What Love and Relationships Can Teach us About Better Blogging...

It's a rainy, stormy day in my corner of the world today. Not the best "backdrop" or inspiration for creativity and connecting.

But, as I wrestled with my muse and pondered what to post here, I had an "ah-ha" moment of sorts.

I realized that my ongoing commitment to my readers has many parallels to romance and the state of relationships. And you will too.

 

In an effort to provide another "teachable moment" here at Pen and Prosper, here's what love and partnerships can offer us to become better bloggers.

 

1. Thy must honor the "Retention Rule".

 

Or as I like to call it, "What it takes to get you, it takes to keep you."

Let's face it: as with all new relationships, the beginning holds a lot of potential promise. We're excited. Optimistic even. We put our best foot forward, and try to keep up our looks.

Fast forward. We lose momentum. We get busy. Somebody gains weight. We don't feel appreciated for our efforts. Or we feel as if we're not being heard (lack of comments, slow blog growth, etc.)

But, as easy as it may become to hold back our best, or slow our pace, or give into plaguing doubts, it's important to press on beyond the "honeymoon stage". Remember that love has many seasons. Keep in mind a profound scriptural passage: "Love endureth all things."

 

2. Good relationships are unselfish.

 

Love requires sacrifice. Today's busy blogger is typically faced with an array of competing demands and choices---from spending time with family and friends, to house projects, to work responsibilities, to the need for rest and rejuvenation. With this being the case, blogging is always a balancing act. True? But, to make things work, we each have a role of give and take as readers and writers. Many of us bloggers share our time, tips, talents, resources, and words of encouragement in exchange for your comments, readership, friendship, and support.

 

3. Sometimes "space is needed." 

 

Like most bloggers, I love blogging. I dig the interaction, the exchange, and the opportunity to connect with quality people. I learn things. I laugh. I reflect. But, just like in real life relationships, sometimes I have to "disengage" and take time off to go the distance.

Better a break, than a break-up. :-)

 

4. It's important to choose our words wisely.

 

In even the most loving relationships, we say things that we may regret; either because they are not the best suited for what we'd like to convey, or they offend someone we care about. It happens to the best of us. Be cautious, but don't be overly concerned. Good writing and blogging means that our passionate thoughts and views about God, or pop music, or politics will cause a few feathers to ruffle. When appropriate apologize. When not, move on.  

5. Humor helps.

 

Relationships can be heavy stuff. Filled with highs and lows, good times and bad, pain and pleasure.

A wise person once said: "If you can laugh through it, you can live through it." 

Which is why humor has an important role. Humor lifts and elevates. When possible, incorporate it in your writing to add appeal and to enhance the "engagement" factor.

 

 

Though "parting is such sweet sorrow" readers, this ends today's post.

 

Would "love" to hear your thoughts on this topic.

 

Have a great, safe holiday.

 

 

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Chicken Soup, Anyone? Tips to Getting Published by Contributor Linda O'Connell

In my efforts to help you know more and grow more, I stalked
caught up with the Queen of Chicken Soup, my blogging buddy, Linda of Write From the Heart.
She's graciously agreed to share with you lucky readers, a few tips on being successfully published in this mega-popular series.

First, a little background here. So, let's rewind...

I think that anthologies are a great way for writers to get exposure for their work, network with writers across the globe, and enjoy collaborative projects that are fun and fulfilling.
As such, I've had about 10 pieces published in both poetry and short story collections.
Some I've received pay for; others I have not.

About four or five were even successfully published in Simon and Shuster's "Chocolate for a Woman's Soul" series.

But, with Chicken Soup, I have failed. Repeatedly. It remains on my "to-do" list for 2014.
So, let's see what we can learn today from Linda's winning "recipe". Shall we?

How many pieces have you had successfully published in the Chicken Soup series over the years?

 

I have had 20 stories published in 20 different Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

What's your approach to "cooking" a story up---do you write an essay, and then search for a "title in the series" for which it will fit, or do you find an interesting theme, and then try to write something accordingly?

