Birthday Blessings, Lessons and Reflections...

In a society obsessed with youth, beauty and image, many of us have mixed sentiments about adding another year to Father Time’s tally.

On one hand, there’s the undeniable toll that aging can take on one’s body: sore joints, crow’s foot, gravity issues…well, you get my point. :-)

On the other, is the indisputable reality that each year… each day, is a blessing.
We have constant reminders of this as we witness lives abbreviated in their prime.
The deaths of people like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Heavy D, serve as sobering reminders.

Still, there is cause for pause and celebration!
Upon reflection, there are some things that truly get better with age.
One is that the older we become, the greater the likelihood that we will have learned more, and been “schooled” through “hard knocks “ lessons and refresher courses.
Thereby causing us to become wiser and better decision makers.
And some might even add, stronger.

Not to mention, more years typically translate into more richness in experiences and memories.
Wouldn’t you agree?

To give you an example, I was so touched by all the FaceBook comments posted on my wall from new “friends”, and was even tickled pink to get phone calls and emails from folks who were my classmates and friends back from 8th grade! They remember and honor my birthday decades later. Awesome!

As such, here are a few other life’s lessons I’ll share, as I celebrate and embrace another year.
Maybe these thoughts and philosophies will inspire an essay, poem, or blog post to fuel your own writing.

Game?

JEN'S LIFE LESSONS AND REFLECTIONS

1. Everybody that’s in your life ain’t necessarily “in your corner”. As the Bible tells us, “Guard your heart.”

2. Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves. In other words, don’t carry grudges; they’ll mess up your “spiritual posture.” And many times it doesn’t even affect the intended party.

3. Kindness is never wasted.

4. Possessions don’t determine one’s worth.

5. You are judged by the company you keep.

6. Those who gossip with you will gossip about you.

7. When others doubt you, know that God knows your heart.

8. There is a blessing in each day.

9. There is a “message” in your mess.

10. Humor heals.

11. Hurt people hurt people!

12. True beauty is skin deep.

13. Give folks their “flowers” while they’re living.

14. Never make any man, (or a woman) a priority who views you merely as an option.

15. Be true to thineself.

16. The best revenge truly is a good life.

17. God will fix it.

18. When possible, “take the high road“.; there‘s less traffic. :-)

19. If you're not a part of the solution, don't be a part of the problem.

20. Good writing is a form of ministry.

21. While it's true that money won't buy happiness, financial security goes a long way towards having peace of mind and a good quality of life.

Well, that’s it, good people.

Would love to have your thoughts in return.

What lesson has another year taught you? Agree with any of these?

Image Credit: SPFF

Confessions of a Strategic Writer...

Many moons ago, a good writer, proficient in the King’s English, and equipped with minimal research skills, could write his own ticket.

Not any more.
‘Dem days played out with eight-track tapes and two-dollar-a-gallon gas.
Fast forward to the age of the Internet.

There are more publishing options, easier entry, blogging.
Add to that, a troubled economy where more folks are seeking additional sources of income, and the competition has become as fierce as professional sports!

Being good now only allows you courtside access.
While being smart allows you to score more and stay in the game.

With this in mind, here are a few timely tips to help you become a strategic writer (or blogger), destined for a winning future.

1. Govern your time like you govern your money.

Do you suffer from the B.B.B.S. Syndrome?
That’s an acronym I created that stands for “busy, but broke syndrome”.
Many writers are.
Their output greatly exceeds their income. They lack proper prioritization skills. They spend too much time “socializing” in social media forums, and blog hopping with nothing to show for their efforts.
Perhaps you’re one of them. Word to the wise: If it doesn’t make money, it doesn’t make (cents).
Of course not all your efforts have to materialize in making money. But they should minimally enhance your progress. In the immediate future.

2. Be discerning about the writing advice you receive.

These days, many folks are claiming “expert” status. From relationship experts, to parenting experts, to health experts, to writing experts.
Don’t believe the hype.
Before you apply the advice of others, or consider their words as “gospel”, research their background and their achievements. What is their educational background? Their experience? Their success rate? Their work ethic?
“The proof is in the pudding.”

3. Don’t let your ego get in the way of your excellence.

In other words, be open to improvement. Know your weaknesses. Don't let rejections reduce you.
Take counsel from those who have traveled where you’re trying to venture.
Take pride in creating quality work that leaves a lasting legacy.

