My Journey to Become a Writer 01/05/2024 Post #5

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What Did I Accomplish Today to Be a Writer?

I wrote a song and talked with people as if I actually write, instead of being ashamed to say that.

Fun Fact About Me: I say and write the words “embarrassed”, or “embarrassing”, on a daily basis; but I can barely ever remember the right spelling, so I have to rely on spellcheck.

– Jody Susan

*Editor’s Note: Here’s a tip I just taught myself to remember how to spell embarrassed:

What’s an Easy Way to Spell the Word Embarrassed?

• Look at the word embarrassed: e-m-b-a-r-r-a-s-s-e-d
• Then use the second letter to say, “m” as if thinking while trying to remember these instructions
• The rest are all doubles: take away 2 r’s, 2 a’s, 2 s’s, and 2 e’s (that’s too easy!)
• All you have left that isn’t doubled, is the b and the d (look at that – they are mirror images!)

But I’m digressing…

Back to the daily questions.

How Am I Balancing the Different Aspects of Being a Writer?

I’ve been asked about providing caregiving in the mornings and said at this time I can only do afternoons. I write better earlier in the day, and right now am pretty convinced that this needs to be my priority. Plus, after so much upheaval from the last few years of bouncing from one hard situation to another, while people I love were on Hospice, I am desperate to stay on a routine.

Click here, if you’d like to read my “Morning Routines for Writers” Post.

What I’m Doing About Building a Body of Work as a Writer

I completed Day 5 of the 100 Words a Day Writing Challenge 2024 through LA Writer’s Lab and also participated in Quiet Fridays – a group that meets online to write together, during which, I worked on a song I have been mulling over for a while.

What I’m Doing to Complete My Manuscripts as a Writer

Praying about how to incorporate them into my schedule this year and what goals to set.

My registration for a conference on pitching to an agent is currently in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service.

What I’m Doing to Grow My Website as a Writer

Admitting to people that my website and manuscripts exist.

Stuff I find myself saying: Um, yeah, I have this website. That’s kind of what I work on. And I write.

(Then there’s an awkward pause as I hope that I don’t sound too stupid).

– Jody Susan

What I’m Doing to Build My Blog as a Writer

I went ahead and wrote Day 7 in this series, because I always try to take a day off each week. It’s scheduled to post on 01/07/2024, and that’s pretty much what it says – that I’m resting; but also gives some of my reasons. If that sounds like cheating, I explain in the post.

And here I am, doing Day 5.

What I’m Doing About Networking as a Writer

I don’t know if you’d call this networking, or not. Maybe its just a matter of me recognizing the places I feel completely inadequate and looking for someone who can help… – but does anybody remember the song, “United Breaks Guitars”? It’s a blast from the past; but came to the front of my mind today, when I was writing lyrics and wondering what to do with them.

If you know me, and you know the song, can you guess the subject matter of my song?

Let me know down below in the comments section.

Anyway, in a random turn of events, I somehow wound up on the phone with Dave Carroll, expecting an answering machine; but it was him, so I asked him if he would have any interest in collaborating on my song, or if he could offer any advice.

He was very kind, listened, and gave me gracious encouragement.

https://vimeo.com/253191885

My conversation with him motivated me enough to at least get my microphone out and practice recording some.

I even got out my Neti Pot to try to clear my throat from being sick last month; but then the process went awry, and that salt water went down the wrong tube.

I accidentally threw up.

Sorry for too much detail – I’m just trying to disclose “a day in the life”. Oh dear!

Tangent: I did see two deer run past my window today. The first I’ve seen since I’ve been in this house. I was so glad. 🙂

Not So Fun Fact About Me: Sometimes, even just brushing my teeth makes me about lose my lunch.

I have to be careful, or I totally gag.

– Jody Susan

What I’m Doing About Monetization as a Writer

Nada.

What I’m Doing About Social Media as a Writer

Today I posted the fourth video from my potato sack. Still haven’t gotten to Canva for this, but adding text seemed more self-explanatory this time for some reason.

These are flat out painful for me to watch! This must be what a sixth-grade band teacher feels like, listening to students in September, when they’ve just picked up instruments for the first time. Reminds me of Mary Mack talking about Recorders and Hot Cross Buns.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1vMk9tvbtm

What I’m Doing About Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Writer

I can barely think straight myself right now, so I haven’t done much checking into it today. I did look into Auto-tune, which would be a computer’s way of compensating for my voice, if I do record my song. Does that count?

I’m wondering if Auto-tune does the same thing as TwistedWave, which is what I have.

If you know, or prefer one over the other, please leave a comment down below. Thank you. 🙂

What I’m Doing to Stay Organized as a Writer

Trying not to write too many things on my To-Do List.

Looking Back at My Writing Journey

I saw one of the first books I wrote as a kid in Elementary school sitting in a box today. I can still remember how excited I was to put those books together each year for “Young Author’s Day”. Even back then, I wanted to write.

Any Other Thoughts on Becoming a Writer, Random Rants, Tales, or Trials…

Nope. I’m too tired to reflect. Time to sign off.

What about you? Are you trying to become a writer, or more actively pursuing being creative? Let me know in the comments what you do to stay on track.

Thanks for reading, Jody Susan