Tag: writing

Resolutions: Writing and Reading

Sara Moser9 Comments

I used to be a bookworm. I was one of those kids who read everything I could get my hands on, and my favorite position for reading was hanging upside down from a big overstuffed chair.

When I was 12, I read Gone with the Wind in a week. I remember being enthralled with the story, reading every spare moment.  I love mysteries, science fiction, biographies, drama, fantasy, and when I was teenager, Harlequin romances. I went through a phase of reading lots of self-help books and religious books. I’ve read much less for about the last ten years, and I blame the internet for that!

When I was raising my kids, I tried to pre-read the books they wanted to read. It worked for the older ones, but #7 was even more prolific then I ever was, so she got to read whatever she could lay her hands on.

Over time, I’ve purged my library. Mostly what I have now is collections of children’s books that I can’t bear to part with.  Some were my kids, some were mine as a child. I have Dr. Seuss (my favorite is The King’s Stilts), little Golden, Nancy Drew, and some from a children’s book club, Ribsy being an all time favorite.

As I’ve taken up writing this blog, I keep thinking I want to write a book. Actually, I’ve wanted to write a book for years but have buried that desire up until now.  I’d like to write a children’s book, or my life story, a suggestion of a friend of mine. I like the idea, but the thought of actually doing it is still pretty intimidating, mostly because I am still working on finding my voice. The above mentioned dear friend suggested that I read  some books that others have written about their lives as a starting point.

So that’s my plan for 2015.  Here’s my list so far:

1. Drinking: A love story
2. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
3. Liar’s Club
4. Glass Castle
5. Running with Scissors
There’s a wine bar down the street – one of those lovely places with deep old couches and bookshelves and a jukebox. I found this book there:
Having our say
It is the story of two sisters, both over 100 years old, and it is delightful reading, a perfect start to my pre-new years resolution to read!
Do you have any suggestions for books that I might add to my list?

On Blogging

Sara Moser2 Comments

As I fretted about my habit of going to a paying job rather than staying home writing all day, I had an encouraging email show up in my inbox.

I sign up for a lot of lists, then unsubscribe to most of them after they bombard me with their too-frequent sales pitch emails. But this one, I welcome. Maybe partly because I met the author in person, at a social meetup, not too long after I started this blog and was really wondering what I was doing and should I continue, but mostly because I think she has something valid to say and is lowkey and friendly in her approach.

I’ve only met Anne Bechard a couple of times, but she seems like a friend. I hope to be able to talk with her soon (maybe after the holidays), over a glass of wine or dinner, and find out what makes her tick, and hear more about her passion. Word in the street is that she’s writing a book, and I am looking forward to reading it.

Anne’s website is Story Maverick, and she’s got some great information and tips there, especially for beginner bloggers like me. Check it out. She didn’t ask me to promote her and there’s nothing in it for me, just want to share some good information and help everyone out.

She got my attention with this subject line: How to get action on your blog while you work your day job. Just what I needed! (Refer back to my first sentence!)

Here’s a little of what she said:

Let’s face it — whether you go to an office or not, you’ve got a full-time life. And the details never seem to stop. You only have a small window for blogging. But try as you might, no one seems to be reading what you publish.

I’ve been there. It’s discouraging, frustrating, and, ok, embarrassing. But it doesn’t have to be. There really are ways to use your time efficiently when you blog so that once you hit the publish key, people will actually read what you wrote.

Big reveal:
You need a blueprint to sharpen your focus toward your readers while you blog.

Here’s how:
Engage your readers with your unique voice, authenticity, and specific calls to action.

You’re the only one who can tell your story. Sure, we’re not reinventing the wheel here. But seriously — no one says it like you do. When you write in your own unique voice, you share your story more authentically. This is how you persuade and influence your readers to follow through with your specific call to action — whether that’s asking them to comment, or share, or retweet.

Your time is precious. Blogging is a priority for you — but only if you’re getting the results you want. Using a blueprint that focuses on your readers helps you engage your audience with the real you.

She’s got my attention! And I am looking forward to the next email I get from her.

After Thanksgiving

Sara Moser3 Comments

I have had a cold.

I rarely get sick, but when I do, even a little, it puts me in a funk. So I didn’t do the last Photography 101 assignments. I am considering getting a “real” camera, but not sure. I imagine taking award winning photos and becoming famous for my amazing pictures.