4. Invest in yourself.

Professional writing is a business. Bottom line.
Yet, I am often amazed at how resistant many writers are to spending money on a class to hone their skill. Or paid membership in a writers’ organization to add to their networking opportunities. Or professional business cards, or an online site. Stop the madness! Like most things in life, you’ll get out of your career what you put into it.

5. Diversify.

I learned the hard way. When I started out, I primarily wrote poetry. Of course, I don’t have to tell you how far that got me. :-) Many years later, I have built a lasting career based upon solid experience as a feature writer, columnist, paid blogger, ghost writer, writing coach, and editor. I have learned how to assess odds for publication, how to position my work, and how to deal with editors of varying temperaments and backgrounds. And you should too. Much like in the corporate arena, the more you know, the further you’ll go.

6. Have a clear cut, common sense game plan.

In other words, where would you like to be with your writing next year? How will you achieve your creative goals? Why do you blog? What do you hope to get out of it? Any deadlines designated? Assess then act accordingly. Make sure your moves make sense. Don't just do what everybody else is doing blindly.

Follow these six savvy tips to stand out and stay in the (freelancing)game.

Thoughts?

IMAGE CREDIT: SPFF

5 Easy Steps to Great Story Writing!

by Dr John Yeoman

What’s the secret of writing a story in a jiffy - without pain or writer’s block?

There’s no shortage of ‘how to’ tips on the web. Do this, avoid that... But when you come down to it, only five things really work. Try this little 5-step plan for yourself and you’ll find, if you have any writing skill at all, the process will simplify your writing life.

Step 1. Give yourself permission to draft nonsense.

The first rule is to write something every day - but not care too much what you write. Be lazy. Drop in the first expression that comes to mind. Tired, formulaic words? Welcome them!

If you stop at every line, chew your pen and try to enhance what you’ve just written, you’ll get nowhere. Most of your fussy rewrites, at this stage, will be wasted anyway. Probably, you’ll edit them out later.

It’s simple and painless to work on a bad draft. The story’s already written (you’ll tell yourself). ‘I just have to fix it!’ That’s more fun than agonising over an empty page.

If you need another reason to write sloppily - at draft stage - note that bad writing also does away with writer’s block. Clinical depression apart, writer’s block is usually just a pointless quest to get stuff right the first time.

If you plan to write rubbish, you can’t help succeeding.

Step 2. Spend a lot of time with your tv.

Love television soaps? Now’s the time to make them work for you. Watch a popular drama series and make notes. Check the body language of the characters. How do the actors portray emotions - and how do the other characters respond?

Imagine somebody is telling a lie. What are their eyes doing? Their fingers? Is their voice calm or broken? Do the other characters catch them lying? If so, how do they behave?

Notice the scene shifts too. Few scenes today last for more than a few minutes. How does the play hold your interest when it shifts between scenes - or is interrupted by commercials? Probably, each scene ends on a note of uncertainty or intrigue.

Make a note of each scene hanger. Each could be a template you might use in a story yourself, to tie together the plot breaks.

Step 3. Be a discreet ‘fly on the wall’.

Overhear conversations in public places. (This is a great excuse to hang out in bars.)

Listen hard, though unobtrusively, and you’ll know what folk really do when they converse. Pay special care to odd phrases, jargon, twists of speech. All could add colour to your story. Compile a file of ‘real dialogue’ snatches to draw on later.

Did you notice how people do not speak the way they do in novels - or on the stage? Nobody delivers a perfectly formed sentence then waits until the other person does the same. Everything is a buzz. Half-formed sentences collide with others. It’s a miracle that communication ever takes place...

Convey something of that realism in the stories you write and they’ll become instantly more plausible.

Step 4. Do little ‘meditations’ every hour.

All pro writers carry a notebook, of course. But use it this way. Make a habit of stopping wherever you are, at random. Take a real hard look at the scene around you.

Are you in an office? Cafe? Street? Are you gazing at a mundane shop window or notice board? Is it dull, dull, dull? That’s great!

Imagine it’s the first time you’ve seen such a thing. How would you describe it, using every one of the five senses - so that your description glows with sensuality? Write down that moment of perception in one short sentence.

