By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: Me

Pretty photo, isn’t it? I’m far from a professional photographer. Half of the photos I snap are out of focus and not so great, so when I get one that actually makes me happy and proud to be the one who captured it (like the one above), I’m elated.

I have to be honest. I’ve gone back and forth between two other blog posts today. Both are great ideas and they’re going to be pretty good posts, but I’m just not feeling either of them today. I know you’ll thank me (once you read them) for saving them until inspiration takes me over.

Since this is the weekend, I’ve decided on a fun blog post. I recently came across the most hilarious thing I think I’ve seen in a while. I guess it doesn’t take much to occupy me. I’m not going to spoil the surprise, though. I want you to see it for yourself. Anxious to find out? I know you’re dying to know! Ok, I’ll share with you… But be warned, you’re going to flip out!

What? Thought I forgot to tell you? If you’re still reading, you missed it already. Go back and click on the words “flip out.” See ‘em right up there? Yeah, those words. Go click ‘em. You’re gonna love it! And don’t forget to come back here and share your reaction in the comments. I can’t wait to hear (ahem… read) what you have to say about it.

Ah, the meme…. I didn’t forget, Janna! Janna, over at Something She Wrote, paid me back. I recently tagged her for the Writing from Home meme, so she tagged me for the A to Z meme. I thought it sounded familiar when I read hers. Now I know why. I went through my archives and I’ve already done that one! Sorry for the wait, Janna. And… drum roll, please… Weekend Fun with the Alphabet.

So, how’s your weekend been? Have you been reading or writing? Are you near the water? Enjoying the sandy beaches? Did you go shopping? Let us know… leave a comment now! We’re waiting…. And, by all means, did you “flip out?”

Hope you’ve been having lots of success writing the cyber highway–and fun, too!

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: Me

Erika, at Musings from the Mitten, has tagged me for a meme (er, I’m running a little late - sorry!). The theme: Why I love writing from home…

Ok, here are a few reasons (in no particular order):

1. I don’t have to wear panty hose.
2. I get to see my thinking tree every day.
3. I don’t have to drive.
4. I can write while sitting on the porch.
5. I can bake banana bread and deliver it to people just because. (I don’t treat myself to this moist, delish bread - I don’t want to gain back 100+ pounds, you know! - but I do reap great satisfaction from sharing my love of baking with others.)
6. I get to network with awesome writers (like Erika!).
7. I can blog.
8. I can Squidoo.
9. I’m able to take photos like the one featured at the beginning of this post.
10. I get to Hub.
11. But most importantly, I can release words fighting to escape from my soul, all while making money and being around loved ones at the same time!

Thanks for tagging me, Erika!

A few ladies I know will share wonderful reasons why they love writing from home are:

1. Becca, from Becca’s Byline
2. Renie, from Renie Burghardt’s World
3. Katherine, at KatherineHuether.com
4. Opal, at Addicted to Writing
5. Janna, at Something She Wrote

If you ladies have the extra time and would like to participate, we’d love to read what you love most about writing from home! And, if anyone reading this has never heard of or visited the above blogs (including Musings from the Mitten) do check them out. They’re amazing ladies with awesome blogs!

UPDATE: Amanda, over at From Ink to Ether, took me up on my offer and posted The Beauty of Working from Home. If her blog is one you haven’t visited, please speed the cyber highway right now and get there. Amanda Nicole shares information on freelance writing rates and much more. Thanks for participating, Amanda!

NOTE: Anyone else want to jump in? I’ll update with your link as well!

So, my faithful readers, why do you enjoy writing from home? Are you just starting out or have you been writing from home for years, or even decades? Is making money the main reason you write? Or do you write because, like me, it’s your calling and you can’t escape it? Does the ole muse chase you down in the middle of the night and beat you over the head until you drag yourself to the computer and fill up those empty pages? Jump right in the comments and share your heart! Kick your shoes off and stay awhile. You don’t have to be a lurker here! No siree, Bob - or Sally! Want to participate in this meme? Go right ahead! Leave a link to your post in the comments. I look forward to reading your answers!

