch the ripple effect."
All day I've tried to think of a few things to tell you that would match this challenge. That's what you'll read next. If you don't like what I have to say, I do hope you'll stick around even if we disagree. And even leave me a comment telling me so. That's fine by me. Here goes.
First and foremost, at 50, I've been through a bunch ofcrap stuff along my life's way and one thing has become the central focus to my very soul and being, and that is the person of Jesus Christ. I do not believe all roads lead to God. I stand firmly on the belief that there is only one way to heaven, and that is through Jesus. He is the way, and the only way. If that makes me narrow minded, then so be it. But that's the basis of who I really am, and I make no apology for it. No need to. He's proven Himself over and over again to me.
Secondly, I have struggled my entire life with my weight. Starting in my childhood, it still plagues me to this day. It's been a constant, horrible, self-defeating exhausting mental battle that I am only now learning to conquer through different choices, a different way of thinking, and a gym membership. (and by keeping chocolate out of the house.) But if you want to know what pain I know best, it's the pain of being overweight and the toll that takes on a life. I could write a book.
Beyond those two things, it gets a little more common- parenting has been difficult, depression has visited our family and done its damage, I've walked through things as a mother I would not wish on my enemy, and I've been spent emotionally more times than not trying to hold it all together for days on end.
But so have a lot of us.
So if you're still reading, there you have it; good old provocative me.
Thanks for listening. Feel free to comment if I've struck gold with you or if you now have a bone to pick with me.
Either way, I'm glad you're here.
I'm about one of the least provocative people you'll ever meet.
I don't pick fights, I avoid confrontation, and I desire everything to be happiness and bliss for me and my family and the general population.
I am such a peacemaker.
This is not to say I don't have opinions, ideas, and ways of thinking that I adhere to come what may. It's just that I'm a general "let's make sure everyone is happy" kind of person (and that is not necessarily a good thing all the time).
But, I so completely believe in these statements Jeff makes - "Why do we do this (write provocatively)? Because this sets others free. To do the same. To live freely and honestly. So get in our faces; tell us the truth. And watch the ripple effect."
All day I've tried to think of a few things to tell you that would match this challenge. That's what you'll read next. If you don't like what I have to say, I do hope you'll stick around even if we disagree. And even leave me a comment telling me so. That's fine by me. Here goes.
First and foremost, at 50, I've been through a bunch of
Secondly, I have struggled my entire life with my weight. Starting in my childhood, it still plagues me to this day. It's been a constant, horrible, self-defeating exhausting mental battle that I am only now learning to conquer through different choices, a different way of thinking, and a gym membership. (and by keeping chocolate out of the house.) But if you want to know what pain I know best, it's the pain of being overweight and the toll that takes on a life. I could write a book.
Beyond those two things, it gets a little more common- parenting has been difficult, depression has visited our family and done its damage, I've walked through things as a mother I would not wish on my enemy, and I've been spent emotionally more times than not trying to hold it all together for days on end.
But so have a lot of us.
So if you're still reading, there you have it; good old provocative me.
Thanks for listening. Feel free to comment if I've struck gold with you or if you now have a bone to pick with me.
Either way, I'm glad you're here.
I'll keep this brief, maybe.....
Oh, today's challenge post was so timely- Jeff told us it was time to declutter.
Has he met my 21 year old daughter who just came back to live with us between college semesters?
Actually, she didn't bring clutter, but her tsunami of college girl paraphenalia sent everyone shifting like sand and now my office (which consists solely of a long, lovely, black Ikea desk) sits in my bedroom in front of the window.
Not an ideal spot but at least it's a spot.
I have two wire baskets on either end of the desk that are full to the brim, and one pile of equally important documents sitting right next to one of the baskets. My clutter is very neatly stacked and organized.
But I can't possibly need all this paperwork.
You see, twelve years ago we traded a two-story, development home for a smaller built-by-my-dad-for-his-family ranch home in the quiet country.
It was a great decision, but sometimes things get a little tight. Like when the kids grow.
So today and this week I will work towards diminishing those piles because in actuality, they're bugging me a bit.
Jeff also spoke of decluttering our writing, which is a harder task for me to do. Our church secretary used to shudder when I sent her a blurb for the worship guide, because she knew I said in six lines what she needed me to say in two. Or, quite possibly one, thank you very much.
Jeff's writing appealed to me because of his clean, short path to the point. I thought, wow, this guy really has something to say. And I could figure out what it was because....he just said it.
After the piles will come less words.
Time to declutter.
Has he met my 21 year old daughter who just came back to live with us between college semesters?
Actually, she didn't bring clutter, but her tsunami of college girl paraphenalia sent everyone shifting like sand and now my office (which consists solely of a long, lovely, black Ikea desk) sits in my bedroom in front of the window.
Not an ideal spot but at least it's a spot.
I have two wire baskets on either end of the desk that are full to the brim, and one pile of equally important documents sitting right next to one of the baskets. My clutter is very neatly stacked and organized.
But I can't possibly need all this paperwork.
