Confident Writing

A Celebration of Independence

Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.
Matisse

Happy 4th July to all my readers in the U.S. 

And a happy Friday to creative, independent writers and thinkers everywhere.

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

PS If you're looking for some weekend distractions you can still take part in the "do you need to take a blogging break?" quiz... or take a few minutes to help us plan our writing workshops in Italy for next spring (short customer survey on shape, length, content of workshops)

Photo Credit: Boom!2 by spatulated on Flickr

Why I've Lost Confidence in TypePad

I've been blogging with TypePad since a year last March, but I think we're close to the point of parting company.

Like many people blogging for business I went with TypePad as an easy way to get started, with the techy stuff pretty much done behind the scenes, allowing you to focus on the content, then just "press and post". 

I developed the Coaching Wizardry blog from there (it's still there), set up Confident Writing, and used it for other projects too like promoting the writing workshops we're running in Italy (though I've moved it a WordPress based site now) and some personal or experimental sites too - capturing learning points, or toying with some new ideas to see how they would look and sound in a blog.  (It's very easy to set up a new site once you've got a Pro account with them.)

I knew the design limitations of TypePad of course which became more obvious once we started working on the redesign here (and hats off to Cat Morley for mastering enough of Advanced TypePad from a cold start to work the wonders that she did).

But I still felt safe with TypePad - like it was a safe if constraining option until the time came to make the move.

Things changed about a month ago.  It was small-ish things at first.  The comment feed stopped working.  People mentioned they were having some problems posting comments (I know that's not small but it wasn't catastrophic.) 

Then it got stranger. 

Two thirds of my categories stopped showing up.  They were still there and I could get them from a very circuitous route but they were no longer visible to readers and visitors (which is the point of having them after all).

Then stranger still.

I'd been spending some time on the old Absorbing Writing blog to take things down after I'd transferred the content to the new site.  I noticed that there were about 30 categories showing when there should have been about 8, and there were several entries for "food and drink" and "travel"... which when clicked, took you direct to totally unrelated blogs, both those that were 'out there' like this one and some I'd just been playing with - on walks on the west coast, family history and so on.

A few days later I noticed the design from Coaching Wizardry had taken on the design from the old blog we had for the writing workshops in Italy.  From my dashboard I could see the original design applied, but from outside looking in it had turned into something else.

The blogs seemed to be morphing into each other!

I finally got a 'resolution' and answer to this yesterday

You may have noticed some changes going on with TypePad. We are in the process of migrating TypePad, adding new features, and updating the service. The content in your account was not migrated successfully, and we had to manually correct your account which took some time. You should not encounter any further problems now that your account has been fixed.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciated your patience while we worked to resolve the problem.

I checked the blogs with the problems and all seemed to be okay. 

Except...

A few hours later when I came back here I could see the design was gone.

Well I know the design is still here, I can see it from the dashboard, but it's not what you'd see if you looked (don't look! it's not nice)

It's been overlaid with another design, sidebar, set of welcoming links. There's no archive, no comments, no categories, no information on who I am and what I do...

I know this is fixable.  Hopefully they'll fix it very soon.

But the problem for me is this: I no longer trust the system. 

I don't have faith or confidence in a system that allows this kind of contamination between separate blogs to take place.  (Is there a technical word for this? Contamination is how it feels to me.)

So, for now: apologies to all of you who come here and wonder why things are missing and why the place looks so strange. I hope it'll be fixed soon - but it's out of my hands when that will be.

I'll be making the switch to WordPress as soon as I can.

Meantime I hope TypePad gets itself sorted soon, not just for me, but for the many thousands of people who use it as a supposedly safe, simply and easy way to start blogging for business.

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

Is It Time To Take A Blogging Break? Take This Test and Find Out

Is it time for you to take a blogging break?

Maybe the time you're spending online is affecting your writing... or your life?

Take this (not 100% serious or scientifically proven) test and find out.

Is It Time For A Blogging Break?

(just follow the link to take the test)

Editor's note:

The quiz has been created with survey gizmo - I wanted to do an experiment here ahead of some quizzes and surveys I want to add to Powerful Web Content.  Any feedback on how easy (or otherwise) it is to do the quiz gratefully received.

Apologies to those of you reading in the southern hemisphere.  The quiz is based around the idea that we're moving into the height of summer.  (Though if you were in Scotland you  might find that quite an alien concept too).

