I was honored to be asked to answer a few questions on my writing process by my real-life friend, Ginger. She’s wife to a deployed husband, mom of three boys, and a dear friend of mine.
Ginger and I went to church together when we were just kids. After her family moved on to a different church, we were pen-pals for awhile. And then we completely lost contact for years.
It was only last year that we re-connected via Instagram and met up at the park for a play date. We quickly rekindled and deepened our friendship and have been blessed to stay in close contact since then.
Ginger inspires me through her blog and writing. She’s real, honest, and authentic. And her story is one of much pain and heartache… but also of the beauty that has come out of that darkness.
Here’s a short description from her About Page to get a peek into her life and why she blogs:
I enjoy sharing more of Our Story in chapters here in this blog. In it I tell the story of discovering betrayal and infidelity in my first marriage, and how I battled the storm that followed. I shared my Letter to the Other Woman, how I tried to restore my marriage, and when I knew that it was time to let go. I have also recounted my journey through being a single mom to three little boys, and how my heart healed after all of the pain. Eventually a wonderful man entered my life, and we became a blended family.
We have had our shares of joys and trials, deployments and long seasons apart, and even an unexpected battle with cancer. I began this blog in August 2013 to reach out to others. I wanted to let you know that no matter what nightmare comes your way, or wherever your journey leads, you are not alone. I promise.
If you’re not already following Ginger’s blog, I encourage you to hop on over and check it out. Now, onto the questions on writing she asked me to answer:
What am I working on/writing?
Currently, I’m focusing the majority of my writing time on writing content for my blog. I’ve loved getting back to my roots and sharing more of a peek into our everyday lives.
My other big writing project right now is my next book. We had written up a basic proposal on the topic I really want to write on, but my editor strongly encouraged me to go back to the drawing board and come up with a fresher angle or a new idea.
While that was a bit discouraging, I also am grateful for people who are committed to making this next book the best it can be. Because of this, I value their constructive feedback and suggestions.
So, after a lot of thought, prayer, and discussion with others, we overhauled the proposal and re-submitted it a few weeks ago. I’m now waiting to hear their thoughts on the overhauled proposal.
I’m also supposed to be working on an ebook on cutting your grocery bill… but I’ve kind of shelved that for a bit and plan to pick it back up in August or September. By then, I’m hoping we’re more settled into our new rhythm of life in TN and our busy conference/travel season will be behind us.
How does my writing/work differ from others in its genre?
I have a unique story and unique perspective because I am the only me in existence. I don’t focus on how I can be different from others, but instead I focus on how I can be authentically me.
However, that wasn’t always the case. You see, for a long time, I wanted to be an artistic wordsmith. I wanted to write flowery, picturesque, beautiful pieces. Words that would move people in deep way. I saw others who were doing this so well and wished I had their gift of words.
But then I realized that that wasn’t who God had made me to be. Instead, He’s gifted me with the ability to take big-picture concepts and break them down into practical, bite-sized takeaways.
So I stopped trying to be someone I’m not and started focusing on being true to who I am — sharing my stories and unique perspective in (mostly) practical posts with practical takeaways.
It might not be as beautiful, but it’s just as needed.
Why do I write what I do?
I started writing way back when I was just a few years old. I couldn’t spell, but I’d pretend to write. And then as soon as I knew how to spell, I started writing notes to other people.
For years, I invested a lot of time into writing notes and letters: thank you notes, notes of encouragement, sympathy cards, pen-pal letters (at one time, I had around 50 different pen-pals from all over the country, and some even in other countries!). I loved to write and I loved to encourage others, so writing notes and letters was a way to combine my two loves.
When I was 15, I started a printed newsletter for young girls as an additional outlet for my writing. I ended up cutting off the subscriptions at 200 total because that was all I could realistically print and process with everything else I was doing at the time! (In addition to the newsletter, I taught violin lessons to around 12-15 students, worked part-time as a waitress, and had weekly babysitting gigs with a few different families in my high school years.)
After I got married and was no longer publishing the newsletter or writing to dozens of different pen-pals, I was itching to write regularly again. And once I discovered LiveJournal in 2004 and then blogging in 2005, it was a natural fit.
I’ve written something for my blog almost every single day since I began blogging in 2005. Because I can’t not write. It’s in my bones. In fact, I always say that if you left me on a desert island with nothing, I’d take a stick and write in the mud. 🙂
How does my writing process work?
Um, writing process? You mean I’m supposed to have a process. Ahem. 🙂 Actually, I suppose I have some sort of process, but it’s not really clear-cut or incredibly organized.
I typically plan out what posts I intend to write for the week on each day of the week on my Google calendar. And then I will sometimes jot down ideas for that post the notes section of that all-day task on Google calendar. Or, if I come up with a post outline while I’m washing dishes or driving, I’ll jot it down when I can get to paper and then type it into a post draft the next time I’m at my computer.
