How I feel after writing an e-course

Today, this morning - about ten minutes ago in fact - something amazing happened to me.

I sent out the first lesson of my e-course.

To anyone else this will not feel like a big event. But I cannot tell you how delighted I am with myself and I want to take a moment to pause and reflect. 

It's not about the pounds. It's about completing something.

Something I created from a blank page. From nothing.

This e-course was an idea I initially conceived during the Christmas 2017 holidays. I was looking forward to a quiet Christmas. I needed a quiet Christmas. We had no family coming to stay with us and illness prior to the big day meant we all needed the chance to rest and recharge. 

Then, whilst in the shower, I got my idea. I've had ideas for an e-course before but nothing came from it. When this one popped into my head it just made so much sense to me. It felt right.

So I started making a few notes. I did some customer research i.e I asked two Instagram friends, my two lovely guinea pigs, what they were struggling with as they created their own blogs. I traded my answers and help for their questions.

Then I sat at my desk and wrote. Then wrote some more. Then I recorded some videos. Then wrote and wrote. You get the idea.

I was daunted by the selling side. Would anyone buy? How do I share the information with the course students? But research, patience (with myself) and perseverance all paid off and everything started to fall into place.

And now I have a four week e-course with actual real life students. People who are interested in what I have to teach.

The first lesson went out this morning and it felt like such a massive achievement. Because this is the first time in a long time that I've conceived a project, started it and saw it through, right until the end. 

For a long time I thought I was one of those people who didn't finish a project. I've had my novel hanging over my head for such a long time it has made me think I would never finish anything. I've had my blog, of course I have, but a blog is constantly evolving. It's a hungry beast and one that you have to keep feeding. 

But now I have this. And I've worked out a few things about myself as I wrote it:

• I am not one of those people who can have multiple projects on the go at the same time. 
• I don't work well to deadlines that I keep to myself. i.e I cannot write 1000 words a day that I quietly get on with.
• I can, however, work towards a realistic deadline if I have publicised it. 
• I love writing about blogging and the creative process.
• If I want to write a novel or memoir I have to write it in the same way as my e-course. As a project where I block off everything else and concentrate on that one thing.
• I like lists but then tend to forget about them and hold everything, frustratingly, in my head.
• I stop everything else going on in my life when I'm concentrating on a project. No getting my nails done, no dog walks with my friend, not coffees. I cannot organise things when my head is full.
• I know more than I think I do.
• I can do more than I think I can.
• Keep it simple should be my mantra for everything. And has kept me sane during this entire process.

I've still go a few loose ends to tie up. And I have a Facebook group for the course so will be supporting everyone as they go through the lessons. 

But now I'm wondering what to do next. Write another course? (I have an idea brewing.) Or something else. Which brings me to the final thing I've learnt:

• When one project is completed I have to fill my 'creative well' before starting a new one.

I didn't write this post to publicise my course, but if you are interested in joining it's not too late and you can find out more here.

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Why do I think I'm failing because other people are growing online faster?

The anxiety started not long after I sent Sunday morning's instagram post live. The post was one I was particularly proud of. I liked how the words went with the picture. And I liked how I had taken something as mundane as the topic of mud and made something creative out of it.

And even though the likes came rolling in, even when I received some lovely comments about how the caption went with the picture, the anxiety continued to grow. 

It was getting livelier and livelier. A pit of snakes. A troop of lively monkeys who had just drunk an energy drink. 

I felt restless. Despite it being a Sunday afternoon, traditionally the time I cosied up on the settee with a film (or, in yesterday's case the England rugby match). I brought my notebooks into the lounge and started to write and create. Not out of a sense of calm but because I felt I had to do something. A sense of duty towards my work.

According to my husband I became a bit snarly (I couldn't possibly comment). And I went to bed with thoughts weighing on my mind. 

Until, just as I was about to go to sleep, I had a bit of a revelation.