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

Photo Credit: Mediterranean Clyde by Joanna Young on flickr

Writing with Freedom: a Theme for the Summer

It's the 1st of July which means the start of the new Confident Writing theme: writing with freedom.

I'm not entirely sure where this one's going to take us - which seems appropriate for a freestyle theme - but highlights will include:

• A quiz... a first here and something of an experiment... coming very soon

• News on a competition tied in with the writing workshops in Italy

• A photo-blogging version of a group writing project (in August, ie still planning it!)

• A round up of the powerful poems that ask purposeful questions

• Guest posts: from some well kent* faces and some new names

• Slower schedule to suit the summer months (a highlight for me, maybe for you too?)

• Sharing of words, thoughts and ideas about writing freely, the freedom to write, and what happens when the words run free

What am I missing here?  What would you love to see featured in the next two months on writing with freedom?

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I write here based on time-limited themes: monthly, six-weekly or, for freedom, covering the next two months (July and August)

To make sure you don't miss a post do keep in touch: by RSS feed, by e-mail, or by weekly digest (a summary of headlines that goes to your inbox once a week)

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

* well kent = well known

Photo Credit: Daisy Path by Joanna Young on flickr

How Purpose Beats The Inner Critic

Have you ever had one of those times when you're ready to start something creative - writing, painting, photography - and your inner critic kicks in, ruining the moment?  He (for mine is a he) starts to mutter about how hopeless you are, how your work will never be adequate to the task, how it's probably not worth you starting.

I had an attack of that a few weeks ago.  It wasn't about writing, but I think the lessons apply equally well to the writing task.

Time To Get Creative

I was heading off for a long anticipated walk in the west highlands.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  I had my camera with me - I always enjoy taking photos in the highlands, the light is so wonderful and the landscape inspirational.

What was different this time though: it was just a day after I'd signed up to join Amy Palko's Photography Less Ordinary group on Flickr.  I was hoping to get a picture that would be good enough to share with that group.

But as I started the walk I could feel my feet starting to drag.  My camera felt like a dead weight in my pocket.  I didn't want to take it out and start taking pictures.  I didn't even want to get to the start of the loch and the open vista of the hills - because I didn't want to have to take a picture of them. 

What on earth was going on?

The Inner Critic

My inner critic was running rampant.  The inner narrative was going something like this:

• You need to take a picture that's good enough, interesting enough, out of the ordinary
• You need to take something that's good enough for such a creative group
• You need to take something that's good enough for Amy
• You'll never manage it
• You don't know anything about photography
• You're not creative
• You're not like those other people on the group
• You're trying to mix with other people who are not like you
• You don't how what you're looking for
• You don't know how to frame things in an interesting way

Yikes! No wonder I didn't want to take any photographs. 

My inner critic was focusing on the reactions of other people: the desire to please them, the hope of meeting their (imagined) expectations, the fear of anticipated criticism

I took a deep breath, and shifted focus.

Focus On Your Purpose

I thought about writing with purpose, and what I'd say to someone who was trying to write something creative and found themselves in the same tangled knot.  I'd say find the positive purpose.  A purpose that might be for other people - a gift, a lesson, a thanks - but didn't require or depend on their approval.  And then focus on that positive intention.  That purpose.

So I looked for mine:

• To be mindful as I walked
• To share my love for the landscape
• To notice some of the wild flowers
• To express gratitude for my environment
• To experiment and see what happened

All of these were entirely within my gift.  No one could judge them 'good enough' (or not).  The last one was particularly liberating, freeing me up to experiment, and see what happened.

And that's what I did - on the walk, and on Flickr for the last four weeks.  Taking pictures, playing with editing, experimenting, learning, sharing.  It's a been a bundle of fun, learning, friendship and creativity.

I'm actually very proud of my photographs - and ready to share some of them now - but that's not really the point.  The point for me is that I don't really mind if you like them or not because I like them, and I'm enjoying myself.  I'm creating, and learning, and feeling mindful as I go.

And guess what: I can't see that inner critic for dust.

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This post concludes the series on writing with purpose... leading nicely into writing with freedom (maybe purpose can help to free our words?)

For more on writing, editing, creativity and the inner critic check out these posts at Brain Based Biz (and some great conversations in the comment box)

Why does creativity shut down if you try to edit too?

