Posts by Charity Woods

In this week’s Showcase Sunday, I would love to introduce you to Alyssa Kindred and her blog, CrimsnMacchiato. I had the opportunity to visit her blog and I love the way that the blog is comforting and inviting. Her coffee cup collection is something to definitely be amazed by, check out her About page to see what I’m talking about. Her witty sense of humor and informative reviews will have you returning again and again. But before you jump over there to her blog, see what she has to say from our interview below.

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What made you get into blogging?

I have always been passionate about writing. Growing up, I would write poetry and short stories. As I got older, I developed a love for health and fitness.  I always shared my thoughts, ideas, and secrets of success with my friends and coworkers. Every time I would try a new product, it was the same – I loved discussing it with everyone! I started writing on Hub-pages six years ago, and I would share some of my favorite papers, essays, and thoughts. It was a lot of fun and I dabbled with it on and off. I love inspiring people and putting positive energy out into the universe and so, in August of 2016, I made the decision to start an actual blog and write regularly.  

What is the story behind your blog name?

When I started in August, I named my blog SassyCatK. It was okay at the time, but I grew tired of it. The name just didn’t fit me, or the blog. I wanted a name that better reflected who I am and one that would set the tone for my writing. I’m known for my bright red hair, it’s my signature, and I love coffee.  I am always posting something on social media concerning my deep affection for the caffeinated beverage and I wanted a name to reflect all of that. Several weeks passed of me writing ideas down, trying to come up with something perfect. I had an idea that I loved, but that name was taken by a coffee shop, so I was essentially stuck.  One afternoon I was chatting with my husband about it. We had just visited Starbucks the day before, (this was in January) and when it’s cold, I always order a caramel macchiato. I had the holiday cups sitting on the counter next to my little notebook of ideas. Caramel Macchiato would be a great name, but I’m not a brunette and I had my heart set on using the word crimson in place of red. In that moment, my husband came up with crimson macchiato. I fell in love with the name – it was perfect! After a little research, I went to change my Twitter handle, but I had to drop the ‘o’ because there were too many characters. CrimsnMacchiato was born.

Have you ever had any formal training or education in your blog subject?

Ah yes, The School of Hard Knocks. Ha! In all seriousness, I studied psychology, philosophy, the arts, and accounting in college. I also took courses related to health and fitness. But I draw a good portion of my content from personal experience.

What was your greatest failure and how did you learn from it?

Hmm.. I’ve definitely made mistakes in life. Haven’t we all? I wouldn’t say any of them are worthy of the title, “Greatest Failure,” though. I am a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. From every mistake came a lesson learned, and a sense of clarity. For example, a few years ago, we were in the process of moving. I was at the old house, cleaning stuff up and organizing everything. I was cleaning up a chair that had been in the garage one evening. I must have moved wrong, somehow, because in an instant, I felt a twinge and a lot of pain in my lower back.  I managed to make it into the house and lay down on the hardwood floor, where I stayed for a few hours until I could get myself back up. I learned a few lessons from this occurrence. 1. Age doesn’t matter. (I was 26) 2. You are only as young as your spine. (I’ve had back pain off and on ever since.) 3. Be mindful of your movements. 4. Don’t take anything for granted.  5. Find humor in every situation. 6. Have gratitude for the things you can do. 7.Icy Hot is amazing.  

Who has influenced you the most with your blog?

My family, for sure. My husband and my son are a constant source of support, inspiration, and love.

How much time do you spend blogging in any given week?

Honestly, I feel like I’m always working on my blog, in one aspect or another. But, 20 hours- ish a week would be a good estimate. Ideas pop into my head at the most random times of the day and I have to jot them down or I’ll forget them completely.  And, I always have my camera at the ready because you never know when a photo-op will present itself. A beautiful or unique set of clouds?  A gorgeous sunset?  An interesting tree? Yes, I just have to snap a few photos!  

Is blogging your profession or just a hobby?

It’s has been a hobby that I have treated like a career for the past (almost) year. I would absolutely love to turn blogging into my actual, full-time profession. How cool would that be?

What is your passion?

