Writing Opportunities

As I sit here typing random letters that form words with meaning, I get the feeling that I am isolated and completely alone. A wind stirs, the dog stretches, my back itches; I realize that there is more to life than my own little corner of the world, and my desire to share a message with others who probably aren’t nearly as self absorbed as I am at the moment.

We become what we want to be, and all of life’s energy directs us toward the path that will ultimately take us to our final destination. Are we willing to sacrifice inner peace to get there? For indeed that is what’s required of us. We cannot sit idly by, neglecting to participate in things beyond our comfort zone. We must accept the challenge to explore and discover the fullness of life, never daring to settle for that alone.

Upon discovering something new, it is appropriate to explode with joy and anticipation. It is expected that we share what we have found, inviting and encouraging others to see it too. Ah, dear writing friends, if only you could specialize and write about your passions. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get paid more than slave wages for sharing your expertise with the world?

You know what I’m talking about, and while I would love to reveal the secret of how, where, and when with you right here and now, I will wait knowing that those who seek will find, and those who email me might well find a writer’s paradise just beyond their comfort zone.

Policing the Internet

Someone was telling me the other day that the internet is bad. They were making reference to the fact that there are so many inappropriate sites tempting people to do bad things on it. It’s true. There is a lot of bad stuff out there. People make choices for good and bad every day. No one has to make a bad choice, and those of us who see bad things and don’t say anything also make bad choices – choices of omission.

The internet, like so many other things, is a tool that can be used for good and bad. One of its curses for those who use it is that there aren’t a lot of boundaries. Anyone can put up anything, interact with whoever they choose, and proceed to make bad choices through the internet.

Writers can spread volumes of hate, prejudice, and inappropriate messages. Thieves can take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Sex is more than a little available (often in unlawful ways) and hackers can ruin people’s programs and wreak havoc stealing identities. None of these things “temptations” have to affect what we do or see on the internet.

The internet can also be used as a tool for good. Christians can spread a message of love, hope, and salvation. Charities can raise funds for good causes, and family members can keep in touch through social networking sites. People can supplement or replace their income in legitimate ways here, and everyone has a wealth of information at their fingertips.

The internet is a tool, and it’s up to all of us to make sure it represents what we want it to, expelling the bad, brandishing the good, and overseeing the task at hand responsibly.

Flexible Working Hours

The more you write, the more you’ll get noticed. If you put a lot of energy into something, you’re bound to find out that people recognize you for your talents, and sometimes even ask you to share them. But writing everyday is not easy, and turning out lots of articles, blog entries, poetry, or other snippets can be difficult sometimes.

Working from home is also challenging, with all of those little distractions, and the knowledge that it would be so easy to rest on the couch or change a load of laundry instead of hammering away on your keyboard. It’s good to get up and stretch, even walk around the block when you’re a dedicated writer. And making your own schedule is more than a little worthwhile, especially when you need to schedule medical appointments or take kids to and from school and sporting events.

The important thing to remember is that while your work schedule is flexible, it is not non-existent. You do work from home, and that does not mean that you fit in your work when everyone won’t bother you. It really means that no one can bother you while you are working. There’s a bit of a difference between the two, and if you’re a writer working from home, you know exactly what I’m saying.

Researching vs. Learning

I’ve been doing a lot of research for new articles lately. I go to the library and gather my books, wishing I could actually read one or more of them from cover to cover. Time escapes me as I hurry to collect my notes and develop my article in record speed. Sometimes I even have to think back a day or two later and really try to remember what I wrote about.

It’s the way of the world these days. Everybody is in so much of a hurry that there is little if any time to enjoy the activities we’re so busy doing. We even take shortcuts to get things done faster. I actually checked out videos for some of my research so I could work on crafts for a future garage sale while I was learning.

Then something amazing happened in the midst of all my work. I got interested, not just in the immediate task, but in the actual subject matter. I found myself intrigued by what I was learning, and I wanted to slooowww down and take my time with it. I wanted to enjoy the process and journey of my work, not just finish the final product.

When all was said and done, I didn’t actually quit the race I was in. In fact, I finished my article rather quickly. But when I was done, I chose to read one of those books I checked out, and I’m already on chapter 6. Life is in the journey, and it feels good to be interested in the process of living without having to get anything done about it.

Benefits of Technology

Have you ever noticed how many things are out there to help us promote ourselves lately? We have email and gmail, facebook and twitter, blogs and writing communities, and gadgets galore.

I was completely overwhelmed by it all, and while I created a facebook account, I simply couldn’t go there with twitter. Come to find out that I can have facebook messages and friend updates sent to my cell phone; I can even send my own personal updates to my facebook account the same way too. Now, wherever I am, I can wish a friend well, or share my thoughts because we know my cell phone is almost always within reach.

I held out and fought the technology revolution a bit at first. I still prefer being secluded on a hidden beach or forest trail, to rubbing elbows with hundreds of people in the city. Yet, I too would have a difficult time losing my connection with the world, a connection that gave me friends in foreign lands, and reinforced the meaning of my life.

Influenced by Words

Life takes a hold of you sometimes in ways you don’t expect. It can cause you to reexamine why you do what you do and question whether or not it makes a difference. Different things can cause you to withdraw from participation now and in the future. They can dampen your spirit, so to speak.

Perhaps that dampening is necessary to breathe. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea to step back and take stock of who we are and what we are about from time to time, to question if we’ve made a difference, and acknowledge that failure is only a state of mind and circumstance.

I believe that when all is said and done, God won’t ask me how much money I made or how famous I became. I prefer to think He’ll talk to me about matters of the heart and soul, ignoring my human successes and failures, while considering my willingness to love in spite of all obstacles. These are much harder to come by, and as a writer, I will be held accountable for every stroke on my keyboard, and every word I didn’t say as well.

Words are frivolous things. They set tones, cause interpretations, and change outcomes depending on how and when they are used. They influence people, often changing the actions of entire groups of people, sometimes causing great damage to them too.

When words are spoken or written, we must do our part to hear them accurately, and perhaps even find out what words may have been left out that shouldn’t have been. As writers, we must be responsible enough to be true to our words and have the ability to back them up in full.

Writing for the Entire World

Lately I’ve been writing lots of different things. I’ve been writing articles for Helium, but I’ve also been working on a magazine article, as well as a couple of book ideas. And of course I have my blogs. It goes with the familiar saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

I’m not new to writing, but breaking into actual print is going to take some work. While I can easily self publish on sites like Helium and Associated Content, I want to do more with my writing, and so I must get out of my comfort zone and do what it takes to make that happen.

My next tip for you is to spread your wings and learn to fly in the world of writing. Try not to become complacent in your tree, and take a look at the world around you and beyond. You write to share your message with others, so take a chance, and fly higher than you thought you could, and farther than you think is necessary. Dream a little bigger and become known for your work in distant lands, far beyond the boundaries of the internet.