My Journey to Become a Writer 02/17/2024 Post #48

This post may contain affiliate links.

What Did I Accomplish Today to Be a Writer?

I did Day 48 of the 100 Words a Day Writing Challenge 2024 through LA Writer’s Lab.  

I “lived through a few stories” trying to set up a second phone number, so that I could have a local business line, because I’ve heard that’s better for SEO. After reading quite a few articles, I settled on getting Google Voice; but then it sounded like I needed to have Google Workspace for that to work.

I sorted through my options and followed a few rabbit trails until I decided on the Business Standard version for $12 a month, rather than Business Plus for $18. When I tried to get started with that, Google sent me to a page that said I could get Business Plus for $21 per month, plus 14 days free.

Wow! Fourteen free days, plus I get to tack on an extra three dollars every time I turn a calendar page. Thanks Google.

I didn’t want the Plus version in the first place; but they had me cornered and wouldn’t let me click Standard no matter how much I tried. My frustration grew – this insistence that I get Plus felt pretty scam-mish; but I did want a phone number, so I went ahead and signed up. Before I knew it, my emails were migrating to a totally different google account, and then I was told I couldn’t upload my logo. Lastly, I was notified that my email account had been suspended – for suspicious activity.

I was trying not to be anxious; but got pretty rattled by that news.

I don’t know how many hours I spent trying to disentangle myself from that mess; but I finally found a way to go back to my old email and get a Google Voice number to go with it. Hopefully my emails won’t be lost in cyber space from me trying to reverse their migration to Workspace back to where they originally belonged.

I went ahead and totally unsubscribed from Google Workspace. Maybe that’s wimpy; but I just don’t have it in me to learn any new systems right now. Between QuickBooks, and Canva, and WooCommerce, and Project 24, and trying to get my manuscript published, plus posting here, I have no tolerance for taking on more technology.

What Am I Afraid of Doing Next in My Journey as a Writer?

I’m afraid I will have lost my emails from trying to migrate them to a different account when I didn’t realize what I was doing.

I’m also scared of not getting my first ten pages turned in on time for my upcoming editing critique.

Stuff I find myself saying:  (Not much – just the sound of a loud exhale)

– Jody Susan

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

I’m trying to keep from having a cluttered head by getting the things that are still packed up in some semblance of order, so I will be free to think more clearly in the coming days. I’m also making an attempt to at least write about the speed bumps, even if I don’t have time to sit down and type like I’d like to.

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

Adding in daily journal entries, responding to writing prompts in classes, and keeping up with these daily posts has been one way I’ve found to keep adding to the content I hope I’ll be able to pull from some day, for future writing projects.

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

Today I sorted through pictures, looking for a cover photo and logo ideas for my upcoming book. Little by little it’s getting closer to being completed.

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

Getting my Google Voice number was something I did as part of my strategy to boost SEO, because from what I understand, having a local line makes it more likely that someone has a legitimate business, which helps the site get promoted by search engines.

I filled out my Google Business Profile online, so that I can be found by people who do a search for me.

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

Today I was kicking around ideas about making some summary posts from these daily journals. I just haven’t gotten around to doing that yet; but hope to soon.

Not so Fun Fact About Me:  My refrigerator stopped cooling last week. I spent this morning cleaning out the coils after having defrosted it. Hopefully now it will start working again.

What I’m Doing About Networking as a Writer

I didn’t do anything active in this category today; but did toy around with the idea of doing interviews with a few people for a podcast series. We shall see.

What I’m Doing About Monetization as a Writer

Here’s another update of not having done anything in this arena. Hopefully it will happen soon.

What I’m Doing About Social Media as a Writer

I didn’t do anything about Social Media today. I’d like to get to a place where I can draw from my web content to establish a consistent posting plan; but there’s still too much clutter on my To Do list.

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

Getting a local number through Google Voice and setting up my Google Business Profile should help my site be picked up by AI a little more readily.

What I’m Doing to Stay Organized as a Writer

I’ve been sorting through pictures today, filing albums as I do, hoping someday to pull them out for use in future manuscripts.

Looking Back at My Writing Journey

I’m just thankful to have gotten through with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles yesterday. It’s been a long week, and I’m ready to rest.

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

Someday I’m going to start actually writing again – beyond just daily updates – hopefully that’s coming soon.

Thanks for reading what I’m writing,

Jody Susan

As I think back on yesterday, when the lady at the BMV suggested I just go ahead and say my hair is gray, so I won’t have to change it in the future, this post makes me smile:

Starting Chemo