Thing 3-Exploring Blogs

I have really enjoyed checking out other blogs. I didn't realize how many different blogs there are out there and on every subject imaginable.

I could use my blog for collaboration or for soliciting help when I'm trying to figure out some element of a story. As for my readers, I could use my blog to post excerpts of a story or entire stories to try to gain a following.

I think thought provoking questions are the way to elicit comments and responses.

I really like blogging. I wish I had more time to do it.
Question
If you were to start another blog unrelated to writing, what would it be? And why?


Picture: DE CHIRICO, Giorgio
The Great Metaphysician
The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Today's Writing Prompt: Entrepreneur

The business I would like to start is a B&B. I always liked the idea of having a great old house on a lake decorated in shabby chic. There would be a verandah that wrapped around the house with a swing and lovely wicker furniture. I love to cook, so it would be great to fix meals for my guests. Maybe one day.

Thing 1 and 2: Wow - Web 2.0

The Scream(Norwegian: Skrik)
Edvard Munch, 1893
Oil, tempera, and pastel on cardboard
91 cm × 73.5 cm (36 in × 29 in)
National Gallery, Oslo

I watched the video about Web 2.0 and I was amazed. I’ve seen the impact the Web has had on society, but I guess I never fully comprehended its true impact. I’ve considered myself computer savvy but in view of the video, I’m not as savvy as I thought I was. Learning about the new forms of communication this technology offers us as writers has been very enlightening. It’s exciting to know all the new forms of communication that are available to us, if we are willing to take advantage of them.

I realized watching the video that I have become a product of Web 2.0. I would rather email or IM (I haven’t learned to text yet) my friends than talk to them on the phone. A majority of my daily activities revolves around the Internet. I am hooked and I never saw it coming.

Technology is great but what effect will all this have on interpersonal relationships? We talked to people around the world and in real time sitting at our computers, but we don’t have that one on one, eye contact or the inflection or tone of someone’s voice that moves us. Will or has it affected our capacity to be compassionate or considerate toward others? Where will this technology take us? Will we be writing our books in abbreviated text? What will the language of the year 2050 be?


Even with those concerns, we as writers are living at the greatest time in history. We can self-publish and put our dreams, stories and thoughts on the internet for the world to read. How can we take advantage of this technology? I agree with Taleone that using podcasts is one way to get our writing to the masses. I also believe that blogging is another good method. My intent with this blog is to not only use it to explore the exercises of “Writers 23 Things to DoC List,” but to use it as a platform to express myself and share some of my writings.

Even though I have always considered myself among the curious, there are aspects of Web 2.0 technology that I’ve never considered using such as this blog. This journey is going to be a grand adventure for me and those who choose to follow along.

Finding my passion

I joined the Deadwood Writers group about two years ago. It's a wonderful group of writers who are very encouraging and very inspiring. We do more than critiquing each others work. John, our facilitator, encourages us to think outside the box. We do projects that help us improve as writers. Our group is about learning and growing in our craft. This project of using a blog to journal about our experiences with new technologies is a perfect example. I don't think I would have ever created a blog on my own.

I left the group for a while. During that time, I was writing sporadically. I found that I missed the feedback and the encouragement I got from the group. I'm attending the meetings again. I'm ready to focus and to find my passion-- the love for writing that I once had. A day didn't go by that I didn't write something, even if it was a journal entry. I want that back. Attending the meetings and reading what others are doing is very inspirational. Sometimes it's intimidating--to read others' work and know how good they are as writers--it make me wonder if I'm good enough or if I'll ever be that good.

Sometimes, I think I'm afraid to write for fear of failure...what if my story isn't good enough, interesting enough... the plot is lacking or no one would care about my characters. All these fears bombard my psyche and paralyze me. But I am determined to regain who I am... I am a writer. Though I may struggle and my fiction hasn't been published yet, I was born to write. I had the passion and slowly I feel it coming back.