Family. Writing, of course.  Coffee.  😉

Fitness. Tracy Anderson and Yoga are essentials for me. Dancing, and Music. I love all types of music, from Johnny Cash and Fleetwood Mac, to Ryan Adams and Britney Spears. And everything in between! I am always dancing and singing my heart out around the house and in the car, whether I know the lyrics or not. Ha! I love reading – I’m a huge Steven Berry, Ken Follett, and Natasha Mostert fan. And I love learning new things! I try to learn something new every day.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

There’s a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson I have loved for many years that sums it up beautifully:

“To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

What piece of advice have you found helpful that you would like to share with other bloggers?

When I first started, I left a comment on the First Friday post on WordPress. Many people left encouraging feedback, but one lady gave me some advice on aesthetics that stuck with me. She left a comment about the layout of my blog. I love color, and at the time, I had a gray background with blue and white text. I thought it was fun, different, and would stand out. I didn’t realize that it might be hard on the eyes and distract from my writing. She essentially said that simple is best. A white background with black text is elegant and classic, and also easy on the eyes. After reading her comment, I changed my layout right away. I have fun with the text, changing up the font, but I am always mindful of keeping everything simple and readable. It’s easy to get caught up in design, it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of the blog, but can be overwhelming and time consuming. Keep it simple. I also think it’s important to read as much as you can about blogging, keep learning, keep improving. Read other blogs, leave thoughtful, genuine comments, and just have fun.

What legacy would you like to leave behind?

This is a tough one. But for me, as a parent, there is no greater legacy than having my son grow up to be happy, successful, and a productive member of society.

Do you own a unique coffee mug collection?

I am actively working on building up a collection of fun, quirky coffee mugs. The Groot mug is my favorite; it was an early Valentine’s Day gift. I would love to have a Yoda mug! At the moment, I have the large purple one, four dark blue ones that I inherited, and two large white mugs from a parade.

Is there anything you want the readers to know about your blog we haven’t covered?

CrimsnMacchiato is a lifestyle blog. I post weekly inspiration, designed to help everyone live his or her best life (Suggestions are always welcome!) I share my fitness and lifestyle secrets, tips, and tricks; my favorite recipes; product reviews; highlights from my travels and so much more! –all with a dash of humor.  

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Don’t just take my word for it, please visit her blog and let her know that you saw her here on “Sunday Showcase.”

As always, If you would like your blog to be featured on here, please do not hesitate to email me at craftyartistkc@gmail.com and I would love to feature you next Sunday.

In this week’s Showcase Sunday, I would love to introduce you to Pauline King from her blog The Contented Crafter. She has such a wonderful disposition and an amazing outlook on life. As I was reading through our interview, I realized just how much we had in common. From using mixed medias to just wanting to be the change we wish to see in the world.  She has so much to offer and I am proud that I have gotten the opportunity to introduce her to my readers. Before you rush off to visit her website, read what she has to say below:

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What made you get into blogging?

I started blogging February 2013 simply to keep track of all my craft and art items that were being made and given away or sold with no trace left of my progress.  I thought if I started recording and photographing it would be a good incentive for me to keep creating.  I’m also notoriously sanguine in my creative pursuits and get bored easily – it’s good for me to be accountable to something.  

Around the same time I also changed up my lifestyle and took full responsibility for my health and wellbeing through changing my diet and applying myself in a more dedicated manner to pursuing a more contented lifestyle by choosing positive thoughts and actions as much as possible.  (Hence the name of my blog)  I didn’t intend to write about that, but a couple of posts in and there it was….

I didn’t really think anyone would read my posts so was quite surprised when I got ‘likes’.  I didn’t even know what that meant really  🙂   It didn’t take long and a growing community of like minded people began to find their way to me and the rest, as they say, is history.

You mentioned that you love to work with mixed media, which is your favorite currently?

I guess it’s having free range to use whatever takes my fancy in the moment…..  I’m a little in love with watercolour crayons and pencils and try to find an excuse to use them everywhere at the moment.  I recently copied the idea of having blind prompts for working in my art journal – I don’t know who first invented the idea, it’s been around for a few years I think and I just decided to give it a go as I am currently practising ‘freeing myself up’ in my artistic endeavours.   (I think I’m a little stiff)  So I got 100 tongue depressors and wrote a different instruction on each.  I did the first journal page just two days ago and it is vastly different to anything else I’ve ever done and was a real challenge – and really fun!  So I may try that technique on canvas at some point.

Have you ever had any formal training or education in your blog subject?

No, I am a self taught mixed media artist and all round crafter and dabbler in anything that takes my fancy – a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades and dilettante.

