Tag: Writing

~Party like it’s 2019~

Published on by Susi Bocks25 Comments

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For most of the world, it feels to me that people treat New Year’s like it’s about starting over; for me, it’s another day in the timeline. It doesn’t hold a fascination for me to celebrate or even get nostalgic about. I either continue in the same direction or travel down a new path. When I look back and reflect on the previous years, it’s more about what I have learned, what I’ve done, have I felt good or bad, and what would I like to accomplish in my future. Mostly, it’s something I do every day, not just at the end of the year. I guess they call that “what drives me.” For the most part, I knew which direction was I heading before the end of the last year.

This post today is my way of sharing what I’ve accomplished of my previous goals set but what I think are the answers to these questions – where do I want to go, what do I want to achieve and who do I look like in the future. It’s something I do for my continued existence for not only this year but beyond.

For my followers who were with me last year, you know that I fulfilled my goal of posting every day. I primarily did this to challenge myself, but it was also a way to learn more about poetry. And boy, was it! But oh what fun I had! Because I was so diligent, I learned so much about poetry, other writers, other styles and managed to work through a lot of emotional stuff too. Imagine a rubber band ball – thousands of bands representing new ideas, discoveries, tales, emotions, and more, and you’ll get the gist of what I was wrapped up in all year long. It was lovely!

Writing every day also led to the idea of publishing my second book – Every Day I Pause. Look for announcements soon about the release date! The goal was to have it available at the end of last year, but then I got sick shortly before Christmas. Don’t you love it when life hands you a detour? I don’t. Unfortunately, I did not recover until right before New Year’s. But I am excited to share this with you in 2019!

You’ve probably noticed that I updated the I Write Her banner photo. My mission is still the same – presenting written forms of my humanity – but I’m feeling a lot more fluid rather than square and rigid at the moment. Hence the shapeless feel of the image I chose. The previous one was intentionally more rigid to showcase my goal of being very deliberate and intentional about my writing during 2018. The banner will presumably change should my mood or purpose take on another shift.

I also made the decision to stop all WordPress ads on my site by upgrading with a paid plan they offer. The goal is so you won’t be distracted. I want you to enjoy the subscription. I’m committed to ensuring that everyone, be they occasional readers, followers or fans, have a rich experience here.

Now let me share where my initial intentions on I Write Her took me this past year. My goal was at the very least to have the readers from previous blogs join me here and hopefully grow it beyond the six followers I had with an average of 10 views per day. The WordPress community surprised me, and I mean surprised me big! At the end of 2018, I Write Her had 739 followers and over 14,100 views. The comments, the support, the love and generosity of the readership humbles me but also has given me more confidence than I ever thought possible. I struggled for a long time even calling myself a writer. But the support given me here has cemented it for me now. For that, I thank you all so very much!

Something that I’m tossing around in my braincase is the idea of collaborating with other authors/writers. Having participated in many challenges this past year, I enjoyed the creativity flowing out of me but also seeing the imaginations and skill levels of others excel when they were prompted to accept the challenges of other writers. My gut is telling me Let’s do this! I’ve not quite figured it all out yet, but I will be creating a challenge called “Interpretations.” I’ll explain more as I’ve worked out the kinks for my vision on it. Watch for a future post detailing how to participate! I’m looking forward to seeing writers rise to the challenge. 🙂

This year and beyond, my focus will continue to be on those posts which have a burning desire to get out of me. I do not think this will occur every day though, so you’ll probably see a little less of me. And I think I may actually take a short break as of today. Not sure how long yet but enough to let me feel like I can catch my breath. Rest assured, I will continue to read all my favorite blogs during this hiatus! But know that when I return, the content of my posts will be relevant. I’m feeling like there will be more intentional, immediate subjects that need to be addressed rather than just being creative. But I’ve also decided to contribute more to other venues as a means to expose myself to different platforms and their audiences. Writing outside of IWH will take me away from posting every day. But the hope is stepping into other areas of writing will continue to grow the readership here. Quite possibly it will also draw some fans to Patreon helping to support me financially. In other words, help me to keep living out my dream! Thank you in advance, should you choose to go down that path with me.

So let’s do what the title of this post says and Party like it’s 2019!!! WOOT WOOT

And Another Book Is Born!

Published on by Susi Bocks44 Comments
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Amazon

At the beginning of the year, I did not even imagine that another book would be forthcoming in 2018. I was just thrilled to have accomplished my original goal of becoming a published author with Feeling Human.  However, my mind changed and late Fall, I started working diligently to produce this by the end of the year. And success! 🙂

This book is the collection of all the pieces I posted here on I Write Her. 365 days of what was rolling around in my brain put in a book. I think this became a reality because of the overwhelming support I’ve received here. The readership here helped to boost my confidence level and my desire to create. I felt comfortable to share, and it spurred me on to do more.