I know I'm not the only one who is affected by the ups and downs of Instagram. Jules has talked about how the number of likes her picture gets can affect her mood. But in this particular instance it wasn't the number of likes as such, it was comparing these likes with what other people were getting.

So my anxiety was centred around my (slow to medium) Instagram growth and what I should be doing to 'up my game' to achieve faster growth.

There are lots of lovely advice posts out there on what I could be doing. But I was struggling to adapt the advice to my own feed. (Let me stress at this point that it's not them - it's me!)

And that's when it occurred to me just as I was falling asleep. I don't have to do what other people are doing to grow their instagram (I mean, duh! of course I don't!). I have my own vision, my own goals. Why am I being distracted by other people's incredible numbers?

And why am I thinking I'm failing because other people are growing faster?

I mean - how mad is that? I'm failing because other people are getting bigger numbers? Seriously, I need to get a grip.

As I've said before - but obviously need constant reminding - I am carving my own path as an online storyteller. 

The story is often what comes to me first before I create an Instagram picture.

A sentence like my post going live today (pictured below). I was stomping around my field and the words 'signs of life amongst nature's decay' came to me. So I created a post showing decay and life in that post.

I'm inspired and influenced by the seasons and how my creativity (or lack of) is going. And I like to tell that story in both the caption and the picture. So I just post what feels right for me not my feed. 

I'm not saying my way is the right way or the only way. I'm just saying we're all different.

And if you're finding the online advice doesn't suit you then, even though it's a bit harder, you have to find your own way. Experiment. Push yourself. But try and remember why you're on instagram in the first place.

And don't compare yourself, however much your mind wants to, with others. 

Do you ever feel like this? Does your creative online journey feel different to others? 

5 Questions About Starting a Blog (because you love writing)

Is blogging still relevant, do you need to niche, what platform should you use, what value should you offer your audience and how do you find your writing voice? Five questions about blogging that I hear asked a lot.

As I've mentioned before when describing my blogging and creative journey, I came to blogging before Facebook, before Twitter and Instagram. 

And I feel blogging became, over the years, a little like the radio in Queen's song, Radio Gaga. You know, the one where they sing that the TV is taking over and the poor radio was being sidelined? 

Blogging was quickly dropped by many of my online friends in favour of the shininess of Twitter and Facebook. Social media was quicker, you could have conversations with lots of people at once. 

Blogs with their blog rolls and little awards we used to give each other to pop into the sidebar became old fashioned in this crazily fast online world.

Yet, for me, blogging has never gone anywhere. And I know it hasn't for thousands upon thousands of other people in this online world. But. Blogging has evolved. Templates are slick and magazine-like. Photographs are big and beautiful; taking prominence in a blog post.

And now the advice has gone full circle because people are saying to have a blog. Something that belongs to you as opposed to a platform you have no control over with all its algorithm irritations.

But because blogging is so much slicker now it's a little more daunting to start one.

There are courses out there telling you that you can make thousands of pounds simply by blogging. They talk of webinars, of niches, of converting leads, of serving your audience...it's heady stuff. They tell you to have a mailing list, to build up a platform on social media, to look at your SEO. And I haven't even mentioned the design of the blog. Circumnavigating all the photography, the colours, the 'pinnable images' and the fonts.

For a newbie I think it's overwhelming.

What do you do if you want to blog purely because you want to write? You have something to say? Simply as a way of discovering your truth, your self, your creativity, your writing style?

Where are all the posts on that?

They are out there. I know they are. But with all the noise on the internet it's difficult to find. And there is confusion when you read the articles with the loudest voices and worry about finding your niche, and creating a 'take away' for your audience. When blog posts are telling you the optimum number of words to use in a blog post. When you wonder what the rules are for promoting your blog 'content'.

So, I'm putting my hand up. I'm saying here. Over here. I'm talking about blogging for creativity. Me. 

Blogging has given me so much creative joy over the last eleven years. I've found my voice, I've peeled the onion and found interests and new things to write about. I've learnt new skills and adapted. And I've learnt to discount any online advice that doesn't fit in with me and my creativity.

