Don’t Tell Other People’s Stories; Tell Your Own

Stories are special because we’re able to share our lived experiences with others.

If people want to tell their story, they will. Listen because you never know what you might learn.

Almost any experience can be a story. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Humans are storytellers. But storytelling is an art in and of itself. So tell the story you’re meant to tell. Tell it the only way you know how.

You’re different from everybody who came before you. Embrace your differences.

Write the book you want to read. Don’t write someone else’s story.

Share Your Soul | A Poem

Speak the truth

Even if you struggle to

Let it all out

Put words on the page

Sometimes no one’s around

To hear you speak

But there’s something

You need to say

Your eyes can’t lie

It’s killing you inside

Stayed silent all this time

And waited by the sidelines

So share your soul

With someone close

Why I Have A Hard Time Sharing My Creative Writing

Sharing my creative writing with others is a challenge to say the least.

The other day I was trying to pick a story to send to two strangers for their feedback. I had the hardest time emailing a copy of my work to them.

There's something personal about openly sharing your stories with someone else. To an extent, some of my blog posts are personal, and I don't have a problem posting those for the world to see. With creative writing however, I feel as though I'm exposing more of myself.

As I've said, these two are strangers. I think I'd be more comfortable with sharing if I knew them longer, trusted them more. I'm sure they're wonderful human beings. It's still tough to open up and feel vulnerable in front of people you hardly know.

If I had a penny for every times I've said I wanted to get better, I'd be one wealthy woman. Even though I do hope to improve, I'm not the best at asking for feedback. Ditto for applying any feedback I receive.

I'm stubborn. Worse, I have a gigantic ego that loves to get in the way. On a good day, I'm able to shove it aside for the sake of my art.

Every time I've put my art first before my ego, the former benefits greatly.

I say the following not to brag, but to make it clear that I had a different, unusual path when I started out as a writer and blogger. I found success early on in both endeavours. In some ways, I was even more successful a few years ago than I have been recently.

So, for many reasons, my ego was inflated in high school. A part of me thought I always knew what was best, what was right.

Of course, that's not always the case.

Over time, my ego has taken a good beating.

I'm at a point now where I feel confident, not cocky in my abilities. After all, I've come a long way, but I still have plenty of room for improvement.

I can identify strengths and weaknesses in my own work. But having an outside perspective point out certain problems can make all the difference.

What I want to say ultimately boils down to these points:

Sharing your writing with strangers isn't easy. It can be a vulnerable experience. That's okay, though. So long as you don't let your ego stop you from improving your art in every way possible. And sometimes the best thing you can do is to put your ego aside and listen to others.

I think I've reaffirmed what I knew all along. Egos suck.

#BellLetsTalk

Let’s talk. And listen.

Let’s share. Let’s speak.

Let’s blog. Let’s write.

Let’s read. Let’s remember.

Let’s start a conversation today, continue it tomorrow, and keep one going together.

7 Famous Literary Bars You Should Visit

You know I love a good infographic. So can I possibly not post a graphic about literary bars?

Are you are fan of literature who also feels compelled to travel the world and experience as many different places and cultures as you can? If so, have you ever considered combing your two passions to go on the journey of a lifetime and indulge in a spot of literary tourism? The concept of literary tourism has become a much larger industry over the last decade, and we have just the thing for anybody who likes the sound of following in the footsteps of their writing icons and heroes.

This splendid infographic is your treasure map to the favourite drinking holes and resting stops for some of the worlds most beloved and acclaimed writers, and with alcoholic libations being connected to high profile authors on a regular basis throughout history, there is certainly a wide spectrum of genres and styles to choose from on your potential visits!

Spanning from the bustling streets of Manhattan, New York to the far away feeling depths of Russia, our infographic will give you details and insights, including exact location and fun trivia, of bars and pubs that were frequented by the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Dylan Thomas, Lord Byron, Dostoevsky, Jack Kerouac and Goethe, all giants of the literary world whose passion for drinking was nearly as big as their talent for writing!

Please enjoy reading through the list, which one looks like your favourite kind of place? There is no time to waste; search out the favourite spots of your favourite authors!

Thank you Linda Craig at Assignment Masters for allowing me to share it.

If you want me to share something on this blog, don’t ever hesitate to let me know!

Blogging 101: Build a Better Blogroll

Create a blogroll to share a few links you love.

I’ve avoided doing this for several reasons.

When I first started blogging, I was clueless as to how to create a blogroll.

Way back when I didn’t know anybody either. Can you imagine? Nearly two years ago I had zero followers and no posts.

As time passed I figured who was I to make a blogroll? But that’s lazy me talking.

Now I feel like I’m excluding so many wonderful blogs. My sincerest apologies to everyone I left out.

Thanks for understanding. There’s a reason why bloggers are amazing.

Why I Started Blogging

Coincidentally in this order. It changes from time to time depending on the circumstance. For the most part, these are the main reasons I started this blog. I’m sure I touched on some of them before in other posts. But it never hurts to remind myself of why I started. And why I will continue to be a blogger.

• To share my knowledge and what I’ve learned with others. What could possibly be better than that?
• To connect and interact with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Recently, this has been more and more important to me.
• To improve my writing. By making me use my brain even when I don’t want to.
• To have a good time and enjoy myself. I have thanks to all of you.
• To provide a much needed break from school, work, etc. Emphasis on much needed.
• To brag/boast/gloat about it. Possibly the best reason of all. Too bad I don’t tell anyone about my blog.

A Quick Blogging Reminder

Remember you blog because you have something to share, not to become:

Rich,

Famous,

Or for any other incentive.