Hate Writing? Try these tips...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I was a little girl, I disliked writing.  In this blog alone, I have mentioned that I was the worst writer in the world throughout my childhood.  I would get tons and tons of red marks, and I would often question the teacher, who made the mark, what did I do wrong.   I would listen, but it would go in one ear and out the other.  Spelling was not my friend, "I" before "e" except after "c" sent a hit man on my future writing career, and I would cry every time the teacher said the phrase, "write an essay about_______."  It is amazing  that I ended up writing not one, but 4 blogs on a variety of subjects.   Do I still have problems?  Oh yes I do.  I have to constantly proofread my work, but I have come to find that writing over the years relaxes me.   I am no longer plagued by deadlines (except my own or if I am freelancing for someone).  If I do have a deadline, I plan ahead.   I love writing.
Today, I received an email from one of newsletters I get on a daily basis.  It is called Copyblogger, and they give you tips on how to become a better blogger.  I came across today's main article titled,  9 Tips on Becoming a More Creative and Productive Writer.   You can read the rest of the article, but I am only going to highlight a couple of tips in the article.   In this article, I came across # 1 which is to take notes. We as writers should know this, but so many of us forget this important step.  At least I do.  This is extremely important if you are doing research.   Taking notes helps formulate your thoughts, give order and clarity to what you want to talk about.   In addition to the first tip, Richard M. Martin, who is the author of this article, gives these other tips:
#2 -Try freewriting.   Freewritng is a style where you just randomly write something.  Mr. Martin says that the writing itself often does not make sense, but you will have something on paper.  For example, if you do not have a subject, you can start by writing, " Today is a sunny day."   Its random, and fortunately, it is the first thing that popped into my head, because where I live is sunny and warm.   "I am bored", is the next thing that popped into my head.  It makes no sense to what I want to write about, nor does it flow from the "Today is a sunny day" sentence but I have on paper (well, the computer screen).  Try this style to see with you can come up with.   You may end up with a well-written article, and drive in traffic.
#4 -  Play with your dog.   You are stressed when you cannot think of a thing to write, and after several hours, it can be frustrating.   Just take a break is what Mr. Martin is trying to say.   If you do not have pets, clean your house, play with your children, or read a book.  Do anything that gets you mind off of the daunting task of deadlines, and endless hours of useless thought patterns.  When you are ready to continue, you will know.  The random thought will come.
#5-Give Thanks.   Thank God that you have a job that gives you the joy and the passion of writing.  Who knows, you may end up writing a gratitude piece that can wow your audience, and may even amaze yourself that you still got it.  Gratitude is the best way to get out your thoughts, like "I am thankful for today", and then explain why you are thankful.   It may also make you more appreciative of the things you have, and not worry about the things you do not have.  
#9- Take a risk.   If you do not take risks, according to Mr. Martin, "you do have a chance to fail."  another quote from the article is "to succeed, people must have the freedom to fail.   Failing is not the only thing of to taking risks, in my opinion.  You may try something new, and not only you love it, but your target audience may like it as well.  You may get a few, "don't likes" in you comments section, but that's Ok, because there is another quote, "Nothing beats a failure but a try."   If you are really not sure of it, try the that piece on a test audience.   If they love it, than the rest will.  You cannot please everyone, only yourself. (And God).
I hope these tips help you and encourage you when you are stuck.  Read the article for more of Mr. Martin's tips on the subject, and I wish you luck in getting out of your "brain fog".    Be blessed.

What is your hobby and How do you use it?

(Please note:  I had something else planned for this spot)

Are you bored with your life?  I was....in 1997.  I was no longer a dancer, I have exhausted out my piano lessons, and the computer was not as interesting as it seemed to me at the time.  I decided to take up a new hobby, except, this hobby I tried back in the days of high school, and that was scrapbooking.   Scrapbooking was not as popular in the 1980’s as that are now.  Today, it is a billion dollar business, and the stuff you purchase today, makes you feel like you bought a lot more.   Tools of the trade are paper, paper, and more paper, but it is much more than just paper, it is metal, plastic, gadgets that help shape and mold the paper, and so forth.  From scrapbook albums, I graduated to making cards and altering items.  All of it cost money.  In 2009, I decided I no longer could support my habit, so I pulled up my glue-covered sleeves and decided to go into business.  It is one the best thing I have ever decided to do for myself and for others.  So what is your hobby?

