Blogging to Boost Creativity

"How To Stimulate Your Creativity With A Blog"
Made by Steve Hoefer (September 28, 2009)

"Much to my surprise it's been a year since my first post here and a ton of pleasant and unexpected things have happened. One of the unexpected and pleasant things was learning that a blog wasn't just a tool for the narcissist, but could be used to provoke creativity...."

The author gives key paragraphs headings in bold, like:

• "Learn how to make a good blog post."
• "Make predictions, post in-progress reports."
• "Don't aggregate."
  • I'll get back to this.
• "Develop an audience."

Here's the start of that "Don't Aggregate" paragraph:

"...Don't aggregate. There are two kinds of blogs, Creators and Aggregators. You already know many Aggregators, they take other people's content and pull it together it into one place. Fark, Gizmodo, BoingBoing, Digg, Reddit...."

I see Mr. Hoefer's point.

On the other hand, Apathetic Lemming of the North does a lot of aggregating. Most posts these days are what I call micro-reviews: an excerpt from something I found on the Web, to give a sample of its content and style; and a short discussion of what I found, sometimes with a bit extra about the subject of what I'm 'micro-reviewing.'

Later, still on the "Don't Aggregate" subject:

"...Your first goal is not to have millions of visitors, it's to be the best creative person that you can be, so keep it focused on what you're creating...."

I don't know: I wouldn't mind having millions of visitors a year. But again, the author has a point: "...if you think it's been too long between posts, don't post your favorite lolcat, get out there and create something to post about!..."

(Today, that lolcat links to a photo of three birds on a branch: The caption makes it worth the visit, I think.)

What didn't get mentioned, but was implied (I think) in that paragraph is another important part of making good use of a blog: regular posting. Ideally, one or more posts a day: but that, I think, depends on your subject. Some of my blogs are updated when I've got something to say - which can be several times a day, or once every week or so. Another gets an update late in the evening each Wednesday and Sunday.

The author has good ideas, expresses them clearly - which makes this a useful resource for seriously creative bloggers.

Now, some shameless self-promotion:

• A Catholic Citizen in America
  • Following Catholic beliefs and practices in America: One man's experience
• Drifting at the Edge of Time and Space
  • Notes and ruminations of a writer, recapturing traces of a decades-old dream.
• Narcissus-X
  • A blog entirely devoted to Narcissus-X
• Sauk Centre Journal Blog
  • Showing the positive side of small town America, at least the part I live in.
    And, the negative: when it happens.

Lingo Slinger: Writing by a Writer Who Writes

Lingo Slinger

A writer's blog. LS claims that the blog is: "An eclectic collection of quirky, provocative, edgy, hip fiction and poetry. Selina writes fluid prose that cuts like a knife and often takes the reader where others don't go. Themes such as sex, death, relationships, family, addiction, and life are rampant."

After a quick once-over, I think she's right.

One of those Big Brother services rated Lingo Slinger NC-17, so be warned. And, yes: I recognize that ratings can be useful. I'm still getting over research I did for a post in another blog. Turns out that, according to a Missouri's own MIAC, I may be a dangerous anti-establishment radical. I missed my chance in the sixties, but 'better late than never.'

Anyway: Lingo Slinger is, definitely, a writer's blog. It's not exactly the style I generally read: but that's a matter of taste and perspective.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss / Theodore Geisel

Dr Seuss
Google search results

It's Dr. Seuss's birthday: or Theodore Geisel's, when he wasn't creating those charming children's books.

He made quite a splash, inspiring Coloring Page of Dr Seuss Characters on LucyLearns.com, a tribute on BlueBison.net, and the Dr. Seuss Grinch Mug.

Would I make up something like that?


(from Hatfull-of-Seuss.com, used w/o permission)

Happy Birthday, Beatrix Potter

Peter Rabbit is very much a part of American culture today - and possibly British, too. Today is the birthday of Beatrix Potter, creator of that mischievous rabbit. I thought posting a few links would be appropriate:

• "Beatrix Potter's Birthday is July 28; A Woman 'Ahead of Her Time' "
  Associated Content (July 28, 2008)
  Peter Rabbit Creator is 142
  • "Today is the birthday of iconic writer Beatrix Potter, InEntertainment reports. The author of the famous book, 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit,' was born on July 28, 1866, and died December 22, 1943.
  • "According to the article, Potter was born into a privileged family, but was very sad because she was kept isolated by her family. In seeing that she wrote 23 books and further, that she also was an illustrator, mycologist and conservationist, it seemed to me it made sense to find out a little more about her, especially since Peter Rabbit was such a big part of my life...."
• "Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter"
  UVA - Univeristy of Virginia (July 28, 2008)
  • "Celebrating a posthumous birthday today, the author and illustrator of the famed Peter Rabbit series would have been 142-years-old.
  • "She cultivated a career in a time when the cultural climate and her family discouraged it...."
• "Beatrix Potter in Cumbria"
  VisitCumbria
  • "Beatrix Potter was born on 28 July 1866 in South Kensington, London. She lived a lonely life at home, being educated by a governess and having little contact with other people. She had many animals which she kept as pets, studying them and making drawings.
  • "Her parents took her on three month summer holidays to Scotland, but when the house they rented became unavailable, they rented Wray Castle near Ambleside in the Lake District. Beatrix was 16 when they first stayed here. Her parents entertained many eminent guests, including Hardwicke Rawnsley vicar of Wray Church, who in 1895 was to become one of the founders of the National Trust.
  • "His views on the need to preserve the natural beauty of Lakeland had a lasting effect on the young Beatrix, who had fallen in love with the unspoilt beauty surrounding the holiday home...."