Keep up with me as I write the cyber highway. Grab my feed. You can subscribe to Entries RSS OR Comments RSS OR if you prefer to receive updates to your inbox, you can subscribe Via E-mail as well!

Reference:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme

By

Michele L. Tune

Warning: This is pretty much an uninteresting post about where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing, so if this type of stuff bores you to tears, remember you’ve been warned…

Photo Credit: Me

Ah, at last I return. So, where have I been? Writing, of course! Where? I’ll share a few of the places with you.

• Squidoo - I’ve wondered what all the rave is about with Squidoo Lenses. Now I know! I’m having a blast at Squidoo.com. So far, I’ve only created one lens: How to Make People Smile. It’s much like blogging, and it’s great fun–wonderful way to express your creativity!

• HubPages - Again, pretty much blogging and is an awesome way to share information you’re interested in, but maybe doesn’t fit within your blog’s theme. I have three “hubs” so far: Tea Tree Oil for Head Lice (no, I don’t have it! hehe), Brussel Sprouts: Sweet and Delish, and Pumpkin Pie… Yogurt.

I’ve shied away from sites like this for a long time, but I finally caved in and decided to just give them a try. I’m so glad I did!

I also wrote a piece for my local newspaper recently and finished a 1,500 word article that I’ll hopefully be able to let you know a link to soon.

So, lots of stuff going on... I’ve also been working on a fresh design and content for my freelance website. Heather, at Goofy Girl Designs, has been working hard on the design part and I’ve been working to write the content to really reflect the creative, inspiring person I am.

In other news… I’m getting a lot better about actually following up with my queries and submissions. I should have done this a long time ago. If you don’t follow up, it’s something you should really consider doing. Sometimes editors honestly are interested in what you submitted or queried about, or at least your writing style, but the e-mail gets lost or forgotten about. If you follow up, you’ll refresh their memory and possibly make that sale–or hopefully many sales!

Did you enjoy this post and my friendly, girl-next-door writing voice? Would you like to read more? Gobble up my feed - Entries RSS OR Comments RSS OR if you prefer updates to your inbox, Via E-mail - so you’ll always know when I have something to say! And get ready, this site will be podcasting soon. Imagine that - you’ll get to hear my southern accent. Ya’ll come back now, ya hear?!

Well, that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing–as far as writing is concerned anyway. What have you been up to? Do you write Squidoo Lenses? Are you a Hubber who loves writing HubPages? Do you write for your local newspaper? Have you thought of giving your freelance website a fresh design and content? Let us know what you’ve been doing lately!

Travel the cyber highway with me! Subscribe to Writing the Cyber Highway Blog:

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By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: Me

First of all, I’d love to thank Jeanne Dininni of Writer’s Notes, for the beautiful, generous guest post she shared with us last week. In case you missed it, please do check it out. She shares tips on how to find motivation to finish that work when you’re just not feeling it. Also, her amazing guest post at John Hewitt’s Writer’s Resource Center is filled to the brim with advice! In 7 Secrets to a Striking Essay, Jeanne will lead you through each step with such inspiring wisdom, you’ll be to the last secret before you know it–wishing you had thought to write this awesome piece!

Moving along….

I’m always emphasizing how I love sharing my heart–opening my very soul for my reader to see, feel, and relate to. I think pouring our heart and soul into our work is the ultimate way to gain readership, build a great community, and/or win those big ole clips!

As I’ve traveled across the blogosphere lately, I’ve noticed that very trend popping up more and more! It excites me because I love to feel that connection. I love to see folks sharing their hearts, reaching out to their reader, showing that they’re human and not just a set of typing fingers on the other side of the computer screen.

I’ve decided to list a few of the posts where I feel the author really opened their heart, revealed their true feelings, and did so in an inspiring, encouraging way–in a way that really spoke to me, and I’m sure to the other readers as well.

