NaBloPoMo Archives - Page 2 of 6

NaBloPoMo July 26: Writing

BlogHer July NaBloPoMo — BlogHer.com July NaBloPoMo

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: Mike White admits: “I guess I’m trying to write stuff that I, as a viewer, would connect to.” Do you think you do this on your blog?

While I try to write posts that I think my readers would want to read, I have to go back to why I write.

I write for…

* My Kids – I used to seriously journal and have stepped away from that in the digital world. I want them to remember everything–the good, the bad. I want them to know me, and be able to hear my voice even when I’m gone.

* An outlet – I have my guard up, yet I am not so afraid to spill my guts on this here blog. It’s because when I write (or type in this case), my heart opens up. Sometimes I shed tears, sometimes I laugh. Regardless, I get it out and don’t hold it in.

* To share – As a family, we have some unique experiences, often ones we do alone. I like to share the things we do so others can enjoy, too.

I guess with those things in mind, I do write with my viewers in mind, even if that viewer is only me.

Dayna Steele, who writes a daily blog with success tips for professionals, shared this week:

Even when no one is listening (or reading, or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as creator are happy.

I couldn’t agree more.

NaBloPoMo July 25: Seemingly Unconnected

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: William Plomer defined creativity as “the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.” Discuss.

Creativity surely brings the least likely pairs together for connections. Today, for instance, I am off to Chicago to celebrate creativity bringing people together. While I am at BlogHer, I will be connecting with women who are creative like me, but that we may not have otherwise have been connected.

It is going out on a limb, especially before going to a conference where people are social media addicts like me, but I will just say it anyhow. Creativity expressed through blogging and social media gives otherwise introverts an outlet to connect with others like them. I will admit, I am a bit socially awkward when it comes to meeting new people. But, get me comfortable and I chat away. Blogging and social media will give myself and others a means to connect.

I am grateful for the ways creativity helps us connect, aren’t you?

Source: blogher.com

NaBloMo July 24: Entertainers and Connection

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: Joe Nichols said, “Being an entertainer includes knowing how to connect with an audience.” Can you be a good entertainer without the connection?

Sure, someone could be funny or talented, but without having an audience to connect to, what is the value of the entertainment content? Personally, I don’t think you can entertain without having a connection.

Think about it, if you are not engaging with an audience, regardless of how awesome your material is, there is no value. You have to be able to read your audience and know what is working and what isn’t.

I say that…and here I am, trying to engage you readers but can’t get a complete read on what makes you want to come back for more. Some of you love it all. Some of you are here to keep connected to the kids. Some of you want recipes or Pittsburgh stuff. But, most importantly, you come for the entertainment my words provide.

Okay, I will be honest. If you didn’t stop by, I would still write. I do it for my kids, but mostly for me to clear my brain. But, I love seeing that you keep coming back for more. For that, I thank you.

As I think about the things that entertain me, I definitely stick with the things I am connected to. Twitter. Fellow bloggers. Bad TV to zone to. Country music. Drake. Billy Hill’s tattoo work. Deals. And in the end, it boils down to the makers and creators of this content have something that keeps me coming back for more…a connection.

NaBloPoMo July 23: Facebook and Connections

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: Mark Zuckerberg has said about his site: “The thing that we are trying to do at Facebook is just help people connect and communicate more efficiently.” Do you think he succeeded?

Facebook, admittedly, has brought me a heck of a lot of drama. But, above all that, it has connected me in so many ways. I have to agree that the site met the goal to connect others.

In 2008, Facebook kept my parents close to Arianna’s growth during our two months apart. They were able to instantly see photos and comment on her changes.

Friends “from the past” have been able to re-connect with us.

This here blog has been able to connect with readers on Facebook.

We were able to stay in touch with Nurin while she was in Morocco.

I have been able to connect with other bloggers as we prepare for BlogHer (this week!).

Katie, Rachel, and I were able to promote tonight’s Family Friendly Tweetup.

Moving past all of the drama, I have to say I am glad to hit the “blue F” on my phone every once in awhile and see that red circle with a number on it, letting me know someone connected with me, caring about my content. Thank you, Facebook, for your ways of keeping us together in this techie world.

PS, are you connected with us on Facebook yet? If not, perhaps it is time to give us a Like!

NaBloPoMo July 22: Connect the Dots

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: Steve Jobs said: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” Discuss.

As I mentioned on Thursday, this is definitely a family that believes in connection. The dots of our past have definitely shaped our present. So, can you connect the dots of the future?

A firm believer in my faith, I trust that God is the one connecting the dots of the future. The dots that connected in the past make us who we are today. We don’t have control over how those dots will connect, but just have to trust and have faith.

Sure, I would love to have a hand in how the dots will connect. There are goals, like losing a few more pounds (and Greg gaining a few), working a dream job, having another baby (we are mildly crazy in the fact that we are willing to risk being outnumbered by small humans), and buying our dream house. There are things I hope we get to do and experience (like Hawaii, watching the kids graduate and get married, becoming grandparents, retiring to a beach). But, as we have learned, we have no control over the hands we are dealt and have to put the trust in the Creator. He connects the dots so we don’t have to.