Is it model trains, airplanes, or enjoying a pint of imported beers? Is it traveling, motorcycling, hiking, or amusement parks?  What about being a foodie, a cook, or a lover of languages?   How about robbery, shooting, or killing?  Oops, did I say a bad word or two?  Just marinade on that last sentence for a minute. 

I am not trying to be funny about the robberies, the shooting, or the killings, but it seems to me that the news (at least where I live) has at least 4-5 breaking news stories a night in the last 5 years.  I do not live in a large city like Los Angeles, Detroit, or even Miami.  It seems to me that the “hobby of the day” is to see how many people can get hurt, families being broken up, and not how many homemade greeting cards I can make in a day, and sell them on my Etsy Shop.  I want to know, if I can talk to that person right now, whoever you are, “Are you bored, jealous, or mad at someone?”  If you are, why can’t you create your own happiness, and just leave everyone else alone?

I am a fan of Young and the Restless.  If I cannot watch it that day, I tape it, or I watch it on Soap-Net.   There is a couple by the name of Kevin and Chloe.  They are the current “Goofy” couple on the show.  They want to spice up their sex life.  Kevin, who is the brother of Michael Baldwin, thinks that by becoming a modern day Robin Hood and Maid Marion or Bonnie and Clyde would do the trick, keeping things nice and steamy.  Anyway, they have been knocking off (stealing) from people’s houses, and as soon as they do that, the sex is…well, I will let you decide how it is, in case you are reading with a child on your lap or they can read.  The point to the whole story-line (which is ridiculous) is Kevin and Chloe are bored, their life seems to be boring to them (after all, how boring is running a coffee shop or working in partnership of a budding fashion designer), and they have a little girl named Dahlia.  If this is your life too, STOP AND GET A NEW HOBBY.  YOUR HOBBY STICKS.  

No amount of jail time can cure your boredom.  If you are mad at someone, stop and think about what you are doing to your family, their family, and the community.  Sometimes, that hobby can cause lock downs and evacuations.  Sometimes hatred can cause people to stop doing their own hobbies, like the woman ballroom dancer, whose foot was blown off after the Boston Marathon bombings.  Death is even worst, when you consider that 20 people in Newton, Conn will never get to know what it is like to graduate, fall in love, get married, have kids of their own, or grow old.  Think before you act. 

So my question again is, “what is your hobby?”  Is it a hobby that makes people smile, laugh, and feel insightful, or does it hurt and causes loss of a precious life that people hold so dear?  Another way of looking at this is, does your hobby cause people to rethink the laws of the land that have to do with freedom to bear arms, to speak, or find a new way of life.

Have a blessed day.

Bet your baby is going to college.....Maybe

Photo credit:  The Hollywood Reporter

I just watched a new show on television.  The show is called "Bet on Your baby", and I am not sure about this show.   

The show is pretty simple.   A couple bets to see if their precious little bambino (that's baby in Italian) will complete a task given to them.   It is all about predictability of what will your child do next.   This is in hopes to get a college fund started.  As I watch this show, I wonder if this is for a college fund or for something more.

My thoughts on this show:

I do not like a show that showcases a child doing something.  Unless the child is a performer, they should not be on television.   Kate Goslin was one of those people, the Octomom is another.  Their kids had no talent, and it was all about them.   I think both of them have calmed down for now.   Dance Moms is borderline.   They are performers, yes, but there is drama among their mothers.  This is the part that makes this reality show borderline.  I have a real problem with Bet on your Baby.

I know that I have only seen this show once, but this is how I watch shows in general.  I give my thoughts on a show by looking at all aspects on rather is worth my entertainment value or not, and then I will tell you if it worth my time for the next time it comes on the air.   For Bet on Your Baby, it is a -1, because of the reasons I stated above.  I do not like circus acts that masquerade themselves as television shows, and this is one circus act I can do without.   My further thoughts are as follows:

Children are not circus acts.  My comment on one of the tasks is, "So your child could choose a cupcake over broccoli.  Big deal.  I know several children who would choose a cupcake over a vegetable.  What child wouldn't do that?"  To a child and some adults, vegetables taste terrible, and they are marketed as good for you.  Not only that, children are not good at choosing things that will help them, not harm them.   One of the reasons to have parents who hopefully make the right decisions for them.   Unless parent train children to be vegetarians at the age of two, I do not see that trend ending in the near or distant future. 