1. Melissa Donovan, at Writing Forward, recently posted: How I Launched My Freelance Writing Career. She went into great detail, revealing step-by-step how she happened upon the freelance life, how she researched, studied, planned, and just went for it.

A few words that grabbed my heart:

The past nine months have been crazy. There are ups and downs, moments of sheer excitement when I realize that I’m doing this all on my own and moments of sheer exhaustion when I realize it’s all riding on me.

Melissa presented herself vulnerable to the world. Some people think of exposing our naked heart negatively. I disagree. There’s a priceless beauty in unlocking the heart and inviting readers in, encouraging them to kick of their shoes and stay awhile. Melissa does this with grace and dignity! She brought the realness of freelance writing to the table. It isn’t about lounging with a view of the beach and a laptop–although some writers are able to do that (bless ‘em!) and it’s a life we fantasize about. In reality, it’s exhausting, and it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. I personally think fate pulled Melissa to the freelance life. As she explains in her post, she had no choice but to come up with a plan–and quick!

Melissa’s blog, Writing Forward, is an invaluable resource for writers and bloggers alike. You’ll find writing tips, writing exercises, lessons with poetry, grammar, and more. She’s the friendly, cool “English teacher” you always wish you had! Keep up the great work, Melissa! You’re shining brighter each day!

2. Blogger and up-and-coming freelance writer, Mary Grandy, displayed her heart in a post titled: The Last Good-bye. Unlike Melissa, Mary’s topic was sad. But you’ll find as you read it, that not only is she expressing herself through words as a way to grieve a loss, but she’s honoring a loved one with words that inspire, stir emotions, and rekindle memories of the readers’ own loved ones. If you follow the comment thread, you’ll see first-hand how Mary’s passionate words sent her readers on a walk down memory lane. Words are powerful, people, very powerful!

Of the words Mary shared, these are the ones that made me sad yet caused me to smile at the same time:

I should be going now, but I selfishly don’t want to. I don’t know if you realize this, but there are others reading this letter. You wouldn’t understand why I write this here, but then you never understood the concept of call waiting.

I think we can all relate to trying to explain to grandparents or parents why on earth we’d expose our “diaries” for all the world to gawk at!

Mary, since I first started following your blog, I’ve watched you gain blogging confidence. You’ve learned to hyperlink, started a blazing trail of guest posts, and have built up your comments in those beloved double digits! You were destined to blog, my dear. And, what a writer you are!

3. Another post I had to pull off the cyber highway for, was written by none other than Rebecca Laffar-Smith. This brilliant writer always writes from her heart, shares her soul, and has a magical way with words. She recently flew to California to attend the Writer’s Conference and Book Expo. While she waited for her plane, and a couple more times throughout her adventure, Rebecca wrote letters and published them on her blog - The Writer’s Round-About - starting them out with “Dear Reader” and signing each one, “Sincerely, Rebecca.” I thought this was a fabulous idea, keeping her readers updated while she was away–and with such a personal touch!

One letter, A Sax Outside My Window, gives us a glimpse into a writer who feels like she’s landed in another kingdom, a faraway kingdom she’s always dreamt of visiting. Like a princess, she sits by her window, soaking up all the activity around her, finding inspiration in every detail of movement her eyes behold.

Read for yourself. Here’s an excerpt:

The city is a magical place to be a writer…. It is so nice to simply sit, listen, and ponder. Isn’t it amazing that doing this, right now, is considered working? Sometimes I imagine this as the life I could have had, a lonely writer sitting up in her one room apartment above the city streets, writing, and listening to life passing by down below.

Even when Rebecca writes a series, using Star Trek as the theme - even though I totally do not like that show! - I find myself captivated, hanging on each syllable until, before I realize it, I’ve read a long post on a topic I don’t even remotely care about! That’s the beauty of Rebecca. She can draw you in before you know what’s hit you! I’ve watched her blog grow, change, move to WordPress, and flourish right before my very eyes. Write on, Rebecca! I know I’ll see your novel on store shelves some day!