What was your greatest failure and how did you learn from it?

I don’t see life in  term of failures – everything that happens is a learning experience and a chance for us to grow and improve as human beings.  If life was always comfortable and easy we would never wake up, we would never learn who and what we are capable of being and we would never learn empathy or how to reach out and help our fellow human beings.  This philosophy can be applied in the art studio too.  

I find that making art offers many opportunities for ‘happy accidents’ to occur and opportunities to become more creative.   I think every work goes through an ‘ugly stage’ and recognising this has taught me to persevere and keep going, to never give up, because inevitably something better, different, or more exciting will appear.  I guess just like in life, you have to let go of control and be prepared to be surprised.   I’m constantly surprised  🙂

Who has influenced you the most with your blog?

I think we are all constantly picking up thoughts and ideas from each other – nothing is unique or original when you trace it back.  So I would say that every blogger I read regularly would have had some influence on me.  

How much time do you spend blogging in any given week?

I have no idea.  I usually begin my day with a cup of coffee and a read of some of my favourite blogs that have come in overnight.  At this time I also respond to any comments left on my blog.  I guess I spend an hour to an hour and a half every morning at this activity.

If I get time to take a break in the  afternoon I might read some more posts then, or work on something I have in draft form.  Though mostly I write in the evenings, when I also catch up on the last of the blog posts in my reader.  I post on a random schedule, when I feel like I have something to say or show – or too much time has gone past and people have started to ask me if I’m alright  🙂  

So, maybe two plus hours every day.  Reading, writing, commenting and interacting.  That’s 14 hours a week, which seems like quite a lot!  

Is blogging your profession or just a hobby?

Blogging is my hobby.  I interact with other hobbyists – photographers, artists, crafters, writers and just plain folks who are really interesting and fun and good to spend a few moments with on a regular basis.  Many have become personal friends, it’s a great venue to meet up with like minded people.  Two years ago, I was invited by a group of bloggers who had become friends through additional meetings via Skype, facebook and emails to visit them in the US and we had a wonderful time together.  Four of those friends will come to my part of the world, New Zealand, early next year.  We are going to have a ball!!

What is your passion?

Now this is a good question!  Only one?  I have several….  As an ex-teacher I am passionate about promoting a return to the classical education that moves at the same rate as the students mental and emotional development and which covers language, mathematics, sciences, geography, history, art, movement and physical and life skills in a unified and holistic manner.   

As a person who believes I must be the change I hope to see in the world, I am still passionate about learning and practising the skills that make us conscious of our ability to be responsible for our lives and our experiences; for our relationships, our health and our desires.  I am aware there is a need for people to take hold of habitual thought patterns and to question the societal mores that we are surrounded with from birth to death.  I am passionate about our need to create a world where all people are equal members of the human race and where respect, empathy and openness are freely given to all members.  I am passionate about trying to live up to my ideals even though there is a daily shortfall  🙂  

Have you ever been trolled or had a bad review of something you were proud of? If not, how do you react normally to criticism, whether it is constructive or destructive.

No, I’ve never been trolled, though my Twitter account once got hacked and I wrote a post about that which gave us all a lot of laughs   https://thecontentedcrafter.com/2016/08/30/bottoms-up/

I’ve learned that the way criticism is delivered says more about the deliveree than me or whatever I’ve done that is being criticised.  That applies to both positive and negative criticism.    As an artist I value constructive criticism – it has never told me something I don’t already know on some level and the confirmation so often gives me a hint or direction to move forward in.   It can be extraordinarily helpful!  

What is your ultimate goal in life?

To leave it knowing I have travelled far, learnt well and always done my best.

What legacy would you like to leave behind?

That people would smile when they thought of me.

Is there anything you want the readers to know about your blog we haven’t covered?

My blog is a mixture of random thoughts, activities and daily life mixed in with whatever artistic or crafty pursuit I am currently interested in.  I don’t philosophise much, that is more inclined to come out in the comments I leave on my own and my friends blogs.  I’m quietly fey and spiritual and ever so slightly ditzy, but don’t spread that about unnecessarily  🙂    

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Don’t just take my word for it, please visit her blog and let her know that you saw her here on “Sunday Showcase.”

As always, If you would like your blog to be featured on here, please do not hesitate to email me at craftyartistkc@gmail.com and I would love to feature you next sunday.