Find oomph in creative editing! (based on a long comment from yours truly)

The photo mosaic is based on some of the photos I took on that walk:

1. Leaning tree, 2. Loch Eck, 3. Frame, 4. Blue and Green, 5. Picnic Spot, 6. Reeds, 7. A Walk In Late May, 8. Lochside Reflections, 9. Grassy view, 10. End Of The Walk, 11. Gorse Bush, 12. Golden Wonder, 13. Morning glory, 14. Wild Flowers, 15. Rhododendron in bud, 16. Rhododendron: In Bud

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

Writing With Freedom: Want To Write A Guest Post?

My theme for the next two months is going to be freedom:

The freedom to write, freeing up our words, words that make you feel free, what happens when the words want to run free...

The theme and the time span (two months not one) is partly to give me space and permission to free my own words a bit, to take some time off for a holiday, and manage my house move and transition to different part of the country.

I'd like to feature a few guest posts over that period, on the theme of freedom.  Do let me know if you're interested in sharing your words here.  (An e-mail is fine, we can sort what, how and when after that: joanna@confidentwriting.com)

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

The Look of a Fire-Breathing Writing Dragon

Remember the fire-breathing writing dragon? 

Here's how the post looks on Wordle.

Almost dragon shaped isn't it?

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Wordle allows you to create visual representations of your words using tag clouds, emphasising the most frequently used words. 

Thanks to wonderwebby for slowing me down and tempting me to go and experiment.  I'd seen various iterations doing the rounds, but hers was the first version that made me want to go and try it.

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

Are You Clear On Your Blogging Purpose?

It was great to get so much positive feedback on the new website and business venture: Powerful Web Content. 

I have to say it makes it a whole lot less daunting to launch something new when you've got a network of supporters and cheerleaders behind you!  Thank you.

There was one comment here though that really hit the nail on the head about the significance of this move for me. 

It was from Managing With Aloha Coach, Rosa Say.

She was reflecting on the huge shifts that are taking place in the world of business blogging, and the decisions that people need to make about how (or if) they adapt.  Here's an extract - the whole comment is worth reading for her perspective on this:

What “seasoned bloggers” viewed the blogscape to be is no longer familiar territory, and social media is eroding their blog-reading faithful at a rapid clip. I think the confusion falls within the realization that a blog community is not necessarily the same as a business website community, and many of us have been trying to blend them.

Our earlier success at it may have given us a false sense of security and some blinders we now have to strip away in going forward. How unemotionally can we do that? Better yet, will there be a new blend that is possible and that may be emerging if only we can train our focus (and very powerful intentions) on seeing it?

My answer was yes: a new blend is possible.  The possibilities are pretty well limitless if you train your focus on seeing it - and get clear on your blogging purpose.

I believe a new blend is entirely possible but it all stems from knowing your purpose. That's the hard bit. The technology and the systems are there to allow us to do most anything.

Of course once you're clear on your purpose it all starts to become fun and easy. You can go out looking for things that will help you deliver it, believing that they exist, and finding them. And nearly all of them are free or very low cost. How astonishing is that!

The language and labels matter too of course. I thought long and hard about how to describe the new site, service and product and powerful web content was the best thing I could come up with. It wasn't just blogging.

Blogging is a tool, a means to an end.

The most significant milestone for me is getting clear on my blogging purpose. 

Once that bit's done the rest becomes easy.  It turns into the search - for software, people, tools, themes, designs, systems, advice, e-books, downloads - that will help you deliver it.  And it's all out there. 

In fact there's so much out there you can get distracted, without difficulty, by the latest wheeze or new-fangled toy.  The trick is in working out which ones you need, and which ones will serve your purpose.

I'm not saying I've mastered how to do this - just that I've got clear on where I'm going (for now) and why.  Going to Chicago was a big part of that for me.  Sharing ideas here and at Grow Your Writing Business on what we mean by blogging helped me move my thinking forward.

And writing about purpose for 6 weeks has got me doing just that: becoming more purposeful.  (Isn't it wonderful how our words and our writing can help us find the answers we're looking for?)

I know I'm not the only one who's getting clear on my purpose. 

Amy Palko has relaunched her site to give herself the room to grow in a Less Ordinary way. 

Rosay Say has moved to a weekly publishing schedule at her coaching site, leaving her room for conversation and talking story at... yes Talking Story.

Brad Shorr has focused his blog content around his purpose: to help businesses start connecting.

