Day 3 Blog Prompt
Do you feel you have found your voice on your blog? What techniques have you tried to develop your voice in your writing? What are some characteristics of your personality in your writing?
When I was in Elementary school I wrote a poem, I handed it to the teacher, she began to read the poem to herself, and there it was, a smile emerged, and that was all I needed, BUT she gave me more. She proceeded to tell me my poem was beautiful, she called me a poet, and then showed my “work” to another teacher, it was one of the best feelings. That day I knew I wanted to write, I would enter my little poems in school programs, and would write short stories here and there, wanting to share them everywhere. (Big ups to Dr. Seuss for that line.)
And then… I secretly began writing, no longer sharing my work or submitting it, I just wrote. In middle school I kept writing poems, but I started thinking I was a song writer; I didn’t become Taylor Swift 🙁 My parents were a little late in the whole technology game, we had the nicest TVs, but it took my parents F O R E V E R to purchase a computer, but when they did, I typed, and I typed. I started a story in middle school, and kept adding to it throughout the beginning of high school. One day I just stopped, I left it, and if saved computer documents could collect dust… this one had a mountain!
High school had me too busy to sit and type, sure I still wrote in my journals, but to actually sit and type, that was more, and I didn’t need more, or so I thought. YEARS later my Mom calls me and says, “I read your story.” I was confused, I had no idea what she was talking about, I was racking my brain and rocking my baby trying to figure out what story my Mom was referring to. “The story in the computer, it’s good mihija!” “You should keep writing.” Those words echoed in my soul, I’ve heard them throughout my life, but on that very day I needed to hear it. (Yes, I was writing but again, secretly just for me and the baby now.)
I had totally forgot about that story trapped inside the prehistoric computer back home in Texas. That story was my opportunity to be another me, a rebellious me. I was able to make a character who was my age, and she was running stuff. I gave her a voice. I gave myself a voice too, although somewhat muted and hidden from the world, I spoke through my characters.
The Voice ❤
Blogging, has given me just that, my voice. I’m a work in progress, so I’ll never say I’ve found my voice completely, I believe, hopefully, you are always evolving. (There will be improvements.) I have shared things here on my blog that I thought I would NEVER share: my anxiety, my jaded past view on love and marriage, my PCOS, and my love letters. Every single one of those has been freeing, and as much as that is the case, it’s also like walking outside in my chonies {underwear}. I’m not the only one who feels like that when I hit publish, right? I’m sharing my heart, my life and it’s freeing but it’s a piece of me, and you never know how it will be perceived.
The only way I believe anyone can improve their technique is to practice! You’ve got to write, write, and write some more. Reading helps too. I know it’s tough to find time when you have a million gazillion plus five bazillion things to do, but reading helps to improve your writing. I highlight, doggie ear, and memorize lines or passages in books, because I love the words or the flow. Is it super nerdy of me to say, I love sentence structure? It’s something I need to improve myself, along with flow. I’m a work in progress 🙂
I think you will always find my personality in my writing here. I’m witty, I’m sassy, and I’m loving. I’m 3D, there’s plenty of sides to me, I can be serious and funny, but most importantly I can always be ME.
Life inspires me, I want to live loud, and live big. With that, here is a glimpse of my life this weekend in pictures, Halloween to be more specific:
The Queen of Hearts and The White Bunny
Our little Charlie Brown Ghost
Remind me to never take pictures at night….
XOXO
Chastity
November 5, 2014 at 12:21 pmI love your style of writing and that you’re still a work in progress. I like to think of myself as always evolving and growing because once you stop, life becomes boring or you’re dead. I used to be a perfectionist when it came to my writing. I have a degree in Public Relations and Broadcasting so it was in me to make everything perfect, but then I realized it was a waste of time and energy. I like your conversational style writing and that’s what I’m working on.
Your kids look absolutely adorable! You’re a crafty genius. xoxo
MrsA0K2001
November 5, 2014 at 5:12 pmI think I might just have to print this comment out, and look at it when I’m down on myself 🙂 You’re a sweetheart ❤
That’s an awesome degree to have!! I’m impressed, I would totally love a job dealing with PR. I wrote a paper for one of my business classes about my imaginary PR company 🙂
Thank you, for noticing that I *try* to use a conversational style 🙂 I want people to feel welcomed and included here in my home.
And thank you, I think they are mighty adorable myself. I have to say I was proud of my handy work this Halloween.
XOXO
karen
November 5, 2014 at 2:20 pmSuch cute Halloween pics! Well now I’m so interested in reading more of your writing. With so many e-books and self publishing opportunities have you ever thought about putting out a book of poetry? I think that would be so cool if you did. I agree that you have to keep writing to improve on it and evolve like you said. Isn’t that what Hemingway said to? I feel like I’m writing more like myself on my blog now. I don’t know if that makes sense but I feel like I’m enjoying it more lately.
