Module Three Introduction: Draft, Revise and Complete a Blog Post, Journal Entry, or Floral Article
Introduction: Welcome to Module Three, as we put your writing muscles to work crafting finished pieces you can publish on your website. Why do I encourage you to devote time writing original pieces that will "live" on your website?
I am a lifelong writer, so I believe strongly in writing about what I experience, observe and know to understand myself, my values and my place in the world. As a child, I always had pen pals with whom I would exchange long letters. As an adolescent, like many, I kept a diary, complete with a tiny lock. And pre-internet, I continued letter-writing with a number of family members and friends. I started my blog at debraprinzing.com with my first post on March 29, 2007 - can you believe it? The medium of a blog -- which originated with the term for an online journal -- web-log, weblog, blog -- is now the single-most versatile tool you can use as a creative individual.
Lesson One: Your Writing Framework
Get out your notepad, fire up your laptop, and work your way through the outlines and prompts I have created just for you. Each template is designed to help you write and complete a blog post that's ready to publish.
Lesson Two: Edit, rewrite. Rinse and repeat. Self-Editing Techniques. Before I share some self-editing strategies, I want to discuss why this step is an important way to strengthen your writing. Let's face it, getting your thoughts down on paper is hard enough. But the chance to fine-tune what you've written is like getting a do-over on a floral arrangement you're not initially happy with. I talked earlier about taking time to step away and let some time pass before you return to your work to see what you've written.
I am a lifelong writer, so I believe strongly in writing about what I experience, observe and know to understand myself, my values and my place in the world. As a child, I always had pen pals with whom I would exchange long letters. As an adolescent, like many, I kept a diary, complete with a tiny lock. And pre-internet, I continued letter-writing with a number of family members and friends. I started my blog at debraprinzing.com with my first post on March 29, 2007 - can you believe it? The medium of a blog -- which originated with the term for an online journal -- web-log, weblog, blog -- is now the single-most versatile tool you can use as a creative individual.
Lesson One: Your Writing Framework
Get out your notepad, fire up your laptop, and work your way through the outlines and prompts I have created just for you. Each template is designed to help you write and complete a blog post that's ready to publish.
Lesson Two: Edit, rewrite. Rinse and repeat. Self-Editing Techniques. Before I share some self-editing strategies, I want to discuss why this step is an important way to strengthen your writing. Let's face it, getting your thoughts down on paper is hard enough. But the chance to fine-tune what you've written is like getting a do-over on a floral arrangement you're not initially happy with. I talked earlier about taking time to step away and let some time pass before you return to your work to see what you've written.
Lesson Three: Creating a theme and topic editorial calendar
My desire for you is to evoke and express your personal story as a creative person, a maker, an artist, a farmer. A framework, outline or calendar for your creative writing turns it into a marketing tool that is useful and strategic. Remember when I said I was a plodder, not a planner?
Well, I have to revise that statement. Depending on the goal, I am a bit of both. And I am convinced that having a consistent presence on one's blog is one reason to break out the planning skills.
1 Lesson