There are so many more examples of writers and bloggers writing from their hearts, just like these I’ve highlighted today. If time allows, and if I see you are interested, I may expand on this topic and do a part two.

The one thing Melissa, Mary, and Rebecca have in common: heart. They’re not afraid to share it.

So, what about you? Do you share your heart? Or do you detest posts like these? Why? Would you come more reading a post if it has that special, heartfelt touch? Or do you prefer just basic information: get to the point and move on? If so, why? Please share in the comments. And, if you feel like it, leave a piece of your heart!

Here’s to sharing your heart, writing the cyber highway!

Jobs for Freelance Writers

Writing the Cyber Highway Copyright 2007-2008, Michele L. Tune All Rights Reserved.

NOTE: I’m proud to announce Writing the Cyber Highway’s first guest blogger! Jeanne Dininni, of Writer’s Notes, has been kind enough to share her writing wisdom with us. I also wanted to tell you to be sure to keep your eyes open for another of Jeanne’s guest posts - 7 Secrets to a Striking Essay - scheduled to appear on John Hewitt’s Writer’s Resource Center, Wednesday, June 4th.

Jeanne is so generous to offer up encouraging advice for us. I know you’ll enjoy her inspiring words. Without further ado, I present our first guest post:

By Jeanne Dininni

When You Don’t Feel Like Writing

How do you motivate yourself to write when you don’t feel like writing? How do you convince yourself to get down to business when you’d rather do anything but?

Have you ever had those days when you just can’t seem to face the prospect of writing that article that’s coming due, that query letter you know you should write, or that blog post that will remind your readers that you haven’t fallen off the face of the earth…that you’re not only still around but that you’re actually still interested in sharing your wit and wisdom with them? (I thought so!) You want to write, but you just can’t seem to make yourself do it.

Lack of Motivation: A Common Problem

Every writer struggles with these feelings from time to time—many of us quite often. And for bloggers and other online writers who work from home, life can be particularly distracting, as we’re continually bombarded not only with the household responsibilities that continually beckon, but also with the many available—and attractive—alternatives to working.

Such tempting activities as commenting on other blogs, visiting social media sites, checking our site stats, looking for nifty high-tech tools for our web pages, reading unrelated but interesting content during our online research, and any number of other enjoyable and otherwise productive activities often only serve to intensify our motivation problem and derail us from our efforts to fulfill our writing responsibilities.

What’s a Writer to Do?

The most important thing is to realize that motivation is a state of mind. It can come from many sources. Some of them follow.

The Writer’s Most Common Motivation Sources

Enthusiasm

When we’re feeling really enthusiastic about a project, don’t we find it so much easier to throw ourselves into completing it—even when the project itself is difficult or involved? If you can work up the enthusiasm to actually relish the prospect of writing about your topic, you will have won a great victory.

To do that, try taking your focus off the negative aspects of the project and focusing, instead, on something positive about the piece—something you can actually enjoy about it. If the subject matter itself doesn’t interest you, try focusing on a specific writing technique that you’ve mastered which you’re particularly proud of and which you plan to use for the piece.

If need be, you can even focus on a favorite writing tool, some physical part of the writing process that you enjoy, or the satisfaction you receive from your excellent spelling ability, extensive vocabulary, fantastic research skills, or even the way your well-formatted work looks on the page. A little enthusiasm will go a long way toward helping you thrive on the journey ahead, making it so much easier to reach your destination.

Interest

When we’re interested in our topic, writing about it grips our attention, draws us into our content, and keeps us going. It causes time to fly by, making us wonder where it could have gone. Interest can fuel the energy that helps us build momentum, spurring us on toward the realization of our writing goals.

If you’re able to pick and choose your projects so you’re only required to write about topics that interest you, great! You’ll have a much easier time motivating yourself to complete your writing assignments. But, if not, try finding something about the project that captures your interest—even if it takes a stretch of the imagination to discover it. It will be well worth the effort!