If I want to see a child spin, I can count on my 2-year old nephew for that one.  He's cute, loves to do things, and his parents could use the money, but not on national television.   I would then argue to them (My brother and sister in law) that he needs to be a kid, doing kids things.   There are better ways to start a college fund for your child than going on television and betting to see if the kid can plop $5,000 to start on their college fund and future.

1.     Start them on a good solid Pre-K to 12 education.  Yes, I said pre-K.   Once they start earning those A's, B's, and passing entrance tests by studying to the best of the capabilities, they could win all kinds of scholarships.  

2.     It is also not enough for them to be just academically sound for scholarships, most scholarships also are community based.  This means helping out in the community and seeing a need in that community.

3.     Not every child is athletic will they ever be, but there are scholarships for your child's talent, race, lifestyle, or being in a certain income bracket.  You may not have to take out a loan or grant if you do your homework early.   I suggest you start as soon as the child gets into 6th grade.

4.     Also note, some children are not college material or ready to go to college.  I graduated from college in 2003 at the age of 38.  What did I do between age 18 and 38?  I worked, and I did go to school.  I earned a certificate of Secretarial Science from a technical school.   From, there, I decided to finally major in marketing.  I failed at earning a degree in Theater, Social Work, Early Childhood Education, and Business Administration.  All of my experiences helped me in getting that Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.  This statement is not to show you how I got my education, but to show you that there are other avenues for your child to earn a living in case they announce that they are uninterested in a college education.

5.     If all else fails, there is always the military.   The good news is they do not have to stay in the military for the rest of their life, unless they want to make a career out of that choice.

6.     Remember it is their choice beyond the age of 18.  Parents seem to forget that on occasion.  Just remember unless they are in trouble, they are doing fine, and you are now ready for the advice phase of their life.

Have fun today, let your kid be a kid, and be blessed.

My second thoughts

Hello, it has been a good week since I share a blog post with you.  Personally, things are going great, on the business side, not so much.  If you have found yourself here for whatever reason, please take time out to visit my other blogs to find the blog for you.

Changes-

You may notice that there are no more green lines on certain words.  I decided, and my business coach agreed that I do not have enough traffic to justify having it.  This is the blog tip I am giving you today:  If you are just starting out, make sure you have a good following before starting any ad program   I do not have a magic number for you, but most programs want to you have at least 500 followers.   Why?  I do not know the answer to that either, but I was an advertiser, I would want to make sure that you are not exaggeration the numbers just  so you can get me to advertise on your blog.  Also, it is a good idea to find a business coach.  You may not want to monetize your blog now, but it is a good idea to think about down the road.  It is a good source of income.

Changes down the road.

I am working behind the scenes to create a blog/website on WordPress, and made a decision.   Although I love writing in this blog, I may merge it with MDN Creates, which is getting a name change to P.Lynne Designs.   The reason is I currently have 5 blogs, which get attention about once a week.  I want to do more, but in order to do more, it requires that I change platforms.   I have a Tumblr account, but I have not familiarized myself to the point of not build on that one page blog I created (I don't remember the name either).   Do not worry, I have not made a final decision yet, but I will keep you updated with the details.

How to spread the Gospel on social media.

