This is the 3rd in a series of articles about maintaining a column or a blog. Read the entries dated December 23 and 24.<\/p>\n
How does one actually come up with ideas for an ongoing column or blog? Here are some of my recommendations: <\/p>\n
Write About What You Know<\/strong> Write About Things You Want to Know<\/strong> Share Your Experiences<\/strong> Relate the Experiences of Others<\/strong> Look Everywhere For Article Ideas<\/strong> Stop, Look and Listen<\/strong> Keep Up With the News<\/strong> Use the Internet<\/strong> Write From the Heart<\/strong> As you can see, coming up with ideas for your column or blog site is as easy as paying attention to the world around you.<\/p>\n Who Are We?<\/strong> I am the Executive Director of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) and I\u2019ve achieved my Advanced Toastmaster Silver. I work with other writers and authors\u2014offering editing and coaching services for their publishing projects. Learn more about Patricia Fry here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/consulting.html<\/a>. Contact me at PLFfry620@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n Patricia Fry to Teach Two Online Courses<\/strong> On January 12, 2010, my online Book Promotion Workshop begins. This workshop runs $200 for 6 weeks. Learn more about what it involves at http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_bookpromotion<\/a> <\/p>\n Let me know if you\u2019re interested in my article-writing course, PLFry620@yahoo.com
\nWhat skills do you have? What are your interests and hobbies? What insights have you gained over the years? Presumably, your column or blog has a theme, so you\u2019ll want to focus on what you know about your topic. Let\u2019s say that your column relates to cats and that you have a Maine coon cat, a part Siamese and a tabby and you have traveled with the tabby several times. You can start out writing about your own cats, the breeds of cats that you know, how to handle the litter box situation with multiple cats, how to travel with cats and what denotes a tabby, for example.<\/p>\n
\nA good way to learn about something is to write about it. As an example, I suffered a slight spell of heat fatigue once. Out of curiosity, I researched heat-related illnesses and then wrote a couple of articles on the topic.<\/p>\n
\nWe once found ourselves taking care of an older horse. If I was writing a column or a blog on horses, at that time, I could have written about our trials with this aged equine. <\/p>\n
\nTap into the life adventures of family, friends and acquaintances. For your cat column, you might write about your neighbor\u2019s experience with a cat that was poisoned by nibbling on a lily and how to prevent cat dangers around the home.<\/p>\n
\nWhile most people complain about standing in line or waiting for the doctor or dentist, I consider these opportunities. My long-distance grandparenting book resulted from a conversation I overheard while standing in line at the grocery store. <\/p>\n
\nPay attention to the world around you. Notice what people are doing and listen to what they\u2019re saying. Other people are excellent resources for a columnist or blogger.<\/p>\n
\nYour newspaper is brimming with column and blog ideas. Read it everyday from cover to cover. <\/p>\n
\nWhile surfing the web, you\u2019ll come up with stories for your column or blog, experts you can interview and quote, and good ideas to write about within your theme. I particularly find other blogs and columns useful.<\/p>\n
\nWhat are you passionate about? How would you like to make a difference? Being a columnist or a blogger provides the unique opportunity to teach, help, inform and share what\u2019s in your heart. If you are an advocate for spay\/neuter, caring for cat colonies, stricter regulations for cat breeders, etc., here\u2019s your chance to share your thoughts and feelings about these issues.<\/p>\n
\nTo remind you: I\u2019m Patricia Fry. I\u2019ve been writing for publication for over 35 years, having contributed hundreds (maybe thousands) of articles to about 300 different national and regional magazines. I have 29 books to my credit (number 30 is in the works). My writing focus for the last ten years is writing and publishing. If you are a new or struggling author, you must read my 5-star book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em><\/strong>.
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n
\nJanuary 5, 2010, Successful Book Proposal Course. This course runs 8 weeks (or work through the course faster, if you like). Learn more about what to expect here:
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_bookproposal.htm<\/a>
\nFor $200 you get one-on-one guidance through the process of writing a complete book proposal during the 8 weeks, only.<\/p>\n
\nSPAWN members get $25 off each course.<\/p>\n