What I learned from attempting NaNoWriMo last month: Be flexible.
Feel free to read my post at First Person Plural, the blog for The Writer’s Center (Bethesda, MD), where I currently intern.
blogging
4 Reasons Why You Don’t Follow Your Dream
Fear, patience, time, decision…four factors that often define whether we succeed in achieving our dreams or not. Clelia from Keep Calm and Travel explained so perfectly the 4 reasons why your dream gets left in the dust. Even though I’m not a traveler, stumbling upon her blog was meant to be, as it’s been an inspiration for me as a blogger, and I get encouraged and motivated by her posts. If you haven’t already, I highly suggest checking it out. You’ll love the color, passion, and beauty that resonates from her blog.
If I could visit just one site today…
I’m taking another opportunity to spotlight a fellow blogger that I think is a very talented and informative individual, and not just for the writing community. Ryan Lanz of A Writer’s Path is a published author, but he also knows his stuff about both the creative and business aspects of writing. He shares lots of great advice, tips, and resources that I can consume with wide eyes and an open mind. Plus, when someone has an innovative mind, they always win in my book. He’s clever with his presentation, and I love reading his posts.
Whether you’re a writer or not, and whether you’re at the beginning of your career or an already established author, there’s something to learn from Ryan’s brilliant blog.
Check out A Writer’s Path today!
300 Followers, Wow!
I don’t know about you, but to me, 300+ followers is a big deal!
It’s a big deal because when I started Merely Inspired, I never really considered anyone would follow me. It simply served as a boredom-breaker and writing outlet. So maybe in the blogging world 300 isn’t that great a number, but let me just say, you 300+ people, thank you! You’ve made my journey a hundred times more exhilarating and worthwhile. It means a whole lot. I have future plans for Merely Inspired. When my dreams come true, I hope for this blog to be a place where I can share that and continue to inspire you. It’s one piece of a big purpose, and it’s serving it well.
By the way, did anyone tell you? You’re awesome!
Much love! -Catherine Joy
Take advantage of WordPress
Wise words from Timothy Pike of Dream, Play, Write! As a writer, you should take advantage of the infinite tool of WordPress and build your platform. Check out Timothy’s educational blog and the post, As a Writer, take full advantage of WordPress. I also suggest his posts, 3 ways you should be promoting your writing (right now!) and You’ve dreamed it, now do it. Timothy’s blog is stocked with all great tips, advice, and resources for bettering yourself as a writer particularly in the promotional and marketing area. I’ve learned a lot of great stuff from him, and I think you could, too 🙂
New Blog: Today’s the Day
Hello friends! I have some news. I’ve created a new blog (yes, another. I love blogging ^_^) called Today’s the Day. It was born from my desire to start working on living in the present and no more in the future. In my endeavor to trust in God I want to leave my future in his hands and not worry about it, or tomorrow, or anything I am uncertain of. So, to help me do that, I’m working on directing my focus on Today, and thinking only of Today. This new blog is really for me to do that, and I want to share that journey with you.
You can check it out at areasonwhy.wordpress.com. We should all aim to find a reason why each day is a day worth waiting for 🙂
5 Things I’ve Accomplished
It’s important to remind ourselves of the little achievements we’ve made in our lives, no matter how small. It can be as little as passing a test or as big as landing the dream job. Here are 5 things I’m proud I’ve accomplished.
- Graduating high school early. So many moments I didn’t believe I would do it, but I did, and it was amazing, and I look back and wonder how it happened.
- Starting a blog! I had dabbled with the idea for over two years ever since my brother suggested it, and finally I just jumped in and did it. And I’m loving every moment of it 😀
- Altering my sleeping habits. I hated being a night owl, and finally I made up my mind and disciplined myself. Now I naturally wake up at six and go to bed at 9 or 10. And I feel so much healthier.
- Learning how to operate lights. I volunteer on the media team at church and recently I’ve started doing lights. I’m now capable of running them on my own, and I laugh at how I was always a nervous wreck during the training months. I still am some days, depending on the service 😛
- Growing out of a temper. When I was a kid I had a horrible temper. Like, the kind that broke things and hurt people. That’s so far behind me now and is perhaps one of the most freeing changes I’ve made to myself. I thank God for freeing me from an anger problem.
What are some little (or big) achievements you feel proud of?
Merely Inspired 