 

I write specifically for a title in development that interests me. Although sometimes, I have an older story on file that I can tweak a bit to fit the topic. I think out-of-the-box. I saw a call out for Devotionals for (and by) Moms. I wrote from a grandmother's perspective. I knew it was a long shot, but the story was meaningful. I took a chance. It paid off.

How does this popular anthology differ from others that you've been a contributor?

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul is an inspirational market that pays $200 per story and ten free books.

There's a pull down menu at www.chickensoup.com with a broad range of possible titles to select from. Chicken Soup for the Soul offers more opportunities than smaller publishers who usually focus on one particular theme at a time.

 

I am currently developing an anthology, Not Your Mother's Book...On Family, for Publishing Syndicate. It will be available in Spring 2014. The tone is the flip side of Chicken Soup for the Soul, exactly the opposite, a bit snarky, flippant and funny. There are more than thirty titles in development for future books. This is a great place to submit. http://publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/nymb_submit_guidelines.html

Writers need to target their markets and follow specific guidelines. Writing for inspirational markets is not the same as writing for religious publications. Writing for NYMB is nothing like writing for inspirational markets.
 

 

What's the typical response time? I've heard it can take years to be notified of

acceptance.

 

The shortest response time for me was two months, but generally it can be six months to a year, and sometimes longer. My philosophy is to write and release. In most cases writers are not notified if their story is rejected.

 

What advice would you give to those of us that seek to see our work in an upcoming edition?

A successful Chicken Soup for the Soul story reads like you're speaking to a friend. Imagine sitting in your best friend's living room, sipping a favorite beverage. You're at ease; there's no pretense. Just a simple, straightforward sharing of a life event. You don't need "big words" to tell your story.

Every story must be true and have a beginning, middle and end. Characters must be interesting. Using humor when appropriate is a plus. Tight writing means avoiding cliche`s and slashing unnecessary words. You should not rush through a story, but you also don't want to meander too far, either. Take the reader on a journey, but make sure you have a GPS; don't get lost along the way.

After you write the story, leave it for a day. When you return to it, you will notice places where you'll want to rewrite to make it tighter. Never send your first draft.

Revealing personal details about yourself or others can be terrifying. Letting it all hang out is not what a CS story is about, anyway. We've all had drama and sadness in our lives, but how is your life drama different than mine? What makes your story unique and uplifting? Does it have a take-away message for the reader? Is there an impact statement which readers can relate to? Does your ending reflect your opening?

What's the biggest mistake you think writers make in submitting their work for consideration?

 

Some writers exert too much caution, while others reveal too many details or too much information not pertinent to the story. Always follow specific writer's guidelines.

What would it surprise others to know about you?

 

I lived in rural Alaska in 1969-70 at the end of the Alaska Highway, and the experiences I had during that time have paid off in lots of story material. Life writing is about sharing a specific event, not telling the entire story.

 

Do you have a daily writing ritual?

 

At 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. I peruse the markets for calls for submissions. There is a free site, Giga Alerts that writers can sign up for to receive specific call outs.

I do not write every day, but I do try to blog every day at http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com.

 

Anything else you'd like to add here...?

 

I try to find a unique slant when I write a Chicken Soup story. Because the title, (Chicken Soup, Love & Food) had a love aspect, I assumed most stories would be about relationship love. My story was not. I used terminology that led the editor to read further: "I walked into a deli and my heart skipped a beat when I recognized an old long lost love—a wedge of homemade apple walnut cake." I mentioned "flirting" with a piece of chocolate cake. I weaved humor and friendship into the story which detailed an event in the lives of my late best friend and our moms. I also included a recipe. 

What is the biggest news you'd like to share?

I received an acceptance on a story I submitted to Gloria Gaynor's anthology, We Will Survive (to be released in November). The stories are based on how her 1978 hit song, I Will Survive, impacted the contributors' lives.

I received an invitation to meet with Gloria Gaynor and to be her guest at a private event concert. "First I was afraid, I was petrified..." Now, I am thrilled beyond words!

Jennifer, thank you for this opportunity to share with other writers.

 
Bonus: Comment on this post and your name may be selected for a special drawing where Linda is giving away free autographed copies of various Chicken Soup titles.

