Writing

I completely agree with the answer above--start small. Some writers are able to pound out page after page but that is clearly not you. So go with a smaller goal. I think you will find that crafting a single sentence that makes sense and speaks of your experience is highly rewarding. Hi! Personally, I think that when you write for yourself, there is no such thing as being a ‘good or bad’ writer. Often times it comes down to just doing it – getting those words onto the page. That’s really the first major hurdle. After that it’s so much easier to write something to make yourself happy. Here are a couple exercises you might like:

For poetry – choose a situation, emotion, memory you’d like to explore. Then begin to write down a list of words or phrases that you connect with the experience. Once that’s done, take a look at your list and see how these words fit together. See if you can piece together a ‘story’ 20 lines or so with the written list. Do not worry about rhyming, or structure- just really try and tap into the emotion of that experience.

Here’s one more exercise you can try. Starting small: Google search the painting by Edward Hopper called Nighthawks and choose one of the characters in the piece. Then set a timer for two minutes and just begin to write that character’s story – don’t worry about the details or whether it makes sense, just try and dive into how that person feels and what brought them to the diner.

Little drips of creativity can turn into big crashing waves, so just start small. Good luck!

I started where everyone starts I think, by reading books on the subject of getting published. There I learned that a writer does not get to choose her illustrator, because publishing houses want to use their own. That was strike one, because I was very clear HOW I wanted this book to look. Then I read how long it takes to find a literary agent, who then has to find a publisher, who then puts the book in the queue. That seemed like a long time, and I knew there were women who needed help TODAY. So strike two. And finally, the strike three was that, as a new author, publishers still expect you to do a tremendous about of marketing leg work, setting up book tours, etc., on your own time.

So I founded my own publishing company, created the business, learned about printers, lay-out, graphic design, worked directly with my illustrator in Holland, bookkeeping, and did it all myself. In less than a year I went from idea to books in my hand. I started where everyone starts I think, by reading books on the subject of getting published. There I learned that a writer does not get to choose her illustrator, because publishing houses want to use their own. That was strike one, because I was very clear HOW I wanted this book to look. Then I read how long it takes to find a literary agent, who then has to find a publisher, who then puts the book in the queue. That seemed like a long time, and I knew there were women who needed help TODAY. So strike two. And finally, the strike three was that, as a new author, publishers still expect you to do a tremendous about of marketing leg work, setting up book tours, etc., on your own time.

So I founded my own publishing company, created the business, learned about printers, lay-out, graphic design, worked directly with my illustrator in Holland, bookkeeping, and did it all myself. In less than a year I went from idea to books in my hand.

No matter the way you write about it, be it by blogging, face booking, tweeting, or simply confining your thoughts into an electronic or paper journal, it's a good way starting point toward recovery. For me, it was a way to reach out to others, to talk with survivors and patients going through the same thing I was, and feel like I wasn't alone.

At first, I did it anonymously, it was easier for me that way. I was a little shy, even through the computer. Just like afreshchapter said, after I received a few comments, I got bolder and my posts and tweets started getting more precise, talking about issues that were important to me. Then, I decided I was ready to tell my own story, be open about my own experience and share my own "wisdom" about breast cancer.

The idea that my questions, my stories, even the time where I was ranting about my own misery, could help another fell less alone, know they are not the only one having good and bad days, give them an idea or two about how to go on living, fighting after this, it was worth it.

Go at it one thought, one idea, one comment at the time, but don't write about it. We all want to know, want to read and want to learn about others. It was makes us stronger. When I first started blogging, I told myself I didn't have to hit "publish" because it scared me to be vulnerable with my emotions. But, what I found is that after I pressed publish the first time and received a couple of comments, I would think about the 1 person who might feel less alone if I posted about my own experience. Even now, I try not to think about all of the strangers who have a window into my life and try to write each post for just 1 friend. Having an outlet to share my feelings has helped me through the roller coaster of post treatment life.

I post depending on how I see the blog. Here’s a little breakdown (cause I am oozing with blogs).

With Bumpyboobs.com (a venting, laughing, sharing – just for me and who ever reads it – space) I post whenever inspiration or ridiculousness hits. However, I do try and write at least twice a week despite not having a specific schedule.

With Facingcancer.ca I post once a week on Wednesday, in some exceptional circumstances (like this week) I might post on Thursday. For me, this schedule is important because this is a support site and the readership might be looking for my post.

Narrativenipple.com is a literary e-zine and therefore gets updated about every 1.5 months with a whole new batch of submissions – though I haven’t hammered out a specific schedule yet.