Ok, this past weekend, I went to a leadership workshop.  I am secretary of my church's admin council, so I wanted to get some training in.  I am under the United Methodist denomination of the Protestant church, but this applies rather you are Baptist, Methodist, Church of God in Christ, non-denominational, Jewish or Roman Catholic.  Anyone can do this, no matter what.  I know you are saying that social media is full of filth, hatred, and self loathing, but here me out for a moment.  If you read your bible, one of the things it tells us to do, is to take the gospel to the people, and not necessary the other way around.  Sure, you expect the masses to come visit your church or temple, but what if there is something that blocks them from making this step forward.  Maybe they are scared and unsure.  That is ok, we need to assure them that is OK, to take that step, and that change is not overnight.   How?   It is simply.
I had a good leader in Pastor Dan Metzger Saturday for the one hour section I attended on how my church can get going on this.  It is as simply as posting, "had a good time at church, Sunday, my pastor brought a good message."  You can post this simply message on both Facebook and Twitter.  Post an event that you are having, with the option of no pressure.  You are not here to hammer the Word down their throats, just mention that you had a great time.  Open up a Foursquare account, and when you are at church, check in.  Become a mayor of this area.  If you do, people may want to come and see and check it out.   I believe everyplace is already set up, because Foursquare goes by the address set up by the postal service.  So your church is automatically in.  Post an instagram of what you are doing.  Be careful, because especially in the case of children, you do have to get permission from that parent, and if they do not want their child's photo on your church's website, blog, the social media, it can get ugly.   Better yet, do not take pictures of their faces, just the back of their heads or create a consent form.
Once a connection has been formed with that person or group of people, start sending private messages to them, sent an invite.   Work up to a face to face contact.  Last but not least, create a YouTube account and share what is going on with your church.  It is very simple, and requires either a phone or a table computer with a camera to start with and editing software.  You do not need a fancy camera, and YouTube is simply to use.  I have made a couple for my businesses.
I could go on and on about this, but I must stop and get ready for tonight's bible study.   See I can even post that little blurt. Just remember, no personal address are allowed, because bad people can sense an opportunity, and next thing you know, all of your stuff is gone, or worst.  Also remember, social media can be good, if you put good into it.  So do not feed into the other stuff and you will be fine.  In fact, I started a few months ago unfriending (or stop following for those of you who do not understand the lingo), who do too much cursing, and basically have a lot of negativism in their hearts.   I know it is hard, because we are supposed to minister to everyone, but I also have my standards, but the few I unfriended, they were bringing me down.  I still keep a few around, just in case they need that push.

I am Going Back to School

Franklin University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They say that you are never too old to learn something new, something you are not familiar with, or something I need help in.   Well, I am going back to school.  Well sort of and here is how.   I graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.  I am rusty.
When I first started school back in 1982, after a healthy and not so healthy academic career of K-12, I wanted to study acting.  I was determined to be among the Thespians that being an actress allows and more.  I was going to be an A-lister, hone in on my craft, and have my name in lights.   I was going to retired in my 60's having done the best movies any director or producer can throw at me.  Patricia Lynn Logan was going to be the name for everyone to watch over the next 50 years, until I got to The Ohio State University campus and refuse to go to class half the time, because I had to study math, English, psychology, and how to build a stage as well the first Quarter (Ohio State now runs on semesters). I was put on academic probation (straight F's).  In 1983, I went to a local college, because my parents thought I had way too much freedom at Ohio State, and they were right.  No drama department in this school. so I decided to try my hand in Social Work.  This followed by Early Childhood Ed, and secretarial science (Now called Administrative science), and I was told that I was too immature to go to school.  I transferred out of there to get a certificate of Secretarial science at a tech school.  I could go on and on about my career, but I finally matured when I started going to school at Franklin University, a business school.   This was around 1997, and I took my time.  I finally graduated with that degree with a new sense of worth, and that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to it.
Back to the present day...As I said, I am rusty.  It is not like I have not been keeping up with marketing, and that anything in marketing I learn will be a benefit to my business, but that is not the point of going back to school.   I have a list of what I want to learn:

1.  I do want to get my Master's in the subject of marketing.  
2. I want to learn advance WordPress, and website techniques.  Knowing this will allow me to create better websites, blogs, and possible make some money off of it.
3. HTML.  I know some of you out there are cringing right now, and so am I, but again, it is so I can cut cost.
4. The art of not being stressed out.  This is not a college course, and it probably will never be.
5. To take more time for me.  Again, this is not a college course, but a life course.
6. I want to be certified in a scrapbook tool, so I can teach a class in it.   Columbus is not the best place to take a class in this industry, or any industry, unless it has a college or university attached to it.  The ones I was thinking about are Copic markers, Cricut machines, or stamping.
7. I want to learn how to make jewelry, anything that goes hand and hand with scrapbooking and card making.
8. Finish my business Administrative classes
9. Cooking the basics the right way.  My cooking isn't bad, and I do know how by just watching my mother, but I want to learn the tiniest little detail about cooking them.
10. Every technology I have in my home.   I know basics, teach me the advance.