Funny: Everyone seems to see their own interests in Beatrix Potter. And here I thought was a gifted storyteller and artist, who published a story about a rabbit that became a cultural icon.

Come to think of it, I'm interested in art and literature.

Virtual Exhibition - Photos of People Who Read a Book

"Virtual Exhibition for 100 Million copies"
BlogCatalog discussion thread (started July 8, 2008)

Here's the idea: Readers of his book are asked to take a photo of themselves reading the book, and get it posted on a website. Not a bad idea at all. Sounds like fun, and a good way of getting readers involved in marketing a book.

The blog page: "Virtual Exhibition for 100 Million Copies Sold" (Paulo Coelho’s Blog(June 30, 2008)).

A very cool photo from an associated page:
(from Paulo Coelho’s Blog, used w/o permission)

Pity Your Readers: Learn How to Write With Style

"How to Write With Style"
by Kurt Vonnegut
San Diego State University

"Newspaper reporters and technical writers are trained to reveal almost nothing about themselves in their writings. This makes them freaks in the world of writers, since almost all of the other ink-stained wretches in that world reveal a lot about themselves to readers. We call these revelations, accidental and intentional, elements of style...."

I think only three sorts of people should read this article: those who

• Want to write
• Write
• Read what others have written, and want to understand their perceptions of the writing

Vonnegut wraps up his article with a simple list.

"In Sum:

1. Find a subject you care about
2. Do not ramble, though
3. Keep it simple
4. Have guts to cut
5. Sound like yourself
6. Say what you mean
7. Pity the readers"

This is the second time I've posted about Kurt Vonnegut ("Kurt Vonnegut: 8 Bits of Advice " (April 9, 2008)).

More about Mr. Vonnegut at Vonnegut.com. He died a year ago, last April. I was sorry to see him go. Other considerations aside, he was one of the all-too-rare good writers who can tell others how writing should be done: and make sense in the telling.

New Brunswick, Again: This Time for Writers

"The New Brunswick Writers Group "
"Part of the New Brunswick Creative Network"

"The New Brunswick Writers Group is a community of journalists, novelists, poets, and other wordsmiths in and around the Central New Jersey area. Membership is open to the global community, but the focus of the site is on supporting, critiquing and encouraging writers in the vibrant New Brunswick culture. Registered users are given the ability to create their own blogs, books, stories, pages,...."

Looks like a good start-up for writers.

Sound familiar? It should. I posted about New Brunswick yesterday. Same blogger, different site: "New Brunswick, New Jersey: A Detailed Look " (July 2, 2008).

Other Writers are Crazy - That Explains a Lot

"Other writers are crazy"
Justine Larbalestier (May 15, 2008)

"I was chatting the other day with a writer friend who was all freaked because they don’t know what happens in their work-in-progress. We chatted for some time me making suggestions, them nixing the suggestions, when in the course of the chat it emerged that they hadn’t actually started the novel...."

A diverting look at how different writers write differently. Some of the language is a trifle colorful, but a good point is being made.

Abulia, Writer's Block, and Doing Something About It

"Ya-ttitude: Curing Abulia? - you decide!"
Ya-ttitude.com (April 17, 2008)

"I have mentioned before that sometimes when I get a bit of writers block reading others writings or others books, blogs or posts are great ways of getting creative inspiration."

...

"Of course there will be times that you decide and it was wrong – so what! Pick yourself up and get back to it! Errors are part of the game – there is no perfect plan and often you will be on Plan D before you make it all come together and Plan R when you are all said and done – but – keep it going and make it happen for you!"

There's more, and a four-step plan of action.

Pretty good advice - and a pleasant writing style, to boot.

Fifty "Awesome" Resources for Writers - Open Source, Too!!

"50 Awesome Open Source Resources for Online Writers"
Job Profiles (April 29, 2008)

"With the popularity of blogging and online journals, writers working in the online realm have a growing number of opportunities all the time to practice and refine their craft, and maybe even get paid for it. And if you're working online, ..."

There's a list of open-source software tools. ("Open source" generally means open ... any program whose source code is made available for use or modification as users or other developers see fit. (Historically, the makers of proprietary software have generally not made source code available.) ....")

I use one of the things listed: FileZilla FTP. It works quite well.

Others look like they might be useful. Then there's WordWeb: "Writers can take advantage of this free and easy to use dictionary and thesaurus program to help ensure their writing is clearly spelled and isn't repetitive."