In this week’s Showcase Sunday, I want to introduce PMu Ink from Daily Doodle.  She has a wonderful doodle blog that is fun and is promoting and encouraging positive drawing habits. She also has a wonderful blog exchange where she introduces other blogs. Her blog is a wonderful way to share her gift with the world and cultivate the wonders of doodling. Before you hop over to view some of what she has to offer, get to know her in the interview below.

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What made you get into blogging?

It was actually my friend Paul who convinced me.  I was doing a lot of drawing last year as part of processing a particularly nasty bout of depression, and during that time I felt like I found my voice as a doodler.  As I came through the other side of it I shared a few doodles with him and he gave me the encouragement to start the blog.  It’s also where the tag line came from, I always felt that art had to be incredibly deep oil painting, I had to tell myself that something didn’t have to be that ‘worthy’ in order to pluck up the courage to share something.

Have you ever had any formal training or education in your blog subject?

Not really.  I have a GCSE in art, but anyone who has done that knows that half the course is copying other people’s work.  I actually really hated it, and after graduating it took me a few years to pick up the pencil again.  Studying really sucked the fun out of it for me.  I see drawing as more of a skill than a talent, literally anyone can do it they just need plenty of practice and some realistic expectations.  I will never be a sculptor, but I can nail a doodle a day and really enjoy it.  I have also found by cultivating some really positive drawing practices I have really improved over the last year.  I also now have a record of that learning which is really great.

What was your greatest failure and how did you learn from it?

Every time I draw something I make a mistake or something doesn’t turn out how I picture it in my head.  For a long time I thought this meant I wasn’t very good, and I would start again or break out the rubber.  Now though I just try to go with it, or incorporate it into the design of what I’m doing.  Learning how to make the most out of my mistakes has been really freeing and if I could share any lesson with the secret doodlers out there, who have a ton of sketchbooks and pieces of paper stored somewhere in the bedrooms, it would be that.

Who has influenced you the most with your blog?

There is a book called Mindfulness and the Art of Drawing by Wendy Ann Greenhalgh which is really worth a read.  It’s an easy read, the illustrations are really stylish and it helps draw that line between an internal process and external expression.  Other than that it’s pretty varied.  I read a lot of sci-fi and folk tales, I watch a lot of documentaries about animals.  The hatch style that I have settled into was particularly inspired by old wood carvings and etchings.    

How much time do you spend blogging in any given week?

It really does vary depending on what I’m doing.  Some drawings like My Lovers Heart And Mind Are One 04 take no time at all and will only take an hour or so, others like Middles take days.  One of my favorite posts was the time-lapse video I did.  I was determined to record one of the larger A3 doodles, and in the video you can actually see the shadows move as time passes throughout the day.  I think I started at 10 in the morning and finished just before sunset, with two very short breaks in between.

Is blogging your profession or just a hobby?

It started off as a hobby, and has actually become a bit of a profession,  although it’s not enough for me to give up my day job, it’s great to make money from something I enjoy so much.

What is your passion?

I love drawing, but I have a serious passion for watching cartoons and animations.  I don’t have the patience to actually make them, but I will often have something animated playing in the background as I work.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

I would like to find a way to make a living out of my doodles, but apart from that I try to keep my goals small.  At the moment I am working on a book project with my friend Paul, after that I’m not sure.  Continue with the commissions I have at the moment, and then maybe start gathering things together to get an art book printed.

What legacy would you like to leave behind?

To lead a life that helps people in some way, to be kind and to be remembered when I die as someone who laughed a lot, felt things deeply and hopefully inspired others to do what they loved too.

Is there anything you want the readers to know about your blog we haven’t covered?

The only other thing I would like to share is to say again that anyone can draw.  No really, anyone.  It just takes practice and like any skill, practice is done little and often.  You will learn more from doodling in the margins of a notebook every day then spending a week in an artist retreat once a year, although if you can do both, great!  Also even if you don’t think something is very good, share it anyway.  You will be surprised what others like, some of the stuff that I have come seriously close to throwing into the fire is the stuff that gains the highest number of views.  Let other people judge your work and just enjoy the process.

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Don’t just take my word for it, please visit her blog and let her know that you saw her here on “Sunday Showcase.”
As always, If you would like your blog to be featured on here, please do not hesitate to email me at craftyartistkc@gmail.com and I would love to feature you next Sunday.