If the project itself doesn’t hold any fascination for you, try asking yourself a few questions. Will publishing this piece open your work up to a wider audience, giving you greater exposure? Will it place you before a new demographic or offer you a coveted spot in a brand new niche? Will it add to your credibility as a writer and/or as an expert in your current niche or genre? Will it allow you to showcase your work to prospective new clients? Will it open new doors of opportunity for you in other areas either related or unrelated to writing? These are all great reasons for feeling motivated about your writing project!

Inspiration

Inspiration sweeps us high above the mediocrity of our surroundings, activating our imaginations and infusing us with a power that makes expressing our thoughts via the written word practically effortless. Don’t we just adore the times when we’re fortunate enough to function under the tutelage of this most welcome influence? When it strikes, we see everything in a brand new light, and that helps us rise to bold new heights of creativity. Yet, when inspiration tarries, we often become discouraged.

At times like these, we need to generate a little inspiration of our own. One way we can do this is through the vehicle of high and noble thoughts. Focusing on our ideals and on the meaningful messages we hope to convey to our readers through our writing can jump-start the inspiration process. We can also inspire ourselves through the purposeful recall of vividly meaningful memories, of people we’ve known and loved or joys we’ve experienced. Or we can generate inspiration through the intentional act of surrounding ourselves with beauty. Stirring music, beautiful art, a lovely garden, a distinctively decorated writing nook—all these can help us create an atmosphere that’s conducive to inspiration. And all these can help us motivate ourselves to write.

Reward

The expectation of reward can be another excellent motivator. The reward might be a tangible one like money or an intangible one like recognition. It can even be something as simple—yet sensational—as the sense of satisfaction or feeling of fulfillment we derive from our writing. Just knowing that our work will help someone or that someone will enjoy it can bring its own reward, strengthening our motivation to complete a project.

And though money can often be a great motivator, we sometimes feel we aren’t receiving sufficient compensation for our work—particularly in the web-writing arena, where the going rates tend to be lower—and this can have a demotivating effect on us. That’s why it’s so important not to overlook the intangible rewards—to allow them to provide the impetus to keep us moving forward.

The Role of Attitude in Motivation

We need to realize that we are responsible for our own attitudes. We choose our own thoughts, as well as the lens through which we view the world. We can choose to see our project as a problem—a burden that’s been thrust upon us and one that we must grit our teeth and struggle through, hating every minute of it. Or we can decide to think differently about it—to remain positive and proactively seek ways to make it more than just another piece of writing.

Sometimes it takes sheer willpower to motivate ourselves to write, but I’m convinced that we can make a conscious decision to throw ourselves into our project. (In fact, I know we can, because I’ve proven it to myself again and again in my own writing.) We can make our writing a real extension of who we are, infusing it with that spark of personality, talent, expertise, imagination, and careful craftsmanship that only we can provide, making it a piece we can be proud to write—even if it’s a project that wouldn’t otherwise move us.

The Writer’s Last Resort

When all else fails, we may need to put a popular anti-procrastination technique to work and just do it, trusting that the motivation will follow as we gradually enter into our project. At times like these, it helps to remember that the ability to write when we don’t feel like it—when the intrinsic motivation, interest, enthusiasm, and inspiration escape us—is what separates the professional from the amateur.

And that knowledge alone can serve as our last-ditch motivator—because it’s a truth that carries its own reward.

Jeanne Dininni is a freelance writer and blogger whose work appears in numerous online and print venues. Her current projects include writing business guides for the Work.com website and authoring her Writer’s Notes blog. Through Writer’s Notes, Jeanne offers information, inspiration, encouragement, and resources to help her fellow writers succeed in both the craft and the business of writing.

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Thanks so much, Jeanne, for writing the cyber highway! It’s been a joy to have you as a guest. You’re welcome anytime!

And, to my readers: Be sure to drop by Jeanne’s wonderful blog, Writer’s Notes. You’ll enjoy your time there. Subscribe to her feed so you can receive future wisdom from this great writer!

Reminder:

We recently moved to this domain from Blogger. It’s time to update your feed, thanks!