 

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Testing For Writers...? Should Writers be Screened to Score Jobs?

“Sorry, we can not find a job for you at this time."  
My eyes stayed affixed at the message in sheer surprise and disbelief.
I didn’t quite know whether to laugh or cry.

In an effort to join a placement service for freelance writers, I signed up with an agency I read about in a weekly writer’s newsletter.
It seemed easy enough. Or so the Ad promised.

But, once I logged in with my information, I discovered an online test would be required to complete the application process. No problem, I thought.

After all, in my former school days, I was a spelling bee whiz, an honors program student, a proud grammarian, and a nerd by classification. So I confidently clicked to the next page…

Then came “the big reveal“; it was timed.

Panic began to set in.
To make a long story short, in the span of 15 minutes, applicants would have to successfully answer problems in 5 different proficiency areas. They included: spelling, homophones, word scrambles, and well…the rest is a blur.

It was harder than I thought. I needed a cigarette. And I don’t even smoke.

At the conclusion, I scored 87% out of 100. Not too shabby, in my eyes. Considering I had the distraction of phones ringing in the background, and hadn’t had time to prepare for the exam. In their eyes it didn‘t matter; I would not be “graduating” to the next level.

Lessons come in many forms. And sometimes failures can develop us as much as successes.

With this in mind, I’d like to share a few things this humbling experience has imparted.

　
More Competition Brings Greater Screening…
Blame it on the ease of entry due to the Internet, or a struggling economy; there’s no doubt that freelance writing has become as competitive as professional sports. It seems everybody’s doing it.

Consequently, publishers, editors, and businesses are often bombarded with requests for work whenever ads are posted at popular bulletin boards and listings. For high-paying publications, the response is even more overwhelming.

To weed out the wannabes from the top writers, often tests are put in place.

Over the last few years, I have had to ace several to land good paying gigs. You will too. Here are “standard” ones you can expect to encounter.

　
Essay exams--More and more, top sites, (like Lifehack.org and Opencolleges.edu), are requesting that applicants submit an original, “sample” blog post, lesson, or article to demonstrate their skill and writing style. These typically range from 200-700 words. You may be given a designated topic, or the option to choose your own. Follow the directions carefully, for optimal results.

Editing tests---Often, writers rely on software programs and spell check functions to catch their creative errors. This is not always an effective approach. To make sure that writers produce quality work, (that requires minimal “tweaking”) some places provide editing tests where writers must identify grammatical errors or spelling flaws before being considered for available assignments.

Software and content management proficiency---Can you excel at Excel software? Create charts and attachments? Resize photos? Enter your work in the Wordpress platform? Lately, I’ve come across a number of writing positions that require technical mastery as part of the criteria. How would you measure up?

Now that you know what you can expect, here are some timely tips to help you score more gigs and ace more writing-related exams:

Be prepared.This is more than a Boy Scouts’ motto. It’s a mandate for writers who are serious about competing for top paying jobs. Preparation should be both mental and physical. For example, prize fighting boxer Muhammad Ali would often repeat: “I am the greatest” to give himself confidence and a winning edge. Your ritual might include a cup of caffeine and a morning prayer. Or it may simply be making sure that the room in which you work is clear of clutter, quiet and comfortable.
Hone your craft to increase your cash.
Never stop learning. Just because you’ve been out of a formal classroom for a while doesn’t mean that you should stop studying. There are an array of books and online classes to brush up on composition skills, literary techniques and grammar basics. Writerscollege.com and Coffeehouseforwriters.com are two popular online providers.
   
Practice makes perfect.
When blogging first came out, I was clueless on how to set up a site and work with gadgets. Technical stuff is not my strong suit. To help to overcome this learning curve, I set up a “dummy” blog, that I would use to test design, formatting, and other applications. After some trial and error, I got it right. Don’t let writing obstacles prevent you from having a prosperous career. Identify your needed areas of weakness, and continuously work on them.
Remember, a well-prepared writer is often a well-paid writer.

Thoughts? Would you take a test for a writing job? Do you think they're necessary?