NaBloPoMo: Connected to Community

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: Do you feel that you are connected to your community?

I absolutely love my city of Pittsburgh, and feel very connected to it. My neighborhood in Tarentum might not be my favorite place in town, but how could I not love the city that:

* Has three rivers

* Has three pretty great sports teams

* Welcomes you home from the airport with a stunning view

* Has organizations that raise money for kids with Cancer, holds birthday parties for kids whose parents can’t, or holds company fundraisers to give money to sick kids

* Holds an incredible Marathon weekend

* Has a crazy awesome Twitter community (and bloggers too — have you seen my post on “Ya Jagoff” today about bathroom Jagoffs?)

* Brought me home after three years living at the beach because this is home.

* Bleeds Black and Gold

NaBloPoMo: Regretting Connections

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: Do you have any regrets about the connections you’ve made over the years?

Oh, NaBloPoMo. you don’t even know. My post high school years’ theme was “No Regrets”; however, I cannot say that I truly can say I live that.

Here’s the thing, every connection I have made in life has made me the person I am. Certain connections, as craptastic as they were, brought us Arianna. Others brought me healing at the time and hurt at the same time. Some friend connections have come and gone–people I trusted and thought were accepting and come to find out they are not. We all have our choices, and if in the future they are not right, it doesn’t mean they are not right at that time.

So, do I have regrets? No. I have lacked faith in my judgement at the time certain connections were made, but regrets, nope. Great memories, some scars on my heart, and hilarious stories to tell? Heck yes. Regrets, nope.

NaBloPoMo July 15: Offline on Vacation? What?

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: Do you find it easy to go offline during vacation?

Uh, have you read my “Unconnected” post? Then you know the answer to this is NO. My brother and I used to pay a pretty penny to get internet at our off-the-grid cottage in Canada. Okay, I paid it. I couldn’t help myself. It was right when Facebook was big and my friends and I had started a political blog. I needed to stay connected.

These days, I work a support job and find it tough to completely step away. I will turn my email off and only check it once a night. The laptop comes along to blog, put pictures on Facebook, or to get into details on work assignments. One of these days, I think I need a truly disconnected vacation. I think my family needs me to have that. Is it possible?

BlueGreen Bahamas — Source: bluegreenvacations.com

(Where I’d go if I could go away from it all, perhaps)

By the way, today is my Blogoversary, three years of blogging here at ‘lil Burghers. Thank you to the faithful readers for stopping by and keeping me motivated to write and share. Hugs for all!

NaBloPoMo July 12: Unconnected

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: How do you feel when you’re unconnected to the Internet?

Honestly, it could go one of two ways. I could be completely freaking out or completely in peace. There really isn’t an in between. That’s pretty sad, huh?

Because of that, I’d like to turn this post into an admission that I am addicted to the Internet because I am addicted to learning, growing, and networking. To my family, I apologize for the time’s my fingers are typing away or my nose is “in my phone”. It’s probably worse than I imagine, but not as bad as it could be. The Internet has given us so many opportunities as a family, and I am grateful for that. It’s in those times of opportunity; however, that I should put my phone down and live in the moment!

I am going to work on this, and I am glad for opportunities (like last weekend) when I am completely off the radar and cannot get to the Internet. Still…I have no idea how I ever lived anywhere that “4G” didn’t show up on my phone.

NaBloPoMo Day 10: Comments Please

This post is brought to you by the NaBloPoMo July prompts from BlogHer. This month, I am writing about connections.

Today’s Prompt: Think back to that first blog comment: how did you feel when it popped up on your computer screen?

When I first saw a comment on my blog, I had the same reaction I do every time I get a comment–someone actually read what I had to say and took the time to let me know they had an opinion on it! A smile comes across my face, my fingers tingle in anticipation as I wait for the e-mail to load, letting me see your words of wisdom. I wonder if it is someone new, a family member, or an old friend.

Comments are a bloggers best friend, even when they don’t agree with your POV. When you comment, it means that the writer and reader are connecting. People are not just lurking. You’ve engaged them and they’ll want to come back for more.

On ‘lil Burghers, comments are rare, beautiful gems. I appreciate those of you who take the time to say hello, offer a suggestion when I write about a parenting issue, or give a HELL YEAH when you agree with a post. If comments aren’t your thing, maybe calling me to say you liked what I wrote (hi, Aunt Amy, MWAH!), a Facebook like, a Pinterest Pin (did you know you can do it just by hovering over any photo on a post on this blog?), or a share on Twitter. Whatever it may be, those of you who stop by and engage with me make my writing 100x more meaningful. And if you don’t? No worries, I know my writing will mean something to the kids one day, which is why I do what I do. But lurkers? Take a minute and say hi tonight, k?

(First ever ‘lil Burghers blog comment, from my mother-in-law, about 3 months into blogging)