This is not the time for sloppy words. Choose exactly the right ones. Compose a prose poem. Keep it short - and keep it safe. You may be able to use it in a story later. If not, no matter. You’re training yourself to observe.

That little drill is tough. We’re so used to taking our surroundings for granted. But once it becomes a habit, you’ll never again be able to write a dull description.

Step 5. Accept that your story will go through several redrafts.

Irving Wallace had to throw away three whole drafts of his lengthy novel The Prize before he thought it good enough to write ‘finis’, And after it was published, to great acclaim, he wanted to write it all over again.

It’s a sad reality that even a ‘perfect’ story is full of flaws. You’ll never catch them all but most stories need a dozen rewrites just to be publishable.

Put your drafts aside for a month. You’ll be astonished at how downright bad they’ve become in that time.

Now you can rewrite them. Of course, the process never ends. But as Picasso once said of a painting: it’s never finished, just abandoned.

To be sure, commercial story writers can’t afford to procrastinate forever. They have to pay the bills. But long experience has taught them to get their work at least 70% right by the third re-write. That’s good enough. They also know that publishers hate work that’s 100% perfect. It annoys their copy editors...

True, the formula above is simplistic. But it works. Develop those five habits of successful writers and, if you have even the smallest amount of talent, your skills as a writer will develop fast - and your stories will sell.


Dr John Yeoman, PhD Creative Writing, judges the Writers’ Village story competition and is a tutor in creative writing at a UK university. He has been a successful commercial author for 42 years. A wealth of further ideas for writing fiction that sells can be found in his free 14-part story course at:
http://www.writers-village.org/writing-award-income

Biography
Dr John Yeoman has 42 years experience as a commercial author, newspaper editor and one-time chairman of a major PR consultancy. He has published eight books of humour, some of them intended to be humorous.

Synopsis
Take these easy five steps to think like a professional author. Your stories will glow with fresh reader appeal, impress editors and agents, and succeed in the commercial market.

Thoughts? Any of these tips resonate with you?

IMAGE CREDIT: SPFF

The 4-1-1* June's Month-end Announcements

Happy Sunday, groovy people.
I hope you've had a wonderful week, and are surviving this heat.
As for me? I can't complain.
June has turned out to be pretty cool, for a hot month. :-)
I'm working on some fun projects, trying my hand at some new recipes, and am up to my knees in yard work and gardening.
How about you? Anything exciting?

Before I share with you various items of interest, I would like to ask you a small favor.
Please support the fabulous folks that support Pen & Prosper.
Reflected on this site are several businesses and authors that have valuable services and products that can enhance your writing experience.

As time permits, please take a moment to click on their ads and see if anything is of interest. Easy peasy. :-)

Now, for the 4-1-1.

1. It's not too late!
If you've been promising to take a class to hone your craft and increase your cash, consider registering at the Coffeehouse for Writers today. Affordable, flexible, online classes start June 25th. Popular offerings include: Boot Camp for Writers, Writing for Magazines, Writing Historical Fiction, Creating Ebooks,Your Personal Editor, How to overcome Writer's Block, and my class, Blogging for Profit or Pleasure. Classes range from 2 days to 4 weeks. To learn more, visit www.Coffeehouseforwriters.com. Please note that due to a technical glitch, you may have to click on the link more than once for the site to correctly appear.
I hope to see you there!

2. Good Earth Tea is sponsoring a tea tag quote contest.
Come on, you guys. Many of you are already creative, and you drink tea.
Connect those dots and let's get some winning entries going!
You could be one of 25 winners to receive bragging rights and a year's supply of free tea.
Perhaps you need to purchase some of their brew before your muse will cooperate?
Either way, to enter the contest, or to simply try their popular assortment of teas, check out Goodearthtea.com.

3. Chicago Writers Association announces their Book of the Year Contest.
And, the great thing for you writers and authors, is that you don't have to be a member of the organization to enter! So, no excuses. Participation limited to residents of Illinois. Ebooks are also acceptable.
For more details, visit www.chicagowrites.org.

Outside of Illinois? Five Star Publications also sponsors contests for authors world-wide, in various genres, with generous cash prizes awarded. Specifics provided at www.fivestarpublications.com.