For those who follow me here, you’ll know the pieces in the book because they are all the posts from my blog. Also, there are fifteen new poems which were never published on I Write Her. These were days where posts were either announcements, the TMI Tag or Awards answering questions. Relevant at the time, but not something that reflected the intent of this book.

A big shout-out to my friend Candice Louisa Daquin! She was incredibly supportive of this project and supplied the foreword for the book. I will be forever grateful for her love and encouraging words for my efforts! If you have not read her blogs or her books, do it! You can find her work here on Amazon. She is an incredible writer! You can thank me later. 🙂

To purchase a copy from Amazon, just click on the link under the picture above. Or if you are interested in purchasing a signed copy of the book, I will probably do a bulk purchase for my inventory sometime in January. Just send me a message on my contact page, and I will add you to the list.

So what do I do next? I’ve got a few thoughts, but I’ll share that with you next year!

Thank you all for the heartfelt love and support you showed me in 2018!!

 

Intent

Published on by Susi Bocks8 Comments

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“Why do you write?”

I know I’ve asked this question of myself and others often. My guess is you have as well.

Each person is by definition a writer, whether they are paid to or not. Putting thoughts on paper or the computer via a typewriter, keyboard or in a notebook says you are. But are you a writer?

There are so many different ways and styles of writing, and so are the reasons that set writers down that path of producing their work. It can speak to millions or just a handful. The intention is always to convey information and thoughts but what that can actually represent is varied. Every year, writers produce a gazillion letters of the alphabet. No lie! And they use the appropriate grammar and punctuation to highlight facts, fiction, statistics, imagery, instructions, emotions, stories, poems, education, research and so much more…

But are you a writer?

It took me years to begin dedicating the majority of my time to it. The activities of daily life – family, home, friends, and job – were my priorities before I fully embraced the notion of becoming a writer for pleasure, and ultimately, for a living. Now it’s just a part of my identity.

And it refuses to let go.

Publishing a book last year, and actually selling books suggests I’m a writer too. So yeah, I’ll call myself a writer now.

I do it because I like everything about it. From beginning to end. Anticipating thoughts, letting them swirl around my head, the sound of my fingers hitting the keys rhythmically, constructing the right lines, and pristinely defining the feelings which bubble up. It’s all so rich and satisfying. And when you feel like it’s some of your best-written work, just wow.

In those still moments, I also want to understand more about myself. Even in times when the climate consists of disturbances around me, I tune them out and tune in to the place in my head where liquid thoughts move freely. Pulling one out after the other, I create a string of coherency and then pound them out on the keyboard. It’s about grasping the feelings and defining the deeper meanings. Writing helps me capture the essence of who I am.

This is why I do it. For myself, for me alone.

But it’s not what motivates me to make it public.

I knew I could pull a sentence together and usually had something good to say. But that never felt creative, just that I knew words. Writing on my blogs as well as others and getting the book to market have been the best ways for me to showcase my creativity. Who knew I had imagination too?!? I certainly didn’t for the longest time. It’s work, effort, emotionally-charged but oh so very fulfilling!

Getting it all out in public translates to being understandable and relatable. The bonus is achieving a palpable peace. Every bit of myself and the writing is intended to come with clarity and honesty. The goal is to put a spotlight on my humanity in whatever way my brain dictates it. Then voila’, each piece of writing becomes a short burst about who I am. I let the tale sell the author.

Making connections with individuals in the writing community is another wonderful perk and motivation to give more. I’ve been thrilled to rub elbows with some fellow writers that have the same intentions. They feel like my people. Their drive to write seems to mirror my journey. I run to them. Especially the ones with their elegant and brilliant style. They just pick up a pen and out comes the magic. It’s as if they easily command the dictionary to do their bidding in an incredibly harmonic way. Being open with my writing, I hope they glance my way. They help guide me to even better expression. And they enrich my life with their skills.

So why do you write?

Big Dreams

Published on by Susi Bocks5 Comments
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I Write Her on Patreon

In February, I decided to step into another medium – Patreon. To date, six followers have joined me! Not exactly enough to make a living from but it’s a start! 🙂 Before the ball can really get rolling, it needs a push. And by push, I mean YOU!

I want people (lotsa people!) to enjoy what I put out there into the universe. The comments I get here on I Write Her have been so encouraging. Many of you have consistently sent me messages of delight for the work I’ve published. Thank you so much for that! Your continual support of my writing is thrilling and encouraging. Could you take that praise one step further though?

If you can spare $1, $2 or $3 a month, you’ll be privy to writing that only patrons get to see! You’re special already, but this would be another way to show some additional love and support.

So what do you say? Would you please sign up as a patron? I’d be grateful and so very appreciative!

Peace!