A Little Bit Of Forward Planning
One of the benefits of writing to a monthly theme is that it forces you into a bit of forward planning about the shape and content of your blog. Almost half way into April I can see that I’ve got a lot (a lot) to squeeze into April on the theme of power, not least if I’m going to do justice to the contributions that you’ve all been writing. Plus I’m going to Chicago at the end of the month, and trying to move house. Hmm.
So, what I’m planning is to extend the conversation on powerful writing into the middle of May. This’ll give me time to round things up once I come back from SobCon08 and gives those of you who’ve promised to write guest posts more time to sharpen your pencils 
I’m going to use the same time frame, 6 weeks, for the next theme (writing with purpose), to give me the space to cope with the anticipated house move. That should take me to the end of June when things will go back to their normal schedule (she says, optimistically).
As I go to Chicago in just under a fortnight I’m finalizing those plans too. If you’ve any top tips on what to see and do in Chicago (without spending too much money) please let me know…
Also, if you’re in the Chicago area or better still going to be at SobCon let me know either here or at Twitter (@joannayoung) and we’ll see if we can’t fix up a way to meet up. I’d love to catch up with as many readers as possible when I’m there.
I write to a monthly theme at Confident Writing, based on these ingredients. This month the focus is on power, next month, writing with purpose.
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Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count
Joanna, looking forward to meeting you! I hope the weather is nice, because Chicago is a fantastic city to walk. You might enjoy seeing the Art Institute and the Field Museum of Natural History, which aren’t too far from the convention area. North Michigan Avenue is fun for (expensive) shopping, (inexpensive) window shopping, and people watching. That’s where the Hancock Building is - you’ll want to see that up close. Go to the top for a spectacular view. Lots of great restaurants and bars (pubs) everywhere!
The one joy I would have is to meet you face-to-face, Joanna. It’ll happen at some point!
Your next theme is central to our writing. I keep in mind the “purpose” of my blog theme as I write. To stay on target is utmost. But even as I do that, I’ve learned to write with my readers in mind. Ellen Weber taught me that. There are many elements that weave so tightly together! It’ll be fun to step up to this challenge.
Brad, thanks for those tips! That’s great. I need to try and get a handle on what the weather will be like so I can work out what clothes to bring, but I love to walk about in the country or a city - for me it’s the best way to explore. I’ll be in touch soon to fix up when we should meet too.
Robyn, likewise. If not this year hopefully next - I’m pretty sure I’ll get the bug and want to go back to Chicago in 2009. And of course we need to get you over here to Scotland some time…
You’re brilliant at weaving strands together already. The easiest way to connect up writing for your readers with your blogging purpose is to think of the idea, the emotion, the inspiration or motivation that you want to convey, and then focus on one person you want to convey it to. I often do that - though I pick different readers for different topics - and it helps the words to flow. My unconscious mind provides them for me once I’ve set the conscious frame.
But more on that next month…
Thanks once again for being so up for the challenge
Joanna
I like Chicago. The Art Institute is excellent and be sure to save 30 minutes or so on a day with some sunshine for the nearby Cloud Gate.
Dale
Dale, thank you. I realize as I read this that it hasn’t quite sunk in yet I’m really going. Maybe if I firm up my itinerary based on some of these suggestions it’ll start to become real… Or maybe it’ll only sink in when I’m on the plane…
Joanna
Joanna, I am gaining so much from the powerful writing series that I am happy to see it will be extended. I am looking forward to the contributions as well. However, I am most excited about seeing you in Chicago - Yay! I think it’s still sinking in for me too. I can’t wait!
Karen
Karen, the contributions have been / are just fantastic, and lots of goodies still to come.
I can’t wait to see you either!
Joanna
“If you’ve any top tips on what to see and do in Chicago?”
Jump on a plane for Bangkok?
“One of the benefits of writing to a monthly theme is that it forces you into a bit of forward planning about the shape and content of your blog.”
So true. I much prefer tackling a monthly theme then flaffing about from week to week. Of course, it takes extra time in the beginning to pull it all together (especially when there’s a team involved). But after it’s compliled, the posts flow smoothly and the audience knows what to expect. Nice.
Joanna, thanks for the heads up on your schedule. Mine has been crazy for Feb/March/April but after this week I’ll be back to normal(ish), so it’s good to know you’ve extended your series to May (I do enjoy being able to contribute).
And after reading your posts on power, it’s clear to me that powerful writing is what I need to pay special attention to in my own writing.
So yes, I’ll be here during that time, adding my responses to your thought-provoking questions (while my brain groans and fusses back as I push it to THINK! Darn it!)
Cat, Bangkok is a step too far for me this time… but maybe some time.
I’m with you on monthly themes. Actually I can’t imagine blogging without that focus now. Helps with the reading and research too - reduces the attention splatter. Glad it works for the reader too… esp if it gives you more time to comment and contribute.
Looking forward to reading more of your writing, turbo-charged
Joanna
Joanna, agree, a UK / US / Thailand trip is tiring to pull off. So maybe next time it’ll be just a UK / Thai … who knows what the future holds.
Turbo charged writing … like you, I’m shagged out from life so looks like we’ll both be back in action at the same time.
Enjoy that house hunting. In the right place, searching via the internet is the way to go. I’ve purchased one house (Brunei to Scotland) and rented another (Brunei to Thailand) via the internet and both worked out very well. I’m now looking to buy another via the internet (UK) and I have total confidence in the process.