“Don’t get it right, just get it written.” (James Thurber)
When I decided to become a freelance writer I realised very quickly that I would have to practice; building my confidence and finding my own 'voice' was vital and there are few writers that can sit down and write something fit for publication without many re-writes.
Calling my blog 'No wriggling out of writing' was an acknowledgement of all the times in years past when I have sat down to work creatively and then found every reason in the world to put the kettle on, sit down with a cup of tea and write the shopping list instead. This time round things were going to be different. And they have been. More than 150 posts later I am still thinking of new (quite random) topics on which to write and new ways to provoke thought, express frustration or share my view of the world.
I have built up quite a readership and am proud to have found a tiny cramped seat in the back row of the world of litblogging - posts about John Keats and the role of poetry in our lives are some of my 'most-read'. I have met some fantastic people and have contacts out there in the 'blogosphere' who will support my work when I close my eyes and dive, trembling, into the world of publication.
To give myself a new challenge and to run alongside No wriggling I set up The Truth of the Imagination on tumblr and have found it the ideal place to share quotes, snippets of news, links and art that intrigue and inspire me. The main focus is Keats (from whom the title of the blog comes) but I meander off into the worlds of prose, art and history as the fancy takes me.
I would recommend blogging to anyone who wants to hone their writing skills. It offers the opportunity to focus on a particular interest or muse on life, the universe and everything. Even if no-one reads it to start with (and there are some posts that sink without trace on everyone's blog) gradually word of mouth can take you to a following you always dreamed of.
The drop-down list above offers links straight through to both blogs.
Calling my blog 'No wriggling out of writing' was an acknowledgement of all the times in years past when I have sat down to work creatively and then found every reason in the world to put the kettle on, sit down with a cup of tea and write the shopping list instead. This time round things were going to be different. And they have been. More than 150 posts later I am still thinking of new (quite random) topics on which to write and new ways to provoke thought, express frustration or share my view of the world.
I have built up quite a readership and am proud to have found a tiny cramped seat in the back row of the world of litblogging - posts about John Keats and the role of poetry in our lives are some of my 'most-read'. I have met some fantastic people and have contacts out there in the 'blogosphere' who will support my work when I close my eyes and dive, trembling, into the world of publication.
To give myself a new challenge and to run alongside No wriggling I set up The Truth of the Imagination on tumblr and have found it the ideal place to share quotes, snippets of news, links and art that intrigue and inspire me. The main focus is Keats (from whom the title of the blog comes) but I meander off into the worlds of prose, art and history as the fancy takes me.
I would recommend blogging to anyone who wants to hone their writing skills. It offers the opportunity to focus on a particular interest or muse on life, the universe and everything. Even if no-one reads it to start with (and there are some posts that sink without trace on everyone's blog) gradually word of mouth can take you to a following you always dreamed of.
The drop-down list above offers links straight through to both blogs.
