How we blog; where our inspiration comes from can be quite a topical discussion. In this post I consider the arguments for and against using prompts to guide our writing. Continue reading An alternative approach: Using prompts in blogging
I’ve recently discovered that there are a lot of parallels between having a new job and a new puppy. Weren’t expecting that combo? Let me explain. Both making doing yoga in the morning hard. And both benefit from a lot of training. In some instances when they get a hold of you just right, both have sharp teeth that bite. Not to mention that both … Continue reading Unlikely Learning Mates
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, … Continue reading Great First Lines
It’s funny the things that I read that stick with me. I’m thinking of a post about 15 years ago from a high school friend on Facebook that said something like, “I notice that there are some people whose only activity here is posting and they don’t spend any time liking or commenting on other people’s stuff.” My friend was a year older than me … Continue reading Do You Like My Writing Or Are We Just Friends?
The other day I landed on a blog post and as I scrolled down to add a comment, I saw that there were already 41 comments. That set me back on my heels. What else could I possibly add to the conversation? Funny how a number can spark self-doubt. It’s like joining a big group of people at a party that have already been talking … Continue reading The Art of the Comment
I was talking with author Lois Roelofs about her newly released book, Marv Taking Charge, and she made the comment that she started blogging back in the day because she was told she needed a platform. As an aside, she said, “Whatever a platform is.” Right – whatever a platform is. Presumably, some sort of online presence so that we can meet and share what … Continue reading Building a Platform
Recently a fellow blogger made an interesting comment. DM from the I also live on a farm blog said that a longtime blogger gave him advice that was something like whether you feel a post is awful or well done, not to dwell, ponder or gloat, but move on to the next post. It made me wonder, how do we recover from our bad posts? … Continue reading How to Recover From a Bad Post
I started blogging on WordPress because I wanted to practice writing. Although I’ve written and published, mostly technical books but also a memoir about my beloved father, I had a sense that I could hone the skill of putting words together to describe life and myself more adeptly. What I’ve found is that the practice of writing has changed me. Whenever I put life down … Continue reading The Writer’s Mission Statement
I’ve been thinking about our WP community, how important it is; what purpose it serves and extending from that, do we, the more experienced bloggers, have a role in helping and guiding new bloggers so that they stay within the blogging world and become contributing members of the community who, in turn, will then help future bloggers. Do you think about the less experienced bloggers? I suspect for many of us, we think about our own needs. What is required for our own blogs and being in touch with our friends and contacts within the Community. Continue reading Communicating with the Community
Zdrasti to my fellow bloggers and blog-lovers. Today I’m writing to you from Sofia, Bulgaria, where I’ve been taking this week to do my own DIY writer’s workshop. The beautiful mountains have been a peaceful backdrop to inspire my days of creative writing. You might’ve read my most post last week titled, Translated Literature: A plea to bolster your reading palate, where I advocate for … Continue reading Recommendations for Translated Literature: A window into another world
So my muse decided to take a holiday recently. He packed his bags and went to Hawaii or somewhere. And I know he’s been sitting in the sun drinking Pina Coladas the whole time. That smug bastard. Now, I should say I told him to take a break. The problem is, I’ve found it hard to get back into the flow of things. It turns … Continue reading A Creative Leave of Absence
Dear readers, This Christmas we wanted to give something back to say thank you for all of your continued support. So, we thought we’d offer you all the opportunity to share and promote your blog here on Pointless Overthinking… for free! Here’s the proposal: If you would like to share your blog, please introduce yourself and leave a description of your site with a link to it … Continue reading An Opportunity To Share and Connect
Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity Simone weil Our lives are the collective sum of what we choose to pay attention to. Each passing moment a spotlight is cast into the world and reveals to us what we focus on. In one sense nothing can be more important than cultivating one’s attention, it dictates what we see and how we interact with … Continue reading Attention – A Gateway to the Mysteries of the World
I write to call myself a writer and be called a writer, because that means more to me than words could ever convey. Continue reading Why I Write
I was watching an interview with John Cleese recently and he said something that got me thinking. When asked about his creative process he said, “You cannot bully the subconscious. It simply doesn’t work.” He went on to say that his best work always happened spontaneously. He still had a process of course, it’s just that the muse didn’t always play ball. Often the work … Continue reading How To Unlock Your Creative Genius
We’ve lived in this house for eight years. We’ve watched its carpets collect happy dirt. We’ve watched its windows slowly adapt to each passing season. We’ve remodeled; hosted parties; built a container garden on the deck. We’ve relocated litter boxes; hung up photos of our families and bizarre expressionist paintings; we’ve scattered scented candles. We’ve repurposed a guest room to a nursery, delightfully filling every … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Painted Wall.
Take this moment. Just for you. Your body. Your mind. Your purpose. Breathe it in. Then let it out. You are beautiful. . . . SnapDragon is a writer, artist, and donut enthusiast. Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for all kinds of goodness, yo. Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Pausing.
Proposed by SnapDragon X. What is your favorite childhood memory? One of my favorite memories is going on Family Vacation each summer, to the glorious Wildwood, New Jersey. We stayed in a motel just a block from the beach, right at the beginning (end?) of the boardwalk. Flip-flop sounds on pavement. Salt Water Taffy. SPF 50. Shrieks of delight and splashing by the poolside. And, … Continue reading Question of the Day: No. 526
Inside this chest pounds a heart so steady. Inside this head lives a brain so alive. And somewhere in between rests a spirit so gentle, even the tiniest of scratches leaves a scar. . . . How would you describe your spirit, Dear Reader? What inspires you? What shakes you to your core? (Such easy questions to answer, I know!) 🙈 We’re in this thing … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Gentle Spirit.
Proposed by SnapDragon X. What would you do if you were no longer afraid? Oh, the possibilities! . . . SnapDragon is a writer, artist, and sucker for M&M McFlurries. Follow her Two-Bit Musings and more on Snippets of SnapDragon. Continue reading Question of the Day: No. 521.