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By

Michele L. Tune

“A person who is master of patience is master of many things.”

That’s the quote you see on that little piece of paper on the plate below…

Photo Credit: Me

I think the universe is screaming at me. Ludicrous, you think? Don’t jump to conclusions. Seriously. As I can, I’ve been making time to update the links in my old posts. I started at the beginning and am working my way backwards, up to now (because I just moved from Blogger to WordPress, for anyone just tuning in). I came to this post about patience.

Check out what I said at the end of that post:

Patience is a virtue (I believe) all successful writers possess. Dig deep and find patience. It’s in there!

Yes, I wrote those very words!

This is what happened when I got up from editing that post to find something quick to fix for lunch: I was digging in the cabinet and found a box of fortune cookies. I never really take those little fortunes to heart, but I love the taste of those cookies! I broke a cookie and started nibbling. I just laid that little ole piece of paper on the counter while I went searching for something to actually eat.

Imagine my surprise when I decided to pick that fortune up and read it! The quote at the top of this post jumped out at me. I just had to take a picture of those cookies on the plate with my fortune displayed. Coincidence?

I’ll admit, I’ve never been the most patient person. Some people think I’m very patient; others think I have zero patience. But it’s crazy to think the universe is screaming - ok, maybe not screaming - the topic of patience to me.

Weird.

What a strange day I’ve had, writing the cyber highway!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I did not eat all those cookies!

By

Michele L. Tune

We have a new home (a big thanks to Goofy Girl Designs!). Clap your hands everybody!

If you subscribe to Writing the Cyber Highway’s feed, it’s time to update:

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See, we still have the same vibrant header. You should feel right at home! Kick your shoes off and stay awhile. Help me break my new home in.

Yes, I’ve talked about it, teased about it, flirted with it, and now it’s time to actually do it–move to WordPress, that is! Yes, we’re moved in and just have a few last finishing touches to complete. This blog’s new home is on the other side of the cyber highway. You know that big ole stretch of country called WordPress. The grass is greener over on this side, I hear. Thought it was high time to find out if it was true!

I’m still figuring everything out, but I’m actually loving it so far. Don’t forget our new address. Subscribe to my feed so you can find out what’s happening in our new neighborhood….

See you soon!

Don’t forget, I’m still writing the cyber highway. I’m just living on the other side of Blogger!

*smiles*

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: buboo_kt

Tired, Burning, and Itching

We’ve all been there, right? Our eyes are aching from staring at the computer screen but we have to write nonetheless. Sometimes there’s just no way around it. You have to be in front of that bright screen, that window to cyber life.

There’s hope! There’s relief! No, really, there is.

I’m going to share with you what I do.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cucumbers cut in slices
• Small freezer bags

Here’s what to do:

Place the the cucumber slices in freezer bags where they’ll lay flat and not stick together. Lay the bags flat in the freezer. When your eyes are burning, itching, and hurting, go to the freezer and grab a couple of those slices. Let them thaw a little. You can also place a folded, cool wash cloth over the cucumber slices and your eyes. Lean back or lay down in a quiet, relaxing spot - if that’s possible! - and let your poor overworked eyes soak up all that cool goodness. Your eyes will thank you and you’ll love that refreshing feeling the cold cucumber leaves.

I took my own advice and did this just today. It’s great! I loved how my eyes felt afterward. Take care of your eyes; take a few minutes out of your day and reward them with this amazing treatment. You’ll be so glad you did!

And, you’ll definitely have a much nicer time writing the cyber highway!

By

Michele L. Tune

You probably can’t see the inspiring words on the front of this spiral notebook I bought yesterday.

These six words jumped out at me and spoke volumes to my soul! I had no intentions of buying a notebook, but I couldn’t resist this one.

