By guest contributor Amy Anderson
I hate writer’s block. Sometimes I just sit and stare at my computer screen and it’s as though my brain has been wiped clean of all relevant thoughts. This is dangerous territory for a journalism major whose life revolves around deadlines. So when I need inspiration, I usually hit up my favorite design bloggers–the ones with eye-popping images and writing that flows naturally. Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl is one of those writers, and now she’s teaching readers her tricks of the trade.
Her e-book, 52 Weeks of Blogging Your Passion, is a primer in the best blogging practices and a layout for a whole year’s worth of posts. It’s filled with ways to be deliberate about your blog–finding your mission, choosing the right words, and drawing in readers. It made me think about a blog as more than just a place to dump your thoughts and ideas, but really a place to connect, inform, and challenge yourself. It’s something you’ll want to have saved to your desktop for easy reference when you’re searching for what to say.
“You have a passion for craft – or art – or design. You create daily – whether for a living or just because,” Tara writes. “Creating is a journey that starts with inspiration, continues with struggle, collaboration, breakthroughs, and learning, and comes full circle in success or failure. It is a journey that is worth documenting. It is a journey that others share and will be inspired from. Your creative journey is worth reading. Your creative journey is certainly worth writing!”
Not only is Tara a great writer, she’s also a great teacher. Her tips are easy to follow and worthwhile for anyone from a beginning blogger to a web pro.It’s the new year, and time to make some life changes, right? This book is about goals, so why not make one of your resolutions to blog consistently for the year? Whether you make your way through all 52 of Tara’s blogging ideas or just pick and choose a few to enrich your writing, I think you’ll find it a rewarding challenge. Purchase 52 Weeks of Blogging Your Passion online and visit Tara’s blog Scoutie Girl for more inspiration.
About the contributor: Amy Anderson is one of the Indie Fixx interns this summer and is also a student at Northwestern University. Amy has wanted to be a journalist since she was just 5 years old and she is also into the indie design and crafting scenes as well. In addition to writing the occasional post, she also helps me coordinate Feed Your Soul: the free art project.
Hi Amy! Thanks so much for this fabulous review!
And thanks, Jen, for giving 52 Weeks a little platform here on Indie Fixx! Mwah!