How about you?  Are you clear on your blogging purpose?  What would help you most to think things through?

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This piece was written in response to a conversation about setting up my new business site: Powerful Web Content.  That includes a coaching service to help you refocus your blog if you feel you've got stuck or lost direction.  Please do get in touch if you're interested.

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

Photo Credit: The photo is a self-portrait of sorts, taking a picture of the Chicago skyline reflected in the Cloud Gate.  It's Picturing Chicago by Joanna Young on Flickr

Thanks Everyone

Thanks everyone for your comments, tweets, links, e-mails and visits to the new site. 

Your support and encouragement help to keep my light burning bright.

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Billboard created at Big Huge Labs from an original photo of mine on Flickr: Burning Light. 

It's sunset over the water at Stein, Isle of Skye.

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

Introducing Powerful Web Content

The focus on purpose this month has seen me reflecting on my own purpose: writing, blogging, business, personal, life purpose - and how they do, or don't, support each other.  I've also been distilling and applying the learning points from SobCon08, in particular about business and blogging.

To keep a very long story short, I'm going to focus the business side of what I do on helping people to create powerful web content.

The service that might of greatest interest to you, dear readers, is blog coaching to help you jump start your blog.  That might be help with:

• boosting your confidence
• getting clear on your blogging purpose
• taking on a new challenge like adding podcasts to your blog
• finding your writing voice
• tapping into your original motivation
• matching your blogging activities against your business and blogging purpose
• developing your writing style so your word power (human, personal, authentic) shines through
• adapting your approach to meet your aims (like building community or hosting conversation)

If you're interested you can find out more here: Jump Start coaching

The other services I'm offering are aimed at people who do not live so much of their lives on line, providing training, skills and support to people in Scotland - small businesses, groups, coaches and consultants - who want help

• getting started with a blog based website
• adapting the style of their written material
• adding power to their web presence

I've created a new site to promote the new service.  Without further ado: here it is.

Introducing Powerful Web Content

If you pop over to the site you'll see that it combines a blog with a traditional looking website.  It's built using the Essence theme from iThemes, which I think works a treat. 

You can read more at the site about the benefits of a blog that looks like a website but I have to say my decision to go down that route was influenced a lot by the discussion we had here about definitions of blogs - what they are and what they're not - so thanks very much for your input to my decision making process.

The site does have a blog (to the side) but my intention is to blog there in a totally different way.  At the most, once a fortnight, with pieces that are less conversational and more 'how to'.  This means in effect 'not doing' some things too, things that I do (and enjoy) here because they fit the aims of this blog.  That includes "not doing":

• Lots of linking out to other blogs
• Pieces of personal reflection
• Writing to generate conversation and build community
• A busy schedule of posts several times a week
• Participation in group projects and memes

It doesn't mean I'm not going to do that here - far from it - just that I'm going to blog at the new place in a very different way.  It's partly experiment of course, but partly because I believe this is a much more credible and sustainable model for business based blogs, and if I want to encourage others to try it I need to be doing and modelling that behaviour myself.

What It Means For Confident Writing

Setting up the new site, blog, and business services has forced me to get clear on the purpose not just of the new activity but the purpose of this blog (and why I love it so).  It's very much about learning, sharing and creating together as part of a dynamic and supportive community.  There's no way I want that to stop or slow down - if anything I want to keep building it... though I would like to slow my posting schedule down (if I could find a way to switch my brain off!)

I will continue to teach and coach people to find their writing voice, to realise the power of their own words, to achieve their writing goals and, of course, to write with confidence.  If you want to work with a writing coach to get your writing moving, find out more here. And I'm going to keep building in new ways to support this aim, including a book that I'm working on and some more workshops that are in the pipeline (though a bit distant just now).

And I will continue to blog here as a place to share writing tips and virtual coaching, to share ideas and learning with a fantastic community of people, to have fun, to share more personal ideas and reflections, to experiment and keep learning about how to make a blog brilliant.

Thanks

I've spoken to some of you about this plan, while others have influenced, guided and inspired me without necessarily realising that's what you were doing!  Thank you to my online board of advisers:

Emma Bird, Robert Hruzek, Cat Morley, Amy Palko, Yvonne Russell, Rosa Say, Brad Shorr, Liz Strauss, Karen Swim, Jon Swanson, Karen Wallace

And all of you, who inspire me, daily.

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count