So at any given time, I usually have at least a few posts started and a few posts that I’m thinking on and formulating in my brain. (I often map out posts when I’m falling asleep… I love thinking through the organization and flow of a post or speech and find it also helps my brain to shut down quickly at night!)
I have a sort of prioritized list for my blogging time that I mostly follow every morning: Check email, post deals, answer emails, check comments/Facebook, post more deals, pin deals on Pinterest, do any other extra pressing work, and then work on drafting content pieces.
While I could put the content pieces first, I find that I am better at really focusing on them and enjoy writing them more when I’ve cleared off the other pressing tasks for the day. So I get the pressing tasks done first and then typically work on the content pieces either in my afternoon blogging time or (as in the case of this post) sometimes in the evenings after dinner and Family Time. It just depends upon the day and what works best for our family/schedule that day.
When I write content pieces, I try to shut down all other distractions and just fully focus on writing the piece. If it’s a longer piece, I usually break it up into 2-4 20-minute writing blocks. Once it’s written, I usually proof it, add in photos, and add in links.
Want to know w secret? I rarely sit on finished posts. In fact, I typically hit publish as soon as they are ready… unless it’s a very uncommon sort of day when I have a chance to work ahead on a post for the following day.
Someday, I’d love to have posts done and pre-scheduled days or weeks in advance, but I’m just not there right now and I’ve gotten to the place where I’m good with that. After all, I’m a big believer in doing what works for you!
So there’s a little peek into my writing process. If you’re a writer and/or blogger, I’d love to hear your answers to any or all of these questions. Share the answers on your blog or leave them in the comments!
Jillian Kay says
This is great! Thanks!
Kimberly says
Probably a funny question but my daughter is a lefty and I have been searching every where for a notbook like the one in your first picture (with the binding at the top)!! Can you please share with me where you purchased the notebook? Thank you very much!!!!
Crystal Paine says
I wish I could help you! I found the picture on Flickr so I’m not sure. 🙁
Dawn says
“Want to know a secret? I rarely sit on finished posts. In fact, I typically hit publish as soon as they are ready… ”
LOVE that!!! Man, I thought I was the only one who didn’t edit posts for three weeks before publishing them!! Honestly, I am such a perfectionist that if I start doing a lot of editing, I will NEVER post it because I will drive myself crazy!!
I usually write after the kids are in bed, but sometimes I write in the afternoons if we are having a quiet time. When school starts back up, I would really like to find a way to incorporate my blogging/writing into our school hours. I think it would be great for my kids to see me doing my “work” as they do theirs. I’ll have to see if I can work it in though. 7 students is a lot, so it might be too difficult.
I blog because I constantly had women asking me for advice or help. I’ve been married for almost 30 years, and I am the mother of ten children. After spending countless hours on the telephone and in the church hallway counseling women, my oldest son teased me one day and said, “Mom, you’re going to have to start charging for that!” He was the real impetus behind my blog. He’s my technical support, and helps me with anything computer related.
The way I write is very personal. Close friends tell me they can “hear” my voice as they read my blog. I am VERY wordy, obviously, but that makes me happy that my true voice is coming through!!
My current blog is sitting right now, because I am moving to WordPress. I am writing new posts and hope to unveil the new blog on my birthday, July 19. It’s exciting to be starting fresh!!
Love this post, Crystal!! Thanks for making me feel normal!!
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad that this post encouraged you!! And that’s so exciting that you’re moving to WordPress — yay!!!
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
Thanks for sharing your writing process with us! I am always in awe of those who can just write everyday and post. I’m very detailed and like to sit on a post, go back and re-read it a few times, then schedule it for later in the week just in case I need to tweak something. I guess it must be the perfectionist in me! 😉
Crystal Paine says
And that’s why your amazing posts inspire me… because they are always so beautiful and well-done. While I’m over here just happy to have gotten something posted that day. 😉
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
Lol. You are too sweet!
Sarah Titus @SarahTitus.com says
I’m definitely like that too Kalyn [and I love your blog as well :)]. It’s gotta be perfect. It’s gotta be edited, rethought about, did I miss something? Could I add more value to it? Is the picture just right? Am I going to get reamed for a spelling error? lol. What I love about you Crystal, and I’ve read that in your book, is that you just don’t worry so much about the little things. You know you can’t get everything done in one day, so focus on the big picture. I’m a single stay-at-home mom. Like, it’s just me. No outside family, not a whole lot of help. I’m it. I’m trying really hard not to think I have to do it all. Your book really opened my eyes. Not there yet, lol, but I’m trying…I appreciate your blog very much and your openness. 🙂
MIssus says
My answer to “Why do I write what I do” is that our life on a small farm is not like that of most (non-farm) people I know. So I want to share it.