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Teachable Moments - Lessons on Writing From Celebrity Apprentice

Guest Post by Karen Lange

The Celebrity Apprentice grabs me every year about midway through the season. It always surprises me a bit, as television viewing usually gets trumped (no pun intended!) by my first loves - reading and writing.

Pondering this, I realized that I enjoy watching the challenges play out between the celebrities. Their interaction is a fascinating study in human character. The tasks are interesting and provide ideas, as my mind is always on alert for a different angle for my writing. It is refreshing too, to see the importance placed on charitable giving in a world wrapped up in the “me, myself, and I” mentality.

If you aren’t familiar with the show, Donald Trump invites celebrities to compete and raise money for charity. Trump divides the group into two teams and assigns a task that focuses on product marketing. The teams choose a project manager and put together an advertising package. Mr. Trump and other professionals choose the winning team, whose manager wins money for their charity. A member of the losing team is fired. Teams are whittled down to two celebrities who face off in the final episode for the title of Celebrity Apprentice.


While contemplating my interest in the show, it struck me that there were parallels between The Celebrity Apprentice and writing. See if you agree.

1) It’s all about the angles. The week’s task is the same for both groups. Each group, however, pulls it off using a different approach. Similarly, we have the opportunity to put our unique spin on our work. Writing a piece on the Civil War? Why not write it through the eyes of the women and children left at home? Pitching a travel article? Highlight out of the way, yet fabulous destinations.

2) Don’t whine. Not only is it unbecoming, it is immature and unprofessional. When the limo whisks the newly fired celebrity away, who earns your respect, the celebrities who point fingers and complain? Or the ones who say they are grateful for TCA experience or comment on "how cool is it to be fired by Mr. Trump?” Editors and clients don’t want griping or excuses. Writers who talk and work like an adult get more work.

3) Be respectful. This should be a given, but when emotions run high, judgment can be impaired. Was NeNe Leakes’ angry tirade at Star Jones productive? On the contrary, it may have cost NeNe’s team the win. The old adage, “Do unto others…” goes a long way in business. Respect and good etiquette are professional. Period.

4) Learn from mistakes. To help determine which two make it to the finale, Trump has the 2008, 2009, and 2010 TCA winners interview the last four celebrities. Trump weighs his decision heavily on these interviews. The celebs who were cut may be rethinking what they said during this process. Once those words were launched, though, there was no taking them back. Real life offers few do-overs, but there’s valuable insight gained for next time around.

5) Everything’s better with editing. The creators of TCA wade through lengthy footage before an episode airs. Editing provides a balance for an appealing show. Thankfully, we can tap into good resources such as word processing programs, books and articles, editors, and critique partners to polish our work.

6) Aim high. The stars look to win challenges and ultimately the title of The Celebrity Apprentice. This year’s final two – Marlee Matlin and John Rich – made it that far because they set their eyes on the prize. Their determination and hard work paid off. We too, can set high, yet realistic goals by being teachable and polishing our skills to reap first-rate results.


We may never gain quite the fame as The Celebrity Apprentice gang but we can have a rewarding and successful writing career. Are you up for the challenge?

Thoughts? Which lesson resonates most for you?

BIO:
Karen Lange is a writer, blogger, and online writing instructor at the Coffeehouse for Writers. Her articles have appeared in parenting, educational, and writing publications. Visit her blog at karenelange.blogspot.com.

Image Michal Marcol

Confessions of a "Kept" Writer...

In an industry of fleeting relationships, and "here today gone tomorrow" dynamics, I have maintained professional partnerships that have "stuck" like weight gain after Christmas.
Even during tough economic times, I have kept many of the same clients and editors over the years. Faithfully.

As a "kept" writer, I've also been fortunate to enjoy "spoils" not afforded to every freelancer.
Word to the wise: not every writer has to be a "starving artist." Much like a romantic relationship, it all depends upon what you are willing to bring to the table, and what you are willing to accept, in terms of treatment.

Though a "kept" woman should never kiss and tell, I disclose this information not for the purpose of bragging, but for the sake of enlightenment.