In this week’s Showcase Sunday, I want to introduce you to Kent Wayne from Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha. He is a brilliant writer with the ability to captivate his audience in a fantastical science fiction world. I had the opportunity to interview him and much to my surprise, He was very amusing with his answers. Before you run to check out his latest chapter in Echo, read more about him below.

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What made you get into blogging?

I got into blogging as a way to promote my actual books.  I noticed that indie author and runaway success Hugh Howey had used a blog to promote his works, and I also saw it as a way to learn how to produce content in a consistent manner, as well as sharpen my writing skills.

Have you ever had any formal training or education in your blog subject?

All training I’ve had in writing and philosophy has been a result of my independent pursuits—my own reading and experimentation.  I’ve known I was an overthinker since I was very young; writing has allowed me a constructive avenue with which to utilize my [curse/gift].

What was your greatest failure and how did you learn from it?

I won’t get into the specifics of my greatest failure, but it basically convinced me to switch my internal operating system from that of mindless persistence to one that’s focused on precision.  I used to glorify the aesthetic of just grinding away, always loyal to the same routines and habits.  I still use the discipline I’ve gained from that approach to tackle my projects, but now I’ve learned that I should always be looking for a more efficient way to put out better product.  Success is a relative concept—what was awesome 20 years ago is cliché today, so I always try to increase my “rev.”  The way I do this is I try and look deeper into the subjects that interest me at a faster pace than I did before.  When I do this right, I gain insights which can be funneled back into my writing and blogging, and I also gain an increase in capability; now I’m able to put stuff out at a speedier rate

When did you first start writing and when did you first publish?

I started writing around late 2014/early 2015.  I first published in March of 2015.

Who has influenced you the most with your blog?

I would say Bill Watterson—author of Calvin and Hobbes.  I like to use my blog as an informal way to express random observations and funny stories.

What is your favorite genre of writing? Is it different from your favorite genre to read?

My favorite genre of writing is hard to define—I guess I just like the fantastical, whether it’s sci-fi, fantasy, or modern-day life with an added edge of impossible.  My favorite genre to read…I don’t have a favorite genre, but my favorite book series firmly fits in the aforementioned category:  The Dark Tower, by Stephen King.  (I grew up loving the saying:  “There are other worlds than these.”)

Do you watch movies that are based on books you’ve read?

Yeah but not as a rule or anything.  If there’s a movie people praise then I’ll see it.  (Loved La La Land and I hate romances and I hate musicals even more lol)

How much time do you spend blogging in any given week?

I’d say blogging is like another job for me.  Even though I rarely sit down to blog for more than half an hour or an hour at a time, if you add it all up it probably comes out to around 20 hours a week.  I try to utilize observations I see in traffic patterns and specific kinds of content to maximize the “flow” and reader experience of my blog.

Is blogging your profession or just a hobby?

Blogging is my hobby.  I’m just a freewheeling vet/college student that’s trying to avoid the Office Life.  If I have to work in an office then so be it, but at least I’ve learned a lot while I’m attending school and set up good systems which I can perpetuate if I have to transition into a real job.

What piece of advice would you give aspiring writers out there wanting to get into blogging?

I would say to aspiring writers that creativity is like a muscle.  Even if you’re short on time, write every day.  250 words takes five to fifteen minutes, and will give you a publishable length manuscript (80-100k) in one year’s time.  

Also, from what I’ve seen, there are two approaches to creativity—obsession or awareness.  Obsession is unhealthy—you focus on your work to the point that you achieve a meditative state, ignore everything else, and tap into some kind of universal truth. (think Steve Jobs).  The downsides to this approach are obvious—it’s very hard to balance the rest of your life and not spiral out of control.  

Awareness allows you to maintain a good work/life balance but it is EXTREMELY unpleasant—basically you need to question the viewpoints that make you “you” and not someone else.  My method is to use “what if”s to push up against personal boundaries.  So for example:  “What if the person you loved/respected most in your life is a villain?  What facts/anecdotes would you use to make that case?”  Or:  “What if the person you hated most in your life was a hero?  How would you make the case for that?”  

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but you can see how trying to understand multiple perspectives exposes where one might draw a mental line in the sand and refuse to explore any further.  Nevertheless, I feel it’s an essential tool for being able to illustrate theme and philosophy through a mosaic of different characters

Do you keep a daily journal? Are you more technological or physical?

