Putting the pen to the paper- metaphorically
Writing out my thoughts and emotions- realistically
Im lucky to have this ability to open my heart and mind
To write is to feel and live all that I experience and find
My heartfelt gratitude to all my friends here on WordPress
Who find time to not only read but also comment–beautifully
All this writing and reading makes us into on big happy family
Written for JusJoJan-Write, hosted by Linda
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Lucky me and you! We had means to interact with each other while the rest of the world was under lockdown in March, 2020
I wrote this post in March 2020, just when the whole of the world was going into lockdowns for the first time.
In today’s mad mad world, we are lucky to have one thing that is not affected by the threat of illness. Our blogging!
This thought struck me while planning out my day. Going shopping is out. Socializing is out. And most of the things we do together are out for the time being. But we are lucky that blogging is a solitary occupation. We can blog and be in touch with our friends all over the world. No chances of getting ill or catching a virus, unless it’s of the cyber variety.
Sitting by ourselves, we can roam the world, catch up with our friends and their news and never feel lonely or isolated. We get all the mental stimulation and exciting while never even getting up from out comfy chair. Can you imagine anyone else being this lucky!
So this is what I am doing these days. Nice solitary walks around the neighborhood and getting plenty of exercise and fresh air. And at home, blogging and reading. Took these pictures while on a walk with my grandson today.
Keep well and keep safe. As they say;
Written for JusJoJan- Exercise, Prompted by Wendy, hosted by Linda
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For today’s installment of Blogging Insights, I am going with the Q and A format.
TODAY’S QUESTIONS :
Do you write directly on a device? Are you old school, do you write on paper first?Do you re-draft? If so, how many times?
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I write my blog posts directly on my WordPress app on my phone. It’s the most convenient way for me. I tried to use my laptop but found the method cumbersome. Perhaps using my phone to blog, deprives me of many features of WordPress but as I find it more convenient to use my phone, I think it’s not a bad deal.
Blogging from my phone, I feel that my thoughts flow more smoothly. I don’t have to capitalize, insert full stops or repeatedly check the grammar while writing. I have Grammarly installed on my phone and after writing my post I run it through that app to fix any mistakes I’ve made.
I’ve seldom redrafted my posts. If it’s something that I want to submit for publication ( though none has been accepted yet) I do try to make it free of mistakes and spend more time on it.
For me, blogging is an expression of my spontaneous thoughts. That’s why I never wrote it on paper first. What I write to be posted on my blog, comes directly from my mind to my blog. And though I usually write my posts a day or two ahead, I write them in one sitting, SoCS style and in a short time.
We all have a different way of writing. Mine works for me because it’s convenient for me. But it may not work for someone else. The most important thing about hobby blogging is that it should be easy and fun.
Written in response to;How do you write? Blogging Insights 3.0 – 2, hosted by Tanya
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Writing for my blog, I often come across prompts and topics that I have written about before.
If that former post was published more than a year ago and had had few views and comments, I find it a good option to repost it with the added statement that people may have seen/ read this post before as it is a re-share.
I have written more than 7000 posts in little over 4 years and it’s probable that I have written on many of the oft repeated prompts, and since I tend to write on similar lines, writing a new post seems a waste of effort.
So I search for an appropriate post, open it in browser view ( you cannot copy the whole of the post in block-editor mode if you open it on your site) and copy the parts I require and paste them onto my new post.
This serves a twofold purpose, one I re-share something written with effort and love, again and secondly, the old post gets a new airing.
Do you re-share/repost your older post ?
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In response to Six Sentence Story- Paste, hosted by Denise
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“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
VS
“Break the mold.”
Which of these do you believe, as pertaining to your blogging?
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When I started blogging, I belonged to the first club. I’d do what worked for me and stick to the familiar style.
It was with the encouragement of my blogging friends that I started experimenting with different forms of writing. Fiction was something that I was very reluctant to try but I gradually did start writing fiction too. Recently, on encouragement of my fellow poets on WP, I’ve started to experiment with a few poetry prompts too. It feels good to follow the guidelines of the prompt and write something half-decent for a poetry challenge.
Stepping out of our comfort zone is not easy, especially as we get set in our ways. But once you get into the habit of breaking the mold, you find that anything that challenges you, attracts you.
In conclusion, I’d say that if you feel that what you write on a routine basis works best for you, stick to it. But if challenging yourself makes you feel better and you learn more then do break the mold and try new things.