Here are some of the perks of being a "kept" writer, (that you won't necessarily discover in the "fine print," writer's guidelines, or compensation clause):

• Better pay than what is posted as "standard" freelance rates. In other words, if a publication pays its writers 10 cents a word, I typically make 15 cents. Though this is not true for all the magazines I write for, over the last few years, it's been more of a rule than an exception.
• Periodic pay increases without formally requesting a raise. Recently, I was surprised to discover that one of my favorite editors had tacked on $25.00 extra to my PayPal pay, for an assignment, with a personal note that she was giving me a raise in appreciation of my contributions and consistency.
• Quicker response times from busy editors.
• Choice assignments.
• Better rates on reprints. For example, I just "re-sold" an article for $100.00. Though in all fairness, I should also establish that the article was expanded from the original version.   

Here are a few pointers on how you too can become "kept."

• Have a good work ethic and a professional attitude.

I remember a long time ago, when I served as an editor for a regional publication, I hired a woman who had the "delivery" skills of Michael Jordan. There was just one problem. She was a "diva" who was demanding and difficult to work with. As a result, she didn't stay in the game very long.

•   Be reliable.

You can possess Pulitzer potential, but if editors, clients and publishers can't rely on you to meet important deadlines, you're not worth much.

• Keep Confidences.

Sure, you may want to boast about that great ghost writing gig for a celebrity, or share some juicy gossip you heard from a fellow writer about a well known editor. Keep it to yourself, or write it in your diary. Remember, "loose lips sink ships!"

• Turn in quality work consistently. 

Anybody can produce a good article, blog post, or E-book, one time, with a little luck and a little creativity. The true "litmus test" comes in when you can maintain high standards over time.

• Have a unique "voice," an informed perspective, and the courage to speak your own truths.

Dare to be different.

Besides the benefits listed above, being "kept" can save today's writer time, energy and stress--particularly when it comes to scouring job boards for new clients, pitching publications, and other marketing efforts. The less rotation the better.

So follow these savvy tips, and discover the joys of being "kept," darling. :-)

Thoughts? Questions? Anything I should add?


Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Failure to Launch! The Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make in Transitioning to Full-time Freelancing

 

Guest Post By: Yuwanda Black
 
I’ve been in the editorial/publishing industry since 1987 and I’ve been freelancing since 1993. I owned/operated an editorial staffing agency in New York City from 1996 to 2004, interviewing and hiring/firing tons of freelancers. I held my last full-time job – while freelancing on the side – in 2007.

As you can see, I’ve been on both sides of the freelance hiring desk and I’ve done it while working full-time and part-time. I recount all this to underscore that what I’m about to tell you comes from a healthy dose of first-hand experience.

You can read what others have gone through and you can think you know what it’s all about if you freelance on the side, but nothing could have prepared me for the joys and pitfalls of being a full-time freelance writer.

FYI, there have been far more joys than pitfalls. And speaking of pitfalls, here we’ll discuss the top five mistakes freelancers make – in my opinion – when transitioning from a full-time job to the wonderful world of freelancing fulltime.

1. Not treating freelancing like a business: Plain and simple, when you freelance, you’re starting a small business. Too many freelancers aren’t prepared for this.

It doesn’t mean you have to go out and get papers on your business (ie, incorporate it), but it does mean that you have to become organized as far as keeping receipts; budgeting for expenses; learning about tax write-offs (or hiring an accountant to handle it for you); etc.

If you don’t make this mental switch when you give notice at your full-time job, not only will freelancing be a nightmare for you, tax time might be too.

Because of my lack of knowledge and preparation, I once wound up owing Uncle Sam a whopping $17,000 in taxes – and I didn’t have the money to pay it when I filed. It took me about three years to pay off this tax bill and you’d better believe I ran to a small business accountant to get my affairs in order after that.

2. Procrastinating; goofing off: One of the best habits I’ve gotten into as a full-time freelance writer is time-blocking my days.

I time-block my days down to the hour. This way, if I’m tempted to spend too much time surfing or am just having one of those off days where I can’t decide what to work on, all I have to do is look at my calendar to see exactly what I should be doing at that hour.

Remember, your daily calendar is simply a breakdown of the lifetime hopes and dreams you want to achieve – chopped up into daily increments. If you goof off today, what dreams are you NOT achieving tomorrow?

