“Write what you know” is a well-worn advice to writers. Along similar lines is the advice: “write what you feel passionate about.” While I do see the merit in both sentiments, I also realise that they can be very limiting.
For example, I never would’ve written articles on credit cards or travel insurance for Elle Magazine if I had to rely on knowledge and passion alone. I never owned a credit card or bought travel insurance before I wrote those articles. I probably wouldn’t have chosen to write about them either, if not for my editor. Yet, I was glad that I received the assignments. Writing those pieces not only gave me bylines in a fancy glossy magazine (and accompanying cheques) – it also educated and enriched me. Although I started out feeling glum with the topics to begin with, I ended up happy that I was pushed to go out of my “writing comfort zone.”
However, now that I’ve pretty much stopped writing for magazines and other publications, I no longer have editors to challenge me to go past certain boundaries that I’ve grown accustomed to. As I moved more and more in to the sphere of personal publishing through blogging, I felt that I had to rely only on myself more and more for ideas, for inspiration…
In the beginning, that was just liberating… exhilarating, even. The freedom to be able to write whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want… How wonderful!
But, no matter how fantastic that is, I now realise that I need something different at times. Something more.
I need to have the need to push the limits. To get past “comfort zone writing/blogging.”
How do I that without deadlines, without editors?
Then, it struck me that I do have something more. Something better. Or, rather, someone.
Although I started this personal blog as a way to express myself, it has slowly evolved in to becoming a way to connect with other people. I am here not just because of me. I am here because of you too. Because you’re here. Because I know that you come here and read what I have to write. So, this blog is not just about me anymore. It’s about you.
And, that’s just how I like to look at it the moment.
So, instead of writing just what I know and what I feel passionate about, I want to know what YOU know and what you feel passionate about.
What are you interested in? What are the things that you enjoy reading? What do you like to talk about with your friends and family? What makes you happy? What makes you mad?
What do you look for when you come to this blog? What do you want to see more of?
Tell me why you’re here. What got you here? Why do you come back?
Or, if those things are too much to ask, just let me know that you’ve passed by. I’d love to return the favour even just to say hello.
Oh, and don’t worry about just saying “nice things”. I won’t mind some constructive suggestions too. I’m here to learn from what you have to say.
Image by Keith M.
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One way for me to expand my writing wings is to be passionate about the act of writing rather than the topic. That way I am able to engage myself into putting my 110% to what I write although to some it may be viewed as boring or unappealing.
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Hi Shai,
In answer to your questions:
What are you interested in? Not hard for you, as you’ve read my blog/s over the years. I love books, reading, learning, my family, communicating with others, jewellery, and of course journal writing and creative writing.
What are the things that you enjoy reading? I can never just say I enjoy that and list it when it comes to reading. I’m always willing to read something very different or even a bit daring, because I love to challenge my brain and learn something. I’ll read thrillers, fantasy, romance, literary novels, short stories, and the list goes on. I’ve just started adding some of the books I’ve read to my page at http://www.shelfari.com/bookwormheather/shelf. You might like to add yours, too. I’m there as bookwormheather.
What do you like to talk about with your friends and family? What makes you happy? What makes you mad?
We talk about everything. My daughter never stops from the moment she gets in the door to when she goes to bed, not that I’m complaining. I love to know everything that’s going on with the teens at church. I wish my son was as open to talking as she is. The little guy chews my ear off nearly all day. Simple things make me happy. Someone saying thanks, someone being generous just because. That kind of thing. Injustice makes me mad. Other things make me mad, too, but I just can’t think what they are right now.
What do you look for when you come to this blog? What do you want to see more of?
I look to see what you’ve been up to, what you’re learning and experiencing. I’d love to see more of those every day moments about your life, just general stuff. I love it when you share something you’ve discovered.
Tell me why you’re here. What got you here? Why do you come back? That’s easy. I come back because you’re you. You’re an interesting person. I cannot for the life of me recall exactly what it was in the first place that got me interested. I just was. You one cool person.
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I come back because I like reading about your thoughts, what you’re up to, how you are. Your personal blog keeps me in touch with you.
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Yes, those are quite the lofty questions…but we all know how much people like talking about themselves, including me, so I see no reason to avoid them. What do I like to read? I love to read mysteries, horror and fantasy fiction; so I love Stephen King, Joanna Carl, Patricia Sprinkle, Robert Jordan and of course, JK Rowling–honestly, you can’t live where I live and not love her; it would be a crime. Talking with friends and family? We talk about everything pretty much, although the topic really depends on who I’m talking to. When I come here I’m usually looking to go incognito, just reading about what you’ve done and what you’re interested in–because I like to gain inspiration from people like you…I’m just starting out in my writing career compared to you so I’ll take whatever tidbits of information I can get about writing.
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Robin: If it engages you and makes you feel right about it all – then you’re on the right track. You will attract like minds soon enough!
Heather: Awww… thank YOU so much. Such nice words! I’m humbled. And yes, I’ll keep your input in mind for sure. Thanks again.
Sasha: Yep – that was one of the driving force when I first ventured in to blogging/online journalling. I wanted to stay in touch with people who live far from me. Thanks for always being here.
Baby: Thanks for finally saying hello and leaving a message. Really appreciate knowing that you’re around. And for letting me know that I inspire you in some way. And yep – I just wrote about Harry Potter, so you know I’m a JK Rowling fan myself.
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