Written in response to;Blogging Insights 3.0 — 1, hosted by Tanya
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Dr. Tanya asks;
After 65 episodes of the quote format, I’ve decided to change things again. I’m thinking of doing a ‘mixed bag’ this time. It will be quotes some weeks and questions for others. Maybe some episodes could be a single topic for general discussion.
What do you think ? I would love to know.
Advice on questions or topics to be discussed is very welcome. I look forward to your feedback in the form of comments or new posts.
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Humans have a tendency to get bored with things and their sameness if continued for a long time. We crave freshness and change. So it is very understandable that to maintain freshness in this series, some changes should be implemented.
I fully endorse this new idea of mixing it up. A question one week and a quote to comment upon the next is a good way to liven up things. Asking for suggestions is good too as it will give those participating a chance to suggest their favorite topics too.
Blogging Insights has always been my favorite prompt to write for, and incidentally, it has generated posts that have been quite popular with my readers. Since here I write about blogging, for bloggers, it is of interest to many people. especially new bloggers.
Questions/ quotes about the topics of posts, length of posts, blogging etiquette, and the reasons why people blog may be of interest to many bloggers.
Written in response to; Blogging Insights 3.0 -Mixing it up, hosted by Tanya
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This week, Tanya has asked for our perspective on this quote;
” Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one!” — Brad Paisley.
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I think this is a quote with which everyone will agree. At least in principle.
For some people letting go of yesterday is hard so they live in the past and a fresh start is not an easy option for them. For the rest, every tomorrow is an opportunity to start afresh.
What we need is verve and élan to grab every opportunity and live each day with enthusiasm. Especially, older people who have lived more than what is left should be more open to taking each new day as a challenge to enjoy life to the fullest.
If we apply this quote to writing/ blogging, we should take advantage of every new day to try things we haven’t tried yet. To explore our own talents and not be afraid of making mistakes!
In the memorable words of Captain Kirk; “To boldly go where no one has gone before!”
Are you ready to take up this challenge?
Written in response to Blogging Insights- NF # 65, hosted by Tanya
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When I started blogging more than 4 years ago, I was tremendously surprised and pleased that people were reading my blog.
Now more than 4 years later, my surprise and gratitude haven’t lessened, and I am still very grateful that people read, like, and comment on what I write. It has been a satisfying journey and a great learning experience.
Blogging has given me what I never expected, it has given me a big community that I call my blogging family, wonderful people who not only read but also encourage me.
I pay $8 per month,( $96 per anum) for my site that may look expensive, but it’s cheaper than any therapy because my blog is my therapy, it’s my outlet and it’s what gives me confidence and I don’t grudge spending money on it.
Writing, thinking, and interacting here via my blog keeps my brain active and keeps me mentally young, who wouldn’t want that?
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This post is a re-share from last year! It fitted the prompt and it’s how I still feel.
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Written in response to Six Sentence Story- Surprise, hosted by Denise
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TODAY’S QUOTE
“A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing. “
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I definitely agree with this quote in reference to a person who is a bona fide writer. Those who write for a living, writing books, poetry, or other literary stuff. They are either writing or thinking about what to write almost consistently.
In reference to a blogger, this can be true for those who are writing long, planned-out posts that they publish daily, or very frequently on their blogs.
But for the rest of the casual/ hobby bloggers, this may not be the case. I, for example, write most of my posts in response to prompts, so when I see those weekly or monthly prompts, I write my posts, schedule them and then I’m done with writing for the day. I don’t consistently think about writing, even though I’m always on the lookout for images for my WDYS prompts or questions for my Sunday posers.
For a blogger who plans their posts beforehand, I think this quote rings true. While, for the casual blogger, this may not be their 24 hours preoccupation!
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Written for; Blogging Insights NF # 65 — Holidays for writers/bloggers?, hosted by Tanya
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Welcome back to another Sunday Poser
This week my question is;
When you Reblog/ share/ do you ask for permission or inform? Do you Link to the blogger you’re writing about
I’m sure, like me, most of you would have come across followers/ bloggers who share your posts or reblog them without asking you or even intimating you. It always comes as a surprise, sometimes unpleasant to find that out just by the link back.
If I want to share or reblog anyone’s post I ask them first, except the first and second responses to my prompt WDYS, which is a tradition and people expect it.
The same is the case when I link to a blogger’s post, I inform them and mention their post with a link to it in my inspired post.
I think we need to show basic courtesy on WP because neglecting these small gestures, can irritate the people we follow.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you ask or inform before sharing someone’s post? And if you are inspired by someone, do you mention it in your post and post a link to their post?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section or you can write your own post and link it to this one so that I can find it.
As usual, thanks of visiting and reading.
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