The Urban Intelligensia

This Writer's Life - Spring Fever

Hello writers! It's the end of the month - the last day of March - April begins tomorrow and I'll be caught up in the full embrace of Spring Fever. I just doddle along now and I hope that with the coming of April things will pick up speed - specifically my writing.

Today's Tip - Don't get caught up in the season.

Ciao for now! Start writing!

This Writer's Life - Twitter & Writing

Good evening, writers!

Well, a new writing sensation is upon us and they call it - Twitter.  Everyone is getting on board this new blogging darling.  And Twitter is a blog - a mini blog. Instead of writing paragraphs and paragraphs detailing everything, Twitterers can "tweet" a few short sentences of "in the moment" ancedotes. And, you guessed it, it's causing problems.

It seems people are in need of Twitter etiquette - what not to say in those moments. From athletes to ordinary joes, controversy has risen from the tweets. For example, a pro ball player was reprimanded by his coach after twittering during half time of an important game.  The player didn't say anything really negative, but the coach still didn't appreciate it. A congresswoman was twittering on her cell phone during an important speech given by President Obama.  She was caught on camera! Thus, twittering etiquette is front and center in this phenomenon.

Here are some twittering suggestions - 1) Stay within your tweet limit. Remember, this is a site that wants the entries short and sweet, 2) Don't write everything that is on your mind - edit yourself, and 3) Keep your language positive whenever possible - it doesn't pay to hurt someone's feelings.

Ciao for now! Start writing (or twittering)!

This Writer's Life - The Time to Write

Good morning, writers!  Happy Saint Patrick's Day or for us local Bostonians who aren't Irish - Happy Evacuation Day!  Yes, it's another day off for many of us today and I, for one, plan to take full advantage of it. This is the only holiday we get off during the month of March and it comes at the best time - the middle of the month.

So today is the day to get some things done - writing is high on the list. My laundry needs to be finished and I have some mail to send.  My son's new bed will arrive today and then it's off to do some shopping and enjoy the remains of the day. Tonight, it's Idol and getting ready for the return to work tomorrow (uhhhh...). So I plan to use my time wisely.

Today's Writing Tip - When you have some time to write - write! When you don't have the time to write - make the time. Your writing is important and deserves your time and attention.

Ciao for now! Start writing!

This Writer's Life - The Education of a Writer

Good evening, writers!

Today's Writing Tip - Increase your writing expertise by increasing your knowledge.  Education is always the ticket to improvement and writers should always work on increasing their writing knowledge. I'm currently enrolled in a writing class to help me with my online content writing. I hope to continue to develop my writing and build my career.

Ciao for now. Start writing!

This Writer's Life - The Writing Effort

Hello writers!

Well, the blog has been my source to share and teach my fellow writers.  But lately, I've been examining my writing life and have decided to make some changes...improvements really. I haven't, for various reasons, shared and not shared on this blog, haven't been devoting enough serious effort to my writing career. I want to be a writer..a want a writing career but I haven't been doing enough to make that career into what I want it to be. I've let life and my fears get in the way.  I've let money issues get in the way. I've been so focused on taking care of other things that I've let my writing slide. I'm treating my writing like a stepchild and I'm the wicked stepmother. Well, shame on me!

No more. Starting today and everyday, my writinng will receive the attention it needs and deserves. If I want to be a successful writer, I need to make it happen - it won't happen for me. If I want that big break, then I need to do whatever it takes for that break to happen. And I'm finally willing to do it. The procrastination, the fear, the excuses will stop - no more. I need to give my writing the same effort as I give shopping, eating and my other interests. If I do that, then I know I will have the writing career that I want.

Today's Writing Tip:  If you want to write - write. The effort you put in will determine the amount of success that comes out.

Ciao for now!  Start writing!

This Writer's Life - Winter Musings

Hello writers!

It's snowing. It's cold.  It's the perfect weather for all-day sleeping.  But there's work to be done.  There's always work to be done.  I have to do it.  Who else will? I'm happy for the extra day off even though I'll be paying for it come June.

Today''s Writing Tip:  Use any extra time to squeeze in some writing. Inspiration can happen in 5 minutes or 5 hours. It all depends on how you use the time.

This Writer's Life - March Madness

Good morning, writers!

Well, March has indeed come in like a lion. Boston got hit with several inches of snow and another snow day for the kids (not that I don't mind the 3-day weekend). I sit in front of my laptop wondering how to get my writing started today.  I guess making a couple of blog posts is the best place to start. It's the kind of day where I want to sleep all day, but have too much to do. After my blog posts, it's time to mail some letters, then laundry and then a nap.

Today's Writing Tip: Do some writing before the madness sets in.

Ciao for now! Start writing!