4. Coffeehouse for Writers is proud to announce an addition to its "crew".
Noelle Sterne, author of "Trust Your Life"- an accomplished writer and spiritual coach, will produce a monthly column for writers of all levels and genres, to help them develop in their craft, conquer their writing demons, and realize greater creative potential. Her debut column, "Bloom Where You're Writing"
will run July 15th. You don't wanna' miss it.

Okay, that's it for now.
Oh yeah, P.S., I almost forgot.
Jen will be taking a birthday break from June 30th-July 5th.
Enjoy your week. :-)

Feel free to share your own news, projects, or related thoughts.

IMAGE: SPFF

How to Keep Your Writing "Mo-jo" During the Dog Days of Summer

Admit it. Come summer, you trade your laptop for flip flops, ice tea, and the nearest beach. The warmer weather makes you long for outdoor activities, the beauty of nature, and a more relaxed, care-free pace. True? I can dig it.

But don't let a brief season sabotage the progress and success you've worked hard to achieve the other months of the year. As the Good Book states, "moderation in all things."

Summer season is indeed upon us.
And, not only does it usher in hot weather, it also offers endless opportunities for writers to earn extra dough through events of the season.

All that’s required is a little strategy and some ingenuity.
And the great thing is that these ideas work regardless as to where you live, or what genre you write.

Here’s how to explore various topics to potentially pen poems, essays, how-tos, features or fictional pieces and to earn hot cash in the process.

Make a list and check it twice.

Here’s what it might look like:

Themes:

Graduations and Proms---A look at college career choices, a nostalgic look at your first love, or an essay on defining success for today’s graduate.

Summer reunions---this could include genealogy references, family recipes, or colorful characters.

Summer vacations---Great for travel writing pieces, rating of hotels and restaurants.

Summer gardening---Tips on successful planting, pictures of your back yard and stories of trial and error, or how to cultivate a green thumb.

Summer barbeques and recipes---How to use beer for tender barbeque, or the art of romantic picnics, or how to make the best baked beans.

Summer weddings---Wedding traditions and how not to become a “bride-zilla.” Unusual stories on how couples met.

At-home activities for kids—Arts and craft activities, how to host a book club for teens, summer safety tips. Time management for busy moms.

Summer fashions---Popular trends, hot sales, styles that flatter different figures, foot care for sandal wear.

Holidays

Fourth of July
Labor Day

National “Awareness” Days

National Safety Month—June—Why and how it came into existence.
Parents’ Day---July---Gift-giving tips
Friendship Day---August
Grandparents’ Day---September
Special Olympics

Choose the most interesting and relevant topics based upon your interests and experiences, and narrow the list down.

For example, for me, since I’m an incurable romantic, summer weddings would definitely be at the top of my list. Summer barbeques would also be a definite possibility since I enjoy food and backyard barbeques. The weddings might inspire my romantic poetry or a personal essay, or even a how-to on planning an economical but beautiful wedding for penny-pinchers!

Address the 5 Ws of journalism: who, what, when, where, why. Don’t forget to provide colorful anecdotes and quotes to provide richness.

Start sketching and fleshing out viable ideas.
Ideally the more passionate you are about the subject, the easier and more enjoyable it is to write, and the less research required.

Identify potential markets.
This is almost a no-brainer. Wedding pieces would go to places like Today’s Bride or Bride’s Noir. Recipes would find a home at Taste of Home or Woman’s Day. You’ll also find a great database of magazine guidelines at Writing for Dollars. Once this is done, check the publication’s archives and their editorial calendars to identify the best time to approach the publication with a query or completed piece.


Follow these fabulous tips and you’ll find creative projects and pay to last the whole year! Carpe diem!

Thoughts? Do you find it harder to be more productive and focused during the dog days of summer? Any secrets to staying on task? Do tell.


Image: SPFF

4 Solutions to a Visual Thinker's Writing Problem-A Guest Post

People who are visual thinkers have a unique way of looking at the world.

They also approach their writing in a different manner. Because they think through visual processing and use parts of their brains that are more emotional and creative, they often have trouble putting words to their thoughts.

Instead of thinking in words, they think in pictures.

Maybe you are an artist or a designer, and you find writing to be a difficult and challenging task. If that is the case, the following strategies will help you unlock your writing potential and master your muse.

