A to Z Blogging Challenge: D is for Don't Get Discouraged with Writer's Block

D is for Don't Get Discouraged with Writer's Block

As writers, we all know the effect getting discouraged has on our writing. When writer's block strikes, as it sometimes will, cultivate the habit of walking away before you get discouraged. Every writer has his own way of dealing with writer's block, but here are a few that have worked for others.

• Go for a walk. There is something about combining physical activity with the world of nature that frees both the mind and soul.
• Take a hot bath. Relaxing the muscles often brings about relief for writer's block.
• Watch a movie. Focusing your attention on someone else's story often does wonders for freeing your own.
• Play. Take some time to play.

Surviving the New Google Algorithm

Positioning yourself well as a writer is always important, but recent changes to Google's algorithm just made it even more important for those online writers who earn a living by publishing their work on writing sites. 

Check out this article for no-nonsense ways you can begin today to improve your chances of success as an online writer.

Ways Online Writers Can Succeed with the New Google Algorithm

As online writers scramble to make sense of the new Google algorithm that plummeted page views for writers across the Internet, one thing becomes obvious. The face of online writing has changed and writers need to adapt to that change quickly--unless they want to go down with the ship. 

Finding Your Voice: Let Your Writing Sing

For many writers, voice is difficult to identify because it is often confused with tone or style, but it is more than either of these. Tone refers to the mood of the specific piece of writing and style refers to the way in which you use words to create structure and balance. Your voice is the elusive quality to makes your writing come to life on the page.

Think of your favorite singer. He or she probably has a preferred style of music— from soulful Blues to good old rock-n-roll. He may also prefer a certain tone from uplifting songs of praise to the dark and foreboding.  Others may share the style and tone of his music—yet he possesses the power to create a unique experience for the listener. That power is his voice.

A writing voice is a lot like that.  It embodies more than style and tone. Your writing voice makes connections with your readers and inspires action or elicits emotion. Your voice is the director, while style and tone are merely actors. They can be recast at any time, but your voice cannot.

Finding your voice requires courage and faith. The courage to put a bit of who you are into everything you write and the faith that there are readers who seek what you have to offer. It isn’t always easy, and it is always comfortable—but until you are ready and willing to go beyond the basics of style and tone and add your personal voice to your work, you will never really know what you are capable of as a writer.

Tips for Finding Your Writing Voice

Write from the heart. Whether you are writing fiction or a simple instructional article, when you write from the heart, your natural voice is unveiled. Use your passion to develop a clear voice.

Picture your audience. Write as though your readers are a friend that you want to share your information with. Use language appropriate for the reader and your voice will come shining through.

Read. Read. Read. Think about the ways the author uses her voice to enhance the style and tone of the piece.

Explore. Write on a variety of topics geared to different audiences. Observe how your writing voice affects the outcome.

How to Make Money Writing Online

Nearly every beginning writer asks the question “How can I make money writing online?” and promptly grabs the first opportunity that comes along. Somehow, earning a small fee and seeing your writing in “print” makes it worth the effort. Many online writers continue to write for sites that pay them a minimal fee in hopes of suddenly producing that one article that will send them over the top. The thought that they too could make it big, clouds their vision keeping them in the same position for years.

Blogs and Teaser Sites

Some online writers make the mistake of creating blogs and teaser sites to redirect readers to their main body of work on a writing site, instead of concentrating their efforts on making money from their blog. Although this seems logical, writers are missing the real power of their own words. Putting your writing skills to work for you by creating your own blog with Google Adsense will earn more money over time than the small amount many writing sites pay their writers—but it will likely take more time.

Combining Writing Sites With Blogging

For that reason, successful online writers combine both, by writing for writing sites such as Yahoo! Contributor’s Network, Helium, List my Five and others while they develop a blog to feature their best writing. If you are in a position where you need to make money now from your writing, then by all means begin by signing up for a writing site and devote your time to building a solid base of articles to make money from your writing.

Choosing a Writing Site

The particular writing site you use depends on the type of writing you do and your personal preferences. Each offers benefits that the other may not. You can find information on specific writing sites in this list by freelance writer Linda Batey Top Five Writing Websites for Freelance Writers. You may also be interested in  Reasons to Write  for Associated Content and Benefits to Writing for Demand Media Studios.

Starting Your Blog

If you have the luxury of delaying earning money from your writing, starting a blog may be your best alternative. This allows you to take your time to develop your personal style as writer and to create an abundance of quality posts that provide what the readers in your niche really want and need.  I won’t bore you with my ramblings about selecting a writing niche. If you need further information --or just want a quick refresher course--on identifying a writing niche you can find that info in the post on How to Find Your Writing Niche

Monetizing Your Blog

Once you have identified your writing niche, have a supply of information for your posts and have gained a few readers, it is time to get serious about making money from your writing. Using Google’s Adsense program is quick and easy to install on many blogs, but you should always check with the blog site before you choose a host for your blog. Some free blog sites, such as Wordpress, do not allow you to monetize your blog.  Simply sign up for Google Adsense and follow Google’s simple instructions for adding it to your blog. Simply put, ads are generated to match the content of your blog and blog posts. The better you get at targeting specific ads, the more money you will make. For more information on how you can use keywords to draw in ads that will earn you money from your writing you can find that information in Lesson Two: Finding Keywords.

Going the Extra Step Allows You to Earn More from Writing Online

Writing for writing sites to make money from your writing is certainly an option. Many online writers earn a good living doing just that. But, if you are serious about earning money from your writing, go a step further and use your writing skills to create a blog that provides a service to your readers.