No daily journal. I’m definitely more technological.  I write 3500 words a day 5x a week and that’s hard as balls on my wrists.  Writing would completely destroy my forearms, haha!

What is your passion?

My passion is physical activities.  My joints are too busted for me to do more than some rudimentary weight-lifting and biking, but one day, if I make enough money, I’d like to get some stem cell therapy and get back into martial arts.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

My ultimate goal in life is to entertain people and have my days completely to myself.  I’d like to live in a different place every 3-6 months without worrying about money and have a few dogs around to make me smile.  (My ex took mine in the divorce, but it’s okay ‘cos the studio I’m living in right now is too small for ’em).

What legacy would you like to leave behind?

I don’t know if I want to leave any legacy behind.  People tell me they enjoy my blog and my writing, and honestly that’s enough for me.  I feel privileged that anyone’s bought my books or liked any of my posts—and I feel FLATTERED that they leave good reviews or comments!  Just knowing that I contributed something that I made by myself—rather than just perpetuating a bureaucracy for the government or shareholders—feels amazing.  I think if my time on Earth was up at this moment, I would have no complaints.  I feel I’ve been given blessings beyond what I ever could have expected.

Is there anything you want the readers to know about your blog we haven’t covered?

I guess that if you took the core things in spirituality (we are pieces of an infinitely powerful being that chose to forget it was infinitely powerful so it could experience the joy of rediscovering itself) and science (we are short-lived specks hurling through space) and followed them to their logical ends, you would come to the same conclusion:  Enjoy the time you are here, because it will soon be over.  This doesn’t mean give in to hedonism—from what I understand, any form of addict is driven by compulsion more than enjoyment—but to foster whatever qualities you need to (discipline, creativity, knowledge, toughness) in order to drink as deeply as you can out of the well of life.  That’s the way I try to live.  I hope that everyone gets their full drought of their amazing experience as human beings.  That’s it.

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Don’t just take my word for it, please visit his blog and let him know that you saw him here on “Sunday Showcase.”

As always, If you would like your blog to be featured on here, please do not hesitate to email me at craftyartistkc@gmail.com and I would love to feature you next Sunday.

 

In this weeks’ Showcase Sunday, I would like to introduce you to Reed Buck from Journey into Writing.  I really enjoyed interviewing him because his answers actually made me laugh out loud. Not only did his interview make me laugh, but the way he writes his blog is also witty and unique. I love his writing style because it is different than most the others out there. He learns by doing and he is doing great in my book. Before you run to check him out though, get a taste of his personality in the interview below.

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What made you get into blogging?

Well, I’ve been creative writing since I was a kid, and I never really thought much about any other type of writing until after college, when I decided I wanted to give it a shot as a career. That was when my brother suggested to me to try blogging as a way to practice writing skills while I was looking for jobs in communications. Once I’d started, I just kind of fell in love with it.

You mentioned that you fell in love with blogging, what is it that you love most?

I love the honesty of it. I love that, because of anonymity, I can be a little more forward than I would normally be in exposing myself and the way I think to strangers. It’s been really gratifying to see that other people – not just my friends and family – are interested in hearing what I have to say.

Have you ever had any formal training or education in your blog subject?

Er… no. And that’s especially awkward because my blog subject is writing. When I first started my blog, I was working for the UCLA Library doing odd jobs, and as I continued the blog, I was given the opportunity to try some communications writing, some copywriting, and some article writing, but before that the only experience I’d had in writing was my little dinky creative writing projects.

What was your greatest failure and how did you learn from it?

Wow, getting philosophical, huh? I guess in regards to writing, I wrote a book series a while ago that I thought was really good, but I queried something like 80 different publishers and literary agencies and none of them so much as asked for the full manuscript. I also had to actually pay my alpha readers to read it for me. Interestingly enough, paying them was a great idea, because it gave me the courage to ask for the kind of in-depth, honest criticisms of certain aspects of my work that allowed me to hone in on what I was the worst at (which turned out to be pacing and character strength). That gave me a great place to start improving with my current writing project, which has turned out much better.

You also mentioned that you had written a book series before, have you revisited that series to resubmit or have you put it to the side for now? Also, have you written any book since?

I’ve put the series aside for now, although my girlfriend keeps bugging me to finish it. I’m working on a new project now – a single book which I’ve condensed down from what was originally going to be a trilogy – that I’ve written a lot about on my blog. I’ve completed the first third of it – I’m releasing it in parts to my alpha readers – and I expect the second and third parts to follow in the coming 2-3 months.