1. Mind Mapping
The three most common problems associated with visual thinkers are lack of words, problems of writing in sequence and problems of context. To deal with problems associated with sequencing, it is better to mind map first and then sequence your ideas.

A mind map is a visual form or diagram used to generate and record ideas around a central theme. It is visual, non-linear and similar to how your brain naturally generates ideas.

As a typical visual thinker, you might be so engrossed in the story told by pictures in your head, that you find it hard to organize information in a logical manner. Once you have a clear mind map, it would be much easier for you to come up with a start, middle and an end for your piece.

2. Freewriting
Freewriting is an excellent way to improve your writing. And, it works for everyone.
The main idea behind freewriting is that it is timed, and it is done without any revision or editing. You write for a set period of time without worry about grammar, spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure.

Usually you write for 5 -10 minutes, and you write quickly, without stopping. The purpose? To get into the flow and get everything out on the paper. Because you are not thinking and judging your writing, it promotes discovery of words. It is a process to relax your mind and reveal hidden ideas.

You have to be a little patient though; visual thinkers are often late bloomers and take lots of time and practice to develop their written abilities.

3. Wordlists and Outlines
Wordlists are quick and fun to create. You can start by jotting words in individual categories and allow for ideas to bloom, paving way for new words to come to surface.

Creating outlines also helps ideas and new words to emerge, almost without any hard work. One great way of doing this is to use sticky notes to create your lists. This way, you can move your notes around and allow the ideas to flow in a natural and logical manner.

Using both these methods will result in more confident visual thinkers, who are at ease with expressing themselves on paper.

4. Dictionary and Thesaurus
A big issue for visual thinkers is when trying to put words down, you become frustrated because the pictures don’t translate well. You need to learn words and phrases that evoke vivid sensory imagery.

To facilitate this, you need to increase your vocabulary naturally by reading as much as you can. Develop a healthy reading habit and branch out into areas you normally don’t pursue.

A great tool to help you find new words is a thesaurus or a dictionary. After you have finished your brainstorming and mind mapping exercises, you need to develop it further in clear, concise and readable formats. These word resources are great for polishing your writing when you are at the editing stage.

Once you have all the basics, you should get in the habit of writing and possibly publishing your work. An excellent option to achieve this is to start your own blog. You can write on a whole bunch of topics or you can choose one. You may want to make it public or choose to share only with select friends or family. In any case, it is an excellent way of practicing writing on a regular basis.

Thoughts? Any visual thinkers out there?

Byline
Patrick and Marya Jan are part of the blogging team for Open Colleges. It is one of Australia’s pioneer and leading providers of Business management courses and Human resources courses.

IMAGE CREDIT: SPFF

4 Titles That Will Transform Your Finances and Your Writing Career!

Google the term “Books on writing” and you’ll discover 1,540,000 options at your disposal to help hone your craft. The problem is that it would literally take a lifetime to read, heed, and apply the tips and techniques contained within these countless resources.

The less time you spend reading about writing, the more time you have to actually “write“, make a difference, and earn a living. Unless you’re a hobbyist, isn’t that the ultimate goal?

In my many years of freelancing, I’ve read a boatload of books. Some good…some bad.
I proudly even boast my own library in my home office.
However, it wasn’t until the last few years that I became exposed to books that became more like Bibles.
These four reads serve as the ultimate “commandments” for today‘s writer seeking to work smarter not harder, and escape a life of sporadic income and endless Ramen Noodles.

Authored by experts in their respective fields, they have walked the talk. These reference manuals provide the 4-1-1 on everything from making good decisions, to making good money, from start-up to staying in the freelance game.

Every (serious) writer’s library should contain the following books:


1. THE TITLE: The Well-Fed Writer--by Peter Bowerman
Peter’s book caused a paradigm shift in my way of thinking that no book before it had. Here was a guy who had faced some of the same challenges I had starting out: he had no contacts in the business, no writing background, and didn’t want to embrace the “starving artist” mindset. Yet, was able to overcome these obstacles to become one of the most noted how-to authors in the freelancing genre. Familiar with his work online (and a starving-artist-in-training), I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to shell out the cash to purchase it out-right, so I borrowed it from my local library. I renewed it three times before I had to finally surrender it and invest in my own copy.