I also get a kick out of making my daughter laugh at my posts (hopefully with me, not at me!).
Crystal Paine says
I love this! Thanks so much for sharing!
Lydia @ The Thrifty Frugal Mom says
What a fun read! I love getting a peak into how others do their writing/blogging.
I, like you, used to wish that I was more flowery and poetic but then a speech teacher that I had in college helped me see that my gift was in making things easy to understand. And that was immensely helpful and freeing!
And I think it’s amazing that you can actually plan out blog posts and it helps you fall asleep! If I do that, it gets me too wide awake and then I just want to go write up the post instead of sleeping. 🙂
It was also comforting to know that an experienced blogger like you doesn’t very often have posts pre-scheduled! That has been something I keep working towards and dreaming of but as long as I am in the toddler and baby stage I just don’t see it happening. And who knows, maybe it never will!
Crystal Paine says
I’m glad this post encouraged you. And way to go on finding and owning your writing voice and gifts!
Lydia @ The Thrifty Frugal Mom says
I was thinking more about how you wind down by “writing” blog posts in your head and I think that it only affirms that you truly ARE a writer at heart, which of course you already knew. 🙂 But what it helped me see about myself is that I’m not as much a writer at heart. I suddenly realized that I blog not so much because I just love to write but because I absolutely love to help people. It gives me a thrill to know that someone was blessed by what I wrote, was able to save money, learned something useful etc. I don’t actually enjoy writing that much but THAT, the thing of helping people, is what keeps me writing and keeps me passionate.
So thanks for helping make something “click” for me….even though you weren’t even trying it! 🙂
Victoria says
I too had a tonne of pen pals as a child, in fact I was in the newspaper because of it. My best writing thoughts always come to me during long solo runs. My poor husband has to endure voice mail messages of me on his cell phone stating text this back to me so I can write it down when I get home. I also try to use a note app on my cell but sometimes my fingers are just too sweaty to work, that is when the hubby gets the voice mails. (voice mail messages because he is general at work and can’t answer his cell until break).
Crystal Paine says
One of our neighbors who is self-employed and has to take a lot of notes after meetings with clients was showing me this service he uses to talk into his phone and then it comes to him typed up in an email. It wasn’t a free service, but maybe there’s something like that out there?? Just an idea.
Whitney @ Come Home For Comfort says
Thanks for sharing this! I get a lot of post ideas while I’m driving or getting ready in the morning. Once I’ve thought it through in my head, the words flow easily onto the screen. I never do well when I start out looking at a blank screen. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I’m just like you: blank screens are not a recipe for successful writing for me, either. I get a lot of inspiration while washing dishes and showering… I think maybe water brings out the creativity or something!
Elizabeth says
I used to try and blog more often but I felt like I was just trying to keep up with everyone else and that if I didn’t post often then there would be less people reading which is true but I hit the highlights of my life or at least try to things get so busy half the time I forget. I could probably go through a day to day list of items (as I was doing the other week of writing a personal list) but I doubt people want to hear about me throwing another load of laundry in LOL. I used to write insane ‘to do list’ but I haven’t been doing that this summer trying to take it easy.
I follow a pretty easy layout. One day a week I sit down generally in the morning unless life gets all topsy turvy and I have a layout and I fill it out often having to go back through my facebook to remember what happened the previous week. *knocks on her head* Severe memory problems.
I guess it all boils down to priorities too. I put sitting down with my husband and watching a few shows before bed above blogging. Once and awhile I find myself finishing a blog while at work *shhh don’t tell!* but I really try not to do that.
Truthfully I come over here and think to myself, “Why can’t I post this much and have something left to say?” and then I have to remind myself that I’m not you or anyone else and that my job outside the home is very straining mentally many days and I shouldn’t be so hard on myself.
I’ve always enjoyed writing, was never any good at it though. I’m too wordy so I lose people as I’m sure I already have LOL
Hope everyone has a wonderful day. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I love it that you have figured out what’s best for you… and that you realize that someone else’s priorities won’t necessarily be what your priorities are or should be! That’s so freeing, isn’t it?!
Aimee says
Do you still play the violin? 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I still have it and I pull it out sometimes. 🙂
Kim says
Thank you for sharing your writing process! I’m a new blogger and I’m still trying to figure out how it fits into my current life. Like you, I often think of ideas when I’m driving and can’t write them down. I do have to get better and writing them down as soon as I’m able so that I don’t forget them.
I’ll have to try your method of writing the post first, then going back to add the pictures and links. I’ve been doing it all at once as I write and I’m not sure it’s working for me.
Thanks again!