It’s true, the door to our dreams is right in front of us—just up a head a little ways. Like the rainbow we talked about in the previous post, it’s there, we just can’t see it yet. All we have to do is stay on the path that leads to it - no matter how rocky the terrain gets - and have the strength to open our door once we reach it. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

Sometimes the only thing holding us back from our dreams is us. Yes, that’s right. Maybe we’re afraid of the unknown. Maybe we’re beating ourselves up, thinking we don’t deserve all the goodness that awaits us. Who knows? But the door is there, and we’re the only ones with the power – the key – to open it.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to unlock and open the door to your dreams? Do you have enough muscle to pull hard enough to yank that door open and flail it against the wall? Do you have enough ambition, faith, hopes and dreams to bust through with all your might? Think about it….

Keep watching for your rainbows, but don’t forget to keep an eye out for the door to your dreams; it will enable you to have much success writing the cyber highway!

Photo by pauel_0206

Looking around the world today, we see tragedy of all kinds.

Fires, floods, cyclones, and more. Lives and homes are being ripped apart. Hope for those futures seem bleak. Where will they live? What will they do? Why did this happen to them? We all know these are questions they are asking themselves, or that we ask ourselves as we see these sad stories flash on news channel after news channel. It seems no matter how hard we try to avoid depressing circumstances, they pop up everywhere.

Why am I talking (aka typing) about this?

One of my loyal readers, Julia, (love ya, girl!) commented on the previous post that I was a welcome light in her storm. I do believe this is the most beautiful phrase anyone has ever written about me. Thank you for inspiring this post! And, thanks for reading my blog in the wee hours of the morning when the storm’s turbulence is often at its worst. I’m honored.

Writing Storms = Storms of Life

I think we’ve all been there. Something (or several somethings) is going on in our lives that is stressful, depressing, and/or we can’t stop thinking about. Maybe you have received storm damage from a literal storm. Perhaps a special loved one is ill, passed away, was just diagnosed with cancer. Whatever the situation, it becomes hard to concentrate on writing, blogging, brainstorming for ideas. It’s easy in times like these to lose focus and have difficulty finding even a hint of the inspiration you once had an abundance of. You might even think of giving up your writing dreams, asking yourself why you ever thought you could make it as a writer in the first place.

Our lives and our writing are intertwined like roses climbing an arbor. The vibrant, green petals cling to the strong anchor in the storm. They hold onto the lattice as the wind blows furiously and the rain pelts down hard. The thirsty little rosebuds flourish into huge blooms after the roots drink up all that nourishment from the sky.

Rosebushes are beautiful in the spring when they’re green and full of new growth. In the fall and winter, it’s another story. They wither away and become grayish brown. Depressing, I know. But that isn’t the end. Those elegant roses aren’t dead. The beautiful blooms are just “sleeping” for a while.

Where Rainbows Come In

No matter how much the storm rages, or how long of a dry spell you have in your writing (or your life), it will end. The darkness will fade away. The calm will come. The sun will shine. The rainbow will stretch wide, reaching far up to the heavens. You’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief, relax. A fresh, new confidence will emerge from a place deep inside–a place you thought had withered and died, but was only sleeping for just a little while. Your soul will soak up the nourishment it craved but couldn’t receive.

Enjoy the rainbow. Revel in the sunshine. Cherish the beauty of a new day, new opportunities, ideas, moments to share with those you love most and to remember the ones who had a precious part in molding you into the wonderful individual you’ve become. Perhaps - like my grandmother - that person is no longer physically with us. In that case, honor their memory by adding bits of their wisdom into an article. You might also consider giving one of those characters that live inside your head the personality of your loved one. You know, the character you fantasize about becoming part of the novel that is selling on book store shelves everywhere!

Keep Looking for That Pot of Gold

Remember as a child when you actually thought you could find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Find your inner youth, that innocence you still possess but is lost beneath years of the world beating you down. Close your eyes and picture yourself as that kid you once was, that kid who dreamed big, could jump out of a swing and soar as high as superman. See the rainbow? It’s closer than you think…

Watch for the sunshine peeking through those dark clouds, and always, always keep writing the cyber highway!

Writing the Cyber Highway Copyright © 2007 - 2008 Freelance Writer, Michele L. Tune