Who has influenced you the most with your blog?

Oh, wow. I honestly don’t know. I mean, my brother was the one who suggested I get into blogging, so I would probably say him, but since I take my blog to be an extension of my own eccentricity and honesty, I’d have to say anyone who influenced me as a person influenced my blog. Is that a cop-out? It sounds like a cop-out. Oh well.

How much time do you spend blogging in any given week?

Well, I just recently decided to cut back – I was writing a post every day, which was about an hour every day, but I noticed I wasn’t getting as much readership when I did that, so I’ll be posting every weekday from now on and giving myself the weekends to work more on creative writing… and naps. So it’s usually about five hours a week – one hour a day, five days a week. Not too bad.

Is blogging your profession or just a hobby?

Looooool. Yeah, no, nobody would pay me to put this on. I mean, if you ever want to Venmo me a few bucks, I’m not above that. But no, blogging is a hobby for me. Maybe someday I’ll get lucky and my creative writing will make me some money, but for now, all the writing I do is just a hobby for me.

What is your passion?

I have four passions (can you tell I’ve been asked this before?). I love music – especially thematic and game soundtracks that really move me and make great cadence to write to. I love writing (obviously) and reading science fiction and fantasy of all kinds, from children’s and middle-grade all the way up to adult epic fantasy. I love neuroscience – my undergrad major – and learning various little cool things about the ways our brains work. And I love Christopher Nolan movies.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

No pressure or anything. If I were to guess right now, without the benefits of age and wisdom, I would say my  goal in life is to love as many people as possible as often as possible, and to try to express that love and positivity out into the world. And I guess getting one of my books published would be nice, too.

What legacy would you like to leave behind?

Honestly, I always kind of thought that legacy concept was kind of self-centered. I’d be okay just subsisting and being lost to history, if it just meant I left a few children behind who had good heads on their shoulders (or better than mine, at least). I guess that’s a sort of a legacy.

If you had one piece of advice that you could give other writers wanting to get into blogging, what would that be?

Oh, man, I’m not sure I’m the right one to ask about this. My success has consisted of (I think) 25 followers in like 4 months. But I guess I would say have a gameplan, and be open. Your gameplan is important because blogs are a huge chunk of the internet – if you don’t have something specific to write about that is unique to you, you’re not gonna get much viewership (like me). Being open is even more important, in my opinion, because people gravitate to someone who’s saying what they feel internally but are too afraid to express. But those are just my two cents, and they don’t go very far in this economy.

Is there anything you want the readers to know about your blog we haven’t covered?

It’s weird, and irreverent. I bounce back and forth between philosophy and writing tips and stream-of-consciousness writing like a pinball. But if you like my tone here, that’s more of what you’ll get at my blog. Thanks for checking it out!

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Don’t just take my word for it, please visit his blog and let him know that you saw him here on “Sunday Showcase.”

As always, If you would like your blog to be featured on here, please do not hesitate to email me at craftyartistkc@gmail.com and I would love to feature you next sunday.

For this week’s Showcase Sunday, I would like to introduce you to Emily Guyton-Lange from Never Idly Dreaming She has some of the most beautiful writings available for your enjoyment on her blog. Her creative writing is something that could keep you captured for hours as you read through her blog, especially since it is also sprinkled with beautiful arts and crafts. The simple fact that her blog is so well rounded is a recipe for success. Before you run to check out her blog, learn a little more about her below in this week’s interview!

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What made you get into blogging?

I’m an aspiring author who wanted to form connections with other writers and showcase some examples of my writing. The drive to create drives me in many areas outside of writing as well, such as crafting and academic work. The idea of sharing my thoughts with others on a regular basis seemed daunting at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to start. It has become a great place to share progress on my writing, as well as somewhere to celebrate my adventures in other crafts.

Have you ever had any formal training or education in your blog subject?

Unless you count one or two online classes about creative writing or grammar, I would say no. I have learned most of what I know about writing through other blogs, books, and of course, lots of actual writing. That being said, I intend to major in English with a focus in creative writing when I attend college this Fall, so I’m certain more formal training is on the horizon. For my crafting, which is admittedly a smaller part of my blog, I am indebted to my grandmother for my original instruction and the rest of my family for their continued creativity. My grandmother gave me many foundational tools which I used to learn about other areas of crafting myself, while my family of artists always encouraged me to be creative in any way I chose.