MrsA0K2001
November 5, 2014 at 8:41 pmThank you, the quality is kinda poor due to lighting, trick-or-treating doesn’t start here until dusk, which was new to us.
Confession: it has been a long time since I’ve written poetry. I do, however, have a book of children’s stories, and my Mom keeps telling me I need to publish them. I don’t know… I’m just not sure yet.
Hemingway may have said that, I know many great writers have said writing is the only way to improve writing, and it totally makes sense. I like Hemingway’s quote, “Write drunk, edit sober.” I may not be drunk from an alcoholic bender, maybe caffeine, but I write with drunk-emotion first and then edit.
Karen, I love your blog. I loved it before, but I can really get a sense that you are enjoying what you’re doing over there. You seriously have my book list growing, and the visuals you share are always beautiful 🙂
XOXO
Amber
November 5, 2014 at 7:05 pmFabulous costumes.
I’m also pretty sassy when I write.
MrsA0K2001
November 5, 2014 at 8:42 pmThank you, Amber.
I love a little sass ❤
Cheers to sassy pants!
XOXO
Bev
November 6, 2014 at 5:36 am“I’m 3D, there’s plenty of sides to me…” <—Love this line!
I am so glad you kept writing, and that you started to share it with others and that we connected! Do you still have that story on the old computer? If so, would you consider sharing it?
Unlike you, I didn't have the writing bug. In fact, for the longest time I thought I was a horrible writer and I was so self-conscious. It took me until college when my boyfriend at the time, who was an English major and a proficient writer, read a paper I had written and told me it was really good (I thought he was joking at first) to realize that I was a good writer. Well, at least a good academic writer 😉 But I'm glad to have finally started enjoying writing.
Loved your post, and can't wait to read more!
MrsA0K2001
November 7, 2014 at 5:34 pmI’m glad I started sharing too. Blogging has brought me healing, happiness, and great blogging friends like you 🙂 I’m quite happy here.
I do not have the story, my Mom might have printed it out, I’ll have to ask her if she still has it.
I am my harshest critic, sometimes, I think my writing could use more work. On the other hand, if I write something really good, I can applaud myself 🙂
I enjoy your writing, and EH HEM… PUBLISHED!! I may be better at academic papers, something about schoolwork makes me tighten-up my belt and get serious. Sometimes, I think I may be a little more relaxed here, which causes errors.
Thanks for your sweet comments, always!!!
XOXO
Tamara
November 6, 2014 at 10:17 amThe costumes are incredible.
I had a similar experience with a poem when I was in 8th grade! It stuck with me. In 5th grade, my teacher told me my writing was so sad so that I didn’t have to be sad. She was right.
These days, there’s a demon inside and I never know WHAT she’ll say. I’m enjoying the ride.
MrsA0K2001
November 7, 2014 at 5:13 pmAwww… really Tamara? I mean they’re not Groot, but I can say I was proud of my work 🙂
We have SO much in common, can we just kick it, like now?!? Did your teacher call you a writer or a poet, and if he/she called you a poet did you vision yourself in a beret? Remember, I was like in the 4th or 5th grade 🙂
My writing didn’t get sad/dark until later. You understandably had reason to have some sadness to your writing. I think your teacher had the best advice, writing could be your vessel holding that sadness, but also releasing it.
We are both lucky to have teachers touch our lives positively. I’m grateful for a handful of teachers who encouraged me.
I’m not sure I would say there is a demon inside, I’d say there’s emotion inside, and that’s okay, we all have it, and express it in our own way. You have a gift, you’re sharing your heart so eloquently. I’m always looking forward to my next installment 🙂
XOXO
Tamara
November 7, 2014 at 11:02 pmI wish we could kick it now! Preferably in South Carolina because it’s so COLD up here already.
You have a gift as well, my friend. xoxo
MrsA0K2001
November 8, 2014 at 12:56 pmAre you sure, because I really want to layer up and sip coffee in the cold? I know I’m crazy, I moved from bone cold Illinois, and I’m missing fall :::sigh:::
And thanks, Tamara.
XOXO
Tiffany
November 6, 2014 at 11:08 amLove. LOVE. L-O-V-E!!!
I wish I could get to that old computer and get a glimpse and the goodness I know is there! Yes, Keep writing!! You are a writer, poet and story teller in the best way for each. I love your honesty, humor and quirkiness and they all make your writing unique and still relateable.
Write on Writer…Write On!
xoxoxo
MrsA0K2001
November 7, 2014 at 5:49 pmThanks, Tiffany!!!
