It makes my job easier when smart people share what they know. To follow up on Thursday’s post about grants for writers and artists, two excellent resources on how to write a successful application are on B.J. Epstein’s website and Mira’s List. (Thanks to Erika for pointing out the first one.)
Like I’ve said, I’m thinking a lot lately about how to build this into a better blog. The experts give all kinds of advice, including writing headlines like Earn a Six-Figure Income in Less Time Than It Takes to Microwave Popcorn! Or, Get Paul Rudd as Your Boyfriend AND Finally Lose Those Last Five Pounds!
(I’m sorry if it’s unfeminist of me to say that. You are beautiful with your five – or whatever – extra pounds. I do not feel entirely beautiful with mine. Sigh.)
But those kinds of posts just aren’t my style. I aim to share info you can use, to make this site rich in content, but also to continue to ramble about the world and my place in it, in the hope that this combo will help you live your own LOTHW. (I even changed my “about me” over on the left to reflect this new focus.)
I’d like a lot more conversation with you, because I suspect you have a lot to teach me and the rest of us about making this crazy life work, so keep posting in the comments and emailing me your thoughts and questions. (You’ve already got me off to a good start on ideas for posts, thank you.)
I’m also wondering where I fit into the blogosphere, when lifestyle design gurus like Tim Ferriss and Chris Guillebeau are covering similar ground. The concern is that since they’re discussing self-employment and travel so well, for example, what do I bring to the party? (Other than my sparkling personality and a bottle of delicious, midpriced Malbec.) What sets my experience and knowledge apart?
In other words, why me?
Good lord. Where did I put that Malbec?
I’m a single woman with no kids and no debt. I’ve had lots of adventures and plan to have a lot more. I’m completely unencumbered and facing the second half of my life. Now what?
For me right this second, the Now What is to once and for all say, I’m never going to take another job that traps me in an office every day, or take one I don’t care about just because it offers a paycheck and I'm feeling anxious about money. I'll figure out a different way.
To be fair, I’ve done a pretty good job of this so far, but I’m ready to bump it up a notch. That’s what I bring to the party.
What about you? Where do you want to go next?
P.S. I’m on Twitter. I know, I know. I’ve been bucking it so hard you’d think it wasn’t a website but a piece of snake meat dipped in cod liver oil, but smart people have said, Really, it’s a great way to connect with people, so I’m trying it. And following someone on Twitter feels like stalking for the non-malicious set, so that’s good. God knows I’m all for safe stalking.
If you’re on Twitter, come find me. I’m @deonnekahler.
Monday, June 22, 2009
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5 comments:
I think where you differ can be by concentrating a bit more on writing and maybe a bit more on the women and feminist angle of it.
I think that Tim and Chris are interesting and good examples, but when I look at their stuff I am struck by the fact that both embody a kind of rugged male individuality that doesn't serve everyone. I think there is a middle ground, which might be just the place for you.
I don't think you have to break records or see the world by age 35 or have a scheme to live a life with fulfilling work that isn't a grinding day job.
Hi,
• We have just added your latest post "Grant Applications, Malbec, and Stalking" to our Directory of Grant Programs . You can check the inclusion of the post here . We are delighted to invite you to submit all your future posts to the directory for getting a huge base of visitors to your website and gaining a valuable backlink to your site.
Warm Regards
Project Grant Team
http://projectgrant.info
Margosita - thanks so much for saying all this. I agree that though Tim and Chris are great and inspiring, there's definitely a cowboy element that needs balance. I feel like I land somewhere between that and the mommybloggers - both valuable viewpoints, but with lots of room in the middle. Refocusing on the writing and a woman's perspective is important, I agree. But I'm not giving up my schemes. (Ha.)
Deonne, I'm so proud of you, making the leap to twitter. You are now officially a character. A 140 Character that is. You'll need to learn about the Hashtag, often confused as a hashmark, not so. Don't let it be said. The Hashmark can be found on a football field, the Hashtag can be found at Hashtags.org. Its all things twitter, and soon you will be a user of the Hashtag as well as other notable devices like the Retweet. An RT simply indicating an ethical use of someone else's tweet so as if to say "I didn't say this first" someone else did. And I probably shouldn't say this, but that extra five pounds on you looks great!!! You are one sweet tweetin chic.
I don't ever impolitely refer to women as chicks, so please forgive me, I was going with the flow.
Also, I've been feeling a little as I've read lately in an old George Eliot book a bit of an English Prig. Much to full f Opinion, I've been trying to tone it back on Life on the Surface.
Sincerely,
The Tusk
Tusk - you clearly know way more than me about the whole Twitter thing, so thanks for the quick tutorial. Honestly, I'm not sure I have that many interesting things to say, but we'll see. It's fun reading, though.
I'm not sure I got the full meaning of your last paragraph, but I suppose the phrase English Prig says it all (ha).
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