I enjoyed Thanksgiving day, partook of a not so traditional meal with a non-traditional family. It was wonderful. Drank a good bit of good red wine. That evening I became feverish with a severe sore throat, but was better by the next morning due to some TLC from Robert and  a long sleep. The rest of the weekend I’ve been congested in my head, have drunk a lot of tea and rested, and am much better. Off to work I go this morning.

I am grateful for my family — scattered grown up children, ghosts of Thanksgivings past, when we’d have small children everywhere, 20+ at the table.

I am grateful for my present day friends – good food, good conversation, laughter and warmth.

I am grateful for my day to day life – the man in my life, the roof over my head, plenty to eat, clothes to wear.

I am grateful for the internet and social media – learning new ways to connect with people all over the world — hearing your thoughts and struggles, hoping to be an encouragement.

May your week after Thanksgiving be a time of renewed connection, mended relationships, and hope.

 

Searching for purpose

Sara Moser5 Comments

“What do I really, really want?”

This is the question that I ask myself often, a soul question.

I have a great job, although it certainly isn’t a passion. I am good at it, I like the security the paycheck gives me, I have a boss who gives me space as well as encouragement. My kids are grown and doing fine, and I have a great life and wonderful partner to share it with.

Yet. Always this question. I know that I want to spend more time outside in nature, more time writing and photographing, more time dabbling in paint and other creative endeavors. I want to travel to places I’ve never been. And I want to find a way to help others live a happier, healthier way.

I’m glad I signed up for Photography 101. I’ve been enjoying the different assignments, although right now I’m rather stuck, and tired of using my phone camera. I want to be able to take beautiful close up shots like these beautiful pelicans.

Blogging 101 has been mostly about how to set up my wordpress site, not so much about writing. Maybe that will come in Blogging 102. It’s been helpful, even stretched me to write a poem one day. I’ve connected with quite a few other bloggers, who inspire me to keep writing, keep taking pictures, keep traveling and experiencing life to the fullest.

As I sat this past weekend, outside on a beautiful day, savoring the sights, sounds, and scents around me, this question formed in my mind: ” God, Great Spirit, Universe – what am I supposed to do? What is my purpose?” I sat in silence for a while, then the realization slowly dawned on me that I can do anything I want. I need to stop looking outside myself for answers, and look within, face my fear (again!), and when I am ready, I will take the next step, whatever that is, and it will be exciting and uncomfortable, scary and exhilarating.

Maybe I should be an advice columnist

Sara MoserLeave a comment

My first post was written during one of those inspirational moments that usually get away from me, but I had been thinking for quite some time about starting a blog, so I just went with it. That post is here. I just reread it myself, to give myself some inspiration. In some ways, I am writing for myself, and if anyone else enjoys it, that’s great. I want to be an encourager for anyone who is struggling with the uncertainty of what is around the next corner, who feels out of control, who may need a shoulder to cry on.

Are you at a place in your life where you want something to change? Maybe you are in a not so great relationship, or have adult children who aren’t following the path you wanted for them, or your health is deteriorating. I have something to offer you.

I’ve been married twice. That means I could look at myself as a failure in relationships. But I’m not. I take those times as a part of my life journey, what I needed to get where I am today. And have found myself, unexpectedly, in a beautiful loving relationship, with an amazing person. I had to change from within before this could happen, and learn to love and take care of myself.

I have 7 incredible children, all grown now, the youngest in college. When they were young, I homeschooled them, taught them what I believed at the the time to be truth, made some huge mistakes, and loved them, imperfectly, through it all. I have learned great things from each of them, and in spite of me they all think for themselves and are on their own beautiful journeys.

I have always pursued healthy living. When I was younger, I was sort of a Mother Earth, very thrifty, made things like bread and yogurt from scratch, had a garden,ate a lot of beans and whole grains. I’ve gone through some periods of not so healthy eating, but know that I feel better and function better when I eat to make my body and mind happy. Now I am interested in Ayurveda, and also believe that as I think, so I am.

These three topics are where my wisdom and experience lie. I could write a lot about any of them. I’m a Registered Nurse, but don’t like traditional medicine. I’ve thought about making career changes – becoming a psychotherapist, or a writer, a health or life coach. I still haven’t decided, but here I am writing, so that’s a start.

What are you struggling with? How can I help? Ask me a question, or share your own wisdom. I’d love to hear from you.