THE TAKE-AWAY VALUE?
Success as a writer is just as much about mindset and strategy as it is about having a facility with words. Especially in today’s competitive climate.
Contrary to popular opinion, you can make a good living at writing. But, it’s all about making the right choices. Here he gives readers guidance to make some of those tough choices. Additionally, he teaches us how copywriting can be the key to a more profitable and progressive writing career. It’s more than a book; it’s a lifestyle blueprint!

2. THE TITLE: Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks!--by Kelly James Enger
Enger, a former attorney, provides some pretty compelling arguments for why this lucrative field should be a viable option for today’s writer. She addresses the why, what, where and how of ghost writing in a clear and clever way.

THE TAKE-AWAY VALUE?
Though many of us love the ego stroking that a byline brings, there’s something to be said for being paid well to tell someone else’s story. Did I mention, very well? Ghost writing is big business. From icons in the entertainment industry, to scorned lovers, to retired athletes, to businesses that feel the mandate to “publish or perish,” there’s no shortage of work in this field. And unlike penning pieces for publications that may pay months down the road, ghost writers, (as an industry norm), require substantial deposits before work even begins. Need I say more?

3. THE TITLE: A Step in the Write Direction--by Donna Clark Goodrich
Okay, so I admit that there may be a slight bias, in that I have a chapter I’ve authored included in this comprehensive guide. But, I’m convinced that you’ll love it too, because of its thorough treatment of an array of topics relevant to writers of all levels and genres.

THE TAKE-AWAY VALUE?
Longevity in writing requires a systematic approach and a business mindset. Between the many chapters, you’ll learn how to prepare your manuscript, time management tips, Microsoft Word shortcuts, and income tax for writers. Reading this book is like taking a course; you’ll learn many valuable lessons without the fear of test-anxiety.

4. THE TITLE: Don’t Worry, Make Money--by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
Famous for his best-selling book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” Carlson does it again with this engaging and enlightening read. Although it’s not actually about the “craft” of writing, as my previous mentions, it’s just as crucial to your prosperity and success. What writer couldn’t benefit from wise counsel on how to stress less and make more money?

THE TAKE-AWAY VALUE?
Readers will learn the correlation between moods and money, ways to create abundance through thoughts and actions, and conquering fears.

Whether you’re new to the freelancing world, or a seasoned journalist, you’ll find needed resources between these pages. And of course, no one can dispute that the best writers are those who understand the importance of reading!

Thoughts? Any reads you would recommend?

IMAGE CREDIT: SPFF

Hot Topic! Good Earth Tea Sponsors Tea Tag Quote Contest...Enter to Win.

If you're like most writers, a cup of soothing tea sets the tone for your day. Am I right here?
Which is why you're gonna' love today's "hot topic"!
Good Earth Tea is sponsoring, "Tag, You're It!" Tea Tag Quote Contest.

Get your pens ready...

Submit an original quote that sums up how you keep the flavor in your days, and the sweet spice and everything nice in your life.

If your muse is cooperative, and you're uniquely creative, you could be one of 25 winners to find your quote printed on their tea bags, and savoring a year's supply of Good Earth's flavorful, scent-sational (assorted) blends!

And wouldn't that be a sweet deal?

Contest deadline is July 13th. So register soon.

For more details and to enter, visit Goodearthtea.com
Feel free to share this with your friends and blog followers.

Your turn.
What's your brew of choice, writers? Coffee or tea?
Will you likely enter the contest?

Why Good Chemistry is Crucial Even in Business Relationships

The savvy scribe recognizes that the simple laws of supply and demand only scratch the surface when it comes to a successful freelance business.

He knows that the better he is able to connect, collaborate, and carry out the wishes of those whom he serves, the greater the likelihood of future projects, referrals, and continued profits.

From my experiences, it‘s not just about doing good work.
(If only it were that simple.)

In fact, many clients and customers can attest that they have severed business relationships with some very competent folks because there was a key ingredient missing in the mix.

In a word…it’s called chemistry.
Whether it’s in the corporate arena, or the world of freelance---people like to work with people they like. Bottom line.

I’m not saying that you have to be passionate about each other.
But there does have to be mutual respect, an atmosphere of trust, a similar “language” being spoken, and a general meeting of the minds.

With this being said, here are three key reasons you need to click with your clients.