Now, does this mean I never goof off or always finish everything on my daily calendar? Of course not; in fact, most days I don’t finish all of my duties. But it does keep me on track, which means I don’t waste a lot of time and move closer to my long-term goals every day.

This is empowering!

3. Underestimating how much time they need to spend on marketing: Marketing is the lifeblood of every business – especially a new business. Freelance writing is no different.

In the beginning, upwards of three-quarters of your time should be spent on marketing in my opinion. After all, if you don’t market to bring in jobs, all that other stuff you think it is so important won’t mean jack – because you’ll be out of business before you ever get in business good if you don’t land jobs

So once you have your web presence up and your writing samples done, turn your attention to marketing. FYI, learn what to put on your freelance writing website to attract clients.

Speaking to this point, in the open thread, How Much Time Do You Spend on Marketing? on the uber-popular freelance blog, Freelance Folder, freelancers weighed in on this topic. Some said they spent “2-8 hours a day marketing;” others spent only “4-8 hours a week marketing.”

The editor summed up the overall message though, writing:

Something that most non-freelancers don’t realize is that it take an awful lot of marketing effort to build a successful freelancing business. The time that you spend marketing your freelance business is not time that you are getting paid for.
In fact, I’ve read where some freelancing gurus recommend spending at least half of your working time on marketing.

How much time you spend marketing for freelance writing jobs will ultimately depend on where you are in your career.

BUT . . .

The one thing that you should be clear about is that you should get on a regular marketing system. Marketing is a never-ending job. It’s the reason McDonald’s still runs TV ads; why Nike pays super-sportsmen like Tiger Woods a fortune; and why Bank of America runs web ads.

No matter how big you get – you will drop out of the consciousness of your target market if you’re not consistently putting yourself out there. This goes for big and small businesses alike.

Never, ever forget this.

4. Undercharging: This is a common mistake that almost all small business owners suffer from. While the reasons for this vary, the most common one is fear – as in fear of losing / not attracting clients.

SCORE (the SBA’s Service Corps of Retired Executives mentoring professionals) explains on their site why you shouldn’t be afraid to charge appropriately for your services, stating:

Generally, the tendency is to under price because small businesses are often afraid they won't be competitive if they price at the level of the competition. Maintaining competitiveness is always an issue, of course, but by charging too little a small company runs the risk of not making enough to remain in business. [And] Charging less can help you increase your total hours billed, but you run the risk of attracting customers who are looking only for the lowest price. They'll be gone as soon as the next new kid on the block contacts them with an even lower price.

My pat advice in this area is, “Forget what others say, charge what you need to make a living.”

But, DO hunker down and really get to know your numbers (ie, all of your living and business expenses), including taxes you will owe as a self-employed individual.

This brings me to the last mistake many make when transitioning from full-time employment to freelancing fulltime, which is . . .

5. Underestimating – and not putting aside – tax money: To avoid this, I set aside money from every payment I receive in my PayPal account (which is the account that 99.9 percent of my freelance income flows through).

So if I sell an ebook for $19.95, a certain part of that goes into a separate tax account. If a client pays an $895 invoice, or if a student signs up for a $297 freelance writing e-course – a portion of each payment is allocated for taxes.

I may make the transfer to my tax account once a day or several times a week, but I always know that before I transfer any monies from PayPal to my personal bank account, a portion of the proceeds must be transferred to my tax account.

I have a separate bank account that I use just for taxes. This way, when I file my quarterly or annual taxes, the funds can be taken right from that account. I never have to worry about if I’ll have the money to pay my taxes – I always do.

Freelance Writers: Wondering How to Figure Out How Much You’ll Owe in Taxes?

Here’s a great chart that will give you a “quick and dirty” idea of what you’ll owe in taxes as a freelancer based on your income, deductions, etc.

The last thing you want to do is owe Uncle Sam – trrruusssst me on this. The interest and penalties pile on so quickly, it’ll make borrowing from the mob seem like a good idea. So plan for this from day one of freelancing full-time – even if you discard every other piece of advice I’ve outlined here.