There are many more where that came from, such as being a better writer. See, you are never too old to learn, and I am waiting with eyes wide open.   Be Blessed.

Freedom

I am a spoiled person.  So are you, if you live in America.   We have the privilege to say whatever it that comes to mind.  The tongue is a very powerful instrument as well.  When connected to the mind and thoughts of a person, it can be used to say anything from a kind word or two, providing sympathy to a grieving person, or cut a person in two by cursing and swearing with words.  Sometimes we take advantage of that freedom as well.

Yahoo allows like-minded people to come together to form a group.  In these Yahoogroups, you can get together for things, such as a love of gun collection, a particular breed of dog, and sell groups to name a few 100,000.   I just unsubscribed from a group, which I have been a part of for over 5 years.   It is a Longaberger group of consultants, leaders and customers.  This group are not endorsed by the company, so they do not monitor the content coming from it.   Well, in the last few months, the company started some programs that allows a consultant like me to have more ways to grown my business.  Sounds good, right?  I mean who doesn't want more business.  Apparently, these ladies who are also consultants do not, and they have stated that in the group.  From the time I reported nothing but good things that have happened to my business because of two of the new programs, I have had nothing buy negative comments.  Yes, they have the freedom of speech on their side, but I have had it with the negativity, so I left.  Before I left, I wrote the group a final post, explaining why.   I am going to show this note to you, striking out parts that were deemed private:

To the Group:

I have had my last negativity with this group.   You know, they say if you want some positivity in your life, you cut ties with those who do not share in your joy and vision.   I love Longaberger, and I love how things are going as far as they as concern with this company.  People do not like change, and there are some people do not like how this company has been run.  I agree with Carrie about this policy 100%, and there have been times when I have report nothing but good things that happened with my business, and I get people like Robin and mahiler commenting with often times a negative comeback.  Yes, this country is founded on freedom of speech, and yes, this group that allows you to say whatever comes out of your mouth, good or bad.  I can say that for the first time in 4 years that I am finally making my goal, and I thank God for allowing me to work for a company like Longaberger, who believes in their selling team.  I told my NSL who is also my central branch leader that, after I looked at my sales totals, and compared them to the amount I set for the 2011-2012 selling season.   I may not agree with everything that Tami and the rest of the executives decide for this company, but I roll with the punches, and I do try to see where I fit in the big picture, I make the best of it, and make adjustments where I can.   Yes, you are going to say something negative.  I can feel it as I write my exit speech but I am going to say it anyway.  I also agree that if you are not happy, leave, and that is what I am doing with this group.  We have argued about policies of Longaberger, new programs Longaberger has implemented, and other things, and I have weather the storm.  Well I have had enough of it.   mahiler, I am glad that your sales are up despite your constant complaints about the company to this group and your customers.  It is amazing to me, how negative people do not know how to keep their mouths shut, and let others enjoy themselves.  I do pray that you and Robin find solace and some positivity in your business, which in my opinion can use some, and allow others to enjoy theirs.  Do not sell Longaberger product because you can, but because have something to say positive about everything from the products to the company itself.  If it wasn’t for companies, products would not be here in the first place.

I just feel like that at this time, I need to take a well-deserved break from this group.  I do advise that you find that peace, and remember that how excited you were when first started with Longaberger. I hope to see and meet some of you at the Bee in July.   Carrie, I am sorry that I am leaving this way.  You have been a wonderful moderator to me.  Good luck with all of your businesses.

Patricia Logan  

It was pretty straight forward.   This post shows how even with freedom of speech, which again we have the privilege of having in the US, how saying the wrong thing can hurt a person.  So on this Memorial Day Monday, as I said in the letter to the group, find that thing that make you happy and you feel good inside.  do not worry about any one else.  OK, if you are a parent you can worry about your child, but other that than that, find that peace that brings you joy and happiness, and contribute nothing but positive energy and words of kindness to someone who can use it.  I will do the same.