I truly appreciate your encouragement and kind words, honestly comments from you and other encouraging friends keep me going 🙂 Thank You!
XOXO
Tenns
November 7, 2014 at 1:44 amYou are a lovely writer lady! I’ve always loved poetry and used to write it when I was a little girl. I haven’t written any poetry in years, but I do still enjoy writing in general a lot. I think I like writing a lot, because I like talking a lot. Writing is just like talking except you voice just isn’t verbal, but there is still a voice!
Your kiddos look like they had a ball in they’re costumes! I know they did!
MrsA0K2001
November 7, 2014 at 5:53 pmI’m a talker too, but you already know this 🙂 Once I’m warmed up and out of the shy zone, I can talk, talk, talk.
Writing is like talking, and I want this blog to be a conversation. I enjoyed your post about your blogging voice, I agreed with you SO MUCH of what you had to say. You have to try to interject “you” in your blogging voice since you aren’t face-to-face, but like you said it’s just talking 🙂
XOXO
Shelly
November 8, 2014 at 9:16 amI love this, Dean! Writing is THEE most cathartic thing ever, and best of all, it is a healthy form of catharsis (as opposed to drinking, drugs, etc.).
I had never considered myself a writer or taking up a writing life until I started my English classes in college. My professors began complimenting my writing and my content and I thought, “hey, I might be good at this.” Then I reflected back on my life and realized that writing was always there. Like you, I wrote poetry (mostly to deal with hard times), and when I had a hard time expressing myself (which was always), I wrote letters to people. Now I have grown to love it an need it like I need air.
Keep writing, my friend! You’ve always been so lovely with words.
P.S. Those costumes are the bomb diggity.
MrsA0K2001
November 8, 2014 at 1:09 pmThanks, Shell. I like this form of medicating much better 😉 If writing is my drug, let me be an addict. My {offline} journals as well as this blog are therapeutic, writing has always helped me voice my thoughts when I could not speak.
You’re a wonderful writer, Shell. I’m glad your professors encouraged you to get the ball rolling 🙂 Breathe in that air, always!
XOXO
Brandy
November 8, 2014 at 12:29 pmI love this post! So glad that you found writing again and started to share it with the world. Did you ever get the story you began in school published?
Happy to have you found you through the #NaBloPoMo hashtag on Twitter! Cannot wait to read more.
MrsA0K2001
November 9, 2014 at 10:10 pmThank you, Brandy. Sharing here has made me extremely happy, I’m lucky to have this opportunity to share my thoughts, it has been my medicine.
I never did publish that story, I think my mom printed it out, but I don’t have that story with me, I will have to see if she does.
I’m happy you found me, now it is my turn to share some #NaBloPoMo support 🙂
XOXO
My Favourite Reads - My Unwritten Life
November 9, 2014 at 1:03 pm[…] Mrs. AOK: A Work In Progress – On Writing: My Voice and Pictures […]
karen
November 10, 2014 at 7:59 amlove the voice of your blog, finding time is the hardest for me. I have a lot to say and share, but so tired after a long day…I need to use prompts more often.
MrsA0K2001
November 12, 2014 at 12:19 amTime, is there ever enough? I feel like I’m always trying to find more of it, there’s so much to keep up with when it comes to blogging.
I was actually afraid to use the blog prompts, because I didn’t want to lose my voice or lose creativity. I’ve been able, well, I think, I’ve been able to do both 🙂
XOXO
Vashti Quiroz-Vega
November 10, 2014 at 12:02 pmHey girl! You’re absolutely right. The more you write the better you’ll get at it. Reading is also very important because it will give you the tools you need to write. So go on––write, write, write and read, read, read. 😉
MrsA0K2001
November 12, 2014 at 12:15 amThanks, Vashti. I’m going to keep writing, always. I just finished reading an ending to a good story by a talented author, she had me going one way, but it all ended differently than I had imagined 🙂
XOXO
Vashti Quiroz-Vega
November 12, 2014 at 12:39 am😀 xx
Peady
November 13, 2014 at 5:56 pmThis is wonderful. It’s always best to be you and I like to think we are all works in progress. 🙂
Your Charlie Brown Ghost is the best! The best! What a clever costume! 😀
I am so glad I came by to read today! I am loving finding so many cool writers via #NaBloPoMo.
Great post!
Stay Sassy!
@Peady
MrsA0K2001
November 15, 2014 at 8:47 pmMe too! I think we’re all striving to be a better version of ourselves, one can dream right?
Thank you, Charlie Brown was a hit!
I’m glad you found me 😉 This is my first year joining #NaBloPoMo, it’s fun, challenging, and really helping me to see my flaws as a blogger.
Always sassy 🙂
XOXO