And … welcome to the wonderful world of freelancing. The only regret I have is that I didn’t take the plunge – fulltime – sooner!

 About the Author:

 Yuwanda Black heads New Media Words, an SEO writing company, and is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com, a blog devoted to helping others start successful freelance writing careers. She's also the developer of two e-classes and the author of over 50 ebooks, most of which cover some aspect of freelance writing. 





Thoughts? Any of these you agree with, readers? Do tell.

Image: "5" Freedigitalphotos.net

How to Have a "Productive" Blog Break!

I know, you’re probably thinking that this chick has truly flipped.

In your mind, you’re likely saying that the whole purpose of a “break” is to get away from the demands of blogging and writing, and wrestling with writer’s block, and the whole kit and kaboodle of the creative scene. Duh? J

Therefore, a productive blog break would be a bit of a contradiction.
And you’d be right to some extent. But, work doesn’t have to be another four-letter dirty word, even when your resolve is to just kick back, relax, and unplug for a week or two.

In fact, let’s be honest here. Even when our computers are unplugged our brains ain’t!
Vacation or no vacation, most “serious” writers can’t help but brainstorm future blog ideas, or take notes on character development for their novel in progress, or figure out how to turn that trip to a far-away city into a travel writing piece. It’s a work related hazard.

We’re all on the “same page” with this.

But, like most things, it all comes down to perspective. And you might be surprised to learn that “selective activities” can actually inspire you to new heights, enhance your writing goals, provide fun, and allow you to re-enter your blog world with a fresh perspective and renewed commitment.

It does for me. Today I’ll share a few secrets to having a bodacious blog break, that includes work, but won’t cause you to break a sweat, or leave you feeling fatigued.

　
WHY A “WORKING” BLOG BREAK WORKS…

First, a little background here. I’ve been “professionally” blogging for over four years. In that time, I’ve created close to 500 posts; typically publishing a post 2 to 3 times a week. And did I mention guest posting? As much as I love it, it can be very time consuming and grueling. For this reason, I take a blog break a few times a year--usually around summer, my birthday, and the Christmas holiday.

Still, I don’t totally disengage, or bury my head in the sand. Rather, I choose my blogging projects more selectively.

A “working” blog break allows me to make my own schedule for creativity, without pressure. It allows me to revisit my blog with a fresh pair of eyes, plan, and rethink my strategy for promoting my work as a whole. And it can for you too.

　
HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTED PROJECTS AND PRACTICES TO CONSIDER ON YOUR NEXT BLOG BREAK …

Guest post on other sites. While you may typically pen epic posts for your readership, there are some very worthy sites that require posts with low word counts of 250-300 words. The benefit here? It doesn’t require a major time commitment, it puts your work before new audiences, and it helps build relationships with other bloggers.

Submit to “reprint” markets. This is a great way of “working smarter, not harder.” For example, recently, I sent off a piece to Writers on the Move blog, that previously sold to Funds for Writers for 50 bucks. This gives me more mileage for my writing efforts.
Catch up on reading and commenting on your favorite blogs. Sometimes, with all the demands of daily life, and trying to maintain our own blogs, we don’t get the opportunity to visit other sites and “weigh in” on interesting topics. Doing so helps to broaden our perspective, keep us informed, and maybe even come up with new ideas for our own spot. Additionally, it can create a win/win situation in that many times when we comment at other’s sites, they will reciprocate at our blogs.

Attend a Webinar.

These web-based seminars can help bloggers to hone their craft and increase their cash. The bonus here is that many are free, and they can be “attended” in the privacy of your own home.

Tweet your “peeps”.

Got an important project you’d like to promote? A contest that you’re sponsoring at your blog? A question for an interview? Know a fellow blogger worth following? A blog break is a great time to connect with others, spread the word on what’s going on in your corner of the world, or share quality content via social media circles, (without sacrificing time from money-making projects).

Guest post outside of your niche.

It’s fun, allows you to capitalize on other interests and skill sets, and can attract different audiences to your blog. Make sure to include a link to your site in your bio, with your submission.
　These are just a few ways to get more “bang” out of your next blog break, and to provide enough balance and interest to go the distance.

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