What is your family’s creative history? You mention that they have helped you with your crafting, but how?

My mom is a painter who also loves to work with mixed media, colored pencil, and graphic design. She was an art teacher for almost fifteen years before going back to school for natural medicine. My dad is primarily a photographer, but he also does quite a bit of mixed media journal work and graphic design, along with jewelry making and turning our backyard into a Japanese garden. He’s also a photography professor. My younger brother is a talented musician, stop-motion animator, and currently wants to pursue a career as a director.

Aside from giving me a general appreciation for the arts, providing the supplies for an artistic childhood, and nurturing a lot of my creative growth through homeschooling, my family has always been incredibly supportive of my creative pursuits. You often hear stories of families who try to force their child to pursue the career which will bring in more money, not necessarily what they were passionate about. My parents always make sure I understand both the highlights and the pitfalls of whatever I choose, but they’ll always be with me no matter what I decide to do.

What was your greatest failure and how did you learn from it?

I have a hard time answering this question because I feel like so many of my “failures” are merely setbacks which lead me to greater and better things. However, I am fairly young. I’m sure more setbacks and true failures are coming my way.

Who has influenced you the most with your blog?

Outside of my extremely supportive family, I would have to say, Ariel Hudnall. I took part in a Facebook-based class she led for writers who want to start blogs to promote their work or simply serve as an author platform. Ariel helped me learn my way around WordPress and gave many suggestions for how to run a successful blog as a writer. I adapted many of these suggestions for my own use, even in areas outside of writing such as my craft posts.

(Ariel’s blog: https://arielhudnall.com/)

How much time do you spend blogging in any given week?

I try to post consistently each Friday, as well as my Quote of the Day posts at the beginning of each month. During the academic year I probably spent two to four hours a week on blogging and related networking. During the summer I hope to prepare more Quote of the Day graphics and really focus in on networking, so that number may increase a little over time.

Is blogging your profession or just a hobby?

I would say blogging is related to my chosen profession. I don’t realize profits from my blog and I don’t work on it full time. Perhaps it will become a larger aspect of my profession at a later date, but for now I suppose it’s more of a hobby and a way to get my creative voice into the world.

What is your passion?

Specifically, writing is my passion. It’s difficult, sometimes heartbreakingly so, but I cannot escape how I feel when all of my hard work falls into place and I just know what I’m doing is worthwhile. Writing also fits under a larger umbrella, as I am passionate about all sorts of creation. The act of making something which did not exist before and would not have existed without my work gives me immense satisfaction. This could apply to writing, crafting, and even cooking. All are things I enjoy because it is the act of creating which fuels my passion.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

Above all, I hope to be happy and healthy. I may not know exactly what that happiness will look like yet, but it is always a part of my list of goals. Ultimately, I would like to be a published author. As I mentioned before, writing is my passion, and the ability to focus on that passion while sharing it with others is one of my main goals.

What is the longest thing you’ve written? and what is your favorite genre to write?

Currently my longest piece is actually the first novel I completed for National Novel Writing Month, at just over 75,000 words. That particular project is on the shelf for now, though I may come back to it in the future. My current work in progress is looking like it will be about the same length or longer, I’m about halfway through at this point and it’s just under 45,000 words.

Most of my writing is young adult and falls under the fantasy or science fiction heading. I love the genre’s ability to examine current social issues in a new context and bring diversity into the media. Plus, dragons are awesome.

What legacy would you like to leave behind?

I would like to leave behind a life well-lived, a life filled with passion and the fruits of my hard work. The legacy of a life lived in such a way so that my passions help others and their own passions to flourish. If one person is changed or comforted by something I write, that is enough for me.

Is there anything you want the readers to know about your blog we haven’t covered?

I’ve hinted at this with previous answers, but I don’t like being pigeonholed into a single subject! Never Idly Dreaming is primarily about my writing and writing goals, but if I only wrote about that I would have run out of ideas and interest long ago. My life has many facets, and I have many different creative outlets I’d love to share.

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Don’t just take my word for it, please visit her blog and let her know that you saw her here on “Sunday Showcase.”

As always, If you would like your blog to be featured on here, please do not hesitate to email me at craftyartistkc@gmail.com and I would love to feature you next sunday.