Now, at no point am I saying that blogging and making money is mutually exclusive. (I'm also not discounting info-bloggers at all.) I know people have blogs as a hobby. And others to make money. I am enthusiastic about either. And that's my point. Blogging cannot be put into a one size fits all box. You have to find a box that suits you. Then make holes in the box and add bits on and cut bits away. We cannot all be clones of each other.

So, how do you start blogging for creativity? It's easy for me to say just start writing. But then I'd be discounting the fear of putting something out there online for the very first time. The anxious butterflies. The heart pounding whilst you try and stop yourself from deleting the post. 

In the process of researching and putting together my e-course I asked two Instagram friends what their worries were when it came to blogging. I'm repeating my answers here in the hope it might help you.

1. What is the best blogging platform for a total newbie?

To start a blog you need someone to host it for you online. Now you can go down the free route. Or you can go down the paid route. Wordpress has both options. A free version hosted on their servers - wordpress.com with small adverts appearing on your blog. And a paid version where you find a hosting company to host it for you, that's wordpress.org. But you'd still use the Wordpress layout behind the scenes to create your site. And there'd be no adverts on on your blog. Or, if there was, you'd receive the money from them!

Then you have Blogger - owned by Google - this is free to use. 

Then there is Squarespace which has a monthly, or slightly cheaper yearly, fee. My current blog is on Squarespace (though I've used all three). It is different to the other two in that you drag and drop to build a blog. Incredibly simple once you understand the basics.

You can get hold of a domain name through one of these sites. Or buy separately.

In terms of what is best - all three of these are great platforms. Blogger might have slightly simpler designs but maybe that's a good thing for you. The point is - whoever you go with you are not stuck with them indefinitely. Blogs can be transferred to another company whenever you like.

You can get hold of my free download called Which Blogging Platform by signing up to my mailing list.

2. I cannot think of a niche. Do I need one?

You do not need a 'niche' to start blogging. You don't even know what you want to write about. Some people, such as Julie Powell from the inspired by real life film Julie & Julia, knew straight away what she wanted her blog to be about. She was going to create all of Julia Child's recipes in one year. It was a challenge. Whereas me? I didn't have a clue other than wanting to record the number of words I'd written that day for my novel. Now I write about chickens and ducks amongst many other things.

My point is this: you don't always know what direction you'll take. You don't know what interests you'll uncover. Don't narrow yourself down too early in the process. 

And if you want to read more on what I have to say about 'niche' then read this post.

3. Is blogging still relevant?

Short answer, yes. Longer answer...does it matter if it isn't? You want to write and create? What better place to share. As I said recently on the What She Said podcast, don't be a sheep. Carve your own path.

4. What about the advice about serving an audience? Shouldn't I be providing something for them?

First and foremost I write for myself. That might sound selfish, I don't know (and don't really care). It also goes against all the advice of writing with an audience in mind. This advice is perfect if you are selling something. But if you're writing for creativity then write for yourself first.

Once you have established an audience (and this will take time) what they'll take away is entertainment. Your way of looking at the world. 

5. How do I find my voice online?

This takes time. And practice. You cannot not start your blog because you feel you don't have a voice yet. The voice comes from writing. And posting. And writing. And posting. It is a muscle. Your blogging muscle. And you have to keep using it. 

Are You Looking for (Gentle) Blogging Inspiration in 2018?

It's easy to get caught up in the New Year excitement. Deciding that this year you're really going to go for it, to finally get that blog up and running, to write about what you love to write about, to focus and write on your blog on a regular basis. To put yourself out there, to maybe earn an income from your blog and your writing...you get the picture. 

Then, you sit at your laptop, fingers hovering over the keyboard, raring to go. But you find you can't. It just isn't happening.