You see, twelve years ago we traded a two-story, development home for a smaller built-by-my-dad-for-his-family ranch home in the quiet country.
It was a great decision, but sometimes things get a little tight. Like when the kids grow.
So today and this week I will work towards diminishing those piles because in actuality, they're bugging me a bit.
Jeff also spoke of decluttering our writing, which is a harder task for me to do. Our church secretary used to shudder when I sent her a blurb for the worship guide, because she knew I said in six lines what she needed me to say in two. Or, quite possibly one, thank you very much.
Jeff's writing appealed to me because of his clean, short path to the point. I thought, wow, this guy really has something to say. And I could figure out what it was because....he just said it.
After the piles will come less words.
Time to declutter.
share and share alike
It's the first day of (my) summer - school's out and so am I.
To celebrate, today I hit the gym, got a massage (happy Mother's Day to me, thank you sons), and got a pedicure.
Total all-about-me day.
I'm exhausted.
I can't really express this to anyone, mind you, because I would be looked at as if I had two heads. How can such self indulgence promote such sleepiness?
I'm not sure, but it did.
So, I will keep this brief and plan on being more refreshed tomorrow. In keeping with posting about each day's challenge, I wanted to take a moment to write about what we were given to do on Day 10, which is sharing other writers' work with one another.
Here's one blog I'd like to point you to because it has practical advice and teaching. The emphasis is on children's writing, but the principles can be applied across the board most times. Take a look - http://www.teachingauthors.com/ .
Enjoy!
To celebrate, today I hit the gym, got a massage (happy Mother's Day to me, thank you sons), and got a pedicure.
Total all-about-me day.
I'm exhausted.
I can't really express this to anyone, mind you, because I would be looked at as if I had two heads. How can such self indulgence promote such sleepiness?
I'm not sure, but it did.
So, I will keep this brief and plan on being more refreshed tomorrow. In keeping with posting about each day's challenge, I wanted to take a moment to write about what we were given to do on Day 10, which is sharing other writers' work with one another.
Here's one blog I'd like to point you to because it has practical advice and teaching. The emphasis is on children's writing, but the principles can be applied across the board most times. Take a look - http://www.teachingauthors.com/ .
Enjoy!
know what you're not
I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter. James A. Michener
I love this quote, especially considering the source. It says a lot to those of us who write and it speaks to the fact that what comes out our pencils and pens and keyboards the first time around isn't ever usually our best work. The real blood, sweat and tears of what we do is in the editing, the fixing, the rewording, the rewriting. You've got to be willing and able to go more than one round with what you've written. A lot more than one round.
I've spent some time experimenting with what I write about. For me, sitting down to write fiction isn't something I do. I currently don't read fiction, therefore it makes sense that I don't write fiction. I admire, respect and hold highly those who do, because it's something that I wish I wanted to do. And maybe someday I will.
Through trial and error, I've discovered where my best writing comes from. For me it's in the retelling of an event that actually happened or something that I witnessed or experienced, and then putting my own spin on it in any number of ways. That's where I'm most comfortable; that's where I can go to town.
I'm a non-fiction writer.
So I would say that while I'm not a very good storyteller, I am a pretty good story reteller.
And sometimes in life, knowing what you're not is just as important as knowing what you are.
I'd love it if you'd leave me a comment and tell me about what you like to write. Fiction? Non-fiction? Fantasy? Humor? Sci fi?
you've got a friend in me
That's what the first part of our Day 9 challenge, making friends, revolves around today - connecting. Networking. Getting out there and meeting others in our field, picking their brain and letting them pick ours. I'm sure that's why they invented Starbucks and Manhatten Bagel - for us writers who need a cool place to hang out with other scribes. And the food is just a bonus. I mean, who doesn't like to commiserate and eat/drink?
I can say I've made some friends, one in particular, and you can read about it here.
I continue to seek out, study, and invite myself into other writers' lives whether they want me there or not. I urge you to do the same, even if you're not into writing. I guarantee you're into something. You need to out get out there and start knocking on doors, emailing, Twittering, connecting with other like minds and not being afraid to do so. Hold your head high and assume they want to hear from you unless you hear otherwise (fake it 'til you make it, in other words). Take it from one who found success that way - you have nothing to lose and possibly everything to gain.
The second part of our command, finding fans and earning patrons, is new territory for me. Any fan that I may have has come to me just because they happened to like what I wrote. And I consider myself very blessed and fortunate to have them.
But there's been no deliberate fan
There's that world "bold" again.
I'm sensing a theme.
Let's wrap it up with earning patrons....the definition Jeff states is, "These people — leaders and influencers in your industry — will help you grow your platform and get your message heard...So how do you get their attention?" One way he recommends is by making a big ask.
Oh. I just did that, actually, and I'm waiting to hear back.
And to do it I had to be bold.
I challenge you to do the same.
So come on. Let's grow bold together. Do one bold act this weekend towards making friends, finding fans or earning patrons.
It might not be easy, it might feel uncomfortable, but the more you do it, the better you'll get at doing it.
Start big or start small, but start. Then come back here and tell me about it so I can cheer you on!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)