Spellcheckers are useful tools - most word processors have one these days. Even the browser I use (Firefox) has a spellchecker. A thesaurus is handy, to, but I've got to admit that I'm a bit concerned about the claim that it'll keep your writing from getting repetitive.

I'm a recovering English teacher, and I've seen papers afflicted with 'thesaurusitis' - excessive use of not-quite-right synonyms.

Anyway, this looks like another useful resources list - and you might find something new to you here.

"Saturday morning Twain" ?! Quotes by Twain

"Saturday morning Twain"
The Capitol Tribune (April 26, 2008)

"I have a small book of Mark Twain qoutes. I was thumbing through it this morning and thought I'd share some with my readers. ..."

My favorite, at the moment, is:

"For business reasons, I must preserve the outward sign of sanity."

This post is a sort of refreshing snack for the mind.

A Writing Blog Post With a List of Writing Blogs

"40 Inspiring Writing Blogs that you Don’t Already Read"
Real Words from a real writer (April 14, 2008)

"Everyone who writes for the web knows that they should be reading the major blogs. People who love blogging have ProBlogger bookmarked...."

How the author knows that you don't already read the blogs on this list, I have no idea.

Looks like a good resource, though.

Writing Contest, Self-Publishing, Caveat Emptor

"Wordclay Short Story Contests Now Open: Submission Guidelines Posted"
Writing, Self-Publishing, Book Marketing (April 2, 2008)

"It’s my pleasure to announce the official open of both the Wordclay Single Short Story and the Short Story Collection contests. As of 11 a.m. today, April 2, 2008, you can send our readers your stories and cover letters for a chance to win cash, publishing packages as well as copies of the Wordclay Anthology Best Modern Voices, in which the 15 story finalists will appear in Volume 2."

The deadline is "May 31, 2008, by 11:59 p.m.," but the author didn't say in what time zone.

I'm very cautious about self-publishing. The industry didn't get the name "vanity press" without reason. Back in the day, many self-publishing companies offered wannabe authors an excellent to swap thousands of dollars for a garage-full of unsellable books.

That said, freeself-publishing.com has a charming website: and this is the Information Age, not the late Industrial Age that I grew up in.

And, the website has a quite a story on its homepage today:

"...No, you're not crazy. You heard correctly. Despite our attempts to maintain an air of secrecy, word's gotten out. Information has been leaked to the public. Unconfirmed rumors about a robot working for Wordclay have been making headlines.

"I'm here not only to substantiate the story, but to introduce the robot that's stolen all our hearts here at mission control as well. "

Cure for Writer's Block: WRITE!

"Overcoming writer's block"
Robs Megaphone ("Writing well and Living well.") (April 10, 2008)

One of the shortest, and most practical, how-2 articles about writer's block that I've seen.

"... Obtaining the proper writer's mindset is often easier to accomplished at your computer or with pencil and paper. If you intend to write, the odds are better that you will write. Raking the leaves holds little promise for penning your prose. ..."

The post is in a blog by Robert Stevenson. Not the Treasure Island author. Some other chap.

Kurt Vonnegut: 8 Bits of Advice

"Kurt Vonnegut: 8 Basics of Creative Writing"
Gotham Writers' Workshop

I like the way this list starts out: "Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted."

The rest is good advice, too: and so is what I'll call the ninth point, about Flannery O’Connor.

Random Concept Generator - a Writer's Resource, or a Weird Recreation

"The Random Concept Generator"
Weird
Starting a story and stuck for an idea? There are worse places to go on the Web.

Here are my first three results.

The concept is this:

• a group of accident prone Romantic circus performers with strange visions in a neverending battle with the System.
• a group of wealthy ancient detectives with a vessel fighting a parallel universe.
• a group of friendly surreal avians with grim resolutions collecting artifacts in Skull Island.

I rather like that last one.

Have fun.

101 + 101 = 202 Resources for Writers

"101 Essential Freelancing Resources"

"... Well it’s actually 126 resources now, thanks to all the people who added resources in the comments. ... to help all you freelancers out there we have compiled a gigantic list of resources, categorized up for your benefit. If you know a resource that we’ve missed, let us know as we’re always looking to grow this list!"

Despite the "101," this isn't the same as "List of 101 - A Promising Resource for Writers and Bloggers" (December 30, 2007).

Not bad at all.

Trading Money for Words

"10 Killer Internet Companies That Want To Pay You to Write"
Writinghood (March 13, 2008)

"Its every writer's dream to make money doing exactly what they already enjoy doing. The Internet has created new opportunities for writers around the world to express themselves and get paid for doing exactly that, to write."

This looks promising.

Just remember: I know nothing about this post except that it lists 10 companies that apparently pay writers to write.

National Novel Writing Month

"National Novel Writing Month - Pep Talk from Neil Gaiman"

From November, 2007.

A pretty good read for aspiring writers.

Despite the name, National Novel Writing Month, my guess is that the organizers wouldn't mind it if you wrote during the other 11.

Advice for Writers, Strictly for Laughs

"Rules for writers"

A list of good advice for writers, weirdly written: and strictly for laughs.

Enjoy