1. Chemistry makes whatever the project less stressful. As someone who has passed up paying clients, and also someone whom clients have decided to pass by, nobody wants to operate in a business relationship that is full of tension, turmoil, discomfort, and trifling-ness,(is that a word?). :-)

2. Good chemistry brings out the good in all parties involved. People who don’t feel as if they are being “tested” often perform better.

3. Good chemistry increases productivity, because there are fewer issues to resolve, and less time devoted to non-creative “agendas”.

Your turn. How crucial is chemistry in your opinion? Or does it matter?
Any horror stories here?


Image: SPFF

YIPPEE! Pen & Prosper Makes Three!

The joy of June brings many pleasures.
Among them is the three-year anniversary of this blog. Yay!
I'd like to take this opportunity to express my heart felt appreciation for your support and readership along this journey.
Truth be told, I was a reluctant blogger. But since being on board, I have connected with some truly awesome folks, established a more solid "platform" for my writing career, and have learned and laughed a lot along the way.
Words can not adequately convey my appreciation.

In the famous words of Elizabeth Barrett-Browning, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

...I love that you have allowed me to share my thoughts, challenged my way of looking at things, and have inspired me to always give my best.

...I love that many of you have supported me with other online projects---from making comments on guest posts, to registering for my online classes, to sharing helpful links.

...I love that you "get me".

...I love that you accept my constructive criticism and "tough love" with the right spirit.

...I love that you CHOOSE to read and follow Pen and Prosper out of the countless online options available, and with limited time. :-)


A special thanks to my first followers; you know who you are!

A special thanks to my regular commenters: Karen Lange, Linda O., Susan Sundwall, H.P. and Yasmin. To Art Plotnik, who was one of the first to connect with a comment. A blog without comments is like a meal without dessert.

Janette D., thanks for being one of my biggest cheerleaders!

A special thanks to those of you who share my posts via your social media forums.

A special thanks to my advertisers.

A special thanks to those who have submitted guest posts, enabling me to take
"mini-breaks," and also allowing me to provide a bit of variety for my reading audience.

...And last but not least, many thanks to the editors that have recognized this blog (and the hard work that goes into it), in their "top blogs" listings. It is the ultimate compliment.

I look forward to more blogging, more joy, and more avenues to know more and grow more!

If you haven't already, please consider "following" through the Google Connect option that reads "join this site". Seeing your smiling faces keeps me motivated!

Thanks again. "You are the wind beneath my wings."

Warmly,

Jen

Are Bloggers Writers?

Sometimes there’s an underlying “elitism” within the literary community that suggests that bloggers are not serious writers, or that we don’t work as hard at our craft as those who solely embrace the title of “writer”.
Not true.

I’ve been blessed to have the best of both worlds.
Long before blogging became the “new black,” I earned pay for my say as a columnist, copywriter, feature writer and award-winning poet.

And I must admit, contrary to popular opinion, blogging can be harder and more time consuming comparatively speaking. It all depends on the nature and scope of one’s projects, and the type of blogging.
Consider this.
Blogging is by nature very competitive, as there are greater numbers of people who pursue it collectively than other genres.

So to stand out and stay in the mix, you’ve got to bring your “A” game. On the regular!
Additionally, even after conceptualizing your post, penning it, then posting it, your work is still not done. You’re not home free yet, my friend.

You still need to interact with blog commenters, promote your pieces through social media sites, pitch guest posts, all while prioritizing and balancing other creative projects. Oh my!

In fact, today’s post was not originally on my “to-do list”.
Rather, it was inspired, as a result of a conversation with another writer, who in discussing our projects, insinuated that her work was more involved and more valuable.
Maybe. Maybe not.

The whole situation sort of reminds me of how some in the field of academia view substitute teachers as “hired help“ rather than credentialed professionals who provide a very important supportive role.
But, that’s a whole ‘nother post, people. :-)

Don’t get me wrong; there’s a difference between recreational bloggers and those who are professionals. And those who don‘t know the difference “need not apply“.

In the words of disco queen, Donna Summer, “I work hard for the money. So hard for it honey.”
And many bloggers do.
Don’t get it twisted, yo! :-)

What say you? Are all Bloggers writers? Is Blogging to be considered as seriously as other genres of writing?