Crystal Paine says
I’ve found that adding links/pictures afterwards usually works better because then I have a really good idea of what kind of pictures/links I want to add since I can view the post as a whole. The only time I deviate from this is when I’m doing a freezer cooking or peek into life type post. Then, I typically already know what pictures I’m going to use, so I upload them first and then write the text.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who’s not way ahead of the game. Most likely if you see a post it was just finished the afternoon or evening prior.
I’ve tried to get things done ahead of time but alas it just seems I work better under pressure and a deadline. It works for now.
I also feel much better writing in the afternoon or evening after I’ve checked emails, connected with other bloggers, pinned and tweeted.
Great to see your insights. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great day!
Crystal Paine says
Glad to know I’m not alone in this! I also am weird in that I love to share a post as soon as it’s written… weird, I know. But when I’ve poured my heart into something, I like to share it when it’s still fresh on my heart.
[email protected] says
Thank you for sharing! It was nice to hear you don’t have your posts scheduled weeks in advance. 🙂 I really like the journal-type blogging! I enjoyed writing in grade school also. I wrote short stories and had a poem published in 4th grade. I abandoned writing in high school. 🙁 I found my way back to writing every day though!
Crystal Paine says
That’s so cool that you had a poem published when you were 4th grade! Way to go!
Libby says
Oh I just love reading the comments of other ladies that are in the same boat as I am! I have been researching blogging like there’s no tomorrow and have written up my Intro, disclaimers, disclosures, the purpose of my blog, and am now working on my third blog post ahead of time. My writing is geared more toward article writing than novel writing at this season in my life which is why I am praying through this process as I love the blogging community. I have taken your advice Crystal and came up with approximately 60 blog post ideas and have started working on writing a blog post each day and have a timeline set out. My question is to anyone is, if you prepare your blogs ahead of time from the beginning of setting up your blog are you able to prepare blogs ahead of time for the continuation of your blog or does it work better to do day by day?
Ai @ Less to More says
I had some blog posts written ahead of time before “going public” with the site. Now, I only plan about a week ahead. I’m constantly jotting down post topic ideas and keep a running list. At the end of each week, I schedule posts for the following week, and I try to have most of them written on the weekend. This pace seems to work for me and for my family. Hope you find something that will work for you. Look me up when you have your blog ready. I would love to visit your site!
Crystal Paine says
Congratulations on starting your blog! One of the biggest reasons I encourage people to have a lot of post ideas thought up ahead of time is because I think that exercise really helps you determine whether blogging is for you and/or blogging on your particular chosen topic is for you.
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
I love hearing that you don’t have posts scheduled way in advance. My husband and I both have a hard time waiting on a post. Since we have a blog together, we often write ideas for ourselves or each other on the fridge. The only time we schedule posts in advance is when we happen to both have time to write the same day. I’d hate to publish 2-3 posts in one day, and then none for days after. Otherwise, we put it up as soon as we’ve both proof-read it. I definitely love having a proofreader in my house. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Oh, I so know the feeling of not wanting to wait after you’ve written a blog post!
Sarah @ The Teacher's Wife says
This was so interesting! I love seeing what works for other people, especially an experienced blogger like yourself. I’ve finally realized that writing is in my bones as well. I always thought writers had to be poetic and formal {which is not me}, but I’m coming to realize that’s not the case at all! Thanks for sharing!!
Crystal Paine says
I love it that you’ve figured out that writing is your bones, too! Welcome to the club! 🙂
Amy says
Hi,
Thank you for detailing out your writing process. I am very new to the whole world of blogging. I am a stay at home mom to 3 awesome boys. I wanted to create a blog to be an outlet for me. I want to focus on 3 things that interest me: my family adventures, what we are doing to get out of debt, and running races. I just feel right now they are so different and maybe I should focus on just one. I just need to get writing. I have so much to say, I just need to get going.
Crystal Paine says
I think the best way to determine WHAT you should blog about is to just jump out and start blogging and trying writing about different topics. In the process, you’ll learn much more what works best and fits you and your voice.
Exciting — and I wish you all the best!
Ai @ Less to More says
I just got an invitation to participate in this “writing process” blog hop, which hopefully, I’ll be able to post about next week. Thank you for sharing your process. It’s good to read about how it works for you and how you juggle writing with all the other responsibilities that you have.
Crystal Paine says
It was really good to step back and think through these questions. I hope you find it to be the same for you!
Alia Joy says
I love getting a glimpse into everyone’s answers to these questions. I’ve met a lot of new writers and it’s fun to see how God made each of us with such unique talents, voices, and stories. I love how we can learn from those who are wired differently. I’m not naturally frugal or organized but you’ve helped me be better in both areas. Here’s a link to the answers I did last week. http://aliajoy.com/writing-questions-blog-hop/
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing your answers! And yes, isn’t it wonderful that we’re all so different?? The world would be a boring place if we were mostly all alike!