Basically, frequency of posting depends on the blog’s purpose. If it’s personal and just for pleasure, then post whenever you want and send a note out on twitter if you’d like it shared & people will drop by to read. If you want to blog for any other reason (develop a reputation, become known online, promote yourself or project, etc) then make sure to follow an actual schedule.

In terms of writing – it’s whenever I have time to cram in a post. My brain is at its peak around 11.30 – 3.pm and maybe most creative around 8.00 to 9.00pm, so if I can catch either window of mental power, it’s better for everyone.

Thanks for your question! Do you have a favourite time to write? What about your blogging frequency?
I post depending on how I see the blog. Here’s a little breakdown (cause I am oozing with blogs).

With Bumpyboobs.com (a venting, laughing, sharing – just for me and who ever reads it – space) I post whenever inspiration or ridiculousness hits. However, I do try and write at least twice a week despite not having a specific schedule.

With Facingcancer.ca I post once a week on Wednesday, in some exceptional circumstances (like this week) I might post on Thursday. For me, this schedule is important because this is a support site and the readership might be looking for my post.

Narrativenipple.com is a literary e-zine and therefore gets updated about every 1.5 months with a whole new batch of submissions – though I haven’t hammered out a specific schedule yet.

Basically, frequency of posting depends on the blog’s purpose. If it’s personal and just for pleasure, then post whenever you want and send a note out on twitter if you’d like it shared & people will drop by to read. If you want to blog for any other reason (develop a reputation, become known online, promote yourself or project, etc) then make sure to follow an actual schedule.

In terms of writing – it’s whenever I have time to cram in a post. My brain is at its peak around 11.30 – 3.pm and maybe most creative around 8.00 to 9.00pm, so if I can catch either window of mental power, it’s better for everyone.

Thanks for your question! Do you have a favourite time to write? What about your blogging frequency?

Initially I began blogging under the alias ‘Bumpyboobs’ – that was before I was diagnosed and simply had suspicions of cancer. But for me, once the cancer was actually diagnosed everything became so real all thoughts of an alias flew out the window. Essentially, I felt relief in the honesty of blogging and not withholding the true experience. It was my release value.

And honestly, at the time I never even considered the repercussions of admitting my disease online (i.e. will future employers discount me for having gotten sick if they run a Google Search?) – all I wanted was to connect, vent and write. But another truth of this situation is that so far, despite having posted such personal information, I’ve received nothing but support and encouragement.

But whether a person chooses to blog openly or under assumed name, I’m 100% pro writing through the experience. It’s a lifesaver, and an incredible tool for connections and finding strength.

Thanks for your question! Please let me know if this response doesn’t meet what you wanted to know.
Initially I began blogging under the alias ‘Bumpyboobs’ – that was before I was diagnosed and simply had suspicions of cancer. But for me, once the cancer was actually diagnosed everything became so real all thoughts of an alias flew out the window. Essentially, I felt relief in the honesty of blogging and not withholding the true experience. It was my release value.

And honestly, at the time I never even considered the repercussions of admitting my disease online (i.e. will future employers discount me for having gotten sick if they run a Google Search?) – all I wanted was to connect, vent and write. But another truth of this situation is that so far, despite having posted such personal information, I’ve received nothing but support and encouragement.

But whether a person chooses to blog openly or under assumed name, I’m 100% pro writing through the experience. It’s a lifesaver, and an incredible tool for connections and finding strength.

Thanks for your question! Please let me know if this response doesn’t meet what you wanted to know.

Well., I woke up put of my sleep at 2 am and went to my computer. I wrote the entire book in under 20 minutes. I tell everyone that had to be God. Since it is a children's book the hardest part was communicating my vision for the book so that the illustrator would capture the message I wanted for mothers and their young children. Which is that no matter what changes take place, chemo, radiation, hair loss, masectomy, nothing will change mommy. Well., I woke up put of my sleep at 2 am and went to my computer. I wrote the entire book in under 20 minutes. I tell everyone that had to be God. Since it is a children's book the hardest part was communicating my vision for the book so that the illustrator would capture the message I wanted for mothers and their young children. Which is that no matter what changes take place, chemo, radiation, hair loss, masectomy, nothing will change mommy.

"Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne Lamott is a great resource for writers. Write because you love it. If you're passionate about writing then everything else follows. Readers will experience it, audiences will see it and your life will show it--your passion then naturally overflows into other's lives. Success follows when you write because you love it!