Blogging Wish List

I've been at this blogging thing for almost three months, and I truly am enjoying this journey.  As you know, I have my doubts sometimes, but I have an end goal in mind.  I would like to use this blog to not only inspire Christian women, but all women, and I'd also like to use it as a spring board for my writing career.  I've loved creative writing since I was 11 (it was a long time ago, I know).  Back then I wanted to develop my talent into a career, but somehow, once I hit highschool, I got side-tracked into a business mentality.

So far, this blog has opened up a few doors for me to begin a freelance writing career, and I am excited, because these things were also spoken over me by a prophet recently.  Each day I blog, I'm like a little kid opening up a present to see what God has in store or to see who will be blessed and moved in an unexplainable way.

Before I go too far off topic, I've been thinking of some things that I will need to help me along this journey.  I don't have them listed in any type of order, because I'm unsure what should be done first.  I also don't want to spend a lot of money on something that isn't necessary or won't produce the results I'm looking for.  Anyways....here's my list!

• 250 professional looking glossy business cards with all of my info
• My own domain name (nix the blogspot)
• Writing workshops (I plan to attend some next month.  I love learning!)
• A super duper graphic artist to spruce it up over here (I've done everything myself so far, and web design and html are not my forte)
• A professional photo shoot (I want to have nice modelly looking pictures too!)
• A good quality zoom lens camera (I'm so jealous of some of the detail I see other people's camera's are able to pick up on.  I just have a point and click digital camera, and I better be grateful for that.)
• Writing/Blogging Conference(s)- I love meeting new people, of course learning, and networking (I do it very well!). 
• Focusing on 2-3 niche topics versus being all over the place like I am now. (Thoughts??)

Writing/Blogging Opportunities I'm Looking For:

• Guest Blog Spots
• Interviews of Christian artists, women with something to share
• Partnering with businesses to review products/services and talk about it
• Magazine, newspaper, newsletter, internet news writing
• A book deal!!!!

What do you think will help you bust through to the next level in blogging or your career?

Not Just a Numbers Game

About 3-4 weeks ago, I started to get really down on myself.  You know how the devil loves to instill doubt, fear, and worry.  At that point, I had been blogging for about 6 weeks, and I was seeing steady growth in regards to the numbers (i.e. page views, followers, etc).  Then, I don't know what happened, but the numbers fell off significantly, and I started to beat myself up, thought about changing my path, and doubted if I was really supposed to be doing this.

Just when I was about to make a drastic decision, I had an old acquaintance contact me on FB.  She let me know that that was her first time visiting my blog, and one little sentence struck her so, and whatever it was, it made her sit back and ponder her behavior, and she decided to make a positive change in her life.  She encouraged me to keep doing what I'm doing, and said that I never know who I could help as a result.  Then God spoke to me, and reminded me why I blog.

I do this for the one, which is the only number that matters!  If only one person benefits from my writing which can be typo laden, have disheveled thoughts all over the place, and sometimes not even have a clear purpose...then I'm happy.  I remember the dream that the Lord put on the inside of me since I was 11-years-old and I believe that He is going to manifest that dream ten-fold.

How do you measure success on your blog and/or in your career?

Why Blog?

If you read or write a blog or two, why do you do it?  (This is SO not a rhetorical question!)

For me, this blog journey formally started about 10 months ago, however, I think it really started 18 years ago before there was ever a such thing as blogging.

I've always enjoyed writing.  Matter of fact, I should dig up some of my very first poems and stories for you guys.  From the time I was 11 years old, I said that I would be a writer.  Somehow I got older and decided that I couldn't make money as a writer or that the field was too hard to break into and be successful, so I went a different route, only to find myself back where I started.  I chose a path that made more sense to me and everyone around me.  Seriously!  Who writes for a living?

I get an unbelievable amount of joy out of reading the different things TrentMan writes.  He started writing way earlier than I ever did, and it started out with little love notes and now has progressed into full blown super hero stories.  His mind is so fresh, new, and creative.  His unspoiled talent really gives me motivation to really pursue my dreams.

So, back to my original question...Why blog?  For me, this blog is a direct intersection of my natural talent and passion for writing and my supernatural spiritual gifts of exhortation, faith, and intercession (I Corinthians 12:7-11).  For whatever reason, God wired me to enjoy writing PERIOD  When I accepted Him as my Saviour and His Holy Spirit came to live inside of me, He began to give me spiritual gifts that He is working through me to produce.  So, when I go to pray with/for someone, or I give an encouraging word, or believe like you've never seen anyone believe....it is not me that you see, but Him working through me.

Why do you blog or what led you to follow your current path?

Guest Post: Shout Out to the Dream Killas...

Here's a guest post from Toya of the Quarter Life Chronicles Blog!


...the naysayers, the negative nancies, and the I told you soers. The kind of people who make you want to roll your neck and say, "NOBODY ASKED YOU!"  

Today, Sunny wrote a post that really upset me.  At an exciting juncture in her life, people have the nerve to riddle off one negative feedback after another.  It's sad. It's hurtful. It's unnecessary.  I personally believe that those who only have negative comments are displacing their insecurities onto you.  Because they couldn't, wouldn't, or feel they shouldn't, they think the same applies to you.  I'm not saying that a person can never provide constructive criticism.  But if it is not accompanied by suggestions or enlightenment, then it may be best to leave the words unsaid.

At work, I make a conscious effort never to be a dream killa.  Even when a student is clearly not a math/science student and insists on pursuing the sciences, I present him/her with choices.  Choice 1: Find an area of study that applies both your interests and  your strengths.  So if you like animals, consider studying animal rights rather than pre-veterinany medicine. Choice 2: Study harder. If this your dream then put in the effort to achieve it.  I've seen students opt for either of those choices. Some succeed. Some falter. But I never killed their dream.  Even when a student is academically dismissed, I let he/she know that they still have options.  

There is a specific reason why...

When I first started working in higher education, the Communications Office did a feature on a graduating student. This student beat all odds. She attended an inner-city high school and during her senior year found herself pregnant...with twins.  Her guidance counselor told her that college was not  an option.  She remembered his harsh words and trekked forward.  She attended college, got married, worked, and got pregnant again (with twins, I think).  She continued to trek on. It took a little longer than the traditional four years. And when she graduated... she mailed a copy of her degree to that said guidance counselor.  

I never want to be that guidance counselor... that dream killa... that nay sayer.  I'm a firm believer that anything is possible no matter how far fetched it may seem. 

Let's Discuss.