See Jane Write

#bloglikecrazy is underway!

For those of you who are new around here, each November I challenge the women of See Jane Write to publish a new blog post every day for 30 days. We call this challenge #bloglikecrazy.

Throughout the month, share your posts via Twitter with the hashtag #bloglikecrazy and in the See Jane Write Facebook group and I will read and promote as many of your posts as I can.

During #bloglikecrazy you’re free to write about whatever you want. But each year I offer a list of writing prompts just in case you find yourself facing blogger’s block. (Many of the prompts are linked to examples, too.) So use the prompts if needed in any order you choose.

Here are 30 post ideas to help you #bloglikecrazy:

1. Why do you blog?
2. What are your goals as a blogger, writer or small business owner?
3. Write your personal mission statement.
4. Write a letter to your younger self.
5. Write an open letter to someone you need to thank.
6. Everyone is an expert in something. Write a post about your area of expertise – why you consider yourself an expert and how you came to be one.
7. Write a How To post.
8. Write a How NOT To post.
9. Write a post about something you do, love, or believe that’s unpopular with most folks.
10. Write your manifesto.
11. Post a Q&A with a woman you admire.
12. Use some of your favorite Instagram pics as a visual writing prompt.
13. Write about your favorite CD of the year thus far.
14. Write about the best book you’ve read this year.
15. Write about a time you changed your mind.
16. Learn to love your haters by taking a negative comment and flipping it into an empowering post.
17. What I Learned About Myself From ______(This can be a book, a film, an album, or even a person.)
18. Write a post called The Things I Don’t Blog About.
19. Write a post called 30 Things I Love Right Now.
20. Write a post about fitness – how you stay fit or how you plan to get in shape.
21. Write about your guilty pleasures and why you don’t actually feel that guilty for loving them.
22. What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
23. Write about your favorite place.
24. Write a post about your favorite dish or a meal you’ve had that you will never forget.
25. Write a post about your best friend or a group of friends.
26. Write a post about your family.
27. What are you thankful for?
28. Write about an outfit that makes you feel fabulous and fierce.
29. Set 4 simple goals for the remainder of 2014 and write about them.
30. What did you learn from #bloglikecrazy?

Each day in November for #bloglikecrazy I’ll be publishing a blog post that answers your questions about blogging, social media, writing, wellness or women’s empowerment. Send your questions to javacia@seejanewritebham.com. 

Today is Day One of #bloglikecrazy.

Each November I challenge the women of See Jane Write to publish a new blog post every day for 30 days. If you plan to play along, be sure to share your posts on Twitter using the hashtag #bloglikecrazy.

Chances are you’re wondering why you should bother doing this in the first place. You’re wondering if at the end of #bloglikecrazy you’ll land the book deal you’ve always wanted or suddenly have so many blog sponsorships that you’ll be able to quit your day job.

Probably not.

But you will be a better writer.

I believe writing is a practice. I am a runner (a very slow runner, but a runner nonetheless) and I often see parallels between running and writing. Just as I must train to run a half marathon, I must train to write a book or even an award-winning essay.

Consider #bloglikecrazy your writing workout plan.

Some people say you should only write when you feel inspired. But that’s like saying a runner should only run when she’s in the mood to do so. If I’m training for a race I need to pound the pavement when it’s hot, when it’s cold, and sometimes even in the rain if necessary.

I understand that writing may not be a passion for all people who blog. But I’m in this for a gold medal.

But you don’t just have to take my word on the matter.

In her book Writing Down the Bones Natalie Goldberg also makes a connection between writers and athletes. She writes:

“This is the practice school of writing. Like running, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Some days you don’t want to run and you resist every step of the three miles, but you do it anyway. You practice whether you want to or not. You don’t wait around for inspiration and deep desire to run. It’ll never happen, especially if you’re out of shape or have been avoiding it. But if you run regularly, you train your mind to cut through or ignore your resistance. You just do it. And in the middle of the run, you love it. When you come to the end, you never want to stop. And you stop, hungry for the next time.”

So let’s #bloglikecrazy!

Each day in November for #bloglikecrazy I’ll be publishing a blog post that answers your questions about blogging, social media, writing, wellness or women’s empowerment. Send your questions to javacia@seejanewritebham.com. 

Ladies of See Jane Write, it’s almost time to #bloglikecrazy.

Every year I challenge the women of See Jane Write to publish new blog posts every day for 30 days in the month of November.

Yeah, I know that sounds crazy. But that’s why it’s called Blog Like Crazy!

Throughout the month, share your posts on Twitter using the hashtag #bloglikecrazy and in the See Jane Write Facebook group. Do this and I’ll read, comment on, and help promote as many of your posts as I can.

If you’ve been stuck in a blogging rut, #bloglikecrazy could be the cure to your writer’s block. If you’ve been wanting to start a blog but you’ve kept putting it off, #bloglikecrazy could be the motivation you’ve been looking for to end your posting procrastination.

I’ll even give you writing prompts to keep you from running out of post ideas.

But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what See Jane Write member and fitness blogger Tanya Sylvan had to say about #bloglikecrazy:

I had thought about blogging but had many hesitations: Would I have enough to write about? Would anyone listen? Would I want to keep blogging? #bloglikecrazy was the perfect opportunity for me to test the waters. Before and during the entire month of November, Javacia and the other ladies were nothing but encouraging and loving and helpful. The prompts took away the fear of not having anything to write. And after blogging for a month, it felt natural and I found my voice. I owe all my All In Stride craziness to Javacia!

If you need help getting started, join us at the #blogikecrazy kick-off workshop 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 1 at Church Street Coffee and Books, 81 Church Street in Mountain Brook.

Now let’s get ready to #bloglikecrazy!