I'm telling you, I've been there. In fact, I feel a bit like that this morning. There's so many ideas in my head that I feel a little overwhelmed. Do you feel like that? Or, it could be that there are no ideas in your head. I've been there, too. You feel devoid of creativity after a busy Christmas. Where is that creative spark you desperately desire?

Well, firstly, let me say this. It's not a race. I feel, sometimes, that January is a bit like waking up from a really deep, relaxing sleep and having to go at one hundred miles an hour getting yourself ready. And it's like wading through treacle. Many of us have taken time off over Christmas. Why do we suddenly feel we have to spend hours and hours on our projects just because it is a New Year? If we're not careful we'll get to February completely exhausted.

Secondly, do not feel that just because someone else appears really productive that you are failing. Don't compare your writing, your creativity, your blog, your stats, your Instagram, your productivity - anything, to anyone else. You are forging your own path.

(And yes, I could be writing this blog post as a reminder to myself.)

If you feel that you want to sit on the sofa watching a twenty-year old episode of Jonathan Creek on Netflix this afternoon, I'm not going to judge. (Okay, that might be me I'm describing. I have a date with my settee at 4pm.) You have to pace yourself.

However, that being said, there are a few things that have inspired me over the Christmas break:

1. I listened to Sara Tasker's podcast with Jen Carrington whilst wrapping presents on Christmas Eve. Sara and Jen were basically chatting between themselves and it was lovely and mellow to listen to. No action plans with them saying 'you must do this'. It was gentle reassurance from knowledgeable friends. I really recommend to counteract the shouty 'New Year New You' articles.

2. Similarly, Lucy of Wanderluce did a 12 days of Christmas 'Podmas' in December. It is basically 12 episodes of Lucy chatting about podcasting, imposter syndrome, failure - plus other topics. And again, in Lucy's beautifully reassuring voice, you get the feeling that you're not alone in all you strive to achieve in this online world. Lucy also has a Facebook group which is lovely for chats and support. Particularly great if you're interested in podcasting yourself.

3. I read the book She Means Business by Carrie Green over the Christmas break, too. Some of the advice isn't relevant to what I want to achieve with my online space - but - I found the book encouraging and it did spark ideas of my own. 

4. Getting organised has always been an issue for me. I'm just not an organised kind of person. I've tried organising my work online but it doesn't work for me. Notebooks are the key. But then I have about fifty notebooks with notes in all of them. And can I find the right note when I need it?!

I started a bullet journal last September and it really helped. But I found I was putting all sorts in it - not just blogging and business stuff and it was becoming too 'busy'. So when I saw this simple version of a bullet journal just for blogging by Lily Pebbles I immediately adapted it with a similar version for myself. I've used a Lemome notebook which has premium thick paper. The first notebook I've found that doesn't show the ink through on the other side of the page.

Just writing down the categories and dates was enough to get me excited about the year to come. Ideas soon followed and it's starting to fill nicely.

So. A book, a bullet journal YouTube video, a couple of podcasts and a Facebook Group have inspired me to forge my own path in 2018. Have you found anything inspiring recently?

Sowing Stories - the E-Course

At the end of February I'll be launching my first e-course for people who want to set up their own blog to share their stories online - but have no idea where to start. This e-course will go through the practical side of setting up a blog as well as the creative aspects. If you'd like to be the first to hear about its launch (there will be limited spaces available) then sign up to the mailing list below.

I'm really excited about this course - I'm pouring everything I know about blogging and telling stories online into it. (You can read more in this post.)

How to Make Christmas Biscuits

We ate pancakes for breakfast and enjoyed a game of Pictionary once the sticky syrup had been wiped away. There was a homemade soup for lunch: onions, potatoes, leeks, carrots and broccoli with a touch of garam masala with sprinkly bits of bacon and croutons crisped in the bacon fat. As the light outside started to disappear there was a game of monopoly whilst we tucked into some ginger spiced Christmas biscuits. We brought the Christmas tree inside and set it up ready for decorating today. A simple day.

A wonderful day.

RECIPE FOR CHRISTMAS BISCUITS

~ You will need ~

Baking trays covered in baking parchment, rolling pin and cookie cutters.

~ Ingredients ~

• 50g butter
• 100g caster sugar
• 3 tbsp golden syrup
• 300g self-raising flour
• pinch salt
• 3 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 4 tbsp milk

~ Method ~

1. Pre-heat the oven to 140 degrees (fan).
2. In a saucepan weigh out the butter, caster sugar and golden syrup. Place onto the hob over a low heat until combined.
3. In a bowl combine the flour, salt and spices.
4. Stir in the liquid then add as much milk as you need to make a firm dough.
5. Roll out onto a floured surface at about half a centimetre thick.
6. Cut out the shapes and place onto the baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes until slightly golden.
8. Decorate with icing or keep plain.

An honest post about my creative year & my ideas for 2018

Due to nobody's fault but my own 2017 didn't quite go to plan for me. 

It started off well. Then I hit 10k on Instagram and my focus evaporated. I got sidetracked by other things. I was like a social media magpie picking my way excitedly through the shiny online advice.

I created another brand, another website, I started a coaching business. Oh my goodness this took up a lot of time and effort. But I was missing using my own creativity. And subsequently lost my appetite for work. I was beginning to flounder and flail.

It wasn't until a summer holiday when my mind had the chance to breathe that I realised I'd become side-tracked. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't, metaphorically speaking, kick myself long and hard for losing focus. 

But, as I said when I was being interviewed for a podcast last week, this is my journey. Just as I haven't yet finished my novel, just as my blog posts and Instagram account has yet to go viral (insert wink emoji) there is, I think, a reason for many of the decisions I make. And, even if there isn't a reason and it is a stupid mistake, I can still learn from it.

And what I've learned this year, in a looong roundabout way, is that I really want to focus on storytelling. I want to create a beautiful body of work on my blog where I tell my seasonal stories all mixed in with the other blog posts I enjoy writing on books, Instagram, food, beauty, writing, chickens, ducks  - whatever takes my fancy.

And I know I love sharing my stories on Instagram, too, but I don't want to put all my chickens' eggs in one social media basket.

So, what come's next? Well, I'm going to have a proper think over the Christmas break but I do have a few ideas now.

Even though I won't be doing one-to-one coaching anymore I have been answering DMs and emails from people who've reached out to me and who are interested in setting up their own blog and sharing their own stories but don't know where to start.

So...

IDEA NUMBER ONE

With social media becoming harder to build a following I firmly believe that creating a blog is important if you want an online presence. A blog is your business card, it's your portfolio. It is also a place to be creative. To experiment with different ways of telling stories: film, photography or writing.

So, I thought it would make sense to put all my knowledge from the past few years into a course focusing on the practical side as well as the creative and storytelling side of building a beautiful blog. A course looking at how to build up to sharing your work and writing (which I know can be so daunting) in addition to finding places to share and promote it.

I know that being confused about the techie aspects of writing and sharing online can be a real stumbling block so I genuinely want to help cut through all the advice so creatives can set up their blog simply and effectively then concentrate on creating.

I've actually already started to write the course and love how it's coming together. If you're interested you can sign up on this page to receive more information  and I'll email you when I have a date and further information.

If you have any questions about the course do send me an email. I'd love to hear from you.

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IDEA NUMBER TWO

I'd love to create A Bookish Baker - the Book Club. A place to enjoy cosy reads. Whether this would be via newsletter, on a private area of this blog or on Facebook I'm not sure. What do you think? Is this something you'd be interested in?

IDEA NUMBER THREE

A podcast talking books and stories. Maybe chatting to authors but also chatting to bloggers and creatives to discover the behind-the-scenes stories. 

This seems like a lot of projects I'd like to do when you also consider I have this blog, a novel to write and my Instagram photos and mini-films. 

BUT now I have found the path I want to be on I realise I love doing all of this. All if it. And I am so ready for the next stage of challenges.